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Isabelle makes herself comfortable. A few drinks never hurt anyone. Whomever this Brandon fellow is, his parents have great taste in interior design. Chloe and Ian let their hair down, dancing to the music.
They're having fun, even if their moves are off key. The last time she attended such a gathering, she was fifteen. How should she talk to them? She looks around, unsure of how to approach anyone.
This so-called party is a far cry from what she expected. No champagne, no display of food on a large table. Not a single high end perfume scent in the air, either. On the bright side, the music isn't too bad. No one is in formal wear and some appear as if they just rolled out of bed. What kind of gathering is this? Isabelle glances at Aaron, who looks as equally lost as her. One thing is for sure, she can't fully enjoy herself with him around. They stand out, not having a group of their own. Chloe lent her a fit neon dress and shoes to blend in.
The venue is packed with people, their bodies too close for comfort. Isabelle can feel the music blaring through the speakers. In her peripheral vision, two people in a corner were having a conversation. Isabelle rubs her temples. How could she get rid of him? She looked at Ian and Chloe, now enjoying a round of beer pong. Aaron wordlessly bops his head to the music.
She walks outside, with him following. Without the beat rattling her brain, she can think. Isabelle looks in her bag. She taps his shoulder and tilts her head. Tristan's gift is useful, after all.
"Hey, Aaron. You look sad. I have some spare cologne in my purse." Isabelle said sweetly. Would he even ask why? She swallows. Isabelle wouldn't be able to counter his question.
"Why do you carry that?" Aaron raises an eyebrow and folds his arms. Oh well.
"I'll never know when I'd need it. Now is one of those times." Isabelle grins. She became impatient, eager to get rid of him. She places the sleek, metal tube into his hands. It's a masculine scent. Tristan did say to use it to on someone when in need of a distraction. One whiff and he'll be surrounded.
In truth, she only went along with what her friend said because a celebrity she admires endorsed the scent. Isabelle's face flushes. Not that she'd ever tell him that, though. Aaron's face lit up. Naïve as ever. Perfect.
"You should try it on now, that lady over there has been looking at you." Isabelle grins and nudges his arm. Aaron looks down and scratches his nose. Leave, already! She feigns eagerness and ushers him to go on.
"But-"
"We're at a party! Just this once, Aaron."
"Iz. Thank you." He smiles. She almost felt bad for tricking him, but she needs some time without him peering over her shoulder. Aaron is a friend of hers, but his job to her parents came first. He's only here because they told him to. He isn't trustworthy.
"Don't mention it." Isabelle waves him off. She watches him enter a room and leaps for joy.
Aaron may not realize it now, but the scent won't wash off easily. She had put a good amount of odorless oil into the container. Originally, it was done to annoy Tristan when he wouldn't shut up about himself and his charming looks.
A guy bumps into her, stumbling over himself. He apologizes profusely as his friends laugh, helping Isabelle up gently. They apologize for him as well. How nice of them. She smiles and they're on their way. From the corner of her eye, they carry him as they sing off key. One of them starts belching and Isabelle did not want to see any more.
She shut the door behind her and breathes in the fresh air. It felt refreshing, compared to the atmosphere inside. The pool's reflection spreads out against the glass doors, lighting the area a light blue. It's much quieter here. Finally, somewhere she can totally relax.
There are two men reclining on the steel chairs, with an ash tray and a bottle of alcohol on the table.
"Tannie!"
Isabelle embraces her friend. Tristan ruffles her hair and laughs. Stephen merely nods. One look at the two and it's obvious who came prepared. This kind of atmosphere is what Tristan easily blends into, his companion on the other hand looked uncomfortable. It's his outfit, most likely.
"Tannie?" Stephen asks, a smile on his face. He shoves him, nearly knocking him out of his chair.
"Your friends ditch you again, love?" He teases. Stephen coughs and sputters. Is he alright?
"What? No! I'm... kind of avoiding someone." She said.
