"Isabel, my relationship with Shakira was just for formality." Sebastian explained to Isabel, who stared at him with rapt attention.She was waiting to hear why he would leave such elegant lady, to be with her.She might've either wronged him, or he never loved her to begin with."Either ways, it was as clear as crystal that the lady still wanted him, thus her erratic reaction at the restaurant when she found out about them."Formality you say? I don't understand.""You might be me as terrible person once I tell you this, but I didn't know any better until I met you."Isabel didn't say anything."I never loved Shakira, or any of the women I've been with before you. However, Shakira stayed the longest, because she was promised her something I never promised the others." He continued, his eyes fixated on Isabel.She needed no soothsayer to tell her what the promise was."Marriage."She guessed right."You see, Shakira's father and mine were acquaintance and somewhere along the line, they
Two days later, Isabel's period was over, which she was grateful for, because of Sebastian's over-pampering.After he left for work, she decided to go pick up the boys from school, since she haven't seen them in a while.While the driver was waiting for her, she walked into the school building, and was headed to their class when she heard someone call her."Ms. Hadid." At first, she pretended not to hear the call, because she wasn't interested in talking to anyone.However, the call continued and she could hear the hastened footsteps approaching her.The second she felt the cold hands on her shoulder, she pretended to be startled, turning to the owner of the voice who she recognized immediately.Damien or whatever he'd introduced himself as."Good day, Ms. Hadid." He greeted her with a smile, "Longest time."She faked a smile as she greeted him, pretending to not be impatient to leave."We did not exchange numbers the last time, so I couldn't make any contact with you.""Yeah...too b
According to Principal Anderson, Oliver got into a fight with Rafael McCallister during lectures, and the latter sustained a cut on the lip that required suturing."Currently, Master McCallister is currently in the school clinic receiving treatment." The woman told Damien, then turned to Isabel,"Ms. Campbell, fighting is a serious offense according to the school's policy. I have no other option but to suspend both the boys, for a week.""But, Oliver was defending his brother who was being bullied by the other kid. Isn't bullying a serious offense here too?""Ms. Campbell, I know you think the punishment is unfair, but it is the school policy. Mr. Bernadotte is familiar with our school policy, as much as Mr. Giddorti is."The woman turned to Damien who haven't said anything else since he asked the whereabouts of his nephew.He was more concerned by the fact that Isabel was the mother to Sebastian's sons than he was at the situation at hand.After Sebastian introduced his twin sons to t
A few weeks later, Sebastian received the invitation to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Forum, which was an award winning event he was familiar with.Over the last decade, he has bagged the award for enterprenuer of the year for seven consecutive years, with ten nominations.Damien Giddorti who was his sworn rival has always lingered on second position, which was another reason the man despised him, aside from the longstanding rivalry between their family.Usually, he attended the event with Shakira as his plus one and it has been so since they began dating.However, with Isabel now in the picture, the change was automatic.She was his date for the event, he didn't tell her about the event until it was a few days away."Sebastian, I don't think it's a good idea that I should accompany you to a public event." Isabel tried to decline his generous offer, but he wouldn't let her.They were in his bedroom, preparing for bed, when he brought up the topic of the event."Why?"He didn't see
"Tell me, Isabel. Do you really love him?" Austin asked her,"Austin, this isn't why I called, and I'd rather not talk about my relationship with Sebastian, with you." She tried to explain to him,"But, I need to know if I stand any chance to be in your life in the future. I need to know.""Austin, it is more complicated than yout think....""You love him?""Yes, Austin. I love him!" She blurted in exasperation,"I love Sebastian, and the chance of you and I being together ever, is almost nonexistent. That is not because I do not like you, but because I do not love you in the way you are assuming." She explained to him,"I'd rather we remain friends, because I'm not the woman for you. I'm not the one for you.""But, I love you, Isabel." He argued, heartbroken,"I've loved you for a very long time. Why can't you give me a chance like you gave him? He wasn't there for you and Reynolds until recently, and I bet he's only going all this because of Reynolds." Isabel sighed somberly,"You k
Sebastian pushed open the door, a smile on his face as he expected to see Isabel. But instead, he was met with a scene that made his heart skip a beat.Valentina's hand was raised, her palm inches from Isabel's face. Isabel's face showed no sign of surprise, nor was she afraid, but the scene was wrong. Absolutely wrong.No one touches his woman. No one at all."How dare you?!" He thundered, and both ladies spun to his direction.The air became thick with tension, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. He strode across the room, his long legs eating up the distance."Valentina, what the...?" he began, his voice low and menacing."Mr. Bernadotte, where did you bring this lady from?"Sebastian's eyes flicked to Isabel, who looked shaken but unharmed. He took a step closer to Valentina, his eyes blazing with anger. "You're going to regret laying a hand on her," he growled, his voice low and deadly."Who told you that you can disresp
