Isabella

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Carlos phone vibrated just as he was packing up a few files in his dimly lit apartment. He answered quickly when he saw the name on the screen.

“Steve, have you been able to trace him?”

“Yes boss, he was spotted in a club somewhere in Malate. He was with a group, a mixed crowd, guys and ladies. They switched direction the moment they noticed I was trailing them.”

Carlos frowned. “Were you able to get some pictures?”

“Yes I managed to snap a few. I'm sending them to you now.”

Carlos checked his phone and saw the images loading.

“I will be heading to Quezon city tomorrow, and I will be gone for about seven days. We need to stay very careful and sharp. This guy is deeply connected, he works for men with a lot of money and power and he's heavily protected.”

“That's true sir,” Steve replied. "I'm trying to get one of his victims to agree to testify, though It's not easy, they are terrified.”

“Just get the job done, Steve. I'm already juggling four other cases while working with you on this.”

“Yes boss, I won't fail you.”

“Good,” Carlos replied.

As the call ended, Carlos sat back on his couch, deep in thought.

He thought of telling Isabella he was going back to Quezon city but he remembered he didn't' ask for her number.

Carlos leaned forward clasping his hands as he murmured to himself. A habit he had picked up over the years.

“She reminds me so much of you…

Maybe that's why I am drawn to her."

Carlos whispered. "You are gone, but I can't seem to forget you.

Well it's just one week, I will be back again and I will definitely see her.”

Back at the lodge, Isabella found herself distracted and hoped Carlos would book her again. Several clients had come and gone over the last few days. The work suddenly became boring to Isabella even though she had gotten used to doing it without involving her emotions. The money Carlos gave her was almost enough to complete her admission process into the university. Isabella browsed the Internet to find out more about studying journalism.

Carlos returned to the house in Quezon city.The moment he stepped in, Santiago was so excited to see him.

“Hey look who is finally back”, Santiago chuckled and Carlos went closer to embrace him.

Beside Santiago, on the couch was a petite lady with a tight mini dress, blonde hair falling in waves over her shoulders.

She stood up quickly and walked towards Carlos with a wide smile.

“My darling,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.

Carlos froze! He wasn't expecting to see her, but Carlos knew his dad was involved.

“I just came into town Carlos and I thought I should welcome you back properly,” Nicole added sweetly.

Carlos leaned toward her and whispered through clenched teeth, “I never told you I needed company, Nicole.”

Santiago raised his brows, pretending not to hear the tension.

“Carlos, Nicole has been waiting for a while, even when I asked her to leave but she insisted on waiting for you."

Nicole was still clinging to Carlos like a shadow.

Carlos signed, visibly irritated.

“Dad, I really need to rest, I will shower and if she wants to wait, it's her decision."

He gently but firmly peeled Nicole's arms from his body and quickly went up the stairs without looking back.

Santiago turned to Nicole and patted her hand. “ Don't worry, he will come around, he is my son,” Santiago assured Nicole.

“It's okay sir, I will wait for him.” Nicole forced a smile.

“Good girl,” Santiago said approvingly, giving her a nod.

Carlos was halfway through reading an article on his tablet when he heard the door to his bedroom creak open. He looked up and there she was, Nicole, standing almost naked in her lace bra and matching panties. She leaned against the door frame, a sultry look in her eyes.

"Are you seeing someone?” she asked.

Carlos narrowed his eyes. "How did you get into my room? I thought you were gone?”

“Gone to where?” she asked, stepping into the room. "I am here because of you, but you chose to ignore me again, like you always do.”

Carlos remained quiet, returning his gaze to the tablet, refusing to blink in her direction.

Nicole's voice sharpened. “You won't give me that cold treatment, not today, you won't go silent on me, Carlos Fernandez!"

He remained silent.

“I'm talking to you Carlos,” she shouted.

Carlos stood up abruptly, he ensured his body didn't touch her.

He picked up his tablet and phone with the files on the bed, walked to the door, opened it, and he turned back to her.

“You can have my room to yourself.”

And with that, he walked out of the room.

Carlos walked straight into the guest room, his steps firm. For a moment, he questioned why he no longer felt the pull to her seductions. He usually did, but this time, nothing was stirred within him. Despite knowing he never truly cared for her, he had given in to her calculated seductions a few times. Carlos usually ends up feeling hollow, and he had sent her away even in the middle of the night a few times.

This time, all he felt was anger and fury towards her, seeing her appear unannounced. It infuriated Carlos that Santiago continued to send these women, disregarding his opinion and decisions. In their last conversation about this, Santiago didn't sound like he was going to give up.

“Dad, I do not appreciate you choosing women for me.”

"Carlos, I know what's best for you, and trust me to make the best. You need a woman that is worthy of you.”

“Then you should let me find her myself,” Carlos replied.

It was his world, only his choices ruled for everyone, especially Carlos.

Carlos had come to terms with the fact that his father saw him as an extension of himself, a protege meant to follow in his footsteps and eventually take over the empire he had built. Carlos had rebelled once. One defining choice that was his alone, becoming a police officer, against Santiago's wishes, against his manipulation. It was the only decision that Carlos had truly made.

"I will make another decision soon, that will shock him." Carlos muttered to himself, clenching his fists.