Reprisal

Chapter 3 : Insanity At Its Peak

“You're lying.”

Christopher stilled for a moment when he heard Isabel say that. Her tone was sharp and accusing yet still, it was not enough to deter him from acting oblivious.

“I don't know what you're talking about.” - he said calmly as they moved inside the magnanimous building of Wilder Chemicals. He pointedly avoided looking her way as they took elevator to fifty-seventh floor, but her eyes were on him. He could feel it.

The clank of his shoes and her heels echoed in the quite as they stepped out. All the workers had left hence the lights were out as well. He moved to the switch board to turn on a few lights and on turning around, found Isabel stood before him, arms crossed over her chest and a 'no nonsense' look on face.

“Dad shares everything with you Christopher. He trusts you with his life and I'm ready to bet on anything that you are aware of the reason behind his insistence that I attend the dinner even when I already had refused on the call!”

Christopher let out a breath. He knew a witty girl like Isabel could not be fooled so he decided to come out clear and get it over with.

“Mr. Wilder is persistent because a family is there to see you.”

Her arms dropped to her sides as she caught on the meaning of his statement. He made to pass by her towards his desk when she held onto his forearm and pulled him back. He was taken aback by the force she used to push him roughly against the wall.

“So you are telling me that despite knowing Dad is fixing me up with some guy, you are taking me home ?” - she seethed, her eyes lit with a fire that threatened to burn him alive. There were mere inches between them and her heels supporting her to match his height made them nose-to-nose as well.

“Yes.” - was his succinct answer.

To his astonishment, she clutched his collar in her fists and her blazing eyes welled up with angry tears.

“How can you do this Christopher ? How can you allow me to get ready for some other guy ?” - she asked demandingly, her voice thick with emotions. “Don't you see it in my eyes ? Jesus! Are you seriously THAT thickheaded ?!” - she left his collar with a jerk and stepped back in anger.

They stared at each other. The silence between them only breaking by the sound of her slight panting due to her outburst. He did not know how to explain her that he saw everything in her eyes. After all, eyes are windows to the soul. They reflect a person's personality. Some eyes are innocent, some are mischievous, some eyes reflect hollowness, while some are alive.

And hers were love.

A love so passionate and intense floated in her eyes whenever he saw her looking at him. He was aware it was not a coincidence. Had tried hard to turn a blind eye to that fact but it had become inescapable.

She walked towards him again, her eyes softening and gaining back that look of love and she placed her hands on his cheeks. His heart fluttered. Her hands were warm, as if the passion in her eyes was running in her blood.

“I love you Christopher. Since the day I laid my eyes on you, I was a goner.” - she confessed softly.

He knew she was speaking the truth but he also knew they couldn't be what she wanted them to be. And he was also aware she wouldn't understand the logical aspect of the situation. Hence, the only option left was...

He gently took her hands off that were cupping his face.

“You are mistaken Isabel. You don't love me. Maybe I'm just a passing fancy for you.” - he said softly.

Her demeanor changed along with the look in her icy blue eyes.

“Passing fancy ?” - she reiterated, her tone laced with incredulity and hurt.

He opened his mouth but before he could say anything, she turned on her heels and stormed to the elevator. He barely caught her set jaws and determined face before the doors slid close.

Shite!

He took stairs in panic, ascending two, sometimes three at a time, while keeping track of the floor indicator. And his suspicion proved right when the elevator crossed level sixty.

She was aiming for terrace!

He burst through the door to the terrace, out of breath, and his movements stilled when he found her standing on the railing, facing him.

“After this, sadly I'll be gone but at least, you'll believe that I truly loved you.” - she said, her voice velvety soft.

And his heart stopped beating as he watched her feet leave the railing.

Later when he would think about it, he might find some logic but right that moment, it was a miracle to him that he reached her in a flash, his hand grasping hers at the last moment. There was no fear on her face as she dangled from the tallest building of Toronto. Instead, she was calm and looked mightily pleased with his panicked reaction.

Applying all his force, he succeeded in pulling her up. He was panting, but not because of the utilized energy in chasing her up to the terrace then pulling her up. His heart thundered in his chest as well. She looked alright, but he was not sure if he was.

“HAVE YOU ABSOLUTELY LOST IT ISABEL ?!” - his voice boomed on the terrace. “YOU COULD HAVE DIED!”

To his great annoyance, instead of looking sheepish, she smiled that soft smile of hers. Her deep red lips curving perfectly in a simper. And his traitor heart fluttered again!

“Then you would have believed that I actually love you.” - she said, her voice the same velvety soft. “And quite madly at that.” - added with a chuckle.

The long breath he let out made her grin. She walked closer to him, so close that invaded his personal space and his sharp intake of breath echoed on the terrace. Her grin turned cheshire, knowing well that she was close to winning.

So very close.