❤I am back❤
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Aura Finley
No matter how many times I had done it, yet every time it felt new. Like I was doing it for the first time.
Uncertainty of the events would always make me nervous out of my wits; fear of being caught; fear of messing things up would never leave me, yet I never turned back, after all, it was the matter of my words, my livelihood, and was the matter of my escape from the hungry shark I foolishly had myself surrounded with.
To find my escape from problems, I chose a way that would help me as well as others who were in difficulties. I became an escape planner. I helped people escape from situations from which they couldn't get out on their own.
It all started two years back when I had just graduated from college and had got a decent job in a company. One of my colleague's friends was stuck under the claws of her boss who worked in another company. I happened to hear her agony and decided to help her. I managed to free her from her scum of a boss and helped her fly to another country and helped find a decent job. Since then, I had helped twelve people from the tortures they had been enduring. And people would pay me for helping them and that motivated me to continue planning escapes because a little extra money doesn't hurt.
But I had my rules! I would not do anything illegal and always made sure that my client's life after the much-needed escape was better. If not, I would not plan their escape to throw them in worse. This secret work of mine thrilled me, satisfied me, and motivated me, unlike my nine-to-five downright boring job, where I had just been grinding myself to make my ends meet.
No fun! No excitement! Nothing!
I still had my nine-to-five job because I had to earn to live since my secret job provided me with less and unstable earning. However, due to my secret job, I had to take too much off from my work hence, I got blacklisted and was given warnings of being kicked out from my job several times. Still, I somehow managed to make it till now without being kicked out.
I so wanted to leave my job and switch to something thrill activity. I had always imagined a life full of adventure, but with stability. Stability is something I couldn't jeopardize because I have had a terrible experience living an unstable life. I wished I could find an escape from my own boring life.
Sighing, I looked in front of me, at the decorated entrance of a wedding ceremony. My new project. My new client had been waiting for me inside so that I could help her escape. And no, it's wasn't the bride the needed escape, it was her best friend. She was stuck in an abusive relationship and wanted out. She had tried many times but unfortunately failed. Somehow she got to know about me and asked for my help. So, with the help of my contacts, I had already found her a place to live in another place, far away from San Francisco.
She had told me that her boyfriend would accompany her to the wedding since he would not let her go anywhere alone. I had everything planned, I just needed the right moment to flee her away.
Taking a deep breath, I checked my handbag for the last time if I had everything needed in it. I have always been wary when it comes to carrying my belongings. I always check my belonging again and again even though I have already checked them hundreds of times.
I rummaged through my bag.
Sneakers. Check.
A wig. Check.
Tee and jeans. Check.
Sunglasses. Check.
I had to bring these things for my client's makeover so that she could escape without being caught by her boyfriend. Once I was satisfied that I had everything I needed, I padded inside. I had to be discreet while finding the room where the bride-to-be was since my client was with her. Carefully, making sure not to be seen by anyone, I quickly marched ahead. My head was lowered and I couldn't see who was coming my way and that drove me to bump into someone pretty hard. I squeaked and my handbag fell to the ground.
"Ugh! Don't you have eyes!"
I got startled by the gruff yet chill male voice. My gaze traveled slowly from his white Nike tee to his suit pants, then to his shiny formal shoes.
Who in the damn psycho world wears a t-shirt over formal pants, that too at a wedding? What a weirdo!
After that, my gaze quickly traveled up to see the weirdo's face. And as soon as my gaze landed on his face, my breath got caught in my throat. I found a pair of beautiful brown eyes staring at me. His eyelashes-thick as a dense Amazon forest; eyelashes every girl would die to have. Damn! Why some stuff is naturally given to people who don't need them?
A faint scar on his forehead above his right eyebrow caught my attention. It seemed to be fading, still, it gave out the impression that it once was a deep cut. Then I found another red-brownish scar on his left jaw and one more near to his ear. When my gaze flicked to his nose, I found it faintly crooked-a slight bend that could be missed if not looked at closely. His striking facial features could make anyone overlook the flaws in his appeal. Good thing that the attractive features of men have never enticed me, it has always been their behavior.
His flawed yet attractive face could be the result of two things, either he had indulged in a fight, or he had been an accident. Momentarily, I found myself looking for any other flaw which led to his slightly parted lips that slowly molded in a lopsided grin. His grin brought me back to reality, and then only I noticed that he had been raking his eyes shamelessly over my body. It didn't take long for his grin to turn into a mocking smirk as his gaze traveled back to my face.
"Jeans and sneakers at a wedding?" He arched an eyebrow. "Not my type!"
Wha- Did he-? Did he just rate me? How dare he!
My nostrils flared. I narrowed my eyes at him. Fortunately, I wasn't too short which made it easy for me to glare at him eye to eye.
Gritting my teeth, I looked for something to mock him about and when I caught the glimpse of what was hanging around his neck, I smirked.
My turn, you sick oddball.
"A bow tie over a tee? Definitely not my type!"
At my remark, his eyes slowly traveled down and I swear I saw a hint of blush on his face. He quickly unwrapped his bowtie and clenched it in his fist, then narrowed his eyes at me. "Whatever." With that, he walked past me, brushing his arm against mine.
"Whatever." I mimicked him with a scowl. "Asshole!" I muttered and made my way ahead.
Upon reaching the room in which my client, Sasha, had been waiting for me with the bride of the day, Gia. I helped Sasha change the look. In strawberry blond wig, huge sunglasses, and baggy clothes I chose for her disguised her pretty well. I did pretty good work, yay!
I instructed her to leave her smartwatch, which was connected to her boyfriend's, obviously not wanting to be tracked down.
