My day had been going great; not a single person had bothered me. Yet Antoine being his awful self decides to ruin my very bright mood.

I stood in front of my academy dorm - a place that I had refused to stay in since I'd rather be at home with my father - ready to move my stuff in preparation for when we lose our house tomorrow.

Now, after Antoine had made his snarky comment that was uncalled for,  he had me trapped against the door once again with hands on either side of me. The dilemma was that the room to my door was locked so I'd have to use my keys to unlock it and it would be obvious when I do so.

“Antoine, anything that deals with my family’s financial state is my business and is certainly something you shouldn't be meddling with.” I said with my head backed as close as I could to the door.

As I plotted my escape, the only logical idea that crossed my mind was to get in my dorm as quickly as possible. I just needed to figure out when I would accomplish it.

“Seeing that you are in need of a place to stay, you're more than welcome to make my luxurious mansion your home as well.” He offers. His face slowly approached mine. My faces scrunches up in disgust because of the feel of his malodorous breath on my cheek. “We could share one big master bedroom.” Antoine wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, an act that makes me cringe.

“No thank you.” I state, being polite and keeping my patience.

“You know, now that I think about the fact that you can't keep your hands off me,”

What the heck is he talking about? He's the one trapping me against the wall!

I really think I should place a restraining order on him.

“I'm pretty sure those roles are reversed.” I mutter, but he continues on as if I never said that.

“How about I redeem the kiss that I rightfully earned from before?”

I slip my hand into my back pocket, reaching for the key that is designated to unlock my dormitory door.

“Now wouldn't be the best time.” I say, slyly inserting the key in the door handle without making a noise. He was too distracted to notice.

Antoine’s face nearly touches mine, but instead he collides with the door that I open quickly and leap inside before proceeding to slam it closed. Unfortunately for Antoine, his hands are placed on the hinges of the door and they get crushed as I shut it. He yanks his arm away as if he had just touched fire and kicks my door as hard as he can, hollering in pain and screaming a string of curse words as he rushes down the hall to the infirmary.

I honestly do not regret what I did or feel the slightest bit sorry for him; he deserves it.

As I sat on the lumpy mattress that the academy provided for me, I think about all the things that I would miss about my home; from the antique decor to the wooden floorboards.

I know I said that it would be my responsibility to raise the money by tomorrow, but I don't think I'm capable of doing so.

I should've just allowed papa to find a way to make the money like he had offered.

I think to myself.

To be honest, I had absolutely no clue how even my father would be able to raise enough euro. But I believed in him; he always found a way.

***

I have to walk home today, since my father hadn’t arrived yet and it had been an hour past the usual pickup time. Besides, the clouds signal that it would rain very soon.

Antoine, of course, slows his car down to match my walking pace and rolls down his crystal clear window in order to offer me a ride home.

He was his usual creepy, lovesick,  arrogant self regardless of what happened earlier today.

While it seems quite tempting to ride in a luxury car rather than walk two miles, I’d rather not take my chances getting into a car with Antoine.

I politely decline his offer, yet he kept on insisting. I refuse once again and he begs me to get in the car. I pick up a small stone off the sidewalk I was walking on and throw it at his head, causing a scratch to form. After that, he finally drives away, leaving me with some peace and quiet.

Until it starts to rain.

***

By the time I arrive at my home, the precipitation had dissipated.

A few townsfolk were outdoors, chatting nonchalantly or gossiping about others. The large amount of money my father and I owe seems to be the talk of the day. As I pass by, I heard one person say “Look it’s Elliana! Someone told me that she’s getting kicked out of her house.” The lady she was talking to replies with “Nonsense! People have been saying she stole a large amount of money and someone found out so now she has to pay all of it back by tomorrow. Not that I believe that, of course…”

The conversation went on “Well something tells me that Elliana isn't as perfect as she seems. She may have the looks, but can you imagine that she wants to be a doctor? How ridiculous. Stealing money doesn't seem too far-fetched if it's coming from her.”

It got to a point that I didn't bother lingering on to listen. I just head back home, hoping my father would have a plan for our situation.

“Papa! Where are you?” I say as I swing open the door to my household.

“Aww how sad. Poor Lorenzo has gone missing.” a gruff voice says behind me.

I shriek, startled by the person.

“ANTOINE! CAN YOU PLEASE STOP FOLLOWING ME EVERYWHERE!”

“I'd rather not.” He states with a smirk.

I groan.

“Do you know where my father went off to?”

“Not precisely, but rumor has spread around the village that pathetic little Lorenzo made a deal that he couldn't keep.”

I slap his cheek, which he obviously wasn't expecting, causing him to face me and give me a cold glare.

“Now, now, Elliana, let’s not resort to violence to solve all of our little problems, shall we?" He sneers. “That won’t fix anything.”

“My father is NOT pathetic. And fulfills all his deals! So don't you DARE make false assumptions about him.”

I say crossing my arms.

“Besides, how on Earth did you find out about that before me, even if it’s not true?” I demand, looking right into his eyes that are filled with evil.

He strokes his chin in a meager attempt to look intelligent. “I happen to know a lot of people and have a lot of money, unlike you.” He steps closer to me.

Antoine obviously does not know the first thing about personal space.

“But, that kind of money could be yours if you just say two simple words at our wedding this Friday.”

“Antoine, I've already told you before, I don't-- WAIT, WHAT?!”

He takes me in his arms

“I knew you'd change your mind!”

I push him away.

