The aftermath of the hotel room's emotional turbulence lingered as Alex emerged, freshly showered and attired, from the rejuvenating cascade of water. The butler took charge of his bags with a composed efficiency. Together, they navigated the opulent halls of the hotel as they stepped into the waiting van the butler placed the bags neatly.
As the van pulled away from the hotel, Alex couldn't shake the nervous energy that hummed beneath his skin. The butler, hands steady on the wheel, glanced at him with a reassuring smile. "I'm so nervous," Alex admitted, his words hanging in the air like a hesitant melody. The butler chuckled, the sound of paternal understanding. "Oh, don't worry. You'll be just fine. I'm sure it's no big deal."
A cloud of uncertainty settled on Alex's face. "When I'm convinced my mum won't be all judgmental, then I won't be worried," he confe
The dawn painted the sky with hues of pink and gold as Isabella embarked on her morning routine. The tranquility of the early hours was interrupted only by the soft rhythm of her yoga routine, as the sun began its ascent, she concluded her session and made her way indoors.A fragrant aroma filled the kitchen as she brewed a cup of coffee, the familiar ritual offering a comforting start to the day. Freshened up and ready to face the world, Isabella made her way to the door. On her way out, Eleanor greeted her with the warmth of a morning sunbeam. "Honey, how are you feeling today? Good morning," Eleanor inquired, her eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and maternal love."Good morning, Mum," Isabella replied, a soft smile gracing her features. Eleanor's next words hinted at an element of surprise. "Someone is here to pick you up." Curiosity flickered in Isabell
As the car pulled away from the coffee shop, Isabella couldn't shake off the perplexity that hung in the air. She turned to Ruben, a questioning look etched on her face. "What the hell was that? Did you have anything to do with it?" she demanded, the unexpected attention still ringing in her ears.Ruben, genuinely surprised, responded, "What? No, I didn't. It just came from nowhere. I'll have a talk with the owner; it's disrespectful." Isabella sighed, the weight of the situation settling in. "Just take me to work, please." "Okay, I'm sorry," Ruben apologized, a sincerity in his voice. With a shared understanding, he focused on the road, navigating through the city's bustling streets.The car moved forward, the cityscape passing by in a blur. Isabella, lost in her thoughts, pondered the peculiar turn of events. The unexpected publicity, although unwelcome, adde
As Isabella sat alone in her office, the weight of the morning's revelations sank in. She found herself contemplating the implications of the photo circulating on the internet, a candid moment with Ruben that had unintentionally become a citywide spectacle. A fleeting worry crossed her mind—what if Alex sees it?"Oh, my goodness," she mumbled to herself, a brief moment of anxiety clouding her thoughts. Then, with a determined shake of her head, she reminded herself, "Whatever. We're not together anymore. He can do whatever he wants, and I can too." The resilience in Isabella's voice marked a resolve to navigate through the unexpected twists of the day. As she prepared to shift her focus back to work, the clients she had summoned entered her office. Isabella rose from her chair, welcoming them with a warm smile."Good morning! Please have a seat," she invi
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
Isabella retreated to a quiet corner of the house, her phone pressed to her ear as she dialed Ruben's number. "Hey, hope you're not gone too far, because Mama Christina is here and wants to talk." Ruben's laughter echoed through the phone. "I'll turn back." Isabella made her way to the living room, where Mama Christina sat regally, her presence commanding attention. "I just called him. He's on his way. So what is it you want to talk to me about?"Mama Christina fixed Isabella with an assessing gaze. "You know what it's about. Now that you've divorced that man, I can't let you run the company unmarried. You have to be with someone befitting." Isabella sighed, her frustration evident. "Grandma, I just divorced my husband. Please, respect that. I'm not in the right headspace for this.""That's why you need someone like Ruben," Mama Christina declared, her tone unwavering. Just then, the doorbell rang, a chime that seemed to punctuate their conversation. Eleanor, sensing the arrival, went
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 Isabella and Kia enjoyed their drinks in the VIP lounge of Club Eden, the lively atmosphere around them took an unexpected turn. Ruben, who had discreetly followed Isabella from her house to the club, approached their table. Isabella's gaze shifted to him, suspicion lining her eyes. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me now?" Ruben raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "No, I'm not. I came here with a few friends."Isabella arched an eyebrow, her skepticism apparent. "But this is a male strip club." Ruben chuckled, his gaze meeting Kia's. "Yeah, I know the owner of the place, so it's not a problem." Isabella glanced at Kia, a silent exchange passing between them. "Hello there," Ruben greeted Kia. Kia quirked an eyebrow. "Hey hi. I thought you're into men for a second."Ruben laughed. "You got jokes. I'm Ruben." He extended his hand for a shake, an
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