“Then you should understand. You are drawn to your Isa just as I am her sister Ariala. I don’t like her. Her sister tells me she ran off and stuck her with taking care of their dad so she can work some job, but she’s here playing house with you. What’s up with that Tris? Isa told me she is working off a debt...shit don’t add up.”
“There is a lot of shit you don’t know about me or Isa.”
“Then make me understand Tristian. This is so unlike you. You never get caught up in chicks, ever. I don’t think I have ever seen you hook up with anyone since I’ve known you. To be honest I always wondered about you and Cyrus. You spend a lot of time with him,” she jokes.
Running my hands over my head, I know I need to tell Rain everything. I should be telling this to Isa instead though.
I tell Rain all about my childhood, my tumor and how Isa was there through the worst of it. I tell her how Isa didn’t even know who I was when I returned home. All I wanted was my best friend to hug my neck as she used to and tell me everything was going to be okay. I had survived the hell of my surgery and therapy, only to come home to another hell after losing my mother.
I needed her but she blew me off. Said she didn’t know me. I vowed that one day she would need me and I would treat her with the same courtesy she had me.
“So this thing between you and her. It’s all revenge because she hurt your feelings Tris. That’s fucked up and twisted even for you.”
“I th
ought it was but I love her. I always have. I just wish I knew why she doesn’t know me, why she doesn’t remember me. I was hers and she was mine.”
When I look up Isa is standing in the doorway with shock written all over her face.
“I’ll let the two of you…yeah, I’m going now.” Rain rushes from the room. I can hear her shooing the dancers out of the house.
Isa still hasn’t moved. I’m not sure how much she heard of what I just shared. The anguish on her face breaks me. I see how wrong I’ve been. I have to be honest with her about everything even if it means losing her.
Chapter 18
ISABELLA
Grocery shopping proves to be eventful when Cyrus and I run smack dab into Gabriele in line for the check out. Gabe eyes Cyrus and his six-foot-two, muscular, bearded and tattooed frame, next to his five-foot-eight skinny frame.
“This the guy you are seeing?”
“We gonna have a problem?” Cyrus questions towering over him.
“I’m talking to Isa pal.” He steps around Cyrus. “And what’s with you blocking my number? I thought we were going somewhere.”
“Gabe this really isn’t the place,” I interject sensing Cyrus’s patience wearing thin. “I told you I’m with someone let’s just leave it at that. I am sure you will meet the right girl soon.” I give him a brief hug and continue to pay for my items.
He pauses by the exit and watches me for a moment but eventually leaves. Cyrus is on his best behavior and loads the bags into the back of his truck for me without going after Gabe, I can see him scanning the lot looking for him. I’m ready to get back and find out what Tristian was talking about. But first I want to run by the Book Nook and make sure Ariala hasn’t run it into the ground already.
We are on our way to the family business when I get a call from my father. Gabe must have ratted me out. I can’t have Papi knowing about my real deal with Tristian he’ll never stand for it.
“Papi,” I greet cheerfully. “I was getting ready to pop into the store and check in on things.”
“The store is fine Mi hija. The only thing you need to concern yourself with is telling me what you are really doing and why am I hearing you are out and about with a gang member.”
“I already explained this to you Papi.”
“I don’t believe you Isabella. I don’t like this. I am used to the lies from Ariala, but not you. You’ve always been honest with me Isa, I expect no less than the truth now.”
I’ve never been able to keep things from my father unlike my sisters. I know he is upset with me but he will get over it eventually. “You’re right, I lied. But all you need to know is that I’m fine. I am doing what needs to be done, for all of us. I don’t want for anything but for you to be happy and healthy. I have to go Papi, I’ll call you again soon.”
“Isa, at least tell me where you are staying,” he pleads.
“I love you.” I end the call afraid to give away anything else. “I don’t need to go anywhere else just take me back,” I inform Cyrus.
When we arrive at the mansion there are some floozy looking chicks standing in the entryway. They must be from Tristian’s strip club. But why are they here? Annoyed I brush past them and help Cyrus get the bags into the kitchen. Eager to talk to Tristian and find out why he thinks I should know him I approach the trio of women and ask if they know where he is. They point me in the direction of the game room.
As I am walking down the hall, I hear his voice saying my name. He says he loves me. How can that be?