Love Behind Door 8

Chances & Choices

I knocked on the door, sloppy and tired, praying with my whole heart that they would say yes.

I'm Emery, a 21yo woman who caught a train to Venice this morning with little thought of the consequences I shall face, in hopes of escaping my forced marriage to Richard Millbrook who is old enough to pass as my father. I woke up at 3 am to pack the little of what I possessed and was necessary. Then I sneaked out and walked miles to the town's station, took the earliest train and slept most of the ride as I was sleep-deprived or had a lot on my mind to even think of where I would stay for tonight. I had taken a big leap of faith but I was strong-willed and also determined. I would simply die than reproduce with a man I didn't know let alone love, but running away was a seemingly better option. I will not choose to ruin my life by marrying young for the sake of my family and that too, an old man. I happen to like this trait about me though I wouldn't know where I got it from.

I got down at the station almost an hour ago and had spent all of my time so far in Venice searching for places to stay for the night. I didn't have the kind of money to spend on hotels, the few motels were fully booked and the 2 empty ones I found were too filthy for a stay. Being a young woman I had to be cautious of my surroundings as well so finding a safe place was crucial. I was now beginning to grow tired from all the walking. When I said I possessed very little, I actually did and I didn't have the heart to waste the little money I had on a taxi. I decided to knock on the apartments. No one happened to want to let a stranger into their place and I couldn't blame them. I was tired yet determined. There would certainly be someone who wouldn't regard me as a potential danger. This was possibly the 7th door I was knocking on after 6 failed attempts and I was more than ready to get settled.

After about 8 seconds the door was opened by a man whose head touched the doorframe and towered over me. He was 6'5 (which I later found out) with a short stubble beard, straight, black hair which wasn't neatly combed, dark eyes and thick eyebrows. He looked like he was in his mid 20s and was wearing striped lounge pants and a white skinny vest. For some reason, I felt embarrassed about how I appeared to look then. His presence felt strong. Instantly, I felt a sense of trust and relief even though neither of us had shared amongst ourselves a single word. I was so convinced he would let me stay. This man's aura seemed to be speaking to me in ways I cannot express. Moreover, I was too tired to go around knocking again on another door and was so ready to settle in for the night.