IZZY'S POV,
“Are you sure about this?” my brother asked when I told him and my mom about my plans to meet Tyler. “I don't think it's a good idea, the asshole doesn't even deserve to see your face. You shouldn't meet him after everything he did to you.”“Ant please!” I groaned, shoving my mouth with the pancakes my mom freshly made for me. After the horror that morning was, I decided to have my breakfast with them. Mom was more than thrilled when she heard that and was in the kitchen, preparing fruit salad for Ant. “I don't need this right now, so leave it.”
I looked across the dining room, in the foyer, so that I don't have to look him in the eyes. It was partially because I knew he was right about me seeing Tyler being a mistake, and partially because I was afraid that he might suggest coming with me. And knowing my brother, I was sure things would get out of control if he was there.
So, I was hoping for that thought to never cross his head.
“Why do you want to meet him again?” Mom asked, walking out of the kitchen with Ant’s salad and my coffee. “That boy doesn't deserve any more of your time.”
“Mom, don't…” I stopped myself and tried to think of a better response than that. It might have been enough for Ant, but not for a worrying mother. “I just have to clear up a few things, and I need closure. I don't think I can move on with my life if I don't get one from him.”
Mom sighed, she almost looked like she was going to say something, but at the very last moment she stopped herself. While I was happy to know she wasn't going to argue with me about it, I wanted to know what she had to say. Somewhere deep inside, I was looking for reasons to not go, especially after sleeping with his dad.
“I think you're being an idiot, and you're going to regret meeting him,” Ant added with a mouthful of green leaves. “Nothing good comes out of meeting your ex, and yes I'm talking from experience.”
“I didn't ask,” I rolled my eyes and stood up from the table, taking my plate in one hand and the coffee mug in the other, to the kitchen where my mom was loading the dishwasher.
“Tell me truthfully,” Mom started when I handed her the plate. “Is it that important to meet him? And do you even want to meet him, after everything?”
“I don't want to, but I have to,” I sat on the floor, leaning against the kitchen island as memories of him flooded my head. There were so many things I wished I could have changed, but it was too late. “I need to know the reason. I need to know where I failed. Why my love wasn't enough for him?”
As I said that, tears filled my eyes.
I wasn't in the kitchen anymore, I was back in Greece, on the white sandy beach. The setting sun had coloured both the sky and the sea pink. I could see Tyler on his knees with a small white box in his hand—our families standing at a distance with tears filled in their eyes—as he asked the question I was waiting for him to ask for years.
‘Will you make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me?’ His words echoed in my ears, the promises he made, the future we planned together, all of it was just a distant memory now.
“You didn't fail him, love.” My mom sat down next to me, holding my hand. “You loved him. He is the one who cheated, it's on him. Only him. Always remember that. It was never your fault, it was always his fault.”
I nodded and after putting the coffee mug on the floor, I leaned into her arms. She held me tightly, wrapping her hands around me while whispering words of encouragement in my ears. She told me how much she loved me and that I will fimd someone better. I cried some more, letting out everything I was holding inside for a long time.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Ant asked from behind. “I can drive you there and watch from a distance. You wouldn't even notice me.”
I didn't know he was in the kitchen and felt a little embarrassed knowing he saw me crying over a guy, because when he broke up with his girlfriend of four years, I teased him about crying over a girl.
“No, I don't trust you with him.” I wiped my tears and pushed myself to stand up. “You being there might escalate things, and I don't want that today. I only want some answers from him.”
He snorted, “Yeah, it's too late for that.”
I turned to look at him with my eyes narrowed at him. I didn't like the sound of it, but at the same time I wasn't sure what he meant by it.
“Anthony! What did you do?” Mom asked before I could say anything. “Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid…”
My eyes widened when I realised what she meant, and the sheepish smile he put on only added to my fear. Though I was a little proud knowing that he went after Tyler for cheating on me, I couldn't help but think if Tyler asked me to meet him to discuss whatever happened with Ant.
“Ant, you didn't.”
“Guilty!” He raised his hand in fake surrender and that angered our mom even more.
“Anthony! Are you mad? What if he goes to the cops? Have you lost your mind?” She screamed, hitting him while he tried to hug her and tell her that Tyler's ego wouldn't allow him to go to the cops.
“You don't know that,” I said, checking the time on my phone. “Anyway, I have to go. I am meeting some of my friends before. And I swear Ant, if he says he is going to press charges against you, I'm not stopping him.”
“Take care baby,” Mom kissed me on the forehead and walked me to the main door. “And don't blame yourself for what he did. He is the one in the wrong. Don't let him gaslight you into thinking any of it was your fault.”
I laughed, “Gaslight? Where did you hear that word?”
