Page 42 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“They’ve found out... the press are here... they ambushed me as I left home... they’ve found out about Christian and I...”

“Slow down... don’t move... stay put,” May said with her usual efficiency. “The local police are on the way. Call our security team. Get them off the property. They’re trespassing.”

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. One thing, with her father’s contacts, May could get things done.

“Thank you,” she said.

Isabella stopped as her friend paused. “Isabella, have you seen them?”

“Seen what?” Isabella asked, a sense of dread flooding her system.

May drew in a sharp breath. “The photos. You’re all over the internet. There are pictures of you and Christian together... Someone must have been in the hotel gardens. Oh, boy! You know when I said living voraciously... you’ve been holding out on me!” May said, clearly trying to lighten the stress.

Isabella moaned, dropping her head into her hands. She knew exactly what the photographs portrayed. They shared a burning desire they struggled to contain whenever they were near each other. That final night, they’d stopped fighting it... Now, it was out there for the entire world to see.

Could this day get any worse?

“There are pictures from the night before, and you wearing a hotel robe on the villa doorstep yesterday morning,” May added.

There was a loud knock, making Isabella jump. Her eyes stared at the door.

“Ms King... Mam?” Isabella recognised the voice as Banyat, one of their security team.

“Hi, Ban.” Isabella opened the door to a sheepish-looking man.

“I’m so sorry. They registered as guests last night. We did not know.”

Isabella held up a hand. “It’s okay. This is not your fault.”

“We’ve removed them, but they were interviewing some of the guests.”

Isabella’s heart sank. So much for a wellness and Yoga Retreat. How could they advertise this as peaceful with the press camped outside the door?

“Isabella?”

She looked down at her phone, remembering that May was still connected.

“Hi, May, I take it you heard Ban?” Isabella said, her voice dejected.

“I did. Look, I’m on my way in. Arkhom is taking Kalaya. We will sort this out. Stay on the grounds. Run the morning class, apologise, but say nothing else. And Isabella... I love you, my friend.”

“I love you too,” Isabella said, her voice choked with emotion.

What had she done to deserve such an amazing friend?

Her thoughts went to Christian. He’d still be in the air, having had a stopover in Singapore. Isabella wrapped her arms around her middle. She yearned for him to hold her tight, to feel the strength of his arms around her, telling her that everything would be alright. Despite her attempts to convince herself otherwise, Isabella knew deep down that she was lying to herself. Her secret was out, and life would never be the same again.

∞∞∞

“Oh my,” Mrs Davenport said. “He’s a total hottie. That body and face... plus all that money. No wonder our lovely Isabella’s head was turned.”

Those were the first words Isabella heard as she entered the yoga studio for that morning’s class.

“Apparently, she’s a millionairess herself... and a lady, no less?” one of the other women added. None of them noticed her arrival.

“Yes, ladies. I am a lady. My name is Lady Isabella King. I’ve known Christian Dupree for many years. Our mothers were best friends. Any questions?” Isabella said, trying hard to keep the snarky tone out of her voice. “I’d like to apologise for any disruption you may have experienced. We do not intend to have our guests hounded by the press.”

If she hadn’t been so irritated, she’d have laughed at how the women jumped and spun to face her.

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