The Billionaire's Escape Bride

Katarina

My legs quaked under the pressure of carrying me for miles. At this point, I couldn't even feel it anymore.

I must have run at least 60 miles. The funny thing was that I was not running from a dreadful place or a creature. I was running away from my husband-to-be.

Just a couple of hours ago, I was sitting in my room getting ready for the worst day of my life, my wedding day, my mind anywhere but in the room.

"Is everything okay Miss Katarina? You look like you have a gun to your head. Do you think you can relax a bit more?

You don't want to look like the Grinch on your wedding day, now do you?"

Rhea, my makeup artist tried to put a smile on my face with her little joke-ons of several attempts, but all I could do was stare at her blankly.

I couldn't give her a response.

I glanced up at the wall clock directly opposite me and winced at what I saw. The time was dangerously getting near without remorse.

I didn't want to be here. This wasn't what I wanted but what I wanted was not an option and the realization hurt worse than the feeling of getting married to a man I didn't even know or liked.

Rhea suddenly stopped to stare at me in the mirror, this time, her frown deepening and her lips set into a thin line of disapproval.

"Please just Sit still and smile and I'll be done soon." She forced a smile at me again triggering the anger in me that I had been doing a good job of hiding.

"Sit still and smile?! I snapped, anger coursing through my veins like waves hitting the shore.

"No, I will not sit here and smile like everything is fucking dandy! I am practically being sold to a man I don't love or know, a man that's practically the worst thing since Hitler and you want me to sit still and smile! How about you marry him instead, since you are so impressed by the monster!"

I was losing my breath from yelling, and I had no idea that I had started to tear up until I felt the cold touch of a drop of liquid on my cheeks.

As if she had been summoned, my mother walked into the room just then, her eyes immediately scrutinizing me.

"What in everything holy is taking so long?" She barked in annoyance as she got closer to me, her expression, one of irritation.

"You aren't even close to getting ready." She frowned.

"In a minute ma'am. We are just having some difficulties." Rhea was the one to speak.

"Whatever it is, fix it and be done with whatever you need to. We don't have all day. We will be leaving in less than forty-five minutes. I don't want to come back to this room and you are still not ready."

That was all she said. She left after without so much as acknowledging me.

I was crying about how I was not ready for a forced marriage and that was all she could do. It made my bones weak.

Beforehand, my father had already threatened that if I went against his wish of marrying Kylan Anderson, then he was going to disown me and now my mother was acting nonchalant.

It was all business to them! I was just a tool for the fame they sought for. I had never felt not loved in my life like I did at that moment.

Realizing that my tears were not going to help, I went back to the stool and sat down. Signaling for Rhea to continue her work.

"I apologize for my outburst earlier. I did not realize the situation. I had no right to tell you how to feel but please understand that I am trying to save my job at the same time.

Your husband, Kylan paid for my services, instructing that you look like the prettiest bride there is. In his words, "He wanted his wedding to break the internet, so he was checking on every detail which included how beautiful the woman he married is.

I am sorry, Kat."

Kylan was wicked, and hearing this about him only made me hate him the more.

Men like him were fond of that, the people from the wealthiest families in the society. They only cared about what they put out to people outside, including having happy homes when in reality they were beasts.

Considering the family Kylan came from, the Andersons, I did not expect any better.

They were the wealthiest in the country, with Kylan being the next in line to inherit the multi-billion company. It was no hidden news, that Kylan only cared about his ego.

Raising my face to Rhea who had been waiting for my permission, I forced a smile, motioning for her to finish up.

"I am sorry for my reaction."

I sat still while she rounded up, making me up.

"I did not have to do so much, and you look this good. You are such a beautiful bride, Kat." She remarked.

"Thank you for finally saying it. I have been trying to make her cheer up, but she would not budge." Johanna, my friend added.

"If only she knew how many other ladies would kill to be in her position."

That was the exact phrase my father had used when I had first refused this ridiculous proposal and it irked me that it was being used again.

