Run, Isabelle, Run!

Chapter 1

2 Months Earlier...

Delnard stood in front of his cafe in Granda, Spain. He smiled as he read the sign that said "Sofia" which was written in an elegant oak signage. The cafe was his baby and it had just reached its first anniversary. 

The residents of the quaint city of Andalusia have flocked his cafe for months enjoying its delicacies and loving the family oriented atmosphere. Delnard had made sure that when he put up his establishment it would be more than just a romantic place for tete-a-tete but a warm, cozy and homey place for the locals.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and savored the smell of everything around him especially from the aroma of the coffee beans roasting inside, the freshly baked pastries and the exotic smell of Granda. He was going to miss the place and the people who have been a great part of his life the last two years. 

He loved Spain! He loved the people and the culture but he also terribly missed home where two of his favorite people lived: New York. 

Delnard smiled as his eyes lifted once again to the name on the cafe. He had named it after the girl he was in love with.

Yes, past tense. 

At first, Delnard thought that naming the small resto after Sofia Wright was his own unconscious way of torturing himself to help get rid of his feelings for her. In a way it worked because most of the locals kept on asking if he named it after his wife, mother or a sister and in most cases, Delnard would invite the person for a cup of coffee and recount his sad love story.

Of course, it was only open to those who wanted to stay. Most of the time, the people who had the patience to listen were old people, his two new friends and baristas and the flirty women who did not actually listen. 

These women were usually just interested in "healing" him with their bodies. Some even would skip the coffee and story because they would just throw themselves at him in hopes to be the woman of his dreams.

He refused to fall for any of their traps and charms though, there was that one or two times he got one night stands out of it because he was either drunk or in one of those “moments.” 

It was clear though that he had no intention of being with anyone at the moment. After he had experienced his feelings for Sofia and the type of person she is, his standards when it came to love became higher than usual.

Nevertheless, the constant recounting over brew or sometimes wine had helped him deal with the reality and rightness of Sofia and Jonathon, his best friend, who managed to have won the girl in the end. It also helped that the old folks who had become his regular customers had nice things to say to him and helped him put everything in perspective. 

He still loved the girl but he was no longer in love with her. It was also fitting that he had finally found his own closure because the girl and his best friend was getting married next month. And, Delnard Savage is the best man.

Yes, it was time to get back and take care of business, he thought. He felt a bit less heavier in the chest and he was no longer apprehensive of finally staying awhile in New York. He was also glad that Jonathon Elliot is a pretty good businessman and CEO. Jonathon had managed to help maintain JSE, Delnard's own corporation and business, while he was in Spain.

"Mijo, are you going in soon? It's about to get dark and your party is happening! It is very rude to make guests wait, you know!" 

Delnard was snapped out of his musings when an old lady, about sixty years old, came walking out of the cafe. He smiled warmly at her tanned face that showed a hint of wrinkles (which she insisted he called laugh lines). 

Adela Abarquez is one of the "irregular" employees of the cafe. She is the pseudo assistant manager who helps the operations whenever Delnard would make short trips back to the states or go on cruises. But most importantly, she had become his second mother as well.

"Lo siento, Adela." He murmured, opening his arms to give her a hug. "I did not mean to make you wait. I was just thinking that maybe if I stand here outside long enough, time would stop moving."

"Ay! Enough drama!" She scolded but with a smile on her lovely face, her brown eyes shining. "This is your despedida party. Who knows when you will come and see us, huh?"

Delnard wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She was such a petite old woman that it looked awkward. He slowly marched them towards the direction of the door.

"Adela, if I did not have enough faith in your charm and abilities, I would never leave this city!" He said, stopping just outside, his hand poised towards the door, ready to push it open.

"Mijo, this cafe is already in the hearts of everyone around. Who can forget the story of love?" She cooed, pinching his cheeks. "Don't you worry because I'll take care of this lovely place."

"Story of love, eh? Even one that ends in tragedy?" 

Adela turned her wise eyes towards him and laughed. 

"If it ended, then it is not the one for you. Believe me, mijo, I have a feeling in these old bones. You will find your Sofia." 

Delnard felt the hair on his nape stand up in response while a cool breeze blew through. He blinked. It had been quite light when he was staring at the sign now it was almost dark enough for the stars to shine through.

"Let's go party!" He announced while pushing the door open. Immediately, he was greeted by a loud cheer and bright happy, smiling faces of the friends and family he had made in this city as well as the cafe. 

