Breaking His Law (English)

Chapter 7 - Live With Me

“This is also the right time for you to find someone who will tame your rebellion.”

I was about to say something, but I remained silent and had nothing to say in return. At the same time, his important guests arrived.

Mommy held my hand and gently patted my shoulder. She didn’t say anything. She just encouraged me to fix my face because their important guests couldn’t see me like this, as if the sky and earth had fallen on me.

I was about to do that when I looked up, and the first person my eyes met among those who arrived was none other than Isles. An unexplainable sensation immediately spread through my chest, causing my hand to curl into a fist.

There are a few businessmen that are Dad’s acquaintances. He doesn’t see anyone as a friend. They’re all merely colleagues.

The men dressed in black arrived. I know some of them. Others are in show business. Some of them are my dad’s age. Some business guy in his 40’s even tried to hit on me before.

The tears threatening to fall from my eyes because of the heaviness I felt from Dad’s words were replaced by tears of anger and irritation toward Isles.

He was behind someone, but because he was tall and his appearance was attention-grabbing, anyone would look at him first. He immediately caught my eyes, and I wasn’t surprised when he looked back at me.

They were only approaching the table, and he’s not even in the front, but my angry glare was directed straight at him, making him smirk when he saw it.

And he really came? He should’ve thought of a solution for this other than showing up!

And he really had the nerve to smirk at me just to annoy me, huh?

“Good evening. Have a seat,” Dad greeted them.

They shook hands and sat in their seats. I greeted them back, but it was obviously uneager. There wasn’t even a trace of happiness on me, and my beautiful smile was fake.

Even though he was already sitting across from me, my questioning stare about why he was here still didn’t end. He adjusted the sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he pulled out a chair. He sat in the chair across from me at that long table. Mommy was beside me, and Dad was at the far end of the table.

I couldn’t help but notice his appearance. He’s formal right now. His black long-sleeved shirt was neatly folded. His hair was also neat, unlike the way it usually looked after he constantly ran his fingers through it.

“Good evening, Mrs. Sandoval. Aging like a fine wine always...” he greeted my mother.

Mommy smiled and thanked him. Afterward, Isles looked back at me, and the smile he had for everyone else disappeared.

Dad and his guests started talking about business or whatever else. I was only eating, and although I occasionally joined the conversation, I remained mostly quiet, and so did Isles, who was sitting across from me.

Our eyes constantly met. I didn’t hesitate to show him that I didn’t want this dinner either, and I wanted everything happening even less.

“How are you, Miss Nathalia?” Mr. Morteo suddenly asked.

“I’m perfectly fine, Mr. Morteo.”

“You seem quiet tonight. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked while giving me his full attention. I could be his daughter, honestly, but whenever we had the chance to sit at the same table, he couldn’t help making it obvious that he was too interested.

I still responded with respect. Even though I didn’t want to talk, he continued bringing up all sorts of things. He only stopped when Dad cleared his throat.

“I wanted you to formally meet our new friend,” Dad began. Everyone was already looking at Isles since he’s obviously that new friend. “This is Isles Privello, the heir of the Privellos. He will be the successor of the Privello Law Firm,” Dad said, with a trace of happiness as he introduced him.

Isles and I met each other’s eyes, and I didn’t miss his smirk because of what Dad said. It was as if he were already insulting our entire family and who we were.

“Oh. So you’re the heir of the Privellos? Are you the only heir to all their businesses and properties?” one of them asked curiously.

Isles smiled a bit. He looked at the person he was talking to.

“Yes, Sir, unfortunately.”

The others laughed at his fake joke. I just know that in the back of his mind, he dislikes all these people. They talked more about business and some uninteresting stuff. Isles was serious. He knew how to keep up and get along with them even though he was the youngest among those men.

“How’s law school? Is politics going well?” one of them asked mockingly.

A brief silence followed that question. I was observing Isles, so I didn’t miss the moment his eyes darkened and irritation briefly appeared in them, but when he looked back at the man he was talking to, I couldn’t help but be amazed and intrigued by the bold and seemingly fearless look in his eyes.

It was as if you could tell him any hurtful words, but in the end, you would be the one to give up because none of them would hurt him. He’s too cold. Even though he knows how to smile, joke around, and annoy people.

“Politics in this country still has a long way to go, Governor,” he said without hesitation.

The people at the table fell silent. Some wanted to open the topic more, but Dad interrupted to change the conversation.

“Didn’t you get your pre-law abroad, hijo? How is it? Is everything easier out there?”

Isles smirked and quietly laughed at the question. “Still a harsh law, Dr. Sandoval.”

