Chapter 4: Part 3: Does She Love Me?

“Hey Laura, thanks for coming.” Matt said.

 “Don’t worry about it, it sounded like you had something very important to tell me.”

 “Actually it is,”

 “What is it Mathew is it Bella?” Laura asked.

 “I want her to be my wife.” Mathew declared

 She paused and looked at him trying to find any sign of amusement on his face, none. “Wow that’s great Mathew.”

 Her response would have given Mathew more confidence if her facial expression was as assuring as her words. He saw doubt lingering in her eyes, and her smile was less than encouraging. “Laura, what’s wrong? I thought you would be excited right now.”

 “I am it’s just that I don’t think Isabella is ready for such a big step, at least, not right now, so soon after David.” Laura said.

 “I see your point but we love each other. She’s even asked me to move in permanently.” Mathew responded trying to prove to her that they were ready.

 “Matt, I want you to be honest ok. Have you ever heard Isabella mention to you that’s she wants to get married?”

 “No but that’s because we haven’t raised the subject as yet.” He explained.

 “Matt that’s no excuse. If Bella wanted to get married you would know.”

 Mathew was beginning to think that Laura was hinting that Isabella had no plan to marry him. But he wasn’t going to be dissuaded. “What are you trying to say Laura?”

 “What I’m trying to say Mathew is that, it doesn’t Matter if you guys have never discussed the issue of getting married that wouldn’t stop her. If she really loves someone she wouldn’t wait for them to raise the topic, she’d do it herself, or if she really wants to get married she would be the one to propose, just as how she proposed to David.”

 Mathew was taken aback at that last statement. Did he hear correctly? Did Laura just say that Isabella Heart proposed to his brother? “Isabella proposed to David?” He asked.

 “Yes you didn’t know?”

 “No, I didn’t”

 “I’m surprised David didn’t tell you seeing how close you guys are and all”

 “No he’s never told me that. So what happened?” Matt asked concerned.

 “Well she wanted to get married to David but she was sure he wanted to get married to her. She couldn’t take it any longer, she really loved him so she proposed. He said no, she must have shattered the man’s dignity. “That’s a man’s job” were his exact words.”

 Laura left shortly afterwards leaving Matt in a very contemplative mood. With all the information he’d heard form Laura he couldn’t help but speculate just how much Isabella loved him. Hearing about the proposal between Isabella and David came as shocking news to him. Laura was right, if Isabella had any intention to marry him she wouldn’t hesitate to mention it. Knowing her, that made much sense. She was the type of person who thought that the best route to a successful relationship is through communication. If she had the idea in her mind she would communicate wouldn’t she. David thought. He began to think that he was Isabella’s rebound guy. That would be logical, for they started their relationship too soon after she broke off her four year relationship his brother, she was madly in love with the man! Feelings like that don’t disappear overnight. Could it be that she still had strong feelings for him or worse still in love with him?

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Chapter 4: Part 2: Apology Accepted

“What’s that you have here?” someone said.

 “I’m gonna be a mom,” Her voice cracked, didn’t she hear the voice behind her?

 “Isabella?” the voice said again, and again, like the first time, she ignored it “Isabella did I hear right? Did you just say that you’re going to be a mother?”

 “Yes, I’m going to be a...” she turned around, having recognized a voice she hadn’t heard in three months, she was shocked to see that it was David standing at her bathroom door. She quickly wiped the tears if joy from her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

 “I had to talk to you” David said. “Sorry if i scared you but I was calling and I heard no answer so I let myself in.”

 “Well David I have nothing to say to you, and I don’t want to hear anything from you, so I’m sorry you wasted your time.”

 “Your pregnant?” he asked, didn’t he hear what she just said?

 “That’s not your problem, as a Matter of fact; anything that happens to me should not Matter to you. You’re no longer apart of my life...”

 “Is it Mathew’s?” he interrupted, was he shielded by metal or did he just choose not to entertain her.

 “David are you deaf?”

 “Just answer the damn question Isabella, are you pregnant with my brother’s child?” he asked irritated.

