Chapter 117: I’m Sorry

Achilles’ Point of View:

I called off my people back to the base after the encounter with Cole. His dead body was sent to the base of The Blood Ravens, a bigger message to the obvious war that had been started.

“We need to pack our stuff and leave for America tonight itself. I want all the units to be sent back immediately,” I ordered my men and they nodded in understanding. “Marcel, get the private jets ready for all of you, and, um, keep me and Isabelle in separate jets.”

He was a little confused but agreed. I left the place to go to the first base where Unit 2 must be staying along with Isabelle. They were informed of everything that went down in Cole’s place and were asked to stay back since I knew there was no need of so many people.

As soon as I reached there, the leader of Unit 2 walked up to me. “Boss, we’re sorry we acted without permission. We thought—”

“I know. It’s okay,” I shrugged it off. “Unit 1 is getting the jets ready and we’ll leave by tonight. I suggest you all pack your things and come to second base. It’s not a permanent base of our mafia associations, but we’ll use it this time.” He nodded.

As I was about to leave, I was stopped. “Achilles,” I heard Isabelle’s voice and soon she walked up to me from behind my men. Her eyes were guilt-ridden, but now that I looked at her after everything had calmed down I had to admit what she said to me wasn’t past me.

I hadn’t really given a thought to what she said, because I needed to keep my head in the game and get rid of Cole before he did anything else. But the words she said were still stuck in the back of my head, playing on a loop.

The worst part was that she actually believed that I would let that happen. I mean, yeah, she took her time, but… and what she said, it was—it was so hateful. I couldn’t understand why she thought I’d kill her for running away. She again did the same thing as before—pointed out that I didn’t love her. That I was heartless. That I was despicable. It was a line I thought she’d never cross again.

And on one hand, I did understand why she would say all those things, but I wasn’t ready to talk to her just yet. My heart ached for the fact that she didn’t trust me after everything I had done for her.

I ignored her and walked back to the base where Unit 1 was. The flight took place as expected at night and I never came across Isabelle again until we were back at the base in America.

***

Isabelle’s Point of View:

I was worried sick I had hurt Achilles once again with my words. My hands were shivering when he left without speaking to me. I had promised to never hurt him again that night in the hospital after he gave me another chance, and now I had blown it.

And even if I wasn’t trying to avoid taking responsibility for what I had done, I had a good reason for what I did. It was hard to tell if Achilles… really was okay with it, or not. It was hard to realise if he was in his “emotional” phase or his “serial killer” phase. And how long could you deny something to be true, when the other person is clearly saying it’s happening?

Either way, I could’ve been a little patient and a lot more trusting than I was. Now he won’t even talk to me… or maybe he just—he didn’t hear me.

My bubble burst when I realised he was flying in a separate jet. It wouldn’t take a genius to realise that that was to avoid me. But I hoped that when we reached the States again, he would talk to me.

So the time came when I waited in my room at the base, and Achilles entered the room.

“Achilles…” I said, my voice low. My eyes were looking straight at him, but his’ were fixed at the ground.

“I don’t wanna talk to you, Isabelle,” He said in a definitive tone. I hoped for him to say something more, but he walked over to the cabinet to take a drink, completely ignoring me.

“Achilles, I’m sorry,” I whispered. My voice started to break a bit due to my emotions. I took a few steps in his direction.

He turned to me, his eyes finally meeting mine. “Why are you sorry to a man who’s heartless, huh?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I didn’t know what else to say. I just wanted him to forgive me, because I was so embarrassed. All I did was hurt him when he still came to save me after everything.

He ignored it and poured the whiskey in the glass. Before he could drink it, I took the glass from his hand.

“What are you doing?” His cold voice rang in my ear like a deafening scream.

“Please let’s just sort this out, Achilles. I know I shouldn’t have said those things, and I—”

“How could you even believe that I’d let any hurt come to you?” He took a step toward me and I let out a sob, remembering everything I had sent to him. He took the glass from me, keeping it on a nearby table while coming closer to me. I was against the wall as he stared right into my soul. “How could you think I’d… I’d hurt you if you ever ran away?”

“I… I didn’t know what to think. You looked so convincing and… and it… I didn’t know if you, you know, your emotions were…”

“On or off?” he asked and chuckled. “You think that’s how this works? I’m not a fucking vampire!”

“I’m s-sorry,” I whispered again, closing my eyes.

I heard him sigh before his soft touch landed on my cheeks. “Use your words wisely, Isabelle, cause they hold a power greater than anyone I’ve ever fought.”

I sobbed again. “Y–yeah, yeah, I will…” My voice got heavy.

“It’s too late, Isabelle. You broke my heart this time,” He stepped away and I opened my eyes, my breath quickened by the hurt I had inflicted on the man I loved.

“Achilles, please, I’ll do anything…”

“It’s gonna take a long fucking time and a lot of fucking things before I even love you ever again.” His words hit like a dagger to the heart. He didn’t love me anymore?