“Love Island.” She answered with a proud smile, and that made me laugh even more. “Okay, you can leave now. Go!”
“Bye mom, love you,” I said one last time before walking to my car.
“All the best,” Ant screamed from the porch as I pulled open the car door. “And take some pictures for me. I want to see my work.”
I didn't respond and started the car, taking a deep breath as I drove back to the city, to show my friends that I wasn't depressed because a man left me.
It was only a few hours before I had to be in the restaurant where we had our first date and now it was going to be the place where we ended everything.
IZZY’S POV,After about half an hour's drive from the mall where I had spent the whole day shopping with my gang of crazy girls, I found myself outside the restaurant that held many memories. The place meant so much to me, I wondered if Tyler thought about it at all when he asked me to meet him there.My brother was right, I shouldn't have agreed to meet him, but I needed to know the reason for his betrayal. So, without thinking about it I opened the door and walked inside, with my head held high. I wasn't the one in the wrong after all. A few people paused their conversation and turned to look at me.“Good morning, Miss. Mr. Black is waiting for you, follow me.” The host approached with a bright smile on her face.We frequented the restaurant, so she already knew who I was and took me to the table Tyler had booked for us. However, I soon realized it wasn't our regular table on the balcony; rather, it was at the very back of the restaurant. It was one of the tables generally booked by
IZZY'S POV,I looked at him in horror, even though it was me who had him covered in the red wine.“W-what the hell, Izzy?” he screamed at me, clenching his jaw in anger. He was on his feet, maintaining a good distance from the table, probably because I still had the glass in my hand. He must have remembered my brother and would have thought that crazy was in our blood. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”I stared at him for a good half minute, not saying anything, not feeling anything. Previously when we had our disagreements or fights and I ended up saying something harsh, I would have felt bad for days. But that day I didn't feel anything, even after emptying the glass in his face. Which was probably the harshest thing I had done to him.“What's wrong with me?” I asked, standing up to look him in the eyes when I saw irritation itching in them. “I don't know, maybe it's the fact that my fiance cheated on me a few days before our wedding, asked me to still marry him and suggested that
IZZY'S POV,“Can I help you?”Jasper's secretary asked, almost running out of her desk to get in front of me when she saw me making my way towards his office. She was wearing a knee-length pencil skirt with a pair of matching heels and an off-white blouse that had her cleavage on display for people who didn't even want to look. The shirt was a few sizes too tight, and made me wonder if she could even breathe comfortably.I was being reckless, there was no doubt about that, but the way she said that line to me almost felt offensive. She knew who I was, we had met before on multiple occasions, yet she was acting like she didn't know me. Apart from that, she was the secretary of one of the biggest businessmen in the country, and one would assume she, out of anyone else in the office, should have known how to talk to a guest.“I am here to see Jasper, it's important,” I said, matching her bitchy tone, and in a commanding voice ordered, “So, can you move to the side?”“Huh?” She stepped cl
IZZY’S POV, “You are amazing!” Jasper said before kissing me once again on the lips. “I actually thought I would never get to see you again after this morning.He buckled his belt while making his way towards the couch on the left side of the office. I followed after him, looking around the office instead of looking at him, because I was feeling awkward about the way I threw myself at him. However, the big smile on his lips told me he enjoyed my mouth service.“What happened, Elizabeth?” Jasper asked when he turned to look at me. I shook my head, looking at him for a second before diverting my gaze to somewhere else. “Are you not feeling good? Do you want water or something?”“Uhh? No, it's not that.” I felt even more embarrassed after that. “Then?” He sat down on the couch and gestured for me to come towards him. “Is it about what happened between us just now? Did you not like it? Was I too rough with you?”“No… no!” I sat next to him, placing my hand on his thigh to make sure he k
JASPER'S POV,“The sales are down by seven point two percent this year. We need new plans for our…”Henry was giving reports on our annual sales record to make sure we invite the right people to the Gala. There have been numerous times in the past when the Gala saved our company from huge losses.The sale wasn't doing well that year because several new small businesses were opening right, left, and center. I was well aware of the fact that we needed to move away from our old business practices and find new alternatives that spoke to the current market, and buyers.However, I could hardly think about the sales or whatever they were saying in the meeting. Elizabeth had my head since she left my office the day before. I couldn't figure out what was the right thing for me to do in that situation.I liked her.No, I was in love with her.And I didn't want to lose her, but at the same time bringing her as my date to the Gala meant a great deal. My family and some of the staff knew well abou
