"What on earth did you get yourself into Isa?" Caleb had just heard the whole situation his friend was in and he obviously was pissed and unhappy. "Gabriel sounds like he is going to end you."

Isabella stretched her leg onto the length of the red leather couch. "I have no idea what to do," she said. Caleb scoffed loudly. "What?"


"What on earth do you mean by you have no idea what to do? It is very obvious Isabella."

"I don't think I am ready for another marital life." The look on her face distressed Caleb who looked at her like he was wishing a simple hug could solve her problems.

"But you need protection from the one you just left and trust me, the next time I recieve a letter, I don't want it to be your blood on it."


"So," Isabella shrugged as she sank into the couch into a laying position. ", I have no choice but to marry Charles."

"Running away right now doesn't guarantee even a quarter of protection. So, yes, you have to marry Mr. Oxford." Isabella sighed with her eyes on the white ceiling. "I don't get one thing though," Isabella looked his way. "I don't get why you are trying to run away from the man you once loved. And I know you, beneath all these problems and all, your love for him is buried."


"I don't know. I feel things won't be the same. It has been years since we were together, a lot would have changed."

"But you are still considering marrying him right?"

"If that is what will keep my head safe, maybe. Besides, Charles will never be as bad as Gabriel."

"Maybe you guys would reignite your love like those in those romance novels," said Caleb a bit excitedly.

Isabella tilted her head his way and managed a small smile before looking back up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess marrying Charles is my option now."

"I strongly feel you need a hug." He rushed to her side on his knees and spread his arms out, waiting for her to dive in. Chuckling, she shifted and rested her upper body into his chest which he enclosed lovingly within his arms.

"Everything will be okay, I assure you."

Isabella closed her eyes and wished that really, after a long while, everything would be okay.

~

It seemed like her steps were heavier.

She could not blame her legs. What she was about to do wasn't as simple as it seemed. To her nervous mind, once she steps in Charles room, she had to lower all her ego, her freaking pride, she had to act in opposite to the answers she earlier gave him. That wasn't so much of a nice thing to Isabella.

But she was no state to argue, she was tied down in all corners. She had a murderous ex- husband threatening her in one. She had no money if she wanted to move and start a new life. Even if she could move to another continent, she wanted to do it as a divorced woman. She had no lawyer to help her prepare that either.

And not to forget that she still hadn't apologized properly to Charles for hurting him.

So, yes, she had to lower that ego.

Isabella finally made it to his door, it was her hands turn to become heavy.

She inhaled a very deep one and let out it slowly.

Her hand finally felt like it knock on the door. As she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open.

"Isabella?" Charles did not hide his surprise.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, opening the door wider so she could see more of his room. She could also percieve more of his intoxicating scent which she never acknowledged as been swoon worthy like his eyes ever since he came back into her life.

"I..." she cleared her throat, her hands clutching her bag handle tighter. "I, have an answer."

"Oh." His eyes fell attentively on hers.

Isabella took another deep breath. As soon as she let it out, she followed it with, "Yes, I will marry you." His forehead wore a frown instantly to Isabella's dismay. Was he tossing her aside already? When she had already gone that far?

"Charles, I said..." He stuck the sentence in her mouth as, within a slim second, he pulled her closer to his build and slammed his lips against hers.

Isabella did not fight it. She actually had a want for his touch tucked somewhere inside of her. Well, that was before Gabriel...

Almost unconsciously, she pushed Charles away who was startled as he found himself almost falling. "Bella," his accent really came out. ",is something wrong?"

"I..." She was feeling dirty again. She felt really, really used and she did not want-

"Isabella, talk to me." His hands found her arms and he ran them gently along, sending some kind of warmth to her. "I am always here to listen to whatever you have to say. Now, that you have decided to be with me," his head ducked a bit as he tried to connect with her eyes. ", I am always going to here for you."

Isabella sighed. Maybe she did still love the man in front of her. But things were complicated already. Her mind was conflicted. Her whole being was just in chaos. But at that moment, she knew she couldn't afford to make the mistake she almost made over the past weeks.

The mistake she made six years ago.

"Oh Charles..." she fell into his chest and wrapped her hands around his waist.

"Yes, Bella?" He laid her head on his chest, his hand running through her hair.

"I am so sorry for everything. I was just so scared..."

"Ssh. Say no more. Let's just stay like this for a while."

Isabella hugged him closer, shut her eyes and followed his advice. In the past, a quiet time in his arms always worked wonders for her.

And, Isabella needed those wonders at that moment.