Scars Are Hard To Heal

Meanwhile, I was packing my bag; I packed the most low-key dresses I have; I refrained from taking costly clothes. At this point I had to be careful in what I have to do so that I won't be caught. The best way to stay hidden is to ask an enemy- Prunella. She is a very, very distant relative, honestly; I don't even remember how we're related, the only thing is that she is my cousin, she hates me but won't show it.

I've studied her personality enough to know that she has a crush on that 'actor' guy, she was devastated when she found out that I was to get married to him. She was envious that I had everything, now that I'm supposed to marry her crush I must've crossed her bottom line. If I plan to escape from this marriage, she would be the first one to help me.

I went downstairs to ask my mother about how her marriage took place; I knew that she had an arranged marriage, I just wanted to know why she agreed; I had no interest in accepting the proposal, though; I was simply curious.

"Lia! See this wedding gown isn't it very beautiful! I already picked out the jewellery you would wear, all designed by your very talented mother!", my mother shouted, but her sentences caused anxiety, I did not accept the marriage but these people were ready to ship me out. "Lia, do you want to have a destination wedding? Or a simple wedding at the church? Roses or lilies? Cheesecake or Red Velvet?", many questions flooded in which panicked me, I was completely overwhelmed, I had no say in this matter, I had to bow my head and do as I was told which I was not used to, unlike other girls I grew up like a wild stallion and not like a princess, cages like this frightens me. At this moment, I understood they would not take no for an answer.

"Amelia! Come here right now!", I heard a voice coming from the hall.

I could recognise the voice, it was my father. Without any further ado, I went with a calm look on my face.

"What's the meaning of this?", my father shouted. He was holding the picture of the guys I was supposed to marry. I kind of burnt that picture when I was angry but then my conscious got the best of me so I took it out before it was fully burnt. This was the side effect of having short-temper. I get angry fast but it goes away fast too and once I remember whatever I did in anger, I regret it- I'm only human.

"I was angry so I kind of burnt the picture, I'm sorry," I was sorry, I did not mean it.

"Sorry? You're sorry? What is this behaviour?"

"I said I am sorry, I wasn't in my right mind when I did that."

"Even if you dislike him, you did not need to go that far! I'm very dis-"

"Stop!", I closed my ears.

"Disappointed in you. Lia, do not behave like a child, be mature. Honestly Lia you-"

"I said I'm sorry ok! So stop!" I ran away from there. I saw the frown on the face of my father and a disappointed look from my mom, who followed me to the hall. When I said I was sorry I meant it, he did not need to say that I let him down. Ever since I was young, they groomed Luke to be the next CEO, I always felt inferior and worked hard to prove them wrong and that I was much better. At first, it was for attention, but then it became my ambition. I always felt that deep down he always underestimated me, looked down on me. I always looked for his approval and when he praised Luke most of the time I developed many insecurities. The confidence I show only lasts until I am placed in front of my parents. My counselor at the university promised to keep my insecurity a secret so my parents never knew, I doubt that they would be any different even if they did.

"Lia you disappoint me" - this was enough to break the defensive wall I put in front of me. I hated crying, but the tears did not stop. My sadness turned into anger and in my anger, I decided to leave and not come back here. When I know that I cannot get anything from here, what's the point of staying.

"Hello, Prunella, I heard you are acquainted with the authorities of city B. I need your help,"

"Why should I help you?", she asked- I anticipated this question.

"I want to escape from my arranged marriage and I know you want to break this union more than I want to."

The other side stayed quiet for a short amount of time before telling me to meet up with her.

"What exactly is your motive?" She asked, as she was still cautious.

"I already told you. All you need to do is give me a fake ID and I won't implicate you any further."

"What if you are caught?"

"Your name will not come out. I will not use my cards, they cannot trace me. I'll do a job to earn for myself. You just do as I asked."

Prunella thought for a while before she chuckled, "I never knew a day like this would come."

"When you're finally useful?"

"Don't make me regret helping you."

"Oh, trust me, you won't."

As soon as I cut the call, I felt a sense of relief. I could finally leave from the judgemental eyes of my father, I could also escape from my stupid marriage. My father and I were engaged in a cold war for the next few days, I refused to see him and he did not wish to speak to me, I for one did not care. I refused to eat lunch when he was eating, my mother, however, thought our fight was childish, she would not say a word to me but my father got an earful of my mom's scolding. My mother is always on my side and she understood that marriage at 22 is early so she sided with me in the fight, though she still wanted me to marry. A hypocrite, I tell you.

I was lying on my bed reading a book when my phone rang. "Hello?"

"Meet me at Robusta Cafe.". The answer was brief and to the point. I knew it was Prunella. Her hoarse voice was one of a kind.

