LOVE HURTS (Will BE PUBLISHED SOON)

CHAPTER 2

LOTS OF ERRORS.......

Chapter 2CHAPTER 2

Isabelle

***

It was almost midnight when I reached my apartment, my mood still down. I took a long shower and then walked to my kitchen to make something for me since I hadn’t eaten anything in the party. As I opened the refrigerator, the door bell rang. I furrowed my brow and checked the time, it was quarter to one.

Who could be at this time?

At first, I thought to ignore this. Probably the person would leave if I didn’t open the door. But I had no such luck. The bell rang again. I was little afraid of this. Instead of opening the door, I pushed the button on microphone and spoke, “who is this?”

“Ms. Grayson, there is a delivery for you.” It was one of the guards at the reception.

I looked down to make sure I was looking presentable in my pajamas. Then I opened the door, and he had a package in his hand.

“This is for you, Mr. Grayson.”

“How many times I have told you to call me Isa or Isabelle, Cody?”

“Almost overtime we meet.” He was a polite person in his late thirties. “This is for you.” He extended that package in my direction and I took it with a suspicious look. I wasn’t expecting any delivery. And this seemed little heavy.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, ms. Grayson.” Then he left, and I shook my head at him.

I walked inside my apartment after locking the door and put the package on the door in my living room. When I opened it it had few boxes of food.

Food!

I didn’t order this then where it came from? Maybe, it was for someone else. But then I noticed a small note on the side.

For, Isabelle. This was written on the note and I frowned at it.

Usually everybody called me Isa. Who could this be who wrote Isabelle.

I gasped when I realized that only Hunter called me Isabelle. He never called me any other name. Never.

Could it be possible that he sent this?

If he did this, I wasn’t going to be filed by this act of his. But I also didn’t want to waste this much food.

Who orders two boxes of large pizza for one person?

I was still in my thoughts when my phone rang which was in the kitchen. It was June calling me.

“Isa, you’re up?”

“Of course, butter cup. What happened?”

“Okay, open your door. Alice and I are coming over to your place in two minutes.”

“What? Where are you?”

“In your building’s private elevator, duh!”

“Okay!” I breathed out, and ran to the door to pen it for them.

Elevator came up, and they both stepped out. They both were in their party clothes.

“What are you doing here?” I asked with a smile.

“We are here for girl’s night,” June said. I knew what they were trying to do.

“You don’t have to girls. I’m fine,” I said but stepped back to let them enter.

“Oh please Isa. We know your mood is off because of Hunter. You don’t have to pretend that it doesn’t affect you,” Alice said.

“Girls, please don’t be mad at your brother because of me. I don’t want you to spoil your relation with him.”

“First of all, you’re not responsible for anything. Second, he is our brother, so there is no chance we would have bad relation especially when we we love him unconditionally, but you’re an exception to that unconditional love.”

I shook my head at them. They were saying the truth. Hunter loved them and he’d do anything for his baby sisters.

“What is this? Food!” I heard June exclaiming in excitement.

“God June! You have already eaten so much in the party. Where did that food go?”

“I have pretty good metabolism rate, sissy. It’s been digested an hour ago. By the way, Issy why did you order so much food?”

“I didn’t, June. It was delivered just about ten minutes ago, and I don’t even know who sent it. There was a note with it, however.”

“Note? Where is it?” Alice farrowed her brows.

I gave the note to Alice and she scowled at that paper.

“Why do I feel like it’s Hunter? Only he calls you Isabelle.”

“I thought the same,” I told her, leaning against the couch. “Honestly, I’m hungry but I don’t want to eat this food if he has sent it.”

“You know what, Isa… don’t show your anger on the food. Eat the food and stay mad at my brother. There is no harm in that.” June grinned at me while wriggling her brows at me.

After that we settled with the food and I ate quite a large quantity as I was damn hungry. Then we talked about the party and gossiped a little bit before going to the bed. Alice and June had some of their stuff in my apartment.

****

****

It was a weekend but it was a day off for me or the team. We had few more projects which were quite near to the deadline so we had decided to give this weekend completing one of those. The new chat app was being developed and we wanted to introduce a new feature in it — recording the audio and video calls and an inbuilt file compressor for saving the space.

Since it was weekend, there was a lightness in the working environment as everybody was in casual clothes, and they were carefree as well, enjoying their work while chatting and cracking jokes every now and then.

“I can’t believe Hunter Kingston was in the party last night,” someone said, and I stiffened in my chair. Now my brain had shifted the focus from the computer screen to the gossip.

“He is really handsome!” Jeniece exclaimed, and I shook my head.

