Few more days passed with us still fighting for survival everyday like some wild animal on the hunt. We are still keeping everything together without failing. I didn't know life could be this harsh if all you know is against you.

Dad made sure that we feel his wrath each day. Starting from a threat, turning into a reality.

Lucas manages to get a job somwhere but something is fishy about it.

He won't tell me what job it is which of course just adds to my curiousness. I trust him, no doubt but why would he keep it? He comes home not daily anymore but sometimes trice in a week and he would leave early in the morning then comes home a few days later.

He didn't came home with any scratch or wound so I assume that it is not something illegal. Because I'm sure he won't join such thing.

I grew tired asking him so I just let it slip off for a moment.

But then more tragic things happen...

We got kicked out of the aparment and now I'm living with Logan. Lucas is on his way home once he heard the news.

The land lord didn't gave me any choices or any explanation why we have to unpack and leave. I didn't know what to do and just cry. As if my dignity is slowly being taken away from me. Things shouldn't be like this but these evil people around me is making it hell for me. They are all blinded by money for sure but it is just unfortunate that I had a Dad that cannot accept me and my choices.

I called Lucas as soon as possible when I was unpacking then sold our other furnitures for some extra money. Since I won't be needing those things for the moment instead of taking everything with me. Logan quickly took me in and offered me his home.

"Thank you for letting me stay here, Logan. I appreciate it." I thanked him, lowering my head as he carries my things inside his house.

Logan just laughed. "It's fine, Talia. Besides, this is nothing compare to what your husband did. He helped me a lot." he places the boxes on the side. "Rest now. I know you went through a rough day. Where is your husband by the way?"

"He's on his way." I told him and sat down on the sofa, taking my phone.

One unread message...

-How long is your husband gonna last?

This is bullshit, Dad. Thank you for making my life miserable because of you.

Logan was done unloading our things. He wiped his hand. "I will make you some coffee." he told me before heading to the kitchen.

I dialled Lucas but as soon as the phone starts to ring, I heard the front door open in a bang causing me to jump off the couch. But it was just none other than my husband. He flashed inside the house and as soon as he sees me, he pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed me with all his might.

"Wait, Lucas..." I pulled away from him. "Jeez, let me breathe."

He removed his arms and placed a hand on my waist. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"

"For all of this." He sigh and rubbed his head. "All of this happened because of me."

I chuckled and playfully shoved his shoulders. "What are you talking about? This happened because of my insensitive Dad. None of these are your fault."

"You married a poor man. That's what makes him this evil."

I smiled and feel embrassed aboht it. To think that my own Father is making us suffer like this. My own flesh and blood. I tried to hold my tears and just think of how we are gonna deal with this problem right now. We cannot give up and let my Dad win this game. He is doing this on purpose and with a goal.

"Hey, man." Lucas glances at Logan. They made a tough handshake before tapping his friend's shoulder. "I can't thank you enough for helping us, Logan. For helping my wife too."

Logan shakes his head. "Nah, thank me. This is the least I can do as your friend. You helped me a lot before too."

"We will be crashing into your home for a while until we find a new place to stay."

"You don't have to rush, Lucas. I'm the only one who lives here. You can stay here as long as you like." Logan handed us both a cup of hot coffee. "Don't be a stranger here. Be comfortable as if it's your home as well." then he turns to leave and to give us some time to talk and the privacy that we need.

Lucas is still in deep thoughts. I know he is thinking of what we will do because we can't stay like this forever. We have to keep on finding a solution.

" Where have you been? Are you tired?" I asked him, both of us taking a seat. He leans his head back and rested.

"No, I'm fine." Lucas took my hand, staring at my wedding ring and playing with it. "I won't give up, remember that." he said with seriousness and determination in them.

"I know." I smiled assuringly. "That's why I trust you."

"Yes, that's all you have to do." He pressed his lips on my temples and pulled me closer to him. "We will get through this. I'm sure of it."

I do hope so...

I wanted to talk to my Dad, beg him about leaving us alone but I'm still thinking of other options because that will just lead to another problem. He is not the gonna stop until I come back and marry Philip. We must think of a plan.

"What are we gonna do now?" I asked, freeing myself out of his arm, to look at his face. There is a thin line of our chance to get through this without running away because right now...thats the only choice that I can see. We must get away from this town and start a new life way farther from here.

It hurts but we must leave the people that we love in this place. It is painful but we have to do it.

We are no match for my Dad if we stayed here because we continue, he might also involve Logan. It won't be a surprise anymore if Logan comes home without any job anymore. I'm sure he will make him suffer like us if we do not surrender.

"We must leave, Lucas. This is the only way"

But the frown deepened between his forehead, not satisfied with what I said. "No."

