*Evangeline's POV*
I barely recognize myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at me wasn't the woman who'd been living under Hector Hidalgo's thumb for years.
Evangeline Hidalgo was no more.
It was a stranger, someone else entirely.
I had spent the past two hours doing a horrible dye job with the red hair dye I sneaked when I returned.
Not my favourite colour but there wasn't much time to be picky while Vicenzo's men were literally waiting for me outside yesterday.
The staff returned after Vicenzo left last night and have been extra attentive with me.
I assume that's why he was here,to ask them to keep an eye on me,so I in turn have since been on high alert…nothing will jeopardise today.
I breathed in deeply, adjusting hair once more.
Alice.
That was who I was now–well at least till I was out of the country with Luca. Luca had prepared passports of the identity lest Vicenzo gets informed that I left and try to alert the airport security of an Evangeline Hidalgo.
"Good bye." I whispered softly to myself, my heart thumps loudly in my chest but despite the ill omen,I pick up my purse and walk downstairs.
The cleaning staff watches me like ticking bomb but dont form a syllable. Nothing of shock,they never spoke to me anyway,a bit more time alone here and I would have definitely forgotten the art of speech.
The door clicked shut behind me with a finality that echoed in my ears.
The four guards at the gate glanced my way lazily,they looked bored of me and I have never been happier to get out of their hair.
"Where are you going Miss Hidalgo?"
"Dress shopping." I answered confidently.
They glance at my hair collectively and I pretend I dont look like a flame.
"Is Mr. Del Toro aware–"
"Really?" I blurted offensively. "He was very clear to me last night that this wasn't prison-I didn't know I had to ask for permission to get my own wedding dress.Is Vincenzo aware that I'm being held captive?"
They exchanged worried looks.
"This is useless."I reach into my bag and pull out my phone. "Since you are so insistent,I'll just call him and let him know-"
"That won't be necessary." One of them objected. "You must understand,we were only trying to do our jobs."
I scoffed,and pushed my phone back in my bag.
"The brand sent a car already."I told them. "I won't be needing any of you control freaks hovering over me,however so you dont loose your minds-"
I hand them my tailors card with the address glistening in silver.
"Pick me up in–let's say,three hours."
"Will do."they replied,grouping together to scan the card.
They look so attentive,I almost feel bad putting them in trouble.
One of them offered to help with my bag but I politely declined and continued pulling along,trying to make it look as effortless as I could lest they rush to my aid.
I somehow succeeded and made it far away enough from where I was sure no security cameras would find me.
I beamed with pride,this was easier than I thought,I bet Dad would be proud.
My hand waved frantically at an approaching taxi. The weight of the stuffed bag in my hand felt insignificant compared to the weight of what I was about to do but it still felt as if my shoulder was going to come off any second.
I slipped into the backseat, my pulse pounding in my ears.
My new identity, Alice, was almost complete. Contacts were with me,the hair was secure, and now all I had to do was reach Luca at the library we met,wear contacts and we'll be out of here.
I can do this.
I tried to calm myself as I stared out the window, watching the world pass by, the streets blurring as my thoughts started to wander.
I briefly thought about Robert—what consequences he might face for my disappearance,how much my aunts will despise me,and how soon it will take for Vincenzo to forget me.
It will be a huge blow to his ever growing ego though,maybe this will finally show him there are limits to what money can get you.
I took off his ring and replaced it with Luca's–it wasnt objectively pretty but at least this one required my permission.
I was beginning to feel I owned myself once more.
The taxi pulled up in front of the café, and I got off to pick up the package Luca so warned me not to forget. He had emphasized on it so much that part of me slightly believes there is a secret portal to heaven in that cafe.
I approached the counter and the waitress immediately smiled at me when she saw my flamed head.
"Are you Alice?" she asked before I could speak.
"Yes," I said, my voice firm as I slipped into the role.
She went to the back and returned with a large bouquet of roses.
I smiled sheepishly,Luca was always so thoughtful.
Childish warmth spread through my chest,he probably knew how nervous I would be and this was to cheer me up.
I thanked the waiter warmly and returned to the taxi, my heart light for a moment as I thought of our forever after.
He would easily return to his job when things settle down and I–well,I could explore and do anything. The uncertainty of choice alone felt so empowering.
