Escaping to the CEO

Chapter 5

Cassandra POV

I was sitting at the writing desk in the living room working on a letter to Anna. I used the nickname I would call her when we were children, Anaya. I was in my own little world and didn't hear Jennifer walk in. She and the other wives had been moving in all morning. They each took a room. I ended up with a room that was barely big enough for a bed.

"What are you doing, Cassandra??"

"Writing a letter to a friend I was in prison with. She sent a letter the other day telling me she had to put her dog down, so I'm sending my condolences."

"Why would you be keeping in contact with those people? You're better than them."

"I'm no better than any other person who was put in that awful place. We survived together and if I can show her a bit of kindness in her time of need, I will. She was thrown in prison, the same as me. We healed each other."

She rolled her eyes, saying she was off to the store. Good, I'll be able to get this letter finished and placed in the mailbox before he gets home. I quickly finished the letter and wrote her address out. I'm so glad I was able to find an address for the place she works at. It's a company in Vermont called Printz Construction. The owner looks almost like my first love, Eric. I wish I could find him, but there is no Eric Danielson anywhere online.

It's been a week since I sent the letter. Joe had been with one wife or another all week since I told him my period had shown up. He was visablly angry. He's been trying to put a baby in me once again. He said the other wives have no issues getting pregnant. I shouldn't either. I will never tell him that I was given a 0.5 percent chance that I would ever get pregnant again. I'm grateful I haven't brought a baby into this awful world, and to have him as a daddy.

Joe's family reunion is now only three days away. Last night he made me sleep in his room. He forced me all night, saying I needed to have his baby. That I needed to be rounded with his baby. I woke up early and started my day-to-day routine. The other wives don't get out of bed until 8 or 9, so I get a small amount of peace to myself before they come tramping down. I saw a car parked near the house and 2 figures sitting looking towards my house. One looked almost like Anastasia. I was hoping it was her, and she was here to rescue me.

I got down to the kitchen and opened the double French doors so they could see me better in case they were there for me. I am going to need all the help I can get. Joe has had a look in his eyes since last night. My period is finally over and Joe wants to have fun before going to work.

I kept looking at the car while I was fixing his breakfast. Today it was yogurt and granola with a scattering of blueberries. I had to turn my back to start fixing his coffee. He was in the wall way when I heard his phone ring. He picked it up, and I heard a few uh huh's and, yes, OK, I'll be on my way in a few. He walked on his shoulders back, head raised high. I put his coffee mug next to his breakfast. I didn't get a chance to have the handle facing the right way before he grabbed me.

Then he saw the breakfast I had laid out and when he punched me across the face, the mug with the coffee handle was facing away and the spoon was crooked. My head hit the counter and I had some blood gushing out. He whispered in my ear how disappointed in me for getting his breakfast wrong and flinched at his touch. He said that I needed to be a good, obedient wife and I would be easier to love.

He kicked me in the side a few times and slapped me a few more across my face. The blood pooled on the tiles below my head, and he finally turned and walked out. Once I heard the garage door open and his car starting, I knew he was leaving for the day. I'd be able to rest and clean up the mess he made. Not like others would ever help me. I managed to get myself leaning up against the cabinet and I pulled the towel off the stove, holding it to my head, trying to slow the bleeding.

The engine of the Maybach was gone. Replaced with light footsteps and a face in my face.

"Hey Cassie, are you OK? Ready to leave this place?"

"Anna?"

"Yea it's me. I brought Eric too. We're here to help get you out."

I hugged her and held her close to me.

"What do you need?"

"There's a duffle bag in my closet. Upstairs, it's the smallest room at the end of the hallway on the right side. I've been packed and ready to go since I sent the letter."

She nodded her head and ran out of the kitchen. After about five minutes, I heard her running back down. She asked for a plastic bag which I pointed to the drawer next to me. She filled the bag up with ice and placed it on my head. Then I wrapped my head up with a clean towel.

Anna then crouched down next to me and put my arm around her to stand up.

"Lean our weight on me babe, I'll help you get to Eric's car."

