A Woman's Empire

XXXIV

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

"W-What?" Audrielle asked, sitting up in bed. The person turned the light on and she quickly realised that it was Antonio.

"You need to leave." He muttered, walking into the room and closing the door quietly behind him.

"Why?"

"Because Audrielle, you're not safe here. Leo's been drinking and we both know what he's like with a bottle of scotch in his hands. He also got into a brawl with our father, and it's made them both a whole lot angrier. Start packing your things so you can leave in the next hour. We need you out of the country before he wakes up." Antonio explained, walking over to the closet and grabbing some suitcases that were stacked above it. Audrielle couldn't believe what was happening and Antonio was moving too fast for her, especially with it being one in the morning.

"You will also need to wear something casual, like sweatpants, nothing too fancy that he'll recognise you when he goes looking for you. I've also had a new passport made for you. As soon as you leave the estate, you will no longer be Audrielle Harrington-Amour, you'll be Gianna Smith." Antonio stated, chucking a pair of grey sweatpants and a black hoodie to her so she could get changed.

"Where will I be going?" She asked, as she hesitated putting on the clothing. Audrielle did trust Antonio, he was somewhat kind and treated her with respect but did she trust him enough to suddenly pack her belongings and leave?

A thousand questions were on Audrielle's mind and she tried to shake them away when Antonio spoke up. "I know this is unusual and out of the blue, but listen to me," Antonio sighed softly, gently grabbing her hand. "Your life is in danger Audrielle if you don't leave. Leo will physically and emotionally hurt you more and my father, well, he finds you a threat. He sees you as a brick wall from letting him get what he wants which is money. And he'll do anything to get what he wants, even if it means taking you out of the picture. Permanently." Audrielle shuddered when Antonio emphasised the last word. Running her shaking hands down her face, Audrielle nodded and Antonio smiled.

As Antonio helped pack her suitcase, Audrielle decided to write a quick note for Leo, her husband that she may never see again. Heading towards the bathroom, she quickly changed out of her pajamas so she could pack them. When she re-entered the room, she saw the suitcase zipped up and lying on the bed. Antonio had made the bed neatly and Audrielle was stunned.

"Are you ready?" Antonio asked when he looked up from his watch.

"Yeah."

Placing the neatly folded note on the bedside table, Audrielle left the bedroom with Antonio and her suitcase following behind.

The drive to the airport was silent and for the first time in her life, Audrielle didn't like it. It wasn't awkward but the silence meant that the thoughts and questions in her head could be heard, screaming at her to rethink it all. Audrielle leaned over and played with a few buttons to get the radio working and it did but it was so scratchy that she angrily turned it off, resting her head against the cool window.

The rain had died down dramatically. Now a small hum, dampening everything under it. When Antonio pulled up to the airport, he pulled out the fake passport. "This is your ticket to freedom." He said, showing Audrielle.

"Your name is Gianna Riley Smith, you're twenty four years old, your date of birth is this and your reason for travelling is because you are meeting your friends." Antonio explained, passing her the fake identity.

"This is your plane ticket. You need to be at gate eleven in half an hour and you will be sitting in seat number forty two economy. When you arrive, you will walk off the plane and will hopefully be greeted by someone holding a sign saying 'Gianna'." He finally finished, handing the paper to her.