Chapter 13 ~ Isabella
Closing my bedroom door slowly, I smile one last time at Alexander, and he smiles back. I lean my back against my door and listen to its soft click, letting out a sigh as I hug my shoes to my chest. I’ve never really been out on a date, but I think I could consider this one.
My feet feel so light and my heart is soaring as I head to the closet and swing the door open, setting the shoes on the floor.
Taking one of the wooden hangers down to step out of my dress, and slip it on the hanger.
It’s still the only thing hanging in there, but he bought it for me and it doesn’t deserve to be wrinkled.
With a big smile on my face, I go to the bathroom, turn on the tub, grab some lavender salts and poured some in.
I shouldn’t be so happy or even trust Alexander, but I had so much fun tonight that it almost felt real, like he really wanted to be with me and get to know me.
Skipping to the sink, I take out my hair clips, carefully take off my earrings, and set them on the counter.
Running my finger over the necklace around my neck, the cold stone is beautiful.
I don’t know why he bought it, but deep down I felt special, like he only wanted me to be happy.
And I am, or maybe I shouldn’t be, but tonight was something I had only ever dreamed about.
An attractive man only interested in me and only me.
I step into the hot water and lay back deeper in the tub, my chin sitting below the water.
As the night progressed, I forgot myself.
I forgot about the game we were playing.
This side of Alexander is not something that I’m used to, and I let myself go.
I kissed him back tonight. I’d like to say that art swept me away and imitated life.
The painting reminded me of our first dance at the rehearsal dinner.
The way he cradled me, cupping my head in his large hand as he kissed my cheek.
After soaking for 20 minutes, I climbed out and dry off, wrapping a nice warm new towel around myself. Searching my luggage for my t-shirt and shorts. I take the fluffy blanket from the end of the bed and a pillow to the couch, turning out the lights. I turn on the end table lamp and make my bed.
Going over to the window seat, I tuck myself in, bringing my knees up and hugging them as I look out over the garden.
I really wish that he was like this when I first met him.
Not that this changes anything. I still plan to leave.
But this new Alexander makes me question everything.
If he would stay like this, if I could believe him, this might work.
I blow heavily on the window while scrolling the letter A across the glass.
I can never figure him out; he changes from day to day.
I climb from my seat and snuggle down on the couch, hugging my pillow. Tomorrow is another day, Izzy, one square at a time.
The sun shines in my eyes and I roll over and rub my face. It’s Sunday morning. Sitting up quickly, sending a rush to my head, I remember. Alexander wants to have breakfast this morning.
I go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, run the brush through my hair, take out the knots, put it in a nice long braid and coil it on top of my head, pinning it in place.
Going to my suitcase and digging through it, I find jeans and a Harry Potter t-shirt. I put on my black loafers, and I check my appearance one more time. Then sit back down on the couch to wait for Sasha. I sat there for 30 minutes before getting up and opening the bedroom door.
I look both ways down the hall; she’s not anywhere to be seen.
Maybe when Alexander’s home, I don’t have to have a bodyguard.
I step into the hall and closed my door, making my way down the stairs, and hit the second landing.
I peek down the stairs, looking to see if anyone’s around, but there’s no one.
So, I go down the stairs and turn right at the bottom, heading for the dining room.
I walk in and there are two place settings, one for Alexander and one for me. I pull my chair out and sit down, placing my napkin on my lap. Just like yesterday, I reach for the coffee pot and pour a cup.
The door opens and Alexander comes storming in, only this time he can’t grab my hair and stick it behind my back. I already have it up. He comes up behind me, strokes my neck down to my shoulder blade, leads in close and kisses me underneath my ear and whispers.
“Good morning, Isabella.”
Alexander sits. He snaps his napkin in his lap. He pours himself a coffee and stirs a teaspoon of sugar in while looking at me.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did, and you?”
He seems shocked that I actually answered him back. Most of the time, I just nod or say nothing. But I agreed to play Isabella Russo.
Black Rook to C8, I take white knight.
Alex smiles, “I did, actually. So, what’s on your schedule today? Reading by the pool, or are you going to continue painting?”
