The Runaway Groom

Chapter 2

At Andersons' mansion, the dining room was a grand space, to say the least. The huge mahogany table and the eight chairs; two at both ends and six in line along both sides of the table took up most of the vast space. A tall, silver candelabra commanded attention from the center of the table, holding smooth white candles that give light to the people who are currently enjoying their sumptuous dinner. They are the family of Anderson, sitting at the right end is the monarch of the family Steven Anderson, at his right is his wife Rose, next to her is their eldest son Alfred Anderson who is sitting opposite of his Uncle John Anderson and Dylan who is quietly eating at the left side of Steven.

"Ahem!" Dylan cleared his throat to draw attention after swallowing his food. "Dad, Mum I'm joining the race next month." He started when his Dad looked at him.

"Have you cleared all your schedules for that day?" Steven asked.

"Hmn!" He nodded.

"Good luck, Bro!" His ever-supportive brother, Alfred says.

"Just make sure it won't affect your studies." His Uncle John said without even looking at him. He is the one who always disagrees with his decision. He is the one who suggested to his Dad that he take up Business Management. He refused at first, but he is clever and brave enough to make a deal with his Dad and Uncle. He took the course but was in a condition to continue his career as an actor, model, and professional racer. Dylan's personality is strong and stubborn that even his very strict and firm Uncle cannot go against it.

“No worries, Uncle. I only used weekends for my practice,” he replied.

“Good!”

Everyone nodded showing their support to him. Dylan is one of those lucky individuals who was born with a silver spoon and a very supportive family. Just one thing they are asking from him is to study hard. His family is looking forward to him helping their business when he finishes his studies. Anderson Group of Companies is leading among all businesses in Cairnhill City and is known all over Asia. They've been in car manufacturing for several years and are expanding globally. The business was inherited by Steven Anderson from his parents and is a legacy of their family.

After they were done with their dinner, they decided to stay in the living room for some tea. They often do it when times are complete. Dylan often is not home because of his busy career.

"By the way, your 21st birthday is coming, do you have any plans?" Rose asked Dylan, they are sitting next to each other.

"I haven't thought about it yet. You can plan it, Mum." He glanced at his mum and answered. "I'm going to rest now! Goodnight!" Throw a glance again to everyone and he got up from the couch and headed towards his room upstairs. Just the moment he closed the door of his room his phone rings. He picks up the call when he sees Geoffrey's name on the screen.

"Yo?!" He shortly answered.

"Dylan, are you free tomorrow?" Geoffrey asked from the opposite line.

"Yes, why?" He replied and throw himself on his bed.

"The three idiots and I agreed to go to the skatepark tomorrow. Do you like to join us?" Geoffrey continues talking about Benjie, Clark, and Christian as the three id!óts.

"Sure!" He commits undoubtedly.

"Okay, tomorrow at nine in the morning." Geoffrey then hangs up the call after they are done talking.

Dylan didn't put down his phone. He opens his gallery and scans the pictures. He scrolled up until he found what he was looking for. He kissed the screen and smiled like an id!ot looking at the ceiling, simultaneously putting the phone on his chest.

The next day, Saturday, Dylan woke up because of the glaring rays of the sun hitting behind the window pane and ignited the color of his room. But, he covers his eyes with his extra pillow trying to avoid the sunshine that boosts his irritated self towards someone responsible for disturbing him this early morning.

"Bro, wake up. Sorry if I invaded your room. Your mum told me to come here because it's almost nine in the morning now." Geoffrey speaks up after opening the curtain in Dylan's room.

Dylan throws Geoffrey the pillow that he used to cover his face. He then gets up to go to the bathroom to have a quick shower.

"Wetweeeww!! Sexy!" Geoffrey teased Dylan as soon as he got up from bed exposing his body with just boxers on.

"Crazy!" He responds annoyed to Geoffrey and throws him a fierce look before going to the bathroom to get ready.

Geoffrey laughs so hard at Dylan's reaction.

"Dylan, I'll wait for you downstairs. Don't take so long." Geoffrey didn't hear any response but continue heading the door

After a couple of minutes, Dylan went down with his skateboard, wearing a casual outfit of a loose printed white shirt, faded ripped jeans, and paired with black skateboard shoes.

"Let's go!" He asks Geoffrey, tilting his head inviting him towards the main door.

“Are you going now?” Rose asked. She came out from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Yes, mum,” Dylan answered.

" How about your breakfast?" Rose asked while putting her cup of coffee on the coffee table.

"There is an array of the cafeteria at the skatepark Mum. We can have some light breakfast there," Dylan said.

"Okay. Don't skip your meals, Son."

"Yes, mum. Thank you!"

They then left with his bodyguards. Dylan won't be able to go out without his bodyguards. He is so popular that some fans are so aggressive to get close to him that is why he has bodyguards to protect him especially when he goes to public places.

"So, you're planning to join the race next month?" Geoffrey asked when they're in the car on their way to the skatepark.

"That's right! And who told you?" He asked.

"Mrs. Anderson. I've been waiting for you to wake up since eight in the morning. Your mum sits with me and talks to me. She mentioned it," Geoffrey said.

"My schedule is not as hectic as the previous months so I decided to join," Dylan replied while running his fingers on his skateboard.

"But, you don't have much time to practice. Are you sure about that?"

Dylan nodded. He has been practicing every weekend for almost three months and is unknown to his friends. He is not sure then that he will join the race, but recently he decided since his drama is already aired and there are no bigger projects recently to make him very busy.

A few minutes drive, they arrived at the skatepark. There are only a few people in the place, mostly those undergoing a tutorial on how to skateboard.

They immediately saw their friends, Benjie, Clark, and Christian carrying their skateboards. They greeted each other and went to play. Dylan's bodyguards followed them to secure his safety. They know that there are paparazzi around. Taking pictures and trying to find a loop to destroy him and his career. His fans are everywhere too that sometimes he is wondering how they manage to follow him everywhere. He has doubts that someone who knows his schedules leaked the information that is why fans could easily access his whereabouts which is very disturbing for him. He is a person who doesn't like to be followed everywhere. For him, he is a celebrity but not a thing that anyone can have. He still wanted to be a normal individual who have the freedom to do what he wanted.