Chapter 2

EXPERIENCE

It’s been one week since the scandal at the restaurant happened. Isobelle has yet to get over about the slap and insults against her. Articles had been published and lots of speculations and rumors were made. Some rumors say that she and Lyon Hastings were having a relationship, dating at the restaurant and Valerie Baeyens is just a third party.

Good thing that the rumors have died after Lyon Hastings and Valerie Baeyens side released statements. It was also reported that Baeyens is now under rehabilitation for her mental health issues. She explained the situation to his father and he understands her. The contract signing was still under her, but the contact is through her secretary. She doesn’t want any trouble and issues.

“Sis, can we take this one? It’s pretty.” Sophie, her sister, asked her.

They’re inside the mall, shopping gifts for their dad on his 50^th birthday party next week. She knew it was not only a birthday party, but a business gathering as well because her father invited businessmen and people from their social circle.

“Yeah. It does look pretty.” Her sister picked a casual pink dress which she will wear on the birthday party. “I’m sure that you’ll look good in that.”

“You can try that on, miss.” The saleslady of the shop suggested.

“Really?”

The saleslady said yes and her sister went to the fitting room to try the dress. She waited inside the shop and looked for dresses, not for her but for her mom.

‘Mom didn’t have the time to buy dresses. Since it is dad’s birthday next week, she should wear something that will bring out the youth in her.’

Her mom still looks young even though she’s on her late 40s. She was just as beautiful as she was in her teenage years, but her facial features have matured. They kinda have similar physique and face. She definitely has a fusion of her dad and mom’s physical features. Sometimes, people mistook them as sisters and they just laugh at it.

She saw a red string-strapped, body-hugging, casual dress. It will look really sexy on her mom.

‘I bet dad will get jealous if she sees mom wearing this and guys drool over her.’ She giggled at the thought.

“Miss, can I get this one?” she asked another saleslady present and handed over the red dress.

Her sister just came out of the fitting room, wearing the pink dress. She looks like a doll because of her fair complexion and natural pinkish cheeks. The saleslady complimented her sister.

“See. You look good in this, sis. I’m sure dad will find you pretty as well. He might just hide you from boys.” She stated with a wink.

“Thanks, sis. You’re the best!”

She paid for the two dresses and went out of the shop after Sophie changed. Her sister then said that they’ll just meet at the restaurant as she doesn’t want her to know what kind of gift she’ll buy for their dad. She laughed at her sister’s request and just agreed to it. She would also look for a perfect gift that will suit her daddy’s liking.

After a long time of looking around, she finally went inside a vintage shop. The shop did not only sell vintage products, but customizes it as well. She chose a simple yet elegant watch which she thinks her daddy would love.

“I would like to get this one. Can you engrave my dad’s name at the back?” she asked the staff.

“Sure, ma’am. But this will take three days to finish as we have some pending orders.”

“It’s alright. Can I get back here on Saturday next week? I’m busy on the weekdays and it’s my father’s birthday that day.”

“Sure, ma’am. We can put it on a nice box so you don’t have to bother buying a gift wrapper.” The staff suggested.

“Really? Thank you.” She smiled and left her contact details.

She went out feeling satisfied of the gift she had choose. Her phone rang shortly after she went out.

Sophie calling…

Seems like her sister had also finished buying a gift for their dad. She then answered the call.

(Sis, I have finished buying my gift for dad. I’m at the restaurant now. I’m hungry. Come here already.)

She heard her slightly whining. Sophie must be tired from shopping for long hours. It’s now 2pm and they haven’t eaten lunch yet. She also felt hungry after her sister ask her to come at the restaurant quickly.

“Alright. You can just order now so that we can eat when I arrive. You know what kind food I like, right?” she asked her.

(Okay! I’ll order right now. Bye, sis!) The call ended and she just walk faster so she can arrive at the restaurant shortly.

She then continued to walk at the direction of the resto. Good thing, she was wearing shoes and not heels. She feels more comfortable shopping around, not worrying about her feet.

A minute after Sophie called, another call arrived. She was trying to get her phone from the pocket of her jeans and didn’t notice that she was about to bump into someone.

Boogs!

“Ouch!”

She stumbled as well, but she managed to balance herself while the other woman fell on the floor. After recovering from shock, she immediately went to the woman.

“Are you okay, miss?” she asked her.

“I think I sprained my foot.” The woman said, holding her left foot.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, miss. It’s my fault. I didn’t look at the way and I’m clumsy. I’m really sorry.” She sincerely apologized.

“No, it’s alright. It’s my fault as well because I failed to avoid you.” The woman replied. She can tell that the woman is a kind-hearted person.

“I’ll take you to a clinic here.” She supported the woman and helped her stand up.

