42. Fight

A month had passed in gloomy silence. Innessa had gotten back to her dorm. She lay crying on the floor on the first night after Issac coldly told her to leave. She couldn't sleep the whole night and didn't go to the academy the next day.

The door was knocked, and she checked who it was only to find her stuff being carried by unknown men as they stood in the corridor. Issac had sent her stuff back. She stepped aside and those men placed all the boxes and stuff in the dorm and left.

Her life wasn't easy for the past month but she was coping. Innessa didn't like how hard and mentally draining her life had become ever since Issac showed her his true nature, despite everything he had done to her. She still loves him somewhere in her heart.

Her eyes unintentionally keep searching for him at the academy but Issac has vanished. He didn't contact her anymore nor did he show up at the academy. He was just gone. It worries her. She wanted to ask Maddox or Theo about him but she was afraid. She didn't know if Issac had told his cousins about her cheating on him. Though it wasn't true, she didn't want people to look at her with that look in their eyes. Even her friends were worried when they found out she moved out of Issac's place. They knew something distressing must've been going on between them but her friends were so nice, they tried to cheer her up in the first week and their support helped a lot to get back to her routine and attend the academy.

She busied herself in making the notes of the lectures she missed because of everything that had happened.

Sometimes at night she often thinks about him and everything he had said to her that night would rake her mind. She tried not to think about it but the more she thought the more it hurt. He had crossed all the lines that night. She'd never forgive him for that.

There was a haunting feeling in her chest. Jasper has been missing ever since that night. His family was worried sick and no one knew where he disappeared. She had the slightest idea that Issac must've abducted him. He had called someone and told them to take Jasper right in front of her eyes. Not only that, sometimes she gets this terrifying thought that what if Issac might've killed Jasper and discarded his body? Issac had a gun. And if he hasn't done that then his scary friend Victor might've done it for him.

Thoughts like these won't let her sleep for nights.

Innessa had found a new job as a waitress at a five-star restaurant. The restaurant was a bit far from the dormitory so she had to take a bus there. She had been working there for a week now. The first three days were tough but she had gotten a hang of it. Innessa was even working overtime because she wanted to keep herself busy most of the time.

Assessments were starting next week so she focused on work and studies. She had to maintain her golden scholarship.

Last night her periods ended so she was feeling a lot fresher today. She treated herself to her favorite iced latte on her way to the academy. The winters were approaching so the weather was slowly getting cold.

The girl attended the first three classes and she was exhausted. She had lunch with Elena at the cafeteria while Elena talked nonstop about the series she was binge-watching. Her chatting was a bit calming as it blurred out all the other noise.

After lunch, they headed to their respective classes. Once done with all the classes the girl hurried to the bus stop. She was late for work. She just hoped that she'd get the bus on time. To her relief, the bus was at the stop when she got there.

Innessa took the bus and headed to the restaurant. Her colleagues gave her a look and she bowed in apology. The girl hurried to the female staff room. She changed into her uniform. Tied her hair up in a ponytail and got to work.

The place was buzzing with customers. She took the orders and delivered them to the kitchens. Innessa had learned to offer the best professional smile. Most of the customers often like her because their face would lighten up at her smile.

She worked overtime like every other day and clocked off a little late. The girl hurried to the bus stop and got on the bus. She reached the dormitory just before they could close the gates.

Innessa freshened up and made some instant noodles for herself with an egg. Her diet wasn't so good for the past month so she decided to think less and take care of herself. After having her noodles, she applied a mask on her face and decided to check out the series Elena was talking about.

She watched an episode and then decided to study a little and removed the mask, her skin felt so moisturized. She didn't know when she slept off while studying.

The girl woke up early the next day. Innessa freshened up and wore a modest floral dress with leggings. She tied her hair in a French braid and pulled two strands out at the front to don her face. The girl grabbed her bag and walked to the church.

Innessa had slowly fallen back to her old routine. The routine she followed before Issac came into her life.

The girl stepped into the church greeting ladies on her way inside. She didn't wait to stand there to indulge in any conversation knowing that they'd ask about her boyfriend.

Innessa breathed deeply as she slowly made her way to the front. The girl kneeled, closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and began to pray asking for strength and peace as she kneeled there for the longest time, praying and hoping that God would make things easier for her. Her knees hurt once she was done with the praying as she slowly pulled to her feet and slowly stepped to the bench and sat on it.

There were still thirty minutes to her first class so she decided to spend fifteen more minutes there at the church.

The girl was staring silently at the cross completely oblivious to someone's hawk-like eyes which were fixed solely on her since the time he spotted her on the street walking to the church.

Innessa noticed someone coming to sit beside her with an appropriate distance between them. She had her eyes focused on her hands which were resting on her lap when she inhaled a familiar scent of that rich Cologne mixed with leather and cigarettes.

She inhaled sharply, her eyes widening slightly as her head whipped in the direction of the person.

Her eyes met with the familiar pair of cognac hues which were staring at her. Issac sat beside her in all his glory. He was wearing a button-down with black slacks and shiny black boots. The first two buttons of his shirt were opened revealing his silver chain. The cuffs of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows revealing his veiny arms and hands. There was something different about him. His hair was longer than last time and his beard was heavy stubble making him look more rugged but the thing that was the most different was the cold unflinching void look in those beautiful cognac eyes.

Innessa averted her gaze calmly. Her posture was calm as she inhaled deeply to relax herself. The girl grabbed the strap of her bag ready to get up and leave but Issac's words stopped her.

"You shouldn't be here," He said. His deep British voice was thick and dark as the girl faced him.

