CHAPTER 4:FACE TO FACE WITH FATE

I laid in my bed. My alarm had rung almost an hour ago. I wasn't ready to leave my bed Suddenly, everything that had happened yesterday slapped me in the face.

I'm getting married.

Tonight is the ball. That's when the engagement will be announced. I will be forced to hang off his arm the whole night, pretending to be happy and willing as people congratulate us.

It can't happen.

Maybe if I run away, I'll be safe. The one downside to that is that my dad could think I've been kidnapped. A war might start between the mafias because of that.

"Are you awake?," Sara , my sister said as she peaked her head in through my door. I sat up and ran a hand across my face.

"I've been awake all night," I scoffed out.

"You have to avoid this ball," she stressed.

"You don't think I know that? Even if I try to dad will find a way to get me there."

"I have a plan."

I thought Sara’s plan would be stupid but as she told me, I realised it could actually work. You'll find the plan out once it's in motion. I can't risk anyone else finding out about it.

I stood in front of the floor length mirror staring at someone I didn't recognise. My hair was curled and neatly pinned up. My face was caked in makeup but it looked beautiful. The floor length gown hugged all my curves. All in all, I looked like a doll. The only problem was that my eyes weren't shining in happiness like usual. I looked like I was on the brink of tears and that I was.

"You look absolutely stunning," my dad said with a small smile on his face as he walked into my room. I glanced towards him before looking back at the mirror. "The engagement ring." I watched him through the mirror as he pulled out a velvet box. 

Inside it was a beautiful white diamond ring.

The diamond was in the shape of an emerald.

When I didn't reach out for it like he thought I would, he placed it on my nightstand.

"Why?," I simply asked. He looked at me confused. "Why am I being sentenced to a life with him?"

"He's good for you," he answered confidently.

"It's business, isn't it?," I asked.

He stayed silent.

"You've known for a while, haven't you?"

Once again, he stayed silent.

"I demand an answer," I said calmly.

"Yes," he said, not able to look me in the eye as I turned to face him.

"How long?" A wedding as big as the one I'm having can't be planned in a week. We have thousands of people attending. "I said, how long?"

"A year," he breathed out. A year? A fucking year?

"Get out," I ordered. I didn't want to see him.

After what I've just heard, he's nothing to me.

Silently, he turned and left.

I was more than determined now to make sure this plan works.

After an awkward and silent car ride, we finally arrived. The building looked elegant and sophisticated just like the ball. The ball always took place every year in the same building because it isn't on anyone's side of the city or country. It's neutral ground.

"Behave," my dad warned me. I ignored him and got out of the car. Sara stood beside me. She normally never comes to these because she's so young. My mom, my brother, Rose, her mom and dad, Stephan and his parents pooled out of the limo.

Sara squeezed my hand. We walked inside and all eyes snapped towards us. 

Adrian could be in this crowd. Have I mentioned that I have no idea what he even looks like? I tend to stay to myself at these events.

"I need to go to the restroom," I mumbled to no one in particular, giving Sara a hint that the plan is starting. I broke away from the rest and found the nearest restroom. I quickly locked the door and ran to the huge window. I tried to unlock it. Why won't it unlock? I stood there trying to move the rusted lock for at least five minutes.

By now, someone was banging on the door. The lock clicked. Bingo! I pushed it open. I sat on the ledge and threw my legs over. A loud bang made me look over at the door. It was on the ground. I jumped without thinking and ran towards the woods near us.

Suddenly, I was pushed into the ground. 

Whoever pushed me gripped my upper arm and pulled me to my feet. I tried to pull my arm away but it was no use. "Stupid girl!," my father yelled. Before I knew it a sharp stinging sensation spread across my cheek.

Did he just..?

I think he did.

He fucking slapped me.

This is not the father that I knew. He used to check on me every night. He used to kiss my head. He never ever hit me. I looked up at him to see the fire in his eyes. 

He was still angry. He dragged me back to the building through the bathroom window.

"Clean yourself up!," he barked at me and handed me a paper. Shakily, I cleaned myself up the best I could. He threw the velvet box in my hands.

Slowly, I opened it and pushed the ring onto my finger.

He pulled my arm and pushed me out of the restroom. My eyes instantly locked with Sara’s .

Her plan was good but I should've known that I'd never get away. She looked at me sadly before glancing at the ground.

Suddenly, a body blocked my view of her. 

I looked up to see a man. He was utterly beautiful like he was personally handcrafted by a god.

Tattoos peaked out from his dress shirt collar on his neck. His piercing brown eyes ignored me and stared at my father. His sharp jawline could easily cut my finger if I touched it.

All in all, he was perfect.

"What!," he snapped at me, glaring.

Scratch that, he is not perfect.

"Hasn't anyone-," I began to say loudly. 

My dad quickly silenced me.

"Lili , this is Adrian Smith, your fiancé."

Fuck.