Chapter 7: The Nightmare and Reality

Isabelle’s Point of View:

“God!”

I shouted hysterically, and woke up. My palms were sweaty, and I breathed heavily as I realised that it was a nightmare. Pulling my hair back, I tried to calm myself.

After a moment, when I was a little composed, I looked around the hotel room. Images flashed across my mind of what had happened… and what didn’t.

Overthinking took control immediately. I could have finally gotten what I had always fantasised about, but I ruined it. I didn’t know what was better… him giving me what I want just once, or never at all? Maybe it would have been harder if I got it once and never again. But was it possible to survive without getting it even once?

I closed my eyes and remembered the nightmare I just had to avoid the obvious questions. I saw Achilles—as usual, but not what he was. He was a monster who couldn’t care less about anything. He… abused me and left me to burn.

I shook my head vigorously and got up.

“Ain’t Jesus on his side all the time…” I whispered as I turned on the lights. The messy couch made me remember every second of his touch.

He wouldn’t have stopped on his own. Maybe I should have let him go on… maybe I would have never regretted giving him one night of my life; maybe I would have loved to lose my virginity to him.

But I didn’t. Why?

At that moment of heat, I wanted him to stay forever. Hell, I was getting what I had always wanted, so I wanted more. I wanted him to stay, and I thought he would—I thought he had “feelings” and if he did, why would he leave?

Was that the reason why everything goes wrong in my fucking life? I always fucked up because I always needed more.

“I need a boatload of coffee, Gosh…” I whispered to myself as I went over to the coffeemaker kept on the side of the room. After drinking a cup, I went to take a shower—accompanied by a lot of overthinking, again.

…

When I came out of the bathroom, I noticed a note kept on the table. With furrowed brows, I went over and picked it up.

“A cab will be waiting for you at the hotel exit by 10. It will take you to the company today. Be on time.

– A”

The only thing that grabbed my attention was “A”. Was he here? Did he keep the note last night? Or while I was in the shower?

Did someone else come in place of him?

I sighed because I would never know the answer to my questions. I sometimes hated myself for being so curious about everything—but that was just the way I was.

I checked the time, and it was still 9:30, so I hurried to get dressed and have my breakfast. Thankfully, I did it all on time and went downstairs.

I didn’t want any commotion—I didn’t even know how to face Achilles now. It was going to be so awkward, right?

“Are you Ms. Isabelle Smith-Roman?” The driver asked me as I walked over to his cab. I nodded, and he gave me a big smile. “Welcome ma’am, it is a pleasure. Please sit down in the backseat.”

I nodded again and sat down. The car started, and I just looked out of the window, trying to find a way to start the conversation in case Achilles came.

I really needed to get a new brain; this one was full of shit.

__________________

The car stopped in front of the Roman Enterprises. I looked at the big building but couldn’t bring myself to be happy about it.

I thanked the driver and got out, while he left me alone in my misery.

‘Buckle up, girl. You just saved your self respect yesterday. If he wasn’t going to stay, he shouldn’t use you.’

I tried to convince myself before walking toward the front door, hoping to Jesus that he wouldn't be here. I mean… It was not necessary, right? These companies don’t need the boss to be present at all times. He never even visited this branch for over seven months. So, he didn’t need to be here, right?

I sighed before walking up to the guards guarding the door. They checked me with a metal detector.

“ID?” They asked me and I panicked.

ID? What ID—

“It is in your pocket,” I heard a voice from behind me that stopped my heartbeat for a second. I swear I felt like my heart was about to explode for a second.

“Good morning boss,” The guards wished him but I couldn’t care less about it. That voice made me shiver, anyway.

I couldn’t gather the courage to turn around, so I just checked my pocket stupidly. There was no way it was—

It was there!

“H-here,” I handed it over to them. It was an ID card that I had never seen before!

“Okay. please wear it so we don’t have to check it every time.”

I nodded as he handed it back to me, and I wore it around my neck. As I was about to go inside to avoid this embarrassing situation of course, Achilles had to step in.

“Bella, wait.”

He rarely called me by that name. I remembered last night when he addressed me like that, and it made me feel so special.

I stopped and took a deep breath. I guess I had to turn around now, otherwise these guards would hate me for “disrespecting” their boss.

I turned around and looked at him. He was in formal attire and looked so handsome. His hair fell on his forehead like a masterpiece, and his lips held a simple, naturally occurring smirk.

He looked so perfect without trying.

“W-what?” I managed to utter.

“I think we need to talk about something.”

His voice was so sexy that I couldn’t understand his words for a moment. When I stopped the unnecessary drooling, I nodded slowly.

He took a step toward me, but I took a step aside. “L-let’s go.”

He took the hint and nodded. I had no idea what I would say if he wanted to talk about last night!