"All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust."
― J.M. Barrie

Irene's Pov.

One day. It has been one whole day I escaped out of Alex's house and I'm still clueless about my next step. I just had my savings of five thousand dollars and some of my 'real me' clothes, if that's even a term. I didn't take a single thing from Alex's house except for the things that I actually owned with my own money.

I hold my new phone and stare at the blank screen for any call from Mia but no luck. I've been sitting like this the entire night but there's no news if Mia found a way to get me out of here. I can't go to any public transport because I know Alex has got eyes for me everywhere. Mia's plan for asking one of her brother's friends backfired and Alex got to know about me trying to escape.

Melissa, the cook was helping me out and she told me about the security at the back door which was not much. I managed to get away at five a.m. yesterday and I just hope that Melissa doesn't get caught for helping me. I knew I would be safe for about an hour because Alex wouldn't wake up. I got a taxi and got dropped off at this small isolated motel on the outskirts of New York.

This is the only time I got so successful in escaping and the first time that Alex didn't find me for so long. Good that I got to know the reality about my family or else I would've headed there and stupid me would've failed at escaping again.

I know it's not safe to stay here for longer than a day but how the hell do I find a ride to LA? there's only one safe choice that I've got now, I need to ask some passersby for a lift. For all I know, this road is only used when people are traveling towards LA and I can probably use the money I have to pay them.

But what if I end up getting into the car of a serial killer? Damn, that's still not safe but it definitely is better than Alex or my so-called family. I smile realizing that I'm finally away from them, ready to start over.

My phone buzzes making me snap out of my thoughts as Mia's name pops up, "Hey,"

"Irene I honestly don't know anyone who can give you a ride all the way to Los Angeles..." she trails off in a disappointed tone and I sigh thinking of getting into a strangers vehicle.

"it's alright, I'll find a way and I'll keep you updated from time to time," I tell her as I grab a loose ripped jeans and a black sleeveless t-shirt.

"Alright be careful and please do call me if there's an emergency,"

"Will do bestie,"

"Bye,"

"Bye," I place my phone next to the sink before staring at my face in the mirror. A smile makes its way onto my face, that's the real me with no makeup and looking like a normal happy person.

Stripping out of my clothes, I cringe at the bruises on my waist before heading to the shower cubicle. The hot water pours down on me making my shoulders relax as I close my eyes taking a deep breath. Tears roll down my cheeks as think of everyone in my life.

No relationship was real. Everyone just took advantage of me and I can only blame myself for trusting everyone. Only Mia is all I have right now and I don't think I can ever trust anyone else. Ever again.

Maybe, just maybe I'll settle down and live the life I always saw myself having but right now it feels like that's a lot to expect from my life. There's hope, but just not enough.

I wash my hair using my green tea scented shampoo which helps my nerves calm down a bit. Wrapping a towel around my body I step out into the room to dress up and pack my stuff so that I can leave immediately.

Putting on a pair of baggy ripped jeans and a black t-shirt, I look myself in the mirror and smile at how I barely look like a model. Comfortable clothes and zero makeup is what defines me best.

I zip up my duffle bag and get hold of my phone before leaving the room. The old lady who owns the place greets me with a warm smile as I pay the bills and bid her goodbye. Putting on my sunglasses, I walk across the almost empty road and wait for a sight of any vehicles coming by.

~•~•~•

Half an hour later I can feel the happiness bubbles inside me as I see a Chevrolet coming by and wave my hand to get the driver's attention. A smile makes its way onto my face as the car slows down and I bend a little to the driver's eye level.

"I need a lift please..." my words trail off as I recognize the face and fear runs down my spine. He's the photographer who Alex hired to take our pictures for a magazine confirming our engagement.

"Aren't you Mr. Toussaint's fiancé?!" he asks me with an accusing tone as he turns off the car's engine and steps out of the car. Panic rises in me as take a step back trying to calm down.

"You just ran away from your wedding and your fiancé is searching all over the city for you!" I feel the anger rise in me as he defends Alex without even knowing anything about the guy and what right does he have to say anything about my wedding?

Looking up at him I voice my thoughts, "You don't know anything about me and you don't have any right on commenting about my wedding. What do you know about Alex that you're defending him?!"

He looks surprised with my outburst, "Come on, it's obvious that you were with him for his money and now you left him just because he wants to marry you."