I quickly got ready and rushed there. In my heart I was nervous and seriously questioned my decisions, like, was it necessary to run away and then I thought that my parents would not let me shy away from this marriage if they decided on something they would be as stubborn as a mule. So I decided to go into hiding for a few weeks to make them reconsider their decision.

Prunella gave me an ID card with the alias, 'Luna Brown', she gave me another document saying that I have a degree in a community college. Now this made me feel insecure. This qualification will not earn me a job which I would expect. I have a double degree in Economics and Business but 'Luna' has different qualifications so I feel that the job which I would get is not from the field which I could excel in.

"Prunella, I know we have our feuds but what job do you expect me to do?"

"I don't know honey but you have to be low key. This is the best I can do." She shrugged.

I knew this was deliberately done. She trying to push me down when I have my back against the wall. She just can't see me happy.

"You know, Revolution is hiring for a secretary.", Prunella suggested with an evil smile.

I did not know much about Revolution since it was an IT company; I made myself aware of all possible competitors in the Jewellery business since it's related to my company. Though I know Prunella does not have good intentions, this was a good try, Revolution is a big company, and the pay is high. "And when is the interview being conducted?"

"The day after tomorrow." She replied very calmly, but I was startled inside. If I needed to attend the interview at city B day after tomorrow I needed to flee TODAY, or else I could never make it. Damn you, Prunella!

"You!", I sneered at her while she put on an angelic face and sipped her coffee. "Thank you for this, I do appreciate it."

"You better." Prunella recalled what she did to have access to this fake ID. She had to interact with that lovesick Mike, who would do anything for her. Though she made it very clear that she was not interested he did not give up.

I did not linger there any further; I drove back home.

To sneak away a big suitcase is not easy. Plus, my parents were still at home. I refused to look at them though; I rushed up the stairs and instead of going to my room; I went to Luke's room.

"Luke!", I slammed open the door.

"Ah!" Luke shouted. Apparently he was startled by me. He quickly closed the laptop. "Can't you knock?"

Seeing him close the laptop with a flustered expression aroused my curiosity. I put on a cunning and smug look while I called out, "Luke~ Watcha seein?" He started turning red with embarrassment. "Ahem What do you want?", he asked sternly after he cleared his throat.

I smiled at him smugly again and quickly snatched his laptop. He was caught off guard yet again. I was expecting something like catching him in the act, but I was surprised after seeing what he was staring at.

"Seems like you still haven't gotten over Maya." Luke was staring at a picture of a beautiful young girl with lavish red hair and green eyes. One could tell that she was not aware of her picture being taken. "Luke, I did not know you were a stalker." I was surprised at the discovery.

"Shut up!", he snatched the laptop away from me. "It's all your fault that she never responded."

"How is it my fault? You obviously were not good looking. Unlike me." I smiled while I flicked my hair, showing my attitude.

"She thought I was gay, do tell me how she came to that assumption in the first place."

My smile froze, I kind of was guilty. Luke never took any girl seriously till now except Maya. He kind of knew I would sabotage his dates anyway, so he never took any relationship seriously. Me and Maya were in biology class together. One day I was quite angry with Luke, my father praised Luke a lot and he showed off in front of me, he did not know about my psychological problems so when he was boasting it stung me in the heart. In my anger, I said he was gay in that class. Though I clarified it later on, no one really believed me. As I said, short-temper, I will cool down quickly and then feel regret. I thought he was over Maya and that she was like every other girl he liked, but I was wrong. He was serious about Maya.

"Ya, ok. Luke, remember when you said that you would help me run away a few days ago. Will you still help me?" I'm going to somehow patch them up, it's something I should do.

"Are you serious? You are gonna listen to grandpa?"

"How do you know about my conversation with grandpa?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.

"That's not the point, are you serious?" He was very serious about this matter. He cannot just let his sister run away like that.

"I am serious, and I am ready, I just need your help."

"What do you need?"

"I need a few thousands in notes and I need you to help me arrange transport from here to city B. I do not plan to use my credit cards so I won't get traced."

"Amelia........Fine, my secretary will drive you to city B, I trust him and he won't sell you out so do not worry. As for the money, I'll arrange it. But when do you need it?" He was extremely worried, I could tell, since he called me by my full name instead of Lia.

"Tonight. I have my plans." Yes, it was last minute, but Prunella did not give me much of a choice. With my qualifications, being a secretary would be the best, or a teacher, considering teachers have to deal with snobby kids sometimes, being a secretary would be best for me. Plus Revolution is a big company, even if I was the secretary of a department head my salary would be high.

"Amelia! Tonight? Fine!", he was angry and disappointed this time, but what I did not know that he was not angry and disappointed with me but with himself.