I wanted to be with a man who loved me and cared about me. I wanted that place myself first before any other thing and I didn't need a priest to tell me Kylan was not the man.

But my parents chose to not see it.

"All done and oh my...

Let's get you dressed, so I can take pictures already. I need to flaunt my beautiful bride." Rhea excitedly said.

Johanna rushed to the bed and picked up the wedding dress.

I took off my robe to reveal my white lingerie that was meant for my husband.

I slid into the dress, knowing there was not much I could do now. This was happening. I was about to be a bride.

"Heavens, you look so amazing." Johanna and Rhea exclaimed at almost the same time.

At their expression, I turned to the mirror to take a look at myself. Without a doubt, they had been intentional about my appearance and my happiness.

The dress alone smelt of class, with the corset perfectly accentuating my curves.

The fabrics of the gown screamed luxury, and it added elegance and sophistication to my gown. I stared at myself one more time, then turned my face away.

Would I be able to do this? Marry someone I hated with a passion?

I pondered.

My mother did it and while her marriage wasn't one to emulate, it wasn't the worst thing in the world, I mean, she wasn't happy with my father but she was happy in other ways. Like when she got to go vacationing in the Maldives or something.

The question came again, ringing in my head louder and louder with every passing second.

"Hey, it's time," Johanna said with a smile and I nodded as I pulled myself reluctantly and followed her out of the room.

The drive to the church venue felt almost like a countdown to my execution. The air was calm even though the AC was on. My breathing was irregular and my eyes were fighting against tears the closer we were to the place.

'I can do this, I can do this.' I began to chant to myself internally as I took deep breaths.

"Today, you have made me a proud mother."

I raised my face to my mother, as she pecked my forehead. We were now in a room waiting for the priest to call me in.

From the doctrines, the bride arrives and stays in a room till her appearance is called for.

I scoffed at her remark, but she was no longer paying attention to me.

"I did not make you a proud mother when I graduated as the best student in college. But somehow, today is your proud Mother's Day," I scoffed again.

As expected, my mother, Ann left the room, a wide smile still plastered on her face. Always that damn stupid mask! In all my years, I had never seen my mother show her genuine emotions and it not only pissed me off at times like these, it broke me and made me cry.

Now by myself in the room, I paced about the room waiting for the minute that I would be called.

"Why are you harassing me?" A loud cry interrupted my reverie.

I practically ran to the window where the voice was coming from to peep.

There were two men in black suits and glasses, surrounding an aged man.

"The boss gave you an order, and you dared go against it?" one of them growled as he pinned the man to the wall with just one hand around his throat.

What were they talking about? I thought, curiosity taking over.

"I didn't..." the man was about to explain when one of the men punched him directly in the face, breaking his nose.

My eyes widened and I gasped in shock as a round of blows followed the first one with zero mercy.

"Let me go please, I promise I will do as I was told." The man coughed,

"Please let me go."

My hands balled into fists at the sight of what was going on.

I hated the maltreatment and I did not want to tolerate it. As I made to open my mouth to question the authorities that had ordered the bodied men to beat a weak aged man up, one of the men spoke.

"You are lucky today is the boss's wedding day. That's the only reason you will be spared.

Get out of here this moment."

Blood left my veins at that instant, and I immediately went pale.

The boss's wedding? It was Kylan.

I wanted to unhear everything, and just proceed with the wedding even though it was against my choice. But at this point, it was just too much.

My thoughts wandered through many things and I knew I had to take action. Without thinking twice, still fully dressed I left the room I was in and began to run to the back of the churchyard.

I was not in any way familiar with the venue, but I had to make it out of there somehow.

I saw a small fence on getting to the end, a fence free from people. Realizing that the small gate there was locked, I gave in to jumping the fence.

Shamelessly and still in my wedding dress, I carried myself over the fence.

I had no idea how many minutes were left till they noticed that I was missing. But I prayed I was out of sight before then.

Running through corners and tunnels on foot, I was firm on not marrying Kylan. I couldn't. I didn't want to spend my life wishing I had just taken a chance and run away.

