All Chapters of TEMPTING THE LONER: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

- ISOBEL - I was glad Nina interrupted when she did because I was loosing my shit. I don't think I had any of it in the first place although I did my best to hold myself together. Nina still holds my arm and pulls me out of the hall. "Cain called." She blurt out. My body halts. I can feel my fear amidst the paralysis. "He wanted to know where you were." Nina continues. My throat feels dry. "What'd you say?" "With me. We went somewhere together and you'll be staying with me for the night." I sigh with relief. Nina is the only one who can stand up to him that he actually listens to and sometimes, I worry that she'll cut his last thread. I hope that day never happens. "I'd love that to be three weeks instead." I say to her. That can't happen and I know that. Three weeks will help me get over the sting on my back and have a sound mind. I want to say that out but didn't. Not today. "I'll switch off my phone. You should too. Cain is silly enough to track us." That'

- ISOBEL - Have you ever felt stuck? Trapped in your life and the only escape you have from reality are the thoughts in your head? That's where I am right now and the only thing I have going are the slutty thoughts running through my head. There are some benefits to being alone in one's room at night. My mind replays the scene of my night six months ago, only this time, it has someone else's face in my mind. A very familiar face. Cameron's. I gasp, leaning my head to the side as the audio plays in my ears. My vibrator is doing its work down there. "Good girl." The deep masculine voice from the audio plays and I'm suddenly reminded by that one line. 'You're such a good girl.' I bite my lower lip. This activity is aiding me to forget everything else and it's working perfectly. My mind is not thinking about Nina, nor what we talked about last night nor is it worried about Cain. Or is it? The fact that I'm able to remember their names proves that I haven't fully f

- ISOBEL - I sigh, scrolling through Instagram. I double tap my screen, liking the reel then scroll again. I'm jobless so I don't have anything to do all day. Maybe I should look for a job. I look across the living room. The family photo on the television stand irks me. It's one of me, mom, step dad and that asshole of a brother. The main reason I left my job in the first place was because of him. I won't let that happen again if I do intend to get a job and actually get one. I sigh, dropping my phone on my thigh. I'm bored. I've done literally everything to keep me unbored but I've literally bored myself out of each and every one of them. Netflix? Done that. Prime? Same. Tiktok? Ditto. YouTube? How do I say 'same thing' in french? Because I can't stress this enough. I am bored out of my wits. I lean my head backwards against the sofa and groan. I need anything at this point to save me from boredom. Anything aside from sleep, I didn't get much sleep all morning but I don't

- ISOBEL - It's noon. I'm waiting for Nina to come and pick us up. James and I went to an arcade. He did loosen up more and I anticipate doing this a second time. Just with a charge of course. Whatever I spent today wasn't for free. Nina will refund every buck to me. That's my way of punishing her. Although, with her promotion, she wouldn't even mind doing that. I check my watch. Nina said she'll be here over five minutes ago. James and I are standing outside a sushi restaurant. That's where Nina agreed to pick us up. I think I'll use this chance to talk to her and get back to the café. I'm a hungry adult and the snack I crave goes there. The waitress said he's usually away at this time but I shall try my luck. A honk deafens my ears and I tighten my grip on James' hand. I've been holding onto him like a mother hen. I have been in a situation where a child under my care has gone missing before and it was not funny. I called a search party of course but the mother of that

- CAMERON - My alarm clock rings, waking me up. I groan, keeping my head pressed down my pillow as I stretch my arm out, reaching my bed table, to turn it off. It has been a long few days. Taking The Lawyer’s advice to have a few weeks off to clear my head is doing me good. I’m processing a lot of things. Plus, I’m finally coming to terms with father’s death. Those documents proved to be more for my healing than I expected. I’m glad he passed them on. I sigh, turning around so my body faces the ceiling. My room is dark. Every window is sealed shut by the curtains and the lights are off. I know it’s morning but I prefer to keep it this way. The grey painting of my room along with the grey sheets, tiles, bed stand, and every furniture aids with this darkness, giving my room a warm feeling. I discarded every worker at my home to enjoy my alone time to the fullest and I’ve got to admit, keeping myself busy with chores definitely aids to heal my mind. During these past few days, I