Chapter 3

Isabelle’s Point of View: “Is that—” I scoffed before I could complete my sentence. “Is that Matt?” She looked down. Matt came out and looked out of the door—and his face paled. “I-Isabel—” “I am sorry. Shouldn’t have disturbed you while you were cheating on me.” I started to go back, but he followed me. “Wait, Isa! I can—” I turned around and slapped him hard. “Just go away. Fuck you and her!” He didn’t say anything, and some tears threatened to roll down my eyes. I turned around and reached for a cab. I told the driver to take me to the airport. Tears covered my face within a few succeeding seconds. Why? It had been just one month since I started dating him. We met in a cafe while I was out with Chloe and at first sight; I had thought to give him a real chance. I thought it would help me forget Achilles. This was one and the only way I hadn’t tried yet, which could possibly help. And now this? I wasn’t too broken up about Matt. I couldn’t get myself to be serious about him but Chloe? Why would she do something that gross? I looked out of the window and wiped my tears. I guess Jesus wanted me to completely move on from this place. But isn’t that too much to lose at once? My family, my best friend, and my boyfriend? I was too numb to feel anything at the moment. It would probably hurt like hell at night. I tried to focus on the side view as I anticipated the airport. _________________ “Yes. I am Isabelle, stepdaughter of Mr. Roman.” I said to the person in charge of private jet planes. “I am sorry, ma’am, but we would need to confirm this from Mr. Roman. Could you give him a call because we can’t disturb him for no reason?” I sighed. “Fine!” I took out my cell and called him. I tried twice—but he didn’t pick up. Maybe he had already forgotten about me since he firmly believed I wouldn’t return. My mother didn’t have any private planes in her name, so it was worthless getting her permission. She usually didn’t have anything to say for me, anyway. The options left—which were actually singular—stared back at my face and I couldn’t even close my eyes to not face them. I had to if I wanted to leave and I can’t lie to myself. I had to leave, otherwise I would probably go crazy. I flashed an awkward smile to the person waiting for me to make my third call as I stared at my phone screen. “He is not picking up. Will his son work?” I asked quietly. “Mr. Achilles Roman?” He confirmed. The name itself gave me butterflies. I nodded, and he smiled widely. “Of course, that’d work just fine. Most of Mr. Roman’s flights and assets have been transferred to his name already.” I nodded again and decided to call him. ‘Just ask. If he agrees, good. If he doesn’t, end the call. Yes.’ I confirmed it to myself and dialled the number. He picked it up after a ring. “Miss me already?” His voice was full of humour. I scoffed. “I-I need your help with something.” “Is that so?” “I need to board a plane, but I forgot to book tickets. I need to leave now, so I need a private plane. Can you do that for me?” “That’s so expensive. How will someone like you pay me back?” I gritted my teeth. His voice was sexy, but his words were so cruel. What kind of step-brother was he? “What do you need?” I asked in an irritated tone. “I don’t need much,” His voice suddenly deepened, making my breath heavy, “But whenever I would, you would owe me one.” I knew that couldn’t be good, but I needed to go out. “Deal.” “Fine.” The call ended, and the person’s phone beeped. He had apparently received a confirmation. He handed me the permission card with a smile and I smiled back, taking it and heading inside. After submitting the card, I sat down inside a very lavish private plane. I had never travelled in one, but it was actually better than my imagination. The person confirmed all the information with me twice and I told him that we could leave as soon as possible. Consequently, we left within fifteen minutes. _______________ “Mam. Do you need any drinks?” The sweet attendant asked me for the second time and I shook my head with a small smile. “No. You should rest because I don’t take any food while onboard.” She smiled. “Thank you for your generous offer, but I can’t rest. This is my job.” “But I am the only one here and I don’t want anything.” I contradicted logically. She forced a sad smile. “If I do that, I would lose my job.” “No one would know. I won’t tell anyone.” I said, as though secretly helping her. A small laugh escaped her mouth. She shut up immediately when I raised my eyebrow. “I am sorry. I thought you were joking or testing me.” “Why did you think so?” I was genuinely confused. She was so weird. She looked towards the back of the plane, and I followed her eyes to find a camera. My eyes widened, and I looked back at her. “There is a fucking camera on this plane?” I asked, without expressing my shock with my hands. She smiled apologetically. “I had no idea you were unaware, Ms. Isabella.” I sighed. “Well, I can’t help you then. I am really sorry.” She didn’t say anything, but just left. I wanted to help her, but that would include talking to him again, which I couldn’t afford at any cost. Selfish—but I was done with this world. … “We’re here, Ms. Isabella.” The attendant walked up to me again just before we were going to reach the Lewis Landing Airport, New York. “Thank you.” I flashed a smile, which she dutifully returned. I got off the plane as soon as it landed because I had no idea if I was being watched by that creepy camera. Who would care enough to watch me through that, anyway? I rolled into the town with a big smile. I had a big life ahead of me—and I didn’t want it to be ruined by my miserable past. I had to prove myself. So, as soon as I reached a hotel and booked a room, I extensively researched the universities. There were several of them, some of the most famous here in NY and some out in CA, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and so on. I wanted to get the best and the nearest. So, I applied for over 5 of them, and thus, a few exams were lined up. Each of them had an entrance exam as the second evaluation, the first one being my report card until now. Finally, there would be something that I could use as a distraction, and maybe—maybe—I will get over him with some time alone. And everyone else, for that matter. _____________________ “Thank you,” I said to the Uber driver and got off. As I walked toward the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, I took a deep breath. I was way ahead of my time—but that was just my habit. I didn’t even know if they allowed the candidates this early. Before I could enter the vicinity, a hand pulled me and I shrieked—and the person covered my face with his hand. My eyes widened, but I calmed down when I saw the person, only to freak out again. “Achilles!?” I exclaimed. He pushed me against the wall—in the middle of the fucking street. However, that was not my concern. He looked at me with a powerful gaze. Something I was too weak to face. I looked away, and he made me look at him. “Why… Why are you here?” I asked a sensible question, and he smirked. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.” He came even near my face and I closed my eyes. “Stepsister.”