"Thanks," she mumbled when he stopped at her home."Do you want me to pick you up later?" He asked as she got down."No," she refused immediately, "I will prefer it if boss knows nothing.""Okay," He agreed at once. He was too agreeable, she thought with displeasure, he was the kind that girls used and dumped... like she was currently doing."When I first saw you, I thought you worked as a stripper," he spoke.She raised a brow, "and?""Nothing. Get your questions ready and whatever else you want. Tonight is another reading session."She shook her head, rolled her eyes, and walked into her home. There were a lot of things she benefited from, she'd just hold on to him for a little while then cut him off when she no longer needed him.Preparing dinner and cleaning up after her dad went easier than normal. It was like she was in a bubble, a bubble of her thoughts, a bubble that couldn't easily pop. The events of the day played over and over again in her head and she found herself smiling
Ezekiel's eyes darted to the door. The knock sounded again. He swiftly pulled off his shirt."Stay hidden," he whispered to Isabel then went to answer the door."Yes?" He called out."Room 32, your condoms are available," a female voice announced cheerily from behind."This is room 26, we don't need condoms," he replied, his tension easing."Oh," there was a pause, "oh my goodness, that's true. So sorry, please carry on and don't mind my disturbance. Such a foolish mistake."He waited until the sound of footsteps had disappeared before he turned back to Isabel who was by the bathroom door where she couldn't be viewed from the doorway."Sorry," he apologized, "it was a mistake. Someone ordered condoms."She nodded and returned to her place on the floor with her stationeries this time."We can begin," she spoke.She was suddenly withdrawn and as he taught, she got distracted time and time again.He sighed when she failed a simple question for the fourth time."You know you can tell me w
"She..."Isabel took quick steps to him and kissed him hard."See," she breathed out with an evil smirk when she came up for air, "I kissed you. You are now a cheat. Do you still think you can save yourself?"Ezekiel's eyes were wide. She reminded him of Irene, of the fire she caused in him, the fire that made him lose control of himself. He swore he'd never do such again."And I bet you'll kiss me back this time," Isabel whispered and slammed her lips to his. He did kiss her back. She smirked, her excitement increasing. Catch him when he is unaware, one of the tips said, when he was high and didn't know what he was doing. She ripped his shirt off and began to unbuckle his belt."Stop," he broke off, stumbling back. He panted, his wide eyes looking from his bare chest to his loose belt, "stop, please. We can't do this.""Yes, we have to," she said firmly and came at him again. He held her back."Stop."She softened, seeing his confused wild state. "Please," she begged, growing limp i
It was past 9 am. Ezekiel waited at the cafe, his coffee untouched. Where was she? Was she mad at him for not helping her out? Did she read his note? Was she still asleep? Did she...He groaned, running a hand through his already roughened hair. He tapped his fingers continuously against the table.Past 10 am, he got up and drove to her home. He hesitated as he made to ring the bell. Wasn't he overreacting? Perhaps, she was angry and didn't feel like seeing him. He turned around, gritted his teeth, whirled back around, and rang the bell. Since he was already here, he might as well see her. He rang it three more times before someone answered. A man, that looked too much like her."Morning, son. How can I help you?" The friendly-looking man asked."Isabel. Isabel Romero. I'm here to see her," he answered quickly.The man smiled, "that's my daughter. She isn't home yet. She works the night shift at some place and normally, she would be back by now but she isn't.""Oh." Was she still at t
Ezekiel waited in the hospital's waiting room tensely. He couldn't even grasp what exactly he was feeling. He knew, of course, he knew that it was going to happen soon. Perhaps he didn't envision rape but... didn't she willingly visit the client, how did rape come about? He ran a hand over his face. Perhaps he should have given in the previous night. If he had, perhaps... He shook his head, it wouldn't have changed anything.Someone tapped him on the shoulder. Anna."We ran a few tests to check for STDs and infections and thankfully, we found none. It is too early to detect if she is pregnant. She is awake, you can go see her.""Thank you," he nodded at the doctor then rushed off to Isabel's room.She was up on the bed in a sitting position. Her eyes were fixed on the door so their eyes met once he entered."Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked carefully, moving closer to her. She turned away from him."Isabel...""I want to be alone." Her voice was rough and unfriendly.His shoulders
Max was waiting when they stepped into the house."Are you good?" He asked at once, worry etched on his face.She blinked, "yeah, I am. How have you been?""I managed. Your friend here helped me out," he answered, "you look tired. Go into your room and sleep more."She nodded, not used to the long conversation."I'll get going now," Ezekiel spoke, looking between the both of them then he said to her, "give me a call when you wake, okay?""Okay." She nodded, melting at the concern in his eyes.She watched him leave."Are you both in a relationship?"She turned back to her father, "no.""I want to know what happened," Max demanded, his face and tone now serious, "and I want to know who dared to rape you.""Can we talk about it after I wake?"He stared at her, "okay. After you wake," he replied sternly.She nodded and ventured into her room. She sank into her bed with a sigh. She didn't like it, she didn't like any of it at all. She rubbed the back of her neck. His laughter, his smile, h
Ezekiel walked through the doors of the bar where Isabel worked. His mood was much different from the other times he visited and it was all because of a certain brown-haired lady. He found her, waiting tables.He ran a hand through his hair. After what she had gone through, wasn't she supposed to be rid of them once and for all? Women were frustrating. Aurora, Irene, Isabel; they were all frustrating.*Isabel felt eyes boring holes in the back of her head. She forced a smile at the middle-aged man she was serving."Enjoy," she drawled the usual way with the customary wink afterward then picked up her tray and turned away. Her eyes went instantly to the hidden corner where she had first met Ezekiel. Her heart skipped a beat. Of course, he was the one. She rolled her eyes and returned to the bar.She ignored him completely throughout her shift and when she put on her clothes and went out through the other doorway, he was surprisingly waiting at the other end."Are you stalking me again
One week later, Ezekiel walked out of professor Clifford's office feeling burdened. Professor Clifford was complaining about Isabel's performance in classes and even in the impromptu test he had given that day. She was failing. He rubbed a hand across his neck. He stayed away from her since the night they cooked dinner together but thoughts of her plagued his mind throughout. She didn't visit the cafe again but he did see her sometimes, mostly in glimpses. It was Friday. Perhaps he could visit the bar to see her or he could continue staying away from her but she needed his help. She wouldn't admit it but she did and he sincerely wanted to help her. Isabel... why did she like making things difficult for herself? He waited in the cafe but as usual, she didn't show up. He busied himself with getting some work done but he could barely concentrate. He liked her, he finally admitted to himself, he really liked her. He ventured to the bar in the evening and as he hoped,