23. Confession

Innessa blinked at him, surprised before she realized what he meant. Her eyes lowered shyly as she bobbed her head. 

His jaw ticked. He wanted it to be him, but he was so f*cking insecure in this matter because he knew she would never date him. 

"Who is it?" He asked, voice dark and cold. 

"I... I'll tell you if you let me go," She whispered, and his eyes narrowed. 

His hands slid down her sides, causing her to jolt before they paused on her waist. 

"You aren't going anywhere, Innessa." He rasped in that deep voice. 

Innessa never knew that being under a man could be this intimidating to the point she felt like her heart would burst out. It felt like she was at his mercy. He was in control. The way he touched her had her stomach quivering. 

Her eyes flew wide, and she let out a loud laugh as he began to tickle her. 

"N... No." She yelped, trying to stop him. 

"I... Issac, stop." She gasped, trying to catch her breath within her laughter as he watched her with twinkling eyes. 

Issac knew it deep in his bones. No matter whom she liked, there was no escaping for her. He'd never let her go. Hell would freeze before he'd let her go. Little naive Innessa belonged to him, and if she dared to like someone else, he'd make sure to kill that f*cker for good. 

"F*cking beautiful," He rasped under his breath, wanting to devour her whole existence, leaving no crumbs at all. 

"What? Shall I tickle you more? If that's what you want, then sure," He grinned goofily and tickled her more, earning squeals and giggles from her as she squirmed under him, trying to stop him. 

Tears streamed down her face because of all the wild laughter as he finally stopped, grabbing her hands, and pinned them on the bed on either side of her head as she breathed heavily. 

Innessa was still giggling, her chest moving up and down with heavy breathing. She didn't realize, but the strap had slid down her shoulder, revealing her birthmark to his hungry eyes. 

Issac dived down, licking that red crescent moon-shaped birthmark, earning a loud gasp from her as her body went rigid. 

He pressed his mouth further into her flesh, his teeth nibbling on her skin, sucking at that spot. 

Innessa tried to free her hands, and he let go. She placed her palm on his chest, trying to push him away. "F*cking sweet," He purred on her skin, sucking again and making sinful noises. 

"I...Isaac, stop," she breathed, trying to push him, but he trailed open-mouthed kisses up her neck, making her gasp as her body quivered. 

"Issac," She whispered, placing her palm on his lips, stopping him as she breathed heavily. Her cheeks were a bright shade of red along with the tips of her shoulders and neck. He pulled back, sitting on his heels as she scooted back and sat up straight, straightening her clothes and hair. 

Issac glanced at the ruffled envelope beside them, but before he could touch it, she quickly grabbed it. 

Innessa straightened it before handing it to him with her head bowed. "For you," She whispered. 

"For me? Money again?" His tone darkened a little as she shook her head quickly, those big eyes peering at him meekly. 

He took the envelope from her and opened it, pulling out a piece of paper. 

His eyes widened. It was a letter. 

"Can I read it right now?" He asked as she bobbed her head with blushing cheeks and a wildly beating heart. 

His eyes widened as he slowly plopped on his ass on the bed, raking his hair back with his fingers, and he began to read that letter. 

"Dear Isaac Knight,

I don't know how to start this letter because I'm afraid this might be the end of our nameless acquaintance if you don't like what I'm about to tell you, but I want to let it off my chest.

I've been noticing changes in myself. My heart beats fast whenever you're near. Your presence alone brings me so much giddiness. I've longed to tell you how I feel.

You protected me in this huge city where I had no one. You were my savior when you didn't even know me. You saved me multiple times; you were an anchor in my darkest hours. My Knight in shining armor.

I know what we had was just a deal to help each other, but it wasn't in my control. At first, I thought it was my liking and adoration towards you but oh how wrong I was. It was far more than liking, the emotion so intense that I've never felt before, and then the sweet realization dawned on me that I was in love with you.

I pondered on it for days not being able to sleep a wink. I found myself talking to God about you. Thinking about you in my classes. I was smitten by your gentleness and caring nature.

I know what we had was just a deal of fake dating, but God knows I didn't fall for you deliberately. Sometimes I feel it was your fault for making me love you. Why are you so kind and perfect? Why did you save me? To be honest, I tried so hard to stop myself from falling for you. I'm not a person who could survive in this hookup world, and neither was I looking for someone. You barged into my life unexpectedly, and ever since then, you have made my life more beautiful.

I want you, but at the same time, I couldn't give you myself whole. I want you, but I couldn't break the promise I made to God. I want you, but I want you in the right way. I know you might reject me because I couldn't sleep with you. There are certain principles in my life that I hold dear. I'll only ever sleep with my husband.

The reason for telling this was for you to know what I could offer and what I couldn't. I'm scared of rejection, of what you might say. Of the awkwardness that might come our way. So, I thought to keep my feelings locked and continued, at least that way I won't lose you.

But it hurts to love in silence. To be so close to you and yet so far. The fear of losing cuts me so deep that it scares me to confess my feelings. But I don't want to continue with my love unspoken, hoping someday my heart won't be broken. But that couldn't be more than wishful thinking.

The reason for writing this letter was that I couldn't say this out loud while looking into your eyes. After all, every time I lock eyes with you, I'm pulled into a trance so beautiful.

You're my first kiss. My first touch. My first ever feeling. Your name alone makes me crave you more. I'm not supposed to think such things, but every time you're close, I forget how to breathe. My heart beats so fast it feels like it would burst out. If this is not love, then I don't know what is.

