Isabella felt her heart against her chest. It hurt as it kept trying to jump out. Stopping her steps which had brought her really farther from his room, she begged her heart to stop pounding so much.
But her mind added salt to the wound and replayed the image she earlier saw. He had told his secretary to stay still. Was that how it was?
He helped her out with assurance of marriage when in fact he had his secretary to fuck as he pleased?
But why?
With what she saw, his help from all these days looked so dubious. A lot.
Was that his form of revenge? If it was, it was hurting so much and she never saw herself feeling that way.
But then, could she really complain? He probably felt pained years ago when the woman he loved didn't show up for their wedding ceremony. She guessed it was even.
But still... as her chest pained some more, she clutched her top and let the tears finally flow. She had intended for them to come as small sobs, but, instead, her wail filled the empty corridor.
She didn't realize how shaky her hands were till she brought them up to contain her cries that did not seem like they would be stopping soon. As it came upon her that she was crying for even other crazy things in her life, her knees felt weak and she didn't mind crashing onto the floor.
But she never felt the coldness of the tiles. Instead, she felt familiar warmth. She wanted to get rid of his hold but she was just too tired.
"Isabella..." The way his voice called her. It didn't sound like it held excitement at seeing her so down. Instantly, his arms went around her waist and his head came to lean on her small shoulders.
Her wailing had stopped but she kept sniffling as the tears never stopped.
"I- I told you I would protect you. I meant it. But what just happened now..."
"Charles," she strained to call him.
He held her hands firmly. "What you saw there... it isn't true. It just looked that way."
"It isn't true?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"Look at me." He nudged her.
"No."
His hands held her and twirled her to face him. But she didn't let her eyes fall on his. It would be even more heartbreaking for her. "Do you have any idea how long I had you in my mind? Even when I had Miss Kane by my side, I only thought of you." He shook her shoulders a bit. "Why? Why then would I find joy in sleeping with her now when I have finally found you?"
Isabella stayed quiet and pondered. Should she believe him? A part of her already did, but then...
"Isabella," Charles called again, his hands holding her more firmly. "Look at me."
She still didn't. Instead, she asked, "Why should I believe you?"
"You don't have to. Just..." His hands finally left her and his warmth went with it. "Just don't leave me again."
Moved by the emotion in his voice which she had never heard before, Isabella finally looked him in the eyes. And in those alluring eyes of his, there was also something... Isabella just had to get rid of the idea that he was playing her.
Crossing her arms, looking away, she asked, "How do you explain what I saw then? And what I heard?"
Charles sighed. "I wish I could. After I drank the juice you left for me, I think I slept off."
"What juice did I leave for you?"
"The- Wait, you didn't leave me a box of juice?" Isabella shook her head. "Did you even go for a run?"
"A run? I went to see my father."
"What?"
"You know, my dead father."
"Oh." His shocked expression relaxed. "So, why did Miss Kane tell me you were..." His statement drew as he inwardly realized whatever it was that happened.
Isabella caught up fast. "You think she did this?"
"She was on top of me. Of course she did this. But why?" His frown deepened as his hand went to his chin.
Isabella wore an expression. "Because she admires you? Probably is crazy about you."
"I know that already." Isabella found it very interesting that she no longer felt like her heart was about to be ripped.
Charles continued. "I can't help but wonder why she decided to go that far. Did she have some kind of assurance that the plan would work?"
"Charles..."
He seemed to be deeper in thought. "Did my mother push her to do it?"
"Charles..."
"If it is my mother, God knows I'll-" He was interrupted by Isabella pulling up his trousers. Looking down at her, he asked, "What are you doing?"
Looking flustered, Isabella shyly said, "Your pants fell as you were talking." The space suddenly became hot and as she got up, her hands fanned her face furiously.
"Why are you acting like you saw something good?" She glared at him for a second and the next second she looked to the side with even more shyness. "What is it?" he asked amusedly.
Isabella replied with a loud laughter, her eyes wrinkling with a kind of excitement as Charles's peering insisted. Then, with a pause being put to his questions, a small smile came upon his lips and he watched her as she laughed.
"Wh- what?" she struggled to ask as she still couldn't contain the laughter.
"It just occurred to me." His hands went behind him, his brows lifted a little. "It has been a while since I saw you smile. And seeing you laugh now... it makes me even happier that you are with me."
"Oh." She looked away again.
"Isabella, what you saw in there isn't true. I was put in that position."
Isabella could not help but agree. "It seems so."
"Then, are we good?"
Her smile grew bigger. "Definitely."
"Oh, I am glad." He reached for her hand and pulled her into his chest instantly. "I am really glad."
Isabella said nothing more. She just let herself stay in his arms. But at the back of her mind, she thanked the force within her for not being too harsh in reaction to the incident.
If she had been...
She shook her head slightly. It would be useless to be bothered by such things.
Instead, she should enjoy his hold like she has always done.
And that she did, her eyes closed for ultimate result.
~
"What do you mean by the plan might be ruined?"
Christina whose mind was still racing just like it was when Charles looked her dead in the eye and fired her. His glare was so cold, she felt a chill all over.
Now, to add to it, Mrs. Oxford whom she had promised a good job was definitely not going to spare her for her mistake.
"Miss Kane, answer my question."
Christina actually jolted out of her thoughts and she faced the woman in front of her. "Well... the thing is-"
"Charles is approaching us right now," Mrs. Oxford hurriedly said. "Did things really not work out?"
Christina could not produce a response. His eyes stayed threateningly on hers as he walked towards them. Never before had she seen him so angry. She knew then, there was nothing that could get her job back.
"S- sir..." He ignored her and faced his mother.
"You put her up to it, didn't you?"
"What are you talking about? I don't-"
"Oh please. Come off it. I know you are capable of doing anything to make sure Isabella isn't mine. But this time, you have gone to far."
Mrs. Oxford gave a small unbelieving sound. "Can you be more precise? I really have no idea what you are talking about."
"Really? You didn't send Miss Kane to make it seem like I enjoy screwing her?"
Christina watched the woman's reaction closely. Her blank face didn't fail for once. "Miss Kane has always admired you. Perhaps she got frustrated and took an action."
Christina felt her whole system fail. But then, did she really expect the woman to take part in the accusation?
She scoffed at herself. She must have really been crazy.
"So, Miss Kane, did it alone?"
"I have no hand in it, so I guess you could say so," Mrs. Oxford calmly replied.
Charles took one more look at Christina whose head was still trying to calculate how things would be for her from that moment onward. "If you say so. I have fired her already, I believe it a good punishment. But mother, if I find you being sneaky and trying to get rid of Isabela, you will regret ever involving yourself in my business."
"I-" He did not let his mother finish her talk that he had walked away. Still wearing the blank look, Mrs. Oxford faced Christina. "You should have done a good work Christina. Perhaps you'd still have your job."
Christina had no strength to argue or talk back, so she just ducked her head and cursed silently. Before the woman could say one more word, she walked away and prayed within her that Charles's mother would fail in separating Charles and the woman he seemed to love.