Reprisal

Chapter 7 : By Hook Or By Crook

The west dining room of the restaurant offered a breathtaking view of Lake Ontario which was Isabel's absolute favourite. But that night, her eyes were glued on Christopher's face as he ate. The grace with which he held the fork and knife, the smoothness with which he cut the grilled trout and dipped it in garlic sauce, the finesse with which the loaf reached his mouth, it was entrancing. She had heard people in love behaved crazy and she might be biased or mad for marking as simple an act as eating so high but Christopher was, in actual, elegant. There was a strange calmness in his personality, in everything he did, which created that aura around him.

“You haven't touched your food.” - Christopher commented with raised eyebrows.

Isabel blinked and looked at her plate. It was indeed intact and she didn't even realize. Christopher picked up his black cherry mocktail and leaned back into the chair. Smirking at her.

Isabel felt her cheeks heating up. “Actually... I was thinking about the conversation you wanted to have...”

That was the first excuse that came to mind but Christopher's widening smirk told her he knew what was actually going on her mind. It only caused her blush to deepen.

Christopher leaned forward again and placed his now empty glass back on the table. His demeanor turning serious.

“I want to tell you everything. You can take it as one more chance to be sure about me.” - he began.

Now Isabel leaned back in the chair with a tired sigh. “We are not going through it ag-”

“No, hear me out first. Please.”

Isabel took a breath and straightened up. She knew whatever he would tell her about himself, her decision won't change but for his satisfaction, she was all ears.

“I have grown up in an orphanage, Isabel. Have studied through the funds the NGO donated the orphanage for the children's education. Life has been very tough on me but I fought. I battled and made my place. Then hostel, part time job, have managed all at once. Now, I live in an apartment which is given to me by the company a couple of month's ago whose installments are being cut from my monthly salary. I am telling you all this because you and I are in stark contrast with each other. You are habitual of luxuries while I am a mere survivor. Sure, I have agreed to live in Wilder mansion after marriage but this difference can create trouble between us in the future. You might feel insecure or embarrassed in introducing me to your circle. So if you think it's too much to take then you still have a choice.”

Isabel listened to him attentively and when he was finished, she smiled. Reaching across the table, she grabbed his hands and held them in hers.

“Have you ever been in love ?”

Christopher blinked. Not expecting such a question after his rant.

“No.” - he answered.

“Had any girlfriend before ?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“What is the most important thing in a relationship, according to you ?”

“Love and loyalty.” - he replied in a heartbeat.

Isabel's smile morphed into a grin. “These are the things that create trouble between two people, Christopher. And we are sorted in all.”

The crease on his forehead, which had appeared at her questions, eased out.

“You being an orphan or poor or living in an apartment doesn't matter to me. Sure, I'm habitual of luxuries and being served everything on a platter but if I compare, the thought of living without those doesn't scare me but the thought of living without you does. I don't know how, when and why I fell so much in love with you but I just did. That was why, I was ready to go with you even if Dad hadn't agreed on us. Because it's simple, Christopher. I choose YOU.”