And by no means I'm imposing anything on you. You've become a very special person to me. I'd be delighted if you reciprocate my feelings, but I won't be offended by your rejection, and the things along with our deal would not be affected. We'll pretend I never confessed. We'll continue our deal until that girl leaves you alone because I have got a feeling Henry won't bother me again, and after that. We'll say our goodbyes on good terms.

Sincerely, Innessa."

Silence consumed them, and all she could hear was her wildly beating heart thumping in her chest. She was scared, nervous, a giddy mess. She wrung her fingers in stress, not knowing how to behave. For a second, she regretted letting him read the message right now. She should've told him to read it when she wasn't present. 

Issac's heart was beating so fast. The blood pumping in his veins turned warm to the point that sweat broke on his forehead. 

He was in absolute denial to the point that he dug his nail brutally into the pad of his thumb to feel the pain. It wasn't a dream. Issac reread the whole letter as his tongue flicked out, licking his lips. 

She loves him.

The ecstasy that swarmed through every cell of his being was unimaginable. With a joyous yell, he jumped on the girl, taking her down on the bed with him as he wrapped his arms around her small frame, rolling on the bed in pure joy. 

"Issac," She squealed, gasping for breath within her giggles as he finally stopped with her under him as he hovered over her. His hands rested on either side of her shoulder to keep his weight up as he peered at her with raw emotions. 

Their eyes locked in an intense trance, none of them looking away. Too engrossed in each other as her breathing sparse. 

He leaned down, causing her to move back, pressing herself into the mattress, but that didn't stop him. He dived in, meshing his lips on hers, kissing her tenderly. 

Her eyes flew wide as she pressed her palms on his chest, her breath hitched, feeling his wild heartbeat under her palm. 

His heart was beating as fast as hers. He gently sucked on her bottom lip as she tilted her head away, breathing heavily placing the back of her hand on her lips. 

Her cheeks flushed. The whole room smelled like him, but the sheets smelled like him the most. Issac was cocooning her completely. 

"I love you too," He rasped. Her eyes widened as she blinked at the wall to her right while he hovered over her. His hot breath caressed her face. 

"I love you so much," He husked, voice a deep baritone sending shivers down her spine. 

"I... I couldn't offer you s... se... sex," She stammered, the mere word had her neck turning a bright shade of red. 

"I know," He breathed, pecking her palm gently. 

Moving back, he pulled her in his lap, cupping her cheek, he pressed a kiss on her cheek adoringly as she blinked ahead. She still couldn't believe that he accepted her proposal. She was so sure he'd reject her because she couldn't offer him that, but Issac was such a gentleman. Her heart constricted with so much joy. 

"You love me too?" She asked, still not believing that everything turned out so beautifully. 

"I do," He affirmed, kissing just below her ear as she shivered. 

A loud knock followed by wild banging had her jumping in surprise. 

"Are you two planning to stay locked in there? We were supposed to watch a movie!" Maddox banged again. 

Innessa quickly tried to get up, but Issac yanked her back on his lap, kissing her neck. She pushed at his shoulder, frowning. 

"Stop it, Issac. Maddox is right outside," She whispered-yelled, but he just inhaled her sweet scent, humming in bliss. 

Another loud bang followed. "Issac! Innessa! What are you guys doing in there?" He banged loudly, causing the vein on Issac's neck to bulge out as his jaw ticked. 

He let go of Innessa, who abruptly got off his lap and straightened her clothes while he prowled over to the door and yanked it open, glaring vicious daggers at Maddox, who raised his arms in surrender and stepped back. 

"Am I interrupting something?" Maddox mused, noticing a flushed, disheveled Innessa standing behind Issac. Maddox blessed Issac with a lopsided grin and a wink. 

"You're dead," Issac mouthed to him, but he just grinned, loving this. Issac stepped out. Innessa didn't wait a single second as she hurried out of his room and went to the lounge. Maddox ran right after her, not wanting to get caught by the deadly-looking Issac, who wanted to murder him. 

Issac went back into the room and grabbed the letter. He put it in the envelope before placing it in his cupboard as he headed to the lounge, only to pause when he found Maddox bathed in juice as everyone stood there frozen. The girl named Scarlett stood in front of him, smirking. 

"This is just a start, Knight. Wait and watch how I'll become your karma," Scarlett gritted, stomping out of the house. Darla and Theo were nowhere in sight. 

"You little!" Maddox boomed, wanting to charge at the girl, but Innessa quickly stepped in. She grabbed Scarlett's hand and dragged her out of there after glancing at Issac, who was clueless. 

"That's a first for a cheeky bastard like you," Issac mused. 

"She'll pay for this," Maddox hissed. 

"Why did she do it? Were you trying to hit on her?" 

"F*ck no! I accidentally broke her wooden building project or some shit. She's taking revenge," Maddox growled, fuming. 

Issac burst out laughing, enjoying this. "This is the first time I'm seeing a girl not liking you. Thank fuck I witnessed this. Where's Theo?" 

"I don't know," Maddox gritted, stomping over to his room as Issac stepped out wanting to give a ride to the girls, but his phone vibrated with a message. 

'Thank you for the movie night, though it turned out like this, but still thank you. I'm taking a cab. Will text you once I get back to the dorms.' He smiled seeing the text. 

He changed her name to 'Mine ❤' on his phone, grinning like a fool as he went back to his room to read that letter again. 

Issac was on cloud nine. He was the happiest man on earth that night. The brooding, cold man couldn't stop smiling no matter how much he tried to. 

He never thought he'd be so f*cking excited to be with someone in his life ever. 

But things happened. 

And Innessa happened to him. 

Thank f*ck she happened to him. He couldn't imagine anything without her anymore.