THE DARKNESS IN ISABELLE

CHAPTER 18 - NOAH'S CRUSH

ISABELLE

MONDAY, 05:17AM

2022

''Isabelle?!'' The cool voice startled me as I looked behind to find Ryder standing with his dishevelled hair. He might have just woken up. I admit I did take a few microseconds to admire this side of him.

''Why are you still here? Don't tell me you stayed awake all night?''

''Not really, I was arranging a few documents, more like cleaning it up but I fell asleep.''

''Why don't you just stay here?'' He walked towards the table grabbing a glass water and I leaned back on my chair.

''No, I just don't like staying together with the others. Huh... I need to go home now.'' I said examining the wall clock.

''Now?! Okay, let's go.''

''Thank you, but I can walk myself there.'' He ignored me like I didn't refuse him just now and walked towards the elevator. Being stubborn was one of the things we had in common other than hating normal humans. I heaved a sigh, gathering my jacket to follow him.

''Are you staying far from here?''

''No, I rented a house close to the office. It usually takes 10 minutes if I jog.'' and he hummed in response.

''Don't you guys have your own place to stay?''

''We do, but staying close is more comfortable during emergencies. Jeff goes back and forth every day.''

''I know.''

We drove in silence, not knowing what to say. It was still awkward between us and none of us wanted to admit it.

''About Taylor....Have you met him before?'' He inquired hesitantly, not expecting an answer.

''No, we haven't. Why?'' He looked straight ahead.

''Just wanted to ask. I noticed you guys are close.''

''Yeah, he is a great person. He has that tranquil aura around him and I love it.'' No response instead he hit a sudden break.

''What?''

''We've reached.'' Can I just pretend this isn't my house?

''Thank you. See you later.'' I opened the door and pulled my jacket closer as cool air hit my face. I didn't turn back to see him but he was already out.

''Isabelle.'' I heard him call in a voice that was music to my ears. He was the only one who called me by my actual name, after all these years. I hated how I tried to hate him but I just can't. I keep remembering the way his arms felt when it wrapped around my body, holding me in place. How his eyes sparkled when he pulled me in for a kiss.

I turned around and watched him walk slowly towards me. He looked directly into my eyes like he wanted to say something that even I couldn't guess.

''What?'' I asked in a slow voice and that seemed to snap him out of whatever was going inside his head.

Curse me again!

''Umm...nothing. Just wanted to say.... you can join us in the afternoon.'' I nodded.

I couldn't say if that was disappointment what I felt and it made me question, if he apologised for running away back then, would we start seeing each other?

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RYDER

I stared at my blank computer screen resisting the urge to go back to sleep. I shouldn't have woken up so early but I couldn't go back to sleep either knowing she was sitting out in the hall. I thought, why was time passing by so slowly just today?