Sasha was saying a final goodbye to her friend when I interrupted her.
"Hey, Sasha, you know, the offer still stands. I can help you put your abusive boyfriend behind the bars." I suggested. I had proposed this idea the day she asked for my help as well.
She scoffed with a painful smile. "I wish. But he has contacts in the police department which makes him fearless of being put behind the bars. I...I have tried... And the results weren't good." She stammered at the last part, her eyes on the verge of pouring out tears.
I couldn't even imagine what she must have gone through.
She sucked a deep breath and smiled cheerfully. "But that's fine. I'll be away from him now. For a few days, I'll stay at the place you have arranged for me, then I will fly off to Australia where my sister lives."
With a heavy sigh, I patted her back while flashing an encouraging smile. "C'mon, let's get you out of your misery."
She nodded her head and before going with me, she turned to her friend. "I wish I could see you getting married," Sasha spoke to Gia as she held her hands.
"It's completely fine." The bride, Gia, spoke. "Don't forget to keep me updated about your whereabouts."
Sahsa nodded her head, then I grabbed her hand and marched out hoping for her boyfriend not to identify her.
Stealthily and cautiously, I led her outside. My heart began pumping blood furiously. My hands were getting sweaty and I swear Sasha was frightened too as I felt the precipitation seeping from her hand, making it hard for me to grab her hand in a tight grip, the hot weather wasn't helping either. I stopped when the huge lawn, where the wedding was to take place came into my view.
The problem was that the entry and exit were the same, which means I had to take her out from in between the guests where her asshole boyfriend could see us. I was aware of the risks, however, I couldn't focus on those since I had to free Sasha from her sufferings.
"Sasha." I turned to face her and grabbed her shoulders as I peered into her eyes, making sure she understood that I would free her at any cost. "Last time... I am reminding you this last time. Do not look up in any case, get that? And do not leave my hand. If I say run, you run with me without looking anywhere. Are we clear?"
"Crystal." She nodded her head in determination.
"Good." I again grabbed her hand and while praying for our safety, I cautiously led the way.
As soon as we reached the middle of the lawn, I saw a commotion begun to erupt there. Questioningly, I turned my head to Sasha, who shrugged in response. My curiosity began to soar, urging me to enquire about the sudden hustle and bustle, but I knew better.
Sasha's escape was much more important than my curiosity, which would probably lead to nothing.
I sighed and took a step forward, but surprisingly a force pulled me back, which, all of a sudden, elevated my heartbeat. I felt Sasha firmly squeezing my hand, which in return caused me to squeeze my eyes shut. Don't tell me we got caught.
I didn't know what had happened, but I had to know. I got frightened, not for myself, but Sasha's safety. So, daringly, I turned my neck to look at Sasha, and I frowned when I saw her gaze fixed on the ground.
"What happened?" I whispered while assessing her feet, which appeared to be transfixed in the ground.
"I saw him." Her voice cracked. "H-he will catch us. He's standing to our left." By now, her chest began to rise and fall rapidly. Shit!
Without acknowledging the presence of the person she was talking about, I firmly grabbed her shoulder.
"I told you not to look for him." I emitted sharply, but when she winced at my tone, I cursed myself in a language that I had never learned.
"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean to be harsh." I tried to console her. "But Sasha, it's not the time to be bothered by his presence. You need to get out. We need to get out of here. Now, before he notices us, we've got to run."
This time I didn't wait for her response; I grabbed her hand firmly and only muttered 'run' and sprinted out of the wedding venue, without looking back and dashed inside the taxi I came in.
While the driver revived the engine, my gaze landed outside on a guy who jumped from over the wall and rushed to the motorbike standing at the side. I squinted my eyes to get a better look at his face. A low, inaudible gasp escaped my throat when I recognized the face. He was the same guy I had bumped into a while ago. Only the change was that now he wasn't alone. A guy with a bag on his back and a cloth over his nose ran beside him. They both seemed to be in a hurry. Quickly, they settled themselves on the motorbike, and within a blink of an eye, they vanished in thin air, leaving me looking at the dust.
Could it be possible that the ruckus at the wedding happened because of him? Don't tell me he's the thief and stole something which caused the commotion there!
Could be possible since he did seem suspicious to me. And his bruises-they must have appeared because of his criminal activities. But he didn't at all appear a thief to me. He seemed decent-
Tsk! Shut it, Aura. Get a grip. Don't fantasize about a thief! You are better than that.
Once at the airport, I handed over the plane tickets and details of the place to stay at to Sasha. I then pulled her in a comforting hug.
"Be safe. And keep me updated about your whereabouts." I mumbled while patting her back.
I heard her sniff against my neck. "I will and thank you so much for helping me out."
I pulled away and gently patted her shoulder as I flashed a smile. "Don't mention. It's my job to help people escape." I then turned her through her shoulders and gave her a little push. "Now go, the new and better life awaits for you."
I watched her walk to the security check at the entrance.
To be honest, it was a risky task to flee her from in front of her abusive boyfriend, yet I made it. Another mission accomplished.
"Hope she gets to live a better life now," I muttered to myself while stepping backward, with my eyes fixed on the see-through glass panel, looking at Sasha's figure disappearing in the crowd.
The next morning I found myself gaping at the section of the newspaper which had news of a groom running away from his own wedding. It was the same wedding event from which I helped Sasha run away. Poor Gia, I couldn't even imagine what she must be going through. I hoped for Sasha not to come running back after hearing the drastic news of her best friend being left at alter.
Flopping the newspaper flat on my bed, I prepared myself to face the situation I hadn't been able to find my escape from.
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So, here's the first chapter. How do you like it?
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Next update: Day after tomorrow.