Ch. 2026..2030

Chapter 2026

Isabel played it off with a chuckle. "Don't worry about it, | just saw someone writing a hateful comment." Amanda and Carla did not press her for more details after that.

It was only then that Isabel realized that the car had stopped outside her apartment already.

After saying goodbye to Amanda and Carla, she got out of the car.

As usual, she went to the lobby and took the elevator to her floor.

It was already dark outside, the corridor was dimly lit by overhead ceiling lights.

She strode toward her unit and stopped outside the entrance.

Just as she was about to unlock the door, an ominous figure burst out of the shadows and flanked her from behind. She was caught off guard and quickly swung around but it was too late.

Ahand latched itself firmly around her throat.

Decker pinned her against the door, one hand around her throat.

The usual tender glow in his eyes was replaced by a menacing glare.

Isabel gasped for air. She clawed desperately at Decker's hand to free herself.

He was so much stronger than her and barely budged at all no matter how hard she pummeled at his hand. She glared at him viciously and cried out, "Decker, let go!"

Decker lowered his head closer toward hers.

She instantly felt a wave of repulsion and turned her head to the side, refusing to face him at all.

Decker chuckled at her futile resistance and growled in her ears, "Isabel, if you dare to bring up even a word about my private life, I'll make sure to end your friend's career. I'll never forgive you.”

Isabel did not respond.

He suddenly tightened his grip. ‘Did you hear me?"

Isabel had the breath choked out of her, she whimpered weakly, "Yeah, | heard you."

Decker let go of her neck at last but immediately seized her by her chin to make her face him. She was forced to look at him. "| heard you already, what else do you want?

He smiled and asked wretchedly, "Aren't you wondering how | got here?"

She gulped.

She was nowhere near physically strong as him so this was not the time to taunt him.

She asked just like he hoped she would, "How did you get here?" "It took me a while to find out where you lived. | already bought the unit next to yours. We're going to be neighbors from now on."

She blurted out without thinking about it, "Haven't you got with Isabella?

What's your problem?"

Why was he trying to intrude on her life?

"| didn't sleep with her," he stated suddenly.

She was caught off-guard by this and stammered, "! don't care what happens between you and her, the point is that you and |

are over." "It was you who left without even bothering to say goodbye five years ago, | never agreed to break up with you.” Decker gripped her chin tightly. "As far as I'm concerned, things were never over between us as you call it."

Isabel was speechless. She felt a gross feeling turning over in her stomach. She gulped. "Decker, would you at least let me go first? We can talk like rational people afterward."

Decker still had a hint of a gentleman inside him. He obliged and promptly released her, then he took a step back to give her some space.

Isabel spoke frankly and sincerely, "| know you still have feelings for me, but | have my principles. | can never accept being somebody's mistress."

She kept her hands behind her as she spoke, sneakily fiddling with the door.

Decker looked earnestly into her eyes. "Isabel, I'm not asking you to be my mistress. As far as I’m concerned, you'll always be my top priority, | care about you-"

Beep! He paused midway through his sentence with a frown across his face." What's that sound?"

Isabel threw her weight against the door and retreated into her house, then she slammed the door close faster than one could blink.

Mere instants before the door shut, she audibly spat at him and hissed," That's the sound of me telling you to piss off, you scumbag!"

 

Chapter 2027

Chapter 2027 Isabel promptly locked the door after that. Shut outside, Decker was too stunned for words.

It took him several seconds to register what had happened. Then, he chuckled lowly and said out loud, "Isabel, you’re welcome to come back to me at anytime, | live right next door. I'll wait until you figure things out."

She ignored him entirely.

She still had not gotten over the shock of suddenly having Decker confront her and choke the breath out of her. It was an invasion of her safety.

This man was far more dangerous than she had imagined. Although she would not say that she was afraid of him, she still recognized that she was threatened by a man as bold as he was.

She sat huddled on the sofa with her phone in her hand. She swiped through her list of contacts, going through each of her family members.

After giving it some thought, she gave up on the idea of going to them for help.

If she had told them about Decker pestering her, it also meant that they would find out about what she was up to during her brief disappearance five years ago.

It was a time of her life that she regarded with shame and remorse. She would rather her family not find out about it. Perhaps she could employ two bodyguards. However, with Decker living directly next door, it seemed to her that bodyguards alone would not suffice.