He takes a sip of coffee and looks at me over the rim of the cup. Humm... Sasha must have told him I read a few times by the pool.
“I’m going to continue painting. I felt inspired by last night’s auction. The pieces were all so beautiful.”
Rose comes in with breakfast, setting our trays in front of us.
She takes my lid off and smiles at me, and I tell her thank you.
This time my breakfast is a simpler fare: one poached egg with toast on the side with fresh fruit.
I smile and grab my fork, stabbing a half-cut berry, shoving it into my mouth and smiling at him.
Alexander smiles back and picks up his cutlery, cutting into his ham, shoving a large piece into his mouth. We eat in relative silence. He tells me he has meetings today and that he’d like to have dinner with me this evening. I agree, since I’ll be working in my studio most of the day.
I sit, sipping my coffee as the dishes are cleared. Alexander pours himself another cup. He puts his sugar in and leans back in his chair, one hand braced on the armrest.
“If you have a few moments before returning to your painting, I’d like to show you the library. I know you were briefly there with my mother, but you’ve never spent much time there. I’d like you to feel that this house is yours as well as mine. You don’t always have to stay in your bedroom.”
I just look at him and blink. He’s actually letting me roam the house?
“Where is Sasha?”
“Off.” is his only reply.
Alexander places his cup on the table. And, like last night, he extends his hand to me. I put my cup down and put my hand in his, standing up. He links our fingers together and we walk out of the dining room, heading towards the library.
Once inside, he brings me forward to the shelves, showing me various books by various authors he thinks I’m interested in, offering to get me anything I need.
He would be more than happy to order the books and get them delivered.
He takes me over to the desk. This is where I can set myself up as an office if I so choose.
Alexander stands on the opposite side of the desk, smiling. I trail my finger on the edge of the desk as I walk along, looking at the walls. I look back at him.
“Does this mean that I get to go back to work soon if you’re giving me an office?”
His face creases into a hard expression, and he puts his hands on his hips and tilts his head down, looking at the floor. He lets out a heavy puff of air.
“Not yet, Isabella.” He says it’s so low and quiet, like he’s trying to pacify a child so they don’t have a tantrum.
White Knight to D2, he moves one space back
I know I shouldn’t ask, but something in me just cracks.
“Why?”
Black Knight to C5. A bold move.
Alexander’s face crumbles, his jaw is pulsing as he grinds his teeth. He looks up at me, his tone getting darker.
“Because you can’t right now.”
White Pawn to F3. A block to my advancement.
I tilt my head to the side, my eyebrows coming together in confusion, and I just stare at him because I don’t understand.
“Why Alexander? What have I done? My career is everything to me.” I say, softly.
For the briefest of moments, I can see remorse cross over his face before his eyes turn dark silver and he puts his finger on the desk and leans forward.
“Because I said that’s why, and I don’t want to hear any more about it.” He snarls.
He walks around the desk and starts heading across the library towards the door, leaving me there confused and angry as well. For some reason, I feel bolder than I should be.
Following a few feet behind him, I humble myself to almost beg. “Could you not just answer me why? I have done nothing wrong. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me.”
Black King to E8
I turn to the desk and rub my forehead, trying to fight back the angry tears that threaten to fall.
“If I don’t return to work soon, Professor Daniels is going to fire me. He’s already looking for a replacement.” I look back over at him. I hate myself for being weak and asking, but maybe I can make him see this is important to me.
Alexander stops, his back stiff, his hands fisted at his side. He turns those silver eyes at me and my insides shake. The anger rising in him should have made me stop talking.
“Because I said Isabella and I don’t want to hear any more about it. You won’t be going back to work anytime soon, so just get used to the idea.”
White Bishop to E3
He takes a step forward and points at the floor, jabbing at it with every stake he drives into my chest.
“If you don’t want to use the library as an office, it’s fine by me. I just thought I would give you a space that is not in your room. But you’re not going back to work and don’t ask again.”
He shouts so loud it makes my ears ring.
I won’t argue any longer, holding back the tears and watching him. I’m not sure why I asked in the first place. The lump in my throat makes my voice quiver. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll stay in the cell I’m already used to. Thank you for the offer, though.”