I'll Take You Away From Him

Chapter 4

He is turning pale. Not from shame, of course, but from anger. He grits his teeth tightly. But I’m not afraid of him. He doesn’t go beyond threats anyway. And he won’t, I’m sure. Because he’s a coward.

“We will talk later,” he hisses through his teeth, after which he finally walks away.

“As if, asshole,” my friend’s voice follows him. She’s always there for me, supporting and helping me in every way she can. Just like I do for her in return.

“Damn it!” I exclaim after checking time. The break went by too quickly, and we didn’t get a chance to talk properly, “I haven’t told you the most interesting part! I met such a cool guy!” I grab a cup, take a bite of a pastry, and wash it down with a big gulp, watching my friend’s face turn in surprise.

“And?”

“He promised to come see me at the university after classes today,” shoving the remaining part of my éclair into my mouth, I nod toward the university because we are already late and turn toward the entrance.

“A date?” Yasmin asks eagerly, walking beside me.

“He invited me. But I said I was busy so he wouldn’t think I was easytaking. He replied that he would stop by just to see me. Can you imagine?”

“I see,” she gives me a meaningful look. “You’re almost jumping for joy. What will he say when he finds out you’re already engaged?”

“I hope that he will help, actually. Well, only if he falls in love with me first. Of course, I’m not going to say anything to him right now.”

If he falls in love…

“Wise decision. That kind of news could only scare him away, especially since you don’t want to get married.”

Unfortunately, we don’t have time to talk more. Quickly finishing our tea, we toss the paper cups into the trash and head to our classes. I see Yasmin is struggling with curiosity, but knowing that I don’t like to get distracted from my studies, she doesn’t press me with questions.

And only when classes finally end and we head to the bathroom, where I fix my makeup and hair, I tell my friend in a few words how I met William.

“But didn’t you think about what he was doing there?” my friend suddenly asks when I finish sharing my impressions.

“Where?”

“In the building that belongs to your mother.”

“What difference does it make? There are many offices there, and a lot of people around.”

Well, indeed, the building belonged to my father, and his office was there too, but not just his. Will could have been visiting anyone.

“Or your mother.”

“Even if that’s so — what's the big deal? On the contrary, if feelings ignite between us and they are acquainted, maybe William will persuade my mom not to force me into a calculating marriage.”

“That’s an option, but be careful. A stranger showing such sudden interest…”

“Maybe you'll even tell me that I'm not attractive enough?” I scoff, knowing that men find me appealing. “Let’s go, I don’t want to keep him waiting too long.”

“Or you just can't wait for yourself,” she laughs.

Maybe that’s true, whatever it is, but I confidently stride toward the exit, and as we step out of the building, I immediately spot him. I freeze for a moment, catching my breath. He is so handsome, and the car he leans against is stunning. If he has connections, power…

Could it be that I got so lucky? No, I’m not interested in his money, but if he’s influential enough and not just an ordinary guy, there’s a better chance he won’t be scared off. In fact, he might help when he finds out about my forced marriage.

My thoughts and fantasies race ahead like a runaway train, and I don’t know how to slow them down. I just want happiness. Not money, not an inheritance, but ordinary happiness.

Spotting me, Will smiles slightly and steps away from the hood, but stays put, waiting for me to approach. I can’t help myself; my legs carry me to him.

“Wow,” my friend sighs. “You forgot to mention he’s that hot.”

“Could it be otherwise?” I scoff.

“But I’ll still note down the car's license plate. Dad will track it down through his channels if you want. And be careful. And smart. And use protection,” she gives me instructions that make me blush from head to toe.

“Yasmin!” I protested. “I’m not planning to go anywhere with him today, let alone anything else.”

“I would go,” she pressed. “Okay, call me later. I'm waiting for details,” my friend says finally and walks down the path while I turn toward the parking lot.

“Well, hello, Aurelia,” Will beams at me, making my knees shake from the very first second of our encounter, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. “I’m planning to abduct you. What do you say to that?” he declares with a disarming smile.

That I’m all for it! Preferably in the literal sense so that no one else forces me to do what I don’t want.

But out loud, I say something else.

“I’ll say that abducting young girls is illegal. But that doesn’t mean that young girls don’t quite like it.”

I avert my gaze, surprised at how I could possibly blurt that out? Aura, your brain is turning to jelly next to him!

“Oh, you can be sure, a kidnapper will do everything to make a young girl happy and wanting more,” Will confidently declares and opens the car door for me.

I get in the car, pushing my doubts aside. But first, I look for my friend, who is, of course, waiting a little further away.

Giving me a thumbs up, she signals that she noted the car number, and if I don’t get in touch, she’ll raise hell in the city with the help of her dad, who isn’t just any cop.

And then I noticed another witness whose watchful gaze makes me involuntarily shiver. That Mikey is like some kind of maniac, stalking and lurking. Unhinged.

As if I owe him something or there was something between us, and I deceived him and left.

“Buckle up, cutie,” Will draws my attention. “We’ll go back for your bike later. And you can tell your friend not to worry, abduction doesn’t imply anything that won’t make you happy,” he winks playfully and drives off.

And I look away again, blushing and wondering what he is planning to do that I’m definitely supposed to like.