IZZY'S POV,“Are you sure about Jasper, Izzy?” Grace asked out of the blue. We were on a call, talking about the latest season of The Bachelor as I drove to my mom's house. She sneaked that question between us discussing our favourite contestants. “As a friend, I should warn you against it.”“Let's not talk about men right now,” I tried to end the conversation because I knew Grace. She was one of those girls who believed in moving on and was against my petty revenge idea. "We will have this conversation when I see you on Sunday, and not over the phone.”“Okay,” she agreed, but I noticed the subtle disappointment when she sighed. “Any idea why your mom called all of a sudden?”“I don't know, but I get the feeling it's something important,” I said, staring at the familiar street. “But, I am not sure what it is about.”“Oh! give me a call after you meet your mother, okay?” I heard noises in the background and realized her sons must be back from school. “I have to go now, the demons are b
IZZY'S POV,“You were in love with me? You aren't now?” Tyler asked, staring at me with teary eyes. “I made a mistake, and I swear I am going to change.”I almost laughed at him because I knew it was all a facade to have me back, but I controlled myself. He wasn't in love with me, he just wanted his inheritance and I was the best tool to help him with that. He had no true feelings for me, and I didn't feel anything for him either.I was done being his puppet, and the last thing I wanted was to have him back in my life.Even though it did hurt me when I caught him because I was in love with him for all those years. But, in the last few days, I realized what needed to be done. I wanted more than what he had to offer. I knew I deserved happiness and love, and as I thought about that I found myself back in the arms of Jasper.‘I have been in love with you since the first day I saw you.’His words echoed in my head, and that brought a smile to my face. I felt his fingers on my skin and the
JASPER'S POV,I always knew Elizabeth was too good for my son.Tyler had her over dinner one night, and I was confused, to say the least. He did mention a few times that he was seeing a girl but we never had any conversation about it. None of his dates lasted for more than a month, so it was surprising to see someone had captured his interest for that long.Elizabeth walked into the house that night with a little awkwardness in her movement. Her hand was wrapped tightly around Tyler’s arm the whole time we talked before the dinner. She was a little shy, and couldn't look me in the eyes for longer than a few seconds. I found that extremely cute and it made me smile a little.She was breathtaking with her big and curious eyes, sharp facial features, full lips, straight nose, and genuine smile. She had an energy about her that filled the whole house with positivity. My cold house felt alive once again when her voice echoed through the halls.“Dad, this is my Izzy.” I still remember the w
IZZY'S POV,“Izzy!” Jasper moaned my name as he reached the climax. “Fuck, you are amazing!”He was out of breath by the time I was done and sat down on a wooden folding chair. I wiped my mouth, taking deep breaths myself. Thankfully, the air was cool and filled with fragrance. The sweet smell of the fruits from the orchards overcame our noses.“Come with me to the terrace,” he said after a while. He stood up and zipped his khakis before extending his hand towards me. “I have one more thing planned for the night.”“What else?!” I asked, even though I knew there was a strong possibility he wouldn't tell me anything. “You're not going to tell me, are you?”“Just come with me upstairs. It would be a thousand times better if you see it yourself instead of hearing it from me.” I trusted his smile for the time and took his hand. He pulled me to my feet, and together, we made our way back inside the castle.He didn't let go of my hands even when we were inside, and I didn't pull away either.
IZZY'S POV,“It happened before?” I asked in shock, even though I already knew the answer judging by the look on his face.“Yeah, but don't worry, it isn't anything serious,” he said, holding my hand affectionately. “Many of the women received similar texts when they were with me. Whoever this person is, they want to scare my dates away. They haven't done anything to harm them, though.”I understood he was trying to calm my nerves about the situation, but his words didn’t have the reassuring effect he intended. I felt even more scared because before, in my head, it was just a random person. Now, Jasper had confirmed that it was likely an ex or someone obsessed with him.Neither of which was good news for me.“Don't worry, love. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise.” He read me like an open book, even when I tried not to reflect what I was feeling on my face. “I will have someone look into it, and soon we'll find out who is behind this.”“Okay,” I gave him a weak, unsure smile
IZZY'S POV,An hour later, the plane landed and I tried not to think about the strange texts.I didn't recognize who it was, so I felt a bit scared and thought about telling Jasper. However, I quickly forgot all about it when I saw a white Rolls-Royce waiting for us on the runway. The chauffeur, an old man with a wrinkled face, opened the door for us, and Jasper motioned for me to step inside first.“Don't just look at me; get inside the car,” he said, knowing very well that I was beyond impressed. His proud smile told me that.The drive was brief, and the moment I stepped out of the car, I could feel the complete difference in the air from the city. It was crisp and sweetly fragrant, laced with something almost magical. Before me, illuminated by the soft golden glow of lanterns and moonlight, stood a real castle.An actual castle.I’d seen places like this in movies and heard about them in books where princesses found their happily-ever-afters. But never in my wildest dreams had I ima
