Chapter 1

JULIANA'S POV

I shoved my clothes into my duffle bag quickly, knowing he'd be back soon. Shoving all my makeup and money into my purse, I started packing Estella's clothes.

7:55. Crãp he'd be back in 5 minutes.

I grabbed a sleeping Estella in my arms and bolted from the front door.

I sighed in relief as I began to walk away from my father’s house. We were free, finally!

I didn't know where we would go, only that we had to get as far away from that hell hole as possible. Maybe I could stay at a friend house for a couple days, but then I remembered: I had no actual friends who'd be willing to help me

"Owww for fùck sake, who put that there" I heard a familiar voice groan. I turned around to see my father down the road, rubbing a bruise on his head after just walking into a lamppost.

Damnit! What was he doing back here so early. All I knew was that he couldn't catch me again. I still have bruises on my skin from last time.

I picked up my pace before I started jogging away. But, knowing my luck, I didn't do it without stumbling over and knocking down one of the trash cans.

"Juliana? What are you doing back there?" My father said as he saw me. He squinted his eyes go see me carrying Estella and multiple bags. It didn't take him long to realise that I was running away. And with that he began running towards me.

I didn't waist anytime and turned in my heels to sprint away from him. If he wasn't so drunk, he would've definitely caught up to me. This was the only time I was thankful for his alcohol addiction.

Estella stirred in her sleep at the sudden movement, but that didn't slow me down. I turned the corner and checked behind me to see if my father had caught up to me yet, but what I wasn't expecting was to bump into a rock hard wall.

Quite literally.

I rubbed the side of my head and winced at the pain. I stepped back to see a little bit of blood on the wall. Ouch.

"Are you okay? I just saw you walk into that wall" a voice said from behind me. Stunned by the presence behind me, I spun on my heels quickly, causing me to lose balance when a pair of big strong arms steadied me by wrapping themselves around my body.

Looking up, I lay my eyes on the most handsome man I had ever seen. His hair was a dark brown with curls that I was itching to run my fingers through. He had a sharp jawline with a light stubble over it, and full pink lips. He looked about 6'4, towering over my 5'3 frame. He had big, firm muscles that seemed to be bursting out of his tight suit. He was beautiful.

He studied me and his tongue reached out to lick his bottom him. My lips slightly parted at the sight of it.

"Are you okay?" he asked after what felt like ages. This caused me to snap out of whatever haze I was previously stuck in and I nodded quickly.

"Juliana!" I heard my father shout from behind me. Damnit! How could I get so distracted. I tried to escape the man's hold but he only tightened his grip on me.

As couple second later, my father emerged. Puffing loudly, he grabbed his inhaler from his pocket and breathed the air in like his life depended on it.

He grabbed my arm roughly, turning me so I was facing him.

"Where do you think your going you little bïtch?" He seethed. This was the angriest I had ever seen him.

I was about to apologise, tell him I'd go back with him and beg him not to hurt me, when the man ripped my father's arm off me and stood in front of me protectively.

"Leave." The man said in a deep voice. In case his appearance wasn't already intimidating enough, his voice definitely was.

'W-What?' My father stuttered, he had to raise his head to speak to the man since he was about a foot taller that him.

"I will only repeat myself once more. Leave before I make you", he threatened. My father didn't need to be told twice, before sprinting back in the opposite direction, stumbling a little as he tripped over his feet.

"Thank you, you didn't have to do that for us" I shyly smiled up to him.

"It was nothing, where are you heading? I could give you a lift." He said nodding towards his expensive looking car.

Should I lie? I was slightly embarrassed to admit that I had no where to go and I didn't even know who this man was, I didn't want his to feel obliged to help us

"We're staying at a friend's house" I replied, subconsciously tucking a curl behind my ear- a bad habit I tend to do when I'm lying.

"Are you sure?" He frowned, almost as if he knew I was lying

"Yes, thanks for you help but we should be going now" Gosh! I sounded like such a bïtch. I tried to walk away but he lightly grabbed my wrist.

"Here's my number, call me if u need any help in the future" He gave me his business card and I apprehensively placed it in my pocket, knowing I'd have to much pride than to call him.

"I mean it, don't hesitate to call me, okay?" He added.

I nodded and began to walk away. I heard him walk away, get into his car and drive away. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"I'm cold, Jay" Estella mumbled, waking up from her sleep. I smiled at her nickname for me as she still couldn't pronounce my full name properly. I pulled out one of my sweaters from my bag and wrapped it around her.

"I know baby, but we're going now" I reassured her deciding to walk to the nearest motel. It was about a 45 minute walk but we had nowhere else to go since a hotel was out of budget.