Page 51 of Romi

Unable to think straight, I ran to my room, threw myself down on my bed and sobbed. I was absolutely furious with Miki for doing this to me. How dare he arrange a marriage for me. If he thought I was going to put up with that, he’d better think again. As soon as Romi returned, we were leaving.

Nodding in agreement with that thought, I stormed to my wardrobe and threw open the door. Pulling an overnight bag out, I started stuffing it. I packed everything I could into a small holdall, including my passport, money, and all of my jewellery, before grabbing some toiletries from the ensuite and adding them too. We would need to travel light, and we would need to leave immediately and get as far away as possible before anyone realised we were gone.

Sadness threatened to overwhelm me as I looked around the room, wondering if there was anything else I needed to pack. We were going to have to run, and I hated the thought of leaving my home and family behind forever, but it seemed as if there was no choice. Miki’s arrangement had seen to that.

I left the bag hidden in my wardrobe and hurried downstairs the minute I finally received Romi’s text reply.

“On my way. x”

As soon as I saw Romi’s car coming along the drive, I rushed outside. The moment he caught sight of me, he could tell I was upset. He gestured for me to head around to the side of the house as he parked, and I quickly did so, hiding behind a large tree.

The minute I saw him approach, the tears began again.

Without saying anything, he pulled me into a tight hug and kissed the top of my head.

“Miki has arranged for me to marry Dariusz Glowacki!” I sobbed.

“I know,” he said in a strained voice.

“What?” I gasped, looking up at him in confusion.

How did he know? When did he find out?

“Miki told me a short while ago,” he said, his body growing tense beneath my hands.

Anger radiated from him, and a muscle in his jaw jumped involuntarily as he ground his teeth as if trying desperately not to shout in rage.

“We have to run away. We need to go as soon as everyone is distracted,” I said, the words tumbling out in a rush, “I’ve packed a bag. I’ll go get it while you pack, and then we can slip out of here and…”

“No!” he said quickly, cutting me off.

Wait. What? No?

Romi moved away from me and rubbed at his forehead, wincing as if he had a headache coming on.

“Don’t you want me?” I asked, suddenly unsure of us.

“Don’t you feel for me the same way I feel for you?” I sniffed and wiped frustratingly at the bloody tears blurring my vision with the back of my hand.

Was I wrong about us? Were we just a fling?

He didn’t answer. Instead, he closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath as if steadying himself.

“Don’t you love me?” I asked, my voice cracking as a sense of desolation swept over me.

“Yes!” he said, shouting and looking at me as if I’d lost the plot.

Seriously? What was I supposed to think when he refused to leave with me?

“Of course, I love you,” he said, pulling my reluctant body back into his arms.

“Then we need to go. I won’t marry Dariusz!” I sobbed against his chest.

“I’m not leaving, Sonia,” he said firmly.

I tensed and looked at him incredulously.

“What are we going to do then?”

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