An Unexpected Visit
Isabelle pushed open the heavy oak door of Liam Callahan’s penthouse with the sleek cityscape sprawling beneath them like a glittering sea of lights. The air inside was infused with the subtle scent of sandalwood and something else, something distinctly Liam which was a blend of expensive cologne and the clean crisp air of a man who lived life on his terms.
“Liam?” she called out, her voice echoing through the cavernous space.
He emerged from the shadows of the grand, spiral staircase with his face a mask of concern. “Isabelle. You’re back early. Did everything go alright?”
Isabelle took a deep breath, the memory of the stranger’s words still vivid in her mind. “I met someone.” she began, her voice laced with a tremor of fear. “A woman. She… she told me to be careful.”
Liam’s face hardened his eyes narrowing. “Careful of what?” He asked.
“Of… of you.” she stammered with her cheeks flushing crimson. “She said… she said that you’re not who you seem.” She said.
Liam’s hand shot out gripping her arm. “Isabelle, who was this woman?” His voice was low with a dangerous tremor running through it.
“I don’t know,” she whispered, pulling away from his grasp. “She just… she just appeared out of nowhere. Said she knew about the marriage. She… she said you were dangerous.”
Liam’s grip tightened. “Isabelle, my enemies are out to destroy this marriage, to make us look like fools. They’ll stop at nothing to hurt us both.” He pulled her close, his eyes intense. “But I’ll protect you, I promise.”
He leaned in with his lips grazing her ear. “I’ll keep you safe.” He whispered.
Isabelle’s heart hammered against her ribs. She could feel his breath on her skin, the warmth of his body pressed against hers. Yet, the feeling of his touch sent shivers down her spine, not of desire but of apprehension. She didn’t know why, but Liam’s affection felt… off.
She pulled back with her voice barely a whisper. “Liam, I… I need some time to think.”
His expression shifted with a flicker of hurt crossing his features. “Isabelle, we’re engaged. We’re going to be married soon.” He said.
“I know…” she murmured with her gaze falling to the floor. “But… there’s just so much I don’t understand.” She said.
Liam’s lips thinned. He released her and turned away, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the cityscape below. “You have time to think, Isabelle. All the time in the world.” He said.
His voice was cold with the distance in his tone chilling her. She retreated to their bedroom, the luxurious silk sheets smelling faintly of jasmine and something else a scent she wasn’t quite able to place.
The next morning, Liam was gone before Isabelle had even stirred. She rolled over, pulling the covers closer with the silence of the penthouse suffocating. She wished she could talk to someone, anyone, about the unsettling feelings that were brewing inside her.
The sound of a rattling teacup broke the stillness. Penelope, Liam’s middle-aged maid, bustled into the room with her face beaming.
“Good morning, Miss Isabelle! Did you sleep well? Mr. Callahan left early for a meeting. Such a busy man, he is.” She said.
Isabelle managed a weak smile. Penelope didn’t seem the type to be privy to Liam’s secrets.
“I’m sure he’s very busy,” she replied, trying to gather her thoughts.
“Oh, he is! He works tirelessly for his empire, you know.” Penelope chirped. “And the company… oh, it’s a marvel, a true marvel. His father built it from the ground up, but Liam has taken it to new heights! He’s a visionary, a true leader.”
Penelope continued, her voice rising and falling in a steady stream of anecdotes about Liam’s family, the company, and his various philanthropic endeavors. Isabelle, initially annoyed by the constant chatter, found herself drawn into the warmth of Penelope’s presence.
The doorbell rang, slicing through the cacophony of Penelope’s voice. Isabelle frowned, glancing at the closed door. Liam wasn’t due back for hours.
“I’ll get it,” she said, rising from the bed.
“Oh, dear, you mustn’t tire yourself. I’ll get it.” Penelope fussed, rushing towards the door.
“It’s fine. I’ll grab it.”
Isabelle hurried to the door with her heart pounding in her chest. There he stood, his presence filling the doorway like a storm cloud. Max with his eyes smoldering.
