Chapter 65: A Fake Illness?

Isabella knew for sure now that Lily had a plan and she needed to avoid it in every way possible. The best thing she could do was run away from it. She couldn't just stay there and try to overcome it; to her, that would mean losing everything, including Alex, and she wasn’t ready for any of that. So, she rushed towards Alex, who was about to have the next batch of dinner, and held onto his hand before whispering in his ear, 

“We have to go. I am not feeling too well.” 

Alex looked at her in surprise. 

“What exactly do you mean you’re not feeling too well? You know how important this dinner is to my Aunt, and you know I am a special guest. You know how important my presence is to her! And you just want me to leave like that? It can’t work! You have to stay and be a part of this dinner. Maybe after this dinner, then we can leave, but at least don’t try to leave yet, please.” 

He pleaded with her, and she felt frustrated but kept her composure. 

“Fine, fine. If you want me to stay, but we have to leave as soon as possible. I can’t stay here for long. Lily is trying to ruin my reputation. She’s trying to make life miserable for me, and I don’t plan on letting her do it so easily. I want to leave before she even gets the chance to do anything foolish.” 

Isabella tried to explain, but Alex wasn't taking it lightly. 

“What do you mean she’s trying to make your life miserable? If she’s trying to make your life miserable, it’s only because you’ve done something that angered her. I’ve noticed the way all her attention is fixed on you. Just like all of Professor James’ attention is also fixed on you. Okay? You just have to sit down and be quiet. Do not answer their questions, and if she throws any accusations your way, keep silent. Don’t say two words to her. If you try to attack her back, then she will act smart. But if you keep silent and watch her make a fool of herself, she won’t know when to shut up. Do you understand?” 

Alex explained, and Isabella nodded. Just then, Alex's mom noticed that Isabella was the only one not sitting. 

“Isabella, why are you still standing? Sit down and let’s have dinner.” 

She said, and everyone suddenly turned to Isabella, who smiled awkwardly before sitting down. 

“I am so sorry. I was not just feeling too well, that’s why…” 

She started, but one of Alex's siblings coughed. 

“You are always not feeling too well. Every gathering we have, you are always not feeling well, just like you did the other time. Now again, you’re doing it. I just hope you don’t have a sneaky excuse for not feeling well now.” 

The sister said, and Isabella still could not laugh or frown either. She just held in her smile and sat quietly without saying a word. Alex was already agitated and laughed sarcastically. 

“Really? So you’re trying to say that it’s her fault for not feeling well or for not wanting to stay around you? Because it is not her fault!” 

Alex tried to explain, but his sister shot back. 

“And if you try to anger me more or question me again, I will make everything even worse for you. Do you understand?” 

She said, and Alex's sister laughed. 

“Oh, now you’re going to make everything worse for me just because of your weird girlfriend who always falls sick every time? Doesn’t she have a time when she’s not sick?” 

The sister yelled again, even though Isabella was not too familiar with her. 

“I did not say I’m not feeling too well just because I want to take advantage of the situation. I actually have no time to take advantage of anything. All I am saying is I was not feeling well due to how I kept going back and forth to the bathroom. I felt like I was having a running stomach. Maybe I took something my body didn’t like. But I am good now, okay? I am perfectly alright now, and you don’t have to make it seem like it’s your brother’s fault because he’s standing up for me. He knows how my body reacts whenever I am in huge gatherings, and he knows I’m not very good with it.” 

Isabella tried to explain, but the sister still hissed, making Alex even angrier as he slammed his cutlery on the table and stood up. His aunt immediately knew that he was about to leave, so she stood up and rushed to him. 

“Please do not mind your sister. You know how she is, and you know how her anger works. Just sit down and pretend like you didn’t hear anything she said. Don’t let her get the best of you, please. I am the one who invited you here. You are my special guest. Don’t let your sister chase you off, please. I plead with you.” 

She said, and Alex held in his anger, quickly changing it to a smile. 

“I am not leaving because of her. I just... I just don’t understand what her problem is. Why does she always want to get on my nerves?” 

Alex said, and if she does anything rude or nonsensical anymore, I am leaving. I promise you, aunt, I would leave without even thinking twice.” 

He said, sitting back down as everyone kept quiet. 

Meanwhile, Professor James was still looking at Isabella, thinking she was not feeling too well as Alex just said. He wanted to ask about her health, but he couldn't do it because he knew everyone’s attention would be on him. For some weird reason, Alex's mom did not like him anymore and did not want to be around him at all. That alone was enough warning for him to keep silent and not utter another word. 

So, he just sat there, unable to eat his meal. Meanwhile, Lily was already seething in anger, thinking of things she could do. At that moment, Tricia walked in with Alex's cousin. They were giggling with each other and were surprised to see that the dining had already begun. As they rushed to their seats, Tricia looked at Isabella, noticing the atmosphere at the table. 

“Is anything the problem?” 

She mouthed, but Isabella did not say a word and just rolled her eyes. 

“I will tell you later.” 

She mouthed back. 

Tristan sensed something was wrong, especially from the looks of Lily. She could tell that Lily was already cooking up something because her facial expression was uncontrollable, and she was mouthing weird words to herself. That was enough for Tricia to know that something heated was coming up. She looked at Isabella, who was ignoring Lily and instead was just focused on eating her dinner and leaving this place as quickly as possible. 

Even though they still had a third portion to eat, Isabella could not wait that long and just wanted to leave without wasting time. Meanwhile, Alex had already gotten fed up with everything as he stood up and walked out without saying a word to anyone. Isabella knew she couldn't follow him back, or else they would think they actually wanted to leave, despite his aunt begging him. 

So, she continued to eat. Alex went outside and bumped into John, who was about to smoke. 

“Oh my God, you smoke?” 

He yelled to John, who quickly threw the cigarette away. 

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t let you know that I’m smoking. Oh my God. It’s the only way I relieve all my thinking and pain. Please, brother, don’t tell anybody. Don’t tell Mom. I beg you.” 

John pleaded as Alex scoffed. 

“I never believed you would smoke. Did you see me smoking? Have you ever seen me in a situation where I am smoking, and yet you are smoking with so much confidence? What if I tell Mom about this? What do you think she’ll do to you? Or how do you think she’ll feel?” 

Alex questioned as John immediately knelt to the ground. 

“Please, please keep this a secret between the both of us. I beg you. She must not find out about this. If you don’t tell her, I have something else to tell you. Something you have never known about. Let’s share this secret trade by barter.” 

John pleaded, and Alex was intrigued.