GUNS AND ROSES

Ellie’s Point of View.

“ARE you really sure about this?”

My attention was focused on Lavinia when she asked me that question. I can tell she’s worried just by looking at her face right now. I exhaled a deep sigh and nodded.

“Yes,” I said firmly and without hesitation.

She placed her arms across her chest, and heaved a burdensome breath. “It’s not like I can stop you from escaping–”

My ears seemed to expand and my eyes widened. Like a flash, I covered her mouth before she could finish what she was about to disclose.

“Would you mind lowering your voice, Lav? They might hear us!” I hushed her and darted her a warning glare.

We are inside my room. Lavinia requested permission from her parents to spend the night in our home. We’re discussing a concrete plan for my escape later. Because tomorrow is my wedding day, and there’s no way my parents will call the wedding off, so I have to run away before that happens. No matter what, I can’t allow the wedding to occur. I can’t give them what they want.

There was a knock on the door. As soon as the door opened and Mom entered my room, Lavinia and I fell silent.

“Ellie, are you ready for tomorrow?” Mom asked me in a jubilant tone.

I simply nodded in response. Although, in my heart, I intend to respond negatively. I’m both disappointed and saddened for Mom. I feel bad for her because I can see the glint of hope and sparkles in her eyes, as if she’s been waiting for me to marry. I’m disappointed because I can’t believe they can sacrifice my life for the sake of their business. I’m not their puppy, whom they can toy and order around. I am their daughter, and they should’ve put it in mind.

I’m sorry, Mom, but I can’t and I don’t want to continue with a marriage that I never approved of in the first place.

It’s only been a month since my parents announced our engagement without seeking my approval. Now, Mom wants me to marry him as soon as possible? What does she think of marriage? A game? A business deal?

“That’s good to hear. Get some rest, my dear. Tomorrow is going to be the best day of your life!” She smiled at me before exiting my room.

Best day, my foot.

“Your parents, indeed, are serious about your wedding, huh?” Lavinia, who was sitting beside me, whispered as she ate the snacks I had hidden earlier. “So, what’s the plan?”

“I’ll wait until midnight to check if everyone in the house is asleep. Then, it’s the right time to leave.”

“I’m trying to weigh the possibilities, Ellie. What if… What if you failed to execute your plan?”

I was taken aback by her question. She’s right, I didn’t think of it beforehand. What if I failed to carry out my plan? What am I going to do after? What will happen to me? For the rest of my life, I will be tied to a man I don’t love. I gasped for air as I clenched my fists. Only imagining it happening in the near future suffocates me. I swear, it will be the cause of my death.

“Just trust me, Lav. I’ll make sure to succeed,” I said boldly.

“Fine. Let’s say you succeed in escaping, so where will you go after?”

“I’m not yet sure… I have my own car and enough money to rent an apartment or maybe I can stay at a hotel,” I replied and shrugged, uncertain.

“Duh! The hotels here are way far from our city, and I bet your parents will do everything to find you, Ellie! You know how important you are for their business.”

“Yes, I know, but I will not let that happen. If I need to leave the country as soon as I get out of this house, even if it’s risky, I’ll do it. If they are willing to do everything to seek for me, then I’ll do the same thing to get away.”

I was fed up by the fact that nothing else mattered to my parents but their company. Lavinia sighed with a sound. It’s obvious like me, she’s stressed as well because of what is happening to my life, but I’m glad she’s by my side because I no longer know from whom else I will draw strength to fight for my rights to choose what I think is best for myself.

She sat across from me and caressed the back of my palm to somehow ease my mood. I smiled at her, so she would be less worried about me.

“Whatever happens, I will always support you, Ellie. I’m rooting for your happiness!”

“You’re the best, Lavinia!”

***

It’s past 12 o’clock at midnight. My parents, the maids, and the guards are already sleeping tight. Good thing my parents go to bed early, perks of being workaholic. All they do at home is fill the void in their sleeping schedule.

Lavinia is with me at the moment. She hasn’t slept yet because she wants to ensure I can escape from this house without facing any trouble.