It was evening when they landed in New York. Hudson had come to fetch them from the airport. He had arranged for them to stay at an apartment on the floor below theirs. Weston hadn't arrived yet and Isabella had no idea where he would be staying when he would arrive. She dreaded meeting him. Anna Sophia came downstairs to welcome them to New York with a delicious home-cooked dinner.
The food was delicious and they freshened up and started digging in.
"This is very good. Did you make it, Sophia?" Asked her mom. Anna Sophia nodded. She was a very good cook indeed.
They made plans to go and meet her family the next day. Isabella was restless since she just couldn't keep Weston out of her mind. She had no idea how she would face him after the way they had separated.
As Weston reached the neighborhood community park, he whirled a smug Fiona around to face him."Why did you have to lie to Fran? This isn't a date? You know we don't do dates, we only fight," growled Weston furiously. Fiona's smug smile grew wider. She knew why she did it. She never did anything without purpose. She knew Francesca would rub it in that kid's face and her little heart would break again."We can date for a change, Weston, can’t we? " she suggested."Never. You know that I don't love you. You wanted to make out a bit and I was okay with that but you spiked my drinks and took advantage of my intoxicated self a few times at my house. Did you take advantage of me, Fiona? Why did you moan unnecessarily?” he asked furiously but one look at Fiona’s smirking face gave him hi
They reached the apartment finally and searched for Isabella frantically but she wasn't there. "Her luggage is missing, Hudson, " said Anna Sophia, as she searched her room thoroughly. Weston whirled around and ransacked her room. Her luggage, her handbag, everything was missing. He ran around the house checking every washroom, the balcony, the kitchen, the storeroom, and every nook and corner like a maniac. Tears of hopelessness streamed down his eyes. "Isabella, " he yelled brokenly, his voice echoing through the still apartment. His mom sat sobbing in one corner while his dad sat frozen, clutching at his heart. Hudson found a note on the dining table and picked it up with trembling hands.He read it aloud,I'm leaving, bro. Tell mom and dad not to cry for me. I'm indebted to them for everything that they've done for me. I'm sorr
"Thanks a lot, uncle William but I haven't come to live here forever. I just wanted to see my family, that's all. Now that I've met you, I'll return to my country," she told him with a smile. She didn't want to give him the false notion that she was here for the money."How old are you?" Asked her uncle, giving her a thoughtful glance as he opened a drawer and flicked through its contents,"Eighteen, " she informed him."Have you enrolled in a college?" He asked with concern."Yes, I was majoring in English Creative Writing, " she informed him."How will you bear the expenses of your education?" He asked with concern. Isabella looked down at her hands. She had not thought about that yet.
"Maybe she has checked in there? Can we go right now to fetch her?" Asked Weston."No, son. I've already inquired there. She checked out yesterday, early in the morning," informed Mr. Fordham.Weston's shoulders slumped. His dad looked at Mr. Fordham helplessly. "Now what do we do, any idea Mr. Fordham?" He asked, glancing at Weston's depressed expression."What was the girl's name you said, Mr. Gray? Harrington?" Asked the PI."Yes, yes. Isabella Harrington, " said Weston's dad."Well, William Harrington is a renowned lawyer here in the country. His family mansion, The Harrington's is located on Queens Drive. Do you think the girl is related to him? If so we can go there and look for her," suggested the PI.
