{Iris}

Going on a trip with her crush, and numerous dates with the school heartthrob that happens to be her crush has always been Iris's dream.

Iris wants a simple life, and being simple doesn't mean she wants to get her life tied down in an arranged marriage with some rich old man.

Iris could not believe that her life could change in the space of one night. She was only in the school library, studying with her friends when she received her father's letter that she'd be getting married to one of his rich friends.

Iris had strongly doubted her father. Cos why not? The last time she recalled, all of her father's friends were typical gamblers/gambling addicts who were married with kids.

Could her father have let her marry some big-bellied man?

But tonight, Iris had received some visitors in her hostel who had supposedly come to pick her up to her to-be husband.

Iris cradled her small pulse to the chest, her right arm fastening the light silky dress on her body.

The harsh cold wind slapping her skin made her realize the consequences of her actions.

Iris has escaped the school hostel, escaping from the thug-looking man who has come to pick her up or maybe kidnap her.

She could never have waited, nor could she find solace in her friend's room which is also located in the school hostel.

Iris realized that if those thug-looking men could pass by the security, then the school or the hostel is not safe for her.

Sighing, Iris wiped the little tears from her face. She could have called her father, but with all the rush, she only managed to take her pulse which contained some notes that could only get a day in a rural hotel.

She'd go to a hotel, then use the hotel phone to get through to her father.

Iris strongly believed that there was a mix-up somewhere. Why would her father get her married? How old is she? What was he thinking when he made that decision... Is she a liability to her father?

Iris almost broke down at the thought. In all honesty, she truly admires her father. Being a single Dad, and even a gambling addict ever since her mother passed away, Iris's father had set up a small restaurant to make sure Iris never lacked much in this world.

What went wrong? Is the responsibility weighing him down that he could no longer take it anymore?

"Ah shit!" Iris cussed out, wiping the lone tears that escaped her eyes. "This is all messed up. And I have a test tomorrow"

In her current situation, Iris couldn't help but think about the test she'd missed if she couldn't make it back to school tomorrow. Angrily, she stomped her feet on the ground, a low sob escaping her month in the process, but she soon clapped her palm over her mouth, muffling her sob when she heard a familiar voice.

"I called boss," a voice she knows too well boomed in the dead of the night, instilling fears in her.

Iris moved back, hiding herself in the dark of the night.

' no... I can't be caught like this. I need to talk to Dad '.

Iris could feel her feet getting colder, and the night breeze is not exactly making it easier for her... With the flimsy dress on her.

"He'd be here anytime soon. And the girl has to be somewhere here"

Iris almost cried out. Does that mean they followed her all along? When she thought she'd finally escaped them.

When has life got colder for her?

Clamping her eyes shut, Iris could see herself curl up on her bed, in her little room given to her by the school after she'd taken her dinner and bath.

If only she could teleport... If only she's a witch like Hermione Granger in Harry Potter.

The ray of light flashing through her closed lid almost made her jump. Her heart beating loudly with renewed hope.

She could take a taxi now and zoom away from this area and from her kidnapper.

Quickly, she waved her hand at the car coming her away, letting the light from the headlight bathe her.

"Taxi taxi!" Iris called out, almost hyperventilating with happiness.

Ever since she'd won the best graduating student in high school, she'd never felt so happy.

The car stopped, and Iris rushed to the passenger seat, not caring to take a second look at the exotic white car she's about to enter.

Of course, Iris thought anything could do... As long as she gets away from her kidnapper.

Opening the car, Iris hopped in, quickly fastening the belt around her before she faced her supposedly taxi driver.

"One round hotel..." Iris gasped, her almond shaped dark brown eyes widened in shock.

Iris knows she'd always been told by her friends that her impulsive act will land her in trouble one day... And does this troublesome day happens to be today?

Because, sitting before her is a man that looks nothing like a taxi driver.

Iris traced his eyes down to the inked arms that held the steering steady with his other dainty arm

.

Her eyes then moved to his face which is almost covered by his dark brown curly hair that resided at the left side of his face, hiding his eye like a mask, but making his left turquoise blue eyes visible.

Maybe it could have been better to be kidnapped by those outside this car, because Iris has never met someone so dangerous yet dangerously attractive in her life.

"S... Sorry..." Iris gulped down her saliva with her nervousness, avoiding this man's gaze at all cost. "I got the wrong car"

"No!" Iris flew her head up, her eyes catching the man's lips just in time it unfurled into a sinister smirk. "Now why should I, dear little bride?"

Bride?

The word resonated in her head many times and she could almost see it written on her head. Then like a flash, it all came rushing into her already clouded mind.

Bride!

This man right here has called her his bride, and it could only mean one thing.

With all her strength, Iris threw all her weight onto the car door with the hope of smashing it open.

"Don't worry, it's safely locked" the man chuckled, a little amused by Iris' act.

She's jumped into his car readily like she's been waiting for him, but now she's struggling to get out?

"Let me out!" Iris cried out, forgetting her resolution to not cry until she sees to the end of this. Tears leaked out her eyes, drop by drop.

She'd not take that risk of escaping in school just to fall freely to her prey hand.

"Please... Let me go... Please... Let..."

Iris gasped as the man leaned in, his cold hand gliding over her cheeks to wipe away her tears.

"Now why would I?" He chuckled. "Do you think I went through this trouble to let go of you?"

"I didn't want any of this!" Iris almost yells out, but only her tears could represent her unsaid words, her pain and her heartache...as they keep falling freely down her face.

This man doesn't look ordinary, nor is he ready to be moved by her tears.

And even though Iris finds him quite attractive and presentable more than her pot bellied father's friends she knows, she thought…

"Won't the pot bellied be better than getting stuck with a devil?"

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