Watching Isabel stepped into the black tinted-window car, Jasmine and Nadia were stunned into silence.Neither of them could believe their eyes.Without saying anything to them, Zachary closed the door after Isabel went in, and he went around, getting into the driver's side.Right in front of them, the car drove off, and a few blocks away from their house, another similar car followed in tow.Barely recovering from the shock, Jasmine turned to her stunned mother, and she asked,"What just happened?"The woman didn't say anything. Instead, she was staring at the moving cars, until they took a turn and disappeared from her sight.Only then did she recover from the shock."Mother, did you just witness that?""I did, Jas, and I'm short of words on what to say. I cannot believe Isabel is living such luxurious life." Nadia told her daughter,"I cannot believe that after everything, that wretched orphan girl is living a better life than us." She seethed enviously,"Mom, did you see that
Ten minutes earlier.Shakira was leaving Elevé and Lumière with a couple of her friends, when she spotted the familiar figure standing next to the restaurant's manager.At first, she did not believe it was him.The Sebastian she knew wouldn't drive all the way to Upper Manhattan for lunch during work hours, when he could go to the Aurélien's Place, which was his favorite place to eat out.They haven't spoken in almost three weeks, and since then, she haven't called him.It was until when she heard about the tragedy did she try to reach him. She visited the mansion twice, but wasn't allowed in, because of some orders from above.Then, a couple of days later, he released a press statement that he was alive and well. She tried to reach him again, yet no avail.She suspected that he was still mad at her for her erratic behavior in the office the last time they met.And she was angry at him too, for allowing his security lay their filthy fingers on her, so was waiting for him to come make t
Isabel begrudgingly continued the lunch date Sebastian, after he threatened to have sex with her in the diner, with the door unlocked."Act defiantly one more time, and I'll put you in your place. I don't mind fucking you right here and right now."From the look in his eyes, it was clear to her that it wasn't an empty threat.He would shamelessly actualize his threat, not minding who walks in on them and who doesn't. She would've taken the chances had they been home, not a private diner in a public restaurant.Isabel didn't argue with him any further, however, she barely touched her meal, despite being hungry.He tried everything to explain to her that there was nothing going on between Shakira and him currently, because their relationship was in the past but he was met with stone-cold silence."I mean it, Isabel, Shakira was my ex, and I wouldn't mess up what we have together, because of her....""Sebastian, I want to go home already. You insisted that we should have lunch and we have
Late that night, Isabel was asleep in Sebastian's arms. They had made love twice, during which he worhipped her body like she was a goddess, and he made her feel like a woman.He sang it like a mantra to her ears how much he loves and adore her, and that he want to be with her, not anyone else.She believed him.Not because she knew he was telling the truth, but because she loved him. It was because she wanted his confessions to be the truth.A while after their intense lovemaking, she dozed into slumberland, only to be woken up by a mild uneasiness around her lower abdomen minutes later.At first, she thought it was her body still relishing the intensity of their earlier lovemaking, but the pain become a little severe after a few seconds.She chucked in the pain, hoping it would subside with time.But it didn't, which led her to one conclusion.Her period.Sebastian noticed her discomfort, when he noticed the change in the pattern of her breathing.He noticed her tossing and turning
Nothing Isabel said could deter Sebastian from dragging her to the hospital. Once they arrived at the hospital, he did not wait for Zachary to come open the door for them.He was too impatient to wait another second, even when she kept reassuring him that she was fine."Sebastian, this is unnecessary." She begged him, refusing to step out from the car."Let's go back home.""Never." He insisted,"Period or not, you are seeing doctor and that's it. If the doctors say you are fine, then we'll go back home."Nothing she said made him change his mind.He even threatened to drag her out of the car, which was the last straw.Having no option, she stepped out of the car, begrudgingly following him inside the building.Luckily it was empty, except the two nurses behind the reception desk.Sebastian led her to the nurses, who greeted them courteously.Then, one of them asked Isabel what the problem was."I'm sorry, but---""My fiancée is bleeeding and she's in pains too." Sebastian told the old
"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
Isabel was discharged from the hospital later that day, and was driven home by Austin.The drive from the hospital which was in Seattle, to Colby took about an hour, which to Isabel, it was the longest one hour of her life, and was plagued with different thoughts.The car glided smoothly along the deserted highway, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine and the occasional tick of the turn signal. Austin's eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his expression neutral, while Isabel sat beside him, her face a mask of turmoil.Her eyes stared blankly out the window, her mind reeling with the news they had received from the doctor.The doctor's words echoed in her mind like a cruel joke.How come? When? Why?Isabel was confused, wishing this would all be a nightmare that she can be woken up from. She didn't want to believe the news, but the doctor had showed her evidence. It was indeed true.But, why is this happening to her?She was careful and took her pills religiously, except
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