ISABELLA 61I packed my hair back in a bun as I walked down the paths that led to the car. Damien was already waiting for me to get him. He looked better than when he was sick in bed. No one would believe that he had almost died of poison the day before.My white purse was in my hands, Yesterday was intense. I tried to convince him to stay behind today but he refused to listen. He claimed he was in good health. "I'm good, I could impregnate any woman that came my way," he had said that sick joke this morning while looking me in the eye.My face had gone red instantly. I couldn't see it because it was my face, but I could feel it spread across my face, comfortable warmness and all.The little paper the fixture gave me yesterday was still in my hands. I was going to get the drugs myself. It was just two tablets that he had to take In one day and he was making life difficult already. Saying profanities here and there with a devilish grin on his face while looking me in the eyes. I wo
Isabella 62I could not comprehend what was happening before my eyes. I giggled as my head just replayed what she had just said. It was a prank.I looked around the room. “Is this a prank?" I asked her. She simply shook her head."Is everything okay Natalia? is this one of your stunts? God knows what you are planning now,” I chuckled as I remembered her serious face when she apologized to me.Natalia was very quiet. She held her glass close to her and listened to me.“You know Natalia, you of all people shouldn’t be apologizing to me, what plan do you have up your sleeve that is making you act this way? Is it plans to kill me?” I asked as I chuckled. I checked the chairs to see if there were any props like micropy to catch the moment and I couldn't find any.“I’m not playing any games, I am l sorry about everything that happened yesterday, I didn’t mean to do what I did, I’m sorry,” She apologized again. That was still too much for me to digest. I was losing it. Maybe I had taken som
ISABELLA 63This man being a constant appearance in my life was starting to irritate me. If care was not taken I would have called the cops on him. It was almost as if we shared a telepathic connection with Damien, his next words were like the answer to my questions.“Even if we called the cops he would still get away, I don’t know whether they get scared of him or what spells he has cast on them," he replied. He looked at me and squeezed my hands gently.I had already known that Vito was a dangerous man, thanks to Damien revealing it to me. The first time he had entered, it was only because he was Damien's father I had rescued to act.“I told you this man is dangerous yet you are still in his arms, he would be the one to kill you with his bare hands yet you are getting close to him,” He said and I looked at the side.“The only dangerous person here is you, Mr. Vito, I mean danger and bad luck are the only things you have been bringing ever since we met,” Damien said. His hands were
ISABELLA 64His body felt warm like I was wrapped up in a warm cozy blanket. His skin was hard but at the same time soft.He rubbed my waist gently as he muttered things in my ear. A gentle hand traced soothing circles on my waist, sending shivers through my skin. Soft lips met mine in a tender kiss, creating a moment suspended in warmth and intimacy. Time seemed to pause as the connection deepened, leaving a lingering sensation that lasted an eternity“You know, I lost my cause for life when I lost my mom,” He said as his left hand traveled to my thighs. He squeezed it gently as he kissed the back of my neck. I could detect the sadness in his voice as he spoke.“I just started college and I lost the only person that was keeping me moving, I wanted to join her badly. I didn’t want to be here on earth where everything was terrible,” He said and I heaved a sigh. “Jackson and Nathalia were there too, Like three inseparable thieves,” He joined his hands with mine. "That was how we met.
