Escape.

And so she found herself opening up to the farm hand, feeling strangely comfortable as she did so.

It felt like Andrew understood her better than anyone else in her life, and that was a rare thing for her to experience.

She couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with him, almost like a spark of electricity was being drawn between them.

He made her feel seen and heard, and that was a feeling she'd been missing for her entire life.

She couldn't help but notice that she was growing closer to Andrew, in more ways than one.

She had thought he was just the farm hand, someone who she would forget about in a few years.

But lately he had been occupying her thoughts more and more. She was starting to look forward to seeing him, and when she did she felt a sense of excitement that she had never felt before.

This was a strange feeling, and a part of her knew it wasn't right. But she couldn't help it, she was drawn towards him. What would become of this?

After a few days of talking and spending time with Andrew, Odessa couldn't deny that she was developing feelings for him.

She tried not to think about it, but she couldn't help it. Being with him made her heart race and her hands felt sweaty.

She tried to ignore these feelings, telling herself they were inappropriate.

She tried to distance herself from him, saying that they didn't need to see each other so much.

She wondered if she should tell her father that she thought she might have feelings for the farm hand.

"Odessa, dear. We need to have a talk."

Odessa was in her room, sitting on her window seat. As her father's voice reverberated through the house, she felt a sense of dread in her stomach.

She knew this talk was going to be difficult.

"I've... heard things."

Her father's voice was quiet, and she had to listen carefully to hear what he was saying.

"Did... did you meet someone?"

Odessa took a deep breath. "Yes, father. I did."

"I... I see. What's his name?"

Again, she took a deep breath to steady herself.

"His name is Andrew, Father."

She didn't wait for his response, instead she spoke before he could.

"It's not how you think, Father. I only met him a few times. We only talked a little. I was... curious to know what he was like."

She knew this was a bad lie, but she couldn't find the courage to tell the truth.

"Are you lying to me, Odessa?" Her father's tone was stern.

"N, no, Father."

She hoped he would believe her. She didn't want her father to know the truth.

There was silence for a moment, before her father spoke again.

"Odessa, I won't punish you. I just want you to be honest with me."

Was she prepared to tell her father at this time? She didn't know.

She took a deep breath. "Okay... I've been meeting him a lot."

"I've been spending time with him."

There was silence for a few moments as her father tried to digest what she had said.

"Is this about the marriage proposals?" Her father asked, his tone sounding slightly more sympathetic.

"Yes..." Odessa answered quietly.

"Sweetie, I knew it was hard on you. But you shouldn't have gone behind my back." Her father spoke with a softer tone this time, it was clear that he was trying to be kind.

It made Odessa feel guilty, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

"Father I don't wanna marry a stranger" she said. Her father looked at her, he was listening to her. But she could already tell that he was going to say something she didn't want to hear.

"Sweetie, I understand that you don't want to marry a stranger. But this is something that we as your parents believe is important." Her father was firm in his tone, he wasn't going to give in to her pleas.

Odessa felt her heart sink, she had been hoping he would listen to her. Yet it seemed like this wasn't going to be the case.

"I don't want to end up in a marriage where I'm unhappy, father." Odessa spoke with slight desperation.

Her father took a deep breath, he seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

"I know it's not easy, sweetheart. But this is just how things work in our world. Your mother didn't like me when we got married either, but she was a good wife to me and she loved me dearly."

Odessa didn't want to hear this, but she felt like her father was right. She looked away, not knowing how to respond.

"Father..."

Odessa tried to speak again, but the words caught in her throat.

She didn't want to go through with this, she didn't want to marry a stranger. Her father didn't understand, he had married her mother and seemed happy. But she didn't want what he had, she wanted to make her own choices.

It seemed as though she'd hit a wall, she wasn't going to get any further with her father. She felt hurt, disappointed that he wasn't willing to listen to her.

"I.. I understand, Father." Odessa said solemnly.

She had hoped that she could make him see her point of view, but it seemed as though her father was set in his ways.

Odessa was hurt, but she chose her words carefully out of respect for her father. This conversation had already gone further than she had anticipated, and she didn't want it to escalate any further.

She nodded her head, her face a mask of sadness and resignation.

Odessa had got up and left her room sad..

"Odessa, dear. Where are you going?"

