Chapter 10

• Luke had been missing her a lot. He was in Thailand for a few days because their resort there had some problems he had to deal with. Straight from the airport his driver brought him to Sta. Teresita. He wanted to use his helicopter but they didn’t have a helipad in this town. He traveled by land for six hours just to see Isabelle and then what? He saw her chatting with a man who even held her hand then her arm! He asked Rona where she was as soon as he reached the resort. He was planning to surprise her so he didn’t call her to tell her about his arrival. Unfortunately he was the one who got a big surprise when he watched the monitor. It was bad enough that he saw everything, what was worse was she lied to him. He slowly stood up and he saw Isabelle flinched. She backed away a little so his eyes narrowed.
• "I asked you if you were alone and you said yes, “ he accused. He was really controlling himself because he was furious. He almost went out when he saw them on the screen. He wanted to beat up the foreigner to teach him a lesson not to talk to his Isabelle ever again. What made him stop doing what he was thinking about was seeing his staff on the other monitor. They were all in a hurry while they set up one part of the resort. He asked them to prepare a table and delicious meal for him and Isabelle. They all have a high respect for him and he didn’t want to lose that if they saw him beating up one of their guests. He should really practice a lot of control especially when he was jealous. He and Isabelle were just starting to get to know each other better so there was no use in ruining everything. There were other ways to make her realize that she shouldn’t be friendly to any men.
• Isabelle couldn’t deny that she missed him. She didn’t see him for a few days and she felt good and glad that he was finally here. He looked so hot in his business suit which was way better than she imagined. But there was a problem though. His expression was scary. He was thin-lipped and his eyes looked mad. She had nothing to be afraid of because she didn’t do anything bad. She said she was alone simply because she didn’t expect Jeremy to be in the balcony but the fact was she was scared of him. She had witnessed how he was when he was furious.
• "You are not supposed to have a chat with guests especially with male guests! You even let him touch you!" he hissed.
• "I-I didn’t know he was going to do that,” she told him in a trembling voice.
• Luke cursed which made her flinch. He wasn’t touching her but he was so near. She could sense that he was seething.
• "W-why didn’t you tell me you were coming? What time did yo arrive?” she asked to distract him.
• His brows cleared and his expression slowly changed. He then grinned. She leaned her back on the closed door. He moved forward to put his palms on the wall on either side of her. She was trapped. Deliciously though. She wanted to look away but she couldn't. She was staring at his lips which were near hers. Her heart was beating fast and she hoped that he couldn't hear it.
• "I just got here. I came straight from the airport because I miss you like hell. Hearing your voice is not enough for me. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you, " his voice was almost like a whisper.
• She could smell his pleasant minty breath. His body smelled so good too. She moistened her lips when he removed his jacket without taking his eyes off her. He tossed it on the chair near him. He loosened his tie and opened two buttons of his white long-sleeves shirt then rolled the sleeves up below his elbows.
• She is so fucking pretty! Luke thought.
• He couldn't stop looking at her. As usual, Isabelle’s face was bare of make-up. She had her hair lose which smelled like jasmine. He frowned though when he noticed what she had on. She was wearing the resort's uniform which was a powder blue top with rounded collar and a fitting dark blue skirt which went below her knees.
• "Why are you wearing those? Didn't Rona give you the check?" he asked with a frown.
• He instructed his assistant to give her the check and tell her to use it to shop for clothes which she could wear at work. He didn’t want her in the resort's uniform because she wasn’t an ordinary employee.
• Isabelle sighed, "I will give your check back. I don’t need to buy new clothes. I am one of the staff so I have to be in a uniform.”
• "I don't want you in that uniform! Keep the check! Spend it in any way you want! If you don't like to shop for your clothes, tomorrow I will send someone to get your measurements so they will make custom-made clothes for you,” he said with a heavy frown. He had a lot of money and he wanted to spend money on her. Isabelle put her hand on her forehead. He had a feeling that she was having a hard time absorbing everything that had been happening. He asked Reed if the amount he wrote on the check was enough for her clothes and his cousin whistled. According to him, in a small town like Sta. Teresita, that money was enough to build a small house. His Isabelle probably was overwhelmed but what he had given her.
