Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Isabella planted her hands on her hips, waiting for Madelyn’s response to her accusation. “Oh, just admit it already. You're cheating on Mr. Grayson.”

Madelyn grimaced for a moment then smirks. “Look at you, so self-righteous, pretending you have the moral high ground. A bit hypocritical, don’t you think?” Isabella jerked back, feeling offended. “Uh... I don't know what you're talking about!”

“Oh please. Cut the high-and-mighty act. I know you’re not as innocent as you pretend to be. You might think I'm obvious but it just made you careless.” Madelyn held the most nonchalant expression as she has ever did. Isabella sighed defeatedly. “Look, it’s over between me and Ethan. I can march over there right now and tell Jim that we were wrong, we never should've even thought about indulging in our feelings and--” Madelyn’s laughter cuts her off.

“Gosh, no need to be so dramatic. I'm not here to catfight over Ethan. I'm a businesswoman. Let’s make a deal instead. Here are my terms. You don't reveal my secret to anyone, and I won't have you fired and sent back to the Staes without a single job prospect.”

Isabella lets out a rueful laugh. “Is that supposed to scare me? You know I'm not trying to be a supervisor forever, right? So what if you somehow give me a scathing reference despite not being my boss?”

“Oh sweetie, you misunderstood. You can be a supervisor to your heart’s content. I don't care about that. But I will have you blackballed from any businesses owned by or affiliated with my little empire. That’s a lot of labs.” Madelyn new a thing or two about winning.

Isabella hesitated before speaking, making sure her words were in order. “Ethan won't let you do this, especially after I tell him about your little... indiscretion.”

“Hey! Let me be clear. If you don't take this deal, Ethan will have to weather a scandal the likes of which you've never seen before. Not to mention the fact that it’ll ruin the merger, and Ethan will have to watch Liam seize the throne, leaving Ethan with nothing. Then, when you all think your lives have gone back to normal... SLAM! My tearful tell-all will hit the shelves and ruin everything all over again.” Isabella was seething. How could someone be this... evil? “So you seem you really don’t have much of a choice. Not if you care about Ethan and the company as much as you claim. I will give you a chance to think about it, okay?” Without waiting for a response, Madelyn strolls out of the room.

A couple of day later...

Isabella was still trying to shake off her confrontation with Madelyn as she folds her laundry. If she takes the deal, she loses. If she doesn't take it, she still loses and Ethan’s life would be ruined. What exactly was she supposed to do?

She goes over her opinion again and again, taking out her frustration on her clothes until... “what did those poor shirts ever do to you?” He strolls into her room, arms across his chest. “Ethan! I didn't see you there.” She exhaled sharply.

“Sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on you. I just haven’t seen you much in the last few days and wanted to check in.” She couldn't tell Ethan about Madelyn until she has made up her mind about the deal. Which means... it was time to put on a happy face. “Everything’s great. I am finally over my jet lad and having a blast.” He smiled, satisfied with her response. “Glad to hear that. That's always tough to beat.

He leaned by the doorframe, arms still crossed. “I hate to burst your bubble, but you should know that Madelyn’s family just arrived in town.”

“Her mom and brother? What’s that got to do with me?” She wasn't happy to hear that but so what? “They expect to have lunch with us today. Me, Madelyn and Tyler. Which means...”

“I have to be there too.” She crossed her arms on her chest. “Only if you feel comfortable. I cook up something to tell them if you don't wanna be there.”

“No it’s fine. I came here for a business trip right? And who knows, work might call so I'll come. But I can’t promise to my tongue if her mother says something out of line again.” He smirks at her and winked. “I wouldn't ask you to.”

He looks at her for a long moment. “But are you sure you're okay?” She gave him a wide smile and nodded. “Yes! i better go start getting ready for lunch.” She rushes into the walk in closet, feeling the weight of his gaze on her back.

An hour later, they were at the Jason’s other villa, sitting with Tyler for lunch. “I still don't understand why we are involved in Mr. Grayson’s family affairs. I mean it’s cool that we have a whole table to ourselves, but why are we here?” Tyler spoke in a low voice. Isabella glances over at the fancier table, where Ethan and the other were seated. “Haha! I thought of the same thing too but who cares.”

A server brings her and Tyler plates, and he tucks into his food immediately. While Isabella was thoroughly distracted, she leans over to try to hear the conversation at the other table. “Thank you again for letting us stay at your estate, Mrs. Jason.” She smiled at him brightly. “Please, call me mom.” She insisted. “You don’t have to keep thanking us, Ethan. You're practically family.” Madelyn chirps in.

“What about me? I'm practically family too, but I still to book a hotel room.” Madelyn rolls her eyes when Liam spoke. “You are practically Ethan’s family, not ours. Don’t tell me I have to explain the difference.”

“Madelyn, that’s enough. Now, let’s focus on the business at hand. How have the merger meetings been going?” Mrs. Jason interrupted. “They have been doubters on both sides, but I'm relieved to say out due diligence reviews cleared.” Madelyn started. “Now everyone can see that this merger is best for all of us.”

Ethan glances over at Isabella, and their eyes locked. Then, she realized he meant for her to pitch in on the meetings they've gone together. “Right, it’s good because our stocks get boost. Investors are bound to be excited when two industry giants come together, and it will give a bump to those stabilised Grayson numbers.” Ethan’s lips quivered upwards. He was utterly impressed. “You go on meetings with her? Well whatever...” Madelyn glared at her mother, making her to hold her sentence. Ethan was also clearly upset.

