“Thanks for coming, Isabelle” Rachael said, her low voice filled with a sense of gratitude, her sad gaze lingering on the
the lady before her. After Gina had left the office, she suddenly felt the need to talk to a friend and Isabelle was the first person, whose name popped up in her. She badly wanted to open up about her complicated feelings for both men, William and Damien.
“It’s nothing, dear. I wasn’t occupied anyway” Isabelle replied with a nonchalant expression on her face, her hands holding Rachael’s. “Is everything alright?.. you didn’t sound so good on the phone and your attitude now answers my question…. Please, open up to me”
Rachael stared intently at Isabelle, her mind racing with thoughts of whether she was doing the right thing. After much consideration, she spoke up. “You were right.. I do have feelings for William… But I’m scared, scared of getting my heart broken again. What if he uses me like Damien did?… I don’t know what to do, I’m just so confused”
Isabelle was stunned by Rachael’s words, in no way was she expecting the woman she looked up to, to be this vulnerable. She didn’t know what to say, though she felt her pain. “You will be fine. I felt the same way when I realized I had feelings for Liam. I was torn between running away from him and succumbing to my feelings. I later chose the latter even though it isn’t sure for me yet”
“But at least, you weren’t used like me. Damien made me believe in him for many years and ended up choosing another woman he just met over me”Rachael refuted, tears welling up in her eyes as memories of the pain came to hunt her. She assumed she had gotten over the betrayal but old scars never fade. “The more reason I think of the pain, the more I want to hurt him in a tenfold… That is why I have drafted a plan”
“What plan?”Isabelle asked, her gaze glittering with curiosity, her voice filled with anticipation. “How is it going to help us?”
“I’ll give you the details but not now” Rachael replied, her voice mixed with something unknown, her gaze distant. ” I think Damien is planning something but nobody knows, nothing even his accomplice. I need to clarify that first before taking a step”
Isabelle sighed deeply in frustration at the suspense, her gaze on the lawn by which they both stood. “I hope everything works out in our favor… The earlier we act fast, the better”
“What about your decision?… Have you told Liam about Max?” Rachael asked, her voice filled with curiosity, her gaze flashing with anticipation. “I remember telling you not to waste time with it”
“No, I haven’t.. we keep have one issues or the because of Max. That idiot almost spilled it out last night. I’m quite sure Liam is already suspicious about it. He’ll find out sooner or later and….”
“That’s the more reason why you need to tell him before it gets out of hand” Rachael interjected her words. “Enemies are lurking around and I’m sure they are just waiting for the right opportunity to strike…. Have you heard anything about his ex-lover, Kyle?”
“No, I haven’t.. I still find it hard to believe that such a thing had happened between them. Even though it was settled among the Public, I still think there’s more to it than meet the eye”Isabelle replied, her voice laced with a hint of confusion, as she stared at the sky in a daze. “Who knows what to expect shortly”
She turned to look at Rachael,” That reminds me, what about William? What do you want to do about him?…. I can tell he cares about you”
Rachael looked away to avoid Isabelle’s intense gaze, hurt in her eyes. “I don’t know. I rejected him last night. I don’t think he is coming to come back”
“He will come back if his feelings for you are genuine. He’s just hurt and will get over it”Racheal said with a deep consolation in her tone, her eyes flashing with a tinge of pity. “If your feelings for him persist after a while, that means you fell for him and you need to find him”
“What if he gets over me before I do?…. How do I cope with another round of rejection?… I’d rather keep my feelings to myself. If possible, take it with me to my grave”Rachael said, with a wavering glint in her eyes, her heart disagreeing with her thoughts. “I really don’t know what to do”
“There’s always a way to solve every problem. You just have to think deeply about it” Isabelle said with a convincing tone in her voice. Their chatting simmered into silence as they both stared at their surroundings, taking in the fresh air.
Isabelle abruptly averted her gaze to Rachael as a question crossed her mind. “Rachael” she called out with a questioning gaze. “You mentioned that Damien chose another woman over you. Who is she?”
“Huh…” Rachael was taken aback by the question. Her heart raced at the thought of revealing the truth she had been hiding. How could she tell Isabelle that her mother was among the enemies trying to ruin her life? She quickly searched her brains for excuses to give. ” Erm… I don’t want to talk about her, it only reminds me about my problems. You will find out sooner or later”
Isabelle was confused by her reaction as she studied her expression, “Why are you sweating?… That’s quite strange in the cold weather… Are you okay?”
“Yes, yes I am” Rachael nodded her heard sharply, her tone filled with dread at the thought of betraying Isabelle’s trust. How will she react when she finds out that her friend and her mother were sworn enemies, and that her mother was a direct accomplice with the main enemy?
Rachael inhaled deeply and added, “I need to get back to work now. My lunch break is over already. I’m not ready to get another demotion… We’ll chat later, bye”
Isabelle watched as Rachael scurried away, her gaze lingered with great suspicions and fear of the unknown. Her exposure to Liam’s lifestyle and the world of the rich had made her smart enough to know that something was wrong somewhere. But, what was it?…..