DAMIEN 65I stretched out on the chair and I switched off my laptop. I heard a knock on the door. I already knew it was my secretary.She walked in and gently locked the door, she walked over and dropped the black file on the table.“Should I inform Mrs Isabella that you are done on my way out?” She asked and I nodded my head. She always knew what I wanted. It would be bad for me if she left the company.“No, don’t worry, I am also done I will go and pick her up when I round up here,” I said as I grabbed the file she came with. I placed it back into one of the cupboards. And looked at her."Bye," I said to her.“Alright goodnight,” She walked out of the door.I rose from my chair and I packed out all the things. I grabbed my phone and my wallet. I knew she was probably working herself out. She always closed later than anybody at the company. I would have to drag her away from her desk myself.I switched off the lights and I walked out of my office with my bag across my shoulder. Th
ISABELLA 66Am I dead? I thought to myself. It was very dark where I was. My eyes refused to open, it was like I was floating somewhere. I suddenly started spinning and I felt like was starting to crash down to the earth. The feeling of falling made me open my eyes.I opened my eyes and I saw a familiar Ceiling. The same stars I put up in Damien’s room. My throat felt very sore. I had been rescued at the last minute. The memory of that dark place became very hazy as if it hadn't happened before. As if it was being forcefully deleted from my memories without my consent.So I will spend the rest of my life in my fake husband’s house?“Isabella,” I heard Damien beside me. “How come I am still breathing?” I croaked. I almost sounded like a bullfrog. I blinked several times and coughed.“Because you are not dead,” He said and he leaned over and grabbed water from his table. It was a bit warm. I sat up and I took down the glass in a second. It didn’t feel like I just got unconscious
ISABELLA 67A few days passed me by and that was when I started to feel better. The angry red scars left behind from my horrifying accident had started to disappear.The end of the month was slowly approaching and there was no sign of Vito. Nathalia, on the other, kept getting nicer and nicer. She even went as far as helping me when I was sick.As much as I wanted to relax and tell myself that she had no bad intentions, I could not help it. Sometimes, I found myself lying wide awake in bed, waiting for her to finally drop the mask and attack me.Who knew? Maybe this was her secret plan all along. To keep playing nice while I laid in bed awake, too worried to close my eyes and go to sleep.I sighed heavily. "Is this my life now?" I asked no one in particular.The security around the building became tighter than ever and inside the house, it was way worse. It was like we were keeping the president’s fragile baby inside the room. The house was lined with men in black. Who never seemed to
ISABELLA 68I ran in an indefinite direction, I just ran where my legs took me. I didn’t know where I was going. I was just moving. My phone was not with me. I couldn’t call Damien to tell him my location. I just ran as fast as I could.My feet pounded against the ground, a desperate rhythm to outrun the encroaching fear. Each step amplifies the ominous presence behind me. Breathless and wild-eyed, I ran, driven by the primal instinct to flee from the unknown that chased relentlessly.I pressed my hands to my chest as I ran. I heard twigs and things snap as I continued to run through. My eyes were getting heavier with tears my heart was beating as fast as my feet were carrying me. I didn’t know what or who was coming for me, I was just told to run away and that was what I was doing. I stopped in my tracks as I tried to catch my breath. My heart was pending in my chest and my head was hurting badly. I suddenly became dizzy from how hard I ran. I was out of breath, I was having an
Isabella As I lay on the floor, bound and helpless, a whirlwind of emotions swirled within me – fear, uncertainty, and a desperate longing for safety and freedom. But just when it felt like all hope was lost, the door burst open, and there he was – Damien, my husband, my savior.Relief flooded through me as I saw him stride into the room, his presence a beacon of strength and determination amidst the chaos. With him was Jackson, his trusted ally, who had helped orchestrate our rescue. I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards both of them as they quickly moved to untie me and Ava, their movements swift and efficient.As the ropes fell away and I rose to my feet, I couldn't suppress the overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude that washed over me. Damien enveloped me in his arms, holding me close and whispering words of reassurance and comfort as tears of relief streamed down my cheeks.Together, we made our way out of the room, leaving behind the nightmare that had thre
Damien My gaze never wavered from Vito's face as I listened to my arch nemesis. The gravity of the situation got more and more deadlier as the night wore on. The papers were still in Vito's hand as I kept the phone to my hear.My father had an inquisitive look on his face as he watched me closely. The line went dead and I put the phone back into my pocket. I collected the the contract and without breaking eye contact, slowly tore it up right in front of him.Vito's eyes widened in shock and utter disbelief. "What the fuck are you doing?" He yelled maniacally as he knelt on the floor trying in vain to join the piece of paper together in a futile attempt.For the first time in my life, I saw him for what he was. An empty barrel of a man, a pathetic and sorry excuse for a husband to my mother and a fucking dead beat piece of shit of a father. I felt nothing but contempt and disgust as I watched him scrambled across the whole floor."Do you know what you have done?!" He yelled at me as h
Isabella As Ava was pushed into the room, I felt a rush of relief flood through me at the sight of her, mingled with a fresh wave of fear for our uncertain future. She stumbled slightly, her eyes wide with shock and confusion, but when she saw me, her expression softened with a mixture of relief and concern."Isabella, darling, are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion as she hurried to my side.I reached out to her, my hands shaking as I clutched hers tightly, drawing strength from her presence despite the terror that still gripped me. "I'm scared, Ava," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what's going to happen to us."Ava's eyes filled with tears as she wrapped her arms around me, holding me close in a comforting embrace. "We'll get through this together, sweetheart," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."But before we could say another word, the door swung open once again, and Camilla e
