Chapter Three

Victoria's POV

"I heard," Ana said immediately I picked her call. "First how are you?"

"I'm fine Ana," I said as I folded a shirt and placed it in my suitcase. I fought the urge to tell her our plans of leaving, it's not that I don't trust her but I'll prefer to actually leave the country first before I tell her, no slip ups.

"Let me switch to video call." I quickly walked out of my room and to my balcony, my room was in the obvious mess of, 'I'm trying to leave this country.'

"You look like a mess," she said immediately she could see my face.

I grunted, "I know."

She sighed heavily, "okay what I'm about to tell you, first I'm sorry for not telling you earlier but I guess it's time."

My brows furrowed in obvious confusion, "okay." I urged her to go on.

"Josie and I, we don't really have the ultimate love story like you think," she started and the uncertainty in her voice couldn't be missed. "Now I'm not telling you this so that it'll be like I support dad because trust me I don't. Anyways, Just like Miles was introduced to you, Josie was introduced in the same way."

My breath hitched in my throat and my eyes widened. "You and Josie? An arranged marriage?"

"Exactly," the corner of her lips tilted slightly. "We had time to get to know each other a little so by the time we were getting married, we had already fallen for each other. Though it was just a 'I think I like him' scenario, we just had to make it look like 'we're madly in love.'"

"So your marriage is a scam?" That was what I could gather from what she said.

She face palmed herself, "at first but not now. Now I'm even wondering why I'm in love with him."

"Why?" I wondered. "Why did dad want you to marry him?"

"Same reason as yours," she shrugged. "But I think mine was mainly because Dad just wanted to have allies and all that."

I chuckled as a crazy idea came to my head. "I'm starting to think dad's family has a thing for marrying out their kids to people for one reason or the other."

She laughed, her eyes lighting up, "Victoria." She scolded.

I rolled my eyes, "you too stop laughing."

"Alright alright. Look, I'm really sorry dad is doing this to you, it's unfair, especially given the fact that we've all watched you and Andrew grow together in your relationship, having the heart to tear such a beautiful thing apart is making me angry."

Tears prickled at the corner of my eyes and I blinked them away. I've been crying since we left Andrew's house but even with everything, I've managed to pack up most of my stuffs. I'm not running away forever but I don't know how long I'll be away so I basically packed more than half of my clothes and personal stuffs.

"Mum doesn't have a part in this you know," she stated. "So please don't hate her, she's just..."

"A submissive wife," I finished for her and Ana slightly nodded. "I get it, it's not her fault." I sighed. "Andrew's dad is also trying to pimp him out to some girl."

"Jesus," she sighed heavily. "What exactly is wrong with these people?" She ran her hand through her forehead.

"I have no idea too," I shook my head.

"What are you guys going to do now?"

The words were at the tip of my tongue but I bit them down and chose to say something else. "Pray that all this will end and basically just wait."

"In my opinion," she looked at the door behind her and this time whispered. "You guys should elope."

My eyes widened and I gasped in slight shock. I know Ana is capable of doing a lot of things but suggesting we eloped, I never imagined, I guess she's her mother's daughter.

I decided to tell her what was actually going on, she already has the idea in her head so why not just let her know? She may end up helping us.

"You know, we're actually going to do that. I know I basically lied to you a minute ago but I had to, not that I don't trust you but I just wanted to keep it low till we leave. Mum and aunt Kate are helping us."

I watched her reaction, her face was blank for a few seconds before her lips slowly tilted to a smile. "Whatever you do, I'll support you. And if there's any way I can help, just let me know. When are you leaving?"

I breathed a breath of relief, she didn't yell at me for lying. "Tommorow night, plane leaves by twelve."

"Alright, when you land wherever it is you're going, find a way to call me and just let me know how it went okay?"

I nodded, happy that she was supporting us completely. "Will do sis, thanks."

"Don't thank me, that's what family is for right?" She gave me a smile.

I smiled back, "we'll talk later T. I love you."

"Love you too," she blew me a kiss before hanging up.

I leaned on the railing in front of me and closed my eyes for a second. I can't believe I'm actually going to do this, I never in my wildest dream dreamt such. For Andrew, this is easier for him. Even if he had a dream wedding, he can easily let go of it, for me, I've dreamt of the day I'd be getting married for a long while and now having to throw it all away because my dad is -God forgive me- stupid makes me want to scream.

Now not only me but Miles, is also having to throw away his own dreams, he may also have a girlfriend somewhere and his parents are stripping him the chance to marry her. Lucky him, I'm not going to let it happen -if that's the case- everyone deserves a happy ending.

If all goes well -which I'm praying will- the consequences are both companies will have a set back and the worst that will happen is both companies will be merged or God will perform a miracle and funds will come from somewhere. At this point God is the only one I can trust and hope that all will go well.

I heard the room door open behind me and heavy footsteps slowly getting louder, the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony opened and I felt his presence behind me.

He hugged me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder. I leaned into him and breathed in his cologne, I want to be able to have this forever, that's all I'm praying for.

I felt his lips on my neck, slowly trailing up to my temple. "We'll be fine Riya."

"I hope so," I said as I closed my eyes.

"I know we'll be fine Riya, just relax." He whispered planting a kiss on my temple and rubbing circles on my exposed stomach.

I turned around quickly and placed my hand on his chest, "promise me that you'll never leave me, no matter what."

He nodded, "I promise Riya." He leaned in and sealed his promise with a kiss.