ATTEMPT NUMBER ONE

"Do you hear yourself? What sort of mother are you?" Huh? Either I like it or not, right? You must think I'm a fool, then."

"I hear myself loud and clear, Miss Paris. You will soon understand why we are doing this."

Paris paused, carefully shifting her gaze to her father, who just sat there like he was kidnapped or something.

"You are on this too? Dad, you are on this too."

"Even if I explain it, you wouldn't understand my daughter, but believe us when we say we know what's best for you, okay?"

"I won't understand even if you explain. Am I that stupid for you guys? Okay, try me. Explain it, please." She stood, her arms folded under her breasts, her eyes laser-focused on her parents.

"Ivan is the best husband for you, seriously."

"Mom, is that an explanation? Do you even love me? You know what? Fuck you guys!" Paris shouted angrily, storming off to her room.

"Don't speak to us that way, young lady!" Mr. Orion yelled before Paris slammed her room door in their faces.

Breathing hard, she collapsed on her bed in tears. What a waste of her day, waking up with all that excitement for nothing?

But has she already signed? They made her drunk, then got her to sign a freaking blank sheet of paper. Her suspicion did not cease to nudge at her, but no! She ignored it the whole night. Now she's legally bound to marry that spoilt brat, Ivan, and his disgusting mother. What's going to happen to Stephan?

Paris sat up immediately, her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands, shaking in tears. An idea dropped.

"Run away, Paris." The little voice in her head said.

"Run away."

If she's away, they can't get her. If she's away, she'll be free at last. That's the only way.

"Run away." She said to herself, laughing hysterically.

All these years, right from her childhood, she has been planning an escape, and now the time has finally ripened.

A sudden surge of energy flashed through Paris's body. It's time.

She wiped her face very quickly, reached for her small box, and started arranging; whatever could not fit would be bought again.

She packed with her heavy heart and tears in her eyes, barely seeing anything.

Her parents are far from being the best. Not for one day have they not imposed their will on her, like she isn't above twenty. Fuck all that because today is prison breakout day.

"If I perish, I perish." She whispered, zipping up her box. At nightfall, she moves.

She pushed the box to the other side of her bed before lying on it. She grabbed her phone. Stephan's going to drive her, so he needs to be aware of everything first. She dialed his number, and watching it ring, she began to lose patience.

"Hey baby," he answered finally.

"I thought you were going to ignore me." Paris hissed, annoyed.

"No, no, mama. I was in the bathroom."

"Stephan, listen to me closely. I need you to come to my house today in six hours at exactly midnight. When you get here, text me." She whispered, suddenly changing the mood of the call.

"Why? What's going on? Are you okay?" Stephan asked, worried and confused, as was obvious.

"I will explain later. In everything you do, do not get caught. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am." Stephan replied.

"I'll call you back; someone's coming." Paris said, quickly hanging up the phone at the sound of footsteps. The door of her room swung wide open seconds later. Aurora appeared at the door.

"Who are you talking to?" She frowned, walking towards Paris's bed.

"I was talking with Stephan; what do you want?"

"Can I not walk into my daughter's room anymore? What has gotten into you, Paris?"

"Don't ask me any dumb questions, okay? I don't want to talk to you. Please leave." Paris said, pointing to the door.

"Put your hands down, little girl, m'kay?" Aurora laughed. "I came here to clarify things. Your father and I are not forcing you to marry Ivan; we are marrying you guys without an option to choose from. The more you get used to that, the better. Okay?"

"Are you even listening to yourself? Of all the men in the world, you chose Ivan? You had billions to pick from, and Ivan was your go-to? I am twenty-two, for fuck sake, and I can't choose my husband. Why do you even think I want to get married now? Did your mother force you to marry my father?"

"Silence! I did not come here for an interrogation. I came to let you know what exactly you are in for. I know what's best for you, and guess what? Ivan is the best for you."

"Stephan is my boyfriend!!"

"Screw him! We are both about to get you married to someone who barely knows what he wants."

"What do you mean by that?" Paris furrowed her brows together, suddenly aware of her mother's actual intentions.

"Ivan, is your husband okay? You already consented, my love." Aurora patted Paris's legs before standing up.

"You must think really low of me, mom."

"Aren't you going to have lunch? It's almost two."

"Just leave me alone, woman."

Paris threw her head into her pillow, crying herself to sleep. Without another word, without another glance, Aurora walked out, slamming the door shut behind her.

Already fast asleep, Paris waited for midnight so desperately.

12:45

Paris's alarm rang. She scrambled up quickly after forcing her eyes to stay closed for the last two hours.

She rushed into the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth, and pee.

Walking out, she picked up her phone to check the texts Stephan left her in her sleep. About seventy-three messages started back at her, but the most important to her at the moment,

"I am outside."

Quietly, she rolled the box out, threw a jacket on, and turned off the light in her room.

"Goodbye forever," she muttered, shutting the door gently.

With her phone in her hand and her heart in her mouth, Paris scoped the house for any odd movements. The coast is clear.

She lifted the box to her head and tiptoed down the stairs and across the large living room. Everyone is asleep, master and servant.

Paris creaked the door open and glided through, softly closing it. Hurriedly, she tiptoed to the car, where she joined Stephan.

"Don't ask questions, just go." Paris murmured, lowering the seat in which she sat. Stephan drove off immediately.

"Where are we going?" Stephan asked the second they got on the road. She turned their security system off a long time ago.

"Wherever, just keep driving." Paris replied, ducking and staring around.

"Why are you scared?" Stephan laughed, taking a sharp turn that led them further away from Paris's house.

"Get down!!" Three muscular men shouted, pointing large guns at their cars. They froze.