Engaged
1176 Words
Athena’s POV
"Athena, you’ll be getting married soon."
I blinked. “What?”
“You heard me just fine,” my father replied coldly. “You’re marrying my best friend, Xavier.”
I stared at him like he’d grown horns. “Father…”
“No ifs, no buts. The alliance is already sealed.”
With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into his office, slamming the door behind him. The sharp click of the lock echoed in my ears like the final bang of a prison gate.
For a second, I just stood there, frozen.
Was this real?
Should I cry? Scream? Laugh?
My chest ached with betrayal—raw and suffocating. Not even a full day had passed since I’d walked in on my boyfriend, Derek, tangled in someone else’s arms like I’d never existed. And now this?
A forced marriage?
To Xavier Grayson?
I’d heard the name before—whispers among the rich and powerful. A man who didn’t speak often but didn’t need to. His actions spoke louder. Ruthless. Cold. Respected, feared. But I’d never seen him in person. My father never allowed me to be around when his friends visited. I was kept out of sight, a daughter too delicate to bother the business of men.
And now, I was being offered like a gift basket to one of them.
I could barely breathe.
He didn’t even look at me when he told me. Didn’t blink. Just shut the door like he was done with a transaction. Like I wasn’t his daughter—just a pawn on his dusty old chessboard. The same man who controlled everything. The same man who destroyed my mother with that control until the day her heart gave out. And now, I was the next in line.
Everything was happening too fast. Too harshly. Too heartlessly.
Why were the men in my life always this... broken? Cruel? Toxic?
All I’d ever wanted was a little freedom. A little peace. Someone who’d choose me because they cared—not because they were claiming property.
I stumbled back to my room and collapsed onto the bed, face buried in my pillow as the tears came. I didn’t stop them. I couldn’t. My whole body shook until exhaustion finally took over and dragged me into a restless sleep.
---
When I woke up, the sky outside was already dim. 6 p.m. My head throbbed and my throat felt like sandpaper.
I peeled myself off the bed and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away my panic—even though it did nothing for the storm inside me.
I pulled on a hoodie and jeans, grabbed my phone, and slipped out of the house like a shadow. I couldn’t stay in there another minute. I needed to breathe.
I needed Sienna.
She was the only person left in my life who didn’t make me feel like I was drowning.
The air outside was crisp as I walked down the street, hoodie pulled over my head, thoughts running wild. My chest tightened with every step. What if this was the last night I could walk alone? What if tomorrow, I was no longer Athena—but someone’s wife?
“Hi, bestie!” Sienna’s voice cut through the noise in my head. She ran toward me, beaming.
But her smile vanished the second she saw my tears. I broke down in her arms.
“Athena, what happened?” she asked, alarmed. She led me to her porch swing, our hands tangled tightly.
“I’m getting married,” I whispered hoarsely.
Her eyes widened. “What?! To who? Why?”
“My father arranged it,” I choked out. “To Xavier Grayson.”
Her jaw dropped. “Xavier Grayson? That man is terrifying. Isn’t he, like, over thirty-five?!”
“He’s almost forty, Sienna. My dad’s best friend. It’s disgusting.”
Sienna’s expression darkened. “Athena, that’s insane. You’re twenty-two. You can’t let this happen.”
I nodded slowly, wiping my cheeks. “That’s why I’m going to run away.”
She blinked. “What?”
“I’ve been thinking about it since I woke up. If I stay, my life is over.”
Sienna was quiet for a moment, then asked gently, “Do you have a plan?”
“I’ll take a night bus to the city. Lay low. Maybe change my name, get a job. Start over.”
She looked hesitant, but then nodded. “It’s risky. But if anyone can do it... it’s you.”
“I just need to disappear.”
Without another word, she jumped into action. “Come on. Let’s pack.”
We gathered the essentials—cash, a phone, some clothes. I kept looking over my shoulder, scared my father would come storming in and ruin everything.
But the house stayed silent.
At 9 p.m., I stood at the bus station with my backpack slung over my shoulder, stomach twisted with adrenaline and fear.
“This is it,” I said under my breath.
Sienna grabbed my hands. “Don’t look back.”
I hugged her tightly, burying my face in her shoulder. “Thank you. For everything.”
Then I climbed onto the bus, took a seat by the window, and watched the lights of my old life fade into the darkness.
---
The city greeted me with honking cars, flashing signs, and freezing night air. I found a cheap motel, paid in cash, and curled up on the scratchy bed, hoodie pulled over my head.
But I couldn’t sleep.
Something didn’t feel right.
It was like... I wasn’t alone.
Hours passed in silence—until I heard the soft click of the door unlocking.
My heart stopped.
I sat up instantly, blood turning cold. I reached for my phone—but it wasn’t where I left it.
The door creaked open.
A tall figure stepped inside, his black coat trailing behind him, his eyes gleaming under the dim motel light.
Him.
The man I’d bumped into at the hotel.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, voice cracking.
He stepped closer. Slow. Icy calm.
“Found you,” he said.
I scrambled back on the bed, trembling. “H-how—?”
“You really thought you could run from me, little dove?” His voice was low. Lethal. “I had someone watching you the moment you stepped off that bus.”
Panic clawed up my throat. “What are you doing here, Old… sir?”
He stopped in front of me, towering. “I don’t tolerate disobedience, Athena. And I don’t lose what’s mine.”
“What’s yours?” I croaked. “I’m not yours. I was never yours.”
He leaned down, face inches from mine. His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
“I am Xavier Grayson. Your fiancé. And it’s time you stopped calling me old man—unless you enjoy consequences.”
My mouth opened in shock. “What—?”
His hand moved too fast.
Everything went black.
- Writer