IZZY’S POV,I had no idea where Jasper was taking me, he didn't tell me the exact spot even when I asked him directly.When he told me he was going to pick me up at 7 o'clock, in my head, I was expecting a fancy restaurant or maybe a fine dining experience in one of those places. The five-star restaurants where the waiters wore gloves and the plates cost more than my rent.That was billionaire behavior, right?But what he did was something else entirely, and I could have never even thought about it in my wildest dreams. Tyler had never done anything like that for me, and I was almost in tears when he showed me the surprise he had planned for us.His black town car pulled up to a private airstrip. A goddamn airstrip. I was awestruck and couldn't even blink at the sight of his sleek, white jet waiting for us. Its steps were already lowered like it had been expecting me for hours.I could feel my heart beating like a drum with every step I took forward.“What is this?” I couldn't help but
JASPER'S POV,I always knew Elizabeth was too good for my son.Tyler had her over dinner one night, and I was confused, to say the least. He did mention a few times that he was seeing a girl but we never had any conversation about it. None of his dates lasted for more than a month, so it was surprising to see someone had captured his interest for that long.Elizabeth walked into the house that night with a little awkwardness in her movement. Her hand was wrapped tightly around Tyler’s arm the whole time we talked before the dinner. She was a little shy, and couldn't look me in the eyes for longer than a few seconds. I found that extremely cute and it made me smile a little.She was breathtaking with her big and curious eyes, sharp facial features, full lips, straight nose, and genuine smile. She had an energy about her that filled the whole house with positivity. My cold house felt alive once again when her voice echoed through the halls.“Dad, this is my Izzy.” I still remember the w
IZZY'S POV,“You were in love with me? You aren't now?” Tyler asked, staring at me with teary eyes. “I made a mistake, and I swear I am going to change.”I almost laughed at him because I knew it was all a facade to have me back, but I controlled myself. He wasn't in love with me, he just wanted his inheritance and I was the best tool to help him with that. He had no true feelings for me, and I didn't feel anything for him either.I was done being his puppet, and the last thing I wanted was to have him back in my life.Even though it did hurt me when I caught him because I was in love with him for all those years. But, in the last few days, I realized what needed to be done. I wanted more than what he had to offer. I knew I deserved happiness and love, and as I thought about that I found myself back in the arms of Jasper.‘I have been in love with you since the first day I saw you.’His words echoed in my head, and that brought a smile to my face. I felt his fingers on my skin and the
IZZY'S POV,“Are you sure about Jasper, Izzy?” Grace asked out of the blue. We were on a call, talking about the latest season of The Bachelor as I drove to my mom's house. She sneaked that question between us discussing our favourite contestants. “As a friend, I should warn you against it.”“Let's not talk about men right now,” I tried to end the conversation because I knew Grace. She was one of those girls who believed in moving on and was against my petty revenge idea. "We will have this conversation when I see you on Sunday, and not over the phone.”“Okay,” she agreed, but I noticed the subtle disappointment when she sighed. “Any idea why your mom called all of a sudden?”“I don't know, but I get the feeling it's something important,” I said, staring at the familiar street. “But, I am not sure what it is about.”“Oh! give me a call after you meet your mother, okay?” I heard noises in the background and realized her sons must be back from school. “I have to go now, the demons are b
JASPER'S POV,“The sales are down by seven point two percent this year. We need new plans for our…”Henry was giving reports on our annual sales record to make sure we invite the right people to the Gala. There have been numerous times in the past when the Gala saved our company from huge losses.The sale wasn't doing well that year because several new small businesses were opening right, left, and center. I was well aware of the fact that we needed to move away from our old business practices and find new alternatives that spoke to the current market, and buyers.However, I could hardly think about the sales or whatever they were saying in the meeting. Elizabeth had my head since she left my office the day before. I couldn't figure out what was the right thing for me to do in that situation.I liked her.No, I was in love with her.And I didn't want to lose her, but at the same time bringing her as my date to the Gala meant a great deal. My family and some of the staff knew well abou
IZZY’S POV, “You are amazing!” Jasper said before kissing me once again on the lips. “I actually thought I would never get to see you again after this morning.He buckled his belt while making his way towards the couch on the left side of the office. I followed after him, looking around the office instead of looking at him, because I was feeling awkward about the way I threw myself at him. However, the big smile on his lips told me he enjoyed my mouth service.“What happened, Elizabeth?” Jasper asked when he turned to look at me. I shook my head, looking at him for a second before diverting my gaze to somewhere else. “Are you not feeling good? Do you want water or something?”“Uhh? No, it's not that.” I felt even more embarrassed after that. “Then?” He sat down on the couch and gestured for me to come towards him. “Is it about what happened between us just now? Did you not like it? Was I too rough with you?”“No… no!” I sat next to him, placing my hand on his thigh to make sure he k