Her father's voice stopped her in her tracks. He had followed her out of her room, worried about where she was going.

"I... I need some time alone, father."

Odessa spoke quietly, her tone sounding distant. She needed some space, she needed some time to herself.

Her father was still worried about where she intended to go. But he didn't push her any further, instead he let her go.

She walked outside, the cool night air was refreshing on her face.

"Odessa? What are you doing out here?"

It was Andrew, standing in the dark.

She felt nervous and excited at the same time. She hoped he wouldn't tell her father that she had come out here to meet him.

"I... I just needed to get some fresh air."

She was glad that the darkness concealed her face, hoping that Andrew couldn't see how red her cheeks had turned.

Andrew's voice was soft, it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his tone sounding more caring than she had ever heard him be before.

"Yes... I mean... no, not really."

She felt guilty, like she was disappointing both her father and Andrew. She didn't want anyone to get hurt.

"I... I need a little space, for a while." Odessa said carefully, hoping that Andrew would understand her dilemma.

Andrew looked at her gently, there was a slight frown on his face. He knew something was bothering her, he could tell from the tone of her voice.

Odessa was used to hiding her emotions, but tonight she just let all of her worries and fears out.

She wasn't used to being so vulnerable with someone, and she felt a sudden connection with Andrew. He listened to her, he understood her without her having to explain herself.

It was a strange feeling, one she had never felt before and one she couldn't describe.

"Why don't we talk about it?" Andrew asked, his tone gentle and soothing.

Odessa looked at him, his blue eyes were almost hypnotic.

There was a slight hint of concern in his tone, and Odessa appreciated his care for her. She hadn't felt this way before, with anyone.

Odessa wanted to tell him everything, but she remembered her father's words. She didn't want to make her father upset, he was just trying to do what he thought was best for her.

"My father wants me to get married."

Odessa spoke quietly.

She didn't look at Andrew as she said this, she couldn't bare to see the disappointment on his face when she told him about her situation.

She was used to dealing with these things on her own, yet here she was telling a virtual stranger about her personal life.

But something about Andrew felt different. Something about him made her feel like she could be honest with him, that she could open up to him.

"Oh..."

A slight frown crossed Andrew's face. It was clear that he couldn't hide all of his disappointment.

"I'm... I'm sorry that your father wants you to get married."

In that moment, and maybe it was in her head, but Odessa felt a weird connection with Andrew.

He was only a farm boy, yet here she was baring all to him. It was strange, and she didn't really understand why she felt so comfortable with him.

There was silence for a moment, as if Andrew was trying to think of the right words to say.

Finally, Andrew spoke.

"I was hoping... that maybe I could... that I could help you."

His tone was soft, and Odessa felt that was genuine. He really was hoping to help her.

She looked at him, surprised by the offer. She felt bad for dragging him into this, but at the same time, part of her just wanted to be close to him.

She didn't want to leave, she wanted to lean on his shoulder. But that would be inappropriate, the right thing to do was to go back inside and figure everything out.

"We could... we could escape."

For a second, Odessa froze. She wasn't expecting such a sudden offer from Andrew. What if something went wrong? How would her father react?

"Escape. What do you mean Andrew?" She kept her voice low, the thought of such a plan was frightening but also exciting at the same time.

Was he serious?

"I have... a plan. It's a risky plan.. but we could do it. You could be free to choose who you want to marry." Andrew's tone was urgent.

He seemed sincere in his offer, and Odessa couldn't help but think about his words. He was right, she should have a choice in who she married.

Her father couldn't force her to do this. She was an adult, she had a voice in her own life.

She could still hear her father's words in the back of her mind. But this was her life, not his.

Odessa looked at Andrew seriously now, thinking about his words. His plan was risky, perhaps even foolish, yet she couldn't deny that she liked the idea.

She wanted to be free, she didn't want to marry someone she didn't love. She wanted to be her own person, capable of making choices for herself. And Andrew's plan might give her that.

"I... I think I want to take the risk." Odessa spoke softly, not wanting to say more than she had to. But she was in, and now there was no going back.

"Good." Andrew's tone was confident, he held out his hand to Odessa.

"We'll leave tonight. Your father doesn't have to know a thing about it."

Odessa took Andrew's hand, feeling a sense of excitement as she did so. She had made her choice and there was no turning back now.