Like the heavens had heard my prayers, a black-tinted Mercedes pulled up in front of me and the owner winded down.

"You need help? Get in!"

I was stunned for a moment. But because I had left my legs to think instead of my brain, I immediately hopped into the car.

Glad that I had found a Saviour away from the devil of a husband-to-be I had.

Kylan

I was not excited to know that a lady I had stooped low enough to consider as my wife decided to embarrass me.

Not just on any other day, but on this day that I had managed to pull top businessmen and presidents from all over the world.

Adjusting my glasses that sat on the bridge of my nose, I tried to hide my shame. Whispers had already begun to fill the hall, as the priest's voice came again.

Facing some girl who had rushed in with the news panicking, he asked, "What did you say?"

"The bride has gone missing. I can't find her in her room." She stuttered.

The whisperings increased even more and it pricked my skin. I did not want to be there anymore.

At that point, I knew it was time to leave and just as I made to stand, my right-hand man held me back.

With a low voice, he said, "It won't be good if you leave right now, Sir. The word will spread even further and it might cause issues for you."

"It would be even more stupid if I stayed." I held myself from raising my voice.

I had already analyzed everything and knew how terrible it was to my reputation. My chances of becoming the chairman of the family company had gone even slimmer than it was just because of the embarrassment that the Richards had caused me.

I was certainly going to deal with them, but right now, I needed to be anywhere but here.

"Take care of the whole mess, especially the media. They will not like me if I see news flying about today."

"Noted, Sir."

I left just after, the whisperings, though reduced to the barest minimum making me want to disappear into thin air.

Hearing people talk was not the problem. All my life, my actions always had people talking.

The difference this time was that I was the one getting embarrassed when it had always been the reverse. I did not like the taste of my own medicine, not at all.

I jerked the engine of my Mercedes to life the moment I stepped in, and in the next minute, I zoomed out of the churchyard.

'Katarina Richards will regret this day all the days of her life' that, I was sure of.

Few of my men had already gone looking for her, while I wandered about the city, trying to calm my angry nerves.

Who the hell did she think she was running away from me like I was the undesirable one, like her family didn't practically beg for my hand in marriage?!

This had to be the most ridiculous shit in the world.

A bitter and guttural laugh escaped my lips as the thought of being left at the alter hammered in.

I was going to kill her for making me look like a fucking fool. I was going to teach every single one of her family members a lesson that would haunt them for generations.

I took off my sunglasses as my eyes zoomed in on a woman on the side of the road waving at a car in front of me.

The driver zoomed past her and so did several others in front of me.

As I got closer, I could hear her crying for help.

"Please help me, help me please!" the woman yelled, waving furiously at the cars coming towards her.

She was wearing a wedding gown, the exact style I had chosen from the Italian most renowned designer, Milano Gomez.

The corner of my lips curved into a smirk as I halted, winding my glasses to meet her diamond-shaped face.

She sure looked finer than she did in pictures, it just amazed me that such an innocent face dared to run away from me.

Smiling ar her, "Need a ride? Hop in!" Like a Saviour, I said.

She blinked at me before rounding the car and entering the passenger seat.

I had the urge to strangle her and make her confess her reason for even daring to emberrass me but I thought against it. Letting my anger take over me was something I didn't want to take a chance with in the middle of the highway.

But what on earth was I going to do with her now?

Take her back to the wedding?

The deed had been done, and forcing things was only going to make things worse.

Snapping her head off? The thought lingered on my mind and I was so close to doing it.

She escaped after all, it would not hurt to kill her and dump her body in some lake. She would be found eventually and the police would probably think she was killed by a rival of mine. But death felt too easy. It was almost like letting her off the hook.

I wanted to punish her, play with her mind, make her believe she was going crazy and then make her take her own life with her own hands.

I reawakened the engine and continued driving. I had not made up my mind yet on what to do with her but I was definitely not taking her back to the church.

She had blown her chance to be with me already. All I wanted to do now was to make her pay for her crimes.

