The perfect opportunity

Isabel

I laughed as I watched Seline leave my gate. She had spent the rest of the day at my house, crying her eyes out, and I had to pretend I was a sympathetic friend. I cried with her while, in truth, I was laughing inside.

At long last, my plan had worked, my plan to get Seline out of Jude's life for good. Honestly, I could not have done it without Lucas’s help. I was the one who contacted him and set everything in motion to make this girl’s life miserable. I was so pleased that it had all fallen into place with so little struggle. Now I would keep my promise to Seline, a promise that meant going to Jude’s house. But not to reunite them, I intended to make him hate her even more. I would make Jude mine. I would make sure it happened.

After Seline left, I slipped into the bathroom to wash away the traces of the day. I was dying to see Jude, and there was no way I would let an opportunity like this pass. I chose my best dress, the one that hugged my body perfectly. I knew Jude would not be able to resist me. He was emotionally fragile after the drama at the birthday party, and I planned to take advantage of that. I was glad everything had gone exactly as I had hoped, no one would ever suspect I had betrayed Seline.

She deserved what she was getting, I told myself, and all I could do now was savour it. Opportunities like this didn’t come twice, so I would grab it and use it.

* * * * * * * * * *

A cab carried me to Jude’s gate within minutes. I stand before his gate. I knock several times before he comes to open it for me.

“Isabel, what are you doing here?” he asks. And I could smell alcohol on his breath.

“I came to talk. Please let me in.” I say.

“If it’s about Seline, then please go. I don’t want to hear anything about that girl,” he says. I could sense pain in his voice.

“It’s not about Seline. It’s something else. I want to talk to you,” I reply, keeping my voice low and soft.

He hesitated, then stepped aside and let me in. I felt a thrill of triumph, he wanted nothing to do with Seline anymore.

“What brought you here? I was about to head out before you came. Say it and leave, please.” His tone was harsh. For a moment, anger flared inside me, but I swallowed it. He was hurting, and I had to be gentle.

“I came to tell you a truth I’ve been hiding for a long time,” I begin.

“What truth are you talking about?” he asks.

“Seline never loved you. She has been seeing Luca the whole time you were together. I have watched it, and I couldn’t stand by any longer. You need to move on. She doesn’t love you, Jude. I’m sorry, I know it hurts.” My voice drops to a whisper. I knew he would believe me.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he asks.

“I didn’t want to break your heart. You love her so much, and I also knew you wouldn’t believe me without any proof, and I didn’t want to hurt you.” I keep my tone contrite, sincere.

“Thank you for telling me. You may leave now. I just want to be alone.” He stands and picks up his glass from the table. Then he begins drinking again.

“Jude, please, don’t do this to yourself.” I move closer, and I take the glass from his hand.

“Leave me, Isabel. Just go,” he says, pain in his voice.

I couldn’t leave him alone. I just couldn't. I step in and wrap my arms around him, holding him tight.

“You’re not alone. I will be here to support you and help you heal, okay?” I say, and I could feel him soften in my embrace. His resistance melted away at my words. I feel him leaning into me, searching for my comfort.

He responded by hugging me back, and the sound of his quiet sob reaches my ears. This was the moment I had been waiting for, an open door I would walk through without any hesitation.

I look straight into his eyes. For a moment, everything stilled. Then I move closer and kiss him. My lips meet his, and the sensation is heavenly. I have waited months for this, and now it is finally happening.

He didn’t resist. No man resisted my charm anyway. I was beautiful enough to be desired by any man I wanted, and Jude was no exception.

He kisses me back, and soon his hands are exploring, urging things further. His touch stirred something greedy and triumphant in me, and I wanted more. He carried me to his room, and everything else blurred into the heat of the moment.

We made love, and afterwards he lay beside me, exhausted and still. As I listened to the slow rise and fall of his breath, satisfaction settled through me like warmth. I had done it I had trapped him under my wings. Seline had lost him, he was mine now, and I would never let him go.