Runaway Destiny (Completed!)

Chapter 2

I bought the first available ticket out to Chicago as soon as I got to the Delta airline counter. Although it cost me almost a thousand dollars I took it anyway. Now normally a thousand dollars to me is nothing because we are a multi-million dollar company but running away means I have limits to my cash fund and need to spend my money wisely. 

Now I may not be the expert of running away but I have done it once or twice while I still lived at home with my parents back in high school. 

The first time was when they refused to let me go camping with a few friends over spring break for a week, they said too many boys and boys just want s*x all the time at our age, not that she was wrong at all, so I ran away. It didn’t last long as two days later they found me at Susan’s house. 

The second time was during my gap year when I wanted to go away on a vacation with my then boyfriend and they wanted me to stay here in LA as they went on a fashion convention. And then of course by the time they came back they found me right away at my cousin Tracey’s house. 

So what I’ve learned from my previous two times of running away is one, don’t stay with a friend and family and two, leave the city to make a point. Hence this time I’ll be heading to Chicago. 

There’s just no way I’ll be getting married right now at 22. 

Absolutely no freaking way. 

It was a four hour flight from LA to Chicago as I took the 2:30am flight out so by the time I got here it was already 8:30am in the morning, factoring the two hour time difference between LA and Chicago. 

“So Rachel, how’s about I take you up on the offer of letting me stay with you in Chicago?” It was early but I know that Rachel was an early riser since she loved her morning yoga sessions, she says it’s so zen and relaxing but I prefer to sleep in a bit. 

“Wait, No Ella! You’re here?!” I can hear on the opposite end of the phone her stumbling, she was probably mid pose or something. 

“Yeah, I have lots to explain to you but first, can you come get me from the airport?” 

“Yes give me 40 minutes and I’ll be right there!” I laughed as I heard her stumble her way through her closet and stubbed her foot probably as I heard her curse on the opposite end of the line before hanging up. 

I looked around the airport and noticed how busy it was at 8:30am in the morning. I walked outside and took my first breath of Chicago air. It’s probably time I texted my parents too, although I was running away I didn’t want them to overly worry. I was upset with the arranged marriage but I’m sure if I’m firm this time they’ll come to it and let it go. 

Mom, Dad, I’m safe and good but I will not be coming home for a while. I just graduated and still have yet to live out my youth and I definitely don’t want to marry someone I don’t know and don’t have any relationship with. I’ll be away from LA for a few months, maybe a year, take it as I’m taking another gap year or something. Please don’t look for me because I’ll just keep running away. I’ll text you when I can but don’t push it. You know me, I'm stubborn.

It took about fifteen minutes before I got a reply.

Ella we know you’re upset and this is new to you but he’s honestly a good guy. We’ll give you some time to digest this news but the arrangement stays. This is a good decision and you know we won’t do anything to hurt you. For now, I’ll convince your mom that you’re taking a gap vacation for a few months to relax and digest the news. Don’t stay away for too long, we miss you baby girl.

Dad always knows what to say to me and I know they mean the best but come on, I’m 22 let me live a little. 

“Ella!” I looked up from my phone to see a panting Rachel still dressed in her yoga pants and a t-shirt and tied her hair up in a bun. 

“Thanks for coming to get me Rach!” 

“What happened?” She helped me get my luggage into the car and we headed to her apartment. I told her the whole arranged marriage thing and she just laughed. 

“I can’t believe I will actually have a friend who has an arranged marriage set up for them! That’s hilarious. Oh my gosh this makes it seem like you’re living in some sort of drama or romcom novel.” 

“Ha Ha so funny. I need to find a place to live too. I don’t want to crash at your place for too long, I’d feel so guilty, plus Tobias probably wouldn’t be a huge fan of it.” Tobais, or Toby as we call him, was Rachel’s boyfriend of 3 years and they met through me introducing them. Before graduating they both planned to move to Chicago to start a life together, last time I checked I definitely heard wedding bells in the background between the two of them. 

“Toby wouldn’t mind. He loves you, you know that.”

“Yes but I’d rather die than to ever walk in on you two banging again or something. You know you, can’t keep your hands to yourself.” 

“Oh Ella that was once, and it was Valentine’s day!” 

“Well regardless I’m going to look into some apartments as soon as I take a nap. I’m so tired.” 

After reaching Rachel’s place and taking a nice shower to freshen up, she led me to their guest room and settled me in. 

When I woke up I heard Toby and Rachel laughing and giggling outside. 

“Hey sleeping beauty, you’re up” Toby greeted me as he came and gave me a warm bigger brother hug.Toby and I met at the squash courts as I kicked his butt and he refused to lose so we became friends and regular partners at squash. I was grateful that he liked Rachel and they hit it off when I introduced the two. 

“Great seeing you Toby, even though it’s been what two days?” I laughed as I saw him during graduation just before I left New York. 

“Actually I got some good news for you.” Curious I gave him a look as he always tries to mess with me.

“Don’t give me that look, I mean it” he laughed and continued, “I actually have a friend who’ll be moving to Chicago for a while for some personal reasons and he wanted me to help him look for a roommate to split the cost of rent. He’s a super smart cookie from Harvard and wanted to change up his living style a bit so he’ll land actually tomorrow afternoon. How’s about it Ella?” 

I mean it does sound nice to have a roommate in an unknown city, that way I wouldn’t be a huge bother to Rachel and Toby but I didn’t know him. 

“He’s a decent guy?” I questioned. I wasn’t about to live with a guy I know nothing about just to save on some rent money. Though that’s definitely very ideal. 

“Yes and a super gentleman. Hey, who knows maybe you two will hit it off” he winked at me making me shiver. I’m here running away from an arranged marriage and yet my friend is already trying to set me up on a blind date. 

“Pass on the hitting it off part but sold on the roommate situation.” I shook his hand as if we just made some sort of deal. 

“Cool when he gets here I’ll introduce you two. I know the landlord is also renting the apartment 6 floors above us so I’ll let him know your situation.” I loved the idea of being close to Rachel and Toby so I nodded and let Toby do all the work. After all he was like a big brother I never had. 

“Dinner’s ready!” Rachel called from the kitchen and we quickly made our way to her. Rachel doesn’t like waiting, especially when food’s involved.