Chapter EightIsabella walked back to David looking like a lot puppy, she definitely can not have dinner on a night like this."What's wrong? Who was that?" David inquired worriedly."It was a friend of mine, I am sorry but we will have to postpone our celebratory dinner. I need to be with my friend," she said with her head bowed."Do you want me to come along?" He asked but she declined immediately."No, she doesn't like strangers..." she paused realizing she had just used the wrong choice of word but what can she do?"I didn't mean to call you that, well you are not a stranger to me but you know her... She... She needs only me at the moment and having you around..."David held her by the shoulder and she paused. "Calm down, I get you."She breathed in relief that he was such an understanding person. "Thanks, I owe you one," She moved closer and went on her tiptoe, she gave him a peck and ran away."Are you going to run or get a taxi?!" He screamed and she stopped she looked at the b
Chapter Nine"Is there more?" Isabella asked as his hand rested on her cheeks and gazed into her eyes."Yeah," his thumb moved to her lip and he caressed it softly, her lips were unbelievably soft against his thumb.Isabella's heart skipped a bit as she assumed he was going to kiss her, Well Maybe she was not wrong. He loved her pinkish lips and wanted to feel them against his."Don't you think we should get back to painting?" Isabella asked, As much as she wanted his lips on hers she couldn't risk him not having true feelings for her.'For what reason will he want to use you?' her subconscious asked.'I don't know, I still feel insecure I guess,' she shrugged mentally."I am sorry, there was some there," he stepped away from her."I will get to my drawing," she smiled and walked out of the painting room, she didn't fail to shut the door behind her.Isabella breathed in relief as she sat on her chair pulling her drawing book toherself."Why did I do that? What if she had not stopped
Chapter TenIsabella reciprocated to the kiss immediately, she kissed him back with all the energy in her. His hand gently wrapped around her waist while her hand was around his neck.Pulling each other closer, they could not get enough of themselves. Isabella wanted more, this has always been her dream.David knew what he was doing was wrong but what the hell, it didn't matter What mattered at the moment was that she was in his arms and he was getting to taste every corner of her mouth.A few minutes later they broke this kiss as they ran out of breath. Still in that position, they locked their gaze and in a few minutes they were devouring each other's lips again.Isabella broke the kiss as her hand slipped down his chest, She stepped out of his grip while he tried to hold her but she pushed him away."I'm sorry," she muttered, it was strange to her. Yes, she has fallen in love more than once but it seems like she talks harder every time.This thing she has is more than a crush, she
Chapter ElevenENCOUNTER"How is that any of your business?" Isabella finally found her voice, Charlotte only talked about David she never brought her here so there is no way she would have figured out she was there for David."Hey," Charlotte pushed her playfully with a finger. "You are not mad, are you?"Isabella had a straight face not ready to fall into her traps, that was the same smile she had while she fucked her boyfriend behind her back."It has been four years," she held her hand. "Don't give me that look, huh," she pouted."What do you want?" Isabella snatched her hand."Let's be friends," she blurted stupidly. She must be an big idiot for her to think she would forgive and want to be friends with her after what she did."We were never friends, Charlotte and we will never be. Why don't you go back to your boyfriend and let me be," Isabella smiled sarcastically."By the way what are you wearing?" Charlotte tried not to smile at her dress, she was wearing a simple pink top wi
Chapter TwelveGROCERY STORE"Isabella!" Kim had to scream her name, she was sitting beside her phone but for some reason, she was lost in thought."Isabella, are you there?" Kim said trying to see beyond the camera but it was impossible."Y--Yeah," she picked up the phone revealing her face. "Sorry about that.""Are you alright? You were out for a minute," Kim said worriedly."Yes, what were you saying?" Isabella seems dazed"Did Charlotte say something? Did she threaten you?" Kim inquired knowing what Charlotte was capable of."No, I am not worried about her. Let's stop talking about that, what's going on in the company?" Isabella changed the topic."Are you sure you don't want to quit this?" Kim said worriedly. "We are holding a meeting on Friday, you have to be in attendance.""I will be there," She agreed."It won't be here, it is at the sock branch in New Jersey," Kim said."Book an early flight.""Alright, see you soon," Kim giggled."Sounds like you miss me," Isabella muttered
Chapter ThirteenCOUPLES GAMEThree more couples were waiting at a spot while Isabella and David made the fourth, they were given a chair to sit with the others."Why did you lie that we are a couple?" David asked.Isabella was surprised at how persistent he was but she covered it with a smile,"It is our lucky day and you want to ruin it by telling them we are not a couple? It does not harm so just calm down.""They would have appreciated the honesty, we are not going through this. Let's get out of here," he grabbed her wrist getting up."No," she disagreed, she was not going to do this but he was pushing her. "You have a whole gallery while I have nothing, I need this so please play the game with me."She gave him a cute face she was sure he could not resist. "Please, David."He didn't say a word as he sat beside her, Isabella mouthed a thank you while he simply nodded.Soon the fifth couple arrived and the game began. "It is nice to have you wonderful couples here, the game will be
