In Isabella's office, her fingers, poised over the sleek device, pressed the buttons with a certain deliberateness as she dialed Ruben's number. The ring echoed in the quiet space, a harbinger of the conversation that loomed on the horizon. "Hey, Ruben," Isabella's voice cut through the air, a blend of determination and vulnerability. "We need to talk. Meet me at Bar None's parking lot. I'm on my way."The click of the phone's disconnection resonated in the room as Isabella swiftly packed her bag. Papers shuffled, a pen was capped, and the door closed behind her with a definitive sound. Jessica, engrossed in the daily ebb and flow of the office, looked up as Isabella passed. "Handle the rest of my meetings, Jess," Isabella said, her tone a mixture of urgency and trust. "I'll be back soon."The city greeted her as she stepped onto the bustling street. Isabella summoned a ride, and within moments, the vehicle whisked her away from the glass and steel of the company toward the more enigm

Kia leaned back, studying Isabella with a sly grin. "Well, I do support your wanting to make your own decisions, but babe, Ruben is the dream. And I tell you, a lot of chicks are on him, so it's better you grab him now." Isabella sighed, contemplating Kia's words. "I don't know. I'm just not ready for all that right now."Kia leaned in, her tone conspiratorial. "So when will you be ready? When you're old?" "That's not what I mean. What I'm saying is, I just divorced Alex. I can't jump to another man just like that. It doesn't make any sense," Isabella explained. Kia rolled her eyes. "Of course it does. To me, Alex was just there throughout your seven years with him. So yes to living your best life."Isabella shook her head, unsure. "I don't know." Kia, undeterred, declared, "You know what you need? A turn-up." "Oh no, no," Isabella protested. "Too late. I'm cal

As Ruben guided Isabella to his car, the city lights reflecting off the glossy surface, Isabella couldn't help but voice the nagging question that had lingered in her mind. "Why are you always following everywhere?" she asked, her words slurring slightly from the effects of the alcohol.Ruben, focusing on the road ahead, smiled. "Because I care about you," he replied, his gaze briefly meeting hers. Isabella, perhaps feeling the weight of the night and the unexpected twists it had taken, sighed in response. The gentle hum of the car's engine and the rhythmic sounds of the city outside created a cocoon of tranquility, and before long, Isabella succumbed to the drowsiness that alcohol often brings.In the quiet confines of the car, Isabella drifted into a peaceful slumber. Her head rested against the window, and the subtle rise and fall of her chest signaled the deep sleep that had claimed her. The cityscape blurred as Ruben continued to navigate through the streets, his eyes occasionall

In the charged atmosphere of the living room, Alex, reluctant to open past wounds, attempted to steer the conversation back to the present. "Mum, can we just talk about what is important?" he implored, hoping to redirect their focus.Grace, however, seemed unwilling to let go of the underlying tensions. "What is important? So Dave wasn't important to you, is what you're saying?" she retorted, her words carrying a sharp edge.Alex, sensing the conversation veering into familiar territory, responded with a hint of frustration, "Are you making this about Dave? Need I remind you about everything that happened to this day, how you both treated me like I'm not a member of this family?" Grace, defensive, countered, "How did I treat you, hun? All I did was to make sure you kids get along just fine, but you always, always make flimsy excuses to reject your role.""Mum, before you start blaming, please find your facts well," Alex urged, his patience wearing thin. Grace, feeling the weight of th

Alex's gaze fixed on the distant horizon as if contemplating the unfolding plan. "Well, while considering that, I want to bring in new people," he declared, his eyes reflecting determination. "What?" Grace inquired, setting down her pen."They are capable, Mum. I can assure you of that," Alex replied confidently. Grace raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Who are these people?" "Just leave that to me. I won't do something to harm us, you know that, Mum," Alex reassured her.Grace sighed, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "I won't even allow that." "So, that's a yes?" Alex pressed, hopeful. "Not inherently. I will need to see these people of yours and know their qualifications before I can say yes," Grace insisted, unwavering. "Okay, Mum, but while I do that, I'm not taking no for an answer," Alex asserted, a glint of stubbornness in his eyes. "Just do what you have to do," Grace conceded, her tone softening.Alex nodded, appreciating the concession. "You won't be disappointed, Mum.