Chereads / THE ART OF 'JUSTICE" / Chapter 21 - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 - Chapter 21

(Luke POV)

The days passed with loneliness enveloping me. I could hear her voice, not a sight of her. I put on my clothes and prepared to go out. I locked the door and climbed into my car.

My mind will only brood over her if I seal myself in the cabin. My feelings will hurt much more knowing I won't be able to see her. I continued driving without knowing where I was going, letting the wind carry me away.

(Isabella POV)

I haven't seen Luke these last few days. I want to pay him a visit, but I..., no, I have to meet him. Otherwise, my worry would not go away.

"Bella, where are you going? Don't your friends have other plans today?" Mom inquired.

"I'm off to a bookshop, mom", I said,

Sorry, mom.

"OK, take care," mom said.

I headed out.

Arriving at the field, I made my way up to Luke's cabin. My heart pounded quicker as I went closer, holding my wet hand. When I reached the door, I grabbed my hand back. Come on Isabella! Do it! I breathed in deeply.

"Luke...Luke..."

Why is there no response? Does he not want to see me again?

I walked in the direction where he used to watch me. I pressed my face to the window. I scanned the room only to find an empty space.

I sat on the porch. Is he gone? I rested against the wall. I peered up at the blue sky with a wave of sadness washing over me.

I'm sorry.

I waited for him, till dusk fell. I returned home. The heaviness in my chest yelled at me as I lay on the bed. I shouldn't have acted like a child!

I left the next day with the same hope. "Luke..." I knocked again.

"Luke...Luke..."

He hasn't come back yet.

When I turned to go home, I noticed a swivel from the keyhole. Oh my! I stood up tensely. He's inside! You're not running away Isabella, face it!

The door gently swung open.

His eyes brightened up, "Isabella!"

"Isabella, you're here! Am I dreaming?!", he said.

"Yep, I'm standing right in front of you," I said.

"Come on in, Isabella," he says, his smile beaming.

"Mm... no, I just want to talk to you," I said, pressing my lips together.

"Sure, where would you want to sit?" he asked as he stepped outside.

He's only a few steps away from me. I might lose myself.

"Standing, it'll be quick," I said.

"If you say so", he said.

"I.. I was looking for you the other day", I said.

"You were here?", he said.

I nod

"I knocked on your door, shouted your name, and got no answer", I said.

"I... I'm sorry... I peeked through your window", I said.

He smiled, "You peek? I didn't expect that."

"I'm sorry, I was worried," I said.

"There's no need to be sorry," he said.

"I waited for you till dusk, but you didn't show up", I said.

"Are you really worried about me?", he said.

I averted my gaze when the question dawned on me.

"Thanks for looking out for me", he said.

I turned to him. "Where were you going?"

"Somewhere, clear my mind about you," he said.

"Did my presence bother you?", I asked.

He moved closer, "You bother me a lot."

"You sneaked into my mind, slithered down into my heart", his emerald eyes twinkled at me.

"You didn't seem to leave me, so I came back to make you mine," he explained.

He closed the gap between us. He brushed his palm on my cheek. He shut his eyes, and leaned against my face.

"Luke..."

"Sshh" his breath tingled on my neck.

His lips brushed against mine. "Not now." I put my finger on them.

"When?", he said

"Whenever I want", I said.

"Your wish is my command," he said warmly.

We laughed.

He pulled me to his body, his arms encircling my waist.

"Can we go in?", he asked.

"No, there's something else," I responded.

"I'm all ears", he said.

"Break that silly promise! Never do it again", I said.

"I won't put us through this again, ma'am," he answered,.

"Last but not least," I grabbed his collar, "I am the sight of your life, only I am in you."

He scooped me up, "My love, there won't be any other woman but you"

"Now, put me down, I've to go home", I said.

"Oh, come on! Stay longer, Bella", he lowered me down.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

"Please, don't go, I'll miss you", he said.

"That's what I want. Keep yearning for me, Luke", I said.

"Don't make things hard, Isabel", he said.

"I love hard, Luke", I said.

"See you tomorrow, handsome," I said as I exited his cabin.

My cheeks flushed with an uncontrollable smile, and my heart bloomed with happiness. Is this how it feels to be in a relationship? Let this day end, I want to be in his arms.

"Isabel, why is it taking so long?", said mom, as I walked into the house.

"I was looking for that book, mom", I said.

I feel horrible lying to her day after day.

Her eyes searched my hand, "Got the book? Where?"

"No, mom, it's a limited edition", I said.

I never lie to my mother.

I collapsed onto my bed while thinking back about my lovely encounter.

My phone vibrated, and Luke's name flashed on the screen.

"I miss you hugely, Isabel," he murmured.

"So do I, Luke", I said.

"Can I come?", he said.

"No way! I haven't told my parents about us", I said.

"Tell them, Isabel, what're you waiting for?", he said.

"Isn't it a little too quick? We just got to know each other", I said.

"There's nothing wrong with telling your parents who you're hanging out with," he remarked.

"Even thinking about it makes me nervous" I admitted.

"All right, may I sneak in?" he asked.

"Gawd no! stay where you are and wait for me till the next day," I responded.

He responded with a sad one and I texted him a kiss emoji.

"Nice try, Isabel", he said.

"What time will you be at my place?", he asked.