Chapter FourteenMEETING CHRIS"Prepare for your dinner? You can just do that at my place," David said and she bit her lips in realization, she must be dumb to come up with such a lame excuse."Yes, yes you are right, I was not thinking," she laughed awkwardly but he joined anyway.Isabella took her lips in as she tried to come up with a new excuse, she probably couldn't be caught it was too early. He does not love her yet, he is going to hate her more if he finds out."Umm--- I feel tired from the game, I want to rest. It will be stressful going from your place to mine." Isabella smiled inwardly at how smart she was, of course, she is smart. She runs a billion-dollar company it would be ruined if she were some idiot."Oh, I didn't know. I will drop you off at your place," David's expression turned sad, he didn't just want her to cook, he wanted to spend time with her and he had no better way of doing that."What about your arm? You still need a massage," Isabella said touching it gen
Chapter Fifteen"Why are you guys staring at me like that?" Isabella chuckled awkwardly as she dropped the bottle, she knew she had said something wrong."You know about that wine, how?c David didn't hide his confusion. Even though he had no idea of the wine, he was curious to know how Isabella came to an awareness of it."I read about it in a magazine--- at my boss-- I told you I worked as a secretary, remember? I read it there," she chuckled trying to ease the awkwardness."Oh," David mouths but he still finds it weird. Why would she memorize such details?"Come, let's have our tour," Chris said taking the lead, Isabella hurried after him wanting to avoid an awkward atmosphere with David."This is the first," he stopped in front of a room, he opened the door. The rook was painted in white."This is where you work," Isabella and David stepped in to check it out, there was a board, a table and chair, a couch, and a fridge."Isn't this too much? We don't need much space to work, I sugg
A second chance, forgiveness and love prevailsTears began to come out of Yvonne's eyes and she began to shake her hand. "Doctor," Isabella called out.The doctor rushed into the room, quickly assessing the situation. He checked Yvonne's vital signs and nodded to Isabella with a reassuring smile. "She's coming around," he said. "You did the right thing by coming here."Isabella exhaled deeply, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. She looked at Yvonne, who was beginning to stir. The doctor signaled for a nurse to assist and then gently asked Isabella to step outside for a moment while they attended to Yvonne.Outside the ward, Isabella leaned against the wall, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. David and Kiera, who had been waiting anxiously, approached her."How is she?" David asked, concern etched on his face."She's waking up," Isabella replied, her voice soft. "I think... I think she'll be okay."David wrapped an arm around Isabella, pulling her close. "You did a brave thing, g
Captured"Yvonne, stop this madness!" Isabella shouted. "This isn’t what Chris would have wanted. Think of your daughter. Think of what you’re teaching her."Yvonne’s resistance wavered, and for a moment, it seemed as though she might relent. But then, with a surge of strength, she threw Isabella off and scrambled to her feet. Before Yvonne could do anything more, a voice rang out from the entrance of the garden."Freeze! Police!"A group of officers stormed into the garden, guns drawn. Yvonne's face fell as she realized her plan had been thwarted. The masked man tried to flee but was quickly apprehended by the officers.Isabella rushed to her daughter, enveloping her in a tight hug. Tears streamed down her face as she held her close, relief washing over her in waves. David, freed by one of the officers, joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them.Yvonne was restrained by the police, her face a mask of defeat and sorrow. She looked at Isabella, a mix of hatred and grief in her
Tension Isabella arrived at the garden. She saw Yvonne there. "Excuse me. You were speaking to me? It felt abrupt all of a sudden," Isabella said, looking at Yvonne, whose back was turned to her. Yvonne slowly turned to face her. "Surprise," she said and laughed. "Thought you got rid of me?" "Yvonne? What are you doing here?" Isabella asked, nervously. "I'm here to surprise you, my dear. You guys succeeded in killing my husband and making me a widow and my daughter, fatherless. Guess, you forgot, an eye for an eye. Look over there," she said, pointing. Isabella followed her finger. She saw David tied up, down the garden. "How did you get my husband? Release my husband now, before I call the police on you.""Don't be stupid, Isabella. Did you think I came without a plan? They are bringing your daughter, now. The deal is, you can only save one person. There will be a timer. If the time runs out, one of them will die. Oh, that's her over there.""How dare you involve my child in th
