The Escape Plan

It had been hours since Jaden dropped her off, but she still felt her soul hadn't come around yet, not even now that she had developed a fever as a result of all the stress she was going through; she decided to take a rest from everything, especially her parents constant torture.

She knew within herself that things must not continue like this; she badly wanted to escape the hellish-like torture, or else she might enter depression without knowing.

Having thought about what to do, she decided to find a remote country where she could go for a change of environment to calm her soul and think. Who knows? She might find a solution and how to bravely face the marriage.

Tired to the bones, she slowly returned to her room and entered the bathroom to have a lukewarm bath to release all her tensed muscles and nerves, after which she felt herself calm down a bit. Although her head still felt heavy, she felt rather refreshed, so she put on casual home wear, as she wasn't prepared to go out again. She called her assistant to get some food and medicine delivered to her home and also bring along those files that needed her attention.

While waiting for her arrival, Jayden decided to use the opportunity to check online for a secure and private place she could go, where she could avoid her father's ever-watchful eyes even if it was just for some time to relax and think about her life.

She kept sighing while looking at her phone and muttered, "This is really difficult to do." "Eeeiii! Finding a country had become so difficult" every once in a while, as it was either her father's eye everywhere or the place she saw was not secure enough.

As it seemed her personal assistant was taking too long to arrive, she started to feel hunger. She hissed; stressed as she was, she stood up to look for some snacks to fill her stomach before getting herself busy again.

After another minute of waiting, Tracy finally arrived knocking at her door. She put down what she was doing to open the door for her while questioning her, And why does it take you so long to arrive? Ever since I called you, you're just arriving now.

I'm sorry, ma'am, I had to wait back at the office to sort out the files I am bringing along before going to get the food and drugs you sent me. Miss Ann also said she'd find visiting as soon as she's done at the office; she would have loved for us to come together, but she had a very important client to attend to. Tracy said.

It's fine. Jayden replied. I hope you were able to organise everything at the office before coming, and also the food and medicine I told you to get for me.

Everything is done as you've requested, ma'am. Answered Tracy. But ma'am, you look so stressed and unhappy; I hope nothing is the problem?

It's nothing. I'll be fine with time. Jayden replied as if she were also trying to convince herself.

Ma'am, are you sure? You can always tell me; together we can work out a solution. Tracy said again. Having worked with her for years, she has never seen her boss look so down and heartbroken.

By now, Tracy had already served her the food she brought and also made her a glass of warm water to use the drug. Seeing how down she looked, she asked the question bothering her mind, as she had always known her boss to be someone calm and reserved even in the face of adversity.

She'll always keep her cool; not even when they were just building the company as a startup back then did she show such a heartbroken state, so what could have happened this time? For her to break down to such an extent that she had to look so sad and shaken.

After much persuasion, Jayden opened up. She couldn't believe how much this situation has affected her; people have started noticing her change even when it's not that obvious. Those who care will know. She tried to force out a smile, but it turned out to be worse than her crying, so she let out those things bothering her mind to her assistant, who is not just anyone but someone who they've been through thick and thin together, just like her friend Ann.

Listening to all that her boss has experienced in the span of a few days, Tracy feels bad on her behalf; such a good person shouldn't be going through this at all. She seems even more amazed when she realises how her boss has been putting her sorrow aside to come to work every day and even putting on a smile for the employees and clients. Indeed, she's a role model!

She didn't believe just anyone could do that and hold on till now, but when her biological parents are the ones forcing what she doesn't want on her.

Ma, I know how tough this period must have been. I also support what you want to do. You really need some time off work and also a change of environment for you to think things through. Just had Mr Jaden say this might not be as bad as we view it; you only need to accept it in your heart, and it'll become easy for you to handle.

Also, with where you are to go, if you won't mind, I can arrange for you to stay with my sister in country Y, as you also know the place is quite remote and secure for what we have in mind, and she can also keep you company. You won't feel too lonely in a strange place and also have someone to chat with. I believe you'll both hit it off. Tracy said.

That'll be a very good arrangement for a change of environment away from everything, and it's also a faraway place; at least it'll take a while for my father's influence to reach there (at this point Jayden wouldn't know what she's signing herself into, but that's in the future). The only problem now is how to leave under all my father's watchful dogs around me without any suspicion.

That's also true; now that things have come to wedding preparation, these hidden eyes around you would have doubled, and leaving the country won't be that easy. Tracy sighed.

But I think we can just arrange for someone who is similar to you in appearance, most especially your back view, so that with a little makeup she can easily pass off as you to replace you here and at the office. Then we'll find a time for you to leave the country with some makeup and a little disguise. Do you think this will be a feasible plan? Tracy said. Thinking of all sorts of ways to help her boss.

Wow! That's some great idea you've got there. How do you think of such a great plan in minutes? Jayden said happily.

Tracy only smiled, thinking to herself that being in a predicament can indeed reduce one's efficiency. Can somebody tell her why her boss is this happy over some trivial suggestion that, on a normal day, the always calm Jayden will be unshaken by? Well, Tracy believes herself to have learnt from the best when it comes to resolving issues.

Jayden doesn't feel that she has any fever again. She smiled, thinking to herself that indeed a problem shared is a problem solved. Who would have thought that something she's been thinking of a solution to for hours would be resolved by her assistant in minutes?

Now that she's somehow back on her feet, she feels that she should be on the plane at that very moment to avoid any hiccups in their plan, but there are still a lot of arrangements to be made.

They had to swiftly look for someone who's similar to her in appearance without alerting her ever-suspicious father, after which she can now travel with peace of mind; any work-related issues that needed a physical appearance can be handled by Ann while Jayden herself takes care of the online ones.

Having had a solution to what's bothering her, Jayden properly got down to the work Tracy brought back peacefully while only tasking Tracy with the person they'll need to effectively carry out their plan since she's the one with the idea; she must have had a way in mind.