“Why are you infuriated? Isabella is well... just a supervisor.” Isabella felt the anger surging in by Mrs. Jason’s words. “And am I wrong?” She thunders at her. Mrs. Jason jerks her head back, as if she was the one being offended. “No. Flatline should spike soon...”

Isabella sighed and returned to her meal, not sure how much more of that she could take. After she finished eating, a server comes to collect the plates. Madelyn commands a server to bring in dessert for everyone. While they wait for dessert, Mrs. Jason leaves, and Isabella was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief until Liam waves her over to take the empty seat at the table. “Come join us, Isabella.”

She glances at Tyler and he smiled as he nodded. She smiled back and got to her feet, walking to the chair Liam showed her.

Just then, the tray of desserts arrives. Isabella took the apple tart and placed it in front of herself. She takes a bite, savouring the crunch of the crisp, buttery crust, paired with sweet apple flavour.

Soon, all the dessert dishes have been picked clean, and the mood at the table almost cheerful. Isabella smiled a bit, at least Madelyn’s mother wasn't there to sour the moment. Isabella announced she was leaving, in the process of getting up, Madelyn spoke. “Hey, my love. Why don’t we all go get some ice cream, that’s if you all still have room for it.” Ethan looks at Isabella, but she doesn't meet his eyes.

“I think I’ll hang back. I don’t think I can fit in anything again now. Besides, I've got paperwork to finish up before our morning meeting.” Madelyn swallowed her anger and smiled. “Then I'll just meet you two at the estate. See you later.” Madelyn winks at Isabella as she leaves with the others.

Isabella looked away, not knowing how she felt about it. But she tries to push aside all thoughts of Madelyn as she turned to look at Ethan. “You didn't have to stay with me, you know. You could’ve gone with them.”

“I know but what I said earlier was true. I don't think I can fit in anything again.” He then leaned forward, and the air around her shifts. “Honestly, I'm pretty worn out. I was thinking of grabbing a drink to unwind before heading back to the villa.”

“And where exactly are you going to find this drink?” He shrugs his shoulder. “Easy. We're surrounded by some of the best wine in the country. And Madelyn’s brother dropped the key to the wine cellar when we got here. What do you say? Unwind with me?” Isabella could think of a few ways they could help each other unwind, and some include having their mouths on more than just wine glasses. But then she remembered Madelyn’s deal. “As tempting as that sounds, I think I'm gonna pass. I've got a lot on my mind, and wine won't help me figure any of it out.”

“Fair enough. I'll tell the driver to bring the car around.” And few minutes later, they were driving back to the villa together. It was a quiet ride as Madelyn’s deal looms over her head.

Later on in the evening, after having much rest. Isabella was in her room when a sharp tapping on her door. Only one person could be behind that sound. She brace herself as she goes to answer it. “Madelyn, hey.” Her voice was low and gloomy. “So? Have you thought about my offer? Or are you just going to keep avoiding me in a attempt to but more time?”

“Yeah, my though was that Ethan’s too good for all of this. He deserve to be loved by his fiancee, not battered away.” Madelyn wasn't moved by her words. “What a sweet notion, but let’s reframe the issue on reality, shall we?”

Isabella exhales through her nose, feeling completely concerned. “This is so messed up! How can you be so willing to take everything away from Ethan just to get what you want?” Then her voice softened. “I thought you considered him a friend?”

“Well, sometimes business requires sacrifices, even friendly ones. But I wouldn't allow you two to continue you little tryst until the wedding if I fight feel some affection for him. Although obviously, you will have to stop after we're married, for appearance’s sake.” Madelyn stated nonchalantly.

“Wow! How professional.” She hated it, but she has known what her answer would be since Madelyn first propositioned her. Madelyn was giving her everything she wanted, even if it’s only until the wedding. How could she refuse? “Fine. You have a deal. But know that I'm not doing this for you. I am doing this for Ethan. I'll do whatever it takes to protect him from you.”

“I don’t care why you're doing it, as long as it’s done. Now, I think I'll go for a nice long walk. It’s a beautiful night and I'm sure I won't be back until late. You should take advantage of it while you can.” Madelyn breezes from the room without another word, and Isabella sink onto her bed.

She closed her eyes, attempting to push away all thoughts of Madelyn and her deal. She felt so antsy and wounded up, she needed... Ethan. Even if it’s not for the reasons of Madelyn thought she needed him. He must be in his room that moment. The more she thought about her offer, the angrier she got at the audacity of it.

Madelyn might have her beat in the boardroom. She might be making headway with the everyone. But Ethan is where Isabella always won.

She wished she could go to him, but that doesn’t just sit right. She’s keeping quiet about Madelyn’s affair for Ethan's sake, but that’s it.

She settled back on her bed, wishing there was more she could do.

A week later, a new routine with the meetings how, and luckily, she haven't crossed paths with Madelyn in a few days. She returned to the villa with Tyler from an afternoon touring a nearby museum when... “we have got great news!” Madelyn appeared. Isabella could hear how Tyler exhaled annoyed by Madelyn.

Tyler leads the way to the living room just as Madelyn pops the cork on a bottle of champagne with Ethan. “Uhh... what’s the occasion?” Isabella finally asked.

Madelyn looked at Ethan, excitedly. “Should you tell them, Ethan? Or should I?” He raised a brow but then smiled. “Uh, you go ahead.” He mouthed looking at everywhere but Isabella. “The Grayson Enterprises and Jason Industries have officially merged! I know you know that but anyway, we were so excited about the new that we decided to move up the weeding date to celebrate.”

“What?” Isabella shrieked, almost choking on the champagne she was sipping. “That’s right. Ethan and I are going to tie the knot right here in Rome in three weeks!”