Bound by Obsession

chapter8 : engagement announcement?

**Chapter  8: engagement announcement**

---------------------------
After some hours
----------------------------
Tristan came into the room only to find Isabella staring at the beautiful sky from the large window placed there which was acting like a barrier from her escaping. 

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didnt see tristan coming towards her. She flinched when he back hugged her.

"What's my princess thinking about...hmmm?" He asked, his voice surprisingly calm.

"Nothing" she whispered.

There was a few moments of silence when she decided to ask him her questions which were roaming in her mind.

"Tristan?" She called him
"Yes love?" He asked her to continue

"Do you really love me? Or is it your revenge just cuz i filed a case against you?" She asked turning towards him

"Amore... i do really love you. And if it was about the case i could've gotten out of it easily but i chose to see how intelligent you are. And you never failed to impress me love"

" Tristan if you really love me why cant you let me go? Isn't love all about letting go?" She asked hoping he'd agree with letting her go

But whom was she kidding?

He chuckled darkly," when i say i love you so much i really do!" She gripped her wrist a little too hard and continued " but i love you a little too much to let you go!"

And that's it her hopes shattered.

He wiped her tears which were falling without her knowing "Sweetheart its time for lunch. Let's go and eat hmm? We have a long day ahead".

----------------

As they walked down the grand staircase, Tristan's grip on her arm remained firm. They entered a lavishly decorated dining room, where a grand lunch spread awaited them. Tristan gestured for her to sit, and she reluctantly obeyed.

"You need to eat properly," he insisted, serving her a plate of food. "You won't have the energy for what's to come if you don't."

Isabella glared at him but began to eat, knowing she needed her strength. "What's to come? More of your twisted games?"

"Think of it as preparation for your new life," he replied, his tone cold. "You need to understand what it means to be with me."

She clenched her fists, her appetite vanishing. "I'll never understand. I don't belong in your world."

Tristan leaned in closer, his eyes piercing. "You do now, Isabella. The sooner you accept it, the easier it will be for you."

After lunch, Tristan led her to a spacious room filled with elegant dresses and accessories. "You'll need to choose something suitable for our engagement announcement tonight," he said, releasing her arm.

Isabella looked around in disbelief. "Engagement announcement? You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm very serious," he replied, crossing his arms. "You will be by my side, smiling and accepting your fate."

She shook her head, tears of frustration welling up again. "You can't make me do this."

"I can and I will," Tristan said, his voice unwavering. "If you refuse, your friends will suffer. Do you want that on your conscience?"

Isabella's heart sank. She knew he wasn't bluffing. "You really are a monster."

Tristan's expression softened for a moment. "I do what I must to protect what's mine."

"I'm not yours," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"You will be," he said, turning to leave. "Choose a dress, Isabella. I'll be back to check on you."

As the door closed behind him, Isabella sank to the floor, her mind racing. She had to find a way out, but time was running out. She picked herself up and began to look through the dresses, her thoughts focused on escape.

---

Hours passed, and as evening approached, Tristan returned. Isabella stood by the window, wearing a simple yet elegant dress she had chosen. Her expression was one of quiet defiance.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice softening. "Are you ready?"

"No," she replied bluntly. "But I don't have a choice, do I?"

Tristan approached her, gently cupping her face in his hands. "You always have a choice, Isabella. But you need to choose wisely."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I hate you."

"I know," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "But one day, you'll understand."

---

The evening was a blur of lights, music, and formalities. Isabella stood by Tristan's side, her face a mask of calm as he announced their engagement to a room full of powerful guests. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a nightmare she couldn't escape.

As the night wore on, Tristan kept a possessive arm around her waist, introducing her to various associates and family members. Each smile she forced felt like a betrayal to herself.

Amidst the crowd, she spotted familiar faces. Liam and Sophia, her closest friends, managed to approach her discreetly.

"Sophia," Isabella whispered, her voice trembling.

Sophia hugged her tightly. "We'll get you out of this, Bella. Just hang on."

Liam slipped a small phone into her hand. "Use this when you're ready. We'll be waiting."

Isabella's eyes filled with hope and gratitude. "Thank you."

Tristan's gaze found hers, and she quickly composed herself. "Everything okay, Isabella?"

"Yes," she replied, forcing a smile. "Just catching up with old friends."

"Good," Tristan said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We have a long night ahead."

As the event finally ended, Tristan escorted her back to their room. She collapsed onto the bed, exhausted and emotionally drained.

"You did well tonight," he said, sitting beside her.

"Don't come near me," she snapped, turning away from him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Isabella, this doesn't have to be difficult."

"It already is," she replied, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Tristan leaned closer, his voice low and intense. "I promise you, one day you'll thank me for this. For everything."

She turned to face him, her eyes filled with defiance. "Never."

"We'll see," he said, a dark smile playing on his lips. "We'll see."

With that, he left her alone, closing the door behind him. Isabella stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She would find a way out of this, no matter what it took.

-----------------------tbc--------------------------------

Word count 1030

Pls do vote