Game of Vows

Surprise

BLUEBELL

"We leave tonight.”

Father’s voice was hushed but urgent as he reached for his phone. My fingers trembled. I had seen Makari Ricci with my own eyes. I had felt the danger radiating from him. He was nothing like his brother. Luka was cold but this man was something far worse.

He was cold. Calculated and I knew, deep in my bones that if I stayed, I would never be free from him.

Father arched his brows in confusion.

“We leave tonight.” I insisted. “You are leaving with me tonight. I cannot leave you here by yourself else he comes for you so please, do not say no.” I pleaded.

“Okay.” He muttered. If his friend could help us, then we would have a chance at freedom, A safe space. All we had to do was make it out of this house alive.

Father picked up some things and my heart raced as I looked at the clock. It was 12:52 am. Somehow, I hoped we would be able to make it to wherever we are going before morning.

We were interrupted by another knock that sent shivers down my spine. Was he back again? Father urged me to stay quiet and instead, proceeded to the door.

“Thank you, Marco. There is a change of plan. We are both going.” Father informed whoever was at the door and I guessed it was his friend. The one who would make us disappear.

He led us out of the house quickly, guiding us towards the black SUV.

“Get in the car. “He ordered. “Your way out is waiting. There’s a boat waiting at the dock. It will take you to The Bahamas. It’s neutral ground. I have contacted who will help you out. By the way, where is Rosabell?” He probed just as he was just about to start the car.

“She will join us at the next junction. I already spoke to her.”

Father muttered silent prayers beside me. Mr. Marco drove with precision of someone who had done this before- who had smuggled people in and out of places under far worse circumstances.

Panic slammed into my chest as we reached the junction where Rosabell was supposed to be. My fingers trembled as I dialed her number but it went to voicemail. I swallowed hard and tried again. There was no answer. The third call rang and rang before cutting off.

“Why isn’t she picking up?” Father let out a shaky breath. “Please, try again.”

On the fourth ring, it clicked and a groggy voice answered. Relief flooded me but only for a minute.

“Where are you?” I snapped. Her voice was sluggish as if she had just woken up. “You were supposed to be here five minutes ago! Where are you?” I probed and she ended the call.

She however appeared a couple of minutes later with an annoyed expression.

“This is ridiculous.” She muttered. “We are fugitives now? This is your fault, Blue.”

“My fault?” I arched my brows.

“Yes! You agreed to marry his brother even though you do not know him. Everything was supposed to go on well. What part of accepting this new one is difficult? This is so unfair! We had a life, Blue. I had friends! I had plans! And now, just like that, we’re fugitives?”

I rubbed my temples. I was already on edge and Rosabell’s complaints weren’t helping.

“We don’t have a choice.” I muttered.

“Of course, we had a choice! You had a choice! You agreed to the marriage, Bella! We should have just left it like that! What difference does it make if it is him or his twin?! Now, we are running! Leaving everything behind! My school, my friends, my life! Do you know how embarrassing it is to just disappear? What am I supposed to tell people?

Oh, sorry guys, can’t come to school anymore. My sister bailed on her psycho fiancé and now we are on the run?”

“That’s enough!” Father finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “This is about survival. No one has any blame. If you should blame anyone, it should be me because I took the loan.”

“And how do we know this isn’t a trap?” She huffed. “How do we know this guy is not handing us over to someone else? Who is he? Why are we trusting him?” She pointed at Mr. Marco. He remained quiet and Father rolled his eyes.

“We’re almost at the docks.” He muttered.

Eventually, we arrived at the dock and then, the journey began as the boat rocked gently against the waves.

“You are in safe hands now.” Mr. Marco waved and we nodded. Rosabell grumbled and hesitated for a while before holding Father’s hand and stepping into the boat.

“This is insane.” She muttered, crossing her arms. “Running away like criminals? All because you suddenly decided you didn’t want to marry him?” Father shot her a warning look but she ignored it. “You agreed to it, didn’t you? You should have just gone through with it instead of dragging us into this mess.”

I clenched my jaw, refusing to argue. There was no point. The hours passed in silence. Father sat quietly; his face etched with worry. while Rosabell eventually drifted off.

Hours stretched slowly and finally; the boat slowed as it approached a hidden dock between swaying palm trees. A man stood there, waiting for us, his hands tucked into his pocket.

“Follow me.” He said without preamble, turning towards a narrow path. After a few minutes, we arrived at a small house. It was just a modest one-story building but it was shelter.

“Thank you so much.” I bowed and turned to Rosabell and my father. “You both should go in. I will get us something to eat.”

As soon as I got food, I returned to our new home.

Something seemed quite unsettling but I could not figure out what it was, the minute I pushed the door, my world tilted. There, in the middle of the room, father and Rosabell knelt on the wooden floor, their hands bound behind their backs and their faces were pale with fear with a gun lazily aimed at their heads.

“Surprise!” Makari whispered with a soft chuckle and then, stood up. “I guess you have had enough fun and adventure, Belladonna. It’s just few hours to our wedding and you do not want us to keep our guests waiting, do you?”