Beneath the starless night, a petite figure sat beside her window. Her silky black hair waved across  her face in a rhythm the harsh wind played. 

The despair in her heart had completely outweighed the discomfort of her untamed hair. The cold embraced her frame that was covered only by a thin night dress as she blankly stared into obivion. 

She shivered in response not because of the cold but as a result of the dilemma that waits patiently ahead for her. 

Her birthday had become her worst nightmare. How her parents had foolishly conjured marrying her out without her consent or knowledge, let alone, love. 

Drowned in her thoughts, she hadn't realised her mother, Mrs. Kimberly had to make her do this

"Mother" Rhia began, but her mother interrupted, yanking her harshly into the room. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night? You need to rest; you have to look good for your wedding tomorrow," Mrs. Kimberly snapped, slamming the window shut.

Rhia's smile was tinged with bitterness as she gazed at her mother, her eyes welling up with tears. "I-I don't want to get married..." she stammered, her voice trembling.

"SHUT UP, YOU WILL GO THROUGH WITH IT, AND THAT'S FINAL!" her mother bellowed, her face contorted in a mixture of anger and desperation, like a starving person fighting for a loaf of bread. She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Rhia's almond-shaped eyes widened in shock, and she began to cry uncontrollably. The tears streaming down her face were hot on her cold skin, and her body shook slightly. She couldn't believe her parents would do this to her, especially on her twentieth birthday, which she had been looking forward to celebrating. Instead, she was told she would be getting married the next day to a stranger she had never met or loved. The tears continued to flow as she stood there, feeling trapped and helpless.

She had always dreamed of marrying a loving and caring man, having adorable little babies, and enjoying family outings to amusement parks. But, as she bitterly smiled, this was reality, not her dreams. She couldn't help but think how foolish she had been to even make a list of potential baby names and plan activities with her future husband.

With a newfound determination, she walked over to her drawer, pulled out her phone, and decided to take action. She couldn't just sit around crying like a helpless damsel in distress, waiting for a prince to rescue her. It was time to take matters into her own hands and shape her own destiny.

She decided to call her bestfreind Lesley Lee after calling several times she finaly picked up. 

"My God, Rhia why are you calling me in the middle of the n..."

"Lesley please come bring your car with you meet me outside" She hurriedly said in a whisper

"Ok i will be there in ten minuite"

"Thank you " Rhia hung up she quickly ran to her closet wore a baggy shirt and skirt and packed her on a bun,she did not mind wearing her flip flop. 

She took  out different shirt and tied them together when it was long enough she tied it on her window and began to climb down she refuse to look down so not to fall she continue climbing down reaching down  she tripped and fell on the grass her body ached but she couldn't care less. she ran to back door she knew the spare key were always by the side of the carpet grass. 

She immediately grabbed it an began to unlock the gate her heart raced she knew exactly what her mother was capapble of if she found out. Her rosy pink lips parted when she managed to unlock the gate. she ran out but she could not see Lesley

Her eyes widened as she realized she had forgotten to tell Lesley to stop at the back gate, not the front. She froze when she heard her best friend shouting at one of the bodyguards; her heart started pounding like a drum. She pressed her body against the wall, tiptoeing to peek, and her body shook as she saw Lesley arguing with the bodyguard.

"I told you, I forgot my house key in Rhia's room; I need to get it," Lesley said. "Stay here, I'll bring it," the bodyguard replied. Lesley faked a gasp, "Don't tell me you're going into a girl's room in the middle of the night?" The bodyguard froze, and Lesley's phone immediately lit up with a text from Rhia: "At the back gate." "Oops, Grandma just texted me; she has a spare key," Lesley said in a rush, entering the car and driving to the back gate.

Rhia entered the car, and Lesley zoomed off. "What happened? Why did you call me?" Lesley asked worriedly, knowing something was wrong, especially since Rhia was whispering. "My parents want me to get married," Rhia said in a whisper, even though no one was around; she was used to the habit.

"I thought you knew about it," Lesley said, still focused on the road. Rhia's eyes widened in shock. "H... how did you know?" Rhia asked. "I thought you knew and didn't want to tell me; they posted it on Hellogram," Lesley replied, screeching to a halt. "You need to switch off your phone; I know your mother. If she finds out you're gone, she'll track you here."

Rhia nodded, and Lesley continued, "The man you're getting married to must be wealthy; your parents only invited high-class people. I saw the list on my dad's table." Rhia gasped, unable to believe it. "But I don't still get why you're not aware," Lesley said, noticing Rhia's pale face. "You need rest; come, let's go inside."

Rhia entered Lesley's apartment, which was big and spacious but really messy.

"I hope you don't mind, I was just tired today," Lesley said, as Rhia rolled her eyes. "You're always tired, lazybones." "Thank you," Lesley replied with a curtsy, making Rhia laugh. She always knew how to make her smile.

"You can stay with me; I have only one bed," Lesley said, gesturing to the king-size bed. "I'm not..." Lesley interrupted with a smile, "I know you're not a good sleeper; I don't mind." She remembered back in high school during camp, when she and Rhia had to sleep together, and Rhia kicked her so hard that her body ached the next day. She wondered if Rhia used to practice karate in her sleep.

"Be comfortable; if worse comes to worst, I'll sleep on the sofa," Lesley said. Rhia rolled her eyes and lay on the bed, and soon they both drifted off to sleep. Lesley woke up to a hard slap from Rhia, who was still asleep. "Seems like you've upgraded your karate skills or maybe you've been given the black belt," Lesley said, standing up to get some water. Her eyes widened as she looked out the window. "Rhia, hide! They'er here"