 “Well I have nothing to hide, yes I’m pregnant with Mathew’s child and I’m proud of that. I love him and he loves me, he treats better than you ever did and I’m glad to be carrying his child.” She said trying to making him feel guilty.

 “I’m happy for you Isabella and I know you might not believe this but I’m really glad you found someone that makes you happy...”

 “Even if it’s your brother?”

 “Even if it’s my brother,” David chuckled. “Isabella I came here to tell you that I’m sorry I ever hurt you and I know how much you wanted our relationship to work. I just want you to know that my cheating on you had nothing to do with you. It’s an addiction I’ve been struggling with.”

 “Addiction?” Bella repeated.

 “It’s not really an addiction it more like a fear. A fear of commitment maybe, anytime I become too close to someone I end up hurting that person, it’s like a curse.”

 “Now it’s a curse.” Bella said unsympathetically. “You expect me to feel sorry for you and forgive you for what you did?”

 “No, I don’t. Isabella I have no definite diagnosis, all I want you to know is that I’m sorry and it had nothing to do with you. You were an excellent girl friend, any man would be lucky to be with you, even if it’s my brother” He said mocking her. “That’s what I wanted to let you know.” he turned and started to walk towards the door.

 He was being genuine and she felt his sincerity. He had a problem and making him an outcast wasn’t going to help him fight his ‘curse’. “David” she called meeting him at the front door.

 “Yea”

 “Did you really come all the way here just to tell me that?”

 “Yes Isabella, I know you might not believe me, and I could understand why. I was a jerk and I know that. I don’t want to hurt the next girl a fall in love with, that’s why I’m trying to change.”

 “David would you like to stay for dinner?”

 “Are you sure?” surprised by the unforeseen question

 She smiled at him “yes I’m sure.”

 “why?” he asked

 “I think you have some more sucking up to do.” She said jokingly

 “Well in that case I’d love to.”

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Chapter 4: Part 1: Eating For Two

 Sixty seconds of oppressive silence, that’s the length of time Isabella had to wait in agony for the results of the home pregnancy test. She had mixed emotions to whether she wanted a child or not, although being pregnant was no problem for her; she always wanted to be a mother, she had a stable job with benefits plus she was with the man of her dreams, but was she ready? And having a child out a wedlock wasn’t apart of the picture perfect future she always wanted. She began to wonder if Mathew had any plans to marry her and how he would react when he found out that he’s going to be a father, is that what he wants. She’s never heard Mathew mention that he wanted a child nor a wife. But being pessimistic was going to solve anything she had to be optimistic, besides if she was really pregnant carrying the burden of if and but, would prove disastrous for the fetus. Matt loved her, he told her that every chance he got, it’s the first thing he says before he goes to work and it’s the last thing he says before he goes to bed. Mathew started sleeping over at Isabella’s almost every night. It didn’t Matter to her, in fact she wanted to him to move in permanently. He kept telling her that he’d move in when the time is right, would now be the right time? Her parents accepted Mathew as their daughter’s boyfriend. They always liked him. He had become apart of the family, even before he became involved with Isabella. He was always present at Christmas, thanksgiving, and present at all family outings. Isabella’s father even began calling him son.

 David on the other hand, was always at work, even on public holidays, the signs were so apparent but love and trust shielded her from the harsh truth.

 Ding! The sound of the bell brought her back to the present. She hesitantly opened the bathroom door, took a deep breath, then walked towards to the sink where the test was placed. Tears began to build up in her eyes.

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Chapter 3, part 2: From One Brother to the Next (We Made Love)

“But what?” Mathew asked, he looked at her and saw tears running down her cheeks.

 “Bella what’s wrong?”

 “Its nothing, its just that your so different from your brother and a part of me wishes that you were the one I fell in love with.” she admitted. “God how can I be so vulnerable!” she continued.

 “Bella don’t beat up yourself over this.” Mathew said pulling the car into the driveway and parking it. He felt that it was time he came forward and tell her how he truly felt about her. “Isabella I’ve always loved you. Ever since that night I met you in Paris I’ve had dreams and fantasies about you, you’re the love of my life. I’ve been trying to put my desires to rest by dating other women but it doesn’t work. You’re the only one that can make me happy. You must think I’m going crazy.” he said with a chuckle.

