01

ISABELLA

I tried Robert’s phone for the hundredth time as I sipped the wine I was holding. He and I had agreed to meet at the hotel to celebrate my birthday and although I knew he probably kind of worked late, it was too late.

He was supposed to be here by now and I wondered what the delay was.

I got to my feet, grabbing my purse and began heading in the direction of the door. I was going to go and check up on him at the office; there was no way he had forgotten my birthday so he probably had something important holding him back.

I hailed a cab and settled in the back seat, giggling as I palmed the box in my pocket. I don’t know what I was doing by getting him a ring but it was time for he and I to look to the future and I could feel it.

I have always loved Robert and it would be a great idea to propose to him instead of waiting for whenever he wanted to do it.

I smiled again as I flipped the box open, the diamond twinkling in the soft glow of the car.

He was definitely going to be shocked and I could not wait to see the look on his face when I drop to my knees and ask him to be my husband. It had always been our dream to get married and I did not think there was any other person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

“We are here” The driver interrupted my train of thought.

I climbed down, thanking him profusely before I walked into the building, waving to the receptionist who was quite startled to see me. I knew Robert’s office was on the last floor so I had to use the elevator. I giggled again as the elevator closed behind me, my heart racing rapidly as I wondered how surprised he would be to see me and the ring.

The elevator dinged and the door opened; I could see that the light in his office was out… not exactly out but quite dim and so I approached cautiously, touching the door knob.

Pants filled my ears as I pushed open the door, my purse falling out of my hand and a loud gasp escaping my lips.

Robert was stark naked and so was Camilla, my best friend.

They scrambled for clothes while I stared, willing myself to wake up from this terrible dream. There was no way… it wasn’t possible.

“Bella… I can explain” Robert muttered, reaching for his shirt while his dick hung uselessly around.

Camilla on the other hand was stretched on his table, twirling her hair as she smirked in my direction.

“What the fuck is this?” I breathed, feeling my lungs threatening to burst.

“Bella, I swear this is not what you think. Camilla and I…”

“Oh please, do not be a fucking pussy, Robert.” Camilla interrupted, throwing her legs down and rising naked.

“It is exactly what you think it is, best friend and do not think for one moment that this is betrayal. Robert has always been mine and you have just been too blind to see it” She laughed even as Robert tried to stop her from talking.

I could not move… I wanted to flee the horrible scene but it was as though my legs had taken control at the moment and wanted me to remain on the spot. To continue to view the betrayal that was my boyfriend and best friend.

“What… when?” I sputtered, the tears blurring my vision.

“When?” Camilla taunted. “I have always been fucking him, Isabella and honestly it was only a matter of time before you discovered the truth. You think I would have given you a job in my father’s company if it hadn’t been for Robert?”

A cry tore from my throat as I turned around and fled, slapping the buttons of the elevator even as I heard Robert call out to me and Camilla tell him to leave me be and come to her.

I could not wait to get out of the office… out of the buzz threatening to deafen me at the moment.

The receptionist glanced at me as I careened past, her eyes no doubt holding pity.

I was the only one who had been blind to this?

When I crashed outside, the cold air hitting me… reminding me that I had almost proposed to this man… this fucking cheat.

I put one hand into my pocket, pulling out the ring and opening it up again.

Well, there was no need for it now, I thought to myself.

Isabella Johnson, you are a fucking fool

I hailed a cab, reaching for my purse then realizing I had dropped it on the floor in his office.

“Dammit; sorry, you… I don’t have any money” I told the man, smiling in embarrassment.

He took one sorry look at me before driving away.

I began walking, the cold air biting into the dress I was wearing, touching skin. I had not even bothered to wear a fucking coat over myself.

I was shivering by the time I stumbled into a bar, heading to the island for a drink. I had no money but at that time, I did not think I was thinking about that.

“What can I get you?” The bartender asked.

“Do you have something that can kill me?” I muttered cynically.

“Excuse me?”

“What does the lady want?” A voice behind me asked seconded by a cold hand touching my naked shoulder.

I recoiled just as the man’s face came into view.

He was obviously drunk and looking for something else with the way he was staring lewdly at me. He staggered closely, one hand reaching to caress my face.

“Get away from me” I snapped at him

“Now, now… there is no reason to be shy, lady. I can get you whatever you want and then maybe you can give me whatever I want. What do you say, sweetheart?” He asked, smiling to revealed brown teeth.

“Get away from me” I repeated, turning away from the man.

“Fucking bitch…” The man raged, roughly pulling me to himself.

I shrieked, struggling and almost immediately the man screamed in terror.

“You heard the lady… go now or the next thing I will break will be your fucking head” A soothing voice commanded.

I turned to my rescuer, my mouth dropping open as the breath whooshed out of my lungs.

He was stunning… standing there like the angel of death with black leather pants and one of the bluest eyes I had ever seen.

He smiled as I continued staring at him and then put out a hand to me.

“Hello, I am Damien Moretti”

He grinned then, my heart sinking into my stomach.