Chapter 48
ISABELLA
I’m at my Grams’ house this weekend.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her since I got kidnapped by Slade and taken to Russia.
Grams was wondering where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to since I haven’t spoken to her much.
Things are slowly going back to how they were before Slade entered my life.
I haven’t heard from him, which surprises me because I thought he would start blowing up my phone to demand that I go back to Russia with him.
Grams comes back to the living room with two cups of tea. I don’t usually like tea but Grams always makes the best tea with the best spices and her special honey sauce.
“I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve missed you so much, Bella.” She puts her hand on my cheek and smiles at me.
I didn’t realize how much I missed Grams until she opened the front door.
I started crying when she hugged me. I missed her scent and her tight hold.
She is the only person in this world who I can talk to about my mom.
And being in this house reminds me of all the good memories of my childhood. I grew up in a really good family unlike Slade and every time Slade mentions how horrible his dad was, I feel grateful for my family.
Sure I was disciplined like every kid but my parents always supported me and made me smile. They gave me gifts and sometimes gave me life lessons even when I was young.
Grams always made sure I was taken care of and never sick.
I would never complain about my family.
“I missed you too, Grams.”
“You have to tell me what’s been going on with you. How’s work going?” she asks as she settles into the couch.
“Work is good. I just returned after my little getaway. They finished the cover and the release is going to be happening soon. I’ll have a few signings around New York and a few other states. I’ll make sure that there is a signing somewhere close so that you can come.”
“I would love to.” She rests her light hand on my knee. “And then the roommate? What’s going on with him, mmm?”
I can’t help but blush just thinking about Slade.
But these are the way things have to be.
We’re so different and although I wish he would come and live his life with me here, he is too different from me.
We don’t belong together.
He kills people for a living while I write and read books.
“He’s good. He actually moved out of the apartment so it’s just me now.”
“Why? What happened?” She furrows her eyebrows.
I have told Grams some things about Slade and I.
Like how he got me roses for my birthday and Grams always thought he had a huge crush on me.
Which he did, she just didn’t know the extent of that.
“He wasn’t a good person, Grams. He did bad things.”
Grams nods slowly, looking skeptical. “Did you love him?”
“Did you love him?” she repeats.
I open my mouth, about to say ‘no’ but then I close it.
I felt something for Slade.
I liked him a lot, more than I should have. He made me feel things I didn’t think I could feel.
He painted the world a pretty picture for me before it all crumbled down and burned. When I was with him I thought anything would be possible. I saw my life with him even though we’d just met.
He was everything a girl could want from a man.
So yea, maybe I did.
But I love and care about myself more.
“I know the look of love, Isabella.” Grams smiles. “Was he bad to you?”
I shake my head, not able to speak all of a sudden.
“Then what happened between the two of you?”
“We just weren’t good together. We’re too different and have incompatible lifestyles.”
She nods, understanding. “Were you with him during your break?”
“Yes.”
“You were gone for a long time. You don’t tell me anything anymore.”
“That’s just because it's too much. I don’t want to bother you with all that bullshit.”
“You will never bother me, my Bella.” She scoots closer to me and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “You’re my family, the only one I have left. I beg you to bother me.”
I hug her and just stay in her hold for a while.
I pretend it’s my mom hugging me and reassuring me that everything happens for a reason. There is a plan and I should just trust it.
And if Slade isn’t in that plan then it wasn’t meant to be.