Runaway

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This wasn't what she thought would happen today. She expected this to be one of those unnecessary meetings where her father would show off his power and money. The usual drinking, laughing and bragging how he controls almost half of the country. That's what they would usually do when coming to the so-called 'Meeting Mansion', not today though.

The beginning was normal. Putting on a fake smile, bowing to the other bosses, and complimenting their companions' dresses. The same boring routines as always. But that changed the second she and her father met up with another big boss, who controlled a large part of the other half of the country, and his son. It started like any other conversation her father had that night. So she started to not pay full attention to them anymore and look around the big ballroom.

"I am grateful for this opportunity Mr. Song. This would be a great advancement for both our families. As you need a strong young man, who will take over your position should you decide to step back one day."

This statement immediately brought her back into the moment and she looked at her father in disbelieve. Hoping he wasn't about to do what she thought. Her eyes moved from the smiling older man to her grinning father, whose lit cigar almost fell out of his mouth.

"Mr. Ming I am glad you are willing to fuse our clans. Your son is a promising future boss. With me sadly not having a son myself ", the man with silver streaks in his dark hair inhaled a deep breath from his cigar and slowly let the smoke escape out again, "So having your son keeping up both our bloodlines, would benefit us both."

Every mechanism in her head was turning. 'Both our bloodlines'? That would mean. With that, her eyes grew larger in the realization of what those words coming out of their mouths meant. Her father was going to marry her off to Mr. Ming's son, so he could increase his influence and power. She was used to a lot. Being shown off as a picture-perfect daughter, who would listen to her father and was so well-behaved. But this was something new. She was used to having barely any freedom, but this went even too far for her.

Looking at Mr. Ming's son in front of her, who was at least ten years older than her, she had to resist scrunching her nose. This guy in front of her looked like he perfectly fit in with all these old bosses. He looked like an old guy with a focus on money and power.

She needed to leave this situation. This was the tipping point for her. Taking a deep breath she put on a tiny smile, "If you could excuse me for a moment. I need to freshen up."

With the approval of her father, she made her way through the other mingling people to the hallway that contains the bathrooms. The sudden silence in the hallway pressed down on her. Stopping in front of the bathroom door she took another deep breath, contemplating if she could go through with the plan in her head. Taking a last look to make sure nobody followed her, she started to make her way to the end of the hallway with quick movements, knowing that there would be an exit to the backyard. When she turned the corner to the door she was stopped by one of the guards.

"Are you lost, Miss?", the guard eyed her with suspicion, blocking her way to the backyard.

Taking a step back she puts on a shy smile, "I'm sorry, Sir. I was looking for the bathroom." Making sure to seem not too suspicious, while her heart felt like it's going to stop because of exhaustion.

With a still skeptic look on his face, the guard pointed back down the hallway, "You missed them a bit. They are down the hall."

She quickly bowed to the guard, turning around and making her way back down the hallway. Mentally cursing, knowing that her time was now cut way shorter than before. Picking up the pace she made her way to a service staircase hidden behind some plants. Pushing the door open she made her way to the first floor of the mansion, not sure where to go from here exactly.