The following morning, Adrian arrived at Joey's house and met him having breakfast with his wife. They all exchanged pleasantries before he asked about Isabella.
“She's upstairs, I invited her for breakfast but she refused to come down and she hasn't eaten anything since yesterday night,” Joey answered with a shrug and Adrian sighed before going upstairs to get her by himself.
He knocked on the door but there was no response so he pushed it open and luckily, it wasn't locked. He found her sitting at the edge of the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. He was suspicious but approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She jolted, turning to look at him, her eyes red as tomatoes.
“What happened?” He was genuinely worried about her.
“Adrian..” she sniffed, grabbing his hand and turning to face him. “I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I totally regret everything I've done in the two days that I spent here.” She sobbed, wiping her tears off.
“Really?” Adrian was skeptical.
“I truly am sorry. I should have just accepted the reality of having lost you. I know I can't have you back, I was just too selfish to accept it. I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have come.” She avoided eye contact with him, feeling ashamed of herself.
“I find it hard to believe that you've suddenly turned a new leaf, Isabella. I know how crooked you can get.” Adrian said with a raised eyebrow and Isabella shook her head, more tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked terrified.
“No… I am not a bad person, I swear. I just… I just really wanted to have you back.” She paused and wiped her tears with the back of her palm.
“I know I messed up, I shouldn't have come here. All I need is for you to forgive me and I promise I will leave your life for good.” She pleaded and Adrian slowly nodded. He could see the genuineness in her eyes.
“It's fine Isabella, I hold nothing against you.” He let out a smile. “You've actually helped Scarlett and I define our relationship so I guess I have that to be grateful for.”
Isabella smiled. “I'm glad you choose to see it that way, at least you don't see me as a terrible homewrecker anymore.” She sniffed.
“Well, I still booked another flight for this morning, I'll take you to the airport.”
“That won't be necessary, I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I'll just leave on my own.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. I came here on my own so I can also leave on my own. But.. will you help me get my stuff from your apartment?” She batted her lashes at him.
“Everything is downstairs.”
“Great. I'll leave immediately.” She smiled, leaving the room as Adrian quickly followed. He was glad that Isabella had decided to be reasonable and do the right thing.
He requested to drop her again but she insisted that she could manage on her own so he stopped a taxi for her and helped to load all her stuff into the trunk before she got into the taxi.
“Bye Adrian.”
“Be safe.” He nodded at her and the taxi zoomed off.
Adrian went back into the house to join Joey who was already preparing to leave for work.
~~~
“Hey, you,” Isabella called out to the driver after they must have gotten far enough.
“Yes ma'am?”
“Make a turn, I'm not going to the airport anymore.”
“Where to?”
“Just turn around and keep driving, I'll let you know when to stop.” She smirked, wiping her eyes.
Soon, she arrived at Scarlett's mansion and lets herself in. Scarlett was sitting in the living room, eating a sandwich and watching her favorite series on television when she heard the door open. She made a swift turn and her eyes met with Isabella's. Immediately, she fumed, rising to her feet.
“What are you doing here? Who said you are welcome here!? Get the fuck out of my house!” Scarlett roared and Isabella smiled wickedly.
“It's fine, I will leave. Believe me, I hate seeing you as much as you hate me, but I have something important to tell you before I leave.” She started.
“I don't want to hear anything. Just leave!”
“Really? You don't want to hear that your so-called lover is actually a fraud? That he has been deceiving you all this while!?”
Scarlett's eyes widened in disgust.
“Get out or I'm gonna push you out! Who gave you the right to call my boyfriend names?”
“Do you know the art gallery?” Isabella continued, despite Scarlett's threat.
“That art gallery belongs to Adrian. He's not poor like he has made you believe. He's a very wealthy man. The apartment that he claims to be his place? That's also a lie. He owns a big mansion. He only approached your family for the sole purpose of revenge!” Isabella yelled at the top of her lungs, her eyes burning with rage.
“Enough! Enough! Get out!!” Scarlett screamed and called out to the maids who were working that morning, her whole body was shaking due to the anger that was boiling inside her.
“Throw this lying thief out of my house.” She ordered and the maids started to lead Isabella outside forcefully.
“He's nothing but a liar Scarlett. He only wants revenge.” Isabella screamed before she was thrown out.
Scarlett let out a loud groan before frantically searching for her phone. She needed to speak with Adrian concerning this bitch. She did not believe a single word that Isabella had said, but her words refused to get out of her head.
“Hi, Adrian.” She spoke into the phone.
“Hi baby, are you okay? You sound tense.”
“I'm fine, I need to speak with you. Where are you?”
“I.. I.. went to see a friend.” He responded, still worried about the way she was sounding.
“That's fine, come and see me when you get back okay?”
“Sure, I hope nothing's wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong. See you later.” She hung up and sighed.
Even after speaking to Adrian, she was still restless. She needed answers quickly. Although she didn't want to doubt Adrian, she still felt that a little clarification wouldn't do any harm. She picked up her keys and headed straight to the gallery, planning to meet Joey there and ask him about the real owner of the art gallery.
“He wants revenge!”
She groaned when Isabella's words rang in her head again.
“That girl is a nutcase, she's obviously trying to create a rift between Adrian and I.” She muttered to herself as she drove into the gallery's parking lot. She got out of the car and briskly walked into the building.
She was hoping to see Joey but shock swept across her face when she saw Adrian there instead. He was explaining one of the art pieces to some potential clients.
“Adrian?” Tears dropped from her eyes. Why would he lie to her about his whereabouts? It broke her heart, more than it was supposed to.
“Scarlett!” Adrian's eyes widened on seeing her.
“I can explain… I just..” he made to speak but she raised her hand, causing him to keep quiet. Then, she stormed out as quickly as she came in, got into her car, and drove back home in tears.
Adrian called her countless times but she didn't even pick up the phone, she ignored his calls, tears pouring down her cheeks. She started to wonder if Isabella was actually telling the truth and this caused her a terrible headache. She got home and threw herself into her bed, trying to get a hold of herself.
Adrian rushed out of the gallery after fruitless attempts to reach Scarlett. He was about to get into the car when Isabella approached him, smiling.
“What did you do?” Adrian immediately suspected her, she was supposed to be on a plane, on her way back home.
“I always get what I want Adrian, even if it means stooping to the lowest level.” She tried to touch him but he moved away.
“I saw your girlfriend leaving, she looked so upset.”
“What did you tell her Isabella?” Adrian questioned, already losing his temper.
“What makes you think I said anything to her?” She shrugged but Adrian grabbed her neck, tightening his grip by the second while she coughed and fought to get away from him. He continued to choke her, her face turning pure red.
“Ad..ri..an.. please!” She struggled for breath and he finally let go of her, pushing her away. She coughed very loudly, shooting glares at him.
“Stay the fuck away from me if you want to live.” Adrian barked at her and entered his car, rushing out of the parking lot.
He got to Scarlett's house and met Vivian in the living room. She told him that Scarlett was in her room so he ran upstairs to her room, knocking and pleading with her to open the door.
“Adrian..” her sober voice came from inside.
“Yes baby, I'm here. Please open the door and let's talk about this.” He sighed.
“Do you own that art gallery? And I want the truth.”
Adrian gulped in shock.