THIRTY-ONE

Isabel's POV

When Hilden and l met l thought l had finally met my Prince charming, gone were the days l would face countless rejection from undeserving individuals. I realised that men were the same as those families who had abandoned and tortured me countless times. 

They used me for my appearance whenever they needed a tag doll to flaunt around, tried to control me so l could fit into the standard they had created for me in their minds and when l refused to do that they won't throw me to the curb and proceed to find another replacement because l still am not good enough

But not Hilden, not in the beginning at least. The day he approached me at the restaurant was like a dream come true. My boyfriend at the time was getting a bit abusive and l needed an easy way out. The job l had was at his company and l couldn't just drop the it's over card on him, because it would have been over for me. I had bills to pay

After that night, Hilden called everyday, giving me what l thought was the love and attention l needed which further made my choice much much easier. It was quite a transition. He found me a job at his friends company and set me up for life. 

We had been dating for three months when he too started showing his true colours. It was our three month anniversary and thus far it had been all roses and rainbows and the future seemed promising. This was by far the most healthy three months l had in a relationship. 

So l decided to take the day off at work and surprise him. I got dolled up, ordered lunch from his favourite restaurant and walked over to his company which wasn't far from the restaurant. All l could think was how happy and surprised he wound be. If only l had known.

The receptionist was rude but that didn't stop me from marching up to his office when l got the biggest shock of my life. There on his couch with an unknown woman under his body preoccupied with extra curricular activities that he didn't notice my presence or simply chose to ignore it 

"Hilden" l screamed breaking them apart from their betrayal

"Isabel, didn't l tell you to call whenever you come to my office. Its rude to come to people's work places unannounced" he reprimanded as if l wasn't the one who caught his cheating on me

"That's all you have to say for yourself. You are blaming me" l asked in disbelief as the tears continued running down my eyes smudging my mascara in the process

"Isabel, what do you want from me? Would you rather l lie to you and make you feel stupid? Cause l could of that's what you want" l didn't know who the man in front of me was but he wasn't my Hilden. My Hilden would never cheat on me. He respected me way too much.

" I don't know what to say" l said sitting down while his companion got dressed and left but not before kissing him on the lips just to test my patience

"why are you here?" he asked as he was also getting dressed

"It's our three month anniversary. I came to surprise you with lunch" l said defending myself. I wasn't one to cling to a guy but Hilden is, was different.

" who celebrates just meaningless things. That's why your relationships never last because you take everything too seriously, too quickly" he said like l was the most stupid person he had ever met.

"how could you?" l asked

"How could l, you have the nerve to ask. This is what you get for being a pride" he threw back

"Just because l refused to sleep with you doesn't give you the right to cheat on Mr you dirt bag"

"dirt bag, that's a first" he said laughing as if l was the most amusing creature he had ever laid his eyes upon.

"Listen here woman, l don't care what you saw or how you are feeling because you brought this on yourself. No one said come to my place of work unannounced. That doesn't give you the right to talk to me however you want. You will respect me or the door is open. Way too many women would love to be in your position so don't think you are doing me any favours. Are we clear" he said while l looked him with my mouth wide open. I couldn't believe what l was hearing but he was right. He could have however he wanted but he chose me. I couldn't leave him, no l won't lose him to another woman

"what is it going to be? You staying it should l start looking for your replacement?" he asked. I knew he knew just as l did that l wouldn't leave him. I would let him get away with just about anything if it meant being in his life

"what l just saw was a mistake. I can't fault you for actions l caused. I'm sorry baby" l said before bringing him in for a hug. It was my fault, drove him away with my billion rules and now he was finding comfort in the arms of someone else other than me

"Good girl. Now are we going to eat that lunch or what. I am famished" he asked raping his bare chest

"right, l got your favourite" l said pulling out the contents from the plastic and setting everything on his table just the way he liked it

"you are the best you know that's. That's why no one else could ever replace you. You are one of a kind my precious gem" he praised as he pecked my cheek while diving in and scarfing down all the food on him plate

"Now that l am well fed, l should get back to work. The bills don't pay themselves. You are welcome to stay but lm sure you would much rather be doing something else. I love you. Thank you for today" he said before ushering me out of his office and like an idiot l followed