CHAPTER 5

The HOU hurried out of his office as he was informed of Isaac's arrival to welcome him.

“Good morning, Your Highness.” He greeted with a bow.

“It's okay. Act natural.” He patted him warmly, glancing to see if anyone noticed that. “The less people who know who I am, the better.”

“I apologize for not recognising you yesterday. My sin is unforgivable.”

“Don't say that. You'd make me want to punish you.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Where's the lecture hall?”

“This way, please.” He led them to the hall.

“For fashion and design freshers?”

“Yes, the class started about twenty minutes ago.”

They reached, and the HOU headed in to speak with the professor while Isaac searched for her among the students.

Gotcha. He smiled contentedly as he spotted her at the last row.

The professor stepped down from the podium to pay his respect, but Isaac was quick to stop him.

“I don't want to gain too much attention on my first day.”

“Uh, o - okay. What do I do now?” The mid-aged man was quite nervous.

“Just do what you do. Pretend I'm not here.” Isaac gave him a brief smile.

Jonas followed him to his seat, which was beside Natalie, and then sat a row behind them.

Natalie didn't notice him until he approached her, and she couldn't lay a name on what she felt. Shocked? Scared? Cos what on earth does she have that'd make this man so interested in her?

No, maybe it's just a coincidence. It has to be a coincidence!

“We'll be having a new student with us. Please treat him nicely.” The HOU announced, and Isaac waved as faces turned to him.

“Hi, I look forward to spending time with you.”

Soon, the class continued, and he decided to say hi.

“Hey, Natalie.”

She glanced at him, and the smile on his face broadened.

“Tada, I came all the way here for you.”

“Do you know you're creepy?”

“How so?”

She shook her head and faced the professor.

Isaac smiled and did the same, but he couldn't keep mute for long. “Can I take you out today? I'm all dressed up, you see.”

She gave him a glance. He layered a flannel jacket and polo shirt paired with khaki pants. His newsboy cap complimented his chiselled face and lace-up shoe, and his accessories were just okay. All in all, he looked charming.

“I have a prior commitment.”

“Natalie.”

“You doing all this will only make me lose interest in you.” She whispered.

“Then what should I do?”

“Stop freaking me out. Leave me alone.” She looked away from him, letting his hurt gaze fall on her right cheek.

“Can we talk outside?” He offered.

“I'm sorry, but no.”

He reclined on the chair, his eyes moving back to the podium. There was silence for a long while before he broke it again.

“The class is boring. Should I end it?”

Natalie faced him, confused.

“It isn't a big deal.” He smiled, suddenly getting excited. The look on her face was priceless. “If I do, will you have brunch with me?”

She wanted to say yes to see if he really could end the class, but something within her believed he could. A proud man like him wouldn't make an empty threat.

“Jonas, the lecture is enough. He should rest.” Isaac gave his order.

“Yes, Sir.” Jonas stood up and headed to the podium. He relayed Isaac's message, and the professor hesitantly ended the class.

The flabbergasted look on Natalie's face as the professor walked out was priceless.

“Things like these are effortless for me. So, brunch?” He stood up, gave her his hand.

“Just who on earth are you?”

“Isaac Bardekk, that's my name.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I told you, be my_”

“Sir.” Jonas called behind him, displaying his phone before him. “You have a call.”

Natalie noticed the way his expression switched to an angry one almost immediately, and she wondered who it was that was calling him.

Isaac took the phone from Jonas, clenched his jaw, and without another look her way, he walked away, answering the call.

Natalie's eyes followed him out of the hall, wondering what the story behind that call was.

Isaac Bardekk, just who on earth are you?

***

Natalie was in her dorm room, studying for a test while her roommate was out. A call came through on her phone, and she answered as it was her former boss.

“Hey Bella.”

“Good evening, Tara.”

“Evening love, how are you? Hope you're doing well over there?”

“I am, and you?”

“Same same. Are you free tonight?”

“I have a test tomorrow. What's up?”

“Can you… uh…”

“What is it?” Natalie puffed, resting her back on the chair.

“There's this punter… he wants you for a few days_”

“I quit, Tara.”

“I know, and I told him. But he wants you for three days.”

“There are other girls, Tara.”

“Look, he's a relentless, loaded bum. I tried giving him other options, but he wants you only. I even tried doubling the f*e to get him to reconsider, and he wired five times that as a deposit.”

“Who is he?” Natalie asked in surprise.

“He didn't disclose. He only said he'd send me the address after I speak with you.”

Could it be… “Is he here in Azores?”

“That, I didn't inquire. I didn't know him, and I believed asking him would reveal where you are. You wanted your schooling to be a secret.”

“Do you think he is a regular? I mean, he has your contact info.”

“I highly doubt that, I've never had a client who was so assertive and reckless. What if you refuse to meet him? Does he think I'd refund his money?”

A part of Natalie wished it'd be Isaac because obviously, he fit the description. But she decided not to get her hopes up. “I'll go tomorrow. He should send the address.”

“That was easy. You must be in need of cash, yes?”

“Nobody dislikes money, Tara. Moreover, I'm a student.”

“Oh dear, I'll wire you your share of the deposit. Don't worry, I'll be sure to tell him not to cause trouble.”

“You always do, Tara. Have a nice one.”

“Same to you, love.” And Tara ended the call.

Natalie pulled the drawer of her study desk and took out her purse. She unzipped it and took the card Isaac gave her.

The crest on it was a shield with a bald eagle demonstrated on it and a crown on top. It had a simple detailed design to it, and the initials, IAB, was written underneath.

She believed that's his name. Isaac Bardekk, the ‘A’ might stand for his middle name. It only makes sense like that.

It has been three weeks since he left after ending the class and she hasn't seen or heard from him. Was she worried? Of course, yes. Who wouldn't after he walked out of her like that and hasn't appeared ever since?

She huffed, put the card back into the purse. She had no reason to call him. It's not like she agreed to his advances.

She tried, though, searching him on social media, but there's no account under his name. None at all.

With a heavy sigh, she continued studying, putting Isaac's thought at the back of her mind.

* * *

He waited patiently for her. The suite was dimly lit, and he relaxed on the couch, watching a boring documentary on the TV and sipping on a glass of wine.

The door opened, and Jonas approached him. “She's here.”

“Let her in.” He ordered.

Jonas did so and left.

Isaac rose from the couch and walked towards her. “Hi.”

“I wished it wouldn't be you.”

He was quiet for a few seconds. “Was I rude the other day?”

‘No.’ She wanted to say. ‘I fear I won't be able to resist you any longer.’ But she remained quiet.

“I didn't mean to.”

“I believe you didn't call me here to chat.”

“I did.” He sucked in a breath, heading back to the couch. “You've had dinner?”

“I did.”

“Have a seat, Natalie.”

She cautiously did so.

“Wine?”

“No, thank you. I have a class in the morning.”

“How long do you normally stay?”

“Depends on the client and what he's willing to pay.”

“I want you for the whole night.”

“We're gonna ‘chat’ the entire night?”

“Are you usually in such a haste? It's such a turnoff.”

“A man who pays you for sex jumps on you the moment you're alone with him.”

“I didn't pay you for sex, I paid for your time.”

She's speechless.

“Tell me what you'd like to do, anything.”

“Why me?” She asked. It's high time he be real with her.

He picked his glass and sipped. “You were irresistible at first.”

“And now?”

“Then I found you interesting, the second time we met.”

“And the third?”

“The third, in the classroom, I fell in love with you.”