While she was still troubled over how she should approach this delicate problem, she came across Roland's name in her contacts.

Something gleamed in her eyes. She promptly texted him, "Roland, are you finished with work yet?"

Roland replied within seconds, "I just stepped off the subway, do you need anything?"

She asked bluntly, "| was thinking if | could sleep over at your place for one night?"

The thought of there being only a concrete wall separating herself from the treacherous Decker made her frantic.

Roland's apartment was far more secure and had a dedicated security force installed in every block. To enter his apartment complex, one needed security clearance unless they were accompanied by a resident.

Roland replied quickly, "Sure, I'll be downstairs soon.” Isabel felt a sense of relief immediately. She told him, "I'll be there in a second."

She quickly packed her belongings and threw a set of clean clothes inside her bag. Then, she put on a hat and a mask and quietly approached the door where she opened a tiny gap to spy outside.

The corridor was entirely vacant and the door of the adjacent unit was closed. Decker was probably not going to show up fora while.

She gently shut the door behind her as she left, then she trotted hastily to the elevator, careful to not produce any sound. Even after the elevator had taken her to the ground floor, her heart was still beating rapidly.

As soon as the elevator door opened, she saw Roland standing outside. He wore a fashionable black suit as always, lugging the same briefcase with him. He stood tall like a totem.

Although his expression was otherwise cold with indifference, she felt a guzzling sense of relief at the sight of him! As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she gave him a big hug.

“Roland, you're the best!"

Roland stiffened for a moment, his hands which he kept on the side of his body briefly inched toward Isabel's body, then he hesitated and pulled them back.

“What happened?" he asked stoutly.

“Nothing. Come on, let's go." Isabel let go of him, then she took one of his hands and led him to the gate.

They had to get out of there before Decker saw them.

Roland silently followed after her. He stoically observed her pale complexion and agitated demeanor.

It was clear as day that she was running away from somebody.

His apartment complex was just a short distance away.

After he tapped the access card against the sensor plate, they entered the gated community. It was only then that Isabel slowed down her pace and heaved a sigh of relief.

Roland asked with a frown, "Is everything alright?" After finally releasing the tension from her body, she told him, "I’m being followed by somebody." "Who? Is it a fan? A stalker?”

Isabel was surprised that his mind had gone there at all, she remarked briskly, "Neither. Anyways, you wouldn't know this person."

Roland stated curtly, "Of course | wouldn't know if you don't tell me." He said with a tint of displeasure in his voice.

 

Chapter 2028

Isabel shot a look at him. "What's with that attitude? You don't want me to sleep over at your place, do you?" Roland muttered stiffly, "...No."

Isabel eyed him severely.

His face was spelled with the same stoical calm, it did not seem like he did not want to help her.

Her expression softened, and she confessed, "It's my ex-boyfriend."

Roland's expression shifted for once. "Your ex-boyfriend came to pester you?"

Isabel hugged her bag tightly while she walked on, she answered hesitantly, "Something like that." "Do you need help chasing him away?" he asked concerningly.

"No, I'll take care of it myself, just focus on your work, don’t worry about me."

He had to help her handle affairs at Carter Corporation till dusk every day. She could not possibly trouble him any further. Besides, it was better that she handle her personal affairs on her own.

Besides, Decker was no ordinary threat. She doubted even Roland could help. Roland peered at her and stopped trying to probe her for more information. Soon, they stepped into Roland’s place.

Martha was still awake and when she came out of her bedroom to see Isabel next to Roland, her eyes sparked with joy. "Isabel? Why are you here at this hour? Have you had dinner yet?"

Isabel hesitated fora moment before making up an excuse at the spur of the moment. "Hey Aunt Martha. There was a fire at my place so | had to come over here to spend the night."

She did not want to worry Martha by telling her about her current situation with Decker.

However, her strange excuse about there being a fire at her place was enough to send Martha into a flight of worry. She hurried over to Isabel and patted her up and down. "How did a fire break out? Are you okay?" "I’m fine. It started in my neighbor's place and spread over to my unit. The firefighters have put out the fire already but a lot of my things got burned down. It's going to take a few days for them to repair the damage before | can go back."

Martha heaved a sigh of relief. "Alright." Then she asked, "So, have you had dinner yet?"

