Isabel was looking at some documents in her grandfathers old study when suddenly she got a call.She slightly glanced her phone,it was James.Isabel smiled with contempt and picked it up normally.
"Hello!"
"Hi honey!How have you been today?"
"Good.I'm checking the documents of the winery,right now." She had no intention to hide the revival of the Ricci winery.Not only it was a perfect excuse not to see his face,she would have to quickly start campaigns and marketing to quickly spread the word that the Ricci family is rising from the ashes,bringing an even brighter area of it's glory,bringing something new to the table,but also not forgetting their tradition.Isabel earning more money benefited James so he happily encouraged her to continue her childhood dream and 'make him proud '.
After a general talk,James finally brought out his main purpose.He was hesitating slightly.
"Isabel….I don't know how to say this…Even I didn't expect this." he sighed and pretended to be sad for her.Isabel asked seriously.
"James?What's wrong?Are you okay?" she took out the 'lovesick wife,caring for her husband' card.This satisfied James ego.
"Isabel,it's not me.I'm perfectly fine….It's about your friend,Hannah."
"What's wrong with Hannah?Did something happen to her?"
"I don't think she might be.So you haven't heard,huh.She was caught having an affair."
"What!"
"I know it must be shocking,right?She was your closest friend.I'm sorry it must really hurt."
"When did this happen?"
James lied effortlessly. "I only found out today by chance.It seems to have happened last night.It was all over the media."
"Hold on.Let me take a look." Isabel new real well that the articles had been taken down an hour ago.Gael was the one taking care of that side ,he had gotten a call from his people and told her all James efforts to take it down.To hide his prints,James decided to be the first one to tell her now knowing she could find nothing after he had taken care of the pics and articles.Honestly,she was slightly impressed.She thought it would've taken him a few more hours,but this also confirmed her suspision that James had someone helping him in the dark.
"There's nothing here."
Perfect.James thought and then faked a surprised tone.
"Really?Maybe it was taken down by her agency?"
"No,this won't do.I have to talk to Hannah asap.Sorry,James.I'm gonna need to end this call."
*Beep,beep*
Good this thing was also taken care of,James thought.
…
Hannah had dared to turn on her phone at this hour to call Gael again,but his phone was still off.She tried using other means of contact,but it didn't work.It was like he had completly disappeared.Hannah feared this silence.This silence showed that he wanted nothing to do with her.
She was a mess physically and mentally.Her eyes were red and carried a slight hint of craziness.She had been suffering alone all this time,without anyone being there to comfort or care for her.She was to scared to turn on the tv,or log in her social media not to mention going out of this apartment.
Suddenly her phone rang.Was it James?Maybe he wanted to comfort her.Or was it Gael?Maybe he finally wanted to talk to her.
Hannah exitedly picked up,but her voice was hoarse and dry from all the crying,it cracking when she said hello.
"Hannah!I heard what happened!Is it true,Hannah?Did you really do that?Did you really do that to Gael?"
The last person she wanted to talk to had called her.Hannah didn't have any patience to continue this conversation so she immediately hung up.
Isabel heard the beep and started laughing.Gael that was passing by saw her laughing loudly and asked.
"What's got you laughing?"
"I just called your wife,she immediately hung up on me.Hehehe."
"Oh." Hearing the term 'wife' turned his face solemn,but Isabel got him off his thoughts.
"Wanna join in the fun.I think she's near her limit to explode."
Gael thought for a bit and suddenly smiled."You're right." And then came behind her.This sudden closeness turned Isabel stiff.She called Hannah again,putting it on speaker and Gaels face was close to hers trying to listen.She could feel his body temperature and his hot breath near her ear.He's doing this on purpose.He could've just sat at the armchair infront of the desk if he wanted.
After 4 calls Hannah finally picked up hollering.
"Yes!It's true!Are you happy now?"
Isabel didn't speak.
"You always looked down on me,didn't you?I was always a lowly model,compared to the elegant and graceful Ricci heiress!"
Silence again,but it only triggered Hannah more.
"I was always a wh*** in your eyes,while you were this old money noble rich kid!You were doing charity staying with me!Well congrats!You were right!I was always a wh***!I married your ex,knowing well that you still had feelings you buried for him!I f***** your-"she froze.She was so tired and angry she almost exposed herself and James.
"You what?" Isabel asked coldly.Hannah gulped and tried to fix the sentence.
"Your-your first love!Your first love,of course!I wanted you to be hurt and feel inferior!That I could have what you couldn't!"her voice shook slightly,but she still evaded the problem.Isabel was quiet for a while,but still spoke.
"Hannah,you're wrong.I never looked down on you.I never judged you.I wished you genuine happiness when you married Gael.You didn't do it because of me,you did it because of your inferiority.It was never me,Hannah.It was your choice.It was you.Don't worry.You'll soon pay the price,for Gael,for me,for everything."she then hung up.
Hannah broke down crying.
Isabel and Gael on the other side were both silent.Having the feeling she had tried hiding years ago exposed suddenly had a slight effect on her,but what got more into Isabel was how the person she considered as a friend for many years ,had never considered her as one.In fact she despised her so much and tried taking her down.
Gael was also a bit shocked that Isabel still had feelings for him,even a few years after breaking up with her.Even when he had finally let go.But he didn't want to put pressure on her.He would wait.Wait until everything was settled and when they could fully heal.
"You're right.She was wrong." Gael said next to her ear.Isabel turned her head to look at him.
"You've never been a graceful person."
"Excuse me?What?"
"I still remember how you would climb trees and .........................................back then.That muddy image of yours,was by no way graceful."
"First I still can do those,second that doesn't mean I'm not graceful.Weren't you the one who would keep complimenting me no matter what?"
Gael slightly kissed her cheek."You're right.My muddy graceful queen."