732 Days With Mr. Arrogant

The door swung open, and Zac, Andrew's most trusted bodyguard, stumbled in. He was breathing heavily as if he'd run miles without stopping. He dropped to one knee before Andrew, who lazily pulled away from the woman draped over him, her lipstick smeared in the shape of their recent kiss. "Speak," Andrew ordered, eyes narrowing. Zac gulped. "Sir, we’ve found her." Andrew pushed the woman away, sitting up straight. "Where, Zac?" "At the bridge. She’s… she’s in her wedding gown," Zac hesitated, looking to the floor as if the words would burn him. Andrew's eyes flashed, and he clenched his jaw. "Gather everyone, We’re bringing her back. Now." "Yes, sir," Zac replied, hurrying out. Andrew stood abruptly, reaching for his keys when a voice stopped him. "So, you’re just going to leave?" It was Emily, her voice trembling with disbelief. Andrew looked back, "Emily, don’t start—" "Don’t start?" She stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "You don’t even care! You kissed me, you whispered promises, and now, you’re rushing out the door the second she’s found. Is she more important than I am?" Tears welled in her eyes. Andrew sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Of course, you are important, and I love you, but Emily, you know this isn’t about love. It’s about money. My money and I won't allow that b***h to go scout free." "You caused it. You brought another woman into our lives, we were happy together, and we loved each other. Now she is gone, how do you get your money back?" Emily grabbed his arm desperately. Andrew pulled away, his voice hard. "I don’t have time for this." And without glancing at her, he stormed out, leaving Emily’s tears to fall in the silence. ... SUMMER I had just passed the bridge, I took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from my brow, trying to savor this small moment of freedom. "Water," I said, approaching a vendor who looked at me like he just saw a ghost. I gulped the bottle down and paid. As I tossed the bottle aside, I heard a loud horn behind me. Turning, my heart sank. It was Andrew. He wasn't alone; my parents were there too, in a separate car, their faces twisted with shame and fury. "It’s over," I muttered to myself, a bitter smile creeping onto my lips. They approached one by one, Andrew first, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. "You thought you could escape?" His voice was dangerously low. "Why, darling?" my mother whimpered, reaching for me. "Why would you embarrass us like this?" I drew in a shaky breath. "I’m not marrying him. I won’t do it." "Don't be ridiculous, he is our lifesaver!" my mother snapped. "No!" I yelled, slowly pulling the hem of my wedding gown up, ready to flee. "Get her," Andrew ordered, and his guards walked towards me. Barefoot, I bolted, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I raced through the crowded street, weaving between bystanders who stared at the runaway bride with wide eyes. My lungs burned, and my legs screamed, but I couldn’t stop, not now, not ever. Suddenly, a black limousine screeched to a halt in front of me. The doors flew open, and two men in white suits stepped out. Then, he stepped out, a man in a tailored black suit, his face partially hidden behind a mask, his aura demanding attention. The way his guards bowed made my skin prickle. He seems important. Powerful. Without thinking twice, I ran to him, but his guards stopped me. "Please just a moment with your boss." I pleaded, struggling with his guards. The man raised his hands, and his guards stopped. I ran to him and fell to my knees. "Please save me." I pleaded. His bodyguards gasped, they were shocked. "Boss, she could be dangerous; she is on the run, dressed like that; what if she is a spy." One of his bodyguards said. "Please," I pleaded, dropping to my knees before him, "help me." The masked man remained silent, studying me. His eyes, though hidden, felt like they saw everything. Finally, he spoke, his voice smooth but cold. "Why should I help you?" "Because I’m desperate," I said. "They're trying to force me into a life I don’t want." "That’s not my problem," he replied, already turning away. "please I will do anything." He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk. "Anything?" I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "Anything." He thought about something for a while and then he spoke again, softer this time, but somehow more terrifying. "Then be My slave." I froze, the word hitting me like a punch to the gut. "Wh-what?" My heart dropped. I frown my face not expecting that. "What? Can't do it?" He scoffed. I said nothing, thinking about it. Should I just go back to Andrew or be this man's slave? What did he mean by slave?, Servant? I doubt that this man would have so many servants... "I see you are not interested in the deal, adios" The masked man turned to leave. Before I could say anything, Andrew’s voice cut through the air. "Get away from her!" He and his guards were closing in. The masked man snapped his fingers, and his guards drew their guns, pointing them at Andrew and his entourage. "You have five seconds," he warned me. The air thickened, the seconds ticking by, as Andrew’s furious gaze met mine, and the masked man’s shadow loomed over me. "One." I took a shaky breath. "Two." My heart pounded. "Three." And then I made my choice. "Take me," I shouted, my voice trembling. He smiled, but there was no kindness in it. "Welcome to your new life," he said, reaching down to pull me up. Andrew came towards us, and that’s when the gunshot rang out.