Yvonne returns. "Just stay safe, Yvonne. And take care of that little girl.""I will," Yvonne promised, hugging her friend before leaving.With the passports in hand, Yvonne booked the next flight out of the country. She used a series of cash transactions to avoid any digital trails. She knew it was only a matter of time before the police caught up with her, and she couldn’t afford any mistakes.On the day of their flight, Yvonne felt a mix of fear and determination. She dressed Emily in simple clothes, making sure they looked as inconspicuous as possible. As they boarded the plane, she couldn’t help but glance around nervously, expecting to see police officers at any moment.But the flight went smoothly. As the plane took off, Yvonne held Emily’s hand, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time in days. They were leaving behind a life of fear and uncertainty, heading towards a future where they could finally be free. Yvonne bursted out in laughter, in a loud evil laugh. Hours lat
Away for a while.Yvonne stepped out of the hospital, while the cool night air hit her like a wave, momentarily shocking her out of her grief. But it was quickly replaced by a seething rage that coursed through her veins. She pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, determined to stay hidden as she walked through the city streets. She needed to think, to plan. She needed to make them pay.Her first stop was to collect their daughter, Emily, from her sister’s house. Emily had been staying there for the past few weeks while Chris was on the run. Yvonne’s sister, Melissa, was supportive but wary of Chris’s lifestyle, and Yvonne knew she’d have to be careful about how much she told her.Melissa answered the door, her face etched with concern. "Yvonne, what’s going on? I heard about Chris on the news. Are you okay?""No, I’m not," Yvonne said, her voice steady but cold. "Chris is dead. The police shot him."Melissa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my God, I’m so sorry.""I
Lurking in the dark. "We have informations of Chris's whereabout. The Police officers are getting ready to invade, Chris's hideout. When we have a leak, we will let you know," Detective Martinez informed Isabella. "Thank you so much," Isabella said. "But, Chris is very cunny. What if he outsmarts the Police and escape, just like Yvonne did?""Well, all we plan is to arrest him and bring him into custody. When we catch him, we will hold him at gunpoint. If he tries to outsmart us, they will release fire at him," Detective Martinez explained. "Oh, alright. All I want is for him to be caught. He is a threat to our lives," Isabella said, eagerly. Detective Martinez nodded, his face serious but understanding. "We will do everything in our power to ensure he is apprehended and no longer a threat."Isabella watched as the detective left her home, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on her shoulders. Chris had been a constant menace, always one step ahead, and his cunning nature
Unexpected They eventually reached David's line and told him everything. He said he was calling the police station, immediately. David suggested they returned to the building before the police officers arrive and rescue, Elvis's mum, Felicia. Isabella and Elvis went back to the building and***“We have to go Felicia. Your son is a strong and good man. At least he did the right thing,” Isabella said. Elvis couldn't escape with us. He was captured by Yvonne's men. But, the police officers had arrived and they were sending messages through their speakers, that the other men should drop their weapons and come out, before the invade the building. Isabella was worried about Elvis, but he had told her to get his family to safety and didn't care if he himself, died. Immediately, a gunshot went off. Isabella and Felicia panicked. “I heard a gunshot. What if it was him they shot?” Felicia asked, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Elvis has been nothing but a good and caring son. He cared
UnitedIsabella and Elvis hurried to the building where Isabella’s child was being held hostage. They arrived at the building. “Give me my child, Isabella said as she opened the door and rushed in.“Who are you? I can’t give you this child. This child has been put under my care by Yvonne.”Elvis got into the room at once. “Mom, please hand over the child to her. It’s her child.”“But this was never the plan,” mom said in awe.“I know mom, but you have to trust me. I want to do the right thing, mum.”“Yvonne will hurt us, if she finds out.”“Think mum. What if it was your child, mum? You are a mother. You should understand her pain,” Elvis said. “Let’s do the right thing. Trust me, I’ll protect you and our family. I won’t allow Yvonne to hurt us. Once we get them to safety. We will leave this state. I already made arrangements. And if anything happens to me, you and our family will still leave the states. Don’t worry mum. We have everything in control.”Isabella held her breath as she
OutsmartedIsabella was able to free herself from the rope they had tied her up with. She waited for the right time to strike at Yvonne. “Don’t try to hurt my child. Don’t forget you have a child.”“Where is that toughness coming from?” Yvonne asked, as she walked close to me. What do you think you can do? Who is going to come for your rescue? No one. You are all alone in this. So stop acting like you got some back up. David won’t even save you. He has a lot on his mind. He doesn’t suspect I kidnapped you and your child. How then, do you think he would find you guys and rescue you? How do you think you’ll find my own child and get revenge? In your weird dreams.” She let out a mocking laugh.“Well, if anything happens to my daughter, I won’t rest till I get my revenge. An eye for an eye.”Yvonne laughed again. “You really have some guts, don’t you?”Isabella gave Elvis a sign, at once.Elvis understood the signal and subtly moved closer to Yvonne, ready to intervene if needed. Isabella