"Thank you so much." Her breath was heavy as she spoke, "Please do you mind driving me to the outskirts of the town?" she asked, her voice soft and polite.

"The outskirts of town?" I frowned as I glanced at her. "Is there a problem?" I looked her up and down, taking in her beauty. She was beautiful, I would admit but even that couldn't save her from my wrath.

"No, no. I just need to be away from here. My head is messed up, and I'd appreciate it if you don't ask me any questions."

"I see...can I at least know your name?"

She turned to me, the uneasiness on her face evident. "My name is K... my name is Lisa." She forced a smile.

I could see through her fake smile, and I wanted to play along.

Good thing, I never sent a picture to her family. Also, I was glad that I had blocked every agency that tried putting pictures of me on the internet.

"Nice to meet you Lisa." Her name on my tongue came out a little accusatory.

Thankfully, she didn't quite notice.

"Likewise Mr..."

"Not necessary." I said, I didn't want to have to come up with a fake name like she did. I didn't want to be like my cowardice enemy.

"Oh."

Look, I want to help you but you have to give me something. What exactly happened? Why are you trying to skip town wearing a wedding dress?" I asked, my eyes hard with anger.

Her eyes veered to look at me, scanning my face as if trying figure out whether or not I was trustworthy before proceeding.

"It's supposed to be my wedding day. I ran away because the man that is to be my husband is a tyrant, a beast even and I couldn't do it.

I couldn't marry someone I didn't love that also happened to be a monster, I'll never forgive myself if I did."

At her remark, I gulped.

"Luckily for me, I managed to escape, and I'm trying to leave this city. I know he has influence here, and his men will be looking for me soon."

'Luckily?' I murmured, "you my dear are the furthest thing from lucky."

"Did you say something?" she asked, her eyes peering into mine.

With a nod, I replied, my eyes still on the steering wheel. "Yeah, I don't think running away from here is the best thing to do right now."

"But there's no other choice," she retorted.

"That is why I'm here to help you.

I don't know you or your situation, Lisa but I have a strong feeling that I was meant to find you and help you. Considering the influence you said the "beast of your husband-to-be has," it can only put me at risk, but I'm ditching that fact because I want to help you."

"Thank you," I heard her murmur and I nodded with a smile. She was definitely guilible.

"You know running away still wearing your wedding gown will only make it easier for you to be found, right? and what if this beast has already sent his men to the train stations and airport, how will you be able to escape? You didn't think this through, did you?"

"You are right" She answered with a shaky voice, turning towards me in haste. "What do you think I should do?"

She asked, her doe eyes peering up at me.

A smirk appeared on my lips.

"How about I take you to my place, you get dressed and tomorrow when everything must have settled, I sneak you out of the state?"

Katarina

"We are here." The stranger announced as soon as we came to a huge golden gate.

He drove into the compound immediately the gates were opened.

I didn't have the time or the energy to fully appreciate the opulence of the place. I was too busy trying to figure out my next move

I was lucky to find such a kind man who was willing to help me even though he didn't know who I was. If he hadn't picked me up when he did, I was sure that I would have been captured by Kylan's men by now.

I didn't want to think of what Kylan would have done to me if he had been the one to find me instead of this kind stranger.

"Thank you," I said to the man as he opened his car door and rounded his car to open my car door for me.

He smiled, revealing his impossibly white dentures and I smiled back at him. It was a genuine smile but it felt frozen on my face.

He waved me off and held my hands as he led me down to the front door of his place.

"Welcome back sir." A man appeared at the doorway.

"Thank you, Festus. Make arrangements for our guests. Food and a warm place to sleep."

"Of course sir," Festus said with a small bow and scurried away, disappearing into the house.

We advanced further into the mansion and I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the place. But my admiration quickly gave way to a feeling of dread. I knew I was safe now but I couldn't help but feel worried. What if somehow Kylan finds me?

I didn't want to put this kind stranger in danger and what would Kylan do to my parents now that his investment was gone?

I didn't want to think about it but I couldn't help it.

"Are you alright?" The man asked beside me.