“You know I nearly had heart attack when he looked at me for that nanosecond, but then his eyes sought someone else and he openly looked at her. But…unfortunately she didn’t pay much attention,” the same girl, Monica Salazar, said.

“You know, I always wondered if he was gay. I mean I never saw him with any woman, nor I had heard any rumor of him being in relationship with anyone. But boy! He proved me wrong last night. He is into women, rather I say a woman,” Clarissa said and Jonathan grunted in response.

I bit my lip to distract myself from this gossip but now I was more curious to know, so I turned around and liked at that gossiping group. Everybody was looking at me, and my shoulders sagged. They knew something was up!

“Stop gossiping and start working,” I reprimanded them but they ignored me with obvious smirks on their face.

“Aren’t you interesting in knowing who we are talking about, boss?” Jeniece said and I glared at her. I was never a strict leader, so yeah, there was friendly relation between all of us which I had started to regret now.

“No.”

“And there she goes breaking my heart,” he said dramatically, and everybody laughed.

“Don’t you people have work to do?” I asked.

“Yeah we have but last night was quite interesting. What did you two talk about near the dance floor?”

“I think I should be that mean and angry boss. Only then you all will focus on your work rather than this stupid shit.”

“You can’t be a mean boss, boss,” Trent said.

“But I can be.” There was pin drop silence and I knew who this person was. Training back I saw Hunter standing near the opened door. He had been listening to our conversation! Nobody dared to Au anything. For few seconds they all gaped at him and then got back to their work. The atmosphere in the room had changed dramatically— the friendliness and teasing atmosphere was now tense and nerve wrecking. They all knew Hunter wasn’t a lie neat boss. He had no tolerance fit lateness, laziness and gossips.

He was dressed in one of his suits, and he looked handsome. His face was hard, and it made him more intimidating. A shiver ran down my spine when he looked at me,a nd his gaze lingered on my face. Thankfully, no one noticed as they all had their eyes glued on their computer screens.

“Isabelle, my office. Now,” he said and I sighed. I knew he wasn’t going to back down. Although I had wanted to shout at him but I didn’t because there were many other people around us. I didn’t want any unnecessary drama.

My whole team watched me from the corner of their eyes. I stood up and walked to him and waited for him to step aside but he didn’t.

“And one more thing. Next time you all gossip about your boss, make sure who you all are talking. What was so wrong if I had looked at Isabelle the whole night? She is my wife,” he said with a shrug and I gasped at his declaration. And the sounds that came from behind, I knew everyone was shocked beyond their wits. No one knew, and he had dropped the bomb as if it was the most casual thing to do.

I turned around to see the damage that had been done because of this sudden declaration and I saw everyone looking at us with gaping moths, eyes widened in shock. A couple pens had dropped on the floor and a lappet as well — there was no way it was not damaged.

Poor Clarissa!

Jennica was the most shocked person among all. She was fr owing while shaking her head and her finger pointed in Hunter and I’s direction. I understood her reaction. After all she was my assistant and she knew better than anyone else. Thousands of questions were written all over her face.

I squeaked when Hunter grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room. I stumbled as I had lost my balance at this sudden action, but I he didn’t let me go and I fell in his arms. He had tightened his hold on me , pressing me into his hard muscular body. Involuntarily, my hands wound around his neck, holding him tightly.

He pulled me back up and I stepped back creating some distance between us. Then I followed him to his office which he had used only twice in year when he’d come back in New York. And during his visit, I’d be gone somewhere for some work; therefore, we never got a chance to be face to face in five years. Also, I had never stepped in this office because this place had always seemed so forbidden to me and stepping in this office was only going to remind me my history with him. And… I didn’t want to remind myself anything as this was only going to Mantle torture me. But now there was no escape from the reality.

He locked the door and walked past me towards the floor to ceiling window, looking outside. I contemplated the idea of opening the door and ruining away from him. I didn’t want to be alone with him.

How dare you?” I said when I remembered what he had done in front of my team jest few minutes ago.

He turned around, looking directly in my eyes with that poker face of his. I hated that expression with passion. He was at advantage by blocking his emotions displaying on his face.

“What did I do?” he shrugged.

“You know very well. How could you declare that we are married like this? They are going to ask me questions, or they could pretend that I don’t even exist because now I hold the title of your wife in their eyes.”

“Aren’t we married?”

“Only on papers, Mr. Kingston.”

He didn’t say anything but walked to me and I stepped back but then I stood firmly at my place as I didn’t want Tobe weak in front of him. He would use that to his benefit. After all, he would go after someone’s weakness to destroy them, and I had seen it first hand when he had destroyed his own best friend’s career without any remorse.