Her father would be angry, she knew that, but she wanted to be free.

She nodded her head.

"Tonight. I shall meet you at the old oak tree, by 11PM." Andrew said, his tone sounding daring.

Odessa agreed with his words, she would sneak out of the house at 11PM sharp.

She was nervous, but at the same time, she felt a sense of excitement about the plan. This was her chance to be free, and it felt liberating.

Odessa wondered what her father would say when she disappeared in the middle of the night. She had a feeling her father was going to be upset by her actions, but she didn't care. She needed to live her own life, to make choices for herself.

She could feel her heart beating with excitement.

Hours passed, and the time slowly inched closer to 11PM.

Odessa was nervous, she couldn't help looking over at the clock on the wall. It felt like time was slowing down.

She paced slowly in her room, feeling restless and anxious.

Soon, it would be time to sneak out of the house, she hoped her father wouldn't wake up and catch her.

She didn't say a word when the clock finally struck 11, she just got up out of her bed and tip-toed to the door.

Odessa slowly opened her door, quietly tiptoeing across the hallway and down the stairs. She didn't want to wake anyone up, so she was careful with every step she took.

The light was off in the hall and she was thankful for it, she could tell that her father was still asleep in his room. She felt as if the house was held in a deep silence, and she would do anything in her power to keep it that way.

She crept towards the front door, trying not to make a sound.

Finally, she was at the front door.

She took a deep breath, slowly turning the lock as if she were disarming a bomb.

This was it, there was no turning back now.

Odessa took one more look around the house, then opened the front door. The fresh night air filled her lungs as she stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

She looked around, she didn't see anyone.

Her heart was racing, she had done it though. She was free, at least for now.

Now, she had to meet Andrew. The old oak tree in the woods.

Odessa walked quickly through the woods, the darkness was her ally. She knew these woods like the back of her hand, and she would do whatever she could to help Andrew with this crazy plan.

She felt like she was living out some kind of adventure novel. This was nothing like her normal boring life.

But she didn't care, she was ready for some excitement.

She hoped that Andrew was too.

The woods were dark and secluded, the trees loomed overhead as if they were watching her.

Odessa felt as if she was in a world of her own, she felt alive.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She spun around quickly, worried that it was her father, she didn't want anyone to see her out this late at night.

But she relaxed when she saw who it was. Andrew stood before her, he had just arrived and he looked worried.

"H.. Hello Odessa... I thought I had lost you."

Odessa felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was glad it was Andrew and not her father, that would have been a disaster.

"Hi Andrew. I'm sorry... I was just worried that I'd taken too long."

Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink, she was embarrassed to see Andrew so late at night.

She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, even though the darkness concealed his face.

"Are you ready?" She asked, trying to divert his attention away from her nervous nature.

"Mhm." He spoke softly, his tone sounding calm and assured.

He was calm, despite the fact that they were about to run away from home and leave everything they knew behind.

Odessa could sense that he was the brave one out of the two of them, the type of person that made decisions and stuck with them.

She looked at him, wondering if she'd made the right choice by trusting him.

She had to hope so.

"What now?" She asked him, wanting him to take charge.

"Just follow me." He spoke quietly, as if he didn't want anyone to hear his voice.

"I don't want anyone to catch us."

He took her hand in his, and he led her further into the woods.

He led her for several minutes, and they both said nothing.

Finally he stopped, he seemed to know where he was going.

He turned to Odessa, he seemed almost nervous at the thought of speaking with her.

"Odessa... I... I..."

"What is it Andrew?"

Odessa spoke softly, she could feel a nervous energy in the air. She tried to keep her tone gentle, she wanted to make Andrew feel comfortable.

She saw him struggling to speak, and that made her nervous, almost as if she had done something wrong.

There was silence for another few moments, and even though it was the middle of the night, everything felt tense. Like whatever words Andrew said next would have a major impact on their lives.

Finally, Andrew managed to find the words.

"Odessa.... I think... I think I have feelings for you." He spoke quietly, almost as if he was embarrassed to say the words out loud.

Odessa felt a rush of emotions go through her body, it had happened quickly and she wasn't sure what to say.

Her father's words echoed in her mind, but she tried to block that out.

Instead she looked at Andrew, and she just couldn't deny that she had feelings for him too.