Olivia's POV:
I knew there was a meaning behind Chloe's words; did she mean that her marriage to Mr. Bennett was personally arranged by his mom?
"Yes, your mom was the kindest woman I ever met." Chloe crouched to her level and placed her hand on Orlene's head.
"I am sure you must be amazing as well," she said, and I felt a stink of sadness, but I smiled. If Chloe is meant to get married to Mr. Bennett, then I am assured that she will love and take care of Orlene; maybe she was the perfect choice for him.
She was kind and also from the higher class. "Miss Douchet," a hoarse voice called out as we all turned our heads to see Mr. Bennett walk towards us. He carried his usual cold aura.
Chloe stood up quickly and arranged her gown, but she glared down as if she didn't have the guts to stare at him in the eyes.
"The party is inside," he said, and she nodded before turning to leave.
"Chloe," I called out, and she faced me. "How about you drop at the mansion sometimes?" I asked, and Mr. Bennett frowned at me. The only way he was going to let me go was if he loved someone else.
"Sure," she said, smiling at me before leaving.
"I see you already got comfortable with the mansion; you now invite friends over," Mr. Bennett asked sarcastically, and all the memories of how he placed me in the spotlight came rushing. I completely forgot that Orlene was at the scene as I pointed a finger at Mr. Bennett. All my fear dissipated.
"Why will you do that to me?" I asked, and his brows furrowed.
"I didn't want to be your wife, I didn't want to live with you, I didn't want to quit my job at Leaders Light, and I also didn't want to be the face of Bennett Enterprise. Why do I feel like you bought my freedom in exchange for my dad's debt?" I asked, as my eyes became sore but I would not cry in front of him and let him see me as someone weak.
"I didn't buy you," he stated, and I sneered.
"When did you ever ask for my opinion before doing anything about me? I think I should accept my fate; I am Alexander Bennett's slave," I scolded and he sighed before walking to Orlene.
"Let's go back to the hall; we will talk at home," he said, pushing Orlene forward, but I remained rooted.
He glared at me, and I shook my head in denial. I wasn't doing this anymore. to hell with Alexander Bennett.
"I want to be far from you," I said and without waiting for his reply, I ran out of the garden.
"Olivia," he scolded and was about to follow me when I saw Orlene hold his hand. "Will you leave me here alone?" she asked, and I felt bad for her as well, but I needed to leave.
So I increased my pace and ran back to the hall. I breathed heavily and tried to maintain a normal face as I smiled and walked to the main entrance.
"Mrs. Bennett" Bruno followed me as I got outside, but I had no intentions of stopping; fortunately, there were no more journalists at the front. So I ran out of the gate and kept running.
Fortunately, the venue was beside the road, so I stopped a cab and got in.
"Location?" he asked, and I sniffed in. I glared outside and found Bruno running towards me.
"Just drive fast," I said in an urgent tone. He nodded and drove away. Now that I had finally escaped, countless tears came streaming down my cheeks.
How did I end up meeting a man like Alexander Bennett? I seem to understand why he forcefully married me—he wanted to use me as a revenge tool for Jenna.
I retracted my phone and dialed Natalie's number, but after a lot of rings, it didn't get connected.
What was I going to do? And I didn't have a penny on me, so how will I pay the driver? After a lot of thinking, I stared at the diamond bangles on my wrist.
"Driver, I will give you my bangles for $200," I said and he glared at the bangles, then his eyes widened in shock.
"Are these real?" He asked, and I nodded. It's not like Mr. Bennett could buy a fake.
"This must cost more than $1000, so why will you sell it so cheap?" He asked, and my eyes widened in shock. Was the bangle on my hand worth more than $1000?
"I understand that you are desperate, so I will take it for $250. How about that?" He asked, and a smile curled on my lips.
***
I asked the driver to drop me off at the bus station; if I went back home, then Mr. Bennett would come looking for me, and I wanted to be far from him. Seeing what he did to Lara Russo, I became scared of even going to Caleb or Natalie for help.
So I decided to go to the north, in Yonkers. I can stay there with my grandma until I find a different place. There is no way Mr. Bennett will locate me there.
But first of all, my dress was too attractive. I kept gaining attention. So I walked to the nearby shop; it was small, so the dresses there couldn't be expensive.
After carefully selecting a comfortable gown, I changed into that before walking out. Then a woman gasped as she saw me: "You, why do you look so familiar?" She asked, and I was startled. I had a mask on. So how did she know I was the one?
"You must be mistaken; I have never been on TV," I said, and she scoffed mockingly.
"Of course, I know that; how could you possibly be on TV? I think you look like my daughter's classmate years ago," she said, and I sighed in relief. Thats right. How could someone like me ever appear on TV?
I paid for the dress before going back to the bus station; luckily, I was able to catch the last bus to Yonkers tonight.
Mr. Adams was right; I better escape from Mr. Bennett because I still don't know him, and his reason for marrying me might be worse than I think. That family is trouble. I pray Orlene gets the best life she deserves.