Chapter 14: A real home.
"Do you really have nothing to say? No question to ask? Like why I raped someone? Why I killed a girl? How long did I stay in juvenile house? Are you not scared of me? That you have a murderer in your house or that I might hurt you? Are you not scared?"
Dylan's questions poured out in a torrent. How could she be so composed about all this? Or is it that she doesn't care about what he does and where he went? Was he just a passerby in her life? Isabella looked at him and sighed.
Since he was looking at her like a lost and drowned puppy, she decided to address this issue at hand. She didn't push him away but rather lifted herself onto the table behind to perch on it comfortably. Once settled, she spoke, her voice composed.
"Well, I am not afraid of you. Nor do I have any questions to ask. I already know you went to juvenile house for being charged guilty of violating and killing a girl." Isabella shrugged nonchalantly rendering Dylan baffled.
"Already knew it?" Dylan mumbled under his breathe. How did she know? Did they advertise it everywhere that it reached till London from States? Does everyone in the orphanage knows about it now?
Dylan didn't really care about who knows and who doesn't. He only cared about Isabella. And how did she allow him to stay here when she knew about his criminal record?
"Then how the hell did you allow me to stay here? How are you so sure that you will be safe?" Dylan almost shouted at her. Why was this girl so careless. He would definitely not do anything that would harm her but what if it was someone else?
"Tch. Stop overreacting. First thing, I am allowing you to stay here because you are paying half of the rent which is financially profitable to me, and also since I already know you, I won't be uncomfortable."
"Second, Will you please stop playing villain in this stupid game? I know you were framed and weren't even given a chance to prove your innocence."
"So, stop this murder drama because I am not scared. I am the crown princess of Mythiopia. I fear nothing." the princess declared proudly. Dylan was once again speechless. How does she know all these?
Isabella offered a slight smile, and as if she could read Dylan's thoughts, she reached into his pocket and retrieved the golden coin she had entrusted to him.
"I see you have taken good care of it." She said as she twirled it between her fingers in front of Dylan.
Dylan frowned, not quite understanding what Isabella meant by that? Isabella stopped playing with the coin and sighed again before gazing back at him. This time her gaze was so intense that Dylan almost felt his soul burning inside him.
"It must have hurt terribly." She whispered as she her hand touched the left side of his abdomen over his blue shirt. Dylan's eyes widened and his hand immediately stopped hers but didn't push it away.
"How?" How did she even know about his scar? They had just met yesterday.
"Your blood or tears might have touched this coin. Didn't I tell you that this coin is magical. There is only one coin like this and it belongs to me. I didn't give it to you as a farewell gift, but as an amulet to protect you."
"That day when you were stabbed in the juvenile house, I got this disturbing dream of that Benji guy framing you and you were sent to juvenile home."
"I didn't find everything about what happened, but I found enough to prove you innocent. Max helped me finding the CCTV recordings and George helped me in dealing with the judge. His family has enough power to put the Judge on leash."
"Since the judge didn't want to get his career be damned, he abjured his decision to punish you." Isabella shrugged as she adjusted her position on the table.
Dylan's thoughts went back to the time when he was released from juvie. He was not completely healed and none came to pick him up. Not that he expected someone to come.
He still didn't know why these people released him out. He still had one more year to rot inside.
His adoptive father didn't help him and made him a scapegoat to protect his illegitimate son. His adoptive mother died a year ago and her family didn't bother to help him since they never really wanted a adopted kid in the family.
Though he was confused, he didn't bother with those useless questions anymore. He had once been alone, and now he is alone again. It didn't matter to him.
But now Dylan realized how wrong he was. He was never alone. There were people who cared for him.
Dylan screamed his innocence till his lungs and throat gave up but none listened or helped. However Isabella did. Even though she could have ignored everything thinking it was just a dream, she didn't.
They both were in two different continents, but she still managed to get him out. Dylan wanted to laugh at himself for his foolishness.
Why the hell did he think he was alone when someone as wonderful as her was right beside him, reaching out her hand and walking him out of the trouble? He has such a beautiful home here and he was searching for it everywhere else.
"That Benji guy would be first on my foolishness and arrogance list. He thought no one would help you and hence didn't even bother to erase the evidence properly. It only took two days .. Ohh."
Isabella stopped speaking when Dylan tightly hugged her with his head resting on her shoulder.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I was going insane in that place." Dylan mumbled, just enough for Isabella to hear. Never having done this job of consoling someone, Isabella simply hugged him back and patted him.
Dylan didn't want to leave her, and hence stayed there like that for a good two minutes and was planning to stay for some more time when Isabella spoke.
"Enough enough. I know you are emotional and all, but I am not good at consoling people. So get away now." She gently pushed him away making him almost groan in disappointment.
"Now now. We have things to discuss. Here." She showed him the long bill from the super market.
"Besides my necessities, everything else would be shared by both of us. Like curtains, table, mirror, toilet papers etc. So I have divided the amount already."
"Since I have already paid for this, you will be adjusting this amount by paying more in electricity and gas bills."
And just like that the beautiful atmosphere Dylan weaved in his mind shattered. Isabella told him a long list of what all he has to do before going back to what she was doing earlier when he stopped her.
Dylan had a silly smile hanging on his lips as he looked at the bill in his hand. She had even done the calculations below it.
Looking at the list, he figured out that she was in her periods and that explains her irritation. Or else Isabella would usually be extremely calm and composed.
--------------
"So she is just an orphan. Haha.." Benjamin chuckled looking at the photo in his hands. Isabella was wearing a plain white top paired with light blue jeans. The outfit was extremely ordinary, but that didn't hinder Isabella's charm at all.
"Yes sir. Miss Campbell and Mr Jordan were in the same orphanage and were considered best friends. Mr Jordan once visited the orphanage specially to meet Ms Campbell but she was out of the city and he wasn't able to see her." Benjamin's assistant - Brandon Parker informed.
"Hmm.. Nice. I didn't knew he had a childhood crush huh? Can't blame him though. Who would have thought that a treasure would be hidden in an orphanage?" Benjamin commented as he traced his index finger over the photo.
Brandon looked at his boss. He had been working for Barnett family long enough to understand what Benjamin needed.
"Should I bring that girl here?"
"No no no... You guys don't do anything this time. Let me do this. It will be fun to see my little brother come and beg me." Benjamin smirked and put the photo in a locker when his phone beeped with a notification.
Thinking it must be something related to business, he opened to check his messages only to find a fine receipt and notice to appear in station and clear his record.
Benjamin was stunned for few good seconds before bursting out laughing as he feel on his chair. He really didn't expect that girl would do this. Did she not fear him? Did that kid not warn her? It's fine though. He would have a good time taming her.