“Max? What… what are you doing here?” she stammered with a wave of panic flooding through her.
He smirked with his gaze raking over her. “Can’t a man visit his… fiancee’s future wife?” He asked.
Isabelle’s breath hitched. “You… you can’t be here. Liam will be back soon.” She said.
“He won’t mind,” Max said, his voice a low purr. “Besides, this isn’t a social call, is it? We have something to discuss, just you and me.” He said.
Isabelle’s head spun. She didn’t understand. How could Max be here? This was Liam’s penthouse, their home. And what was he talking about? Liam… Liam was her fiance.
“Max, please, you can’t be here. You need to leave.” Her voice trembled with fear.
He just leaned against the doorframe with a smirk playing on his lips. “You know you want me to stay, Isabelle.” He insisted.
He stepped inside with his eyes never leaving hers. His scent washed over her with a mix of citrus and something else, something earthy, like the scent of a forest after a rain shower.
Isabelle caught in the force of his gaze, couldn’t find her voice. She backed away with her heart pounding in her chest.
“You look beautiful,” Max said with his voice laced with a seductive quality that sent shivers down her spine.
Isabelle’s blood ran cold.
“Max, please,” she whispered. “This isn’t right.”
He chuckled in a low rumbling sound that sent a tremor through her. “Right? You’re right, nothing about this is right. But it’s so wrong it’s… thrilling.” He said.
He moved closer with his breath warm against her skin. Isabelle’s gaze darted around the room, searching for an escape. But there was nowhere to go. Max was closing in with his eyes intense and his gaze holding her captive.
He moved closer with his hand reaching out to cup her face. “Isabelle, you’re… you’re making me want to do things I shouldn’t.” He said.
His thumb traced the curve of her jaw, sending a jolt of electricity through her. His touch was intoxicating with a dangerous blend of warmth and pressure. She couldn’t break free and couldn’t resist the pull of his gaze.
Max’s eyes held a glint of something dark and something dangerous. He leaned in with his lips brushing against her ear. “You know I want to kiss you, Isabelle.” He whispered.
Isabelle’s mind raced. Liam would be back any minute. If Penelope found them like this… she didn’t want to imagine the consequences.
“Max, please,” she whispered with her voice trembling. “Don’t do this.”
He ignored her plea with his lips now hovering just above hers. She closed her eyes her body stiffening with anticipation. Then, a voice cut through the tension, shattering the moment.
“Miss Isabelle! What’s going on?”
Penelope’s voice, a high-pitched and slightly frantic was coming from the hallway. Max pulled back with his eyes flashing with amusement.
“Ah, Penelope, how lovely to see you again,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. “This is such a wonderful surprise. I was just telling Isabelle that I have a very important business proposal to discuss with her. A very… personal… business proposal.” He added.
Penelope’s eyes widened with her mouth fell open in shock. Her gaze darted between Max and Isabelle, a look of dawning understanding creeping across her features.
Max, with a sly grin, glanced at Isabelle. “Well, we’ll continue our discussion later, shall we? I’ll call you.” He winked at her, and with a final glance, he sauntered out of the penthouse, leaving Isabelle standing there with her heart pounding in her chest.
Penelope’s gaze followed him out the door. “Oh, dear, Miss Isabelle,” she whispered with her voice trembling. “What a… what a surprise. Mr. Max Callahan. He’s a… he’s a fascinating man.” She said.
Isabelle with her body trembling, managed to utter a single word: “Penelope, please… please don’t tell Liam.” She pleaded.
Penelope’s eyes widened with a look of concern crossing her features. “Oh, dear, Miss Isabelle. I wouldn’t dream of it. But… but Mr. Max, he is… he is quite a handful. And you know, Mr. Callahan, he’s… he’s fiercely protective of you.”
Isabelle felt a wave of relief wash over her. Penelope’s silence was all she needed. But as she looked at Penelope, she knew she couldn’t keep this secret forever. The truth like a growing storm cloud was gathering in the air, threatening to break loose and unleash its fury…