"So, it is basically a hotel?" The fat man asked again.

"She just said..." His partner gave up trying to explain anything to the man who was making light of the little meeting they were having.

And Isabella was trying so hard not to get unduly angry. Her free hand kept tugging at the tablecloth, and at the same time, her smile widened. "Yes, it is a hotel. But a vintage kind of hotel."

"Why would anyone want to stay in such a place?"

"The services offered there are like no other, sir. Everything about the hotel is amazing and magical. Our guests always have a good time."

"If it is so magical, why is it failing?" David Maxwell's secretary gasped with shock at the directedness of his boss. Isabella could feel it, the anger, it had made its way to her chest. Her hold on the cloth became fiercer, it shifted off the table.

Caleb placed his hand over hers to placate her.

"We are working on ways to improve the standards of the hotel. We just have a bit of monetary…"

"Save it, Ms. Shade. Your hotel is a lost cause. The best thing you can do right now is selling it. That's the advice I can give."

'How dare you say such a thing? Do you know how hard I worked to get this company?'

Isabella wanted to cry out, but she maintained that smile. The smile of defeat. The side of her eyes blinking with tears, she looked down and said, "Thank you for your advice sir."

"I wish you the best Ms. Shade." Isabella nodded and looked in the other direction to see if any waiter was in sight. She needed a glass of wine. Actually, a bottle of wine would do the job.

"Mr. Maxwell, can we join you?"

That voice! Isabella felt her body shiver.

No, it could not be him!

Still looking for a waiter to pass by, Isabella resumed squeezing the cloth.

"Mr. Oxford, of course, you can. I am glad you made it today."

"I am glad as well."

No, no. It couldn't be.

A glass of wine found its way to her hand immediately and she faced another gathering that was concentrated at a table.

"So, anything fun going on here?"

"Well, Ms. Shade over here was telling me about her hotel. Ms. Shade," she immediately faced David Maxwell so she could not see the man's face if at all he was who she thought he was, "tell Mr. Oxford here about your place. Maybe he might be able to help."

Isabella shook a little as her head shifted to face this Mr. Oxford.

If she had her way, she could have become invisible at that instant. It really was him. With green orbs staring right into her with a snarky smile beneath them, Isabella noted how much he had changed. He looked huger, more built, more handsome.

"Well, Shades and Cloaks is a vintage hotel. As the name vintage implies, everything about the settings is purely historical."

The side of his mouth had gone up with a smile while she talked. His smile. It always found a way to affect her back then. And at that moment, it was affecting her with even more intensity than before. Why not? Anthony was looking like a complete sex god that women fall in love with without him even trying.

She pinched Caleb lightly for him to take over. As soon as he did, Her eyes traveled to the woman beside him. She was pretty. They suited each other.

Good for him.

Isabella darted her eyes to the side as she began to feel Anthony's stare fall heavily on her as he responded mono-syllabically to Caleb's explanation. She needed to get out of that place. She needed to find a way to regain composure. "Um… please excuse me."

As Isabella walked towards the restroom, she became tempted to look behind to see whether or not he had his eyes on her.

On getting to the restroom, her hand slamming the door hard, Isabella went to the mirror and leaned against the counter, staring at herself. She could read the mixed emotions inside her by just looking at her eyes. Isabella could not afford to have that happen.

Not now. Not ever.

Sighing, she reasoned out her present situation.

Isabella never thought she would be meeting Anthony so soon. She always thought if at all they would meet, it would be when they are old and close to their graves. Her mind picturing the magnificent-looking man, Isabella felt her hands shake a bit.

It really was him.

Gosh! How many years had it been?

Five? Six?

Recalling the circumstances of the past, Isabella shook again. She had done something terrible to him.

Oh, God! Rubbing her forehead, Isabella wondered what she could do. Crazily, explaining the situation that caused her action in the past was not an option she was willing to explore at that moment.

But then, she needed something, anything to help her face him.

A knock on the bathroom door announced his presence.

"Bella?"

Her eyes widened, and her legs lost their stance. It was him!