Damien As I waited anxiously for Camilla's instructions, every second felt like an eternity. My mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more frantic than the last. Where was she keeping Isabella and Ava? What did she want from me? And most importantly, how could I save them from whatever danger they were in?The minutes ticked by agonizingly slow, the silence of the room weighing heavily on my shoulders. I felt a surge of frustration building within me, the urge to take action and do something, anything, to rescue my wife and mother from the clutches of their captors.Finally, the sound of my phone buzzing broke the silence, and I quickly grabbed it, my heart pounding in my chest. It was Camilla, her name flashing on the screen, and I answered it without hesitation."Damien," her voice came through the line, smooth and composed as ever. "I trust you've had some time to think about our situation."I clenched my jaw, my grip on the phone tightening with barely contained anger. "W
Isabella As consciousness slowly seeped back into my mind, I found myself engulfed in darkness. Panic surged through me as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings, the weight of my own fear pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.My heart thundered in my chest as I became aware of the rough bindings cutting into my wrists and ankles, the coarse fibers digging painfully into my skin. Panic tightened its grip around my throat as I realized the full extent of my helplessness, the stark reality of my captivity crashing down on me with brutal force.Frantic thoughts raced through my mind as I struggled against my restraints, the panic threatening to consume me whole. Where was I? How had I ended up here? And most importantly, where was Ava?A wave of despair washed over me as I realized that I was completely at the mercy of my captors, whoever they were. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I imagined the worst, my mind conjuring up horrifying scenarios of what fate awa
Damien As I strode through the familiar corridors of the office building, my mind raced with thoughts and plans. Natalia's brazen attempts to undermine me only fueled my determination. I had come too far to let her or anyone else stand in my way.But it wasn't just about me anymore. My family – Isabella, Ava, our unborn child – they were my driving force. I would do whatever it took to protect them, to ensure their safety and security. And that meant taking down anyone who dared to threaten what was mine.And now, as I sat there, surrounded by the trappings of power, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. I wouldn't rest until the Founder's Association was dismantled until my family was safe until Renaissance was secure.With a steely resolve, I reached for my phone and began to formulate my next move. There was no turning back now. The game was on, and I intended to win. Immersed in the intricate details of my plan, my phone suddenly rang, jolting me out of my focused s
Isabella Chopping vegetables for the lasagna, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me. Cooking had always been a soothing activity for me, a way to channel my thoughts and focus on something tangible amidst the chaos of life.Ava, my ever-supportive mother-in-law, stood beside me, offering gentle guidance as we prepared dinner for Damien. "Now, Isabella, remember to slice the vegetables thinly for the lasagna layers," she instructed, her voice warm and reassuring.I nodded, taking her advice to heart as I carefully wielded the knife. "Like this?" I asked, holding up a perfectly sliced zucchini for her inspection.Ava smiled approvingly. "Just like that, dear. You're a natural," she praised, her encouragement filling me with a sense of pride.As we worked side by side, Ava shared her secrets for creating the perfect steak marinade, imparting her culinary wisdom with the patience of a seasoned chef. "The key is to let the meat marinate for at least an hour," she expla
Damien I was watchful during the conference meeting. I took my time to really look at the board members sitting at the table to see if I could see a member of the Founder's Association but none were seated at this conference. Even Rose St Dumas was not present. Maybe she was preparing her cronies of corrupt businessmen and women for the final show down.Camilla Valdez was also not present but Natalia was. I could not tell what was going on in her head as she gazed at me. If her mother was one of them, did that not make her automatically part of tht fold? Was I over reaching? If the plan with the detective worked, it meant that a lot of people will inevitably get hurt. "What is the profit margin for today?" I asked as I got down to business. "Eight percent since last year," Natalia said in a professional manner. "That's lower than last two years," I said with a frown. "That was due to the Al Vegas controversy," One of the board members said. "You mean the embezzlement," I replied
Damien Returning to the office after the recent turmoil felt like stepping into a minefield, each step fraught with the risk of detonating hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. As I walked through the familiar halls of Renaissance, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gripped me like a vice, a constant reminder of the precarious balancing act I was now forced to perform.Every interaction, every word spoken, had to be carefully calculated and measured, lest I inadvertently reveal the truth lurking beneath the facade of normalcy I presented to the world. I couldn't afford to let slip even the slightest hint of my alliance with Michael, for fear of the consequences it could bring crashing down upon us both.My colleagues greeted me with smiles and nods as I made my way to my office, their cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within me. Behind their friendly facades, I couldn't help but wonder who among them could be trusted, and who might be secretly wo