In Garcia mansion, Marcia was beside herself with worry. She hadn't managed to get through to Asher and now with Isabella termed as a criminal, everything seemed like it was falling apart. And the more convinced she got that something awful had happened to Asher. She knew there was no way of finding out on her own, and that made her feel so useless.If only Paul hadn't turned out to be a traitor! At least she would have had at least a soul to turn to with her worries. At last, she resorted to calling Isabella. Before she did, Isabella called her. “Did you see the news?” Isabella asked the minute Marcia answered. “I think the whole country has by now.” Marcia breathed. She was relieved to hear the calmness in Isabella's tone, which meant the young woman wasn't too affected by the slander and in fact was laughing at the ridiculousness of the entire situation. For a brief while, Marcia contemplated telling her about Asher, wondering if it was worth pilling woes on Isabella's shoulder
Isabella didn't move for a while. Not just because of what Dragana had said, but more of how she had said it. Like she was washing her hands of their case. But could she really blame the woman? She was already in too deep, risking her neck for people that are neither her family nor old friends. “I think you should listen to her.” Lucas spoke up softly. He didn't sound confident, nor did he try to dictate his wishes. From whatever he understood about himself so far, there is nothing in his past that suggests he is equipped to give sound advice or to take up a fatherly role. “I am not trying to dictate what you should do, but if someone has indeed kidnapped your boyfriend, their aim must be to lure you out. And doing exactly what they want seems dumb, doesn't it?” “Nowhere as dumb as raising your father - in - laws kids!” Isabella snapped. Lucas' face fell. He quietly got his feet wobbly, picked his clutches ready to exit. It was evident his presence was the last thing Isabella needed
“Ooh, come on!” Lucas said in a playful tone, earning a stuck out tongue from Dragana. Isabella frowned. Was it merely her imagination, or had the two gotten really close? Her unasked question was answered almost immediately. “Sue me, old man.” Dragana winked. Lucas visibly reddened, confirming to Isabella that she wasn't just seeing her own things.“EW!” Isabella's face contorted as if it was emphasizing her feelings.“What?” Lucas asked with a straight face. “Haven't you had enough share of women in this lifetime?” The rude question was asked with a small smile that told Lucas it wasn't that serious. “You two are literally flirting in front of me.”“So?” Dragana challenged mischievously. “How selfish you are!” She went on without giving Isabella a chance to respond. “You got a boyfriend already, and you don't want me to snug myself one.” Isabella snorted. Just before, she sobered up and brought up Asher. Dragana confessed to already having planted someone close to Frederic, and the
Things seemed to stagnate as days went by. In all directions. Frederic hadn't managed to find Lucas or Isabella, and Asher wasn't the cooperative type, even after he woke up two days ago and Frederic showed him the recent update on his fugitive girlfriend. Asher had laughed, asking the old man if he thought his girlfriend would be that stupid to take the bait. But in his heart, he knew Isabella was too compulsive, and she would have come looking for him. He was sure Dragana had intervened in a way. As he lay on the hard ground with nothing to cover his cold frame, Asher began doubting anyone would find him. Just the day before, he had learned he was not being held in Frederic's mansion. Of course, the man wasn't dumb to risk himself like that. For a man who was almost starved, Asher didn't find it himself to regret being involved in Isabella's mess. His only rue was the fact that he might be an additional to the people who she loved and lost. And he feared she might spiral back into
Frederic found himself locked in the interrogation room for hours, entitled to just one phone call, and he couldn't decide whether to call his lawyer or daughter. The officer in charge made the decision easier for him by disclosing that Edith had turned herself in not too long ago. Frederic's jaw tightened. His hands itched. If he could lay his hands on her at that instant, he would strangle her to death. With no other option, he called his well-payed lawyer, demanding he dust his ass off and show up at the precinct to get him out. Back in Dragana's mansion, there was a cause for celebration. Like someone wise once said, one man's apple is another man's poison. While Frederic anxiously waited to be read his rights, Asher was finally reunited with his woman. Dragana had decided to keep it a surprise, so when she was informed that Asher had been saved, she didn't tell Isabella yet. She waited until he was brought in flesh, knowing the reunion would be sweeter that way. “Oh, my god!” I
Asher grinned. In as much as he hated to see Isabella cry, it thrilled him immensely to see her emotional reaction due to his return. She squealed, decidedly freezing in her steps as undoubtedly happy tears flowed non-stop. “Go hug him already.” Dragana prompted, but Isabella didn't budge even a muscle. She wanted to. Badly. But her body didn't obey her mind, no matter how much she willed it to. Anyone present couldn't keep their emotions in check as Asher did the moving. More like limped to where his girlfriend stood and pulled her fiercely into his arms. For the two emotionally drained lovers, it felt like coming back hone as after months of starvation in the desert. They clung into each other and for the first time ever, Asher didn't give a damn who was watching or not. He broke down and sobbed his heart out alongside his girlfriend at the glare of their friends shamelessly. Thing is, no one would have dared judge them among their spectators be because none could claim dry eyes. T
“Shut up asshole.” Someone mumbled shakily. Leave it to Bich to water down heavy moments. The wailing couple didn't even seem like they had noticed the surrounding bickering. They only had eyes for each other. “ I can't believe you are back,” Isabella moaned, tightening her hands on her lover. It had been quite tough holding on to the belief that Dragana would get Asher back for her. “I am here.” Asher croaked, thankful for finally having the one person he can't imagine a life without in his arms. All the torture that Fredric had put him through felt worth it. He would gladly go through it again to ensure Isabella is safe. “You are here.” Isabella agreed. Marvelling at how surreal it all felt. “You are really here.”“He really is.” Bich spoke up once again in what felt like exasperation, but in reality his eyes were barely seeing anything. “Can we cut down the waterworks now?” Everyone laughed throatily. Asher realized Isabella was too emotional to let. And he would rather not sto
It had been over three weeks since Isabella and her old man returned to their old mansion. Though Lucas was adamant about it, the two have already enlisted the mansion for sale and a new place is almost ready for them to move in. Isabella felt they had a lot of bad memories in the house to keep kivbg there like nothing had happened. Especially after Edith's hearing a week ago where she finally had the guts to tell Lucas to his face that he didn't father her daughters. And though Asher had already told Isabella and Lucas that days prior, it still sounded so callous and cold coming from the horses mouth. That left Isabella conflicted. On one hand she hated her step siblings, Jacinta and Olivia. But after the revelation, she pitied them more. Must be hurtful to know of their shameful bloodline. One moment they called him grandfather the next they can't fathom calling him father. After much negotiations, she and Lucas agreed the two had no choice in how they got into the world. But at the