Chapter 51: Not Yet

Isabella, feeling a rush of curiosity, quickly rushed towards the door to see who was knocking and made Professor James speechless. It was Tricia, and she looked panicked. Isabella felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful that Tricia had come to save her, even though she hadn’t signified to Tricia that she was already going to see Professor James. Tricia knew that she needed her help and came to protect her at the right time. That was more than enough, and Isabella couldn’t help but smile as she pushed past Professor James.

“Tricia, I'm so sorry I didn’t tell you I’d be leaving the house. Let’s go back home now together, okay?” Isabella said to Tricia, who nodded.

“Yes, we have to go now; it is very urgent. For goodness’ sake, we have exams tomorrow, and you left me halfway. How do you expect me to cope knowing that I don’t even know anything academically, and you are my backbone? If my backbone disappears, how do you think I will cope? I don’t want to fail this time around. I don’t even have any explanation to give my father if I don’t pass this semester,” Tricia said, acting all flustered as though she could not find Isabella, which was all part of Tricia's plan.

Isabella glanced back at Professor James, who looked angry at Tricia.

“So why did you come to my office? I was having a very important discussion with Isabella, and she will definitely come back home. Time is not racing, and I will get her to leave as soon as possible. Maybe in the next hour, then you two can discuss as much as you want. Do not just come and drag her out of my office. That is you lacking respect,” Professor James said to Tricia, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.

Tricia, however, was no longer pretending. She poured out her true character and scoffed,

“Seriously, who do you think you are? Why do you even think you are important? Let go of her! She doesn’t belong to you. You are putting her in so much trouble. You are putting her in a tight spot just because you want to keep banging her in your office. I won’t let you do anything to Isabella again. Everything between the both of you has ended. Yes, we are sorry she made a mistake by coming to you and giving you her body for free just because of little marks and little affection she thought she had for you. Well, she does love her boyfriend, Alex. Let her go!”

Tricia warned, her voice rising.

Isabella tried to signal for Tricia to not go too far or else Professor James would realize that she had been telling Tricia everything.

“So what exactly are you even signaling or signifying to me about? Are you trying to tell me that just because I’m having something to do with her, I am the bad person and she’s the good one? She came to me first, and I told her she would not be able to leave if we started whatever we agreed on. I fell in love with your friend, and she would not just leave that way. Do you understand, Tricia?” he said, his tone sharp.

Tricia scoffed again.

“I don’t understand anything, and I will never understand anything. Let her go. She doesn’t belong to you alone. And besides, Lily is on her trail. Of course, Lily would have sent someone to spy on your office to see if there’s anything going on. That is why I had to come and help my friend. Also, Alex is on her trail. What else do you want this girl to do? Should she just die because of you? Do you want her to die because she’s trying to love you? Trying to show you that she cares for you? Please, just let her go. I beg you. Just keep her this one freedom away from you for good. She doesn’t have to be in everything in your life, okay? She doesn’t have to get involved. Please find somebody else to be your scapegoat. Not her. Please,” Tricia pleaded, her voice softening.

But Professor James did not care.

“I do not care. If she walks out of this door, I will make her life a living hell in this school. It seems as though being the good guy does not pay after all,” he warned, his words heavy with threat.

Isabella felt herself caught in a tight spot, conflicted and not knowing what to choose.

“Yes, Isabella, Professor James is actually right. You have to pick one. You have to pick and be in pain. He can’t do anything to you. If he tries to do anything, then you threaten him,” Tricia whispered in her ear, trying to give her some strength.

But Isabella was already too conflicted; she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed, thinking of what other way she could escape this. She knew Professor James was very intimidating, and of course, he would be able to get her involved in this. He wouldn’t even be labeled as a bad person.

Mostly, he should be able to get his hands on Lily, and that would be all for her. All her academics would be in destruction immediately.

As the tension in the room escalated, Isabella felt her heart racing. She knew she had to make a decision, and fast. Was it time to finally stand up to James, or would she find a way to escape this nightmare once and for all?

She started at him and all she could feel was fright..and his words bringing back memories to her and then she realized..she couldn’t end it yet, she still had the huge dining to face, if she ends everything now she would still have to see him again and he would get to ruin her then.

She looked at Tricia and shook her head sideways and then Tricia also got to realise.