I thee wed

Heart to Heart

"I don't know," I said.

"Well, me neither."

"Have you ever been in love, Jade?"

"No."

"I have. It's a little overrated." He and I chuckle at this part.

"This marriage is just a peace contract to my father and to be honest, marriage was never in my plan. I just wanted to be an artist and I am so close to it. I mean one day, you think your destination is just a step away but then you go closer and realize it was just an illusion. I mean my life gets snatched away from me overnight. He told me not to eat anything except boiled vegetables and ice chips till the wedding because you are doing me a favor by marrying me and I have to fulfill all your wishes like a good little dutiful wife but I just didn't want this. I just wanted a normal life but I guess, it's not possible. I know this is unfair to both of us. You are doing this to protect your family and I am doing this to protect myself from dad."

"Listen, Jade, you're beautiful. Any man will be lucky to be with you. I have to do this and based on your circumstances, I don't think you have much of a choice. I am so sorry to do this to you." I hold her hand and look into her cinnamon-brown eyes. She leaves my hand gently. I guess she didn't want to be rude again. I don't get why she is so uncomfortable with minimal physical contact but I respectfully hold my hand back.

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

"Why does your father resent you so much?" I asked. 

"He was expecting a boy when I was born. Stormed out of the hospital and yelled at my mom for having a girl. You know I didn't do anything wrong. I always pressurized myself and always did good in school,  I never went out with friends. I was such a dutiful daughter and I just threw away my life seeking his approval so bad and always wondered why he hates me?. But then one day, I learned the real reason and then I just stopped. I am a girl and I can't change that. It's no reason to hate me. Like how can you hate someone for who they are? I am just tired of being oppressed by men. They just assume they are superior. And now I have to marry one who is 1000 years older than me. No offense!" She said.

" None taken. I am sorry you had to go through that. I have two sisters. I think you'll like them." I said smiling and I saw her smile too.

Edward came through the front gate and saw us talking. He came near and smiled at Jade.

"I see you two are getting along. Jade darling, I expect you haven't said anything wrong to upset Mr. Mikaelson. If you have, you know what will happen." Jade's expression changed into fear. I could hear her heart throbbing faster.

"N-No Dad. I haven't." She said and looked at the floor.

"It's getting late. I should go." I said and left.

Jade's POV:

Elijah doesn't seem to be a bad guy but I don't want to marry him. Dad just returned and I should get into my room. I went and lay on my head thinking about what is going to happen next.  I mean I just shouldn't sit around right? I need a plan. I need an escape plan. I rush to my dad.

"Dad?"

"Hm?"

"Um, Can I invite Eliana to the wedding?"

"Ok fine but no Bachelorette party. Girls don't drink."

"Yes, dad." 

I went upstairs and was glad to know that Theo filled Eliana up on my nonsense wedding. I call Eliana and Theo to make a perfect escape plan. I will not be dominated by a man. I will not live my life being anyone's trophy wife. I will escape one day before the wedding. I am gonna fight for my dreams. The next morning I wake up and spend the entire day drawing and reading fantasy books. Fantasy books and a cup of coffee are my heavens. Dad came home in the evening with my wedding dress and told me to try it. I tried it on and it was looking good. It was a mermaid-style dress but it was just not me. I mean mermaid-style dresses are spectacular and they looked magnificent but I always imagined a princess wedding gown. A big and elegant flowy gown and an off-shoulder top like a Disney princess marrying her prince charming. But I wasn't gonna wear it anyway. I changed into my normal clothes and went upstairs and I was starving. I just had a salad in the morning. I feel like I am gonna faint. I hear a knock on my window and I got up expecting Theo. I rushed and saw Elijah sneaking in through the balcony. I widened my eyes and opened the window quickly.

"Dude, you didn't have to sneak in through the window! Dad would've been overjoyed to see you and probably welcome you by a bouquet of roses and a serenaded you." I said. He chuckled.

"Well, I wanted to try other things." He said and sat on the bed.

"What's in the bag?" I asked gesturing to the brown paper bag in his hand.

"Oh, you told me how your father put you on a diet. I just brought some food." He said and I was STARVING. My smile widened and I was overjoyed. I ran and hugged him so hard and then got shy in the middle and pulled back. He hugged me gently. I guess he knows, I don't like physical contact that much. 

"Thank you so much! and yes I am starving." I opened my closet and took out some utensils. He gave me a puzzling look and I responded, "Let's just say, this is not the first diet." He nodded his head. I put everything on plates and we had a nice dinner. 

"So tomorrow's the big day." He said.

"Right," I said and nodded I was just waiting for Theo to pick me up and I was afraid that he will be caught by Elijah. I felt bad leaving Elijah like this but I am just  19! I can't marry anyone right now. 

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said and jumped through the window.  I let out a sigh of relief. I went into my Dad's room while he was sleeping and stole some cash. I took my backpack which contained my laptop, tab, notebooks, and some clothes. I sneaked out and saw Theo at the gate. I waved at him and we successfully manage to get out of the house. We ran as fast as we could and he parked his car in the other street. I saw Eliana in the car. I hugged her. But as soon as Theo tries to start the car. We find out that it ran out of gas. Great.