I nodded my head, and we walked out the doors and towards Eric's car. He was now parked in the driveway. By the time he got out and opened the back door, we were steps away from him. He helped lay me down in the back seat. He looked familiar, but I think it's just my eyes still playing cruel tricks on me. I laid my head on the sweatshirt makeshift pillow that was on the back seat. I heard the trunk open and then close. Eric touched my leg and told me everything would be OK now that I'm with him, that I'm safe.

We drove for a few minutes. I'm not actually sure how long. I fell asleep. The musky scent that wafted off of the sweatshirt brought me comfort for the first time in a long time.

When the car pulled to a stop. I felt the cool air of the garage hit my legs as Eric opened the door.

"Hey beautiful, we're at the hotel. Can you sit up so I can put this sweatshirt on you."

I nodded my head and slowly sat up. He reached across and put the large hoodie over my head and tucked my hair into the hood. The hood covered most of my face. My legs hurt when I tried to stand. Eric scooped me up into his arms after tucking one of my arms around his neck.

"I've got you now, love."

He kissed my forehead. Anna grabbed my duffle bag and I heard the beep beep of the car locking and the alarm being set. We were fortunate that no one was in the elevator or in the hallway.

Eric brought me into the suite and carried me into a room with Anna hot on his heels. He gently placed me on the bed and kissed the top of my head.

"I'll leave you girls to do what you need to do. I'll be back to get you in a few hours. "We need to be at the airport by the latest 8 tonight to get through security and check points."

We'll be ready long before then. Thanks Eric."

"Eric?"

"Yea CD?"

"Thank you."

"I'll always come for you."

He walked out of the room, closing the door lightly behind himself.

We spent the next several hours with her working on my hair. I went from a dark chestnut brown to platinum blonde, and instead of the long locks, I was "rocking". More like the length that Joe liked because he said it was easier to grab hold of and keep me in place. I know he had a cute little pixie cut. She applied some stuff to help the bruising around my face so I could look a bit more normal for my new passport photo. I'm going to be Arina Boyton. She does exist. She's Anna's little sister, and my cousin. We just need to update her photo with a new one of ourselves, and we'll be in the clear.

She sent me to take a shower and holy cow. I turned the heat as high as I could stand. The water relaxed me. My shoulders and back muscles loosened, and I just enjoyed the water running over me. I went to tear my fingers through my hair and startled myself when my hair just ended. For a moment I forgot I was now blonde with a pixie. It will definitely take some getting used to.

When I stepped out of the shower an hour later I stepped out of the water that was now luke warm at best. I dried my body and looked at myself in the large mirror that was over the sink. The bruising was indeed minimal. Some makeup and it would be hard to notice unless you looked really, really closely. There were some larger baggy clothes on the sink and I put them on. The jeans were wide-legged and there was a crisp white tank top that was my size, and a large University of Vermont sweatshirt that was at least two sizes too big.

"Uh Anna?"

"Everything OK?"

"These clothes are a bit too big."

"These are what Arina likes to wear. She's always in clothes that are too big. She stopped buying clothes that fit once she started popping out babies. In case anyone sees you, this will make it more believable that you are her. I'm about to do your make-up and then take your picture."

"Are we sure this is going to work?"

"We have to be. You'll be with me and Eric. We're going to get you out. Just keep your head down and your mouth shut till we get to the jet. Once we get on Eric's private jet and take off, that's when you'll finally be safe. Few more hours Cass, few more hours."

I hugged her and let out some tears. I was scared. I was so afraid that I could feel it, deep in my bones, that fear of not getting free, of getting caught, being dragged back, of what they'd do to Eric, and to Anna.

"Deep breath Cass. Let's get your face cleaned up and make-up on. "We need to get your picture added to your passport as soon as possible."

She helped me wipe my face and calmed me down. She poured a glass of wine and handed it to me.

This will help calm your nerves. I'm only giving you this one glass. I'm not sure how you act when you've had too many. One glass should be good for loosening you up."

I nodded and took a drink. It took a bit to start feeling the effects. I was calm and everything was OK. She did my full makeup and styled my hair with some easy-looking spikes. You couldn't tell once she was finished that I was ever hit in the face or that there was bruising. She situated me against the plain white wall and took a few pictures of me. I had to keep a straight face and stare at the camera. She printed it out on her printer and used a notary stamp on it. It looked flawless. Just like hers.

A knock came at the door.