Isabel answered truthfully, "I haven't had dinner yet, do you have anything to eat?" "Yes, of course! | just made something for Roland, it's in the kitchen. Both of you, sit down at the dining table, I'll bring the food over to you."

Before Isabel could offer to help, Martha strode into the kitchen. She could not possibly trouble Martha with having to serve her when she was showing up unannounced to stay the night! She hurriedly tossed her bag onto the sofa and went into the kitchen to help Martha with the preparation.

After the food was set on the table, Martha said with a bright smile, "Go on, eat with Roland. I’ve already eaten so I’m going to head back to my room to rest."

Isabel smiled appreciatively. "Okay, good night, Aunt Martha."

Martha smiled suggestively at Roland before heading back to her bedroom.

Isabel immediately plopped down at the dining table and started eating without waiting for Roland. Roland sat across from her. He watched her eat for a while before picking up the spoon himself.

They ate in silence until Isabel had had her fill.

"lm full." She set aside her spoon and fork and sighed with satisfaction.

Then, she turned to Roland and asked, "Which room can | sleep in?"

Roland was wiping his mouth with a napkin, he had just finished eating as well.

After he wiped his mouth, he rose and motioned. "Come with me."

His house was huge, so there was no shortage of empty rooms.

Isabel followed him down a hallway to the innermost bedroom.

The bedroom was of a generous size, it was well-furnished and had a clean bed. It also had a connected bathroom.

Isabel looked at her lodgings and seemed very pleased. Roland asked, Does this work for you?" "Of course," she said with a smile before turning to him. "Alright, get some rest."

Roland glanced at her, then he turned and walked out. He gently shut the door. Isabel stretched, then she went into the bathroom.

The bathroom was very large as well, it was equipped with a clean set of toiletries that had never been used before.

Chapter 2029

It seemed like the room was a guest room. Everything was made ready for the eventual guest. It would appear that she was the first person to ever use this room at all.

She went to the bathroom and took a hot shower. She recalled back to the first time she met Roland.

Both he and his mother hailed from Westboro and had been in Westchester for a year by now. With the respectable position he held in Carter Corporation and his impressive salary, why did they not have any friends or family coming to visit them?

Perhaps they did not have any such relations? Roland may seem emotionally distant, but he was not someone who was pompous or the type to hold himself above others.

Martha was as friendly as they come. Furthermore, she had a refined air about her, one would imagine that she came from an educated and cultured background.

It was unlikely that these two did not have friends or relatives.

The more she thought about it, the more curious she became. Still, she acknowledged that this was their private affair and it was rude of her to intrude as a complete outsider.

The shower cleared her mind. She stopped thinking about these things that should not concern her.

It was only then that she remembered that the change of clothes she brought with her was inside her bag and that she had tossed her bag on the couch in the living room!

She only had a small towel that barely covered her chest and her behind.

She took a deep breath to brace herself. With the towel flimsily wrapped around her, she stepped out of the bathroom and went to open the closet.

The closet was empty with not a single piece of clothing inside.

Left without a choice, she sneakily approached the bedroom door and carefully cracked open a tiny cap to spy into the hallway. It was quiet outside. Only a dim night light was left on. There seemed to be no movements whatsoever inside the living room. Martha had already gone back to her room to settle in for the night. Roland must have gone back to his room as well.

With this in mind, she gently stepped forward and snuck out of the room without making a noise. She briskly tip-toed to the living room.

The lights in the living room had been switched off, and the faint glow of the hallway light spilled into the living room.

She immediately spotted her bag on the couch.

She hurried over and snatched the bag.

Just as she was about to turn and retreat to her room, she spotted the shape of a figure amid the dark shadows.

She froze and blinked sporadically, doubting her vision. That was when she finally recognized that it was indeed a person. The man was seated on a chair by the window with a glass of water in hand. Who else could this be other than Roland? Awave of silence fell over them.

Isabel glared at him and stammered, "Why-why are you here?”

Roland said matter-of-factly, "I've been here the entire time.”

He was here before she was here.

Isabel was flustered. "I... Why didn't you say anything when you saw me approaching?"

Roland suddenly did not know how to compose an appropriate answer. He hesitated for a few seconds before stating, "It wasn’t intentional."

Which part was he referring to? That he did not warn her or that he did not mean to look at her?

