Run, Isabelle, Run!

Chapter 4

Isabelle gathered her things and started stuffing them inside her bag. It was time to move on although, she really did not want to because she had actually made a home for herself in New York. Yanking the rest of her delicate garments from the drawer, she began folding them one by one and she knew in her heart she was stalling.

With a sigh, Isabelle fell backwards unto her single bed. Her eyes roamed the ceiling of her rented apartment from its chipped paint, creaky cabinets and doors as well as its malfunctioning heating system. It was a far cry from her corner room in the family villa where she had a huge queen bed, beautiful wallpaper, a huge walk-in closet and everything a girl could dream of.

But it had also been a prison cell and she would rather be in this ratty apartment, working as a bartender in the strip club just a street away. 

She sighed and closed her eyes. It had been two months since she left Granada aboard a cargo plane that Alejandro had managed to plan out for her. She arrived in port wearing her disguise. She breezed in easily through immigration with the help of her fake identification. Then, she welcomed her new life.

It had been difficult to get a good paying job but because of her training as a Castillo, she was able to land a job as a bartender. Although, the owner of the gentleman's club would rather have her on stage and being ogled, Isabelle would never submit herself to stripping even if it paid better. 

It was not because she looked at the strippers in a lowly manner. Far from it. She knew those women and listened to their stories at how they needed a job to make ends meet. She respected them and marveled their strength. Of course, the world was not perfect nor ideal and there were some girls who really did the job for the thrill of it. 

She was glad that she landed the bartending job. She lived and grew up around guys so she was more comfortable with those things than dancing or stripping. Besides, she had limited experience when it came to men. In fact, she only had been kissed, like how a man should kiss a woman, once! And that very same kiss was the reason why she had to pack up and move!

She had been shocked when she recognized him last night. She had not expected to see him drunk and worse in a strip club! But she knew it was a bachelor party although, she hoped it was not for Delnard. 

Well, the magazines did call him the hottest number one bachelor in town. Her face suddenly felt hot. Yes, she had read everything she could about him. She even got a subscription just so she could have information about him. 

Isabelle remembered how many times she had looked at his wallet and the photos he kept there. She did not use his cash or his card. In fact, the wallet remained as it was, tucked under her drawer. The only thing she got from it was his photo. 

There were moments when she wanted to actually call him. She could remember how he had offered help and with his connections and wealth, he could really help her out in her situation. Still, that would mean involving him with family business and Isabelle knew Castillo family business was a nasty one. No, she could not put him in harms way.

Ugh! Tonto del culo, Isabelle! She muttered, closing her eyes and raking her hands through her curls. "Stupid! Stupid! You have it bad for this guy and you've only known him in less than 24 hours!"

She rolled over her bed, scattering clothes on the floor as her bag fell on the floor with a loud thump. Oh but that kiss- it was amazing! It did not matter if Alejandro said that it might have felt that way because it was her first real kiss with passion. 

Isabelle sighed as her lips tingled in response to her thoughts. Perhaps Alejandro was right and she did not have anything to compare that kiss with but if there was something that would top that one, Isabelle was afraid she won't survive.

A loud knock interrupted her and before she could scramble off the bed, her apartment door opened and Erin, one of her friends in the bar, came barging in.

"So, you're really leaving?" She cried, her blonde hair was in curlers and she looked like she had just woken up from her afternoon nap and went directly a two flights down towards Isabelle's apartment. 

Isabelle looked at her bedroom and the clothes strewn all over the place. She groaned and began trying to pick them up and folding them to fit her bag. She did not have that many clothes but it seemed like it was taking her ages to pack up.

"I have to! Something came up." Isabelle managed to blurt out before she could panic. Among the people in the club, Erin was the closest to her. She was only 2 years older than Isabelle and have acted like a big sister to her.

"What?" 

Isabelle swallowed. She tried buying time by shuffling across the room, pulling clothes that had scattered. She did not know what to tell Erin, actually. She did not plan anything because she thought she could disappear and slip away unnoticed. 

"I-um- I'm just leaving, okay?" She muttered.

Erin marched towards her and sat on her bed. 

"Bella, what is going on? Are you in trouble? Honey, you know I can help you with anything."

Isabelle cringed. Nobody knew she was Isabelle, they knew her as Bella and since it was a gentleman's club, a beautiful girl like her did not need that much information to get a job. She did not want anybody to find out who she was. 

Ever since she disappeared, Isabelle had been watching the news and there were a couple of reports that people were looking for Inigo Castillo's daughter. She was not surprised that in public, her family were keeping a cool and collected front. They had managed to make the press believe that she was in vacation somewhere remote and private. The world did not question this because the Castillos did have a lot of privately owned resorts around the world.

