Chapter 48: An Escape Plan?

As Isabella stood there in utter confusion, not knowing what to do or how to even go about it, she couldn't help but grip the flowers tightly as she watched Alex drive away. Just then, she heard a tap on her shoulder, causing her to flinch in fright. At that moment, she was scared of everybody and anything because it seemed as though everyone had been spying on her, watching her from a corner, and all gathered together, ready to attack her. From Rachel to Lily and now to John, and now a family gathering about to release all her secrets, something she was hiding and did not want anybody to know about. 

She turned around. It was Tricia who stood there looking at her with concern. 

“What is wrong exactly? Why are you standing here speechless? Did Alex say something bothering to you again, or are you getting into more trouble?” 

Tricia asked. 

Isabella choked. 

“It is even more than a problem. I'm entering a much harder situation. I am supposed to attend a family gathering, and Professor James is going to be there. Alex is also going to be there. I'm going to have to sit in between the both of them for hours, and meanwhile, one person who even hates me the most will be there, John. John is Alex's brother, and he has always wanted to scatter my relationship with Alex in every possible way. I don't even know what to do!” 

Isabella said to Tricia, who laughed before holding her hands. 

“Of course, we'll find a way. You will get to escape.” 

“Escape?” Tricia said as they walked away, but she did not just understand what Isabella was trying to say. 

“It seems as though you don't understand what I am moving forward to. I am trying to tell you there is no escape route. I can't escape even if I want to. I am a special guest from his mother, and of course, I cannot disobey his mother. Oh God, you don't even know what I am going to pass through right now. You don't know what will happen if I don't go. His mom has this kind of high dignity for me. Imagine if they find out that I was cheating on her son right there in that dining garden. Do you even know how it will feel?” 

She tried to explain to Tricia, who still scoffed. 

“No matter how complicated it is, you will always find a way out of it.” 

As they walked away, not knowing that Rachel had already eavesdropped from a corner and had heard everything, she couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she folded her arms, watching them walk away. 

She could not help but mutter to herself, 

“Lily must find out about this.” 

She said as she brought out her phone and immediately rang Lily, who picked up instantly. 

“Did you see them? What is going on? What is the secret thing? Is anything popping up? Are we going anywhere? Are we trying to ruin something? I just want to end everything for Isabella!” 

Lily attacked as Rachel laughed. 

“You have to calm yourself down. You know you have me, and you have to trust me that I will do the job very well and very correctly. Well, guess what? She has been invited to a gathering where Alex would be there and Professor James would also be there. That would be our perfect opportunity and perfect excuse. We could use that to our advantage and get whatever we want from her. Do not worry and calm yourself down. Everything is going to work out just the way we want it to be. Just watch and see.” 

Rachel said as she ended the call, feeling so excited. 

Meanwhile, Isabella was unable to concentrate on her exam. She couldn't even fix her brain on what she was doing. All she could do was continuously think of a way to escape, and yet there was no way out. It made her even more frustrated and angry as she continuously tapped on her desk, sending signals for herself to concentrate and stop thinking about it. She tried to calm herself down, but she could still not concentrate. It felt like all her thoughts were shattering into pieces. 

“I have to escape. I have to escape no matter what. I can't let Alex and Professor James be in the same place with me for hours. I know that John did this. John has an even grander plan, and I don't even know. I can't even read his mind to know what exactly he's trying to do,” she said to herself as she accidentally said it out loud. A few students looked at her, knowing she was invading their privacy. 

Meanwhile, at that moment, Professor James casually walked in. As he scanned through each student and saw Isabella at the front, he placed his hand on her shoulder romantically. As she flinched, she turned around, and it was Professor James who was touching her. She felt unsteady and unable to say a word as she just stared at him. 

How could she say it just then? She remembered the words from nights ago saying that if she really wanted to end things with Professor James, she would have to say it to his face. Now this was her perfect opportunity.

She looked around to all the students and they seemed to be fixed on what they were doing except Tricia who was also looking at her.

Tricia had already and immediately understood that she wanted to tell James now as it was obvious in her face. 

She looked at James and whispered to him. 

“Can I see you tonight?” She questioned, hoping this would be the end of everything for good.