I glanced up at him.

"I'm okay, just finally feeling the effect of running sixty miles, I guess." I chuckled nervously.

"Sixty miles? Just how much of a monster is your husband to be?" His eyes widened. For the first time, I noticed his appearance. He was handsome, the kind that was equal parts sophisticated and rough. His black hair and blue eyes were a huge contrast that fit perfectly and his jaw was a work of art.

"Ex-husband to be." I clarified. I knew there was still a chance that I would be found by Kylan but I wasn't going to jinx my escape by calling him my husband-to-be.

"Yes, ex-husband-to-be." He repeated, his tone mimicking.

"He's everything you think but worse. I don't want to talk about this." I said, uncomfortable with his questions. I knew he was trying to help but the only help he could render now was to get me out of there as fast as possible.

"Of course. Come on, I'll take you to my room. You can freshen up there till Festus finishes with your room."

"Thank you so much. I wish you would tell me your name, I don't feel comfortable not knowing it."

"Fine. It's Jerome." He said as if he was doing me a favor by telling me his name.

"Jerome..." I tested the name on my lips.

"Thank you, Jerome."

"You are welcome."

Jerome took me upstairs to a bedroom that looked like it belonged in the castle of a medieval drama.

I quickly hopped in the shower as I honestly needed to relax.

Done with showering, I put on my wedding dress as it was the only thing in the room.

Shortly after, I exited the room and went down to the living room, uncomfortable with being alone in the room of someone I didn't know. He was being a complete sweetheart and a gentleman but I didn't want to take my chances.

As soon as I got to the ground floor, I met Jerome waiting for me. He was talking to someone on the phone but that didn't stop him from taking my hands and leading me to the kitchen.

I tried to listen in on his conversation but he was speaking a language that I didn't understand. Arabic to be precise.

We both settled down on the stool and the maid made quick work of dishing out food.

"Your dress," he muttered, "I will inform Festus to get clothes for you."

"Thank you," I replied with a smile and immediately delved into the food.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I finished my plate of pasta in less than two minutes.

"How on earth did you finish that so fast?" Jerome's voice came as a surprise to me. I didn't realize he was done with his call.

"I'm sorry. I was just hungry."

I said sheepishly.

"No, there's no need to apologize. I've just never seen a woman eat that fast. You can have as much as you want."

"Thank you, Jerome. You are a lifesaver."

A weird smirk appeared on his lips that made me uneasy but I waved it off.

"You say thank you a lot, you know that."

"I'm sorry..."

"That too... stop apologizing to me."

"I'm sorry... I mean, okay."

"So, tell me, what are your plans?"

Jerome asked as he settled down beside me.

"Well, I need to skip town as soon as possible. Leave everything behind and start over."

"How can I help?" He asked.

"If you can get me a ticket, I promise I'll pay you back with interest once I'm finally settled."

A weird look crossed his face but before I could place what it meant, it was gone.

There was a long pause from him before he spoke up again.

"Alright, I'll get you your tickets."

"Really?" I asked, almost crying with Joy.

"Of course. If you feel unsafe here, I'll help you. You can pay me back whenever you want."

Just then his phone rang, stopping me from thanking him.

He placed his palm up, halting me from speaking. He picked up his phone call and began to speak in rapid Arabic again. Shortly after, He hung up.

"Well, I've got to leave for a while, business calls. I'll be back as soon as I can and then we can talk more." He said to me.

"Oh?" I said, my voice a little disappointed.

"Yeah. Don't worry, Festus will take very good care of you."

"Oh, alright." I smiled and watched him leave.

I had no idea what was going on but I didn't feel comfortable with staying in a mansion so big without the owner in it. Plus I had this nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. I needed to leave as soon as possible. Maybe even sooner.

Done with eating, I went back to his room and rummaged through every drawer. I found some cash that I knew would me to the next city.

I took off my wedding dress, stole a T-shirt and sweatpants that were too big for me and ran out of the house.

I made sure that the coast was clear before disappearing from the mansion.