Seducing Mr. Perfect

Chapter Four

The shrilling sound of Isabel's alarm clock startled her awake. She automatically reached out a hand to switch it off without thinking. Except She was on the wrong side of the bed. She sat up and silenced the jarring sound.

Isabel crossed to the walk-in closet and selected a pair of jeans, a sleeveless top, and a pair of fresh underwear. Then she stepped into the adjoining ensuite.

She emerged dressed ten minutes later without any makeup on her face and her hair was twisted into a high loose bun.

She exited the room without another glance and leisurely strolled to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, she leaned against the counter and turned her coffee maker.

She looked at the screen before swiping to answer the call.

Maria started with a barrage of rapid fire questions. To which Isabel patiently answered truthfully.

"Okay," Maria said with deliberate calm. "We have till Saturday to plan for a wedding. Let's get to the basics, You need a dress."

"I'm sure I can find something suitable in my wardrobe."

"Not on my watch. We're going shopping tomorrow and I have a wedding gown I've been designing for my new catalog. You can wear that."

"Maria… no."

"Yes… my studio in an hour."

"I'll be there by 12. "

"You're not working at the moment Izzy, one hour."

"You’re impossible maria."

"I'm well aware, that's why I'm your friend. Don't be late, we have so much to do in a short time"

Maria had already hung up as she opened her mouth to complain.

"I've only had coffee, can we find a place to eat?" Isabel announced as she walked into Maria's boutique

"Not happening darling… you're 3 hours late. We shop first then you eat." Maria replied in her don't mess with me voice.

"You need to choose a wedding dress, in case you don't like mine. I had a friend send a few designs."

"I'll wear yours Mari and I'm paying."

"Let's go inspect the merchandise shall we."

Maria's dress was perfect. It was a straight pencil high neck gown with a detachable ball cape.

As she stepped out in the second dress, Maria gasped as tears pooled in her eyes.

"You look very beautiful Isabel. I know this is not how you wanted to get married but this should be your dream wedding. You look like a princess. You look amazing."

Isabel stared at herself in the mirror and she couldn't agree more. The gown was in one word gorgeous.

"Why are you crying so much at just the fitting Maria? Should I prepare a bowl for you at the wedding?" She playfully jabbed.

"Sorry, sorry. It's not a real wedding but it still feels so real." she quickly wiped her face dry

"Is it loose or too tight at any side? Do you want me to add a design or…"

"It's perfect Maria. It's perfect"

"Now we can go for lunch."

"Thanks Maria, I wouldn't have done this without you."

"You wouldn't have done it all without me." She snickered. "I'll always be here for you in whatever situation."

Maria adopted a serious look as they ate lunch in a small Cafe.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world. This won't be the end of the world and Rafeal is a good guy."

"And you know this why...?" Isabel raised her eyebrows

"My dad knows his father Frtieda. He's been with them since forever."

Isabel chewed her pancakes slowly savoring the taste of honey and strawberry.

"I'm sure that assures me even a tiny bit."

"But he's hot and I wonder what other amazing things his mouth can do aside from taking and eating."

"Maria?!"

"What? You should appreciate him too. He's like the real representation of a fairytale prince."

"Eat Maria, that's what we came here to do."

The time they spent together was relaxing and wonderful. They ate, laughed, and reminisced about old times. Isabel was sure that her friend will always have her back.

****************

In the early pre-dawn hours, a familiar nightmare appeared out of nowhere, vivid and almost alive in its intensity, and Rafael woke up breathing heavily, his body drenched in sweat.

The room was bathed in light as he reached for the bedside lamp. He touched his face, expecting to feel the pain and bruise, right away. Except his face was cool. He battled for several long moments to regulate his breathing and his fast-paced pulse.

He stood up and strolled into the kitchen and prepared his coffee as he liked it: black not sugar

Then he sank into a plush chair and worked on his laptop till the sky turned gray with the dawn.

He showered and got dressed, arranged his documents and drove into the city.

As he rode the elevator to his office, he urged himself to focus. The will reading had been the first time he had seen his father in a long while and the nightmares had started soon after. It was mild at first just his father laughing in his face and calling him a bastard.

Then he was 4 again and his father was piercing a cigarette butt to his back as his mum looked.

Rafael sat behind his mahogany desk and studied the monthly report for the month that was submitted for the month. He felt his blood boil as he noticed a few errors in the input and output value of a few items.

Rafael was competitive, short tempered and impatient. He always wanted to be in control of all situations and needed everything to be organized and excellent.

He picked up his office line and dialed the head of the finance department.

"Good morning Mr Castell-Salva."

"Have the internal auditors visit the accounting department. I want to find out why there are errors in the values that were submitted. Is that clear? Make sure I get feedback in an hour"

Rafael put down the phone and studied the other reports on his desk. He worked non stop for a few hours before he leaned back against his chair and signed deeply. He had not been able to sleep for a few days. It was very important that he saw his doctor if he wanted to get more work done.

A phone call interrupted Rafael's thought . It was his abuela.

"Hola abuela qué tal tus vacaciones (Helo grandma. How 's your vacation."

His grandmother had gone to visit her favorite spot with his grandfather. They had been inseparable. He wondered how she was coping with his absence.

"Disfruto del aire de mi precioso nieto. Tu padre me habló de tu boda. (I enjoy the air, my precious grandson. your father told me about your wedding. )

"Lo siento abuela. (I'm sorry grandma) I wanted you to return home first. Isabel is lovely, te gustará ella (you’ll like her.)"

"Did Marcus make you do this? No tienes que apresurarse (You don’t have to rush)"

"Nonsense Ma. You know abuelo can’t make me do anything. We've been dating for a year now. I wasn’t sure it was going to last so I couldn’t introduce her yet." Grandfather's death taught me that time is really precious. So I wanted us to make the most of our time together and start a family."

"Oh mi dulce niño. (Oh my sweet boy) I can't wait to meet her.)

"She's a lovely woman Ma, you'll love her."

"Te amo. Regresaré mañana ( I Love you. I'll be back tomorrow) I want to meet her."

"You'll meet her soon Ma. yo también te amo (I love you too)."

Rafael signed as soon as the connection went blank. He hated lying to his grandmother, but he wanted her to be at ease that he was going to be happy even after she left.

"Excuse me sir" his intercom buzz

"Yes"

"Ms. Isabel is here to see you."

"Send her up."