Four months later;
Roger did not know what he was feeling. He tried grabbing in a lungful of air in effort to control himself, but he was way past the point of controlling anything. The last hour had been heaven and hell wrapped in one package. He had never thought this day would come, considering his age.
He turned to glare at the mirror. He caught a glimpse of his mum. She was standing in the doorway. She noticed he looked wary and stubborn and it was clear to her that he did not want to have a conversation with her. At that point, she realized he was regretting the wedding even before it starts.
" I will be right there, " he ground out from his chest like the rattle of a pistol.
With a little jerk she swung the door almost shut behind her, her fingers still clutching at the handle and her shoulders straight and tense.
" Okay, " she agreed reluctantly. " The priest is waiting for you. And your bride too. "
His mouth took on a bitter twist now.
" I certainly know what's going on in your head. Please Roger don't let that thought get the best of you, " she snapped and left.
" Yes. . . " He moved restlessly. " You can say that now, " he said to himself. " But we all know this is dad's decision and not mine. Any action I take today will be because of him. Oh God! I am sorry but I don't think I can do this. . . "
He grabbed his phone, his car key and a small luggage of his and went out of the room.
He wasn't ready to spend the rest of his life with a woman he didn't feel a connection with. He didn't want to end his bachelorhood just like that. There were a lot running in his mind and at this point the only option was to runaway. And he picked it.
* * *
Roger stopped his car, once he had gotten to Stacey's apartment. He rang the doorbell.
Not less than thirty seconds, Stacey came to the door. " Who is there? " she asked numbly.
" It's Roger, " he said defiantly.
" Roger? " her voice sounded plain mixed with surprise.
" Open the door, " he sneered.
" Yeah. . . Um. . . Of course, " she said and opened the door.
" Can I come in? " he asked, gesturing his statement.
" Yeah, sure, " Stacey said, leading the way.
Roger walked in and slumped on the couch.
" What are you doing here Roger? " she asked standing. " Today is your wedding day, if I am not mistaking. "
Roger was speechless. His facial expression had guilt in it.
" You! How could you? " she said through gritted teeth. " You screwed up everything, didn't you? " she asked in a very loud sharp tone.
" I am sorry but I just couldn't, " he said faintly.
" You are one miserable silly man I have ever known or dated, " Stacey sneered bitterly.
" Wait a second, " Roger said, leaning forward. " Why talk to me in that manner? You have been dating me for my money, right? "
Stacey folded her hands. " I know a lot of famous billionaires that wanted me to be their girlfriend but I turned them down for you____ "
" Don't make it sound like it was because of me, you turned them down because you are one greedy thing, " Roger wheezed.
" I am not dating a broke guy, " Stacey voiced out.
" You are kidding me. Look I have a thousand dollars in my wallet. I could get a well paid job too. I have close to two hundred thousand dollars in my private account. That's enough to get me an apartment and a car, " Roger said promptly.
" That's enough for me to dump you, " Stacey retorted. She raised her eyebrow, " I don't even know why I am talking to you, just get out of my apartment. "
" You are not asking me to leave your apartment? " Roger said standing up.
" I am not asking you to leave, I am telling you to leave because you don't have a choice, " Stacey said.
" I bought this apartment for you, I bought your cars for you, I did a lot for you___ "
Stacey chimed in. " That was then. Now, it's a lot different because you cannot afford me. "
" It seems like you have forgotten who you are talking to___ "
" Well now I remember. I am talking to the prodigal son of Mr. Michael Martinez, " she pouted. " Or should I rather put it like this, the runaway son of Mr Michael Martinez. If you want me back in your life, then get back all that is yours. Do not be dumb. You cannot let all those wealth go to your sister and charity. Man up and come back to me. The choice is yours. "
" You know what? My dad was right about you. Your type are only after men's money and that is why they never get married. They will always remain cheap sluts. Damn you! " he screamed and left her house in anger.
" You owe me an apology, " Stacey screamed in anger.
" Fuck you! " Roger exclaimed loudly.
" Tell that to your mom and sister, " she said as she locked her apartment door.
Roger entered his car angrily and began to drive away. Where the hell was he going to go to?
He tried reaching out to all his friends by calling them but none answered his call. He figured out that was his dad's doing. The last person he was going to call, had better not turn him down. Hermione Jackson, his childhood friend and his private assistant.
He called her line. She answered as soon as he placed the call.
" Roger? I heard what happened earlier and it's unbelievable. Your dad has warned all of the staffs, not to answer your call, including me. He's mad at you and if anyone has the slightest idea that I answered your call, I will lose my job. . . " she paused. " Hello Roger? Are you still there? "
" Em yeah, " he sighed. " You also must think I am stupid for abandoning Alice on the altar and running away? "
" Hell no! You did what you had to do but you were wrong. I feel for Alice, " she said sadly. " You are the first guy she has ever spent such time with and all you did was abandon her and disgrace her. "
" I swear, I didn't mean for this to happen. . . "
" I understand. I very much do, " she said abruptly.
" How is she? She must hate me a lot, right? " Roger asked.
" I bet if I was her, I would but she seems stronger than I supposed, " Hermione said. " Why did you call? "
" I do not know where to go to. I want to go to a place where no one would recognize me but I have no freaking idea of where to go, " he said roughly.
" I know a place. It's very far from here. I will send you the address right away, " she said quickly.
" I knew I could count on you. Thank you, " he said gratefully. " Promise me, you won't tell anyone about this. "
" I promise, " she said slowly. " I have got to go, bye. "
" Wait, one more thing. How are my sister and Mom handling this? "
" Your mom's been crying and your sister just keeps blaming your dad. It's been hell. You are just unbelievable, " she said in a laughing tone.
Roger laughed. " I guess, this is freaking funny. Send me the address, please and don't let anyone know we talked to each other. Best friends always keeps secret. I love you, bye. "
" Bye, " she said and hung up.