The Billionaire That Stole My Heart

CHAPTER 2

-ELYNA

As I unlocked my phone, I urgently rushed to open Raphael's message.

"Hey, Elyna, what's going on? Why should we escape?" he asked. Intrigued by a seemingly confused Raphael, I replied.

"I'll call you and explain everything in 30 minutes, my parents are in need of my attention now." I was shaking as I typed the message, and I grabbed my silky black coat, abruptly put it on, slid my phone into one of the available side pockets, and slammed the door as I rushed down the stairs to meet the stares of my parents.

"I'm sorry; I was looking for my slippers and found them under my bed," I answered, looking towards the kitchen. I felt the stares of my parents requiring a compelling lie of what seemed like an eternity of time.

"Just prepare the pasta and meatballs, use the pasta that is in the first drawer under the cupboard, the meatballs are placed within the white container in the fridge...don't forget to dice them," instructed my mother with gestures on how the dinner should be prepared.

"Okay, I see it, mom," I responded. As I prepared the dinner, I took the opportunity to message Raphael as I noticed he was online. I explicitly typed, "My dad has married me off to Hugo Dubois, and the wedding is planned for this Friday."

"Really? Why?" replied Raphael in quick succession to my message.

"So, we need to escape by the latest, Thursday," I prompted, as the food reached serving temperature, and I prepared myself for dishing dinner to my parents.

"Thank you, Elyna," my mother showed her appreciation for the well-served dish.

"What a delicious aroma! You'll surely make a great cook as a wife. Mr. Dubois will definitely be enjoying your cooking soon," responded my father, resulting in me storming to my room in anger as a retaliation to what he uttered, as the reminiscence of my future grabbed my consciousness.

"Jules, what was that for?" questioned my mother, "The wedding is on Friday, she should get over her petty feelings. She's not a kid anymore," stated my father with a firm voice.

I entered my room and put Raphael's number on speed dial. "Raph, we need to come up with a plan to leave Paris before Thursday, it is really important."

"How? Wait, you haven't explained why your dad arranged your marriage with Mr. Dubois, I'm still confused, and we must leave Thursday? Which is tomorrow?" questioned Raphael as he was trying to gather a sense of the message I was trying to convey.

"Remember my dad's company has been in debt way before the economic meltdown, and it has been getting worse, he has to file for bankruptcy by Friday, and failure to do so could increase the chances of him potentially having to serve a prison sentence." I explicitly broke down my current family situation in a quick, short, and understandable way for Raphael. "But… how do you then come in?" I asked, confused.

"Mr. Dubois has already agreed and signed to clear the debt as he will be granted 30 percent of the shares of the company…and takes you as his wife," I said, my voice below a whisper as I could not fathom living with another man besides Raphael.

"Mr. Dubois, the Elegancy Group guy, the billionaire?" a shocked Raphael asked.

"Yes, that's him, that's why we need to escape before Thursday," I said, instilling that Raphael does not fade from the main mission at hand.

"I understand your point, Raphael, but why do we have to leave when this could be our chance to create wealth that will set us up for life?" I asked curiously over the phone.

"What? Raphael, is that really you? Are you crazy?" I was confused, trying to make sense of what he just said.

"Yes, it's me. Look, running away from Mr. Dubois is not a smart move. He's feared in society and besides, it could result in our entire family being imprisoned. The best plan is to marry him, take his wealth, and then leave!" Raphael explained excitedly, revealing his obsession with the finer things in life, which I knew existed, but not to this extent.

"How do you know my family will be imprisoned if I don't marry Mr. Dubois? Who told you this?" I asked, shocked at Raphael's insider information.

"Uh, well, that's just what normally happens in arranged marriages, don't you see it in movies?" Raphael responded hesitantly, trying to avoid my questioning about how he had such knowledge about the deal between Mr. Dubois and my family.

"Elyna, your food is getting cold. Don't mind your dad, come downstairs and eat. Who are you talking to on the phone?" My mom interrupted, opening the door slowly and fidgeting with the doorknob.

"It's just Raphael, Mom. I was telling him about my situation," I replied, hanging up the phone hastily.

"Come on, it's been a long day. You need to eat something," my mom said, drawing me close and hugging me as we made our way to the dining area.

"Bon Appétit, Elyna," my mom said cheerfully.

"Merci," I responded with a defeated smile on my face. As I ate my meal, I envisioned my life as Mr. Dubois' wife, and tears began to fall uncontrollably from my eyes, without me even realizing I was crying.