 “Actually I don’t” Isabella replied.

 “Really?”

 “No, I think you’re taking advantage of me.”

 “What? No Bella, it’s not like that” Mathew said trying to explain.

 “What did you expect would happen after you tried to sweet talk me huh? You thought I was going to say oh Mathew I love you so much make love to me. Well guess what, I’m not that naive.” she said angrily. “You know what Mathew I think its time for you to go.” Isabella blazed out of the car and hurriedly ran towards the front door. Mathew stormed after her. She had misunderstood the real meaning of his confession.

“Isabella please, just listen to me!” he said demanded desperately, holding the door so that she couldn’t close it.

 “Why should I listen to anything you have to say, I thought you were different, please leave!” Please leave, didn’t he hear those two words before.

 “Isabella what you’re doing isn’t going to solve anything, I am different, you yourself just said that. You’re just surprised that I feel the same way about you that you feel about me, Isabella, I’m not going to leave you, I’ve waited for this opportunity for too long, we belong together and that’s it.” Then he did something that literally took Isabella’s breath away he pushed forward the door backed her against the wall and began to passionately kiss her, cuffing her face with his hands, their breathing became ponderous. Then he backed off, stared at her for awhile andsaid, “If you still want me to go now’s the time to let me know.”

 She smiled pulled him closer to her and voraciously started to kiss him again, ripping his shirt off. He stepped back again looking at her and asked “Are you sure you ready for this?”

 “Mathew I’m very sure.”

 He laughed, “Then lets taking this upstairs.” he lifted her in his arms, she wrapped her legs around him and kissed him as he carried her up the steps. They were both seething with intimacy, burning with sexual desires. He penetrated her slowly, she moaned, he kissed her using his tongue to explore her mouth. His touch was gentle yet arousing, he caressed her every curve, yearning for more as he expressed his overpowering love for her. They fell asleep in each other’s arms that night.        

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Chapter 3, Part 1: I'll Do It Myself

It’s been three weeks and Isabella has yet to get one of her perfect critic to go to Durvii, the 5 star restaurant in Manhattan. All her best were booked with other restaurants. She knew she had to make a decision, either she drop that restaurant or she go herself. She decided to go. Of course she would! It would prove to be great publicity for the magazine. Durvii was the hot spot for celebrities and aristocrats alike. People have been eagerly awaiting the reviews of that elegant restaurant and this would be a great opportunity to put their anticipation to rest.

 She wore a pair of jeans and a green flannel blouse with her hair in a ponytail, nothing too much. She needed to look as simple as possible and the only person who could help her do that was Laura, her ever so simplistic sister. Maybe she overdid the simplicity a bit too much, jeans and a blouse aren’t appropriate attire for a place such as Durvii, she would definitely be the object of humiliation. However, she had to try, for there had been numerous occasions where her staff had been caught, translation, special treatment. She didn’t want that. “I’m just like any other customer.” she kept telling herself.

 “Are you ready to order ma’am?” asked a waiter.

 “Yes, I like to try the Mushroom Stroganoff Vol au Vant.” Isabella chose to start with the French delicacies and work her way up to the Chinese platters. With all this eating and the all the calories being consumed, weekly visits to the gym became a must, she had to maintain her curves. While waiting for the waiter to return with her meal she observed her surroundings, it was clean, a bit too clean. Durvii was awarded healthiest restaurant two years in a row. There was soulful jazz music playing which reminded her of a cabaret, taking her way back to the days when she’d wait tables at her father’s diner. The tables were arranged in banquet style with a lavish gold and silver theme, which brought grace and elegance to the exquisite restaurant. Her mind strayed to thoughts of David. She hadn’t heard from him in a month and that was a good thing. She wasn’t fully recovered but she made up her mind not to stress herself. He isn’t worth it, she convinced herself

 “Bella?”

 “Hey Mathew, what’s up?” Isabella said smiling

 “Ahh and the every so friendly Isabella Heart is back.” Mathew announced sarcastically. He was delighted to see that she was doing much better and not at home in deep isolation.