Amusement was visible in my father’s eyes. He kept nodding, interested in what he was hearing. Looks like he’s in favor of Isles. Maybe that’s really what he likes in a person. Strong, fearless, brave...

“A close friend’s son was deprived of his rights to his own daughter. The child will go to the mother. There is a history of her being an abusive mother back then. But, oh, well...” one of them said while shaking his head. The longer we stayed at that table, the more tense the conversations became.

“Is it proven in court?” Isles asked, drawing everyone’s attention with what he said.

“They’re still trying to prove it.”

Isles nodded. “Then until then, custody will remain with the mother. Whether it’s true or not, if there’s no evidence to prove it, the truth is worthless,” he said in his low, gentle voice. I didn’t expect our eyes to meet. I swallowed as nervousness suddenly crept through my body. “Like what they said... the law may be harsh, but it is the law,” he said meaningfully while looking into my eyes.

I only lowered my head and returned to eating. I am not usually intimidated by people. I’m known as a social butterfly. I can befriend everyone if I want to. I am Nathalia Amaris Sandoval after all, a socialite, and the only daughter of the famous doctor Constantine Sandoval.

But this man has the biggest audacity to say that while looking into my eyes without even a trace of fear, and it’s making my blood boil and my knees shake at the same time.

Admiration was visible among those present. It was obvious that they liked Isles’ presence tonight. Everyone returned to talking about the topic they had opened earlier, and Isles was observing me the whole time.

“Oh, by the way, what brought you to this dinner, Mr. Privello? Seems like this is the start of your closeness to Dr. Sandoval?”

Before that question was even finished, I almost choked on my food. It caught a bit of attention, so I immediately drank water and discreetly cleared my throat.

Dad gave me a serious, meaningful look, saying that if I caused another problem, he would never forgive me again. I looked at Isles, who was only observing me, as if he were enjoying himself and I was his entertainment right now.

“Uhm, I need to excuse myself...” I said before quickly grabbing my handbag and leaving that table.

It took me a whole five minutes inside the restroom. I couldn’t think of what to do. I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

Maybe I can say there’s an emergency? Or some reason so I don’t have to go back in there!

I walked out of the restroom while dialing. I planned to call Mauve and ask her to help me, but before I could call or type a message, someone took my phone.

“What the—”

“Texting your boyfriend?” a voice asked, blocking me the moment I stepped out of the restroom. It was a hallway, and not many people passed through. It was an expensive restaurant, and only a few people used the restrooms.

I looked at Isles, who was holding my cellphone with his brows furrowed as he checked who I was calling. I took my cellphone back and looked at him irritably. He returned it with a dark and annoyed look.

“Is it your favorite hobby to snatch my phone?!” I asked, raising my voice.

“Planning to escape and leave me in the middle of the chaos you created, huh?” he asked mockingly and firmly. I really felt like he had two faces—an angel to others, but when it came to me, all he needed were horns!

“I’m here to talk to Dad and make him stop this nonsense. But instead of doing that too, you even showed yourself here! What do you want, huh? Should we face them and say that we’re in a relationship even though it isn’t true? Is that what you want, Isles?”

He didn’t answer me. He only stared at me, and out of irritation, I pushed him aside to leave, but he grabbed my hand to stop me.

“What’s your problem?!” I snapped.

“Where are you going?” he asked with his brows furrowed. “What? You’re leaving? Are you scared now?”

Even though I was trembling, I looked at him as bravely as I could. Fine, I’m the one who’s wrong. I’m the i***t! Nothing but stupidity! Fine, I understand! They don’t need to slap it on my face so many times!

“I want to get out of here... please,” I pleaded and stepped forward to leave again, but he stopped me once more.

My eyes widened when he gently pushed me back inside the restroom before one of the people we were sitting with earlier passed by. He closed the door behind him, and I was about to open it, but he stopped me.

“Do you think you can escape this? If you leave, then I’ll go with you.”

My eyes widened. “Are you insane? I am doing you a favor! Do you really want to be married off to this?! Did you change your mind? Weren’t you angry at me because of what I did, even though I didn’t mean for it to happen? Now, why are you suddenly agreeing to this? What do you need from me, huh?” I asked one accusation after another.

Amusement was visible on his face because of what I said. He smiled.

“There are many things I need from you, Miss Nathalia... should we go through them one by one?”

I looked at him irritably. Is he really enjoying pestering me?

“Your father wants me to marry you. At first, I really didn’t want to... but upon looking at you tonight... I suddenly changed my mind,” he whispered. He leaned down toward me and placed his hands on the sink behind me, making me step back and back until I was leaning against it. “You’re too beautiful to refuse. Don’t you agree, too?”