“NO! I DIDN'T AND I NEVER WILL!” I shout, to make my point clear.

“I'm just bewildered by the fact that you plan a freaking wedding without my consent!”

“Oh well, it's too bad that I didn’t tell you about it.  I wanted you to be surprised when you see all of the very, very expensive decorations that you will never be able to afford.”

“Oh wow! How thoughtful of you! I love how you brought up the fact that money is an issue for my family and rubbed it in my face.” I say with intended sarcasm.

Our conversation is interrupted when Timothee scuttles up to Antoine from the doorway of the house, carrying a clipboard and lots of disheveled papers.

“The floral company said they’re out of stock and the ice sculptors don’t service on Fridays.” He squeaks, clearly short of breath. He mumbles something else but I can’t hear it.

Antoine looks at him, then at me. “Elliana, my dear, wait there. And don’t go anywhere.”

He then lunges at Timothee; his face mere inches from his victim’s.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY? OUT OF STOCK? DO THEY KNOW WHO IS PAYING THEM?”

Antoine rages on, his face red with fury. I quietly make my way past him, like he is a sleeping lion and I am a gazelle, edging around the fierce predator. I finally slip out the door and bolt outside. Antoine must have noticed my absence, since I can hear him give a loud holler which is followed by a crash. He bursts out the door in pursuit of me and I can see Timothee sprawled out on the ground, wincing in pain. Antoine begins sprinting after me.

“Come back, my dear! I am here for you!” He calls after me, a mad grin plastered across his face.

How has this guy not been imprisoned for harassment yet?

I twist through bushes and trees, trying to cause him to lose his balance. To my disappointment,  Antoine turns out to be surprisingly agile. For every single branch I duck under and every ditch I leap across, his actions mirror mine. I run for a mile -- maybe even two -- trying to escape this maniac; but he never gets tired. Like some sort of machine programmed to find, capture, and marry me.

It seems like Antoine is beginning to lag behind, so I push myself to run faster, even though my throat is scratching and my legs are aching. But it's all worth it if the pain means that I will be away from him.

Just when it seems that I finally got away from that creep, I suddenly run into a body. I scream as a first reaction, because I know that since Antoine caught me, I am doomed. But then, I analyze the face of the man in front of me, and it turns out to be none other than…

“Papa!” He wraps me in a warm embrace while Antoine stops in his place, taking in the scene in front of him. “I've missed you! But what are you doing here in the woods?”

“I was just finishing up at my job.” He clarifies. “Ellie, you'll never believe it! I made all the money necessary to pay of the rest of the debt!”

I gasp.

“THAT’S INCREDIBLE!”

I give him another hug. I feel like crying tears of joy; this means everything to me.

Slow clapping from Antoine, who still stands behind us, made my father and I turn to face him.

“Such a touching moment for father and daughter.” He says pretending to wipe away a tear.

“What will be more incredible is when you say “I do” this Friday.”

Papa looks at me.

“What does he mean, Elliana?”

“Antoine's just being an idiot.  Although, that's nothing new.”

I say, dismissing him.

“Your daughter has agreed to give me the pleasure of marrying her this Friday.” Antoine fibs with a smile on his face.

I scoff. “That couldn't be further from the truth. ”

Antoine grabs my chin, making me face him.

“Watch that pretty little mouth of yours or else your father may face an unfortunate accident.” he whispers so only I could hear. But papa could see my discomfort under Antoine’s touch and stands up for me.

“I have no clue who you are, but what I do know is that you're not the right one for my daughter. She clearly has no interest in you whatsoever, so please leave her alone.”

Antoine releases his handle on me, which I was grateful for.

“Mark my words, Elliana. I will have you as my wife no matter what it takes!”

And with that, he leaves the woods.

It seems like my father has many questions to ask me, but I prevent him from doing so by inquiring one of my own.

“Where have you been?! I had heard so many rumors that you had been forced into work or stole from people and even ran away!”

“No, no, I would never do any of that.” He reassures me.

“Well I'm just glad you're safe.” I say. I wrap my arms around him, but stop short when I realize that he is freezing cold to the touch.

“Papa! We must get you warm! If you stay out here any longer, you'll surely get hypothermia.”

I take my cloak off and cover him with the cloth as he dismisses me.“Sweetie, it’s fine. I’ve endured many snowstorms back in my day, so I can cope with a cool breeze.”

But I am very aware that he is not being truthful; indicated by the fact that he’s shivering and his breath is expelled in short puffs of air.

I look around. “We can’t stay here much longer. Let’s just get home and turn in the money to city hall. I have definitely had enough excitement for one day.”

He nods his head in agreement. I can’t see Antoine anymore, so he must have given up on trying to keep me in his possession for now. We trudge through the forest, avoiding the puddles formed on the ground from the past rainstorm. When we reach the house all signs of the recent chaos are gone. Timothee must have recovered from Antoine’s violent rampage, since he is absent from the premises. Luckily, my so-called “fiancé” is nowhere to be found.

I look at my dad, who is currently cleaning the dishes in the kitchen that is on the other side of our miniscule living room.

Father told me that his new boss gave him a loan to afford the rest of our mortgage, but he was required to pay it off through working as a lumberjack.

Yet no matter the length of the smile on his face, or even the new work clothes he’d obtained, it still seemed as though that wasn't the full truth.

_______________________
A/N An extra long chapter today. I usually write around 1500 words but this one is 2399.
Hope you enjoy!

--Unicorn🌈