CHAPTER 5

I sat there in disbelief grappling with the reality that the devil herself is in my office. Rian said she was on the same flight as him, so she is meant to be home not in my office. I became so restless.

"Rian, you claimed she was on the same flight with you. So what is she doing in my office?" I whispered, my voice a mere murmur with my assistant still lingering on the other end of the phone.

A smirk played in Adrian face as he retorted,

"How am I supposed to know?

The phone conversation continued, my assistant seeking guidance, and reluctantly, I gave the approval to let her in.

As the door opened, I couldn't fathom why Isabella Anderson graced my office. Dread settled in, I smell impending chaos.

Isabella's entrance disrupted my thinking, her demeanor seemingly oblivious to the storm raging within me.

"Hey baby, it's so so good to see you!! I have missed you so much." she exclaimed, showering me with kisses.

My smile masked the irritation and anger pulsating beneath the surface. Adrian, sitting there, wore a knowing grin as if to say "I warned you the witch is back."

"Bella, you didn't realize that I have been here. Am I so insignificant that you didn't see me?" Adrian questioned dripping with sarcasm. The air thickened with tension, and I brace myself for the tumultuous encounter ahead.

Adrian unexpectedly assistant today was a lifeline, a brief pardon from Isabella intense force on me. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards him, a rare moment where he became a useful distraction. As I anxiously awaited Bella's response to Adrian, I observed her with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

Bella's acknowledgment of Adrian's present came with a loaded smirk, her voice dripping of animosity and envy as she toyed with my beards. The tension between us was palpable.

Adrian, playing it cool, encouraged her to cling to her man, amplifying the undercurrent of rivalry.

As my best friend prepared to leave, addressing me by my family name,

"Stone," I nodded in acknowledgment.

Once alone with Bella in my office, I sensed the lingering storm of emotions between us as she went to sit on the couch in the small lounge I have I'm my office.

Determined not to succumb to the oppressive atmosphere, I rose from my chair, approached my lounge, and selected a bottle of my favorite wine, grabbing two glass cups.

Seated on the couch with Bella, a myriad of emotions churned within me. I took a deep breath, trying to navigate the complex web of sentiment enveloping us. In an effort to break through the thick cloud hanging over our interaction. I initiated a conversation.

"Tell me, Bella, what brought you back to New York?" I asked, pouring deep red wine into the glass hoping to bridge the emotional gap that seems to loom between us.

I find myself ensnared in a maelstrom of emotions. Regret courses through my veins, having reluctantly abandoned my modeling career to heed to your father's summons, compelling me to return to the heart of New York. Don't place me in a position to regret." she retorted with a warning etched into her words, a subtle snarl accompanying her defiance.

"Isabella, my word has been a refrain, an unsteady declaration that our part shall never intertwine in matrimony. The whole of New York bears witness to this truth. The scandal that forced your departure to Miami only solidifies this stance." I asserted, my tone tinged with rudeness, an emotional void palpable in my word.

Isabella's gaze pierces through me, a veil shrouding her true thoughts and feelings. With an enigmatic expression, she discloses,

"I only came here to inform you about your fathers plans of us getting married and to let you know that I, Isabella Anderson will get married to you, and is ready to take out any obstacle or adversary in my parth." With that proclamation,she grasped her bag l, exiting my office with purpose.

As the door closed, a held breath escaped me, a sigh I hadn't realized that I was harboring. A complex web of emotions enveloped me, an indescribable combination of feelings. The coil of confusion tightened, questioning why my father would orchestrate such a predicament especially in the aftermath of the scandal that promoted Bella's departure from the city that never sleeps.

Isabella Anderson is a model with graceful sculpture features, high cheekbones casting gentle shadow, an elegant nose that seamlessly blends with the contour of her face, an eye that sparkles with a captivating mixture of depth and warmth. Cascading waves of silk chestnut frame her visage, framing a symphony of expression that effortlessly both strength and vulnerability. Her posture exudes confidence and every movement is a dance, creating an aura of timeless beauty that leaves an indelible impression.

Isabella Anderson a captivating vision in the bustling street of New York, once held the allure of every man's dream. However ,for me, Cade Stone I'm not interested in Isabella not after a salacious video surfaced, casting a shadow of harm upon her. The repercussions promoted her retreat to Miami, seeking solace and a fresh start in her modeling career.

Lost in thoughts, my assistant's persistent call finally penetrated me with a gentle tap on my hand, jolting me back to reality,

"Mr Stone, are you okay?" Her voice carried genuine concern.

"I have been trying to reach you for over two minutes, you seem lost in your own world."

"Yes,umm.. yeah what were you saying?" I asked, looking confused and trying not to show the emotions going on within me.

"Mr Stone, are you ok? Is something going on? Been calling you for over two minutes but you were not responding. You were just staring into thin air." With a genuine concern in her tone, she said.

Attempting to conceal the turmoil within, I responded with a tinge of embarrassment,

"Umm.. yes Olivia, I am fine. Just lost in my own thoughts."

Curiosity persisted as I shifted the conversation,

"You came to my office for a reason. What is it? Anything that requires our attention?"

With a dutiful demeanor, Olivia briefed me on the upcoming schedule, dissipating the awkward moment. The weight of responsibility surfaced,

"You have a meeting by 4pm with Summit Innovation, followed by a 5:30 pm meeting here at the office with a new potential client, the contract for this client has been drawn out already, then by 7:30pm, you have dinner with your fiance. That's all sir."

"Thank you Olivia, you may leave now."appreciate her efficiency.

As she reminded me of the impending Summit Innovation meeting, urgency set in.

"Sir, it's almost time. We've got less than 30 minutes. We need to leave now."

Impressed bay Olivia's competence, I nodded in acknowledgment, gathering my belongings,

"You're riding withe today Olivia, I declared, surprising even myself with the spontaneity of my words.

Together we exited the office, ready to face the responsibility that awaits us.