Chapter 16 Facing You vs Turning Back

Jonathan's face was too close that it instantly made Stefani blush. Frowning, she pushed Jonathan's face away. "Don't get too close to me!! And there's nothing to talk about, okay? J-just leave me alone, you perverted alien!"

Jonathan only stared at Stefani, thinking deeply. If they really were going to be engaged and then get married soon, then now would be the right time to actually have a "talk" with Stefani. He wanted to fix and settle things down between him and the person who hates him to the core. He wanted to know Stefani's real reasons for hating him.

It was only after Bobby made the people laugh for the hundredth time and glanced at the stairs on his right did he notice his original role for the night. He immediately apologized jokingly as he then called out for Mr. Hernandez who greeted the guests. It wasn't even two minutes later in the speech where he introduced Stefani and Jonathan.

Stefani's heart was beating crazy as she heard her name being called. She felt as if her entire body was frozen. Her body looked and felt stiff as a rock.

"Stefani," Jonathan called, a worried expression on his face.

Stefani remained in her position, eyes on the stairs before her, her feet glued to the ground.

"Hey, are you alright?" Jonathan asked again, glancing around them where he found a few people now looking at them.

Jonathan hesitated a moment before he finally reached out and grabbed Stefani's hand. It made Stefani move, her head turning up to look at Jonathan who was now looking ahead.

"It's okay. I'm here so you don't have to say anything. I'll speak for the both of us."

And they were enough. Irritatingly, they were enough to make Stefani take a step, and another, and another, until they reached the stage with hands entwined. Stefani even forgot to be angry, she just let Jonathan hold her as they walked.

Jonathan was being honest when he said he'd speak for them. Because the next few minutes, Stefani found herself just a little next to and behind Jonathan, staring at the older speaking to the audience.

Jonathan looked handsome and bright even with the way he spoke. Everyone’s attention was all on his, even the staff of the hotel. It was as if he was speaking words of novelty or of a president where everyone was ordered to remain silent and listen. Truly, Jonathan was great with communication. He was born to be a leader.

But Stefani wasn't one to be fazed by the monkey's talent. He may be good with everything but Stefani wouldn't still buy this act. Stefani decided she was going to do everything not to ever see this man again. She'd do anything as long as she won't be married to someone who doesn't love her at all. Tonight, later after the event, Stefani would escape.

It was already past midnight when the party had ended. Guests were giving their farewells and more congratulatory greetings mostly to Mr. Hernandez for pulling such an extravagant event. It was indeed very fancy as it successfully attracted many people. Unfortunately, it also attracted a certain group of people.

"This is the daughter, right?" One of the men wearing dark clothes outside the hotel asked a hotel boy.

"Y-Yes, that's Stefani Hernandez," the hotel boy answered, a bit scared on the way the men asked the what and whereabouts of Mr. Hernandez's precious and only child.

The men gave each other a knowing glance and nod before going inside their black van.

Meanwhile, Stefani was still deciding whether to do her plan or not. If she wants to escape now, tonight will be a perfect time. She had already prepared a bag full of everything she thought she needed to survive. For how many days, Stefani wasn't sure. She just wanted to be away from now, away from her controlling father, away from her pushing friends, and mostly away from her fiance.

Mr. Hernandez was still talking to a few people inside the hotel when Stefani walked over.

"Dad... I'm going out for a while," Stefani said, glancing around. Pacholo wasn't around. Perfect timing!

Her father only nodded at her, still smiling at the people who organized the whole event. Even Miss Ellie was there, the beautiful woman who came to their house before.

Stefani looked around first before taking the exit with her bag on her shoulders. She went to the nearest comfort room and quickly changed her clothes to a casual shirt and jeans. As soon as she was done, she immediately headed and entered the elevator where she put on a beanie, a pair of eyeglasses, and a facemask. Great, now no one would suspect-

"Wait, I'm getting in."

Stefani felt her entire body froze as she watched Jonathan, slowly like in the movies, get inside the elevator too. She could feel her cells panicking inside. What should she do? Could Jonathan tell it was her, Stefani?

It was getting hotter and hotter inside as Stefani kept chanting inside her head, how she shouldn't speak no matter what so the monkey won't find out it was her.

"You... You remind me of someone," Jonathan suddenly said, which made Stefani sweat a gallon.

"I-I'm.. d-definitely not that s-someone," Stefani softly said as she faked a few coughs. Oh my god, what should she do? Did Jonathan find out it was her after all?

To her relief, before Jonathan could still ask more questions, the elevator made a loud ding sound. The door opened and Stefani took the opportunity as she sprinted out of it, heading to the exit then to the nearest narrow alley.

She removed her disguise, panting. "Stupid monkey! Until the end he's going to make me suffer!" Why did she have to see Jonathan before she leaves?

"Stefani Hernandez?" A man’s voice suddenly asked from behind.

Stefani turned and found a man, smiling oddly at her. She raised an eyebrow, "Who are you?"

The man smiled even more as more men appeared behind him, making Stefani's eyes widen in shock.

"S-Stay away from me!" Stefani shouted, feeling her heart beating so fast in fear, but found herself being attacked. Two men immediately grabbed her arms while one went to block her mouth from saying anything.

"Get her to the truck!" One of them said and soon, before Stefani could make a run for it, she felt her mouth being covered by cloth.

What did she do? Why is this happening to her? Stefani felt dizzy, her eyes slowly closing. She could hear the sound of more feet coming. Is this the end of her? Would escaping really only lead her to trouble? Is it a bad choice after all?

Just then, she heard a few more sounds before she felt herself slowly losing consciousness.

"Don't touch her!"

That monkey again... Why does Stefani always have to hear his voice?

"Stefani!!" She heard Jonathan’s voice.

Then everything turned black.