He was just outside the bathroom. And… he called her Bella. Anthony was the only one who ever called her that and she loved it whenever he did. His British accent to be thanked, him calling her name always did things to her. It awakened things within her, whether she wanted it to or not.

"Sooner or later, you will come out, Bella and I will be waiting here."

Scanning the exquisite restroom, Isabella saw no potential exit. So, she bade goodbye to her idea of doing the cliché; escaping through the toilet's window.

Finding her stance, Isabella reasoned that it was better she went out. If at all Anthony had not changed, one thing about him is that he never gives up till he gets what he wants. And she knew better than to try to drag the situation at hand.

"Finally." Her eyes evading his own, Isabella resumed walking.

As she expected, he did not allow it. Isabella immediately felt her arm being slightly pulled, next thing, her chest was glued to his huge body, she looked so little in his hold. "I won't allow you to run this time around Bella."

Finding the fact that she was beginning to warm up to his touch a bad sign, Isabella struggled to get out of his arms. "Let me go please."

"I need to talk to you." His hands repositioned as his firm voice bluntly stated his mission. While one snaked around her waist, the other settled on her hair, he was holding her securely against his strong, firm body, Isabella could not move despite her budging.

"If you want to talk, let me go."

"Okay." She should have just let him hold her. Isabella's hands went up as the shock that befall her when his lips attacked hers was not an ordinary one.

Kissing away, licking away, exploring her mouth like he was munching on his favourite chocolate bar, Isabella knew he wasn't going to end it soon no matter how much she budged or tried to complain.

Pushing her against the wall, he took the session to the next level. His huge hands gripping her buttocks firmly, Anthony pushed her towards him, his lips still engaging hers in a heated session.

Slowly, he ground against her, Isabella just had to moan. It was then she realized that she had fully given in to his kiss. She was actually loving it.

"Hm. You are still freaking hot, Bella." Anthony's hand pushed her even closer despite their closeness and put his hand to use and caressed her through the cotton dress.

Pulling away from her lips, without pausing for a second, his lips went to tease her earlobes. She gave a short gasp, her fingers digging into his back.

She was actually loving it!

Isabella finally realized the gravity of what was happening. Managing to push him away slightly, she took a look around to check if anyone had seen them.

Facing him with a sharp glare, she asked angrily, "Anthony! How dare you kiss me?"

"Charles. Nobody calls me Anthony anymore." He took a step back, his hands going into his pockets. "And, don't fool yourself, you enjoyed what just happened. Instead of complaining, count yourself lucky that I just made your day."

"Made my day? By kissing me? Oh please! The next time you touch me carelessly, you will regret it."

The side of his mouth went up with a smirk, his eyes wore amusement. "I am certain you will be the one regretting Bella. Because, once I start something," he took a step closer to her, his scent engulfing her once more, his eyes boring threateningly into hers, "I make sure to finish it."

Her jaws dancing to contain the emotions jumbled within her, she walked away from the corner where he had her staying put. "What do you want from me, Charles?"

"I spoke to your… the man that came with you. I am interested in your hotel, Isabella."

That was the first time he called her that way. It was always 'Bella' he called her back then.

Taking out a card from this breast pocket, his hand stretched towards her, "Take this and call me whenever you are ready to discuss business. I have a proposition that will ensure everyone is happy at the end of the day."

Isabella's brows quirked as she collected the card. "I don't think I will be calling you, but thank you."

"Oh, Bella," he swept a strand of hair into the back of her ear, "you and I know that you want whatever happened minutes ago to occur again. So, I will be waiting for that call."

Isabella found herself sneering mentally at his words. Just because she kissed him back he thinks she wants him. As she watched him walk out of the restroom area, her mind wondered if he knew she was married. Looking down at the card in her hand, Isabella thought, ‘Like hell, I would call him.’

It really was him.

Isabella sat back in her chair. She had been hoping it was a dream, but it wasn't. He really kissed her.

Anthony... No, Charles aroused her without trying hard. After six years he was still that good. Her fingers grazing her lips, she recalled to the last detail how he took her with more intention than he used to when they used to date.

