Arranged Marriage (Completed)

Camera Ready

Ally's point of view

Three months have now passed. Still no sign of Normani. It's like she was a ghost, but I was determined to find her. I would do whatever it took. On the other hand, Amanda had been doing a great job at feeding me information. She was a real peach when she was not going on one of her psycho babbling rants.

Today, I had a photoshoot. After Normani left me. My parents made me hire a publicist, and that woman was making me do any and everything. If there was a local event, then I was there. I didn't agree to join the business for politics nor fame. I joined for Normani and now she was gone.

"Why do you look so sad?" The photographer, Lil Nas x, frowned at me.

"No reason." I faked a smile.

"The camera can capture what the eyes cannot see. You don't look happy. I need genuine smiles not fake ones." Nas frowned.

He was right. I needed to think of happy times. Como la flor by Selena started playing, and I smile.

"Yes that is it!" Nas started snapping pictures of me.

I loved this song. I had so many fond memories attached to this song. Six year old me hearing it for the first time when I was with one of my many nannies. She used to sit in a rocking chair and knit while telling me the stories of her home country, Puerto Rico. I used to sit and listen. She was an older lady. Looked to be around a hundred years old, but I was young then. In reality, she was probably about fifty or so. I wonder how she was doing. Her name was Rita Moreno. Life for me was simple back then. I was just a slightly different boy named alex. At that time, my parents treated me like a boy. It wasn't until puberty when they let me express myself as a girl. I was going to marry Dinah either way. It didn't matter what I identified as.

I hadn't talked to Dinah since I kicked her out of my house and out of my life. My life sucked. Everyday, I went to work, came home, and contacted the private investigator. I stopped talking to Tori as much. I just needed to know where Normani was and that she was safe. Normani was my top priority. I couldn't let things end the way they did. I needed closure. I needed for her to say all of that to my face. I wouldn't believe her; unless, she did.

"Ally, You're frowning again." Nas shook his head. "How am I going to show the world that you are one of the hottest and most eligible billionaires in America if you look sad in all of your photos? Work with me please."

My private investigator burst into the room with about four people behind her. They were all trying to get her to leave. "Ms. Hernandez. A word in private please."

"Sure thing." I almost sprinted towards her.

"Ally!" Nas yelled. "Girl, I have a job to do. Can it wait? I literally have twenty minutes left to snap a happy picture of you."

I really did not give a damn. He was a professional. He better make something work. "Ms. Rowland, what is it?"

"We found what you were looking for." She said vaguely.

I knew exactly what she was talking about. I smiled and jumped into the air. "Where?"

"Canada." She answered with a smug smile on her face. "We leave in two hours."

"Okay!" I kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Ms. Rowland." She nodded and left. "Well you're in luck, Nas. Today might be one of the happiest days of my life." I went back to the stage. "Let's take some happy pictures. I'm getting my girl back." I ran my fingers through my hair, getting myself camera ready.

___________________________

Normani's point of view

I sat at the blackjack table with my new friends that I met earlier today. They were good people who kept me laughing and joking. I was having a good time being here. Every week, I would go to another resort to hide from Ally. I know that she hired a private investigator to hunt me down. I should have known that she wouldn't listen or give up on me that easily. I admired her efforts, but I was not ready to go back to Houston. Not yet. I met a con woman named Jorja, and we became friends. She even smuggled me out of the country to Canada. I had a new name, new identity, and new life.

I left Kehlani a long long time ago when I waved her goodbye at the airport before starting on my journey. She went back to Houston. I went to California.

I needed to find myself again. Who was I without a job, my father, my sisters, and my Ally? I had no clue, so I decided to discover myself through music, dancing, and having myself a good time. I needed it. Life with Ally was stressful for me. Too stressful. From California, I went it to Canada.

"Hit me!" I slammed my hand against the table, making some of the chips fall. The dealer handed me my card. Aw fuck. I said to myself. Everyone who didn't fold showed their cards and since I was the only one whose cards added up to equal twenty one, I got the pot which was five hundred thousand dollars. I quickly cashed out and left the casino, and yes, it is like the movies. The casino does try to get you to stay, so they can earn some of their money back.

Luckily, I had a plane to catch. Ally's spies had gotten too close to me in this country, so I was flying to the next one on my list. I was trading in my winter boots for a pair of flip flops. My bag was already packed. I got a taxi and went straight to the airport where Jorja was waiting for me. I checked my bags and went through TSA and customs. It took longer than expected, but once I was on the plane, I knew everything would be okay. I wasn't ready to face Ally yet. Does that make me a coward? Yes. However, I didn't care. I had to put me first. I know that if I ever saw Ally again, I would do whatever she asked of me. I love her just that much to say yes.

(A/n: this was short. I know. I plan to update this again soon.)