“Why are you so formal with me, Isabelle?” he asked, standing in front of me, towering me with his intimidating height. Physically, he held all the power— although I knew he wasn’t abusive type but the past between us remained me that I didn’t know him at all. And… there was a five year’s gap between us, and in five years so much could happen.

“Because I don’t know you,’ I said sternly.

“You know me, Isabelle. I’m still the same Hunter you followed around when you were a child,” he said in surprisingly calm tone and there was softness too. This different side of him was baffling because five years ago he had insulted my mere existence, refusing to see me as a human bing who had feelings and was going through a rough time.

“People change very easily. Why are you here?”

He didn’t reply me, instead he grabbed my hand and dragged me to his office table, sitting on the edge while holding me in his arms. Now we were closer than before and I could see in his eyes. His eyes had always made me nervous but now I could only see that hatred filled look he gave me that night. No matter how much I had tried, I couldn’t forget that.

I looked away, unable to look in his eyes especially when I was this close to him. He placed his finger under my chin making me face him. He then ran his knuckles along my jawline, rubbing my skin softly. I tried to stand still without giving into his charms but the way he caressed my skin made it extremely difficult.

He just didn't know I was tougher— way tougher than he would have ever expected. He leaned closer and now I could feel his minty breath on my face, his thumb rubbed my lower lip lightly causing me to shut my eyes.

“Why are you here?” I asked him.

“I have come back to claim what is rightfully mine,” he said I opened my eyes, starring into his.

“I’m not yours.” I tried to push him, but he pulled me in and I collided with his chest. His hand on my back roamed up and down causing me to tremble in his hold.

“You are, Isabelle. You’re only mine and I’d destroy anyone who’d try to keep you away from me,” he said with steely determination in his voice.

“Of course, you only know how to destroy someone and you didn’t even spare your best friend.” I spat remembering the day, Mack Moore, his best friend came to me and begged me to talk to Hunter as Hunter had pulled out his investment from his business an DH then lost many other investors which drove his company to bankruptcy.

Hunter gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched. He was angry but I didn’t scare away ratter I held his angry gaze.

“You know what… you’re right. I’m a selfish, self centered bastard who only thinks about himself and yeah even now I’m thinking about my own benefit. I’m f*****g helpless right now so I need you for a business deal.” He glared at me— the old Hunter was back. He freed me, and I stepped back.

“Next time, come to the point without pretending that you care. Even I need to talk to you about something important.”

“What is it?” he narrowed his eyes on me.

“Can’t tell you right now.”

“Great! Then my problem will be dealt first. Tomorrow, I want you to go with me to California as my wife.”

“Why?” I asked, suddenly alarmed. Whatever he had in his mind I was sure it wasn’t innocent and I wasn’t going to like it.

“I want to buy an business but the man doesn’t want to sell it to a bachelor, so I told him that I’m married but he doesn’t believe me. He wants to meet my wife. So, here we are.” He shrugged.

What the hell?

No way I’d go with him because this wouldn’t end well.

“No. My matter is more important. I’ll meet you tonight.” I turned around to leave his office when he pulled me back to him.

“I’ll wait,” he said in his low husky voice which I loved a long time ago, but now I felt angry at myself for making him my priority.

His eyes roamed over my face, and then he looked at my lips with that intensity which rendered me speechless and a mess. He knew he had affected me and now he was playing the same tricks on me.

When I remained unmoved under his touch — which was extremely difficult by the way — he sighed and freed me from his hold.

I left the office as I had no strength to face my team which were like friends to me. I just wanted to have my own space to clear my mind as my life had become a spieling mess because of my so-called husband’s unexpected return.

***

Taking in deep breath and adjusting the strap of my knee length dress, I pressed the ring button of Hunter’s house. Around a minute later, a maid opened the door and led me to the living room. She told me that Hunter was in his office, attending a call and I should wait for him.

A sat on the couch and looked around. I remembered the time when I was seventeen and this house was on sale. I had told Alice that how much I liked this house and would love to have one like this when I married the love of my life. And by the love of my life I didn’t mean Hunter— it was just a general talk. But that man purchased this house a month later, crushing my dream. Ironically, that man became my husband but I never moved in here.

My train of thoughts got interrupted when I heard footsteps and I tuned around to see Hunter in dressed in white shirt and gray trousers. His eyes roamed over the length of my body while his facial expression remained unchanged. Shuffling over my feet I moved to him and extended my hand which holding a folder which contained legal documents. He didn’t even look at that folder a shies eyes never left my face.