But she knew better. 

Alejandro called her last month and told her that there was chaos and pandemonium in the family. There were plenty of men sent out to find her. Her father was livid, her mother and Iago worried sick while Alberto was beyond angry. He was banking on her to seal the deal for one of the clients and the night before the briefing, she had disappeared. 

Alejandro had told her that if she was still missing for another month, Alberto would personally lead the search team. They wanted her back and they were going to do everything in the family's power to get her back. 

It would have been a comforting thought but Isabelle knew the real reason why the family just could not let go of her. Oh, she did not doubt their love and affection but she also knew that her usefulness in the business held a higher price. They wanted her for her talents more than they had wanted her as their daughter or sister.

"Erin, you and your boyfriend have already done a lot for me. I mean, I wouldn't have easily landed that job in the club and this apartment if you did not help me." Isabelle replied, smiling at the woman on her bed. "You and Jay, you're like family to me in this foreign country. But, I think it's time that I move along- discover new places."

Another knock interrupted them and in came the club's manager, Greg. He looked stressed out and he did not even notice the underwear in display. Isabelle did though so she quickly blocked him from getting in the room any further.

"Bella, you can't leave just yet. Anette was taken to the hospital!" He announced, breathing heavily. Anette was her fellow bartender and Greg's on and off girlfriend. "I need for you to cover her shift for tonight. Some important men are coming and I need my best crew on board."

"What happened to Anette?"

"We had a fight- and, well, she ran out of the club. A car was swerving and she got hit." He cried. "Thank goodness she was just badly bruised and no broken bones but she needs the night off. Heck! I have to take the night off as well because I need to make up for being such an asshole, y'know!" 

"I resigned, Greg! I have to leave today!" Isabelle cried.

Greg clasped her hands together with his and pleaded. Isabelle was having a hard time saying no. Anette and Greg were also really nice to her. In fact, if she gathered Erin, Jay, Anette and Greg- they would be her family here in New York. 

The familiar call of loyalty to family was creeping inside Isabelle's heart even though her head was screaming that she was making a mistake.

"Please, Bella. I really, really, really need you to do me this favor." 

Isabelle looked at Greg's face and if it were not a serious situation, she would have giggled at how silly it looked. Greg was 6'3 in height with big biceps and had that menacing look of a gangster but nobody knew except the close employees of the club that he was actually a sweetheart. 

"Fine. This will be my last night, you understand?" She sighed and rolled her eyes at Erin who was laughing on the bed. 

Isabelle fell on the bed and closed her eyes the minute Erin and Greg left. She figured that she might be running from her real family but she could never get rid herself of loyalty. Isabelle also knew about gratitude. 

With another sigh, she looked at the watch; she had at least four more hours of sleep before her shift began, might as well make the most of it. She grabbed a pillow and fell asleep.

"I would like to make a toast," Delnard held his goblet of wine up and addressed the people in the ballroom, all celebrating Sofia and Jon's special day. He then turned his attention to the newly weds seated on his right side. 

"To my brother, Jonathon and my best friend, Sofia- you know I love you both to the moon and back. I remember that I told you years ago Jon, if you ever make her cry or hurt her, I would beat your sorry ass. I'm glad I haven't had the privilege yet...Still, just to remind you brother, it's a lifetime promise..."

He smiled warmly at Sofia who was giggling beside Jonathon, who was laughing as well.

"My lovely, dearest Sofia," He continued. "I know how lucky Jonathon is because he has found someone like you. I owe you a lot for making this miserable old coot quite happy and completely blessed. I wish nothing but the best for both of you and may you continue being such an inspiration to couples around the world. Just so you know, Sofia, I get the honor of naming your future child's middle name..."

Sofia laughed and nodded, blowing him a kiss.

"To Mr and Mrs. Jonathon Elliot!" 

Delnard leaned over to give Sofia a kiss and a hug for Jonathon before settling down. He watched and laughed as people started calling for a kiss from the couple. Soon, everyone was having a grand time on the dance floor and Delnard found himself by the bar with Jonathon, they were watching Sofia dance with her dad and Jefferson dancing with her mother.

"Sofia told me not to let you drink anything but wine or the champagne." Jonathon said handing Delnard a glass of whiskey. 

Delnard smiled gratefully and got the glass from Jonathon. 

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Because what I'm about to tell you, well, I just have a feeling you're going to need it." Jonathon replied, a thin smile decorating his face. "I wanted to tell you earlier but you have to forgive me man, it's my wedding day!"

Delnard sipped the whiskey and shrugged. 'What's it about? Is it about Jack?"

