Chapter 58: A Companion

Isabella and Alex had already arrived at the venue, and of course, it was very grand. Even Alex was not expecting his Auntie to spend so much on this simple dining, even though it looked so extravagant. Even the wedding reception was not as grand as this. And that was something that surprised Alex as he opened the passenger seat for Isabella, who stepped out and did not hesitate to wow in amusement at everything that she saw.

Alex could not help but utter,

“I never expected her to do something as grand as this. Like, look at this. Even her wedding reception was not as grand as this.”

“That is even more than enough reason for you to know that she really wants to bring all the families together. She wants to bring them together for some weird reason. Both families hate each other, but yet both individuals love each other, and they had to get married because they had the money to get married.”

Alex tried to explain, but Isabella did not want to hear any of that. Instead, she just wanted to be sure whether or not Professor James was there. At first, she doubted that he would arrive, but she hoped that he would not even come at all.

Alex's mom immediately noticed that Isabella had come and rushed to her as she hugged her tightly and kissed her on both cheeks in a very good, clean way and then hugged her again.

“I am so happy you could make it. I don't know how to explain, but I am always so glad that you always accept all the invitations. Despite how tired and wrecked you are, you are still able to meet up. That alone is more than enough reason for me to love you the most. Of all my children's lovers, you are one of the best.”

She commented as Isabella nodded, hoping she would keep to her promises and always keep her trust with Alex's mom. This was another reason why she could not let Professor James say a word because the minute he did, everything would be ruined. And then Alex's mom would not see her the way he used to see her. That alone would shatter her dream. It would seem like a nightmare. She was not ready to face any nightmare of that sort.

She smiled again and watched around, only for her to see John as he was well-dressed. He also had a girlfriend who was just of his age. As he walked towards them, his girlfriend excused herself, and John did not even act like he saw his brother. Instead, he went directly and hugged Isabella, who was also surprised.

“When did you two become close?”

Alex questioned as John hugged her even tighter. A few minutes after he had hugged her for a good two minutes, he now let go of her and shook his brother before laughing.

“We are close after all. Rude. Aren't you happy that we are close instead of always arguing the way we usually do before?”

John said as his brother nodded.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, you are right. You're right. It's even better if you two are close. I love this. I'm proud of this.”

Alex said, unhooked his brother before walking away, leaving John with Isabella as she immediately put on her innocent expression and looked down.

“I am so glad that you helped me last night. Like, I can't even appreciate you enough. I don't know how else to show it to you that I am so happy and I have been. I would be forever grateful. Do you know what I would have faced? Professor James would not want to let go of me.”

John said as he laughed.

“It doesn't really matter, okay? It is now bygones; it has passed, and you don't need to talk about it anymore. Okay?”

John said. Just then, a car zoomed in, and everyone's attention was there. Isabella slowly turned around, and the first head that popped out of the car was Professor James as he looked hot and threw a cheeky smile as he always does, with his height making everything so much better. Isabella could not even hold in her breath and her desire to even jump on him.

Just then he walked towards the passenger seat, and then John muttered,

“Wow, I think he brought a guest this time, and he doesn't want to be lonely just like he always is.”

Just as those words were uttered, Professor James opened the car door, and the person who stepped out almost made Isabella choke. It was Lily, and she dressed so responsibly. She looked so different. She did not look like the Lily that she had always known.

He was so surprised. She was so surprised but had to hold it in. Even John was shocked.

“Wow, isn't that Lily?”

He questioned as Isabella nodded.

“Yes, it is Lily. Like, what exactly got over her? Why did she come? She was never invited.”

Isabella muttered, unable to control herself as Professor James held Lily's hand, and they casually walked in. Lily had a wide smile on her face, and Professor James looked calm and cool as he always does. Even though there were so many things going through his mind, it still would not show because he was the kind of person who could keep a faded face for a long time.

As he walked in, he walked directly past Isabella, same with Lily, and went to Alex and his mom as they shook hands and had a little conversation for a few seconds. After that, Isabella could not stop looking at Professor James, and of course, Professor James was also looking back. His attention was also fixed on Isabella, though she did not notice and thought she was the only one spying on him, not knowing he was also looking back at her with so much attention.

The dining soon commenced, and everyone was giving their seats as every seat had already been labeled, and anyone who was coming with an extra guest also had a chair just beside them. Everyone's soon sat down, and Isabella was facing Lily. It seemed like it was planned, but it wasn't. It was just how it was arranged. Each person from each family was with their partners, and it ended up being that way.

Isabella felt like she was choking but still pretended. Why? Lily felt happy. She felt so glad it was all God's plan that she stepped out of her car at that moment, or else she would have come alone, but now she had a partner.

Meanwhile, Tricia, who had stopped along the way to get some things since she wasn't dressed decently enough as the dining imposed, had already rushed in, and everyone looked at her before pointing to her seat.

Not so far, Tricia was so shocked to see Lily as she looked at Isabella and used her eyes to motion to her, asking her why she was there, but Isabella also had no answer.

“I don't know,” she mouthed as Tricia held in her shock and just sat down, waiting for whatever conversation this dining was made for to begin.