That same day, when she got home and took a look at Gabriel, Isabella realized it had been a while since she felt so strongly aroused. Her husband never took the liberty to make her feel good during sex. All Gabriel ever wanted to do was empty his nut into her.

Feeling sadness set in again, Isabella wondered how life would have been if she had not run away a few minutes before tying the knot with Anthony. She wouldn't be deprived of intense intercourse, certainly. She probably won't have a failing company to be worried about too.

Sighing, Isabella reasoned that it was useless to swim in regret at that stage. If anything, she should be working harder at getting her company out of its ruins.

Isabella's eyes travelled to the card that had been lying on her table. Temptation surrounded it. It was calling Isabella to pick up the hard paper and dial the number on it.

"Isa, there is an issue." Caleb's voice snapped her out of it. As he sat down, Isabella prepared herself for the terrible news that was going to come out of his mouth. Earlier that day, one of their loyal customers had an accident in the bathroom and that caused a dent in the already collapsing state of the hotel.

"I have called every single person that promised to see if they could help us, none, I mean no one is willing to merge. It is just so terrible. It is as though they all had an overnight meeting and decided to not consider us at all. Isa..."

"Caleb. What is going on? Why does everything keep getting worse? Just yesterday..."

Caleb reached for her hand and stopped her lamenting. "Hey Isa, don't do this now. Sulking about the state of this place is not going to help." He tapped her skin gently, in an assuring way before sitting back. "I was thinking, don't you think it is high time you started considering selling this place?"

Isabella sighed and shook a bit as his realistic question reminded her again how things were. "You know..." her voice had turned a shade of remorse as she twirled in her seat. "Before all these crises started happening in this hotel, this whole place was the only thing that made me really happy. Genuinely happy. It makes me happy even now that things are crazy, weirdly. Caleb," her eyes flickered to the attentive man, "I don't want to lose this place. Apart from the fight I put up with my father to win this place, this hotel is..." Isabella shook her head frantically as she searched for the right word.

"This place is the only thing stable in my life. I wake up every day in that damn place I call my husband's home and the next thing I want to do is rush out of there and just spend the whole day here. Selling this place is a good idea, but..." Isabella could feel her heart thumping with fear at the mere thought. "It is not going to be as easy as saying it."

The small, encouraging smile that stayed on Caleb's face made her realize how pitiful she was making herself look. So, she looked away, one hand wiping away the tears at the corner of her eye. "I wish you would explain the reason why it will be so difficult to leave that Gabriel."

"One day, Caleb. Hopefully."

The both of them left the remaining words in their mouths tucked in and they both sat in silence, each man delving into their thoughts.

Moments later, Caleb said, "We still haven't called Mr. Oxford though." Her eyes darted at him sharply. "I checked him yesterday on Google and I must acknowledge, that man is in money. Apart from his father's fortune, he has made himself a ton of money. And their empire? It flourishes daily."

"You think he would be able to help?" Isabella started replaying their moment, she felt hot immediately. It really bothered her. The fact that he came out of nowhere but still, he had as much effect on her as he did years ago.

"He did mention that he was interested in our case."

"Maybe I should go meet him then. Hopefully, he can help." Isabella wanted to slap herself for saying that.

For some reason, Isabella was angry at Anthony and that was stupid because she was the one that ran away before they could get married. She broke his heart, she destroyed a beautiful relationship without giving a single excuse. She did not have it easy either after the whole running away drama.

But to speak the truth, she had no other option. Isabella knew meeting Anthony was the only hope left for her company. If that doesn't work she might as well sell the hotel no matter how painful it could be.

"Do you want me to come along?"

Isabella wanted to meet Anthony alone, so she shook her head in response. As her hands went to tuck beneath her chin, she thought, 'Maybe it is time I explained everything about six years ago to Anthony, I need to clear my conscience.'

~

The house was unusually quiet and that gladdened the brunette who would have killed for some alone time in the house. Kicking off her pumps, Isabella found herself twirling on the smoothness of the tiles before she made her way to the kitchen.

