Page 100 of Isabela

Gael pulls me into his arms, rubbing my back as I cry. “Shh, you’re okay. What else is on your mind?”

There’s a lot bouncing around in my head. My soul is crying out for me to do more, and my mind is racing.

“I want to have a press conference after I meet with the board,” I tell him with a sniff. “I want to talk about some of the things my uncle and the mayor did to me. I don’t want this swept under the rug.”

Gael stiffens as he thinks. “The media are really cruel, Little One. I respect that you want to do this, I truly do. Can I be with you when you get on camera with them? I can help prep you too. Going in raw with a bunch of sharks isn’t smart,” he explains.

“You’re right,” I murmur, laying my head on his chest. Listening to the steady beat of his heart helps to steady me. “I would love it if you helped me navigate this.”

“Good,” he says with relief. “I’m canceling the rest of my day. I think we should snuggle in bed, watch movies, and eat junk food.”

“Really?” I ask with a giggle, looking up at him. “I figured you were too straight-laced to eat in bed.”

Gael rolls his eyes, making my mouth open in surprise. He just smirks as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, making me squeal. Gael catches my backpack as it goes flying before he swats my ass.

“I’ll show you straight-laced, baby. You’re getting the royal treatment. I’ll carry my brat to her car and everything,” he grunts. Thank God there’s no one around, because I’m pretty sure my ass is on display, no I know it. Gael is rubbing the sting from my skin, and I can feel the warm air caressing my exposed ass.

“Gael,” I say with a giggle. My tears dry up as he puts me back into a better mood before Dean Hopkins fucked it up.

As we arrive at my car, he puts me down and kisses me until I moan before pulling back. “Straight home, yeah? I’ll see you soon,” he says.

Gael waits as I get into the car, waving as he watches me turn it on and put it into reverse. Slowly backing out, I give him a quick wave as I drive away, my things safely at my side.

Aria is waiting for me when I get home with a smile.

“Pajamas and movies I heard are in order,” she teases me. “Gael has his moments where he throws the rules away, and this is one of them.”

Half an hour later, I’m sandwiched between the two of them in bed, eating M&Ms in my popcorn and watching a silly rom-com. Laying my head on Gael’s shoulder, I sigh happily.

God, I love them so much. I just have to clean up the rest of my life so I can fully enjoy this.

Chapter Twenty-Four

ISABELA

This week has been a whirlwind already as I made plans to dismantle the Cohen Literacy Foundation and bare my soul to the board of directors of my parents’ company.

Walking into the building after Mr. Gardner insisted on one more delay, I blow out a breath to settle myself. I feel a bit like a spy today, because Gael and Theodore insisted on my wearing a device that will allow them to talk to me and hear everything on my end as well. They don’t trust the board, and I have to say I definitely don’t trust Mr. Gardner.

My heels click along the tile as I walk, my red-bottomed shoes making me feel powerful. Aria treated me to an outfit, and I stand taller as I move. My all black pants suit looks incredible. I feel amazing as people glance over at me.

I have my black satchel with me, filled with evidence, and my PowerPoint presentation is on a thumb drive in the outer pocket.

“Take a breath, Isabela,” Gael reminds me in my ear. The comm device makes my heart start to pound as I startle imperceptibly, because I had already forgotten the damn thing was in my ear.

Get it together, Isabela.

“Yes, Sir,” I mutter under my breath as I cross the lobby. Hitting the button to call the elevator, I focus on breathing and my presentation. My stomach is in knots, and Aria had to coax me to eat something, because apparently coffee isn’t real food.

The elevator opens to several men walking out, talking amongst themselves. There’s a dangerous veneer as they walk, their eyes gliding down my body, smirking as if they can see me naked.

“Isabela, what’s going on?” Theo asks as my breath hitches. I hurry into the elevator, stabbing the button for the eighth floor.

“Just some men coming off the elevator,” I mutter. I describe them as I take a shuddering breath to ground myself. “I just got a really bad feeling when I saw them.”

“I have Madison here with us, and she’s hacking the lobby cameras now,” Gael says. “I trust your instincts, so I want to know who they are. Don’t ignore how people make you feel.”

His words help to settle me, and as the elevator doors slide open, I step out calmer than I went in. Walking to the secretary’s desk, I give her a bright smile.

---