P.O.V: Audrey Buorgeois 

10 years ago...

It has been eight years. Eight years since my husband became the mayor of Paris, eight years since I was forced into an arranged marriage, eight years since my life changed from freedom to prison. Although it was an arranged marriage, I fell in love with Andre overtime. I learned to care for him, and love him. I love him and our beautiful daughters more than anything, but being the mayor's wife is harder than you would imagine. All eyes, cameras, and the residents of Paris are watching my every move. There is nothing I can hide, every word I say is out to the public. My life has changed drastically over time. Eight years ago, I had no weight on my shoulders, I was free like a bird. I was one of the most beautiful flowers of France. Now, I am like an indoors plant, stuck inside a house which has enormous walls, with no chance to escape. In other words, I am in a cage which is locked, with no key. 

I comb Amber's hair with a golden brush. My five-year-old daughters are laughing and giggling as they are sitting on their beds, reading a fairytale. Discussing romance and love at first sight. 

"Mummy? Do you believe in love at first sight?" Chloe asked curiously. 

"Of course I do sweetie! Love is very important, it is everywhere around us, we just have to find it." I pocked the top of her little nose as she giggled.

"Will we find love Mummy?" asked Amber.

"I am sure that one day both of you will find your Princes, just like I found Daddy." I smiled at them. 

"I want to be like you when I grow up, Mummy! You're so pretty and nice!" stated Chloe.

"Me too!" Amber added.

I gave them a sweet smile, but inside I was crushed by their words. They don't deserve a life like mine, this cage isn't healthy for anyone. 

"Ok, its time to sleep now!" I said, tucking them under the blanket, "I love you, Amber. I love you, Chloe." I planted a little kiss of both of their foreheads, "Goodnight my little princesses." 

"Goodnight Mummy." the girls replied in unison. 

I turned the lights off, then gently closed their door. I headed straight to my bedroom, tears swelling in the corner of my eyes. I wanted the best for my daughters, trust me on that. I always have. Hearing that they want to be like me, a gorgeous bird stuck in its golden cage, broke my heart. 

"And so, I think firing the vice mayor is the best for Paris and its residents." my husband practised his speech in the bathroom mirror. 

"Andre, can we talk?" I asked, wiping away some of the tears which managed to escape from my eyes. 

"I'm busy," he replied, staring at himself. 

"I know, you always are. But can you spare a minute or so on me? On your wife?" I pleaded. 

"I TOLD YOU I AM BUSY, AUDREY!" 

Oh. Did I forget to mention an important thing? As I mentioned earlier, my marriage was arranged. Even so, I fell in love with Andre, he never seemed to care about me, he doesn't love me. He only agreed to the marriage because of my looks, and now that he has two identical daughters, he doesn't need me anymore. Tears ran down my cheeks. 

"Oh, stop acting like a diva, Audrey. It's tiring." he moaned. 

"You don't even love me, you never did! You only married me because of my beauty!" I screamed at him, it felt good to finally say that after trapping the truth into my heart for the past eight years. 

"What do you want? Money? A new house? Designer clothes? Make-up? Take whatever you want. I got plenty." He shouted as he came out of the bathroom. 

"You and your money, that's all you care about! I swear you will be buried with that rubbish!" 

"Will you shut up? I can't be bothered for this argument. Let's go to sleep." he rolled his eyes. 

"No," I whispered. 

"Pardon?" He lifted his eyebrows. 

"NO! I had enough of this, I am leaving tomorrow morning with Chloe and Amber." I told him. 

"Audrey," he laughed then turned serious and angry,"You're very funny, aren't you? You should know better. YOU BELONG TO ME. YOU ARE MY PROPERTY. YOU WILL DO EXACTLY AS YOU ARE TOLD. Chloe and Amber are MY daughters, and they have a fabulous future to look forward to. Do you really you can take care of two children, with no money and while being chased by the police for kidnaping my daughters? I would get you arrested, I don't care if you are married to me." he shouted as I looked down to the floor in shame and embarrassment, "Now that your back to your senses, let's sleep."  

I looked at the ceiling. He is right, how could I take care of them with no money at all? The police would find us, then they would take them back to Andre. I would be in prison for the rest of my life, unable to see my children grow up. Perhaps, I could just stay here, watching my children become monsters like their father, without being able to do anything. But I couldn't bear the thought of that. I would rather go to prison than watch that. I know that I needed to escape. This was my chance to become free again. But no matter what I would do, I couldn't change the life of my daughters. They would end up coming back to Le Grand Paris, no matter how much I tried to save them. It kills me to leave them, I know that this is very selfish of me. 

I climbed out of the bed without making a sound. I grabbed hidden my favourite gold and black suitcase (which I used to travel with to everywhere before I got married) and packed all my belongings in it. I got dressed and grabbed a coat, then with a last look at my snoring husband, I closed the door on him. I know I needed to say goodbye to my daughters, so I decided to do just that. I grabbed a piece of paper and pen and started writing. When I finished the letter, I dropped it on their desk. I stoked both of their hands before giving them one last kiss on their foreheads. 

Now, I know that there was no need to feel sad. I will always remember them and love them. Hopefully, they know that and understand how I felt. Afterall, this is just the start of a new life.