"Are they hot?" Tristan smirks. She makes a face. If he finds ugly shirts and shoes that don't match hot, perhaps. The sound of cheers and loud music in the distance make her look away. Can they get any more roused up? With a wolfish grin, he winks at Isabelle and leaves.
"Don't flirt with them."
"No promises." He lights a cigarette. Tristan's signature grin makes her roll her eyes. In other words, he will.
She glances at Stephen. Isabelle's eyes widen. How could he leave her alone? With such a lovely guy? She could say something stupid and he'd never look at her again. The embarrassment would make her faint.
"Is my cousin courting you?"
Stephen's voice brings her out of her thoughts. She laughs nervously, forcing a smile. Wait, what? Courting? Who says that anymore?
She pauses. The mere image of Tristan as her boyfriend makes her feel strange. She couldn't imagine the stress she'd have to go through. Even just as friends he constantly got himself into trouble. Not to mention, he can't keep a relationship for long. He flirts with anyone and doesn't understand commitment. Tristan is a terrible choice for a partner, but a great friend.
"No."
"He has... a talent for attracting trouble." Stephen hung his hand on the nape of his neck. Isabelle crosses her legs. Unlike that arrogant blonde of a friend, she doesn't understand Stephen. Had they met before then? Tristan did not talk much about his family aside Melody and his parents.
"You don't say?" Isabelle rubs her hands together. What is he playing at? He shakes his head and chuckles.
"Isabelle!"
She ducks under the table. Aaron's annoyingly good at finding her. Not even ten full minutes! Do her parents pay him enough? It now makes sense why they picked him.
"Neon green can be seen from afar, Isabelle." Stephen tapped her shoulder. Isabelle folded her arms. It's not like she wanted to wear this dress. It felt like she's wearing a budget highlighter costume. Chloe insisted, saying it'd flatter her curves. Yeah, right.
"Help me hide, please."
She can't go home yet. It's too early! The scolding she'd get is one thing she'd like avoid for tonight. Isabelle chews her lip. Her mother would yell at her just for breathing wrong. Why bother? He takes off his blazer and places it on her shoulders. It covers her dress, making it look as if she wore almost nothing underneath.
He takes her hand and leads her to a gap in the wall, past some large plants. He covers her body with his, barely touching. She opens her mouth to speak but quiets down as Aaron runs past them. He smells nice. A faint smell of grapefruit and a little smoke.
Stephen looks into her eyes. Being this close, she can appreciate the golden hue of his eyes. One gentle push and her face would be on his chest. That would cause a bad makeup stain.
"A friend of yours?" He asks, his breath tickling her ear. Could he get any closer? Isabelle mentally starts to count sheep to distract herself from her thoughts.
"I guess."
Not at all. He holds out his hand, silently asking for permission. She gladly takes it. His hand is much larger than hers and pleasant to hold. Delighted, Isabelle follows his lead. She realizes he brought her towards the back of the house. Wait, what if she goes missing? Aaron would be in big trouble.
It's a little garden that has a water fountain in the middle with some stone lanterns. The lawn is decorated with little gnomes and flowers neatly lined up. Tacky, but cute.
"Thank you." Isabelle bit her lip. He's so gentle for someone with a large build. She thought he'd be intimidating and mean. Why is it so cold? Isabelle scoots closer towards him and their legs brush against one another.
Stephen smiles and pat her head. Isabelle felt her heart relax. Tristan often places his arm atop her head, messing up her hair on purpose. Hopefully he wouldn't have a change of heart anytime soon. If Chloe were present, she'd make inappropriate statements about wanting to be choked by him.
She wraps the blazer around herself. It's gotten so quiet and Stephen doesn't seem bothered at all. What should she talk about?
"Six years ago, I had just left the hospital in a rush. I was searching for someone and left my valuables unattended in a café." He said.
"What happened?" Isabelle listens to him talk, staring at his lips. He smiles in return. Oh, was she that obvious? Goodness.
"There was this kind woman who asked me if I needed help. I said I needed to talk to someone and this stranger stayed with me, listening to my worries and offering advice. She has a beautiful smile. Yet, I never got to say thank you."
