Chapter 105 Or What?
ISABEL'S POV
I stayed in bed, listening to James as he thrusted into Melissa. Sadly enough, he didn't even last long. But something else was happening — something that made me wonder whether Melissa was just naive or deliberately ignoring what was painfully obvious.
He kept saying Anna's name. He kept muttering her name, and even screaming it. I held my breath, hoping that she was going to lose her mind or ask him what he was saying. But she ignored it. Or maybe she was so lost in her ecstasy that she didn't notice.
The next morning, I managed to get out of the room even if I didn't want to. As soon as she saw me, the smile that was on her face disappeared.
Calm down. I wanted to tell her. It wasn't like I was happy to see her either.
“Good morning, Melissa,” I said either way, and she plastered a fake smile on her face, cocking her head to the side.
“Nice to see you finally awake. Do you need me to do something for you? Like run your bath?”
I frowned. “Okay, what's this new attitude about? Did I do something I have no idea about?”
“I'm sure you'd want to live here like some kind of princess. You want me to act like your maid, don't you?”
I threw my head back in laughter. “You have no idea how stupid you look, doing this,” I said, and she flinched. “Even if I wanted a maid, the maids back at home were so much better than you.”
“Well,” she said, putting her hands on her waist. “That isn't your home anymore. I was there when you were chased out.”
Realization hit me immediately. She wasn't wrong. But it hurt more that she was there, and she got to hear everything.
“You don't know if I can find my way back to the house, Melissa. I would advise you to shut the fuck up, and live like we can't see each other.”
“Huh,” she said. “Maybe you're forgetting that Anna is still in that house. You won't be going anywhere as long as she's there.”
I looked away. “You really should mind the way you talk to me, Melissa,” I said, and she folded her hands in front of her chest like she was about to fight me.
“Or what?”
“You wouldn't like me telling your friends how your man kept calling his ex's name while thrusting into you, do you?”
Her eyes widened, and her hands fell from her chest immediately. “You heard that,” she said, and I cocked an eyebrow.
Just as she was about to speak again, we heard the news headline.
Quinn Adopted Child Chased After Framing Biological Daughter.
Shit, shit, shit.
I should have known it was going to reach the news stations that quickly. They were just waiting for me to fall asleep and wake up again.
I needed to see Austin. I had already called him last night, and I was shocked that he even agreed to see me after everything I had done to him.
Melissa looked at me. “What are you going to do about that?”
I didn't know if she was asking out of concern, or if she was just mocking me. Either way, I was going to answer her.
“I don't know. I'd think about it.”
She gave me a small nod, before she went back to stirring whatever was in the pot. The aroma was nice, but food was the one thing that I wasn't sure I wanted to eat at their house. I was already being dependent on them because of the accommodation stuff. And that was the only amount of help that I wanted to take.
“Can you help with a few of your clothes?” I asked Melissa in a whisper. “I'll pay you if you want. At least before I go shopping and get more clothes for myself.”
She pressed her lips into a thin line. “There are a few clothes James got me. I'm more than willing to give them out. I don't like them one bit.”
“Give them to me,” I said, and she nodded as she headed upstairs. I followed her closely, watching her as she went through her wardrobe. She ran her hands through about four expensive-looking clothes.
“You don't like these?” I asked her to make sure. She nodded immediately.
“It's not my style.”
It was definitely my style.
“Thanks,” I said anyway, heading to my room and having my bath. There were a few hair care products in the cabinet. I slipped the dress on, and it fit me perfectly, clinging to every curve like a second skin.
Perfect.
I did my hair in a rough bun, just as I knew Austin was going to like. I managed to book an Uber and headed towards the restaurant where Austin said he was going to meet me.
Fuck, I missed my car.
“Do you have a reservation?” The doorman asked, as soon as I got into the restaurant. I gave him a firm nod.
“Austin Bonjovi.”
“Ah, Isabel Quinn?” He asked, and I could tell that he had been watching the news. The smile that was on his face was immediately wiped off. He couldn't chase me out of the restaurant because I framed my sister, could he?
I didn't know what to expect. These people usually acted like idiots.
I exhaled slowly when he gestured for me to follow him anyway.
I did just that, and he led me to a private room that was already set up for lunch. I clutched the handle of my bag. For the first time, my legs were shaking as I prepared to see Austin.
We had broken up two years ago, and even when he tried to reach out, I cut all ties. It had been fun watching men chase after me, but he gave up after I came back to the States.
And now, here I was, heading back to see him, practically on my knees.
I took in the candles and the two chairs facing each other, with complimentary wine on the table.
Austin was already seated, leaning back in his chair as he watched me. He quickly licked his lips.
“Long time no see, Isabel.”
I looked away immediately. “This was supposed to be a serious meeting, not a romantic date.”
“Come on,” he said with a small smile. “I always give you the baby-girl treatment whenever we meet. I didn’t think I was supposed to stop.”
He wasn’t lying. Sometimes I wondered why I even broke up with him. Then I remembered—I had grown tired of him. And of course, I still wanted Ryan. At the thought of him, my hands balled into fists.
I set my bag beside me and looked at Austin. “So…” I began, but he quickly raised a hand.
“Forgive me, but I’d like to eat while you speak.”
I watched him order, then asked him to choose whatever he wanted for me as well.
A few minutes later, steak and potatoes were placed in front of me, along with a bottle of La Tâche 2013. He never forgot my favorite food.
But I didn’t care much. I had called him here to use him again, and I wasn’t sure he even minded. He practically loved being used.
He dug into his steak, looking at me. “Go ahead. I’m listening now.”
His brown eyes stayed on me, and for a second, I considered giving him a second chance. He was still single.
Maybe… just maybe, I was still stalking him. Then I dismissed the thought. The pain of being chased out of the Quinn home was clearly affecting me.
“I’m sure you’ve watched the news,” I said.
He nodded. “Of course. I see you haven’t changed. What do you need me for?”
“Clear every trace of that story from the news stations. And you can come shopping with me too. You loved doing that, didn’t you?”
He gently placed his fork on the table and looked at me again. For a moment, I thought he would refuse. Even I knew what I was offering was cheap in exchange for what I was asking.
“Fine,” he finally said. “We can go shopping now.”
I grinned, lifting two fingers to call for the check.
“You don’t have to,” he said, but I wasn’t listening.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it. Consider it my treat.”
I reached into my bag and realized the card I had brought was the one my parents gave me. I handed it to the waitress. She frowned after running it through the machine.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. Your card has been blocked.”