As the car drove down the street, a strange sensation washed over me. I looked down at the bouquet in my hands, and my stomach dropped.
The roses...they seemed almost wet,and not because of dew.
I frowned and as I inspected it closely,nothing seemed out of place until I saw something drip from one of the petals.
Red liquid.
Oh my God,the roses weren't red.They were white and…I take a whiff off it and the concealed hit of metallic scorched my nostrils.
This was soaked in blood.
My chest tightened. I looked down at my dress, which was starting to stain with the dark red liquid dripping from the bouquet.
My breath caught in my throat, and before I could stop myself, I shouted and threw the bouquet away from me.
"Stop the car!" My hands trembled as I tried to grip the handle, but the driver didn't respond. I might as well been put on mute.
"Did you hear me?"I screamed at him.My lungs getting hoarse."I said stop the car!"
The car accelerated instead, and I could feel panic boiling up inside me.
I needed answers. What is going on?
I looked at the driver through the rearview mirror, his calm face like a mask, completely unfazed by my outburst. The hair on my neck pricked.
I was in severe danger.
"Help!" I screamed this time, realising the windows were tinted and locked shut.
I violently tried the handle again, but it didn't budge.
He wasn't going to stop.
I had no choice.
I yanked my rosary over my head and I threw myself forward, grabbing it tightly in my hands as I wrapped it around his neck, choking him with everything I had.
His grip on the steering wheel faltered as he gasped for breath, but neither he nor I let go.
I needed to get out of this car,no matter who had paid him,I dont think it was worth his life.
He wouldn't let us crash,he had to stop eventually....
Right?
He began choking uncontrollably and released the steering wheel to attend to his neck.
The door lock umexpectadly clicked open, and before I even knew what was happening, I was out of the car and on the pavement, the cold morning air hitting my skin.
My mind was racing. I stumbled, my legs barely able to carry me as I looked around frantically.
The car I just stumbled out of sped away leaving me looking even more deranged than earlier.
I roses left in the car,but so did my bag.
The bystanders watching me cowered as I paced around,no one caring to help.
Luca!
I still had my phone in my hand–Thank God. I dailed his number immediately.
The line rang. No answer.
I checked his location and felt momentary relief when I saw he wasnt far away.
In fact,he was at the library we were supposed to meet.
This is just a small hiccup. I could get there in time–everything is fine.
I had a rush in my steps as I gently whispered to my rosary to keep me–and Luca safe.
This cant go wrong.
It wasn't too far now.
Just a few more steps and questionable looks from passers-bys and I'll be with him.
I reached the library and glance around me. It was open–yes,but it looked nothing like the day I met Luca.
It was dark,lonely and eerily quiet. The businesses around were closed with made no sense when it was literally the eight am in the middle of the week.
All the signs were urging me to turn on my heels anf never look back but I had already made it this far,and the love of my life was in there.
That could represent my freedom.
Its either this or a life I'd resent forever.
Besides,even if I were to run,where would I even go
I walked to the door and pushed it open,braving myself to enter.
"Luca?"
Silence.
I tighten my grip on my rosary and keep walking.
"Luca?"
Silence and darkness wrapped into one and I turn on my phone's flashlight to navigate the terrain better.
The library looks less threatening under the gaze light but Luca was still no where to be found.
I head someone grunt on impact and panic,that sounded too much like Luca to be a coincidence.
"Luca!"I turned to the direction of the sound and trust my instincts."Where are you?"
I see small light seeping in through the emergency exit door and another more pain induced groan and I rush outside.
I find a beaten,barely conscious Luca writhing in pain and ran to him and cradled him.
"Oh my God"I cried,cradling him as I inspected his bruised face. "What happened?"
The door behind me closed shut.
"You know,Evangeline,"My heart skipped a beat, my legs growing patethically weak beneath me. The shrill down my spin.
I slowly turned around, my world spinning on its axis as my eyes rested on Vincenzo.
"I liked you better when you were blonde."
He stood condescending tall amoung the armed men,wearing a navy blue three peice coat,his eyes slithering hate.
"Vincenzo-"I pleaded,tears welling up my eyes.
"So, did you like my roses?" he asked.