Chapter 10

Matteo.

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“What did you find?” I asked Charles. My eyes were on him as I brought the rim of my glass cup towards my lips.

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“She doesn’t work for the bar. Yesterday was her first time there. The hostesses meant for you were running late, so she covered up for them.”

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“Isabelle, 26. Engaged and dumped.”

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My jaw tightened. Heat suddenly flooded my chest as though something was burning in me.

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Engaged, dumped, on the same night?

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I didn’t know which words stung the most: the thought of another man daring to claim her or the image of her standing, heartbroken, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

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Then it hit me. Was that the reason for the sadness I saw in her eyes?

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My hand balled into a tight fist. “Who dares to toss her aside like she means nothing?”

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“He cheated!”

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I stared at Charles with confused eyes.

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“He proposed to her last night. Then she discovered her best friend was pregnant with her fiancé's child. That’s why she landed at the bar. To come drown her pain away.”

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My fist slowly unclenched.

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I….Is that the reason for the stain on the bed? She couldn’t give him what he wanted, so he went out to get it.

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“Who the hell is he and what does he do for a living?”

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“He works at Caruso! Rumor has it that he’s still out there trying to win back Isabelle.”

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“Asshole!” I scoffed.

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“Why the look?” I attacked Charles.

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“Your tone seems different. First of its kind.”

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I arched a brow at him.

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“Jealous.” He mumbled.

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I instantly rolled my eyes at him. “I already destroyed his chances. No one’s ever going to top my game.”

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“That’s a first!”

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“Of what?” I asked Charles.

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"You've never let your affairs get personal. But first, you bring her into your personal space, then you request we investigate her." 

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“Get to the point!” 

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“It’s just an observation, and I’m happy about it. She didn’t steal from you and hasn’t done anything to defame you yet. Perhaps she’s not yet out of your mind.”

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“I don’t know who makes me crazier. You, mom, or SHE who ran off before I ordered her to leave?” I glared at Charles, who instantly bowed.

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“My apologies, Boss.”

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“She’s just an hour away. Her address is well detailed here. Including her place of work and phone number.”

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“Background checks done. She's clean but comes from a complicated family. You might want to go through the documents for more details. If she isn't with her sibling, she’s either at work or with her partner. I mean, her ex.”

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“I want every dirt on those betrayers.”

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Charles nodded.

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“And for Isabelle?” I paused, staring at nothing in particular. I didn’t expect her name to roll off my tongue easily, and neither did I expect someone that feisty to bear such a gentle name.

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“I want her back in the club tonight. Same space; same time.”

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Charles arched his brow.

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“What?”

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He swallowed painfully, then folded his arms at his back.

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“She’s hurt. That’s why she showed up at the club. The wound is probably still fresh in her. I think it’s best that you give her a few days.”

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“Do as I’ve said,” I turned my eyes away from Charles.

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…………………

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Isabelle.

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“I was about to ring you. Do you feel better?” Sage’s voice came through the phone.

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“Are you still friends with that police dude?”

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“Have you been crying?” Sage asked.

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“This is important.” I sniffled, wiping tears off the corner of my eyes.

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“You want to sue Dave? I’ve been ignoring his calls, but it seems it’s time I visit him.”

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“He was at my door earlier, pleading for me to open up. Then I got a text from Aurora. She’s literally throwing it to my face that Dave is hers. She’s not even sorry about what she did. I thought terrible things never happen to good people, but no matter how much I try, it hurts so much.” I said, then placed a hand over my mouth to muffle the sobs as my other hand held my phone against my ear.

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My heart aches when I try to stay awake, and even when I force myself to shut my eyes and take some rest, I’m being taunted by the memories of last night with the stranger.

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“That bitch!!!! I’m going to put her in her place. I should probably start by posting her damn picture all over the media!”

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“No!” I said immediately.

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“Why?”

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“You know I don’t do the media shit. This is something I’m ashamed to talk about. People who know about our friendship would identify me as the victim. I gave my life to a man who ended up fucking my best friend.”

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“I know I was a little uptight with Dave. I didn’t give him sex, but I gave him something close. Maybe this was all my fault. I lost the most beautiful thing that I thought I had.”

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“Don’t you dare blame yourself! If he loves you as much as he claims, why would he fuck your so-called best friend to the point of getting her pregnant?”

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“You know, I really shouldn’t have left. But you sounded like you needed your space. I hate that you are going through this, but I’m glad it happened now and not after you all had gotten married.”

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“This is not your fault, Bella. They are both assholes, and they deserve each other. They don’t even deserve your tears or your sympathy.”

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“You want revenge, don’t you?”

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“I want an explanation. Not from Dave but from Aurora. I need to know what I did wrong that made her stab me in the back.”

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Sage scoffed. “Isn’t it obvious? She fucked your man and doesn’t feel a bit guilty about it. She’s definitely Lucifer’s sister!”

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“No one hurts my sister and enjoys a peaceful life.”

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“What are you going to do?” I asked immediately. Sage was the total opposite of me. The very outgoing type who didn’t give a shit about anyone. Sometimes I feel she’s the older one.

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“So you are going to talk me out of it?”

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Silence

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“You’ve got to be kidding me, Bella. Then why did you ask for the contact of my police friend?”

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“I want them to pay for what they did. But will that heal the pain in my heart?” I sniffled.

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“Maybe not, but at least they would feel pain in some type of way, too!”

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“Not everything should be overlooked, Sis. Sometimes, you gotta pay evil with evil.”

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“One minute, Sage. I’ve got a call from the security.” I put Sage on hold, then answered the call.

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“You’ve got a visitor, ma’am.” The familiar voice came through. 

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“I’m not expecting anyone.”

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“He says it’s urgent!”

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“Dave? I thought you all already added him to the banned list?”

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“No, it’s Charles here.”

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I frowned a bit, trying to recall if I knew anyone with that name.

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“Can you pass the phone to him?”

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“Ms Isabelle,”  an unfamiliar voice came through shortly.

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“And you are?”

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“Charles! We’ve not met before, but I mean no harm. Don wants you back tonight.”

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My heart beat quickened as I held my phone tighter against my ear.

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“What are you talking about?”

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“How do you even know where I live?”

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“Finding you is pretty easy. I’m sure you understand what I mean. The boss wants you back. Same time and same place.”

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“Isabelle..." He paused. "For your own sake, be there." 

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