"Firstly, I wasn't with him for money and I don't need his money to live my life. Secondly, he's an asshole so don't you dare make him sound like a saint because you only know what he lets you see and not what he really is!"

My breathing is harsh from the yelling and I'm clueless about why I'm fighting with this stranger, "Maybe just maybe you think Alex is a good person but what you don't know is that he's a manipulative and money minded bastard that doesn't care about relationships."

"I don't even know why I'm fighting with you, I barely know you," a tear trickles down my cheek for the hundredth time since yesterday and I quickly wipe it off before turning to look away.

"I'm sorry..." the guy's apology makes me look up at him. I give him a blank stare before grabbing my duffle bag and walking away mindlessly by the side of the road as more tears trickle down my face. Why does everyone not see who Alex really is? Why can't they see that I was forced to be with him?

Why did the guy even care? I feel tiny droplets of water on my skin and realize that it's going to rain. Great. Is there anything worse that's left to happen now? I don't think so.

"Hey!" I hear the car halt next to me with the photographer inside making me roll my eyes through my tears as I wipe them.

"I'm sorry for what I said. Seems like it's going to start raining heavily any second now, would you want to get inside so I can just give you a ride to wherever you need to go?" I look at him surprised at his offer. Even though I hate the guy for jumping to conclusions and accusing me, I couldn't help feeling happy that he offered to give me a ride.

"How do I trust you?" I know that I should just take up his offer but what if he calls Alex?

"I promise I wouldn't do anything to hurt you," he reassures me with a heartwarming smile which melts my heart. What the hell is wrong with me?!

"Okay!" is all that comes out of my mouth before it starts raining hard and I run to the passenger's seat, literally jumping inside the car before closing the door.

I whisper a 'thank you' as he helps me put my duffle bag behind.

"I'm Reese," he extends his hand out for a shaking hand which I take, "I'm Irene but I guess you already know that,"

I sure didn't observe how good he looked before but this guy sure is a beauty. His warm brown eyes and his gracious smile...Get yourself together Irene!

He lets go of my hand before starting the car, driving through the rain, "so where do you have to go?"

"Los Angeles," I tell him realizing the fact that I didn't mention where I had to go.

"Oh! That's where I'm headed to too," he says with a smile and I sigh in relief.

"That's great then!" I say with happiness lacing in my voice.

~•~•~•

"I'll call you back later then, bye." I hang up on Mia's call. She's happy that I found a ride home but guess what, Reese is annoying than he seemed to be.

"So what's with your outfit?" he asks me eying me across the table as he takes a bite of his burger. I roll my eyes as he questions me yet again. I just hope the rain stops soon so that we can get back on the road.

"Do you have a problem with it?" I ask him back raising an eyebrow before eating a potato wedge. "Well, not really but aren't you supposed to be dressed in like some insanely expensive clothes?"

"Sure but that's not how I want to dress up and would you mind not asking any more questions?"

Who thought that the guy with a heartwarming smile and pretty eyes could be so annoying?!

"We've got to survive together all the way to Los Angeles for two long days Irene, we need to at least have some friendly conversations,"

"Right, and it'd be great if those conversations don't include any questions about me," I state having a sip of my hot chocolate.

He sure is a nice guy and could be nicer if he wasn't that curious in my life which is full of not so great experiences. This is the first time I'm actually making conversation with a person I've just met like two hours ago and I'm actually really comfortable talking to him.

I stare out of the French window of the bakery looking at my reflection on it. how long has it been since I actually smiled or behaved this way? It sure feels like forever. "Are you okay?"

Reese asks me with a questioning look, "Yeah I'm just fine."

I get back to eating my food with a smile while Reese continues to give me weird expressions while probably trying to read my mind. He sure is one hell of a curious person.

Paying the bill, we walk out of the cozy bakery with a bunch of snacks and drinks for the travel. The rain reduced and it's only drizzling which means its time to get back on the road. If it continues to rain heavily, then we sure are going to get delayed by another day or so which I'm definitely not looking forward to.

~•~•~•

Hey there guys!

I know I know it's been way too long since I last updated. I had a writers block and was busy with other stuff but I'm finally finding balance. I'm back to writing and can't wait to update more of my books.

I'll be responding to messages regularly and can't wait to get in contact with everyone of you guys again!

Love y'all ❤️