Time was running fast. Claire Oxford still hadn't gotten any form of news from Gabriel Manifold.
Was Ordinaz Rodrigo that hard to find? She thought as the pointed head of her shoe dug into the ground.
In the past, things were different. Ordinaz was easy to find.
Rodrigo Ordinaz used to be a man that took pleasure in showing off his not-so-attractive self in public even if it disgusted more than half of the people on the street. While she was his wife, he had forced her to go on tours with him, as he would call it, and she recalled how he had bared his hairy chest for all to see.
It seemed he found joy in such acts.
But, the moment that she needed him to be in public had arrived and he was nowhere to be seen. The bastard hid himself pretty well.
But then, was the world so large that a rich man like him wouldn't be found? Certainly, no matter where he was, with the right methods being used, he can be hunted down.
As she sat down and stared at nothing, Mrs. Oxford had to wonder if Gabriel's incapability was the reason she had not heard anything so far. But she had reasoned it well before giving him the job. He had a reason to work at a fast pace- that being Isabella- so, by default, he should be giving her good news faster than she hoped.
But a week had almost passed and the divorce hearing was seemingly drawing closer to its end. That reminder managed to rouse hatred and the spirit of protectiveness in Claire Oxford as she picked up her phone and dialed Manifold's number.
After so many rings, he finally picked up his call.
'Mrs. Oxford.'
"Gabriel," she simply acknowledged him. "Why am I yet to hear anything from you?"
'Listen, we are all trying our best to find this person. But he isn't easy to find.'
"But I made it easy by pinpointing his potential locations, so what excuse are you trying to give me? I have given you a guarantee, but if you don't do as you are told within a reasonable time frame, kiss goodbye to Isabella and your freedom."
'Are you threatening me now?' He gave his signature maniac laughter. 'Woman, I might be working for you, but that doesn't mean you have the right to talk like you own me. I told you, it is hard to find your man. If you are so eager to get rid of him. Why don't you do it yourself?'
Claire almost chuckled. "I guess you like the sound of prison then. Since you will soon be rotting in one."
'And you think I will go down alone?' he retorted. 'I will make sure your son knows everything and I mean everything. And unluckily for you, if I have gotten rid of your man by that time, I will make sure your name goes down with mine.'
"You are threatening me now?"
'Well, motherfucker, that's what you get for being hasty.' The tone of his voice relaxed. 'We are working on locating him. When we do, we will swing into action. Till then, please watch how you speak to me. I am crazier than I seem.'
"You are threatening me," Mrs. Oxford stated bluntly. Gabriel Manifold certainly was underrating her. If only he knew how venomous she could get if trampled on. But she soon relaxed her venom that was desperate to attack. "If you say you are doing your work, fine. But remember, that Isabella is already slipping off your hold. Good day."
Anger flowed through her as she dropped the phone. If not for what she aimed to achieve, what would she be doing with someone like Gabriel Manifold?
From his responses earlier, she could tell he could decide to act mischievously as time goes by. So, she knew she had to find a way to counter any form of backstabbing from the man.
To that effect, Claire Oxford picked up her phone again and searched for the number of an old friend of hers in the police force.
~
Ever since the last hearing, Isabella found it hard to sleep. Whenever the darkness of the night crawled in, her mind became a projecting screen and she would see the past as though she were watching a movie. And that past never ceased to hurt.
Tossing one more time caused her to face Charles who was deep into the sleep business. Then, Isabella let out a low sigh and watched his face which looked so serious yet innocent as he slumbered on.
Out of the blue, the woman began to wonder how life would be once her divorce is finalized. Her mind quickly dropped the memories of the past and began playing something else.
It was an imagination but it was a good one. Isabella could see a life where she would find her smile again. She would be in a place where she would have peace of mind. Things like fear of being injured to be pushed to and fro with force will cease to exist.
And in each scene her mind conjured, Charles was in it.
And, that was how it was meant to be.
Right from the time they met each other on a boat cruise in Manchester, she knew it. He was always meant to be part of her life.
"I hope you are enjoying the view," came Charles's thick voice which cracked a bit. Isabella smiled. As he stretched and had his eyes open within a second, she broke into a bigger grin. His hand pillowing his head, Charles asked, "Why are you still up?"
"I was thinking."
"About me?"
Her cheeks flushed. "Maybe." His hand snaked to her waist and he had her lower body glued to his. "I was just imagining a future with you."
As his warm lips found her forehead, Charles's warmth enveloped her even more and her heart responded with a light flutter.
His gaze holding hers in that dim room, Charles said, "I would like to believe that that future is now. You are with me right now and that's all that matters."
Isabella's hand went to his cheek and she caressed its smoothness. "When did you learn how to sound so cheesy?"
"Remember the first time we kissed?"
"There were fireworks that night," Isabella softly responded as she went back in time. "The air was so chill in a good way and the waves of the ocean, so beautiful and gentle."
Even Charles's lips broke into a smile. "That scene alone was cheesy. I think I learned how to be more of a lover then."
"I am glad that we met that way." She couldn't stop touching him. "I am really glad that we met that day."
"So, Isabella..." His hand travelled lower, towards her buttocks. "What do you think we should do about your inability to sleep?"
Isabella shifted even closer to his groin. "What do you have in mind?" she asked. A tone of intended sexiness in her voice.
"Hmm." He caressed her soft butt cheeks through the slim nightgown she had on. "I have so many things in mind. But for now..."
"Yeah?" her voice thickened as he shifted the cloth and had his warm touch against her flesh. Soon, he was running through her skin in a delightfully torturing way.
Before Isabella could say a word more, Charles's lips went to work and he captured her lips gently.
Seeing that the position wasn't favourable for her, Isabella got up and positioned herself on him, her lips wearing a seductive smile.
"Gosh, you are so gorgeous." His eyes feasted on the outline of her uncaged breasts which stood firm and teased him from where they were. Isabella felt even hotter as his intense gaze fell on her exposed thighs and as his large hands moved through them. Just that little gaze was enough for her to gradually lose her sense of reasoning.
"Charles..." Isabella was almost begging as he continued stroking her flesh slowly. Her lower body reacting and gently grinding into his groin, she pleaded some more. "Please, take me right now."
And that was all he seemed to want to hear as his hand pushed her chest against his firm ones. Then, he captured her pleading lips with a fierce kiss.