"Same as today" I said.

"Great, have a wonderful day, Isabel", he said.

"You too", I said.

(Isabella POV)

"Mom, I'm off to the field", I said.

"Wait!" mom said. Give this to your father," she handed me a lunch box.

"Bye, mom."

I headed to our mini flower shop, which is close to our house.

"Dad!", I hugged him.

"Isabella! my baby girl," dad remarked cheerfully as he stroked my head.

"I didn't see you yesterday", I asked.

"Hang out with some of my old friends.", said dad

"Did you enjoy it?", I asked.

"I was overjoyed!", he said

I released my arms. "This is your lunch." I handed him the lunch box,

He inhaled the food, "No wonder your mom is such a terrific cook."

"She's the best chef in the world!", I said.

"Also, I have to leave. See you later, dad", I headed out.

"Take care, Bella", said dad.

"You, too, Dad."

Luke, I'm coming!

My phone jiggled in my pocket as I thought about him.

"Hello", I said

"Afternoon, Isabel", he said.

His voice is hard to handle.

"Afternoon, Luke", I said.

"I've been waiting for you, Love", he said.

"I'm on my way, got some errands to do", I said.

"Oh, is it done?", he asked.

"Yeah, I'm free now", I said

"Then hurry up! I can't wait to see you. Or let me pick you up", he said.

"No need, I'm at your door", I said.

"Isabella!" he ran to the door. He pecked my brow and hoisted me up. He took my hand and led me inside. I hesitated before entering.

"All okay, Isabel? You don't want to get in?", he asked.

"I've...never been into a man's house.", I blushed.

"Do you want to sit on the porch?" he asked with a smile.

"Umm.. I... I want to give it a try" I said.

He drew my head to his chest, as his arm shrouded my shoulder.

We went in.

"Wow! Your cabin is well-kept", I said.

"I enjoy taking care of my space," he explained.

"I thought you were a slob," I remarked.

He placed his arm around my waist and said, "Glad you changed your perspective."

"Isabella, I'm starving", he said

"Same here, let me cook lunch for us." I answered.

"Umm I...", he blushed.

"You?", I said

"I've cooked for us", he said.

My eyes widened and I smiled, exposing my teeth."You cook? That's lovely", I pinched his cheek.

"Stop, I'm not a baby", he said

"You're my baby!", I said.

He blushed.

"Let's dig in!", I said.

"Let me serve you, ma'am," he said as he pulled out my chair.

"That's so sweet, Mr. Luke!", I grasped his shirt and kissed his forehead.

"I should do this more", he smirked.

"Naughty!" I said, pressing my index finger to his temple.

He placed a napkin on my thigh. He flipped the plate and set the food onto my plate. Then he joined me.

"How's the food, ma'am?", he said.

"Yummy!" I said after taking a spoonful of the dish."I never thought the man next to me was a good cook."

"Such an honor to have your praise, ma'am." he added,

We laughed.

We settled into his living room after eating our lunch. He tugged me onto his lap.

"What are you doing", I said.

"Wanted to be close to you", he said.

"Tell me about yourself, Isabel", he said.

I put my hand on his chest and said, "I live with my parents, and we own a mini flower shop."

"I have no sisters, only a big brother who works for a corporation in another city. And I'm a jewelry designer", I said.

"I thought you wanted to be a singer," he said, surprised.

"It's simply for fun, to take my mind off the day and hustle back at night," I explained.

"My desire is to be a successful jewelry designer, and establish my own brand", I said.

"You have a massive dream, Isabel, and I'm proud of you," he said as he embraced me.

"Let me know if you need anything. I'm with you", he said.

"Thanks", I said.

"There won't be thanks between us, we own each other", he said.

"You didn't tell me about yourself, Mr. Luke", I said

"Err..." he rubbed the back of his head.

"Why?", I asked.

"I am...Luke Abrams", he said.

"ABRAMS?! THAT CRAZY RICH FAMILY?!", I said.

he nods.

"YOU'RE SILAS ABRAMS ONE AN ​​ONLY SON?!", I said.

"Yes, I am", he said.

"Why are you here? Living in a secluded area?", I asked.

"I need some peace", he said.

"Isn't your palace more peaceful? A big house, a big room."

"Sometimes, you can't find peace in a luxurious place", I said.

"I don't know what to say"

"Please, keep that between us," he said.

"You're lucky, I'm good at keeping secrets", I said.

"Why are you staring at me?", he asked.

"Strange", I said

"Luke"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you pick me? Aren't the women in your city prettier?" I asked.

"I'm falling for you, Isabella," he said.

"I'm sorry, I'm not good at expressing my feelings", he said.

"It's fine", I said

"Do you know how much I despise you?" I asked.

"For real?", he said.

"I never see you. However, I frequently hear your news on the radio," I explained.

"You hooking up with this and that woman, caught in a hotel with another woman", I said.

I chuckled. "That's a lot!"

"I was that guy until I saw you. Do you still despise me?", he cupped my face.

"Not anymore", I said.

He sighed, "Thank God!"

"What do you think of me now?" he asks.

"I saw a good-hearted man in you", I said.

"I'm pleased to hear that", I said.

"I can't believe I'm sitting on Luke Abrams' lap," I exclaimed.

"You'll be all over my body, Isabel," I said as our faces met.