Chapter 5 Runaway Groom

• "Ian, what do you think you're doing right now? Anastasia asked Ian holding his hand.
• "What does it look like I'm doing? And let go of my hand"
• " Ian, we're can talk about this calmly, you do not have to pack up your bags" Iris said softly.
• " Stay out of this, Iris. This concerns Ana and I"
• " Ian, look... Iris is right... let's..."
• " Let's what? Fine. Now tell me, who do you think you are to make such decision without my consent? Who do you think you are to force me to get married and also choose a bride for me? Who do you think you are?
• "I'm your elder sister"
• "Right. Not my mum, not my dad and definitely not my God. So what gave you the audacity to pull that stunt out there? Do I look stupid and foolish to follow your orders sheepishly? Huh? Ian and Iris are getting married and you expect me to jump up, no how down and touch your feet and say bless me sister, you're a goddess, right?
• "Ian...calm down... listen"
• "No listen Anastasia Santiago, you've got no right or whatsoever to interfere in my life. It's my life and not yours and I'll decide how to live it, who to marry and when to marry, that is if I actually want to get married. If you want a wedding to happen in this house, you can as well get married. Didn't you turn thirty today? Why not find yourself a man and stop harassing me Ana! I've made my decision and my decision is, I Ian Santiago won't bend to your rules and marry Iris, never!
• " Fine then. Ian if you do not marry Iris, i'll have no option but to disinherit you and block all your accounts. Tell me, will you be able to survive?
• "Is that a threat? Sure go ahead. Disinherit me and block my accounts, stop my allowance, i don't care. I've made my decision. I won't marry her"
• "Do you think i'll let you walk through that door? I've alerted the guards. Two guards are outside that door. They'll grab you and push you back. Don't even think about it "
• "Do you hate me that much?
• "No. But you are the hater. You've never been grateful to me. All you do is waste my money "
• "Our money, Ana. Mum and dad left the wealth for us and not for you alone. I'm entitled to the wealth "
• "Geez. So brave of you to speak back at me"
• "Ana, Ian, please calm down. Ana let's cancel the engagement. You and Ian should cool off and talk this out before you guys end up saying something You'll regret and hurt each other "
• "Iris, don't worry, i got this"
• "Ana please. Do it for me. Let's go"
• "Fine. The guards will stay put"
• "No. Send them back to their posts. I know Ian won't run away. Even if he does, he'll still come back, 'cause he belongs here, with you "
• "So sweet. Let's go Iris " Anastasia and Iris exited Ian's room, leaving Ian furious. Ian angrily kicked his chair.
• "Yes, get lost you two. My goodness, i'm going crazy. Why would Ana make such decision, perhaps, sir Edward had asked her to do so. Is he interested in my parents' properties? What if he is? So disgusting. But... Whatever it is, I'm going to find out the truth. I won't marry Iris, never!
• A week later, Anastasia and Ian haven't spoken to each other and Anastasia is worried about him. She tried to figure out how to make Ian get married to Iris, since he has refused to do so. Ian hated Iris and her family as he had a misconception that Mr Edward is after his parents' wealth. Anastasia invited Iris and Ian over for dinner. Ian created a huge scene and left. Catlin invited Anastasia and Ian over for dinner at their house. Anastasia was able to drag Ian along.
• One of maids welcomed them in and took them to the dinning room for the dinner.
• "Ian, you don't seem happy 'Edward asked 'Yes. I'm not happy, when traitors are everywhere"
• "Traitors? Who betrayed you? Asked cathlin "Hmm, do you wanna know, like you actually care. Well...''
• "Ian... manners"
• "Let me be Ana. Uncle do you have any handsome male cousins who are single or nephews who are single and rich, or not or friends' sons?
• "Yes. Why do you ask?
• "There comes a time in a life of a woman when she has to put away everything and consider her happiness "
• "How do you mean?
• "Ana is 30 and she's single. Ana has no boyfriend, no fiance, no husband. Uncle let's plan her wedding with any of them. Don't care if he's poor, sis has a lot of money "
• "Ian what are you saying? Ana glared at him "I'm saying, you should get married too. Don't you think so, uncle and aunty?
• "Don't mind him. He's just teasing me "
• "Alright. Let's just finish up with our dinner "
• "Yes uncle "
• After dinner, Iris went to Ian with a glass of juice. Seems like he's having a hard time digesting because of anger.
• "Here, some juice" Iris stretched her hand towards Ian.
• "No thanks. I don't need your help"
• "Take it. It'll help in your digestion "
• "Iris... stop pestering my life''
• "Ian, I'm not... "
• "Please. I think I should leave... "
• "No one is leaving" Ana cuts in "Oh really? Ian said.
• "Yes. We're here to talk about the wedding "
• "No. This wedding is not going to happen , Ana!
• "Ian... It'll happen. Let's go, uncle and aunt is waiting for us"
• "I'm not coming. I would join in a meeting and plan my funeral? Never!
• "Ian, please listen to Ana and... "
• "Don't butt in whenever Ana and I are talking. You lack manners "
• "Ian! Oh goodness, Sorry Iris. Let's go. Ian... " Anastasia dragged Ian along, while Iris followed immediately.
• Ian was uncomfortable throughout the meeting. Anastasia and Ian returned home after the meeting. Ian thought of how to stop the wedding, probably run away, but the guards wouldn't leave him alone for a second.
