Chapter 3 The Night I Ran Away
Nancy's POV
This was it. Tonight, I would be out of this God-forsaken place.
The more I spend time in the house, the more my reason to run away intensified.
Earlier on, Mother and I had gone out to try out some wedding dresses. The entire city was covered with my name and that of Mr. Hudson.
He was so shameless as to even print out banners. The news carried it, and even social media exploded with the news.
I had refused to come online on Whatsapp because I knew my class group chat would tag it as a hot gist.
The hotel that was booked for the wedding was so big, and I heard it belonged to him. Then the wedding guests that were coming, all the elites in the city.
It was a dream come true for Father and Mother. But to me, it was a nightmare that should never have happened.
Immediately, it ticked 12 a.m., my phone rang.
I picked up the call immediately,
“Diana," I whispered.
“Are you ready?" She asked sleepily.
“Yes," I answered, but I could feel my hands shaking. I could hear my heart beating in my mouth.
Fear gripped me like a clothe, and I wish I were as bold as my twin brother right now.
I licked my lips,
" Have you told your dad?”
“I told him you're coming for a vacation." She answered, “It's not a big deal. Make it here first."
Silence stretched between us. Then she whispered,
“Stay safe. Keep me updated."
The call ended.
I felt alone. Tears clouded my vision.
What am I doing? Can I do this?
How did Nathan have the courage to do this at seventeen?
I sucked in a shaky breath before pulling out my bag. I wiped my tears clean as I zipped the bag open and pulled out my jacket.
I wore thick clothes and a baseball cap before throwing the bag down the window. They landed with a thud.
I shut the window and tiptoed towards the door. I clicked it open quietly and began walking towards the stairs. I froze when I heard noises coming from downstairs.
Aren't they asleep?
Cold sweat broke out. I hurried back into my room.
My heart was beating incredibly fast. I had to cover my mouth with my palm to stop my aggressive breathing.
I pulled my phone out and dialed Diana's number again,
Panicking this time, “Diana, they— they haven't slept yet. I can't go through the door. And I have already thrown my bag out the window.”
My eyes clouded with unshed tears. My fingers gripped the phone like it was my lifeline. My heart was racing bad, and I didn't want to miss my flight scheduled for 2 a.m.
Time wasn't on my side.
There was silence for a while. Then a manly voice spoke through the phone,
" Try the window."
My heart stopped.
I looked down at the phone.
It was Diana whom I had called. Who…?
“Mr. Landon?"
I blinked. Diana's father.
My feet grew cold. Why is he with Diana's phone?
“You don't have time, Nancy. Try the window."
I came out of my gaze and dragged my feet to the window. I looked down, and I staggered back.
“I can't. It's high."
There was no way I would be able to pull that off.
“No pain. No gain, Nancy." His voice was smooth. He sounded like he was lecturing me.
I looked down the window again. Then at the door. Then at the wall clock.
“How do I do it?" The question slipped out of my mouth.
“With your bedsheets." He answered. He wasn’t in a hurry to tell me how,
" Tie them together."
He was patient as he taught me how to add the bedsheets together at the edges to form a rope. My eyes sting with tears as I manage to lock all the sheets together in a hurry.
When I was done, he said,
" Now, tie one end to the leg of your bed.”
I did that.
" Throw the other end down.”
I did as told.
“With every step, make sure your leg is resting on the knot you had formed in between."
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I placed the phone in the pocket of my jean trousers and took one leg out.
It took sweat, tears, and uncontrollable heart racing to get down from my room. The moment my legs touched the ground, I didn't bother about the bedsheet anymore, I picked up my bag and ran.
I had booked a taxi earlier on. He was waiting.
Soon, I was at the airport.
Yet, my fingers trembled.
Covered in a big jacket, I was still shivering.
I didn't dare to raise my head. The baseball cap covered almost every part of my face. I didn't want anyone to know Mr. Hudson's wife-to-be was at the airport.
My flight was called a few moments later. I picked up my bag and rushed towards the area.
I took out my sim from my phone and threw it into the trash can. I wouldn't need it anymore.
I could only breathe easy the moment the plane took off.
“Nancy!!!"
A scream loudly erupted through the noisy area, and I searched for the person, knowing it was Diana.
I followed the voice and saw her in the waiting area, jumping and waving at me.
My face broke into a smile, and I was quick to wave back as I rushed towards her with my bag.
She ran towards me, and we both collided into a big hug.
It's been six years since I last saw her. The news of their relocation broke me when I heard it, but they had to. I could understand.
She just lost her mom. Everything about New Jersey reminded her of her mother. So she and her Father had to relocate.
" I missed you so much!” She gave me the best bear hug I had ever experienced.
" I missed you too, so much.”
When we broke the hug, she pulled me to where she had just run from. Then, stopped in front of a dead, gorgeous, good-looking god-like man.
“Dad, Nancy." She introduced, “Nancy, my dad."
My mouth dried up.
What?!
This was her Father? Mr. Landon?
Why was he so handsome? He wasn't this good-looking years ago.
I stared up at him, my heart racing in my chest. A different kind of feeling from last night.
I had expected Mr. Landon to be someone with slightly gray hair, pot belly, like Mr. Hudson or Father. But I met someone who looked like he was in his mid 30s. I doubt he was.
His dark hair neatly combed, his jaws sharp enough to cut through glass, and his abs—I bet they were more than six.
“Nancy, it's nice that you could make it."
His arms spread wide as they wrapped around my body, and I stiffened. I almost melted on the spot at how perfect I felt in his hold.
"Yeah… thanks to you.” I forced out a smile, inhaling his manly scent that made my thoughts go wild.
Holy cow.
I didn't want to let go, and it felt like he didn't either.