Their bedroom was just a few distances away from the kitchen, so the noise she heard as she downed a gulp from the wine bottle she opened on a certain tiring day, was without mistake from that room. Dropping the bottle on the marbled counter, she grabbed her bag and made for the room.

The sight that greeted her made her knees grow weak. "Gabriel..."

Her voice was so faint and full of pain.

With no care at all, her husband opened his eyes and took off the slender hand on his naked chest. After whispering something to the three ladies that immediately rushed out of the room giggling, with no clothes on, he finally faced Isabella.

"Why did you interrupt my fun?"

"Your..." She scoffed. "Gabriel, why on earth would you decide to bring hookers into our home?"

"Why? Are you jealous that they are getting all my attention?" He moved closer. "You know what you have to do to get it."

"Get what? Your attention? Oh please. If there is any getting to be considered, it will be getting out of here."

"How dare you?" He was glowering at her, his breath kept fanning her mercilessly. "How dare you talk to me that way? In case you are forgetting something, your father is the one who gets to suffer if you try anything funny."

His huge, rough hand grabbed her by the hair and tugged so hard, that she had to give a loud cry.

"Gabriel..." she reached for his hand which kept tightening his hold. "Please... Stop."

He glared at her, his offensive smell hitting her nose even more. "I need you to understand that a wrong move from you means that it is all over for your father. You don't want to be the reason your father loses everything do you?"

She could not respond as she was trying so hard to ease her hair from his painful hold.

But her silence offended the irritated man who grabbed her roughly from behind and dug his fingers into her buttock.

"Do you understand?"

"Y-yes." Isabella nodded quickly.

"Good. Now, I need you to do something," he finally released her. "Take off your clothes and get on the bed."

"Uh?" Isabella was screaming in her head. His sleeping with her meant more pain and not just physical.

"Get. On. The. Bed." He growled at her.

"I- I am on my period."

"What? You are of no use then. Get out," he mumbled as he made his way to the bed with a short frown.

Her hands stylishly massaging her head, Isabella walked in to get a small bag she tucked just behind the door. As she made for the entrance again, her mind still in disarray, she faced Gabriel who was playing with his groin.

"I have to go to the office." That place was more like a home compared to the hell she got married into.

"Get some groceries on your way back," he instructed without looking her way. "And, call those beauties back in. I am getting bored."

Isabella let out a shaky sigh which could have led to her breaking down into tears had she not held herself together with the last string of sanity and patience within her.

As she made her way into the kitchen to get some food, Isabella made an inner cry for the miracle she had been wishing for.

She needed it at that moment.

There was definitely something off with her, Charles thought as he landed his buttocks on the softness of the chair behind him.

After settling, his thoughts continued.

It was as though Isabella was lacking something or maybe she wanted something so bad.

Whatever it was, Charles wondered what it could be.

Sitting back into the leather chair he had specifically constructed to his taste, he wondered when she exactly was going to walk into that room and ask what his proposition was with attitude.

He smirked to himself.

She sure acted like she did not break his heart six years ago. And he knew her so well, it was certain that she would keep up with that attitude for a while until he decides to break it.

Smiling more, he could picture the defiant look on her face once he does kill that attitude.

That would be quite a sight. Seeing the woman that broke his heart wear that look would be something that would please him.

Suddenly, Charles groaned inwardly, his hands almost pulling at his hair.

She was driving him crazy.

So, so crazy.

And, that was wrong to him. He should be the one making her feel regretful. He was meant to be driving her crazy. All she had to do was show up, Charles was sure he would do that perfectly.

Almost absent-mindedly, he checked his watch.

Something was telling him that the woman he was waiting impatiently for was nearby.

And, he hoped his guts were right.

"Sir?"

Charles turned his attention to the men seated opposite him.

"What?" His response sounded rough even though it was not his intention.

"We asked if you are okay with the plan," the man clothed in a grey suit carefully said, his low bangs bobbing as he peered at his boss who had suddenly arranged for his and his colleague's arrival in the States for certain business issues.

Charles adjusted his silk robe which he hadn't bothered to change out of since he was in his residence. "I gave a response, didn't I?"