Innessa didn't seem scared or panicked. She was calm and it irked him.

"Sinners shouldn't judge," her voice was soft as she said those words but her words were dipped in acid as he slightly narrowed his eyes at her taunt.

She was mocking him.

"Have you confessed your sins there?" He asked, pointing at the confession box.

"None of your concern," again her voice was soft and gentle but her words were anything but that.

"Do you think God will listen to you after what you've done?" He asked coldly and a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"What have I done?" She asked politely and his eyes narrowed further.

"Playing dumb aren't we?" He rumbled lowly as he shoved his hands in his pants pockets and leaned back spreading his legs further apart taking more space than necessary. His stance of sitting was disrespectful in a holy place like a church.

"As I said, none of your concern. And nowhere it's said that God doesn't listen to whores," she tossed that brutal word back at him and he paused.

She was about to stand when he spoke up again. "Whom are you fooling? God hmm? That's a sinful act, Innessa. And pretending to be so innocent when you're not is also a sin," he rasped calmly as she faced ahead, looking where he was staring.

"Comme je l'ai dit. Cela ne vous concerne pas. (As I said. None of your concern.) Maybe you'll understand it in French." She said and he was taken off guard by her pure French. Her voice sounded so sweet when she said those words and he didn't f*cking knows what she just said.

"You can't wear this mask of innocence for long," he said sharply, staring ahead not wanting to look at her innocent face.

"Yeah. Other guys had said the same things," she said and his head whipped in her direction so fast as he stared at her with slight shock swarming in his eyes.

"Other guys?"

"You don't know? Whores date multiple men at the same time. They cheat. They sleep around. I'm a whore remember," she said with a small tight-lipped smile and his jaw ticked.

"What the f*ck are you spouting. So you're confessing you were fooling around behind my back?" He gritted as she tried to remain calm.

"Whatever you want to believe. Though I won't argue or defend myself. So think whatever you want," she said, pulling to her feet.

"And yes, try not to talk to me next time. I'm allergic to the men I'm done with," she said softly. Put the strap of her bag on her shoulder and walked out of the church.

Instead of taking the short route. She took the long route through the main Street as she pressed her palm on her chest feeling her heart pounding in her wildly.

Innessa was not expecting Issac to show up like that. Nor was she prepared to face him.

She didn't even expect him to talk to her after everything that had happened but he didn't waste any time before mocking her. His words made her so angry but she learned that Issac didn't trust her and might never would. The hurt he had caused her was enough for her.

She didn't know what got into her when she said all those things to him. She was being strong and vengeful. But she realized she shouldn't have such things in the church. It was so wrong and disrespectful.

Innessa prayed to God and asked for forgiveness silently promising not to use such words in the church ever again.

Seeing him after such a long time felt overwhelming but she tried to keep herself strong. Though she didn't like what she said about herself. If Isaac thinks of her like that, then fine. He didn't deserve to know the truth.

*

"Where are we going?" Elena asked as Scarlett shrugged her shoulders.

"I've heard this place is fun. The tournament was about to happen a month ago but it got postponed. I've heard my classmates talking about this place. It sounded amazing so I wanted to come but I couldn't come alone that's why I brought you all as my bodyguards," Scarlett mused as the three girls stared at her dumbfounded.

"Oh, we are here," Scarlett said and Innessa froze, noticing the familiar place.

"T... This place-" Innessa stammered.

"This is an underground fighting ring where illegal fights take place. I've heard some of the guys from our academy are participating. I bet we'll find our whole academy in the audience-" Scarlett was saying when Innessa cut her off.

"I don't want to go in there-" Innessa was cut off by Scarlett.

"Oh, you're coming with me." Scarlett deadpanned.

"I don't think it's a good idea. We should leave while we can," Darla said, scared.

Innessa and Darla were ready to leave but Elena and Scarlett dragged them inside and soon the place was swarmed with people. The crowd didn't give them any space to leave except for them to head to the main ring area where some guy on the mic was introducing the participants and everyone was cheering.

As more people barged into the place, the security guards motioned the girls to come to the front lines so the newcomers could have space at the back.

One of the fighters was there in the ring and the other was introduced as Knight and within seconds the crowd was cheering ballistically.

"KNIGHT!"

"KNIGHT!"

"KNIGHT!"

Innessa could feel her friends gaping at her when Issac stepped onto the ring. Darla and Elena weren't much surprised because they knew but Scarlett was gobsmacked.

By now her friends were aware that Innessa and Issac weren't talking or meeting but that was all they knew.

Issac had boxing wraps on his hands as he stood in boxing shorts. His muscles looked more prominent as if he had been training hard. His muscles flexed as he moved.

Innessa's gaze instinctively darted to the VIP room at the top floor and the man was standing there. The silhouette was of the same man that she had seen in that same place before. It must be the sponsor. She couldn't help but doubt that person to be Victor. She had seen that man once but the way both the men stood in that daunting posture was the same.

The bell rang and the fight began. Innessa wanted to leave at first but then she decided against it. It wasn't like this place belonged to Issac. She could go anywhere she wanted to. He had no say in it. And she wasn't alone so there was no need for her to be scared about it.

Issac easily landed a couple of punches on that guy and dodged his attacks.

The next round started and that guy was able to land a punch on Issac which made her wince in the audience. Issac pressed his thumb on his lower lip and noticed blood. He could hear the crowd chanting his name when he glanced at the crowd.

Innessa stiffened when his cold eyes swept through the audience before he took a double take on her and their eyes locked.

Issac tilted his head like a sadist noticing something akin to worry on her face and a smirk donned his split lip making him look ominous.