“I want you to sign these,” I said without breaking the eye contact.

Instead of grabbing the folder, he grabbed my wrist. “Let’s have dinner first, then I’ll look at these.”

“I’m not here for dinner.”

“But it’s my time for dinner.”

“Then go and have your dinner. I’ll wait for you here.”

“That’s not gonna happen, Isabelle. You’re going to have this dinner with me.”

“And I have said ‘no’.” And that broke the string of his patience and I didn’t care much. I was hell bent on pushing his buttons.

He pulled me closer, locking his hands on my back. “You’re the most stubborn woman I have ever met.” He breathed out.

“All the credit goes to you, Mr. Kingston.”

“No. You were always stubborn.”

I scoffed at his statement.

“Come on, Isabelle.” Without waiting for my anise he dragged me to the dining room. He pulled achier for me but I didn’t sit on that. I sat three chairs away from the head of the table. Obviously, it wasn’t a very bright idea because he sat next to me. A maid came over and served us the dinner. I turned around to look at Hunter when I felt him watching me instead of eating his dinner.

“I’m not gonna start my dinner unless you also start yours.” He arched his brow towards my untouched deplete. I rolled my eyes at him. And picked my fork and dug into salad. I had no appetite as my stomach was bundle of nerves, thinking about the upcoming event.

I heard him sieging and was thankful that he didn’t say anything else. I finished the salad and rest of Te food in my plate as I never waited food. I knew the importance of it. And… Hunter had a satisfactory smirk on his face which I’d love to wipe off with a hard punch.

He got up, and extended his hand, palm up for me but I ignored it.

“What is it that you want me to see,” he said and I left the dining room to get the papers which were in the living room.

I handed him the folder and he narrowed his eyes on my face. I kept my eyes on him as I didn’t want to miss any flicker of expression on his face once he saw the papers.

He scoffed when he saw that they were divorce papers, already signed by me. He carefully scanned the pages with a very straight face which didn’t settle well with me as I had expected that he’d be shocked.

“That’s it?” looking up, he asked in a very calming voice.

“Just sign them.”

“What if I don’t?”

“There’s no point of dragging this charade. Five years are enough for a torture…” I couldn’t complete the sentence as he stepped back and threw the papers in the fireplace. I gasped and almost shouted in the shock.

“What are you doing? Have you gone mad?” Perhaps it was reflex that I took steps in that fireplace’s direction, but Hunter stopped me grabbing me by my waist.

“No. You’re mad one in this relationship,” he said, gritting his teeth.

“There is no relationship. Why did you throw the papers?” The fire burnt those papers down.

“Because I’m not going to divorce you, ever.” He pulled me even closer, our bodies touched and his hands had strong hold on my waist.

I shuddered at his admission.

“What crime are you punishing me for?” I asked. My shoulders slumped in helplessness.

He chuckled darkly. “If I’m punishing you then tell me what are you doing? You’re the one who is punishing me for years. For how long you are going to keep you anger bottled up inside?”

“Don’t try to pin this on me and play the victim here. You were in your senses when you said that. You knew how badly those words were going to cut me. You understood how brutal those words were. You showed me my place in one sentence. And you know what? I still hear your voice yelling those words at me, bruising me over and over. And I have not forgotten how ugly you have treated me last night,” I didn’t realize that my voice had become thicker with emotions. A bile rose and I looked away, trying to keep my feelings inside. His passive face was urging me to hit him over and over until he came to his senses. “Also,” I continued. “We never came out in public as a husband and wife, so there won’t be any problem with the press.”

“Really? I think you have forgotten that now employees know.”

“Your declaration is hard to accept the way we have lived, alone and away from each other, never even in the same city. So, I’ll tell, you just lied to them.”

“Me lying is another hard fact to accept. You know I never lie.”

Yeah! That was why I knew what he said that night was absolutely his true feelings. Since I knew he never lied, his words had deeper impact.

He leaned down, pulling me up close, his lips mere inches away. “I’m not letting you go. Never. I have given you enough time but now I want my wife back. And… this is not negotiable, Isabelle. You’re are coming with me, no matter what. If I have to abduct you, so be it but one way or another you are going with me to California as my wife. As Isabelle Hunter Kingston.” My heart started pounding faster at this low and husky voice. My legs trembled as I had stood on my tip toes, pressed against him. “So, don’t fight it. Be ready by seven in the morning.” He released me and I stumbled back, losing my balance. He didn’t catch me but let me fall on the couch. I only stared at him with wide eyes.

Without saying anything, I left his house all the while thinking about everything that had happened tonight.