"Uh... no sir. You just smirked... smiled actually." Even the man was surprised at what he just said. But his one-second expression of shock soon turned into a serious look as though he feared getting lashed at.

"I did?" Charles's famous stone look was back in a jiffy.

"Uh... sir? The plan?"

Charles's ringtone filled the anxious air.

"Excuse me." He majestically crossed his legs which were clothed in matching blue silk pants.

" Yes?" He prompted Miss Kane to talk without wasting his precious time.

"Isabella Shade is here to see you, sir," the woman on the other side informed.

Charles wanted to smirk again, well, his face wished to wear a grin, but a look at the gentlemen in front of him, caused him to keep it in. And he disguised his slight happiness with a low throat-clearing sound.

"Let her in." As he spoke, Charles hoped he was doing a good job of hiding how much his chest was beating, just like he hid his smile.

"But you are in a meeting, sir," Miss Kane responded, the tone of her voice seemingly complaining.

"Did I stutter, Miss Kane?"

"I'll let her in right away."

"Mr. Wade, Mr. Blunt..." Charles faced the men who quickly gave their full attention to him. "I like the plan, but I want to know more about this business. Have the owners properly prepare a presentation and..."

"Good evening." His knees felt instantly weak so much so that his legs had to disentangle. Her voice did that much to him. Charles didn't like how that was the reality, but it was.

But like the strong man he was, he was quick to regain composure.

"Miss Shade. Have a seat." Charles pointed at the seat that was close to his huge, neatly dressed bed. As he watched her take a seat, he suddenly wished that the chair was not there. Seeing her on his bed was a sight he missed. And a sight he would love to see again and again.

"Sir... you were saying something."

"Yeah... Have them prepare a presentation and meet me sometime next week. I want to know more." Charles also wanted to know what had Isabella glued to her phone. His eyes couldn't stop staring at her slender, cute, and quite sexy hands as they slid over the device in her hold.

Slowly, as he half-listened to what Mr. Wade was saying, he traced her entire body. From her slightly opened lips that she hardly adorned with lipstick, to her sleek hair that kept calling him to run his hands through them, he noticed every single thing. That look he saw on her face at the party, the one he could not decipher was present too.

"Mr. Oxford?"

Charles realized he had zoned them out once again. And that was a very unusual thing for a man of focus like him to do. He was sure the men would be so confused since they were seeing him act that way.

"Just let me know how everything goes."

"Okay, sir."

After they had packed their stuff and left, Charles just had to let out that smirk he had been hiding. "Miss Shade."

Her head came up finally and their eyes met. "Mr. Oxford."

Charles's smile widened. She was trying to act professionally. The next few minutes sure were going to be fun. He got up and made for where she was seated.

"It is good that you showed up." She gave a short shrug as her eyes followed him- as they should. But as his robe came off suddenly, her eyes which bore a grim look suddenly widened.

"I was starting to think you had given up on your suffering company." His pants came off next as he made for his small wardrobe, and her eyes swiftly darted elsewhere.

"You said you have a proposition," Isabella said, her neck trying not to turn. Charles wondered how much her body reacted to him at that moment.

Years ago, that sexy body of hers melted on just seeing him.

"I don't start my meetings that way, Miss Shade." He walked back into the room, fully clothed in a casual tee shirt and sweatpants. "Why exactly are you here, Miss Shade?" His legs crossed again after he has his seat on his chair.

"My company is in a lot of debt." It was ridiculous that she was seated so far from him, but he wasn't going to stress about that. She definitely would move closer to him at a point.

"So I gathered when I did my research."

Isabella scoffed. "I see you are still nosy."

"It is a habit. So, what do you want me to do?"

Her eyes became a shade of pity, it was like she was sorry for herself. "I would actually appreciate it if we could reach an agreement that will benefit you and pull me out of the debts."

"Hmm." Charles sat back. "Well, like I said when we met, I have a proposition that would benefit you extremely."

"What is that?"

Charles smirked as he knew what he was about to say would force her to move closer to him.

"All you have to do is marry me."