CHAPTER FIVE

ISABELLA’S POV

The sun was shining brightly in the sky yet Alaric was nowhere to be found, even after I sent a mail to him, demanding that he showed up. I grunted as I tapped my shoe heel against the floor due to the nerves wrecking inside me. It felt so strange, unreal that I was about to put an end to this bondage. This term called love that had tied me down for so long. It was almost nine am and my flight leaves in thirty minutes.

“We need to go, Isa. He is not coming. He doesn’t care enough to.” Mireille said, her left hand wrapped around my shoulder. “I’m glad you know you deserve better now.” She added in a whisper and I felt my eyes soak with tears.

For once I had thought he would care enough to be here. To let me go of my heart, and stop hurting me. But how can he let go of something he never wanted in his possession.

I bit on my lower lip and nodded before getting back into the black Mercedes Benz the company had pick me up. Even as the door closed and the engine roared to life, I still wished that he would fight for me one last time.

Mireille made sure to handle everything when we got to the airport. She had gladly left her job behind to move with me. According to her, I was a child who needed direction so I wouldn’t fall for men like Alaric again. But I doubted that I wanted to fall in love at all. I was done with it. The story of Romeo and Juliet had been a clear class of it being nothing but pain, but I don’t tell her that. As we passed through the sky I held onto Mireille’s hand tightly, closing my eyes to forget about the countless times my sister had pushed me off the roof, after tricking me to come on it.

Aside from that, and the nauseous feeling, the rest of the trip was amazing and Mireille wouldn’t stop telling me of how much of a big shot I was now. The moment we alighted and got our luggages, a middle aged man was waiting at the entrance of us.

“Welcome to France, ma’am. I’m Gabby and DeluxeArts sent me. You can get into the car, and I will take you to your apartment.” He informed and we did as told.

The air smelt so different. I felt lighter, and a warm feeling spread through me. I was different now. Here, no one knew of the pushover Isabella. Here, I could be everything I wanted. Mireille kept asking pointing at places and asking Gabby questions which he didn’t mind responding to. The tall buildings, the shops, the lights, the stray pets running around. Everything made me realize how little I had lived life.

“Montciel Arve is sure a beautiful town, I really hope you enjoy yourself.” He laughed heartily. I could tell that he was a man without worries. Not just him but almost everyone I have seen were laughing or singing and I hoped that someday my life would be all light and rainbows too.

Minutes had passed and the car was parked in front of a eye appealing two stores building with stone foundation with the walls coated in soft yellow alongside dark woods. It had large windows and a steep roof. It was magical, and dreamy.

“Made to suit your artistic taste, ma’am. We hope you love ‘em.” Gabby was smiling now and I sent him a smile too.

“Thank you, Gabby.” I responded and stretched a fifty dollar bill towards him. It was normal to tip in Alabama.

“No, no. ma’am. It’s all love in France.” He laughed and waved as he got into his car. We watched him drive off before we pulled our luggage in, and at the sight of the interior, my breathe hung. Oak floor polished to perfection, and stone plastered on the walls alongside candles that burned the lowest. It was almost as if it wasn’t even lit on. The yellow cushions looked soft and the stone fireplace complimented it well. It was simple yet it stood out. There were framed paintings on the walls too. Mireille jumped out of excitement, touching everything to feel it.

“It feels like I walked into a rom movie.” She joked, beaming from ear to ear. I inhaled a long fresh breath, feeling at peace. There was no Alaric here, and it was amazing.

Suddenly the phone rang and I picked up the unknown number.

“Hello, Miss Isabella. I believe you have seen your apartment. It is such a pleasure to have a talent of your intelligence work with us. Please do check the master bedroom for your work phone as informations will be passed on that from now. You are welcome to France, once again.”

My heart could explode with joy. That was the shortest yet the most meaningful call I had gotten in years. I left Mireille to bask in the beauty of the house while I head into the first room and truly there was a Samsung boxed phone sitting on the bed alongside neatly folded dresses, heels and boxes that looked like jewelries.

“Waw!” Mireille’s voice pulled me back to the present. “You get a work phone. So cool.” She added and hugged me in almost a second. The next she snatched my old phone, clicking on it. “You should toss this out.”

“No!” I half yelled and snatched it back like a flash. She was staring curiously at me. “I mean…I have memories there.” I defended, and watched her twitch her lips then close the gap between us.

“Hand it over, Isa. You gave this a chance to heal, remember. You will never be fulfilled if you remain stuck on the past.” She squeezed my shoulder gently, her eyes filled with concern. I felt my heart squeeze as I reluctantly hand it to her.

Was it weird that I was half expecting his text. Anything confessing how he felt.

“I won’t dish it, but you don’t get to have it until I think you are ready to.” She informed and shoved it into her back pocket after turning it off. “Besides, you have all you need here. Me!” She shrugged her shoulder then hugged me tightly that I couldn’t breath.

I let out a deep laugh, and we tickle ourselves for a while before unpacking and setting up my new phone. Just as thought, the sim had five numbers on them which I presumed as important, alongside a g***l. Soon, we were exhausted and cuddling each other up on the couch. I let everything around me sink in, and I was more than grateful I wasn’t alone.

“Finally, I can’t wait for us to meet some hot men. I heard the French men look like Greek gods. Strong abs, perfect waist, and….”

“Ewww Mi. I’m not even divorced yet.” I cringed, and watched her lift her head to send me an eye.

“To me, you are.” And that was all I needed to hear to remind myself of why I was here in the first place.