Isabel felt flustered but knew she had no reason to be scolding him. Still, she cried out, "Close your damn eyes already!" Roland seemed to process what she said for a moment before shutting his eyes.

Isabel grew red all over as she hugged her bag and ran back to the bedroom.

She closed the door and covered her face in shame.

Oh my god, so embarrassing!

Fortunately, she had the protection of the towel. If she was not covered, she would not know what to do with herself at all. After she took another shower and changed into a set of clean pajamas, her restless mood settled down at last.

She lay on the bed and tossed and turned around. After some hesitation, she still texted Roland, "Did you see anything back there?"

Roland replied, "No, | didn’t see anything.” 1 Isabel grinned satisfactorily and set aside her phone.

Smart man.

 

Chapter 2030

Isabel turned off the alarm clock on her phone since she had the day off tomorrow and slept until nearly eleven the next morning before she woke up at last.

Remembering that she was at Roland’s house, she hurriedly got up out of bed and walked out of the bedroom, just in time to bump into Martha who seemed to have just returned home.

She was carrying large bags from her shopping trip. She greeted Isabel with a warm smile, “Isabel, you woke up! Did you sleep well last night?”

Isabel helped her carry the bags into the house and said with an equally bright smile, 1 slept great, Aunt Martha." "That’s good to hear," Martha continued, "I think it's going to take at least half a month before they get things back in order at your place that just got burned down. | bought a bunch of living essentials for you. You can stay with us for now."

As she said this, she extracted a pair of pink slippers from her bag meant for Isabel to use. In addition to the slippers, she also bought extra sets of pajamas, common clothes, napkins, towels, and more. Isabel was touched by the gesture and expressed her gratitude, "That's very kind of you, Aunt Martha."

Martha was very gracious. "Isabel, you were the one who saved my life. This is the least | can do for you. If you need anything else at all, just say the word."

Isabel was very candid with Martha. "Alright, don't regret it when | keep bothering you!" "Hehe, | do hope you bother me more often.”

Martha led a simple life. Apart from her day-to-day housework, she mostly spent her time watching television or reading books. She was a very quiet person. Isabel briefly chatted with her after lunch, and she then went back to her bedroom.

She lay on the bed and caught up on the TV shows and variety shows she had been following. Just like that, the day had passed without her knowing.

Knock.

Martha knocked on the door. "Isabel, are you there?”

Isabel went to open the door and asked, "Hey Martha, what’s wrong?”

Martha looked dapper in a black dress. She threw a small coat over the black dress and had light makeup applied.

She announced cheerfully, “I asked a friend of mine who attends this yoga class with me to watch a movie. | made some dinner for you and Roland, it’s on the stove in the kitchen. Feel free to eat if you're hungry."

Isabel thanked her, "Alright, have a good time.” Martha carried her purse with her and left.

Isabel was indeed slightly hungry by now, but Martha had made dinner for her and Roland. She should at least wait for Roland to come home first.

She sent a text to Roland, "Roland, your mother prepared dinner for us, what time are you coming back?" Roland replied, "About ten minutes to go."

That soon? Did he not usually work till late?

It was followed by another text, "You can eat first if you're hungry."

Isabel pursed her lips.

She may be hungry, but she could handle a ten minute wait.

She replied, "I'm not very hungry, we can eat together when you come back."

Just as he said, he stepped into the house within ten minutes.

He wore the usual black suit, his figure tall and lean.

The moment he came into the house, Isabel went into the kitchen and went to pour the soup out of the pot.

The pot was a lot hotter than she expected. She accidentally grazed her hand against its surface and immediately scalded herself.

"Ow!" She flinched and drew away her hand while gasping in pain.

"Did you burn yourself?"

She heard Roland's voice from behind.

She blew on her burned finger and brushed it off. "It's okay, it'll heal by itself."

Unexpectedly, Roland seized her hand.

His sudden touch nearly made her jump.

He carefully inspected her scalded finger with a solemn expression. He was doing it out of nothing but pure concern for her.

For some reason, seeing his beautiful face up close made Isabel's heart start beating faster. His features were fair and delicate, yet did not lack a strong hint of masculinity.

He suddenly turned to look into her eyes. "It’s a little swollen, cool it down with cold water.” Isabel looked away shyly and muttered, "Okay."

Her fingers seemed to have a will of their own and curled themselves in the palm of his hand before drawing away.