It was easier to think of ending one's life than actually doing so. Weston unconsciously rode towards Cody's house. It was a childhood habit of his that whenever he was upset, he would land up there and spend a few days with him to feel energized again. However, in his dazed and heartbroken state, he was too absent-minded to notice a speed-breaker on the road and lost control of his speeding motorcycle. Before he could realize what was happening, in a split second, the motorcycle crashed onto a wall nearby and he was flung off with force. The moment he hit the ground the motorcycle fell upon his legs with full force, crushing them. The excruciating pain on his legs made him lose consciousness instantly. All the people passing by gathered around, and someone called for an ambulance.David Gray had just maneuvered his car out of his house when the neighbor's son came riding up to him upon his motorcycl
Isabella smiled at her roommate, Tiffany Martinez. "I don't want to attend any parties, please Tiffy," she protested. Tiffany, a bubbly girl with jet black silky hair and ocean blue eyes, couldn't be controlled. She was like a persistent leech who never gave up."Girl, it's not just any party, it's my birthday bash," she answered, looking hurt. Isabella gave up. There was only one way to stop her and that was to just give in to her wishes."Fine, I'll be there, " she said as Tiffany stood up from her messy bed and started her happy dance."Thanks, girl," she said, kissing her cheek. "Well, Gary's here. I gotta go. Catch up later," she sang, disappearing out of the door. Isabella nodded and sighed, going back to arranging the room. Gary Rodriquez was pursuing his Master's in Business Administration and had been
Three Years Later"Don't they look just like you both used to when you were babies?" Asked an ecstatic Henrietta Gray looking at Hudson's two-week-old twin boys, Carson and Easton."Yeah, Easton looks like me," said Weston, proudly. Hudson grinned."Then you look after him. I'll look after Carson. Sophia can take a break," said Hudson."Sure. I can do anything for Easton. He's mine, bro," said Weston, rocking his little nephew in his arms. His mom and Hudson shared a look as they looked at him tenderly. Life had been so very harsh on him. The last three years had been a major battle for him. It took him a year to get back on his feet and another six months of exhaustive physiotherapy to walk normally again. But he never gave up hope and patience and worked hard
Hudson raced ahead and opened the door to find a grinning Arianna holding a book in her hand triumphantly. "Hey, little one! What's up? Come on in," said Hudson, giving her a hug.Arianna didn't need an invitation. She had given birth to a baby boy three weeks back and today seemed more excited than ever. Seeing her the whole family gathered in the living room."Okay, if I say that I've found Isabella, what will I get in return? " she asked, bursting with excitement."Anything you ask for, Ari," said Weston, sitting down beside her. Arianna looked at all their expectant faces with a grin on her face."Anything, dear," whispered their mom."Well, I came across this book and I found that the storyline re
Five Years Later"Aunt Isa, when will Wesley and Isaac be able to play with us?" Asked a six-year-old, excited Carson. Easton sat watching the ten-month-old twin boys, making a mess of their breakfast.Isabella looked at all the four children with love. "In a few months they'll be able to walk and could play with you two," she told them."But I could walk the moment I was born. I was born an adult," said Easton, his tone, his attitude resembled Weston so much that they always rolled their eyes when he spoke."What rubbish! I had to carry you on my shoulders even when you were two years old. You simply refused to walk!" Said Hudson with an eye roll.Anna Sophia came rushing downstairs. "Are we all ready? I'll go and check up
After that magical experience, both Weston and Isabella felt more relaxed, more complete in each other's company. A sense of satisfaction and belonging developed between them. It led to an amazing, out-of-the-world love-making, finding different ways to please one another.The next morning, Weston took her to The Pacific Marine Mammal Center to see marine life up close. It was a rehabilitation center for seals and sea lions that covered all 42 miles of the Orange County coastline. Isabella could touch the animals recuperating there. Afterwards, they took a self-guided Laguna Beach Walking Tour. It was their last day at Laguna and they wanted to make the best out of it. After lunch, they went to Laguna Canyon Winery for a wine tour, something they had never done before. The evening they spent cozily cuddling on the patio of their cottage watching the ocean, the stars above, and wishing that they could