The guard around the area helped them as well to the nearby clinic inside the mall. When they arrived at the clinic, the doctor then treated the woman’s injury.

She just texted her sister to eat first because she encountered an incident and she will be late.

“Is she fine, doc?” Isobelle asked the doctor after he finished putting the bandage on the woman’s foot.

“She’s fine, but for her to recover quickly, she should not move her foot too much. I’ll just gave her the ointments she needs.” The doctor then left to tend a new patient.

“I’m really sorry, miss.” She apologized to the woman again.

“No, it’s really alrigh—”

“Kathy, what happened?!”

Someone just barged inside the clinic, cutting off the woman’s sentence. The man immediately went to the patient who is sitting on a chair. With his broad shoulders, familiar scent and voice, Isobelle easily recognized who he was. Lyon Hastings.

‘He called the woman Kathy and he’s worried about her. She must be his new girlfriend. It hasn’t been one week yet he found another one. Great. Just great.’

“I’m fine, baby. I didn’t mean to worry you when I called on the phone. I told you it’s a minor injury.” The woman, Kathy, calmly told him.

“Minor injury? Look at you. I bet you can’t walk properly now.” He angrily said. “And why were you in this situation? Who did this to you?” he looked around and saw Isobelle on the side who was silent ever since he entered the clinic. “You?”

“No, Lyon. It’s a misunderstanding—”

“You did this to Kathy? Are you that shallow? If you want revenge, do it on me.” He angrily said.

This is the first time that this guy has lost his cool. She gets his point, but he’s spatting nonsense. What revenge? Why would she even get revenge?

She calmed herself and said, “You must be mistaken, Mr. Hastings. I’m not the type of person you are talking about. I don’t have any idea why would I take revenge on you. On what reason would that be?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what happened. You did this to get revenge on me because I did not sign the contract.” He said, so sure of the reason.

“You didn’t sign the contract?” she asked shocked. She didn’t know anything about this. Nobody told her about the contract.

“Don’t even pretend like you don’t know. I can sue you for this.” He insisted.

“I don’t really know about—”

Phone ringing…

Isobelle took out her phone after hearing it rang. It was Maverick calling so she answered it.

(Hello, Sob? I’ve been calling you earlier, but you didn’t answer.)

“Oh. Hey, Mav. What’s the matter?” she asked him, knowing that he only calls when something important happens at the company.

(The Hastings didn’t sign the contract…)

It was so silent inside the clinic so even though she had not turn on the speaker mode of the phone, everyone heard what Maverick has said. She just looked at Lyon Hastings without any emotion on her eyes. It was like a slap on his face.

(Hello, Sob? Are you still listening?) Maverick asked after a few seconds of silence.

“Yes. We can’t do anything about it, Mav. Let’s just look for other ways.” She told him before hanging up.

“See, baby. You shouldn’t have acted recklessly here. Apologize to Ms. Levisay now.” Kathy ordered the guy.

Lyon Hastings just stayed quiet. Maybe, he’s ashamed of what he did. That’s the karma for those who act recklessly without any evidences.

“No need for apologies if the person is not even sincere. I’ll just get going now, Kathy. I already paid the bills here. Please tell your boyfriend to not jump to conclusions next time.”

“He’s not my boyfri—” Kathy wanted to clarify, but Isobelle left the room already.

*Smack*

“Ow!” Lyon complained after Kathy hit his legs.

“Now, you got the nerve to say ‘ow’ here when you have wronged the woman. How dare you, young man?!” she scolded the guy.

“I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you.” He reasoned.

“Save you’re sorry. You should apologize to Ms. Levisay. You heard me?” she said with a hint of threat in her voice.

“Okay.” He answered in defeat.

PEOPLE inside their house were already panicking. Everyone was busy getting ready. It’s the day of her father’s birthday celebration. They need to look presentable as there were well-known personalities and businessmen in the party.

Her sister is now wearing the pink dress they bought last week, while her brother is wearing a blue colored long sleeves shirt partnered with black slacks. She saw her mother walking down the stairs, wearing the red dress she has bought.

“You look stunning, mom. You’re like a wine. The older you get, the sweeter you become.” Isobelle praised her.

“You too, darling. You’re more beautiful than me. Like mother, like daughter.”

Indeed, both of them look beautiful. Isobelle wears a purple, off-shoulder dress, and her long straight hair is loose. She wore black 4 inches heels that made her look taller. The Levisays were indeed a family with beautiful and handsome visuals. The birthday celebrant was already at the venue as he insisted to personally greet the guests. It was already five in the afternoon and the party will start at 5:30pm.

“Don’t forget your presents, okay. Let’s get to the van.” Her mom said after a while.

“I’ll go separately, mom. My gift is still in the shop. I have to fetch it.” She stated.

