I saw an ice bucket on the table to my left, next to were the champagne glasses were perfectly organized in a pyramid shape. I shot James another glance, this time one of horror. I was terrified. I ran towards the exit while quickly throwing my phone in the ice bucket. I was leaving and I never wanted to be contacted by anyone again. I ran towards the front door as fast as I could, nobody batting an eyelash. The front door was already open, so without a second thought, I took of and I ran as fast as could in the heels I was wearing.
I barley saw the gate and knew that it would take me several minutes to get there. But the panic, the anxiety and fear kept me going. I ran faster than I ever had In my life. My ankle bent a few times due to running on gravel but it didn't stop me, it didn't slow me down. I knew that if I stopped for even a second I was screwed.
I ran.
My. Legs were burning and my heart was speeding so fast I thought I would die. My mother's words rang in my head causing my chest to get heavier. The warm air slapped against my face but I felt nothing, nothing except fear.
I was almost there. I was going to reach the gate in just a few more feet. I could see the gate getting bigger in front of me and I was about to make it when a voice roared behind me
" CLOSE THE GATES!" No, No! I ran even faster as I saw the two gates coming together. This couldn't be happening.
" No, No. PLEASE!" I screamed. I begged. As soon as I reached the gates, they had closed.
Grabbing the metal bars for dear life, I shook the gates..
" NO, please! Please...please, no," I sobbed. Leaning my forehead against the cold bars. What had I done...
"Please..." I pleaded and I begged and I was met with silence. I took my right hand from the gate and started hitting it, pounding on it.
Then as I stood there, crying, sobbing loudly, admitting defeat, two hands came on either side of my head. His fingers encircled each bar of the gate beside me. Locking me in between. I tensed. The sobs became harder and quieter as I choked them.
"Please," As I spoke, my voice was weak and trembling. My whole body shook from the sobs and from the fear of the man standing behind me.
" Turn around." He said. His voice was soft and caring. I shook my head holding on even tighter to the gate.
"Turn. Around." He repeated. More demanding this time. I inhaled a shaky breath and did as he asked and turned around. His stance was guarded and his eyes were boring in to mine. I looked down on the ground, pressing my back against the bars behind me but the space I created between us was quickly undone as he stepped closer.
I had nowhere to run. His face was inches away from mine. I felt his hot breath against my face as he looked down on me. Towering over me, making him even more intimidating.
" This was not how it was supposed to happen. But now you know. There is now no where for you to run. If you think about running through the woods, think again. There are miles and miles of forest. You'd get lost in the blink of an eye. Do you understand?" He asked. His voice was now more stern and dark. When I didn't answer him he grew impatient.
" Do you understand!" He bashed his hand against the gate and I winced and squeezed my eyes shut. He let out a sigh and leaned his forehead against mine. But quickly removed it, as if if touching me hurt him.
"I'm sorry. I won't hurt you, Avery. Not ever. This was out of my hands. It was planned a long time ago. And you could say it was set in stone. About the forest, I only said that for your own protection and to also stop any ideas you have for running away. We have guards stationed all around, you'd be sent right back to me. There is nowhere for you to go."
"I'm not marrying you." I said shakily as I slowly opened my eyes. I drew in a double breath and tried to press down the tears but they fell one by one.
"Yes you are." Was his only response before removing his hands and freeing me from the little cage I had been put in.
I let out a heavy sigh and then looked back up at him. Tears still streamed down my face.
"Whether it be by choice or by force, Avery, you will marry me."