The Fateful Reunion

Chapter 3

At the speed I was walking, I knew my sandals would break. Every time I tried to calm down, his face would appear in my mind, causing the irritation I felt to return.

“Annoying!” I sighed in frustration. For years he disappeared, and now he's messing up my life. Talking to me like we were old high school buddies. The nerve.

Why did I even fall for him in the first place?

“Oh no!” I unconsciously blurted out as my phone fell from my pocket. I quickly picked it up from the floor.

I stared at my reflection on the phone.

This is so unlike me. I’m usually a rational person. But since he came back into my life, I’m easily swayed by my emotions.

From the reflection, I noticed movement of something behind me. When I turned around, I saw nothing but a black car parked on the side. Its windows were tinted. I had only just noticed it.

I continued walking, and as I did, I heard the car start. Unconsciously, I quickened my pace. I could still hear it.

As I lifted my phone, I stopped breathing when I realized how close it was to me.

I started running. The car accelerated too. It was following me. The moment I realized that my body went cold, and I ran faster. But comparing speeds, I was at a disadvantage. It quickly caught up with me. From the alleyway, a hand suddenly pulled me, and I felt my whole body go cold.

“No!” I struggled, but the grip was too tight.

“Isabella!” I froze. That voice.

I looked up, and I was shocked to realize who it was.

“Nathan!”

“Hurry!” Holding my wrist, he pulled me further into the alleyway.

“Catch them!” I heard from behind us.

Navigating through the dim alley, we turned at every corner. The pursuing voices echoed in the distance. My heart pounded painfully, and I struggled for breath.

Three alleyways stretched before us: straight, left, and right.

We turned left, and at that moment, Nathan stopped. “W-why? We’ll get caught!”

“Be quiet,” he pulled me closer to him, hiding behind a wide post.

It didn’t take long for the footsteps we were hearing in the distance to get louder.

“Damn it, where are they?!” I felt Nathan’s grip tighten around me. We’re doomed.

“Here!” At that shout, I heard the footsteps fade away. They didn’t come this way.

Nathan pulled me again, leading us to the other side away from them. I saw a road in the distance, but not just any road. There was a black car parked with a figure of a man standing beside it.

I quickly stopped. “Nathan, that’s them!”

“They’re allies.” I was still doubtful. Without hesitation, he approached the man.

"I was waiting for you," the man greeted.

"They were relentless," Nathan remarked. "Start the car."

The man nodded and headed to the driver's seat. Nathan opened the backseat door.

Looking at me, he said, "Get in."

I hesitated for a moment before complying. He had saved me. I could trust him.

As we settled in, the car pulled away from the scene. We were safe. A surge of relief washed over me, followed by the realization of the pain in my feet. I had been running in heels, and thankfully, they weren't very high. I nearly stumbled numerous times. I couldn't endure them any longer; they were giving out on me.

"Your feet," he noticed.

"I'm fine."

In truth, the pain was excruciating. It felt like I had blisters, but I couldn't check because of my stockings. The events from earlier flooded my mind. I had been rescued.

"I'm fine, just drop me off at the next intersection," I requested.

"No."

I looked at Nathan, who maintained unwavering eye contact. "What?"

"After what just happened, are you going to go home?" he questioned.

I was bewildered. "We've distanced ourselves enough; we're safe."

"Are you certain?" he scoffed.

His demeanor irritated me. I didn't want to argue further. "At the next intersection, just drop me off."

"You're not going home," he asserted.

"What right—" he was being authoritative, just as before, and I detested it.

"You don't control me," I glared at him, and he returned the gaze, refusing to speak. It fueled my anger. "Let me out."

"No," he persisted.

"Nathan," I warned.

"No matter what you say, I'm not letting you out."

And that was it. Once again, my rationality deserted me. I attempted to open the door, but it was locked.

"Let me out!" I shouted. He simply looked out the window. "This is kidnapping!"

He paid no heed.

"I'll report this to the police," I threatened.

"It won't change my mind," he responded, his tone final, further fueling my frustration.

"I'll take you home bright and early tomorrow morning," he added.