• "I don’t need your money,” she said in a firm voice and he moved to her. He held her face between his hands.
• "I don't want to argue babe. I missed you. Can't we call a truce? I went all the way here just to see you." he kissed her lightly on the lips.
• He didn’t want to talk about the check anymore. Whether she liked it or not, that was hers.
• Isabelle just let him kissed her. She really missed him minus his domineering attitude. His kiss was tender but short. She said a silent thank you when he released her lips but he kept his hands on either side of her face. His eyes went from her eyes to her lips.
• "Come with me to Manila babe. I will only be here for two days. I really want to be with you that’s why I came. I will leave for the US next month. I will get you a passport so you can apply for a US visa," he said seriously as his eyes slowly went up to her eyes again.
• "No."
• Luke's features became hard. His hands on her face tightened, "Fine. We'll still do it your way for now but I can’t wait for long! You have to make a decision sooner or later! I am going to talk to your grandmother. I will ask your hand for marriage because I know that is what she wants too. Stop fighting me babe. You belong to me and I don't want a repeat of what I saw a while ago! That bag of shit is lucky he is still standing after touching you! Next time I will really hurt him! "he rasped.
• Her eyes widened, "What are you saying?” This kind of situation made her feel really afraid of him. His eyes were like fireballs.
• "Remember the fuck*ss who touched you while you were in the university? I dealt with him! I told him that the next time he comes near you , I will not only punch his face. I will wipe him out." he said through clenched teeth.
• She swallowed in fear. Luke was really very dangerous. With his power and money, he was capable of doing anything.
• "Tell Joyce’s brother to stay away from you. If not, I can make his life miserable. I will do everything so he will lose his clients. If you don’t want that to happen, don't let him near you."
• Luke knew he was scaring her but he had no choice but to be blunt. He didn’t want any trash near here while he was far from her. Isabelle was about to say something to him but her phone rang. She got it from her pocket with a frown. Only Luke , Joyce and their neighbor Mary knew her number.
• “Excuse me, I have to take this. It might be important.” She told Luke.
• He released her and put a small space between them.
• "Who's calling?" he asked.
• "It’s Mary,” she straightened and pushed the answer button.
• She lost color with what their neighbor said.
• "Babe? What is it?" Luke asked worriedly.
• She was pale as a sheet.
• "Babe?" he moved and held her hand.
• “I-it’s my grandma…” she fainted before she could finish what she was about to say.
• ***
• The funeral lasted for three days. According to one of their neighbors, she had been suffering from a cardiovascular disease but she didn’t tell her. because she didn’t want her to worry. It had been a few days that she hadn’t taken her medicine so she had a heart attack. Everything happened so fast. Isabelle didn’t even cry that much because her brain and heart were still in denial. Luke took care of everything. She hated to admit it but if it wasn’t for him, she probably wouldn’t be able to deal with everything. He never left her side. She was sure that people assumed that they were a couple but she didn’t care anymore. He helped her through her darkest days and she was very grateful for that.
• Now after the funeral, they were alone in the small living room. He was sitting opposite her.
• "Thank you for everything," she murmured.
• "You don't need to thank me babe."
• "I’m sorry that you missed work for a few days. I told you I will be fine."
• “I can never leave you for work especially now," he said seriously.
• "You can go back to Manila. I will be okay. I really appreciate all the help and support. Anyway, I will go to the resort tomorrow after my classes."
• She would feel more lonely at home because she would miss her grandmother.
• "You don't have to do that my Isabelle. You are going to Manila with me tonight. We'll get married when we get there because I know you won’t live with me under the same roof unless I make you my wife.”
• She opened her mouth to protest but Luke leaned forward and took her hand.
• "I won’t take no for an answer! You are coming with me whether you like it or not. There is no way I am leaving Sta. Teresita without you!" he said with finality.
• She lowered her eyes and bit her bottom lip. This was what her grandmother told her. Her life would change because of Luke Contrero.