Chapter 2 Escaping With a Random Guy
1111 Words
Everyone froze. No one expected Mia, who had always been obedient and accommodating toward Lucas, to suddenly snap back like that.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have come." A soft, trembling voice broke the silence. It was Ava. Her delicate face was filled with guilt, and her wide, watery eyes were locked on Lucas. "I'll leave now. I hope you two… find happiness."
Mia's eyes narrowed. That voice… It sounded about seventy percent similar to the one she heard just before a sack was thrown over her head in her past life. That voice had screamed, "It's her!"
A chill ran down Mia's spine. After she was abducted and taken aboard that ship, those three words had haunted her countless times. Who was that person? Why had she been targeted? Could it be…
Ava sniffled quietly, then turned around with a fragile yet determined posture and started to walk away.
Lucas immediately chased after her. "Ava, wait. Let me explain…"
Guests quickly stepped aside, clearing a path for the dramatic scene—one running, the other chasing, like a well-rehearsed performance.
Mia forced herself to push aside her suspicions and lifted her chin high. Her voice rang through the hall.
"Lucas, listen carefully. As of this moment, we are no longer together. We have nothing to do with each other."
She stepped forward. "I'm taking my life back."
The room erupted. Whispers flew in every direction—some shocked, some excited.
"Is she stupid? Does she really think pulling a stunt like this will make Lucas stay? If anything, he'll hate her even more!"
Even Ava stopped walking and gave Mia a curious glance.
Amid the chaos, a slow clap broke the tension. Someone was applauding the spectacle, almost like they were enjoying the drama.
Lucas ran a hand through his hair in frustration, trying to stay calm. His expression was tight with irritation. "Mia, can you stop acting like a child? This is our engagement party—"
"Our engagement party? No!"
Mia couldn't take it anymore. She had to do something—something bold enough to show Lucas she was done being his pathetic fiancée.
She scanned the room, then elegantly lifted her dress and walked over to the man who had been clapping. She extended her hand toward him, eyes gleaming playfully.
"This," she said with a wink, "is our engagement party now."
The man paused in surprise, but only for a second. Then he stood up and took her hand.
"It would be my honor."
As he rose to his full height, Mia realized he was even taller than Lucas—at least 6'3".
He was young, with sharp features and a strong jawline. His deep-set eyes gave off an unreadable vibe, like he could see through everything… but still kept his thoughts to himself.
While everyone else was dressed in formalwear, he wore a plain white T-shirt and relaxed black slacks. The loose fit subtly hinted at his broad shoulders and lean waist. His neckline was slightly off-center, adding a touch of carelessness to his look.
He glanced down at her, lips curved in the faintest smile—like a mischievous neighbor boy who didn't care about rules.
'He looks familiar,' Mia thought. 'Have I seen him before?'
"You are…?"
Lucas had completely lost his patience. "Who the hell is he? Get him out of here, and I'll pretend you never said anything."
The young man tightened his grip on Mia's hand and stepped in front of her like a shield. "Oliver. Mia's fiancé."
"I've never seen you in my life!"
"Exactly. I'm not your friend."
"Oh my God, Mia!"
Ava rushed over, shock and disbelief written all over her face. "How could you hurt Lucas like this? You're crossing a line!"
Oliver looked like he wanted to say something, but Mia raised a hand to stop him. Her expression was calm but resolute.
"This is my battle, Oliver. Please step back."
Oliver blinked, then gave her an admiring look, completely unfazed.
"Alright. After you."
Mia wasn't some fragile flower that needed protection. She'd spent two years chasing Lucas. She could damn well end it with a bang.
SMACK!
The slap echoed across the ballroom. Everyone was stunned.
The Mia they knew—meek and self-sacrificing—had just slapped Lucas across the face. 'How dare she? She'll regret this for sure!'
"From now on, we're strangers!"
Mia felt a rush of satisfaction. She'd wanted to do that for a long time.
A mocking smile tugged at her lips as she turned to Ava. "Congratulations, Miss Smith. Trash collection complete."
Lucas stood frozen, stunned. The burning sensation on his cheek told him this wasn't a dream.
"I…"
Ava's eyes widened. It wasn't clear if she was more shocked by Mia's words or by being called "trash."
"You…"
Mia didn't waste another second. She grabbed Oliver's hand and stormed out of the ballroom. They jumped in a car and drove far, far away from that nightmare.
Thirty minutes later, they pulled up in front of the most luxurious watch boutique in the city.
Mia unlocked the car and gestured for Oliver to get out.
He looked at the storefront, eyebrows raised. Any one of these watches cost more than the average person's annual salary.
He chuckled. "Mia, are you trying to sell me?"
"No, dear Oliver. Thank you for playing along tonight. This is your payment. Pick any watch you like."
Oliver Carter folded his hands in his lap. The combination of his handsome features and obedient posture made him look both charming and harmless.
"I only helped because I fell for you at first sight. I don't need a reward."
"First sight? Please."
Mia scoffed. She had just gotten out of a toxic relationship and wasn't buying the act.
"Save the cheesy lines for when you're actually grown up."
She pulled out a black credit card and handed it to him, her eyes already drifting elsewhere.
"Pick anything. No limit."
Oliver took the card with a smile. He didn't need to check—he already knew it was a limitless credit card.
"Has anyone ever told you how generous you are, Mia?"
No. No one ever had.
Lucas had never appreciated a single thing she gave.
Mia let out a short, bitter laugh.
"And I'm not done yet. I need to hire you—for one month. I need a fake fiancé to help me fend off some… annoyances."
She had clearly thought it through during the car ride. She knew what she was getting into.
"A whole month?"
Oliver studied her face, lowering his voice meaningfully.
"Then one watch definitely won't cut it."
- Writer
