Three

Isabelle’s POV

I awoke in the morning with a severe headache that felt like there were numerous hollow blocks in my head. I'm unsure of how I'll feel because, despite what I constantly promise myself to never drink again, my body craves drinking.

I got ready right away because I still have stuff to do. The start of my office work is at 8 a.m., but it's already 7 a.m.

When I got to the office, Jayson and Jena were already there. As I sit in my cubicle, they are giving me a weird look.

“Why do you look at me like that?” I asked them.

Jayson came into my cubicle and said. “Who is the handsome guy that you were talking to last night?”

“Handsome guy? What are  you talking about?”  I denied it, saying, "I can't remember chatting to a handsome person last night.

Jayson sat next to me and said, "Don't deny it Isabelle, Jena and I could clearly see that you were chatting to a lovely man last night.”

 Although I was too wasted last night, I couldn't help but think of Jericko's lovely face. His angelic face instantly popped into my head, and I smiled.

“Why are smiling Isabelle? You look like a crazy person,” Jayson said with a grin.

For a while, I was smiling without realizing it. I don't know why, but whenever he comes to mind, I smile.

“You know what Jayson, I believe our friend already had feelings for that handsome man,” said Jena.

At what Jena stated, my brows furrowed. “It's impossible,” I remarked poutingly, "I only saw him last night.”

My two friends exchanged glances, and it was clear from their expressions that they didn't think what I had said was true.

“We already knew you, Isabelle, so I don't believe in you. You won't ever let an opportunity like that pass,” Jayson assured.

I sigh as I turn to face them. "I'm being sincere. We talked a little because he just saved me last night from the stranger.”

My friends simply stared at me, their expressions showing that they didn't believe what I had stated until our boss had already arrived. They returned to their desks to continue their work. In addition, I kept working and reviewed my design for our client.

While I’m reviewing my design, our boss came up to me and asked, "Hey Isabelle, how's the design that Mrs. Santos requested?”

“Hi, sir, good day.” I said with a smile, "I'm just checking it again and getting ready to present it to her.”

"Okay, that's good. Just send it to me via email once you've checked it. So that I can schedule a meeting with her.”

“Okay sir, just give me 15 minutes to review it again. Before we show it, I want it to be spotless and attractive.”

My boss returned to his office without saying anything. I want to showcase our client, who is quite sophisticated, a fantastic piece of work. I'm putting a lot of effort into coming up with a great design since I don't want to run into any problems with my work. In addition, I feel inspired at the moment, which is why I have more energy to work.

We have just finally given my work to our client, and I'm grateful that she likes it. I won't brag, but I'm one of the best in our company. In fact, my boss is always proud of me because I've helped the company add more clients in recent months. Our business was referred by former clients to their friends and family. Because of this, more customers are asking us to design the interior of their homes.

He gave us a complimentary lunch as a reward for a job well done. In a restaurant close to our company, he placed a takeout order.My co-workers and I ate together. Even Jayson and Jena moved their chairs around to sit next to me.

“Can we visit the club once again tonight, Jena and Jayson? ” I asked them with a head down.

As I lifted my face, I saw small smiles on their faces. 

“I'll make a guess that you want to see the attractive man once more?” Jayson teasedly questioned.

I can't help but want to meet him again. I'm not sure why, but my body and soul want him.

"Do you think I already like him? Because last night when I caught a glimpse of his eyes, I actually felt this feeling.”

"What kind of feeling did you experience, Isabelle? "Jena had a curious question.

“When we stared at one other, I had the feeling that I was in a cloud and that my heart was racing as though it were going to give out,” I responded.

"Oh my!” Jayson uttered these words before covering his mouth with his hand. He continued, "I'm really sure that you already like him.”

"Is it really like that? I only know his name and I’m not sure if that’s his real name.  However, I would like to see him once more. I keep wanting to look back at his face,” I honestly said, "Maybe I won't get tired of staring at him all night.”

“Love at first sight, indeed!" at the same moment, my friends said.

They merely glanced at me as I continued to stare at them. I already know that my friends will continue to make fun of me.

"You know Isabelle, I think we should return to the club later.” Jayson stated, "We're here to help you with your love life.”

“Isabelle, Jayson is right. We will help you meet the man who makes your heart race because you only experience this feeling once,” Jena added.

We didn't run out of food during our lunch break. There was more talking than lunch-eating, so I guess this is our routine.

