9.  RETURN TRIP

 He looked at me for a moment, then hugged me again very tightly, and we separated to position ourselves at the entrance. Could I say no? No, Mom had told me he was in serious trouble, that if I didn't marry Luis, he would go bankrupt. Come on Isabella, it's just three years of sacrifice to save your beloved dad.

 I didn't hear from Luis until the next day; he arrived an hour before the flight departure. After arriving late and angrily storing the hand luggage overhead, slamming the compartment doors and making everyone stare at us, he sat down furiously beside me.

 "Is something wrong?" I asked.

 "Bella, could you do me a favor?" he asked, looking at me annoyed.

 "Yes, just tell me what it is," I said obligingly.

 "Move to economy class!" he almost shouted and added when he saw my questioning look. "I want to sit here with my girl."

 I looked at him bewildered, I couldn't believe he was asking me that! But seeing he wasn't joking, I stood up, grabbed my things, and asked.

 "What seat number?"

 "Seventy-five, window seat," he answered with a big smile.

 I walked through the narrow aisle toward the economy section. Actually, it didn't bother me much. I felt better in this part of the plane, and besides, I wasn't forced to stay by his side for ten unbearable hours. I could see a stunning blonde looking at me mockingly while smiling triumphantly. I didn't care, I assumed she was his current girl.

 I sat down and prepared to read my book, which I had started the day before; it was very interesting. Next to me sat a guy, a few years older than me, who greeted me with a smile. I just slightly nodded my head in response, letting him know I wasn't interested in conversation. I didn't pay much attention to him, burying my head in my reading, and fortunately, he got the message and didn't bother me throughout the flight.

The ten-hour flight passed between reading and sleeping. I didn't see Luis again. He sent me a message saying to make excuses for him to his parents if by chance they were waiting for us at our new house. Luckily, they weren't. After collecting the luggage, which he hadn't bothered to pick up either, I left intending to take a taxi to the new house my grandparents had given me.

 Since Luis had taken our car, leaving me to take a taxi, I had to wait in an enormous line to get one. But just when it was my turn, they all disappeared. I was really exhausted and thought about calling my grandfather to pick me up, but then changed my mind and decided to wait patiently. While I was doing that, a black Audi stopped in front of me, and the window rolled down.

"Hello," the driver called out. I thought he needed directions, so I approached.

"Yes, how can I help you?" I asked politely, barely looking at him.

"I'm heading to Central Park. I know it's on your way, I can give you a ride if you'd like," he offered in a friendly voice.

"Thank you, but don't worry, I'll wait for a taxi," I refused, moving away from the car, wondering who was this person who knew where I was going.

I stood watching the stranger who spoke to me, realizing that indeed, he was the young man who had sat next to me on the plane, nevertheless I asked distrustfully.

"Hey Bella, we've been sitting next to each other for ten hours, and I didn't eat you! I know your grandparents. My parents are friends with them," he said firmly in a familiar tone, which amazed me greatly.

"Excuse me, do we know each other?" I asked incredulously.

"Bella, your father is Santiago Sardino, and he's Mr. Sardino's son. They do business with my parents," he explained, now getting out of the car and coming to meet me with a smile. "Of course we've known each other since we were children, although it seems you've forgotten me. Come on, stop being shy and get in, I won't eat you."

I stood looking at him somewhat indecisively, turned my head looking for a taxi, but not a single one appeared, and I let out all the air with a sigh. I was really tired and wanted to get home to take a good shower and sleep. He perceived my struggle and quickly took the suitcases and my bag from my hands and placed them in the back seat, opened the door inviting me to get in. I looked at him for a moment and said.

"Since you insist, I'll accept your offer." Apparently, he really was a friend of my grandparents, and maybe we did know each other, although his face didn't ring any bells.

 I sat in the passenger seat and glanced at him sideways. He was truly handsome, with very dark eyes that contrasted with his hair. A rebellious strand of hair always fell over his forehead, making him look even more attractive. It was obvious that he took good care of his body, and he constantly smiled while talking non-stop, seeming a bit nervous.

 Before I knew it, we arrived at my new house. I was surprised because I didn't remember giving him the address. Had my grandparents shared it with him? Had my grandfather sent him to look after me during this time? Could he be a bodyguard? Although if he wasn't, he seemed to know me really well, even though I couldn't remember ever seeing him before.

"Thank you very much," I thanked him, without even asking his name. I took out my suitcases without waiting for him to do it, turned my back, and went into my house. I could feel him watching me until the door closed behind me. Should I have maybe invited him in? Or at least found out who he was and how he knew me? I looked out the window, and he was still there, standing on the sidewalk looking at the house. What was he waiting for? My heart was racing for some reason. Who could this guy be?