“I thought your car was still on maintenance?” her mom asked her.

“I haven’t brought it to the repair shop because I still have to use it today. It still works fine.”

“Alright. Drive carefully, okay?” her mom reminded her.

“I know, mom.”

She then went to the car which she had bought using her own money. Something she can say that she really owns. Her prized possession.

When she reached the mall, and went inside the shop, the staff had already prepared the box for the watch. She checked the engraved name at the back, Gideon Levisay. It’s nicely engraved in a beautiful calligraphy. She then put the watch inside the box which look vintage as well. It has intricated designs and carvings which is worth the price.

“Perfect. This is really beautiful.” she complimented the shop. “Maybe, I’ll come back here next time.”

“Thank you, miss.” The staff kindly thanked her.

She then went out of the shop and hurriedly drove to the venue of the party. It was going well with her drive, when suddenly…

“Sh*t!”

Smoke came out from the hood of her car. She pulled over the side and went out to check. When she opened the hood, more smoke even filled the air. Isobelle coughed a lot after inhaling the smoke. Even if she found out what the problem of the car was, she doesn’t know how to repair it. Calling the maintenance is also impossible because she can’t get any signal around the area. She just opened the GPS of her car, and took her things with her.

IT HAS been 15 minutes yet no taxi or any vehicle has passed. She’s alone on the highway right now and can’t call anyone for help. The summer house is still far away from her location. Even if she starts walking now, it will turn dark when she reached the place.

She sighed heavily after another 5 minutes of waiting.

“Why am I unlucky these past few weeks?” she asked herself. “I want to get a vacation after I overcome this situation.” She sighed once again.

After a minute, she finally heard a vehicle coming closer. She suddenly felt a glint of hope. It’s not a bad day after all.

From afar, she could tell that it’s not a car. More like a motorcycle. She doesn’t care anymore because she wanted to leave the place as soon as possible. She waved her hand to make the motorcycle stop.

“Why does it seem familiar tho? Am I just mistaken?”

The closer the motorcycle gets, the more her suspicions grow. Her hand eventually dropped after confirming who it really was when the familiar Ducat* stopped on her front. The guy was wearing a dark blue long sleeves shirt and black slacks. This guy just likes dark color, right?

The guy stopped the motorcycle but didn’t get off. He took off his helmet and scoffed immediately after seeing her. Isobelle frowned at his reaction.

“What are you doing here, Ms. Levisay?” Lyon Hastings asked her.

“Well, I’m having picnic by the road or I’m jogging perhaps.” She sarcastically answered. “Dummy! Obviously, my car broke and I’m stuck in this isolated place.” she added, rolling her eyes.

“You’re being sarcastic like this. I guess you’re fine then.” He said then acted like he’s starting the vehicle.

“Wait!” she positioned herself in front of the motorcycle to stop him from leaving. “I apologize for being sarcastic here, but I really need your help.” She isn’t the type of person to beg someone, but she doesn’t have a choice. “Can you call someone to repair my car?”

After thinking for a while, the guy took out his phone and started dialing. He then raised it like he’s trying to get some signal.

“It’s no use. There’s no signal here.” The guy said after a while.

“Then, can you go to the summer house by the lake and ask for someone to come back and fetch me here?” she asked him again.

Lyon Hastings looked around before answering, “Are you sure about that? Before someone could even come back here, it will be very dark.”

Realizing it, she suddenly felt wary of her surroundings. It’s getting dark, indeed. Sound of wild animals could be heard as they were surrounded by tall trees. She felt shivers down her spine, and hold onto Lyon Hastings arm.

“Th— then… Do you have another solution for this?” she asked, slightly scared.

“Get on.” he said.

“Get on where?” she asked him, not understanding what he meant.

“Get on the motorcycle.” He clearly repeated.

“What?!” she immediately loosens her hold on the guy. “You want me to ride on that? Are you freaking serious?”

She could not imagine herself riding a motorcycle. She hasn’t experience riding one. Besides, she’s wearing a dress so it’s inappropriate.

“You ride or I’ll go. These are your choices.” He said than started the engine of his Ducat*.

“No. Wait. Let me think first.”

‘Now is not the time for me to act bratty. I really don’t have a choice now but to ride on his motorcycle or else, I’ll get left out alone here in the dark. Crap! I’ll just swallow this freaking pride of mine.’

She sighed and finally decided to get on his motorcycle. She’s now sitting sideways, with one hand holding on the guy’s shirt and the other one holding the box placed on her lap.

“Hold tightly or you’ll fell off.” He said threatening her.

“O— okay.” She said and encircled her arm on Lyon’s waist.

The Ducat* then vroomed loudly, making her grip on him to tighten.

She then thought,

‘This is an experience I’ll never forget in my life.’