We continued our work after we ate. No one in our department is conversing because we are all so busy working throughout the afternoon. My phone then started to ring, so I got up and went outside before answering it.

I responded to the call. "Hello, mom, what's the call about?”

"Hello, Isabelle. I just wanted to invite you around for dinner at our house. Your brother will also be attending,” she said.

"Okay, mom.” I replied, "I'll go there after office hours.”

"All right, we'll wait for you. See you.”

She ended the call after that talk. I went back to my desk and continued the unfinished work.

I simply said goodbye to my friends after work and then drove to our parent's place. At precisely six o'clock, I arrived at our home. My mother has begun preparing the meal, and my two siblings have already arrived. While we wait for Daddy, our dinner will shortly start. I didn't want to go, but this only happens in our family, so I did. We will definitely discuss getting married to the politician's son, Dante, who is dad's running companion.

I played with my nephews while waiting for dad. 

"How are you, Isabelle?" A brother of mine questioned me.

I glanced at him. “I’m good,” I simply answered.

“Are you sure? You don’t have a problem?”

"No, brother, I don't have any problems. No need to worry," I said with a smile.

Just as he was going to speak, our father came through the door of the house. 

To begin the dinner, we gathered around the dining table. Everyone is silent; it appears like nobody wants to speak.

"How are you, my dear Isabelle? How is work going?” Mom broke the silence by asking me.

"Mom, I'm good.” I replied with a smile. "And my work too; I'm enjoying designing the interior for our client.”

“Are you preparing yourself for your upcoming wedding?” asked dad suddenly without looking at me.

When he asked, I put down my food and turned to face him. I didn't respond right away since I didn't want to talk about it just now.

“Isabelle, I’m asking you! You didn’t hear me?!” he asked angrily.

I replied, "Ahm dad, I don't want to talk about that, sorry."

Mom interferes and says, "We are in front of the food, Ferdinand, we can talk about that later." 

We finished our dinner as Dad started to relax. I was going to leave for home after we completed dining when Dad called me again to talk.

“Before you leave, Isabelle, come meet me in my office first; we need to talk,” he said.

I had no choice except to do what he instructed. After saying goodbye to my brothers and nephews, I walked to my dad's office. Mommy's eyes are following me too, but she can't help me because she supports my father in his tradition.

I went straight to dad's office.Before eventually going in, I knocked. I saw him reading a paper in his chair.

Even though I already knew what to talk about, I asked. “Dad, what are we going to talk about?”

He said sharply, "We'll talk about the wedding I mentioned earlier.”

“I'm sorry to say, but I don't want to wed the man you desire for me, dad. Please forget the tradition you have!” I responded coldly.

He gave me a strange look. “Whoa, how dare you say that! You're just my daughter, and you will do anything I say," he said, pointing at me. 

Dad's statement stunned me. Is that tradition really that important to him?

I appealed to my father, "Dad, just let me choose who I will marry and decide what I want."

"Why not just follow your siblings' path, Isabelle? You must obey my orders, and you'll get married to anyone you form alliances with," he growled at me.

I responded, "Dad, I'm sorry, but I'm not like them. I'm old enough, so I can make my own decisions. Never will I try to be like my siblings.”

"Please don't talk to me that way, Isabelle; I'm still your father. You will wed Dante, the son of my fellow politician, when you reach the age of 28 years old,” he yelled.

I know what I did was nasty, but I just couldn't handle what my dad was saying to me. I stopped responding to him and stepped back from him. I'm not sure if his tradition is more important than us, his children. I am aware that my siblings were compelled to follow his desires, but I will never do so.

Dad abruptly yelled again as I was ready to turn around. “We haven't finished talking! Don't just turn your back on me!”

I just kept walking until I got out of the house and got into my car. 

I heard mommy calling me but I didn't pay attention to her. “Where are you going, Isabelle?”

I drove my car out of the gate and when I was a little far away, I stopped for a moment to call Jena.

Luckily, she answered my call right away. “Hello Isabelle, what brought you to call?”

"Hello Jena, could you meet me at the party city nightclub please? "I replied while sobbing.

“Yes of course. Wait, are you crying?” she asked curiously.

"No," I replied, wiping away my tears. "I'll see you then. Bye.”

I hung up, and drove again, while driving dad's words are coming to my mind again.

I won't ever comply with what they want. No f*cking way, I said to myself.

I hope I can see Jericko tonight, I’m sure seeing him makes me feel better.