 “I’m sorry for the way I acted, I was hurting and very vulnerable, the last thing I needed was a handsome, muscular man like you wrapping his arms around me.” Isabella confessed. Laura told her that Mathew kicked David out of his house because of what he had done to her, thus the reason for her politeness.

 “Don’t flatter me.” He said

 “Ok I won’t.” they both laughed.

 “What are you doing here, are you alone?” Bella asked.

 “I’m here to get some food to eat then I’m heading home, and yes I’m here alone. What are you are doing here?”

 “I’m here on an investigation,” she whispered

 “What kind of investigation?” he whispered back, mocking her.

 “Well I’m a food critic, don’t you remember?”

 “Yea but I didn’t know that you personally went to the restaurants, I thought that you were in charge of the people who went to the restaurants. At least that’s what Laura told me.”

 “It is but I couldn’t find anyone to come to here so you know, desperate times call for desperate measures and if I remember correctly you were the one who suggested I came here myself.”

 “Ahh I remember now,” Mathew said

 “Umm Mathew have you ordered already?” Bella asked

 “No I haven’t, I just got here, why? Do you want me to leave already?”

 “God no, Matt, its just that I have to order so much food and I don’t think I can eat it all off, I need some help, its free.” Bella said trying her best to persuade him to stay, but bribing him with free food seemed as if she was mistaking Mathew for Laura.

 “Well why not, I’m always in the mood for free food.”

 “Good to see that my sister had some influence on you” she laughed.

 “Your sister is a good girl Bella and so are you, you both need to be treated with loyalty and respect. I hated the way my brother treated you after four years...” he confessed sympathetically.

 “Matt, thank you, but I really don’t want to talk about him right now, ok?”

 “That’s fine,” Mathew said.

  It was an evening of good conversation and great food. At the end of the day, Isabella spent three thousand dollars.

 “I’m stuffed,” Bella said “I don’t think I can drive myself home.”

 “You don’t have to, I’ll drive you home if you like.”

 “Thanks but how are you gonna get home, didn’t you drive?”

 “Don’t worry about that, I could call a cab to take me home”

 “How generous of you and they said that chivalry no longer exist.”

 Mathew laughed, “I’m an exception, does that mean you accept?”

 “Yes it does, let me get his check so we can get outta here.”

 “So what’s your report gonna be about Durvii.” Matt asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

 “What do you think?” Bella asked rhetorically. “You know, Mathew, as ridiculous as this may sound I always thought that Durvii paid those magazine and newspaper for good reviews, but...” She stopped speaking and stared at Mathew. He was really listening to her and she was mesmerized by his devotion. She studied his features, his unique bone structure, his seductive grey eyes, his cherry lips, his strong biceps, and muscular body. She was beginning to lust after this man, wanting to kiss him, wanting to feel his passion, wanting him to make love to her.

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Chapter 2, Part 2: Jackass

 On his way home Mathew couldn’t stop thinking about Bella and how he hated the way his brother betrayed her. Moreover, seeing the agony in her eyes disturbed him. Matt had always loved her, loved the way she smiled, her amiable personality.

He remembered when Laura introduced her to him at the opening in Paris. The image of her and the sweet scent of her perfume still lingered in his head. He remembered how dainty she promenaded in her short red dress. “Please to meet you Mr. Nelson,” How those words were like music from an angel to his ears. He remembered how he envied his brother for winning her heart, and how he’d suffer internally every time he heard them laugh.

 He even regretted putting up “LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT” as it was then he saw that he had lost his chance. Isabella and Mathew, oh how he long to hear those combination of words. He knew he wasn’t going to let her go this time, this was his only chance of happiness, he was going to be like a knight in pursuit of his fair lady. He wouldn’t stop until her heard the pastor say “I now pronounce you man and wife,” then would he know he had accomplished his goal. He knew he would never hurt her, never cheat on her, and never leave her. He would love her with all his heart and for eternity.

