Page 2 of Falling For The Billionaire Rockstar

“Well, no, not exactly. What I mean is . . .” I released her arms and turned away from her, returning my gaze to the mirror and taking in the reflection that stared back at me—two complete strangers. “What if you were so suppressed that you had tobecomethat person in order to survive? And now that you’ve realized that you’re capable of fighting back instead of just surviving, you can’t seem to find yourself anymore.” I looked at her, my eyes searching into her soul. I wanted to know if she understood anything I was saying.

Her bright eyes had now gone cold and somber as she listened to me. She understood. “And so you begin to feel like you’re lost into that person you created to be submissive to the situation you’re trying to fight back, and it’s holding you back.”

She nodded, absorbing my thoughts, and coming up with the perfect answer. It was one of the reasons I loved her—she always understood me and had a way of thinking deeper than I would.

“I’d kill the bitch.”

Her answer caught me off guard, and I burst out in laughter. She chuckled lightly. “No, but seriously, the fact that I realized I’m not where I should be means that I’m not exactly lost. In fact, I’m far from lost,” I explained.

She reached for a lipstick on the table, gazing into the mirror as she rubbed it over her perfectly shaped lips. “Instead, you’re simply moving into another phase, one that is for you, and it’s scary. If you’re determined, you’ve got to kill that bitch called fear.” She closed the lipstick and placed it down as she smacked her lips. “Hurry up, there’re so many guests already waiting.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

She pulled me into another warm hug, and I hugged her back, sinking into the warmth of her embrace as my thoughts cleared and the answer rang loudly in my ear. I had to fight my fear.

And kill the bitch.

I watched as she walked out of the dressing room, waiting until her receding steps faded away in the hallway. Then I picked up my phone and checked the time. I was already ten minutes late. A message chimed in, and I opened it.

I took a deep breath as I read the contents of the message.

I got up and lifted my gown as I walked toward the door, my chest swelling with each step. I reached for the door and opened it before stepping out into the hallway. I had expected my bride’s maids to be waiting in there. Glancing left; I saw bright light streaming through the entrance of the building. Glancing right, I spotted the main church building and my bridesmaids waiting at the entrance. I sighed, stepped out, and closed the door behind me.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and formed the best smile I could muster. Then I opened my eyes and chose the left path.

I walked as fast as my feet could carry me, my heart thumping as I clutched my gown tighter and raced to the entrance. An unnerving feeling lingered as if someone might come out and catch me running away from my wedding. It tugged at my limbs, tempting me to change my mind.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. Perhaps I could handle it. At least I’d be rich, right? Yet happiness would be elusive. I would never be happy being married to that evil creature.

The warmth of the midday sun washed over my skin as I stepped out of the church, my steps quickening with the realization that my plan might actually unfold. Walking into the street, I searched for a red Toyota. When my eyes fell on one that was parked in front of some other cars across the street, I pulled out my phone and opened the message I had received earlier.

After confirming the details of my Uber, I nodded and walked to the car. Slipping into the back seat, I adjusted my dress tofit into the car. I looked up to find my driver leaning over his armrest, his eyes darting around in confusion. “Are you all right, ma’am?”

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine. You can start the journey now.” I didn’t even bother to meet his eyes. I was scared he’d see the fear in my eyes, understand what was going on, and decide to take me back to my soon-to-be husband, who would likely be standing confused at the altar.

I didn’t want to imagine how the rest of my life would be if my plan failed and everyone found out I tried to run away.

The driver nodded before turning back and starting his engine. I sighed in relief as I watched the church roll past my window. There was no turning back now.

I rolled up the window and settled into my seat. The cold air from the air conditioning blew onto my face, drying the quiet tears on my cheeks.

When I was a good mile away, I finally allowed myself to look through the window. However, I still wasn’t safe. At least half the country knew who I was. Scratch that. Half the country knew who my fiancé was.

I watched my city fade from view, memories slipping away with it. It was the place I had grown to love and cherish, where I had learned to become independent and navigate life’s challenges, even as a woman.

It was also the place where I met a man who wanted to strangle every last ounce of freedom from me with a noose just the size of my finger. And now, I was fleeing not just from that man but also from that place.

“Can I use your phone?” I asked.

The driver’s confused eyes shot to the rearview mirror, where mine were already waiting. We held each other’s gaze for longer than I thought necessary before he nodded and adjusted in hischair. His hand appeared, holding the black metal between his fingers.

“Here you go,” he said.

I took the phone from him and lifted my own phone, which I had been holding onto since I got into the car. Unconsciously, my eyes searched the top left of my screen for the airplane icon.

Opening my phone, I scrolled through my contact list. I didn’t have to scroll far to find the number I was looking for, so I quickly dialed it into the driver’s phone before bringing it to my ear.

I wasn’t actually running, but I did intend to stay in hiding for a while. It wasn’t that I was scared of Greg, but rather, I feared the media.

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