• They followed him everywhere, he has no space. One is standing outside his window just in case he tries to escape from the window and the other outside his door.
• It's two weeks to Ian and Iris wedding, and it's their engagement party, since Ian ruined the first one. Ian was dressed already. He paced up and down his room. His friend, Stepheno walked in. Ian hugged him.
• "The lord sent you. Help me out " Ian begged him.
• "What is it?
• "Distract the guards, I wanna escape"
• "What? Are you nuts? Ana will kill me. She'll ruin my family. Ana wields much power "
• "What? No. Ana is weak. She's just a lady"
• "I can't do it "
• "You'll have to help me out. Listen, go to this room and use this key, unlock it and get me a servant outfit "
• "They'll find out"
• "I'm going crazy "
• "Who's knocking?
• "I don't know. Who's that?!
• "Alvan, sir" a voice replied from outside.
• "Alvan? Come in" Ian asked him in.
• "Sir, miss Ana said I should give you this"
• "Ok. Drop it over there. Alvan, can you help me out with my tie, Steph can't wear a tie too"
• "Sure sir"
• Ian signaled Stepheno to hit Alvan on his head. Stepheno smiled and pulled out his gun and hit Alvan with it. Alvan lost consciousness and fell.
• "A gun!? Stepheno.. " Ian said in a surprised tone.
• "C'mon. It's licensed. Are You surprised? I'm an heir. Do you expect me to move around without protection?
• ''The guards are there to do so"
• "I don't trust anyone. Now what do we do?
• "I'll wear his clothes, then I'll leave first"
• "No. I'll leave first"
• "C'mon Steph, I'll leave and wait for you in your car"
• "Fine. Hurry "
• Ian quickly changed into the servant's cloth and left his room.
• Ian was able to avoid the guards and everyone in the house. He was able to sneak out of the house and hurried over to his car. Ian unlocked the car and got in.
• Ian texted Stepheno that he successfully got to his car and asked Stepheno to hurry up. Stepheno followed up immediately and rushed over to his car.
• Stepheno got in and locked the car, and exhaled softly. He turned towards Ian and stared hard at him.
• "What? Why are you looking at me like that?
• "You're a bad company"
• "What? Why say such?
• "I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm helping my friend run away from his engagement party. Runaway groom to be."
• " Look Bro, it's all for the best. I can't ruin my life just to please Ana. I don't love Iris and I don't intend doing so. Now take me out of here before Ana notices that I've disappeared from my room"
• " Don't boss me around"
• " Sorry. Stepheno, please drive"
• " That's more like it"
• Stepheno drove off. Ian leaned back and exhaled.
• "Finally. I'm leaving this place"
• It was time for Ian to go to the ballroom for the engagement. Anastasia sent a guard to bring him down but it was realized that Ian was gone. Anastasia asked the guards to find him. A guard noticed that a car was missing from their car parking lot , and reported it to Anastasia.
• Ian had left with his car. Stepheno was scared of being caught for helping Ian out stopped and the car. He requested Ian to go ahead. Ian thanked him for helping him escape. Stepheno got out of the car and Ian went over to the driver's seat. Ian and Stepheno hugged goodbye and Stepheno wished him all the best. Stepheno grabbed a taxi back to Ian's house. Ian was happy of escaping while Anastasia was really tensed. Anastasia rushed to her roomoo to take some tranquilizer to calm her nerves, unfortunately she took overdose. She felt quite dizzy and fell. Iris walked in and saw her on the floor and called for help. Anastasia was taken to the hospital. Iris sent a text to Ian who ignored it.
• Stepheno sent a text to Ian that Ana had tried to commit suicide. Ian stopped his car. He can't lose his sister because of his act. Ian drove to the hospital. He rushed in and saw everyone standing and worried. He went to Stepheno to know what happened to Anastasia.
• "Iris yelled for help. I saw a bottle of drug beside her and some pills littered on the floor. She was unconscious. I think she tried to commit suicide after you ran away "
• "My goodness. Dear God, please save Ana. I can't afford to lose her. Steph, i'm the worst brother ever"
• "No. It's ok. Ana sis will be okay " Iris said touching Ian's shoulder.
• "You again? Iris, stop talking to me. Like you actually care about Ana and I... "
• "Dude, the doctor is here" Stepheno called Ian's attention "Tell me doctor, i'm her only family " Ian said to the doctor.
• "She'll be fine. She took overdose of tranquilizer. Her pulse is stable now"
• "Tranquilizer? For what? May I see her now? Ian pleaded.
• "Yes, but don't wake her"
• "Yes doctor. Thank you doctor "
• "You're welcomed "
• Ian went into Ana's ward. He felt guilty of his actions. He held her hand and tears rolled down his cheeks.
• "Sorry Ana, I'm so sorry for being so stupid. I'm the worst brother ever. I hate myself right now"
• "No, you are not"Iris touched his shoulder "Iris... Please, some lone time with my sis. Please leave.
• "Ian... "
• "Ana, are you awake? Are you okay?
• "Thank You for hurting me again" Anastasia sad throwing her face away from Ian.
• "I'm really sorry. How do I atone for my foolish acts?
• "Don't run away from your wedding. if you do, I'll die.