Chapter 24: XXIV

Isabell POV

After the trails of ecstasy washed over us, I was left with reality, its unforgiving claws wrapped themselves around me and pulled me into the dark.

The darkness was a living thing, wrapping itself tightly around my body, its tendrils of smoke choking out what little air there was until I choked on my own breath, no, not mine, his.

It squeezed every breath from my lungs until I had nothing left. Nothing to live for.

And I snapped.

“What happened?" I jolted up on the bed.

"Now that we are here and done, what really happened, why did you disappear? What's going on?” I asked as I scrambled up to my feet, standing up to get a clearer view of him.

His duvet was firmly wrapped around my chest. I thought after the sex, I would wake up and realize that I was dreaming. But he was on the bed with me. This wasn't a dream.

“Calm down Isabell," He stood up as well, about following me, "We just woke…” he was stunned by my actions.

“Don't you dare come close to me, and don't tell me to calm down, you've acted weird, you went missing and yet I'm the one that should calm down?” I drew backwards, like he was some flame that I did not want to get burnt from.

I couldn't hold myself back, I was hurt and he wasn't explaining anything. I enjoyed the sex but now we would face the truth, once for all.

“Do you even want me? You can't act like you want me and then you disappear on me the next minute without any explanation. How do you expect me to act with you?” My voice was higher than I wanted it to be, I didn't want him to know how hurt I was. But I was barking like a starved dog.

“Isabell please, I promise you, I'm going to explain everything in due time but for now…”

“Due time? I think we're already past due time,” I hissed as I walked to the bathroom to wash my face.

“Why are you even here?”

I heard him sigh behind me, “Isabell, please”

“No Levi, you don't get to have things go your way, I need answers! I want to know why. This isn't fair, Levi.” My voice broke and trailed off at the end, almost ending up as a sob.

I couldn't bear the questions in my head anymore. why did I have no luck with men?

Levi held my shoulders and spun me around before I would get to the toilet. It felt magical even though I was angry.

“Isabell, I'll explain everything, just go out with me tonight. I promise you I am going to make everything clear to you."

I chuckled, “I'm done with this shit.” I hissed as I brushed past him.

“So what? We should go out and then what? Act like everything is roses and beautiful sunsets? Please Levi.”

“We're not just going out, we're going on a trip, I'm going to explain everything then,” Levi explained.

“A trip?” I started laughing maniacally, “You drop a bomb on me, you kiss me, shove your fingers inside me and start avoiding me, then you show up again and fuck me and the one minute I ask for an explanation, you want us to go on a trip? Levi, I know something strange is going on, but you're not being real with me and I can't do this back and forth thing with you.”

“Isabell,” Levi called as he walked up to me and held my face in his hands, “I promise you, please just give me this chance, pack up your bags and when everything's set, you'll get your answers, I promise you.”

I wanted to explode, scream at him, tell him to leave my life but I also wanted to hear him out, I wanted to give him the chance to fix this because I wanted this to work out, I wanted us to work out but I couldn't let him off easily.

“And you're sure about that?” I asked, my voice becoming softer.

Levi nodded his head in agreement, “I am sure, you'll get all the answers you need.”

“Where are we going?” I asked, finally giving in.

“It's a surprise,” Levi replied.

“Levi…”

“Just trust me Isabell, you'll love it,” Levi reassured.

“Alright then,” I agreed

“Okay, so get packing while I go make sure everything is set for us, okay?”

“Okay, ” I replied. He planted a kiss on my forehead and I left his room.

I sighed when I returned to mine, l. I didn't know where we were going, I didn't know what we'd be doing, heck, I didn’t even know what exactly I should be packing but I was going to give him the chance cause I wanted to be with him. I couldn't imagine ending things with him. I had to try.

I brought out my travelling bag and started packing a few of my clothes, I decided to add in a few gowns, maybe we'd go to dinner and I didn't want to be unprepared.

My packing didn't take long, I was done in a space of two hours and then I went to shower. It felt good to finally be talking to Levi again, I was so lost when he disappeared on me, I thought I had done something wrong.

I decided to put on a black dress after I took my bath. When I got a text from Levi stating he was ready to pick me up, I texted him back and started carrying my bags when the door opened and he walked in.

“Don't worry, I'll take care of those,” He offered to carry my bags as I followed him downstairs.

“You’re perfect Isabell, your dress is so beautiful.”

“All that flattering won't get you anywhere,” I joked. “Thank you, so are you gonna tell me where we're off to, yet?”

Levi laughed, I haven't heard his laugh in a while. It was still beautiful, still rich and deep, like he laughed from his stomach.

“Not yet, you just have to wait for the surprise, Isabell,” Levi replied as he started the car.

“Hmm, it better be a nice place,” I teased, it was so easy to fall back into our normal routine with him.

“Anywhere you are, it's a nice place, Isabell. And I wouldn't dare take you to a place that doesn't measure up,” Levi replied.

I was silent for the rest of the ride, I hadn't spoken to Zoe, I didn't know what he told her, she didn't come out to see me when I had packed and I didn't go to her either.

Guilt settled in.

It took a while but we finally got to wherever he was taking us. It was a small cabin surrounded by trees. Levi laid his hands on my lower back and led me into it. It was decorated beautifully and the table was littered with a feast.

“Levi…”