At that moment, he finally met my eyes. "Now."

He scowled, "Your stubbornness is impenetrable."

His remark further incensed me. "Anyone in my position would never agree to this!"

He sighed. I attempted to engage him several more times, but once again, he remained silent. My anxiety mounted due to the unfolding events.

Could he possibly be connected to the people who pursued us?

"We've finally reached our destination," declared the driver, breaking the prolonged silence in the car.

Through the windscreen, I caught sight of an impressive mansion nestled within a sprawling front lawn. The grand gates swung open wide to welcome us as the car smoothly glided through, coming to a halt just outside the majestic structure.

“I told you, even if you try to run, you won’t escape,” he said and got out first.

No matter how much I wanted to deny it, it was true. The mansion was surrounded by high fences. Several men in black were walking around.

As we ascended the narrow staircase, the door swung open, revealing a distinguished elderly man in a well-tailored suit. "Good evening, Sir Nathan," he greeted.

"We have a visitor; prepare the guest room," Sir Nathan instructed, glancing at the elderly man, who acknowledged the order with a nod.

"Understood," he responded.

Upon entering, I was awestruck by the vastness of the mansion's interior. The space was grand, with maids stationed by the entrance and a shimmering chandelier suspended from above. It felt like stepping into another world.

To one side, there were plush sofas facing a large flat-screen TV. Nathan headed straight for the seating area and sat down comfortably.

"Refreshments," he requested.

The maids nodded and promptly vanished into the kitchen.

"Do you prefer to stand?" Nathan inquired, his gaze fixed on me.

He patted the seat beside him, inviting me to join him. Yet, I hesitated.

"I could take legal action against you," I said.

"Are you trying to intimidate me?" A maid appeared, bearing a tray with tea and cookies.

"I'm simply stating the facts." unperturbed, Nathan took a sip of tea, a sight that irked me.

"Take me home," I demanded.

"I will take you home early tomorrow morning."

"Now."

"It's not safe; it's perilous," he insisted. Doubt began to creep in.

"How can you be so certain?" His confidence was unwavering. His sudden appearance and timely intervention had saved me from those who were pursuing us, but his assurance was unsettling.

"Are you sure you're not involved with them?" I hesitated, unsure of his true motives.

He paused, setting down his cup, and approached me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Is that really what you think of me after I saved you?" he questioned, his tone betraying a hint of hurt.

I shrugged, feeling a surge of frustration. "I never asked for your help, and for all I know, you could have been the one who sent them after me—"

"Is that truly how you see me?" His piercing gaze bore into mine, the chill in his eyes reflecting an emotion I hadn't seen from him since our painful breakup.

"Excuse me, Sir Nathan, the room is ready," the butler's interruption broke the tension, offering a welcome reprieve.

"Show her to the room," Nathan instructed his eyes never leaving mine. The butler nodded in acknowledgment.

"Please follow me, madam."

I obediently trailed after the butler, casting a last glance at Nathan, who remained stoic by the door.

As we silently traversed the hushed corridor, we eventually came to a halt in front of a door.

Upon entering the room, the butler gestured toward the space and assured me that I could call upon any assistance I might require. As they departed, I scanned the room, taking in the opulence that surrounded me. The expansive room featured a plush bed nestled in one corner, complete with an elegant nightstand. Positioned beneath the window was a well-appointed study desk and an exquisite walk-in closet beckoned from across the room. The framed artwork, plush pillows, and luxurious mattress exuded an air of grandeur.

As I settled onto the bed, I was pleasantly taken aback by its exceptional softness. Recalling the grand mansion we had entered, I couldn't help but reflect on the butlers, maids, and a multitude of bodyguards that had greeted us. These were things I had only ever encountered in movies and television.

I pondered how little I had known about his lifestyle back when we were together. He had always been reticent about his background, while I had been the more garrulous of the two. The inscrutable expression he had worn when we first met flashed in my mind. It had been a year since we had seen each other; so much could have changed.

As I reclined on the bed, I closed my eyes, wishing for a peaceful night's sleep.