That evening, Isabel was in the kitchen, preparing dinner with Brittany, when Sebastian returned home.She heard the boys greeting him in the living room, then she overheard him asking them where she was."Mommy's with Brittany in the kitchen."Seconds later, she could feel his presence in the kitchen, his delicious cologne dominating the atmosphere."Isabel." He called her, but she ignored him, asking Brittany to check the chicken in the oven."Brittany, excuse us for a moment.""Brittany, can you do what I asked you to do, or should I come do it myself?" Her tone was icy as she spoke.Brittany was torn between doing what she asked her to, or leaving the kitchen like her boss has commanded her to.She didn't want to disobey Isabel, because unlike the man's ex, she was kind and humble, however, she owed her loyalty to the man, because he was her employer."Are you still here, Brittany? I asked you to leave, didn't I?"The poor lady turned to Isabel with a remorseful look,"I'm sorry,
"What I am about to show you two, should remain a secret between us. Do you promise that?" Reynolds pointed out to her when they arrived at the door of his bedroom."I will have to arrange for an NDA later, which the both of you have to sign, but until then, this little secret of mine remains between us no matter what happens."Alexander and Oliver spared each other a glance, before nodding. Although they weren't taking his words seriously, they nodded."I mean it, brothers. No one knows this side of my life, and I'm only letting you two in because you are my brothers.""We promise we are not going to tell anybody anything." Alexander assured him, hiding his amusement."Okay."Reynolds opened the door, leading both his brothers inside."Wait here." He told them, and they stopped near the bed, while he went into his closet, closing the door behind him."What do you think his big secret?" Alexander asked Oliver, after he was gone."His piggybank, what else do you think he has?" Oliver sc
Several days past, and Isabel was still struggling to get used to living without her son. There were some mornings she rose very early, fretting about what breakfast to make him, only to be reminded of his absence, by the cold silence coming from his bedroom.One afternoon, she left the cafe and drove down to his former school, only to remember that he was no longer schooling there, when she was almost at the schoolThat day, she cried.She cried so hard, she began to feel lightheaded and nauseous, yet the tears wouldn't stop falling.Her whole body was quivering as if someone had ran her an ice bath on a snowy day, sobs and sniffles escaping from her trembling lips.Isabel had never felt so frazzled like she did that day.After crying herself to stupor for over an hour, she managed to calm her frayed nerves and she drove herself home.She'd wanted to call Austin or one of her employees to come drive her home, but she didn't want them to meet her in that condition, and certainly didn
Several days past, and Isabel was still struggling to get used to living without her son. There were some mornings she rose very early, fretting about what breakfast to make him, only to be reminded of his absence, by the cold silence coming from his bedroom.One afternoon, she left the cafe and drove down to his former school, only to remember that he was no longer schooling there, when she was almost at the schoolThat day, she cried.She cried so hard, she began to feel lightheaded and nauseous, yet the tears wouldn't stop falling.Her whole body was quivering as if someone had ran her an ice bath on a snowy day, sobs and sniffles escaping from her trembling lips.Isabel had never felt so frazzled like she did that day.After crying herself to stupor for over an hour, she managed to calm her frayed nerves and she drove herself home.She'd wanted to call Austin or one of her employees to come drive her home, but she didn't want them to meet her in that condition, and certainly didn
Despite Austin's subtle objection, Isabel accepted the package sent from the delivery guy, and she carried it into the house, but did not open it.She dropped it on the dining table and left without sparing it a second glance."I don't understand why you won't let me deal with the bastard." Austin was still fuming,"He needs to be taught a lesson, after everything he has done.""Austin, I don't want you to get involved in a rivalry with Sebastian. It is not worth it." She advised him,"Sebastian is the worst person you'd want to get into a feud with, and I wouldn't want you to get hurt because of me.""I am not scared of him, Isabel and you shouldn't be. That bastard wronged you, and he took your son away from him, I don't see why you should be afraid of him." He admonished her,"You've to fight for yourself and for Reynolds. You've got to fight to get your son back. Stand up to that bully.""I can't!" She screamed at him, her voice raised to a crescendo,"Don't you understand tha