Isabelle blinks. This does sound familiar. Stephen's voice reminds her of a gentle fountain, similar to the one on display in the garden. Calm, collected and ever so beautiful. Yet, he seems so sad and hollow, forever cast in place.
"So, thank you."
"Yeah I think you've got the wrong person." Isabelle said. He's got astounding memory. She doesn't even remember what she had for breakfast today.
"The bracelet you're wearing. I wanted to give it to you in person, but you stopped coming there. I asked the owner to give it to you once you get back." He said. Isabelle nods. So much for trying to play dumb.
"It's my lucky charm! I love it." She gladly shows it off. It's nothing too grand. A yellow gold cartier bracelet.
"I'm glad."
Stephen took out his phone. She scratches her neck. Ma'am Lucia said it was from Tristan. Goodness. Did that idiot leave her with Stephen on purpose? Isabelle fans her face.
"Do you feel unwell?" Stephen places his hand on her forehead.
Isabelle stutters and grabs his hand, pulling it down. She realizes and let go, avoiding eye contact. She'd love to dig a hole in the ground and just fade away. Great. Just great!
"You should return to the house." Stephen stuffs his hands in his pockets. His warm expression earlier is replaced by a stoic, cold look. She follows him. No. She'll follow. He turns her around and gently ushers her back.
"Why?"
"I believe it will be better if you do not know." He answers.
Isabelle rolls her eyes. Fine! She stomps back to the house and observes Stephen from the balcony. The blaring music from earlier is now unbearable. She can feel vibrations on the glass.
Stephen's figure disappears into the woods. Isabelle presses her forehead against the glass door. What good would it do to follow him? She didn't want to be his next victim. She couldn't help and would only get in the way.
Is it because of Tristan? Isabelle's worry for Tristan, her dear friend, out rules her fear. If Aaron would find her, it'd better be after she finds him. She leaves her purse on the counter and runs off.
Stephen crouches and rubs leaves in his hands, leaving a brown mark on his fingers. Weird.
Isabelle raises an eyebrow. She carefully observes him, careful not to make any loud noise. She finds Tristan in terrible shape. He had his hands behind his back and his feet were tied. His clothes are soiled with dirt and splotches of what looked to be a dark liquid. He had it coming.
Isabelle crawls and peers through a bush. It is an awkward position but she doesn't have much choice. Sorry, Chloe! Her dress will be ruined. She can barely make out what they're saying.
"About time you showed up." Tristan complains. Stephen kneels and cut off some bindings on his hands.
"I wasn't informed you were here." Stephen dusts his hands.
"I don't know what the hell they're after. You two have a good time?" He said. Tristan undid the bindings on his feet and rubs his wrists.
"Cut it out. Ah, your friend? Safe." Stephen takes out a knife and hands Tristan a small revolver. The two press their backs against each other. A group in black gear approaches them in a circular fashion.
Isabelle's eyes widens.
She takes a step back and fall, making a twig snap. Two in black walk towards her area, Isabelle grabs a fistful of dirt and throws it towards the nearest man and makes a run for it. She feels her heart drum in her ears.
She hears a gunshot and jumps out of her own skin, causing her to trip and stumble.
Isabelle scrambles up a tree. Either party could kill her. She hears a pair of footsteps pass by her. She covers her nose and mouth. She grabs a thin twig she finds in the tree and tosses it as far as she could. She jumps down and sprints. Out of breath, she leans her back on the wall.
Someone grabs her hand and she screams as tears pour out of her eyes. In a frenzy she claws and kicks.
"Isabelle! It's me!"
The familiar sight of green eyes and mouse brown hair made her stop. She pauses, staring at his face. The strength left her knees. She buries her face into his shirt and sobs.
"I'm sorry I-"
Aaron hushes her. She wipes her face and hugs him tightly. She knew he deserves better than that, but she can't help it. She'll buy him a new shirt. His clothes are covered in her tears and snot now.
"You're shaking." Aaron rubs her back. Isabelle sniffles. Going home sounds nice.
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