Jonathon shook his head. "It's about that girl last night." 

Delnard felt his skin tingle and he looked at Jonathon closely. "Huh?"

"Before you fell down and got knocked out, you were calling out to a girl in the club. You called her Isabelle." Jonathon reported, watching the emotions play across Delnard's face. He signaled the bartender another drink as Delnard closed his eyes and plopped down on the stool, head on his hand.

"Wait- didn't I throw you a bachelor party in a gentleman's club? Why would she end up being there? Tell me, Jon, was she one of the strippers?" He asked. 

He knew it sounded silly and that in his mind, he would not mind if she was a stripper. All he really wanted to do was see her and get to know who she really was.

Jonathon shrugged, handing the drink to Delnard. "I don't know, man. I think she did not belong there. I thought she had the same aura as Sofia- innocent but feisty. Besides, I'm not sure you're even sure about anything that time... I mean, you were drunk as a sailor."

Delnard sighed and drank the whiskey shot in one gulp. 

"If I knew her while I was drunk, then I must be hallucinating. What did the girl look like?" 

"She was a little bit petite- a bit shorter than Sofia. She had curly hair but I'm not sure if her eyes were black or just dark in color. It was a club- pretty difficult to remember a face who was not stripping." Jonathon replied. He touched Delnard's arm. "Look, D- I was hesitant in telling you right away. I mean, I don't want to get your hopes up. I don't want to cause you another heart break after what I did to you in the past."

"Why are you telling me now?" 

"Because I know about regret and I know how difficult it is to deal with not trying for the one you love. Come on, Del. It's pretty clear you're smitten with this woman or this Isabelle. I've known you for so long man! How many women have been in and out of your life? Most of them were nameless faces. I think the only woman I have seen you stick it out with was with my wife..."

Delnard smiled and looked out on the dance floor. Sofia was laughing out loud, her head thrown back, joy lighting up her whole being. He sighed. If he closed his eyes, he would see Isabelle laughing loudly at his magic joke.

"I know it's risky. But, who knows? Maybe that girl in the club happens to be your Isabelle and maybe she isn’t but I think, we both know it's worth a shot, right?" 

Delnard looked at him confused. "What?"

"Man, go! The party's winding down anyway. Go back to that club and go see if she's the girl you've been mourning for two freakin' months!" Jonathon cried, chuckling.

"Are you sure? I mean, I'm your best man. I should be shouting embarrassing stuff about you and Sofia while you two run off to have your honeymoon!" Delnard reasoned out but he was standing up already. 

"I'm sure man! Go! I'll explain everything to my wife- geesh, I can't believe I can finally call her that!" Jonathon retorted.

"Okay! Wow- this is- I dunno- I'm worried and scared and-" Delnard stammered, running his hand through his hair. "Thanks man- I'm going to go-"

"Excuse me? Mr. Savage?" 

Jonathon and Delnard looked at the person standing in front of them. 

"Emily! Don't tell me you're working?” Delnard exclaimed. 

"Not really but there's a package for you." She replied, smiling. "I found it as I was placing my gift for Jon and Sofia. It's a bit weird since it's my first time seeing a present for the best man that came from a guest."

Delnard and Jonathon looked down at the small elegantly wrapped package that Emily was holding. They exchanged a look of understanding. They were both worried that it would be something dangerous since it was anonymously sent. But, if it got past the K9 dogs and security set up of the hotel, then it did not contain any explosives. 

Jonathon watched as Delnard was torn between going and opening the package to make sure it was not some dangerous material. He grabbed the package and turned to Delnard.

“Go! I'll sort this out." He said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'll wait for you before we open it. Right now, I think you need to take care of something important. I have to tell you man, she looked panicked and she bolted out of that club. I have a strong feeling she doesn't want to see you so you'd better go there before she has time to leave and disappear again."

Delnard nodded, smiling at Jonathon gratefully. 

"Thanks again, man! Wish me luck!" He said, hugging Jonathon and then a confused Emily. Before he walked away he told Jonathon to be careful with the package.

"Just go already!" Jonathon cried, shoving him.

Delnard grinned, his heart beating fast. Could it be possible? What were the chances that she would be in New York too? 

He did not know the girl more than 24 hours and she was already leaving him with a bucket worth of questions. Besides, he wanted to know who knocked him out while they were kissing and why she thought she should steal his wallet.

He gave his card to the valet and waited for his car to be brought around. He paced the floor, anxious and at the same time excited. He did not have any plans. Hell, he did not even know what to say to her. But one thing was for sure, Delnard thought as he got into his car.

If it's really you, Isabelle, He thought, stepping on the accelerator and speeding out. I'm not letting you go this time!