To Find Isabel

Chapter 23

"Well, tell me the rest Dante," I pushed.

"Lara," he whispered.

"What about her?"

"Well, just like how you were taken to that party, Victor took Isabel to the masquerade ball months ago. There he ran into Lara while he was with Isabel. She threatened to kill Isabel. Of course, Victor didn't think much of it at the moment."

I sat there, my mouth slightly opened. So was Lara the reason Isabel is gone?

"Eventually, Isabel did agree to wed Victor. One day, Isabel had gone out to try her wedding dress. She spent the day getting pampered for the big day. On her way home she was to pass through the north tunnel. I was following in another car."

He begins to fiddle with his fingers. I needed him to tell me more.

"And then I got a phone call. Telling me that they were going to kill her," he paused and took a deep breath, "I tried calling Victor to tell him but he didn't pick up. So I had to detour, and drive back here to warn Victor."

"Did you?"

"I made it back here and he was shouting her name though the phone but there was no response. And that's when we knew," he sighed.

"That's unbelievable. That doesn't necessarily mean she's dead."

"It doesn't mean she's alive either. The first night you showed up Victor told me something. He told me that Isabel's spirit was within you. That he knew she came back for him. As you."

I ran my hands through my hair in disbelief. "I need to talk to Victor. I have to tell him some things."

"Should I," Dante began, but I cut him off.

"Tell him to meet me in my room after dinner."

I ate a salad in the silence of my room waiting for Victor. I heard the door creak and he stepped in. He was trying to be silent, but his polished shoes echoed through the room.

"I wanted to tell you something," I hesitated.

"Don't tell me if you know it's not worth my time," He said turning away.

"It's about Alexander." His eyes immediately perk up. He walks in from the doorway and seats himself on the chair beside the bed. I turn to face him.

"The night you brought me here," I began, "It was my first time stepping in Italy after 18 years."

He sat there struck. The only thing left was for his jaw to drop.

"Tell me more," he insisted leaning back into the chair.

"Alexander is a man who can't control his need for women. His constant affairs drove my mom to divorce. Most of Italy didn't even know he was married at one point."

He nodded and I continued, "My mother and I moved to London when I was 3. I grew up there. She died roughly 2 weeks before I landed here."

I continued to tell him how Alexander didn't even know that I was here, and that I was supposed to notify him. I told Victor about how Alexander was probably to busy with his women to even pay attention to me. I told him that I feared for my safety.

"Hm," he finally opened his mouth. "It's nice to know you feel protected here, but like I said, Alexander is not my main concern for making you stay here," he retorts.

"Then what is the other reason? You never tell me!"

"Why should I tell you?" his voice arose and he gripped the armrests of the chair.

"Well, if it's about me I demand to know! Besides, if it's worth the stay, then I could help you with Alexander."

"Well, I have no obligation to tell you and you have no choice but to stay until I say otherwise. Good day," He said shuffling up and stepping towards the doorway.

"So what about Isabel." I threaten. He turned around so fast my eyes couldn't process the movement.

"She's dead."

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