Fake Fiancé

Confronting Her Past

"Why don't I take you home?"

"What about work?" She asked, her voice scratchy.

"I think your boss will be okay with it," he teased. She smiled but quickly cleared her throat.

"What about your boss?"

"There's no need to worry about my father," Joe chuckled. "He's not that invested in what happens at work."

"Really?" Isabella challenged. "Because I seem to remember someone fake proposing to his assistant to please his father."

"Touché," Joe chuckled. "Still. Don't worry about my father. That's my job."

Joe stood up and reached his hand out for Isabella. She smiled gratefully before grabbing his hand. He pulled her to her feet and once she was standing, he intertwined their fingers. 

"Thank you, Paul," Isabella said sweetly as he opened the door for them. Joe couldn't help but smile at how polite she was.

He didn't let go of her hand as they drove home. He escorted her to her door and was about to leave when she stopped him.

"Would you like to come in?"

As they walked into Isabella's house, Joe couldn't help but be surprised. To be honest, he hadn't given much thought to his assistant's living situation. But that was before he really got to know her.

"This is a really nice place," Joe complimented as they walked into her living room. He looked over at her and smiled when he saw her nervously wrapping her arms around herself.

"You okay?" He asked. When she didn't say anything, he walked over and sat on her couch. She hesitated before sitting next to him.

"This is just a little. . .strange," Isabella admitted.

"What is?" He asked with a small chuckle.

"This," Isabella stuttered. "You being in my house. It's weird."

"Isabella," he sighed. He reached over and grabbed her hand. "I want things to be as normal as we can make it. Not just because of the whole fake engagement thing. You've been working for me for over five years and I haven't been very kind to you."

"That's not true," Isabella said quickly. "You've been a very kind boss to me. You've never yelled at me. You give me time off when I ask for it without an explanation. You've given me a raise when I asked for one. You've been a wonderful boss."

"That's kind of you to say, Bella," Joe smiled. "But I've been more like my father than I should be."

"Joe," Isabella cut him off. "I think it's sweet that you want to try and normalize our relationship past the boss/assistant level."

There was a little awkward tension that started to fall between them, but Joe spoke up before it could settle.

"Wanna watch a movie?"

* * * * *

Joe lost track of how long he sat on the couch with Isabella in his arms. He felt her start to fall asleep but didn't move. He decided to let her sleep.

Something changed as he looked down at her tucked into his arms. The idea of another man laying a finger on her, filled him with uncontrollable anger. Before he could think of the repercussions, he decided to do something about it.

Joe carefully picked Isabella up bridal style and carried her to her room. He tucked her into bed and wrote her a note, telling her to call him if she needed anything. Anything at all. Before he left, he glanced back at Isabella's sleeping form. He smiled at her before quietly closing the door.

The second he got in his car, he had Paul drive back towards the restaurant. He knew exactly who Isabella's ex was, what kind of guy he was, and the only way to handle him. He knew her ex would still be at the bar.

He walked into the bar, his blood boiling as he searched the room for him. Just like he predicted, Isabella's ex was at the bar, hitting on a woman who was clearly not into him.

"Hey!" Joe yelled.

He took the few short strides it took to get to him. When he was standing right in front of Isabella's ex, he pictured the bruises on her body that he left.

Joe instantly swung his fist as hard as he could, connecting it with Pete's jaw. As he fell to the floor, Joe smirked darkly down at him.

"If you ever come near my Isabella again," Joe said through his teeth, "I'll make sure you regret it."