 Mathew pulled into his driveway and saw David’s car parked out front. The last person he wanted to see. He wondered what he would do when he saw David. He’d never been so angry with his brother before. He opened the door and saw David sleeping on the couch. He left him, enraged when he saw him lying so peacefully there, on his couch, he fought back the temptation to grab him by the neck and throw him out of his house. He went into the kitchen to get a drink, for some reason he turned and was greeted by a magnificent scenery which made him start to smile, he took it as a sign. Mathew and Isabella, Matt and Bella, he thought to himself. What he saw through his kitchen window gave him hope of a long lost dream that he had given up on and how that desired dream will soon become a reality.

 “Matt? What are you smiling at?” David asked wiping the sleep from his eyes.

“Nothing...Nothing at all.” Matt replied without looking at his brother, David’s presence was beginning to anger him.

 “Matt I need to talk to you.”

 “About what?” He knew exactly what his brother wanted to talk to him about, but he thought it was best to keep his mouth shut.

 “Isabella and I broke up,”

 “I know.” Matt confessed

 “You do?”

 “I was at her office today and had to find out the hard way why she was so displeased when I called her my sister-in-law”

 “I messed up big time but whatever, life goes on.” David relied impassively.

 “Whatever, is that you just said?” Matt asked in disbelief. “Isabella loved you, she treated you like a prince, better than you deserved!”

 “Love is a very strong word”

 Matt couldn’t respond to that. He was sickened by his brother’s nonchalant character. David had hurt the girl that Mathew loved and he was acting as if he didn’t care. He was again holding back the urges to pummel him to the floor.

 David seemed to have seen the anger in Mathew’s eyes and said “you love her don’t you?”

 Was it that obvious? Mathew knew that he couldn’t hide anything from him, David knew him more than anyone else did, but he wasn’t ready to make such a significant announcement. He said nothing.

 David studied his brother’s demeanor, and saw that he was enraged. “Look Matt, I’m very sorry-”

“-don’t apologize to me, you can see your way out.” Matt said coldly, leaving David there confounded.

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Chapter 2, Part 1: Unexpected Guest.

 “What the hell are you doing here?” Isabella shouted furiously. Shannon excused herself, she sensed that the obviously unexpected visitor did not please her boss. And in fact, she was displeased. Mathew Nelson, her ex-boyfriend’s brother was definitely not on the list of persons she wanted to see.

 “Wow, no need to be so hostile, I was just in the area and I thought that I’d drop by and pay my sister-in-law to be a visit.” Matt said. Pay a visit to my sister-in-law to be? Isabella thought about what he said for a while. Was he being mischievous or did he not know about the breakup? Oh please! He must know, she continued, David is too close to his brother to be keeping secrets from him.

 “Look Matt I’m not in the mood for your impish and childish behavior, please leave!” she shouted.

 “What games are you talking about Bella?” Matt had adopted Laura’s habit of calling her Bella.

 “Don’t play dumb and don’t call me Bella, why are you here, did your brother send you?”

 “Like I said before Bella,” He boldly repeated. “I was in the area and so I thought I’d stop by and pay you a visit. By the way, why did you react so negatively when I called you my sister-in-law? What’s wrong with you?” Didn’t he know that she broke up with his brother?

 “Tell me something,” Bella ordered, “When was the last time you spoke with David?”

 “On Saturday, why?”

 “I just find it strange that you and your brother are so close yet you stand here acting as if you don’t know”

 “Know what?”

 “That your brother and I are no longer.” Bella dropped it just like that.

 “What? why?”

 “Because I caught him having sex with a woman in my bed!” Isabella bellowed, tears filling her eyes.

Matt stood dumbfounded staring at her. He seriously did not know. He watched the tears build up in her eyes.

She loved David and he knew that, he was upset with his brother for hurting her so much, he thought his brother had given up his bachelor ways and was ready to settle down with one person and start a family. “I’m sorry” was all he could say before he pulled her in his arms. She pushed him off, she really needed the comfort but not from her ex-boyfriend’s brother. She knew she was very vulnerable at this point and couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she continued to let him hug her.

 “I can’t do this, please leave,” she said trying to hold back the tears. He came closer as if trying to comfort her again.

 “Just leave!” Isabella shouted. Mathew’s piercing grey eyes surveyed her as if he was trying to sooth her pain then he left closing the door behind him. Isabella couldn’t keep in the tears any longer, she had to cry to relieve her pain.

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