"What?"

"No, we are not leaving." His eyes were on fire as he intently look into mine. "We are running away anymore, Talia. If things go wrong, I won't hesitate to kneel down and beg your father to stop this idiocy. But we are not hiding this time. I will prove him that I am a man not just the boy who worked for him. I will show them that I am the husband of their daughter."

My chest tightens at the intensity in his eyes and how dignified he is.

What else can I say to that?

My husband is very determined to show his love for me and so should I too.

Then we won't hide.

Later that night,

I was resting at the couch, trying to fall to sleep but my mind is going bazzar. We will sleeping at the living room for the mean time we are here because we don't want to bug Logan's privacy with his room. The two guys are drinking some beer at the porch. They are having some buddy conversation and probably figuring something out before all of these gets worst. I know exactly what Lucas is feeling right now and it really kills me to think that we are experiencing this because of me. Because of my stubborn parents who loves controlling my life.

Lying here is bugging me more, since I've been staring at the ceiling for almost hours now but sleepiness won't give into me.

I stood up from the couch and head towards the door to join them on the porch. But as I walk close by, I couldn't help but hear what they are talking about.

"I bet this is a shock to Talia, knowing that all of these are caused because of his own father." Logan murmured.

"Bet she is." Lucas said, clearing his throat as he takes a sip of his beer. "How I wish to take all of these worry from her."

"I'm sure she understands, dude. She's a smart woman."

"I know...but I can't help but to think, if she didn't choose me...she must have been happier right now. Not being kicked out by his family. Successful and probably engage to a very rich man. While me...still living under the bridge, God knows how will I live."

My heart aches hearing the pain swelling inside me. So he is blaming himself?

"Don't think like that, man."

"That's why I will do everything I can to give us a better life. I gave her my word, I won't give up."

"May the fathers give you their blessings." Logan chuckled, "By the way, where are you working now? At the time like this, you should leave your wife alone."

Lucas let out a deep breath before answering. I lean my ear closer to hear them because this has been bugging me as well. He won't tell me where he's been running off to.

"Don't tell Talia, because I'm sure she will freak out a bit." Well, too late. "I'm working as a personal bodyguard of Silvia. His Father hired me and he promised to give me some support as long as I stay as her bodyguard."

My eyebrows touched at the news. I don't think it is betrayal or he is cheating on me but it does feel so. That woman is obviously has some dirty eye on my husband and I don't feel comfortable about it.

Probably also the reason why he didn't tell me because he knows I won't approve of it. The hell I will! He's alone with that woman for weeks and I didn't even know about!

"Wait, you've been gone for almost the whole week just because you are following and working for a spoiled brat?"

"Yes...this is the only way to help me and my wife. This is the only job that I can get." He replied.

"Dude, that woman likes you. If I were your wife, I will oblige you to quit." Logan laughed but he is speaking the truth.

Logan seems to be taken back and unable to say anything in return. I'm sure he knows that I will really say that, that's why he chose to keep it."I know she will be angry but...this is at least that I can do to keep us both alive."

Should I be selfish at this point?

Let my husband work with the woman I know who likes him?

Absolutely not but there is no way I can tell him to quit. He is making all of the sacrifices and I should at least be a supportive wife.

I decided to go back to the coach and rest my eyes, let all the thoughts come to me and think it through.

This is hard.

So hard.

It's us against the world now.

-----

The next morning, I woke up With Lucas underneath me. We are both doing the best to fit ourselves at the couch and we are literally wrapped around each other just to keep it together, sharing one blanket and one pillow.

He had his arms around my waist while I had my hand resting on his chest. He is still in deep sleep as I hear his breathing.

I was still awake when he decided to sleep last night. He seems to be a little more comfortable after having a talk with Logan but I'm not sure when will he leave again...off to his work.

"Close your eyes, kitten. It's still early." Lucas suddenly spoke as he slides his one hand to rest at the middle of my back, caressing the spot. His eyes are still closed.

I sigh and my lips formed into a smirk. "Yeah but... I'm not sleepy anymore."

"I know what you want." he whispered mischievously, dipping his nose at the side of my neck. The chilly sensation travels through my body as I feel his hot touches, roaming my back. "But I don't think this is the right place for it."

My eyes widen and blushed like an apple. "You nymph, I'm not talking about that!"

Lucas laughed and pulled me tighter in his arms, he placed his hand at the back of my head and made me rest it on his chest. "Your smell makes me so relax and forget everything, kitten."

I rolled my eyes and feel his heartbeat. Not too long, my eyelids start to get heavy and I fell into a deep slumber, being in the arms of the safest place in this world.

To be continued...