Chapter 19
Isabella was half–dazed, listening for a while before finally piecing together the situation.
Unbelievable! Xavier actually had the nerve to say he “picked her up”. As if those few steps. from the gate even counted. He probably just used it as an excuse for coming home late after who knew what kind of partying.
She shot Xavier a look of disdain…
He simply shrugged, feigning innocence as he glanced at Olivia, as if saying, “See? It’s not that I don’t want to make peace–it’s your daughter.”
Olivia was left feeling conflicted. It seemed like he was trying to mend the relationship, but Isabella was the one not cooperating.
Completely unaware of what she was thinking, Isabella finished the hangover soup in one gulp and headed upstairs..
As the night deepened, the wind rustled through the leaves outside, making a soft, persistent
noise.
Standing on her balcony, Isabella let the cool breeze wash over her. Suddenly, she heard the door next door open. Instinctively, she turned her head to look.
Xavier had stepped out onto his balcony as well. The light from his room spilled out into the night, casting a glow on his tall, straight silhouette. He glanced over at her while holding a glass of cold water.
His eyes seemed even more intense in the dim light.
The two balconies were close. They locked eyes for less than a second before Isabella looked away, turning to head back inside. As she reached the door, a voice floated over, catching her off guard, “Did you check your phone tonight?”
His voice was oddly calm–so calm that she wasn’t even sure if he was talking to her.
There was a slight chill carried in the wind.
She paused for a moment, then went inside and closed the door behind her. The first thing she did was grab her phone from the table. There was a missed call–a number she didn’t
recognize.
But she knew exactly whose number it was.
The call had come in at 9:11 pm.
She had been so caught up in the night’s fun that she hadn’t checked her phone, and thanks to
Chap 19
work, it had been on silent mode.
It was a quiet and slightly chaotic night. With the lingering effects of the alcohol, she soon fell into a deep sleep.
The first real argument between them happened about six months into their relationship, right after their first summer break in college.
That morning, the sky was clear and sunny as he dropped her off at the dorm.
All around them were girls hauling suitcases and plenty of couples like them, sticking close to each other before parting ways.
Isabella took her bag from him and told him to head back to his own dorm and get some rest.
Xavier didn’t say whether he would or wouldn’t. Instead, he casually asked, “What are you doing tonight?”
Thinking he was hinting at something, her face instantly flushed, and she playfully pushed him, telling him to go back already.
But Xavier took her hand in his, his gaze holding hers. “Why do I get the feeling you want it
more than I do?”
He could say something like that without even batting an eye, while she was suddenly reminded of their wild, impulsive summer–one filled with sweet, dizzying moments of
intimacy. It made her blush even more.
Embarrassed, she quickly pulled her hand away and answered his actual question, “I’m having dinner with my roommates tonight.”
Xavier didn’t seem to mind, nodding in acknowledgment. “Alright.”
He seemed to have something to take care of as well.
That whole day passed without her hearing from him again. Xavier wasn’t the type to report his whereabouts unless she asked directly.
Around 4:00 or 5:00 pm, she checked her phone again. Their last conversation was still from the night before–no new messages. She thought about sending him a message but didn’t know what to say.
She believed that not many couples in the throes of a new relationship would be this distant.
By 8:00 pm, she was out for dinner with her roommates. The four of them sat around a small table covered with grilled skewers and beer.
Jennie Hernandez, one of her roommates, was busy texting her new boyfriend, clearly smitten.
