CHAPTER TWO

~ISABELLA~

“No wait, please. Give me a chance to explain. It's not what you think,” I called out to him as though he could hear me but he was long gone.

All these years, I had been feeling guilty about what happened on that day. I wished I could turn back the hands of time.

I shouldn't have left him in that alley. Hell, I shouldn't have even heeded to Jax’s words.

I shouldn’t have taken Adrian to that alley in the first place. I should have reported to the police the first time Jax began to threaten me.

But I was just young and foolish… I guess. Which almost led to Adrian during and being hospitalized for over two months.

I wish he knew the reason why I did what I did. I wish he knew I only did it because I thought it would save his life.

I wish he knew that I didn't know Jax would go back on his promise.

I got into my car, feeling drained all of a sudden. But I still pushed myself to drive back home.

I arrived home feeling like a ghost of myself. Disbelief was clearly written on my face.

I couldn't believe Adrian could pull off such a stunt. I assumed he would perhaps speak to me but seeing his reaction and how angry he was, I knew there was more to what happened tonight and I needed to speak with Daniel.

“So, how did it go?” Daniel walked towards me. Speaking of the devil.

Of all the people on earth he could mess with, he chose the one person I never wished to cross paths with again because of how guilty and foolish I felt.

“Not good,” I mumbled, my thoughts still running around on the surprise I had just gotten.

A little part of me felt sad when Adrian walked away without a second glance. He wouldn’t have done that if we had seen each other years ago, I guess that’s to show how much time flies.

“Not good?!” He yelled exasperatedly.

“You were supposed to convince him. Make him change his mind so we can still have our properties!” He added.

“Stop yelling at me and making it look like it's my fault!” My eyes glistened with unshed tears as I spoke.

“I wasn't the one who asked you to go...” I paused because I didn't know exactly what he did that got him into this situation.

What exactly was the deal anyway? I had agreed to help him without knowing what he had gotten into and now, he was blaming me for not being able to convince Adrian. I scoffed.

“What did you do? What is the deal all about?” I questioned, wiping away the tears that dropped out from the corner of my eyes.

“We were going bankrupt and I needed to do something,” Daniel said in a rush and frustration written all over his countenance.

Bankrupt? I took a closer look at him and I could see the fear and regret in his eyes.

“How… How did we get to the point of going bankrupt? Why didn’t you tell me about it?” I asked, trying to control my anger because, to me, my world was slowly falling apart after what I just heard.

Where had I been living all these while? Why didn’t I notice anything? Why was I so stupid enough not to notice, I thought as I ran my hand through my head in frustration.

“I’m really sorry, Isa,” Daniel said and tears began to trickle down his cheeks.

“Tell me how it happened,” I yelled, making Daniel flinch and thereafter I took a deep breath to calm down.

I knew whatever he was going to say next would upset me but I wanted to know how we got to this mess he put us in.

“I and the guys went out after we had closed a deal. I got drunk and…” Daniel paused as his eyes pleaded with me to let it go but I wanted to hear it from his mouth.

“And I might have gambled away our money” He whispered the last part.

“Argh!!!!! How could you be so careless?! Why would you do such a thing to us? To me?!” I yelled as more tears trickled down my cheeks and this time I didn’t try to wipe it off.

The company was the only thing our parents had left for us and Daniel had recklessly gambled it away.

“Isa, I'm sorry. I didn't know it would come to this” He tried to take my hands but I pushed him away.

I couldn't look at him. I couldn't bear to look at him without hurting, without remembering what he had done.

He was my elder brother but I was always the one cleaning up his mess. Instead of him taking care of me like an elder should, he chose to be irresponsible.

“Do not touch me. I just... I can't stand you right now,” I whispered.

“I need to think,” I added and walked out of the house.

***

~ADRIAN~

I walked into the clubhouse with fury written all over my face. I hated the day and hated all the bad luck it came with. I hated the fact Bella still looked fucking attractive to me.

“Jeez, man. What has gotten you into such a mood?” Carlos Black, my friend and business partner asked.

I glared at him, pried the glass of wine out of his hand, and immediately gulped down its content.

“Do not act like you are innocent in this” I warned.

I began to pace about. After so many years I had tried to forget her and now... Now, when I thought I had finally forgotten about her, she popped out of nowhere reminding me why I couldn't for the life of me forget about her.

“What did I do?” Carlos asked innocently. His blue eyes brightened under the neon lights of the club.

“You knew she was going to be there and yet you asked me to go for the fucking meet up,” I growled and smashed the glass cup on the wall.

I knew he had set me up on purpose. He was always going on and on about Bella being the true love of my life and that was why I couldn't have a stable relationship.

“Woah, woah, woah, hold on. Who are we talking about?” Carlos asked, all traces of playfulness disappearing from his face.

“Bella. I met up with Bella instead of the man…Daniel” I hissed.

“Okay, first of all, I wasn’t aware of that. Secondly, how?” Carlos asked with a serious expression on his face.

Carlos watched as I paced around aimlessly while pulling at his hair in frustration. He walked close to me, and placed a hand on my shoulder, halting me.

“What do you suggest we do? If you ask me, I’ll say that you let them be. Or better still, let me handle this,” Carlis suggested.

Did he really not know? I wanted to doubt him but then again Carlos never lied and stopped joking whenever he knew the matter was serious.

Also, I felt like he was acting weird. He never cared about Bella before. So why the sudden interest?

“I will handle it,” I muttered, my gaze far away in thoughts as I thought of the best way I could come across Bella again.

Maybe I should have spoken to her.

Maybe I would have known her reasons, but, seeing her at that dinner looking so innocent and more beautiful than the last time I saw her, stirred something inside of me and I wanted to leave there as soon as I could before I would say or do something I would have ended up regretting.

“Well, I guess we need to get someone arrested,” I grinned as an idea popped into my head.

I was going to make her feel every amount of humiliation and hurt I had felt. I was going to make her feel just like I did.

“Don’t tell me you are getting her arrested?” Carlos said with a hint of warning.

“Of course not. We are only getting her brother arrested. He owes us money, remember?” I smirked and walked towards the table this time with his plan intact.

Carlos shook his head as he watched me, a little laugh escaped him but I could still see a hint of pity in his eyes.

“What are you planning on doing after Bella’s brother is arrested?” He asked me.