Sebastian stood in the hallway, his eyes fixed on the closed bedroom door, Reynolds was knocking against, his mind reeling with regret and guilt. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.He thought about the look on Isabel's face, the shock, the anger, the hurt. He knew he'd broken her trust, shattered the foundation of their relationship. He couldn't blame her that she hated him, and if she chose to leave him, he deserved worst.Reynolds stopped knocking and turned to him,"Daddy, she won't open the door." The boy inveighed,"What did you do to her?"His eyes dropped to the floor, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his guilt. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret, unable to keep his head above water.He wished he could bring himself to tell his sons the truth, but they would hate him even more than Isabel does now. They would despise him, knowing he was the cause of their mother's loss and misery.And once his whole family
Before Sebastian could say anything else, she ended the call, clenching her fist tightly.Isabel was having the strong urge to haul her phone against the wall, but she restrained herself, knowing the damage it will cause the phone, which was purchased barely three days ago.She burst out of her closet, slamming the door behind her. She strode across her bedroom, her feet pounding the floor in frustration. She felt like she was going to explode, her emotions boiling over like a pot left unattended on the stove.She flung open her bedroom door and stormed out into the hallway, not sure where she was going, but knowing she needed to get out of there. In fact, she didn't want to see Sebastian even if he teleported himself home right that moment.That was how mad she was at him.She paced down the hall, her hands clenched into fists, her mind racing with thoughts and feelings she couldn't process.She was livid, but the rest emotions she couldn't process accurately.How dare that bit
Later that day, Isabel was on the phone with her employees from the cafeteria, when a knock came on the door."Excuse me, Sarah." She told the girl, then told whoever it was at the door to come inside.The door opened to she was surprised to see the Oliver and Alexander march into the bedroom, glum look on their faces."Sarah, can we have this conversation later? I need to attend to something very important.""Okay, ma'am. I will forwards the inventories to you now.""Thanks, dear. Send my regards to everyone.""I will, and my regards to Reynolds and your father. He should get well soon."Isabel muttered an inaudibly reply to the lady, before ending the call, then she moved her attention to the boys who were approaching her.Her first concern was their unhappy faces, which she pointed out immediately."Why the unhappy faces, boys? Did anything happen? And where is your younger brother?"Oliver was first to speak up,"Reynolds is in the bedroom, trying to solve some mathematical equati
The day of the hearing finally came and Sebastian was ready.He'd Miranda, his secretary postpone every appointment he'd during the time of the hearing. He was determined to be there, since the man's sentence also meant justifying Isabel and all the women he'd sexually assaulted.Surprisingly, the courtroom was almost filled, and there were plenty of reporters scattered everywhere.Being one of the hotshots in the city, with lots of recognition, everyone was hungry for firsthand information about the judge's verdict on Damien Giddorti's case, since he'd pled not-guilty to the charges against him.Wearing a turquoise shirt which was nicely tucked into a pair of gray golf pants, and a black sunshade to cover his eyes, Sebastian blended into the croud, taking a seat on the fourth to last row. He didn't want to be recognized by the press, and have them shove their microphones and cameras in his face, asking him questions he'd no intentions of answering.With his choice of dressing, he was
Two days later, Shakira was still on the run. Sebastian had his men scattered all over the city, in search for her, but they was no sign of her. Even when he tried to use her father to bait her, yet she did not show up."How disappointing that your only daughter would rather have you suffering, than turn herself in." He spat disappointedly, looking at the man and his wife."Chester, you should be shameful of the kind of child you've raised. One who'd rather watch you die, than take responsibility for her doings."The man did not say anything, neither did his wife.Of course, they were disappointed that their daughter, whom they've raised properly would be capable of kidnapping a child and hiding the child under the roof, making them look like accomplice to the crime.Who wouldn't?Chester knew that had the girl not been his only child, he would've allowed her bear the brunt of her actions, without any hesitation. However, those admonitions were reserved for later. Now, he was proud
Isabel couldn't catch any wink of sleep that night, as she kept thinking about Madam Magdalene's words of advice.The words were stuck in her head, replaying like they were taped to her memory. No matter how much she tried to shut the voice, the continued to play relentlessly.Of course, she love Sebastian and it was undeniable that he loves her too. Maybe, a lot more than she loves him. However, she loves her sons more. She loves them more than anything in the world, and wouldn't trade them for anything.She could survive anything, but not something happening to any of them.Reynolds's disappearance nearly drove her insaneAfter much tossing and turning, she pulled her weight up from the bed, and picked u her phone which she'd left to charge, on the nightstand.She unplugged it, then dialed Sebastian's number, hoping he would pick up.Fortunately, he did after the second ring."You're still awake, Isabel?" He asked her, his low voice filled with concern,"How are you still awake by t