RUNNING AWAY FROM MY BETROTHED - Chapter #15 - Free To Read

“There is no need for panic, everyone,” Richard said, looking around at everyone and himself that there was no alarm. It could be just one of those unavoidable . Ellie could have been stuck in the office longer than she intended and later with the city’s traffic, and probably her phone’s batteries died. Yes, that could be . “I am sure Ellie will be here. Let’s just sit, listen to some music, mingle, and have .” Richard smiled assuringly.

“Are you sure about your daughter, Richard?” His weak smile faded as he turned to

Martha. The woman seemed to have made a pact with the devil to annoy him. “For all know, she might have eloped to escape this. Didn’t you have a fight last night and morning as well about this?”

“Shut up!” Richard warned between gritted teeth. “Ellie will never even think of me, Martha!”

Martha emitted a mocking, sinister glimmer, wiggling her head to challenge Richard’s . “I wouldn’t be too sure if I were you, darling Richard. I read so much about actions last night and this morning. The way she even spoke to you this morning, was saying something indirectly to you, and I am so sure about this. At the end of night, the heavens will prove me wrong!”

Ellies last words echoed in Richard’s mind. The way she spoke to him with so much , hate, and pain. She had never expressed her disapproval of him like the way did that morning. Was Martha right?

‘No! No! No! Ellie can never disobey me!’ Richard thought in her head.

“What happened, Richard?” Mr Riccaforte asked in confusion, leaning closer to his as if to shut everyone else out of their conversation. “What is she ranting ?”

“I am not ranting, but he will not admit it because he is afraid that the only person will be able to crash his ego is his very own daughter. Ellie never wanted this from day one up to the last minute that they talked about it, which was this . That explains why she isn’t here, right?” Martha spoke.

“She must be somewhere coming,” Richard hissed, grabbing Martha’s hand to stop from speaking, but she was unsilencable.

“Really, now? Your ever-punctual daughter got late for the first time today and at her event? And she couldn’t even call you or anyone to say that she would be late?

You know that is not Ellie!” Martha hissed back.

Richard got furious, glaring at Martha with so much detest. “You know, if anything if she has a change of mind about this, it is all because of you and this daughter that you have here,” he roared in a low key, pulling Martha closer, eyes burning with rage as he added, “If I were you, I would pray that what I am is not true because if it is, I will not spare you and your daughter for this.”

“Wait, Richard!” Mr. Riccaforte hijacked the fight between the couple. “Are you that there is a possibility that Ellie eloped? We can’t afford this.”

“Your son is not here yet, my friend. So let’s join the people and give our children time to get here. Ellie can not defy me!” Richard said.

“And how much time are you talking about here, huh? An hour? Two? The whole ? It’s already eight, for goodness sake! I suggest you just release the guests and this for what it is! Your daughter is not coming, and apparently, it seems like was betrothed to her match because your soon-to-be son-in-law isn’t showing any of showing up as well!”

“You don’t have to know anything, Martha!” He pushed her aside. “You and your better get inside and don’t show your faces out here!” He ordered.

Martha felt furious. He was humiliating her again. She was about to speak, but her reached for her hand. “That is enough, mother! Let’s just leave. We are not here, and it’s not like we wanted to be part of this anyway. Besides, you don’t to be part of the embarrassment that is about to happen because Ellie is not up.”

With that, they both left with their heads held up high as if they had won a trophy or waiting for one that was a sure bet.

“Don’t you think we should listen to them? My son has not picked up until now,” Mr.

Riccafirte said after a minute of watching the two women walk away.

“She knows nothing about my daughter,” Richard said with a stoic voice, turning to friend. “I know my daughter well. She might have been against this; she might been hurt and unsure, but she can not do this to me! She has always obeyed me, I explained to her how important this is. She will come; Ellie will come!”

Everyone looked at Richard. It was clear that the man didn’t want to entertain the idea her daughter going against him. He was trying to stay calm about the whole issue, the anger and hurt that was molding in him could be seen through his eyes and his eyes as he packed his eyes at the entrance. Waiting for his obedient Ellie.

Wishing that any minute he would see her drive through the gate. No matter how long would take, he was willing to wait as long as she came.

He would then embrace her and tell the crowd, ‘See, I told you that my daughter loves so much to defy me’. And the ceremony would commence, and after the ceremony, would have a heart-to-heart conversation with her and come clean as to why the was so important to him. He would enclose to her that part of this deal that had not told her. And then she would understand him fully. She would forgive him pulling all strings to see to the success of that marriage.

“What if...” Mrs. Riccaforte’s voice wavered for a second as she looked at Richard,

“What if she doesn’t?”

“Why?” Richard asked, not taking his eyes off the empty gate. “Do you think that son is not coming too?”

Silence hangs in the air. Both Mr. and Mrs. Riccaforte’s mouths remained sealed as joined Richard in packing their expectant eyes and hopes at the gate.