I glared at him, but he was still smirking and enjoying himself. “Oh, you’re angry again... I asked about you, and they said you were kind... but whenever we talk, I really wonder which part they were referring to.”

My hand curled into a fist at that moment. One wrong choice of word and I will surely slap him again!

“Are you really angry at me? Or are you just embarrassed? Are you still shy about what happened that night?” he asked with a smirk. “Still shy about the fact that we had s*x already?”

I really couldn’t hold myself back anymore. I raised my palm to slap him, but he caught it tightly, so I wasn’t able to do what I intended.

“Don’t worry. We’re getting married anyway.” He smirked, clearly enjoying his evilness.

“Get off me,” I snapped and pulled my hand away.

He stood straight and stepped away from me, slipping both hands into his pockets and staring at me intently. “If you leave, it’s like you’re throwing me into a cage. Do you think there’s any other solution for this?”

I swallowed. I couldn’t answer. It felt like I had lost my courage.

“We have no choice but to marry. Why don’t we come to an agreement, hmm?” he asked softly. His eyes softened as if he had suddenly become an angel. “We can have a deal, Nathalia. Something we can both agree on.”

My brows furrowed.

“W-What deal are you talking about?” I asked intently, my attention caught by what he said.

Isles smirked while looking at me, then told me about the arrangement we would agree on. I didn’t know what kind of magic he had that made me agree. Well, it sounds good and... I could say it’s favorable to me.

“Do you want me to go first? Or you?” he asked and held the restroom door open after we finished discussing our arrangement.

I stared at him for a moment before smiling and gesturing toward the door. He quietly laughed and was about to walk toward it, but before he could even do that, I rushed out of the restroom ahead of him and left him there. I even heard his laughter.

When I sat at the table, Dad’s angry look was obvious, as if he had noticed that I was planning to escape, but I only smiled and joined their conversation. After exactly five minutes, Isles came back, too.

No one noticed it. Our eyes met when he pulled out the chair across from me and sat there, neatly rolling up his sleeves.

Dad cleared his throat. I looked at him, and as expected, he brought up the engagement he had been forcing on us.

“Thank you for joining us tonight, gentlemen. But before this gathering ends, I wanted to share with you... an important day for my dear daughter, Nathalia,” Dad began.

They also seemed interested in that. Dad smiled and introduced me and Isles again.

“The reason that Mr. Privello is here is because of his engagement to my daughter, Nathalia,” Dad announced.

Even though they were surprised, they congratulated us. Some of them were happy and had already expected it. That engagement had intentionally been kept from everyone else.

“I hope we see you more at dinners like this, Mr. Privello. We would make good friends,” Mr. Morteo said. Isles smiled and agreed. He was really good at pretending.

“Is my daughter nice to you, Mr. Privello? If she ever misbehaves around you, please don’t return her to me, her father. You surely can deal perfectly with women.” And they all chuckled.

Isles only looked at me while sitting comfortably and sipping his wine. “Sure, Dr. Sandoval. I’ll take care of your daughter...”

I nearly choked on my wine.

“Nathalia, don’t be too much of a headache, alright?”

I smiled and fixed my eyes on Isles before answering Dad. “Of course, Dad.”

That dinner ended, and the guests were the first to leave. The only ones left were the four of us—Daddy, Mommy Thaliana, Isles, and me.

“Thank you for joining us for tonight’s dinner, Isles, hijo,” Mommy said, which Isles responded to respectfully.

Happiness was visible on my father’s face because Isles had agreed to what he wanted. “I’m glad you agreed, Mr. Privello... you’re wiser than I thought.”

“It’s really important to be wise in life, Dr. Sandoval. Besides, who am I to refuse a Sandoval?” He raised his brows and winked at me. I almost rolled my eyes.

The night ended with an engagement ring on my finger. We agreed to a deal. I agreed to the arrangement he laid out for the two of us, one that only we knew about, and the biggest part of it was pretending. But I forgot that I didn’t completely know Isles.

He’s devious. He’s a playboy. He’s a gamer... and the way he plays is different—he breaks, he shatters, it hurts...

“But I forgot to say my one and only condition, Dr. Sandoval...” Isles suddenly said, making me look at him. His deep eyes and sharp gaze felt like electricity running through my body.

“What is it?” Dad asked.

Isles placed his glass of wine on the table and looked directly at me. His hand played with the wine glass, turning it in his hand while he sat comfortably in his seat, his deep gaze serious.

“Nathalia will live with me from now on.”