Chapter 5 Running

Laïs's Perspective

"Get up, my dear." The hairdresser tugged at my hand shortly after placing the veil on my head. I nodded and moved toward the mirror, stopping to gaze through the sheer fabric at my beautiful hairstyle and princess-like gown. The dress was voluminous, adorned with lace and gemstones. The crystals sparkled like mermaid scales. A stunning tiara rested on my bun, matching the heavy earrings that dangled from my ears. I had no idea how much they cost, but I imagined they were very expensive given their weight and the number of stones.

"You look magnificent," Antonella commented beside me. It still shocked me that this woman had been watching over me for ten years, but I tried not to dwell on it since it was all coming to an end, and there was nothing I could do.

In truth, I had never been able to do much in my life. Every step I took was monitored, and I didn't expect that to change now. I suspected many women would be immensely happy on their wedding day, but I was not one of them. I was about to be delivered to a man I hadn't even had the chance to meet, and the thought was terrifying.

"Mrs. Loureiro, the security guards are downstairs, ready to take you to the church." Sister Maria appeared at the door of my room, and I swallowed hard upon seeing her. While I had always known this day would come, it still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I wasn't sure if I would miss this place, but I hoped my life would at least be happy enough not to leave me in eternal bitterness.

"Good luck, my daughter."

"Thank you, Sister." I attempted my best smile, though I doubted I could truly smile until I knew what fate had in store for me. She waved and then disappeared. Once I could no longer see the sister, I was certain my time at the convent was over, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Antonella?" I turned to her, my stomach churning more intensely. I braced myself as best I could; I didn't want to ruin this beautiful dress.

"Yes?"

"May I ask a question?"

"Make it brief, my daughter."

"Is he...?" I stammered, glancing at her expression. I was scared, but I ended up voicing a silly question. "Is he handsome?"

Antonella looked at me and began to laugh. I grimaced at how foolish I must have sounded.

"You'll find out when you see him at the altar."

I didn't say anything more. Obeying and serving without question was a motto I had learned at the convent, and it would surely apply to my life as a wife.

"Let's go now." She gestured toward the door and waited for me to lead the way.

"We don't want to keep the gentleman waiting with unnecessary delays."

I grasped the hem of my dress and walked down the long hallway lined with arched windows that flanked the convent. I took in every detail of the columns and arches, knowing it would be the last time I saw them. In terms of beauty, it had certainly been a lovely prison. The architecture was unique, worthy of the most renowned artists.

We arrived at a beautiful garden where three black cars awaited us. I wondered why there were so many vehicles when we could easily fit into one. But having been confined to this convent for ten years, I had no idea what awaited me outside.

Antonella gestured before opening the back door of one of the cars. I settled in, the gown spreading across the seat. When she got in the front and took the passenger seat, I assumed it was to give ample space for the immaculate white skirt so it wouldn't arrive at the church completely wrinkled.

It didn't take long for the driver to start the vehicle and head toward the convent's gates. I leaned closer to the window. While I may not have been eagerly anticipating the wedding, I was desperate to see the world, even if it was limited to a few streets in Rome. As soon as we left Vatican City, my heart raced in my chest. I saw people different from those I was used to-tourists taking photos and smiling at one another. I wondered if the bars of my new cage would at least overlook beautiful buildings and diverse crowds. It would be wonderful to observe everything, even from afar.

Could I at least watch television and have more unrestricted internet access? I flushed, recalling what the novices said I might find online. I sighed, resting my head against the glass. For a moment, I imagined what my life would be like if I were free. Oh, how I longed to be free.

I was lost in thought until I turned my attention back to the car and realized we were stopped at a red light. Several other vehicles surrounded us; it seemed difficult to escape, and the man driving was grumbling at Antonella, as he should be. I glanced at the sidewalk just beyond the endless line of cars and my massive wedding dress. I turned my head again and noticed the other cars were also stuck behind us.

I don't know exactly how or why a sudden spark of rebellion surged through me. The truth was, I wanted to be swept away like a feather in the wind. Maybe I could run away, maybe I could escape. If I couldn't, I would find myself married to a man I barely knew and for whom I felt no love. But if I could, it was possible to be a bird out of its cage.

I pulled the door handle and pushed the car door open with my body. With a shove, it swung open, and I tumbled out. I quickly maneuvered my body and got my feet onto the street.

"My daughter, what are you doing? Close that door!" By the time Antonella finished speaking, I had already dashed onto the sidewalk. "Laïs!"

I ripped the veil that obstructed my vision and tossed it to the ground. As fast as I could, I kicked off my shoes and held them together with my enormous skirt. I glanced back for a brief moment and saw Antonella exiting the car, looking furious and huffing like a bull. As she took a step to run toward me, a motorcycle zoomed past her, honking and nearly knocking her over. Noticing the other doors of the car opening, I didn't just stand there waiting for what would happen next; I bolted into an alley as fast as I could. I brushed past a few people along the way; the voluminous dress was cumbersome, making it hard to navigate through tight spaces without knocking things over.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed as my skirt swept over a fruit stand, sending everything tumbling to the ground.

The vendor shouted harsh words, which had been extremely censored in the convent, but I pretended not to hear them. I didn't stop running. Turning the corner, I tasted freedom and was enchanted by it. I wouldn't abandon my escape until I was too exhausted to run anymore.

"Laïs!" I heard a sharp cry, but it wasn't enough to make me stop. I dropped my shoes on the ground when I realized they were weighing me down.

It was a bit easier to run without them. I caught sight of Antonella in the reflection of a shop window, and she wasn't alone. The men accompanying her were running faster than she was. I had to pick up the pace or risk being caught. At that moment, I realized I had two choices: run like I had never run before or let them catch me and force me into marriage-if worse things didn't happen.

My diaphragm ached from heavy, rapid breaths, but I refused to let that slow me down. I would only stop when I was sure they wouldn't catch up.

I turned another corner, and the skirt snagged on a wall. I pulled at it so hard that it tore, leaving two layers of the voluminous dress behind. I was grateful the gown was lighter now, but I hated leaving a trail of scraps behind me. I remembered hearing the story of Hansel and Gretel several times during my childhood. If there was one thing I didn't want to happen, it was to be found.

I stepped into a puddle, muddy water splashing onto my dress and dirtying the hem. Even if they caught me, I thought they wouldn't take me to the church like this. I dashed across a busy avenue, cars swerving to avoid me, but one nearly ran me over. Amid all the adrenaline coursing through me, and after dodging several potential collisions, I even managed to believe that someone might be watching over me.

I kept running, not stopping, as if my life depended on it-because I believed it did. I paused for a few seconds, resting my hands on my knees. I breathed in deeply, then exhaled several times. As soon as I had caught my breath, I was off again.

"Girl!" I heard someone shout.

I thought it might be Antonella, and my heart tightened. However, upon a second glance, I noticed it was a lady on the other side of the street, waving her hand and encouraging me to come over. I knew I shouldn't trust her; I didn't know anything or anyone beyond the convent walls-and to be honest, not even inside them. But I was starting to feel exhausted, and I couldn't keep running much longer.

I crossed the street and approached the lady.

"What's going on?" she asked as soon as I stopped in front of her.

"I'm fleeing my wedding," I gasped, my voice hoarse amid my ragged breaths.