Chapter4
1456 Words
Isabel Milton wasn't raised to be cold. She wasn't ruthless. But that was before.
Before she watched the man she loved, screw her bestfriend,
Before she was happy,
Before she found out that Luca Zelinski was the reason her father was dead.
Something dark took root in her heart and that night, she lost her sleep.
She couldn't stay home alone so she decided to stay at Tania's, her only companion.
Instead of sleep, she poured through articles after articles, corporate filings and anything that'd be related to ruining Luca Zelinski.
Zelinski Group of Companies was a powerhouse but everyone had secrets and Isabel was going to find his even if — even if it meant selling her very soul.
She told herself she hated Luca Zelinski.
She told herself she should hate him but —
But the way he looked at her like she was the only one in the world, the way he moved through the office, the way touched her like he had every right to her body, only made her fall for him more.
That was not all.
She'd let him touch her over and over again.
Her body betaryed her every time no matter how much she reminded herself that he was her enemy. She wanted Luca Zelinski but he needed her.
She thought to talk to Tania about her conflicted feelings but before she could reach for the phone, it rang.
“You have psychic powers now?” She asked with a laugh.
“I knew you'd be overthinking. Get your ass over here. I have wine and pizza.”
“I love you, you know that, right?”
“I know.”
After wine and pizza and everything in between, Isabel recalled to her new bestfriend that she had made terrible life choices.
“You slept with Blake’s dad?!” Tania yelled.
Isabel quickly placed her hand over her mouth. “Shh. Do you want the entire neighborhood to know?”
“That is the least of your problems, babe.” Tania replied.
Isabel rubbed her temples. “It wasn't supposed to happen.”
“Damn right.”
“But it did.”
“And?”
“I let it happen again.”
Silence.
Tania stared. “Isabel.”
“Look, I know what you're going to say.” Isabel said, picking up her wine glass and draining it.
“Oh, do you?” Tania threw up her hands. “You're sleeping with the man who made you an orphan!”
“I know.” Isabel scowled.
“Yet, your pants keep falling off.”
“It's not like that. I'm not getting attached.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Tania was right. Isabel wasn't sure if she was.
At work, Isabel took a word of advice from Tania. She need closure and it all began from distancing herself.
She avoided Luca like the plague, refuse to linger in his office, didn't meet his eyes when he handed her files and turned around when they seemed to be walking in the same direction.
It was a solid plan at best and it was working. It worked for one week but the plan wouldn't last for long. Not when Luca Zelinski was not a man to be ignored.
One afternoon, Isabel slipped into his office to drop the files he had requested for. When she turned to leave, he was standing right in front of her.
Her pulse spiked.
“What are you doing?” she asked, looking where his face wasn't.
Luca stepped closer. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“No.” She said, flatly.
“Lying doesn't suit you, sweetheart.” He said, tilting his head.
“I'm not. I've been busy.” She said, her gaze lingering on an oil painting on the wall.
“Isabel,” he said, holding her chin and forcing her to look at him. “You can't lie to me.”
Isabel could feel every inch of him — his cologne, the weight of his gaze, the heat of his body, the way his fingers caressed her skin. She couldn't stop him.
“Isabel…” he said, leaning in.
Isabel knew this was all a mistake but she couldn't help herself.
She leaned in and kissed him.
The next second she was leaning against his desk and the next, she was sitting on it, her fingers running through his hair and his mouth claiming hers like he had every right to.
He gripped her thighs, pushing her skirt up, tracing his fingers on her skin while muttering sweet, dirty things to her ears.
“Luca,” she whispered, tilting her head back to give him better access. “This is a bad idea.”
Luca's lips ghosted over her neck. “Then stop me.”
She didn't. Instead, she pulled him closer.
The plan was to destroy Luca Zelinski but all she wanted in that moment was to be ruined by him.
When that was over, Isabel realized Tania was right. She was getting attached.
And just when she thought she'd had a little peace to herself, Blake came running. And he was begging.
“Isabel, babe, please.” He said, sinking to his knees.
She didn't stop him instead she smiled. Here a Zelinski was, groveling before her like she was his god.
“Why are you here, Blake?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Please, hear me out, Isabel.” He said, fake tears rolling down his cheeks. He was the picture of pity.
“Hear you out? Well, you didn't do much listening when you had your mouth in another woman's, did you?” she scoffed.
“I made a mistake.”
“Oh which one, babe? Cheating on me or the part where half the city saw the tape on my own goddamn birthday?!”
“I was drunk. I wasn't thinking. I still love you.” Blake sighed.
“Really? Did you steal that line from a rom-com coz it sounds exactly familiar.”
“Isabel, please. Olivia tricked me. She thought getting pregnant for him will seal the deal between us. She – she doesn't mean anything to me. You do.” Blake said.
“You aren't worth my energy right now. Go home before I call the police.” She step back inside and slammed the door in his face.
When she was inside, she ran her hand through her hair. “The nerve of him.”
Her phone buzzed and she took it out of her pocket. When she saw the caller id, her cheeks pinked.
“Hey,” she answered shyly.
A few minutes later, she showed up at Luca's house.
Not long after, she heard the front door open which was strange because he had just left the house.
“Luca?” She called out and stepped into the hallway just in time to see a woman stsut inside like she owned the place.
The woman was tall, stunning even and exudes the kind of elegance that made Isabel want to check if she had food stain on her shirt. Well, Luca's shirt.
The woman stopped right in front of her. “Who the hell are you?”
Isabel blinked. “And who the hell are you?”
The woman arched a brow. “I'm Luca's wife.”
Isabel's stomach dropped.
The woman asked again, rhie stime enunciating every word. “Who. The. Hell. Are. You?”
“Melissa!” A low, dangerous voice cut through the air.
Luca.
He had just arrived.
“Melissa, what are you doing here?” His voice was like steel.
His wife's name was Melissa.
Luca had a wife?
Isabel took a step back. “No. No way.”
“Isabel…” Luca tried to touch her but she moved away just in time.
“Is it true?” Isabel's eyes watered. “Is she your wife?”
“She's not my wife.” He sighed.
Melissa hummed. “Ex-wife, girlfriend, whatever you want to call it.” Then she smirked at Isabel. “I was here before you, sweetheart. And something tells me you won't stay here for long.”
Isabel clenched her fists, trying to think. “What?”
Melissa turned to Luca and let out a fake gasp. “Oh dear. You didn't tell her you were still married?”
“I never married you!” Luca's jaw clenched.
“But I gave you a son.” Melissa smiled.
Isabel didn't know if she should scream or laugh.
Her life was spinning out of control. The moment she thought she was happy, everything gets taken away. No questions asked.
Her life was a goddamn soap opera.
- Writer
