The Stranger Meant For Me

Fleeing the Den of Monsters

A few days later, I returned from a job interview. Upon entering, I saw my father with a sharply dressed stranger. I didn't pay them much attention at first, but then they mentioned a transferred fund, followed by plans for my marriage.

My father's eyes were fixed on me with a stoic expression as I moved towards the stairs leading to my room, pretending not to listen. "Stella. Meet Mr. Douglass. We've discussed your engagement, and preparations will begin soon," My father said with a false grin, and the words pressed into my chest.

I froze halfway up the stairs; his words hit me before I could process them. I don't even know the man, nor anything about his family. I stepped closer and greeted the man stiffly.

I looked up at my dad, searching for any hesitation, but found none. "Dad, please, we can find another way." I whispered a plea in his ear and fought the tears burning in my eyes.

For a second, I thought he would soften, but he only exhaled slowly and turned away, as if I were nothing but a nuisance. “You’re not a child anymore, Stella,” he said. “This has been decided; you should get ready for your engagement," he added. A knot formed in my stomach.

Mr. Frederick Douglass rose with a wide grin, as if my feelings were nothing compared to the transactional marriage. He asked for my number, then introduced me to his son, who walked in moments later.

I left the living room; my expression collapsed the moment I stepped out. This couldn't be happening; I reached for my phone and searched for my best friend's name—Austin.

"Hey Stella," he answered almost immediately after I dialed the number.

"Austin, please, I need your help." My words tumbled over each other.

"Hey, calm down. What's happening? Your voice seems restless." His voice at the other end was calm yet curious. I couldn't tell him everything, not this time.

"I've sent you a name, number, and address; please, I need every detail of him."

"But why all of this suddenly?" he questioned.

"My father is setting me up in a marriage with a strange guy called Frederick Caleb and..."

"And what about your fiancé?" He cut in before I could finish my sentence.

"We broke up. Austin, please just help me—I don't have much time," I pleaded, ending the call before further questioning.

A few days later, Austin called me to check my messages. There was a pause on the line before he spoke, his voice uneasy, but I ignored it. The moment I opened the messages, images, and videos, my fingers loosened, and the phone slipped from my hand. The truth hit so hard I didn't even notice when my bladder gave way. I grasped the wall for balance, yet my heart hammered against my ribs with the fear of what I had just seen.

Videos filled the screen—Caleb smoking, snorting white powder, exchanging suspicious packages with strangers, laughing recklessly beside half-naked women.

I couldn’t keep the truth to myself and rushed downstairs to tell my father, "Dad, I told you, we should find another option," I said, shoving the evidence in front of him.

"Where is this coming from?" He snapped, frowning in frustration as he glanced at the videos and images. "Oh, I am just old, not outdated! There are many AI videos out there that do even better."

"Dad! This wasn't..."

"I can't be fooled, Stella; Caleb is a good guy, a perfect match for you. I am only helping your future." He snapped, and I flinched as I made my way out of his view.

His last words echoed in my mind, 'Why help the future of a tolerated bastard and not his precious daughter?' Since he had replaced me with my stepsister, I decided to make a bold step—visit Caleb and tell him who the real bride should have been.

The next day, I arrived at the Frederick Douglass mansion; their maid welcomed me warmly as I stepped inside the vast, polished living room. "I am here to meet Frederick Caleb." I kept my voice steady; the moment I mentioned Caleb, the maid's smile vanished.

"Caleb?" she questioned, her voice trembling slightly, pointing toward the stairs leading to his room. I was about to go when she suddenly held me back. "Please be very careful up there." She added, exhaling deeply. I just nodded and headed upstairs.

I knocked three times before entering the room; my body froze for a moment, my hand trembled, and the scene before me confirmed everything Austin had sent to me. Caleb was in his room with his friend.

Small packets of drugs were spread across the table, and Caleb was injecting himself when they saw me. They didn't flinch at my presence—no guilt, no remorse, just a cold, deadly glare.

I ran down the stairs so fast that my footsteps thundered as my heart hammered in my chest. I didn’t dare look back. I slipped and fell hard on the ground. A sharp pain shot through my leg, and I tried to move, but my leg refused to respond.

The maid rushed out to help but hesitated... then stepped back. Unexpectedly, a hand reached out to me. I looked up, and Caleb dragged me to his room; his friend left without a word.

My voice echoed through the room as I screamed for help. I tried to push him away, but he didn't budge. Instead, he shoved me onto his bed and began ripping my clothes, my eyes filled with tears.

"Please just wait until the wedding night." My voice quivered as I pleaded. I tried to stop him, to explain why I had come, but his eyes were filled with lust, and he continued ripping my clothes.

He tore away the last piece of clothing covering me and pinned me down, about to force himself on me, when a knock suddenly sounded at the door, and it soon opened. It's the maid. She froze in the doorway, her lips parting as her face went pale.

"Help, please," I cried. Caleb turned and glared at her with bloodshot eyes.

"Mr. Frederick and Mr. Daniel..." she stammered. "They are already waiting in the living room," the maid said.

She glanced at me once more before slipping out. I understood everything she meant; that was all she could do for my escape.

While Caleb was still distracted, I took the chance to bite down hard on his arm that was beside me; my teeth sank deep into his skin. I shoved him away and kicked him between his legs. He doubled over with a pained groan

I ran out of the room and downstairs, almost naked, wearing the last piece of my ripped underwear.

My father and Mr. Frederick both froze in shock when they saw me.

"What happened? And what are you doing upstairs?" My father asked. My mouth opened, but before I could speak, Caleb screamed from upstairs. They both rushed past me without waiting.

"She forced me!" Caleb cried.

I heard my father exclaim. "What!"

I knew he was going to play the victim with his bleeding hand, and the agonizing pain in his balls would make them believe his fake story.

I heard their footsteps rumbling towards the stairs.

"Stella... Stella!" My father called my name, his voice sharp, not seeking justice.

Behind me, the maid hurried over and wrapped a cloth around my body.

“Go,” she whispered. “Through the kitchen.”

Now I understand this wasn’t an arranged marriage—my father had sold me, hiding it behind a bride price.

Moments after I stepped outside the compound, a sharp scream came from inside. It was the maid. I froze. My chest tightened. I knew they would punish her for helping me.

That day, I ran to my best friend’s house and told him everything. He didn’t say much. He just gave me all his savings.

“Run,” he said quietly. “And don’t come back. If destiny plays its role, we’ll meet again.” I sobbed uncontrollably and hugged him tight for a while before departing.

That night, I left the city behind with nothing but fear and a small bag and traveled through cities and across borders, leaving my old life behind with no guarantee of success and the unknown future that awaits me.