UNRAVELING MR BILLIONAIRE

Christina has only one chance. The bridesmaids have filled the halls, playing catch up and gisting about their private lives. The guards, the mothers, everyone is distracted. No one is watching her now as she slips past the door and makes for the wide opened gate. She wears a plastic sandal, made only for indoors, so as she sprints passed the woods of her family estate, her legs hurt but this pai she has to endure if she wants even a modicum of freedom. “You are to marry Simmons,” her father, Mr. Wilfred, had announced some months back. “He is of the wealthy Trousard family and he is a respectable young man. He will take good care of you.” “But I don’t know this man,” she protested. “Yes, you do,” insisted Mr. Wilfred. “You two used to do everything together as a child. You were so close, almost inseparatable,” Christina tried but recalled no memory of every being close with a boy as a kid. She certainly wasn’t inseparatable with anyone. “It doesn’t matter,” she continued. “I have plans. I need to get a job and start a life for myself. I need…” “Enough!” her father stated with his hands raised. He has that look on his face that appears anytime he is mildly inconvenienced. He has never been one to entertain long speeches especially when it concerns his instructions. “I have made my position known,” he declared. “And that is all we are going to hear on the matter,” with this, he walks off. She had a lot to say, but her father was never going to listen. He had always been like that. He had controlled everything about her from the moment she was born. The preschool, middle school and high school she went to was handpicked by Mr. Wilfred. She wouldn’t have gone to a university if not for the several pleas from her mother and several relatives. After all, she was the best student in her high school and it would be a shame for her not to proceed in her studies. Even when father agreed, he choose which university, which hostel, which friends, with a promise that she will spend her weekend back at home. Every dress, shoe, makeup have to be pre-approved. Every conference, party and social outing have to be thoroughly explained. As far as she is concerned, going to the university was the first time her father ever conceded to her wants. And she is afraid it might be the only time ever. A car horn right in front of her. Christina jerks back to life. She is far lost in her thoughts, she didn’t realize she has finally escaped her family estate and is now by the road side. A cab has stopped before her, motioning for her to enter. She quickly gets in. “Where to?” the rowdy cab driver asked. “Sundy’s Bar.” The cab stopped right in front of the bar. It is just as she remembered. Sundy’s Bar is the place she stays every time she returns from college. She doesn’t like to go home straight away so she hides for a few hours in the bar. It isn’t the most pleasant place. It stinks by this time of day and is filled with miscreants who drink till they pass out, or just drink enough to avoid culpability for her actions. Now that she is here. She remembers she doesn’t really like it very much. She just wanted to leave the stuffiness of her family home behind and have some fun. Fun. Now that she thinks about it, there’s a nice big event center right opposite the bar. The Vintage Hall. It is always filled with rich assholes in their big cars, pulling up and looking down on everyone else. If she wants to have fun, wouldn’t it make sense to go somewhere she wouldn’t normally go? Without giving much thoughts to it, she turns back and head for the Vintage Hall. It is open as usual and the expensive cars are parked outside. The rich men troop inside in their suits and cute girlfriend in their arms. “Invite, please.” The security guard asks as soon as she gets to the entrance. “I… uh, I…” she doesn’t know what to say. She never knew there are invites for these sorts of things. She’s never been in one before. “Sorry, ma’am” the guard said, but his demeaning tone suggests he isn’t sorry. “You have to step aside if you don’t have an invite,” “She’s with me,” a thick voice says behind her. She turns back and a set of green eyes stare her down. It is an old man with a youthful stature. His sternness reminds him of her cousins in the military. His grey hair, beards and wrinkled face is the only thing that suggests his old age. He smiles at her with his stern face. She smiles back courteously. “Shall we?” he said. The guard opens the door with an apology. The man clearly is a big deal in this side of the world. She walks inside, hand in hand, with the old man and her chin drops almost immediately. The place is huge, with bright and golden interiors. The chandelier hangs beautifully in the middle of the room and classical music fills the air. Everyone seems to know everyone as they keep chatting and keeping up conversations. She feels out of place. “You getting married?” her escort asks. “What?” Christina asks, caught totally off guard. “Your white dress. It reminds me of weddings,” For the first time since she ran, she notices the dress she is wearing. It is one of the simple white gowns she is testing out for her wedding. Her chances are too slim, she didn’t think to change before running away. “No,” she lied. “Yes,” she decides to say the truth. “Wow! Congratulations,” the old man says. “You know I have a young daughter who is also getting married soon…” The old man, or the General as he prefers to call himself, rambles on. But Christina isn’t listening anymore. There is a handsome young man standing in the middle of the crowd now. His brown eyes, fresh skin and clean shave attracts Christina like the siren. She catches herself wondering what he looks like beneath his overpriced suit and if he… “No,” she stops herself. “This is not you,” she thinks. But isn’t this the sort of things she came out to do? If her father can see her now, with this crowd and these sorts of men, he will die of heartache. That is exactly why she is going to do it. She walks forward, ignoring the General by her side. She takes a cup of champagne for a courage boost and empties the entire thing in one go. The thought of her father screaming and trying to stop her keeps her going. She walks over to the handsome young man and taps him on the shoulder. He turns towards her and without giving it any thought, she pulls him in and locks her lips with his. Eyes closed, heart racing, she didn’t know what to expect, but she never expect that kissing a stranger will feel this good. They finally pull away from each other, and with a bright smile, she says, “Hi,”