Delnard felt his heart swell and again he wished he could be in two places at one time. He looked at each smile and then he knew that no matter what happens in the future, he would always find a place to call home. 

Hours later, Delnard found himself seated in one of the tables outside the cafe surrounded by his two baristas, Emilio and Enrique. There were still people hanging around the cafe but most of the guests from the party have gone home. He had asked his baristas to go home but they insisted that they would help close up since they would not be seeing one another until who knows when.

"Remember what I told you, Del?" Emilio asked, swirling his drink and smiling at his friend and employer. "When you first told me about this Sofia love affair?"

"Yeah?"

"You were so pathetic looking and then you cried: "Nice guys always finish last" Enrique interjected, not letting the opportunity to tease Delnard pass. He was quickly shoved by Emilio before giving Delnard a serious look.

"I told you, you were mistaken, yeah?" 

Delnard nodded.

"You said that nice guys do not finish last, they just know when to wait for the best thing for them." 

Emilio nodded, happy that he remembered. 

"She is out there, man. Think of it as a new adventure!" Enrique added.

"Will you two ever shut up about that? I am not looking for a girl to settle down with. I have a lot of business to take care of..dangerous business in the states. I don't want to meet the woman of my dreams then have to drag her into that mess."

Delnard sighed. Ever since the two guys have gotten over their fear over him, they had been the best companion and confidants for Delnard. However, they would not stop hounding him about his love life. When Delnard turned down the offer for a dinner and a date with a very beautiful European, the two guys gave him hell for 24 hours talking about missed chances and opportunities.

He had to repeat over and over that the girl was not his type and that he did not do long distance relationships. The same thing happened when a former beauty queen, an artist, a lawyer and a couple of twins had bravely asked him out. He turned them down not because he feared getting hurt or because he did not want to get "some". 

He just felt that he was not yet ready to give his heart to just someone.

"You worried about this Jack?" Enrique asked.

Delnard nodded. Jonathon and him have spent countless hours over the phone trying to figure out where Jack Savage was hiding. 

He was Delnard's half-brother but only in the legal sense. His father had divorced Josephine, his mother, and married another woman who already had a son from a previous marriage. His father thought it best to have the boy be officially adopted by him and had the surname change so that he would inherit the business.

Unfortunately, when his father confessed to the murder of Jason Elliot, Tony Savage got killed in a shoot out and since Delnard was the present, legal son visible at the moment, he got the the major bulk of whatever remained of his father's business. 

It was really more trouble than it was worth but Delnard could not find it in his heart to leave his father's widowed second wife bereft and in financial despair.

That was why he had asked Jefferson Elliot, Jonathon's uncle, to take apart what's left of Tony Savage's business and sell them. He had stipulated that an amount of at least a quarter of a million dollars be transferred into Clarice Savage's accounts for her to use as she pleased. 

Delnard could only imagine the grief of losing a husband and a son in one night. He did not know what part Clarice had played in his father's devious plots but he would never think to punish her for what his father had done.

"Relax! You're Delnard Savage, man!" Enrique announced. "You are rich and powerful. This Jack must be hiding out of fear, man. Trust me! He's going to remain hidden."

Delnard grinned and looked at his watch. It was almost ten and his flight was at five in the morning. He was flying in his private jet but still, he wanted to leave early because he was afraid he might change his mind. Until now, Delnard was not sure whether it was the fear of danger and for his life that kept him in Spain or was it the thought of facing his mother.

"I think I should start heading home, guys. I've already set everything in order with Adela and I trust you both with my life. So, Sofia is definitely in good hands." He clamped them both on the shoulder before standing up.

"What? I thought we were going to get you hammered enough to tie you up and make you stay?" Emilio  cried with a huge grin. He stood up and enveloped Delnard in a huge hug. Enrique followed suit.

"Don't worry, Del. We'll take good care of business." 

Delnard nodded. "Yeah... I'll miss you guys!"

Enrique and Emilio howled with laughter and with a couple more hugs, Delnard turned to walk back inside the cafe and bid Adela and her daughter, Ella, farewell. 

He entered the patio door and bumped into a petite young woman with curly black hair. She was just as tall as his chest and definitely had a tiny figure so it was likely she bounced off him and staggered backward. With speed built from training with Jonathon in martial arts, Delnard reached out and steadied the girl, looking down into her dark eyes. He could not tell what color they were but they were definitely not black. 

