CHAPTER TWO
1168 Words
CHAPTER TWO:
ISABELLE
Father had always been paranoid about our safety. He had bodyguards follow me everywhere and took extra measures to make sure the house was safe "This place is a fortress. We'll always be safe here" he would say very often. And when I asked why he did all this, his simple response was always "A man like me has a lot of enemies, Peach". I found it quite strange because I didn't know of a single person who would hate my father. The entire town revered him, and our family was well respected. I don't remember much about my mother, but a lot of charities were in her name and a large amount of the company's profits went to them. At least that's what the Papers reported.
Staring at the man in front of me, I felt truly afraid and in danger for the first time in my life. He hadn't said a single word since we left the church and silence hung heavy in the car as the driver cleared the road at an alarming speed, matching the speed of the cars in front of and behind us. Pressing myself further into the leather seats, I tried to get the farthest I could from him within the confined space.
"Santi?" My voice is unsure. I can't believe my eyes.
"You don't seem very happy to see me." sliding his phone into his pocket, he turns his body in his seat, peering closely at me. "I'll admit, I expected a little bit of excitement "
"I… I don't understand. What's happening? Where are we going?"
I continue when he ignores my questions.
"You have to take me back. My father will be worried"
"Oh I'm sure he will." he scoffs. "and your fiance too, but that's kind of the whole point"
I don't miss the way he says the word fiance, as if irritated by the very thought of it. "Santi, I understand that you are angry and hurt, but we were engaged so long ago."
"...ARE engaged. We still are" he corrects, matter-of-factly
"You were gone for four years!" I cry in disbelief. "Four years! You just up and left. No explanation, No contact. Where have you been?"
His eyes grow hard instantly and suddenly I regret my outburst. His hands shoot up and wrap firmly around my throat, pinning me to the window of the car.
If I was scared before, now I am well and truly terrified. My eyes widen with horror as I bring my hands up to his, gasping for breath. His hand leaves my throat almost as fast, and he springs back to the other side of the car, turning his face away from me to stare out the window and staying there. No man had ever raised a hand to me, including Santiago. Especially not him.
"Don't bring up the past"
"Santi…"
"Just shut up will you?!" he barks out. My mouth clamps shut immediately and I do exactly that for the rest of the journey until we pull up to an estate in a part of the city I don't recognize. Grand gates swing open and an even grander house looms ahead. My father's house wasn't a fortress, this place is. As the gates close behind us, a dreadful feeling settles in the pit of my stomach as I realize that unless Santiago decides to let me go, My father and his entire security team didn't stand a chance against him.
The cars come to a stop on the driveway at the entrance of the mansion and Santiago leaps out immediately as if his seat is on fire. Barking orders at more men in suits, he leaves me behind and storms into the house.
"Please come with me, Miss"
Stepping out of the car, I follow the man quietly. Into the house and up a flight of stairs. He ushers me into a room at the end of a hallway and I panic when he starts to close the door.
"Santi? Where's He?" He doesn't even spare me a glance before the door slams in my face. I try turning the handle and find it locked. Of course it is, I don't know what I expected.
Looking around at the richly furnished room, I don't have it in me to appreciate the splendour, instead, I yank up my wedding dress and take a seat on the floor, my veil is nowhere to be found but that's the least of my problems right now as I try to process everything.
Santiago is back. For a moment I'm filled with relief but I remember how he'd looked at me in the car and I'm not so sure how I feel anymore. My mind drifts to Father and Ethan. They must be very worried. The Plimptons must think the absolute worst of us. And the guests. I bury my face in the palms of my hands, oh God, the guests! The town was going to talk about this for ages.
I must have fallen asleep because the next time I open my eyes, The room is shrouded in darkness apart from the lamp beside me, and I'm no longer on the floor. Neither am I in the wedding dress. I jolt awake and sit up in panic. Stifling a scream when I see a figure sitting in a corner of the room. Even though I can't see his face, I know it's him.
"Santi?"
"You need to stop calling me that" the voice is his. I keep quiet. He does too. I'm only able to make out his form in the dark room but I can feel the intensity of his gaze and I know he's looking right at me. The silence hangs heavy between us for a moment.
"Sebastian was indeed very angry" I can almost swear I hear satisfaction in his voice.
My family, the wedding, "I want to go home" I try to make my voice sound firm, failing pathetically.
"You still scared of the dark?"
The question throws me off, "what?"
"The dark" He gestures to the bedside lamp "Are you still scared?"
"I heard you the first time. What is this Santiago? What is happening?" Few beats of silence. Why am I breathing so loudly?
"I want to go home" I repeat, not bothering to hide the desperation in my voice.
"I heard you the first time " he throws my words back at me. "I'll be meeting with Sebastian to discuss the terms of our arrangement" He gets up from his seat and moves towards the door. I want to ask what arrangement, but I keep my mouth shut instead. Whatever it is, I'm sure my father will take care of it and then I can go home.
My naked state suddenly registers "Where's my dress?" the question causes him to pause in the doorway.
"Catherine will bring you some clothes" and with that, he exits the room. Leaving me staring into the darkness.
- Writer
