To Find Isabel

Chapter 21

"Isabel?" I repeat.

"Yes," Dante said brushing himself off as he got up.

"Who was she? What does she have to do with me?"

"I think you should get dressed." He walked towards the door.

"No, no," I followed him, "Dante, please tell me."

He sighed and turned around. "I suppose I could tell you, but I'd rather not."

"Please Dante," I whispered, "I just want to get out of here, and the only reason I'm here is because he's keeping me for that reason. I'm of no use to Victor in the Alexander situation, and I've been trying to tell him. He denies leaving me because something is holding him back."

"Indeed something is."

"I want to know what it is," I say softly, "I want to know about Isabel."

"Get dressed and then come find me by the lavenders in the courtyard. I'll tell you then."

"Promise?"

"I promise, but don't mention to Victor that I said anything of this."

I nod and then he walks out the door.

"Isabel," I whisper the name to myself. Victor had a missing piece like I did. What happened between him and Isabel. Where was she now? Did she leave him? Did he leave her? I had so many questions.

I didn't even take the time to make sure my hair was perfectly slicked back. The curls hung everywhere. I slathered on my makeup. I needed to know, but I wasn't going to walk out looking like a worn out rag doll.

I look out my window and Victor stands there talking to someone over the phone. I try to pry open the window, but they were bolted shut. His eyes dart up to the window and I duck down. I try to figure out as much as I can but there's always a wall that stops me.

I walk down the staircase as elegantly as possible. I try not to make it obvious that I'm extremely curious and in a rush to find out something.

"Where are you headed," Victor stops me. He spoke to me. At the worst time possible.

"Out to the courtyard," I respond.

"Why?"

"I was going to chat with Dante for a bit."

He looks at me suspiciously and over at the garden. I glance past Victor at Dante. He was standing there examining the roses like nothing was happening.

"Well, I'm going to head over there," I hum, pushing past Victor.

The wind was strong. The gusts blew my hair everywhere. As if the curls weren't enough to manage on their own, and now the wind made it worse.

I sit down at the small table by the lavenders where Dante was waiting for me.

"Okay, so tell me," I say shuffling in the seat.

"The roses look quite beautiful," He beamed.

"Stop changing the subject!"

"Fine, fine." he sighed, "Isabel was the rose, to Victor's dull garden. She was the actual and only true love of Victor. She meant everything to him."

I lean into the seat.

This was going to be one dreamy story.

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