"I'm sorry- I did not mean to bump you, señorita." He mumbled, still holding her arms.

She smiled, her eyes now twinkling with mischief that Delnard wondered why she was so happy. She did not smell of alcohol (lavender, was more like it) so she was not drunk. 

"Well, I'm not letting you off the hook, guapo! You owe me a drink!" She surprised him by grabbing one of his hands and dragging him towards the bar.

Guapo? Did she just call him handsome? Delnard thought, momentarily distracted that he did not notice he was letting himself get dragged. 

"What are you getting me, mijo?" She asked, the same exciting sparkle in her eyes made Delnard pause for a moment. 

Who was this girl? He thought. 

He definitely have not seen her before because he would definitely remember her face. She looked exotic and beautiful. Her black hair fell in delightful, graceful curls around her face making her look innocent yet wild at the same time. 

She had a small yet aristocratic nose and a pair of rosy lips which could compete with Angelina Jolie's. She looked like she was in her early twenties.

"Hey!" She called out, waving her hand in front of his face. "Are you all right? You don't have to buy me a drink you know. I was just kidding!" 

"Are you usually this enthusiastic?" Delnard finally blubbered out. He wanted to smack himself. Way to go, smooth-talker!

She laughed a full, rich sound that Delnard was suddenly reminded of Sofia and how carefree her laugh is. Whoever this woman was, she was definitely someone who did not do things half measure.

“No, I'm usually considered too serious for my own good." She replied. "But tonight, I am celebrating so..."

"Oh? What's the occasion?"

"My freedom." She blurted before slapping her hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry, did I just say that out loud?"

Delnard nodded unable to stop himself from chuckling. She was one strange character and he was definitely intrigued. 

"I'm sorry. Please forget I said that." 

Delnard saw her eyes darken with panic before she turned away and gestured to Ella who was behind the bar ordering a drink in Spanish. He was fascinated at how quickly her mood had changed from excited to nervous with slight panic. 

"Why don't I get you a bottle of our best wine?" He offered. He really had to go but something about this woman was making him stay.

"Our? Oh, you work here, guapo?" She asked, her blunder seemed forgotten for a moment.

Delnard grinned. He wanted to tell her no but something about her eyes was making it difficult for him to lie. He shook his head and told her that he owned the place.

"Delnard Savage." He introduced himself, hand extended.

She looked down on his hand then back to his face. 

"Dios Mio!" She murmured. To Delnard's surprise, she hopped off the bar stool and began to walk away. Again, with speed, he grabbed her arm.

"Wait! What did I say?" He asked not wanting to let her go.

She shook her head and tried to pull her arm away, her expression was now almost difficult to read. She looked worried and almost panicky. 

"Nothing. Forget you saw me, okay?" 

"That's unlikely! What's wrong? Are you in danger or something?" 

She gave out a laugh but it was not as hearty as the one before. It sounded forced and fake. She was still trying to pry her wrist from his grip.

"No, what makes you say that?"

Delnard raised his eyebrow and yanked her forward until she was nose to nose with him. 

"If you are in trouble, I can help you." He murmured. She was so close to him that her smell assailed his senses making him suddenly hot and bothered. Again, he asked himself who she was.

"I am not in trouble. Please, just let me go. I need to-"

"Ella, the Unico, if you please." Delnard called out to the older woman behind the bar. 

She smiled and raised an eyebrow at him asking if he was serious. He nodded and told her to bring it outside with two wine glasses.

"Seriously? You're not even listening." She hissed as Delnard dragged her behind him, heading back out to the patio. 

"You were asking for a drink a while ago, please, I am happy to oblige." He replied with a smirk.

Emilio and Enrique looked at him with surprise but did not say anything once they saw he was with a girl. Instead, they wiggled their eyebrows at him and proceeded to continue drinking inside. Delnard smiled as Ella came out of the door to serve them the bottle of wine.

"Shall I keep customers out from here?" She asked.

Delnard nodded. "That would be great, Els! Gracias!" 

Delnard continued to hold on to the girl's wrist while he stared into her dark, almost deep violet eyes. There was no longer excitement or happiness there but rather anger and if he was not mistaken, curiosity.

She wiggled her wrist once more but Delnard just shook his head, smiling at her. Why did he feel like he did not want to let go ever?