Chapter 2 RUNNING FROM REALITY

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. Married? Who was I supposed to marry? And why?

"Ma...Married? To whom?" I managed to stammer, my voice barely audible.

He leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. "To Alexander, the son of my business partner. It's a merger, Ava. A union that will strengthen our companies and secure our legacy."

I felt like I was living in a nightmare, trapped in a world where I had no say. My father's words echoed in my mind, "You're getting married,"

My eyes were blurry, my voice shaking, and I could hear the sound of my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. My father's voice was low and distant, but it still sent a chill down my spine. Suddenly, I jerked upright, my body tensing with a mix of fear and defiance. "No," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

My father looked taken aback, his expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance. "No?" he repeated, his voice rising. "What do you mean by no?"

I wiped the tears that had managed to escape from my eyes, my hands trembling as I tried to compose myself. "I'm not getting married to him, or anyone for that matter," I said, my voice growing stronger with each word. My father's face darkened, his eyes narrowing in anger.

My father stood up, his tall frame towering over me, and growled, "Do you think you have a say in this? It's been concluded, and the sooner you come to accept it, the better." His words were like a slap in the face, leaving me breathless and feeling trapped.

My breath was becoming shorter, my chest tightening with anxiety. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my father's expectations.

I needed to leave this place, to escape the suffocating grip of my father's words. Just then, I remembered a promise he had made to me, and my voice croaked as I said, "But you said I'll pursue my master's degree." I had been looking forward to that, to the freedom and independence that came with furthering my education.

My father leaned back in his chair, a dismissive look on his face. "Yes, you will," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "In your matrimonial home, you can apply to an online school or whatever. I don't care. You didn't study business, so whatever you do with your education is your problem." His words were like a knife to my heart, twisting and turning until I felt like I was bleeding out my dreams.

I shakily got out of the office, my legs trembling beneath me. Just then, I saw my sister and mother standing by the door, their faces somber and guilty. "You knew too, didn't you?" I accused, my voice shaking with anger and betrayal. They looked at each other, then back at me, but said nothing. Their silence was all the confirmation I needed.

I dashed into my room, slamming the door behind me. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape from the fate that had been laid out for me.

I quickly grabbed my gym outfit, my trusty earpods, and my water bottle, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of my home. I needed to leave, to clear my head and process the bombshell my father had just dropped on me. So, I decided to go for a run, hoping the fresh air and physical exhaustion would help calm my racing thoughts.

I ran through the block, my feet pounding the pavement in a rhythmic cadence. I passed by the familiar sights and sounds of my neighborhood, but my mind was a million miles away. I was still reeling from the news, trying to wrap my head around the fact that my father had promised me to some man without even consulting me.

As I ran, I caught the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from the nearby bakery. I couldn't resist the temptation, so I popped in to buy a cup of their famous Thai tea. I took it to go, eager to continue my run and clear my head.

Just as I was about to cross the road, a car came speeding around the corner, heading straight for me. I stood still, my legs betraying me as fear froze me in place. For a moment, I thought this was it. Maybe, just maybe...this was the end.