Trapped in The Billionaire's Arms

They say that true love will come in any circumstance, even when we are unprepared for it. But how can I expect love when I’m stuck in a situation I don't want to be in? What can I expect if I ruin everything? Is it still possible for me to experience love that accepts me completely? Do I still deserve to be loved after all I’ve done?

“T-troy..” 

This is what I want, right? This is what I planned at the beginning. This is the emotion that I wanted to see. Disappointment, anger, sadness, and jealousy are etched on his face. I can’t feel my body. I feel like it’s getting numb, and I just want to come to him and touch his face.

But I can’t because I want to be free..

“Let’s get you out of here..” Troy closed the distance between us and held my hand.

I don’t understand him. Why is he doing this? He should do the opposite. He should leave me!

“Let go of my hand,” I snapped. 

“Dude, you heard her. Let go of her hand,” Hector blurted. He tried to hold my hand, but Troy punched his hand.

“What the f*ck?!”

I am trembling. Troy didn’t mutter a word, but he didn’t take his eyes off of me. When our gazes met, all I saw in his eyes was darkness. 

“Troy, leave us alone!”

He didn’t move. He looked at Hector and me. I can feel his hold tightening. It hurts, but I know this is going to be his reaction. Who in their right mind would be happy if they saw their fiancee kissing another man?

“Are you dumb? Let us go, dude.” Hector tried to pull me, but Troy did not let go of my hand. His eyes were bloodshot, and I could not make eye contact with him.

“F*ck off. I am not talking to you. Beatrice, let’s go,” he scooped me up in a swift motion. In just a moment, he carried me in bridal style. I tried moving, but his arms were firm and tight. I know it’s close to impossible for me to get out of this position, but I should not stop trying!

“Put me down, Troy!” I tried wriggling, but he hugged me tighter. I almost inhaled his manly perfume because my face was squished into his iron clad chest. 

“F*ck! I said put me down. You should have left me there!” I shouted. Tears pooled in my eyes when he just looked at me and ignored what I said. I can’t believe him! Why can’t he just let me go? Why is he stopping me from gaining my freedom? I just want to be free!

“You saw me kissing another man. That is cheating. Why would you want to marry a woman like me? You should just cancel the engagement! You deserve someone faithful, and that’s not me..” I almost whispered the last sentence. It was like saying the opposite of what I truly feel, but it’s true. He should not marry a woman like me.

He remained quiet. He opened the car door and made me sit in the passenger seat. I watched him and observed his movements. I saw his jaw clench, but he remained silent.

“Is that what you want?” he whispered. I shifted my gaze to him, but he just remained looking outside. 

“Yes..” I answered.

“You did this on purpose, right?”

“N-no!” 

I was shocked when he looked at me. His eyes were filled with softness and sadness. He smiled.

“You didn’t need to go through this to make me cancel the engagement, Beatrice. You should’ve told me that you don’t feel the same, and I would gladly accept it,” he mumbled. 

I shook my head in disbelief. My eyes heated, and my tears fell. It’s true when they say that you can feel your heart break into two, because that is what I feel right now.

“T-troy..”

“Beatrice, I will cancel the engagement.” His words were marked with finality. I should be happy, right? This is what I wanted. This is the purpose of this plan, but why do I feel like I’m committing the biggest mistake of my life?

“Beatrice, I hope you understand that we’re doing this to secure your future,” Mommy smiled and squeezed my hand. I just got home from school because we’re going to have dinner for my 20th birthday.

I couldn’t find the right words to say. I’m surprised and disappointed. All along, I thought I was going to control my life because I owned myself. They say freedom is a privilege that was given to us the moment we were born. Through freedom, I get to choose who I love and who I marry. I should be earning that privilege because I am a human..

“Mommy, please don’t do this to me. I can pay for myself! I can be successful on my own. Please trust me.” My tears fell. I have never been this desperate in my whole life. I don’t like it when other people try to control and manipulate me. I am the pilot of my life. I am the one who should decide the story of my life.

“I know, but you can also be successful with him. He’s the perfect man for you. It's a rare case of rags to riches, and you should be with someone like him. I’m sure he can guide you.”

“I do not need his help, Mom. I can do it by myself!”

I gritted my teeth in anger. Dad remained silent. He’s just sitting on our sofa, drinking coffee. It seems like he’s enjoying watching his wife and daughter argue. 

“Dad? Can you really do this to me?” I looked at my Dad. I am helpless. I hope he can help me. I am more comfortable with Daddy compared to Mommy. 

He smiled sadly and nodded. He remained silent.

“It’s all settled, Beatrice. You’re going to marry Troy Valderama. You will marry him on your 21st birthday.”

So they planned it, huh? And whoever that Troy is, he must be really hungry for power. I just turned 20, and suddenly I’m engaged to a man I never met, and on my 21st birthday I’m going to marry him? What a great birthday present!

“Well, I guess I have no choice. Happy birthday to me!” I laughed and then turned my back to my parents. I immediately went straight to my room and cried. I hate them!

I opened my phone and sent a text to my best friend. I badly want to get away from this engagement, and if I need to run away, I will. I have enough money in my savings, and I think I can survive for a month. 

Me:

Lorie, please help. I need to run away.

I closed my eyes while waiting for her reply. Lorie is like a sister to me. I’m sure she can help me. If I need to go abroad just to be away from my family, I will do it. I am going to do anything to get out of this situation. My phone beeped, and she replied!

Lorie:

What happened? I thought you were going to have dinner later for your birthday. Call me.

I immediately called her, and she answered. I was hysterical at first, but I took a deep breath before answering.

“Lorie, can you book me a plane ticket?”

I heard her sighed on the other line. “Calm down. Okay, I will book it for you, but you need to tell me first what the hell happened.”

“I am engaged to a man I have never met. My parents are conspiring against me. They told me they want to secure my future by marrying that man, but I don't want it. Help me, please. I don’t want to be engaged with the man I don’t love.”

We discussed our plan to escape. It’s a good thing that I have Lorie as a friend. I don’t think I’ll be able to escape from this engagement if I don’t have her. I ended the call and prepared myself for dinner. 

After taking a bath, I heard a knock on my door. I opened it, and it was our maid.

“Miss Beatrice, your Mommy told us that you should get changed because you’re going to meet your fiance later.”

I nodded without uttering a word. Right! I wasn’t given time to fully accept the situation. I’m sure he’s an arrogant man. Who in their right mind would marry a girl they never met? Unless he is hungry for power, my Dad is a powerful businessman, and this marriage will be a great deal for both parties. I hate all of them!

This will be the last day they’re going to see me. I’ll completely disappear from their lives, and I will live a peaceful life in another country. I’m going to prove that I don’t need a man to be successful. I will climb my way up alone.

Mommy tried to kiss my cheek when she saw me, but I immediately went inside our SUV. I wore a flouncy one-sided shoulder black dress and paired it with white ankle strap sandals. My hoop earrings matched perfectly with my outfit. Honestly, I don’t need to put any effort into this dinner, but I need to at least act like I accepted everything so it won’t be suspicious.

“Beatrice, I’m really sorry. You will understand it soon,” Daddy whispered. He gently touched my cheek and smiled. I tried to fake a smile to show him that everything’s alright.

“I understand, Daddy.”

Mommy held my hand. Tears formed in her eyes, and she gently wiped them with her handkerchief. “Don’t worry. He’s a nice man, and I’m sure you’ll like him. You will meet him later.”

“Yeah, I hope so..” I answered.

We stayed quiet. Mommy said that we were going to have dinner at the most prominent hotel in the country. It was not a long drive. We immediately r