Stupid, stupid Isabella!When will I ever learn? I’m his toy right now, to play with and fondle, then toss aside. I make my way up to my room and grab my purse. My mug is next to it but I don’t feel like coffee anymore.
So, I go downstairs and wait like the obedient puppy I am by the door. I need to wise up, and get better at guarding my heart with this guy. His good looks and his charm throw me off and I lose perspective about what this whole arrangement truly means.
The door to the office opens and the men step out. Carlos smiles, while Alex glares at me while adjusting his tie as they head my way.
Carlos opens the front door, and I don’t wait. I just head down the stairs to the car and wait by the door.
Alex pulls it open, stepping to the side and I slide in, putting my purse on my lap and hugging the passenger door. He gets in beside me and the scent of vanilla musk makes me close my eyes. I wish I could drive my own car and then I wouldn’t have to be beside him for the next half hour.
“What time will you be finished this evening?” Alexander’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
I don’t look at him as I answer. “Most likely around five. Anna is in today so we can get more progress on the Fresco.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up at five.”
The silence grows stronger and the tension in my neck gets tighter the longer I have to sit here. I really don’t know what I was expecting. I'm such a fool, did I really think that after last night, he’d fall head over heels in love with me? That that kiss on my temple this morning was genuine affection?
Plus, now that he confirmed my suspicions about my past with mental health, I’m shocked he hasn’t driven straight to my father’s doorstep and thrown me back.
This is twice in two days I’ve been an idiot about him, but no more. Harding my heart, my plan is don’t be anywhere he is for the next twenty-four hours, then I’m on my own till the wedding.
We reach the museum and I tell Carlos to head around the back.It’s closer to my workspace. Once he’s parked, I don’t wait for him to get out and open my door. I just jump out and head to the building.
“Isabella,” Alex yells, I don’t turn to look at him or stop, I just wave my hand in the air putting my tag to the reader as it buzzes. I rush in and close the door behind me. At least I know he’s locked out on the other side.
I walk down the hall and pop my head into Professor Daniels’ office. Knocking on the doorframe
“Morning!” I chirp at him.
“Oh, morning Isabella.” He laughs, “Anna beat you to scaring me this morning. She’s already in the lab.” He chuckles.
“Thanks. I’ll check in with you after I let you know how far along we are.”
I walk through our lab door and Anna has her earbuds in, singing Adele to the top of her lungs with a chisel and brush in her hands.
I love her so much. The day I got this job and she and I met, we hit it off immediately. Once I knew I could fully trust her, I told her everything. Every secret, all about the kidnapping, the abuse of my father, my mother, and my sister’s constant belittling. She was my rock. She always has my back when I needed her and a shoulder when I fell apart.
I go to my desk and drop my purse on the back of my chair; I pick up a paintbrush and chuck it at the back of her head, missing and it bounces off her shoulder, causing her to scream and whip around, she instantly throws her brush in her hand at me.
She whips her earbud out.
“For fuck's sakes Izzy, you scared the hell out of me. What the hell?” She begins to back down the ladder and I laugh at her.
She looks like an angry pixie with a scrunched-up face; her lab coat is way too big on her, hanging to her knees. Her little tinybody stomping down the stairs. She reminds me of Tinker Bell getting mad at Peter. The image makes me laugh more.
“Why is it okay to laugh at me when I’m mad, but I can’t when you get mad?” she points at my face.
I just smile at her, “Cause I’m not as cute as you when you’re angry.” I bop her on the nose.
She points behind me and says, “Your coffee is on the desk.”
I grab her in a bear hug and kiss her head, “OMG, I love you so much. I forgot mine in the car.”
Anna shoves off me, pressing on my boob, and I whimper, pushing her away and holding my chest.
“What the fuck Izzy? What’s the matter?”
Without thinking, I blurt, “Alexander bit my boob last night.” I wince and bend over, holding my chest.