As he carried her to the bed, Isabella realized that this was the life she had always craved. She was now his, completely his. The love-making this time was more of an exploration, gentler than before. This was what they had been looking forward to since last night. As they lay side by side, gasping for breath, calming their rapidly beating hearts, Isabella couldn't help but feel a tug at her heartstrings when she turned and saw him staring at her.His electric blue eyes looked incredible in the afternoon light filtering through the curtains, his lips pinker from their kisses. They were the most precious treasures to her now just like he was, completely. A surge of love filled her heart and when he rolled to his side to face her, his gaze hooked to her mouth, his fingers tracing their outline, she was lost again."I'm not getting enough of you, Isab
Before she could protest, he backed her up against the door of the en-suite and cupped her face to press his lips to hers in a hungry kiss. His body was pinned hard against hers and Isabella could feel his muscles rippling with every movement. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and parted them expertly, gliding his tongue inside over hers. Isabella's brain was turned into mush in anticipation as she clung to him, kissing him back with equal hunger. Would he make love to her here in the shower cubicle?His mouth left hers for a brief second as he pulled the top over her head, discarding it altogether. His smoldering gaze stared hungrily at her breasts covered only in a black bikini top. Bending her neck back, he sunk his teeth into her creamy neck, leaving his mark over her. His fingers unclasped her bikini top and let it fall to the floor. He raised his hooded, hungry eyes to look at the treasure
After that overwhelming first date, Weston and Isabella kissed and cuddled in each other's arms at night."What did you do the whole day?" He asked her with curiosity.Isabella smiled, her eyes lost in the thoughts of her second story. "I started writing a sequel to Faded Dreams. It would be the story of our dreams coming true, of finding one another again," she whispered. Weston looked at her with disbelief."Really? That's wonderful," he appreciated."And what did you do?" Asked Isabella. Weston smiled at her."Missed you, worked, and then missed you more. I'm bored with this job, I want to do something more challenging, " he confessed."Then go ahe
Weston smiled at her answer, it was what he had always wanted to do. Take baby steps forward in their relationship. He quickly tied his tie around his neck while Isabella watched him do it to perfection."I'll teach you soon and then you'll be the one to do it for me, " he told her, planting a small kiss on her nose. Isabella nodded."Bye, my little girlfriend," he whispered, planting another peck on her mouth."Bye, Weston, " she said with a sigh."I'll be back in the blink of an eye," he promised, giving her a quick hug. Isabella followed him down the stairs at the same time that Hudson was emerging from his room, all ready for work."Took you long enough to tie a tie?" He teased her.
The next morning for the first time Isabella woke up to see Weston's face inches away from hers, watching her intently."Good morning, Isabella, " he whispered in a husky morning voice, dipping his head to kiss her neck. Isabella blushed to see him the first thing in the morning. She had wanted this ever since she had returned home."Good morning, Weston, " she answered, closing her eyes as a tremor ran down her body when his stubble grazed her neck. "Do you have to go to work?" She asked eagerly, not wanting to let him go. Weston chuckled."Yes, baby but I'll return early. Will you go out with me?" He asked her tenderly. The soft endearment blew her mind and she smiled happily."Yes, of course, I will. I thought you'd never ask me out!" She said
Isabella pulled his face closer and latched her lips onto his. Unable to contain himself, Weston immediately took over, his whole body tingling with a flood of heat pooling around his core. Isabella felt burnt by the touch of his heated lips on hers as his arm coiled around her waist while the other tangled into her hair, clasping her tightly to his body.The kiss turned intense, making Isabella throw her arms around his neck, clinging to him, surrendering herself completely. She was his even after all these years and this was exactly what she had always wanted, to belong to him completely. Weston's whole body was overcome with raw sentiments that had suddenly come alive and he slowly backed her against the nearest wall. His mouth was fused with hers all the while as he kissed her with an intense need that took Isabella's breath away in no time. He pressed her body up against the wall and fisti
Weston's sleepy body climbed onto her bed like every night and soon dozed off to a deep, uninterrupted slumber. Isabella knew that he had come into her room at night but she didn't disturb him knowing that he was still in his sleepy state. However, in the wee hours of the morning, she felt his arms scoop her up and place her close to himself."I love you, Isabella, " he mumbled in his sleep, his fingers touching her neck, stroking it as if searching for something. Isabella knew exactly what he was looking for. The pendant. She never took it off so when his fingers found it, he snuggled more into her and slept peacefully with a small smile on his lips. Isabella sighed when he didn't wake up. She wanted him to wake up and face her, she wanted him to kiss her, she wanted to know what was troubling him, she wanted to know why he was avoiding her. She had waited impatiently for him the whole day and whole