150 Unclad (1/2)

If Isabella had fallen asleep then, maybe she would have been alright by the time she got home but that wasn't the case.

She couldn't even get mad at Carl, after all she wasn't his visitor but his sister's. There was no way she could go pull him out from wherever he was hiding. Besides, they were not close enough for her to do that.

Lunch passed by with both Kim and Bella lost in their thoughts, distracted by matters of the heart.

Not long after, evening snuck up on them. They both weren't aware until Bella's phone rang.

Isabella's eyes widened when she saw the caller. She realized he must have found out her whereabouts.

Calming her panicky heart, she answered the phone.

”I specifically told you to stay away from him, didn't I?” That was the first question he threw at her.

”Brother…” She tried making excuses but there were none.

He chided lightly, ”You're as stubborn as always Bell, return home, now.”

His command left no room for discussion.

”I can't get a taxi from this place easily.” She revealed.

”Ben will be there shortly.” As soon as he was done talking, he hung up.

”I have to go,” She said to Kim who nodded absentmindedly.

Realizing what Bella said, she paused, ”So soon? We were meant to return to school together.”

”Sorry, my brother had to spoil our plan. Next time, I guess.” She replied almost sobbing.

She repeated, ”Next time, I guess.”

Bella jogged upstairs to collect her bag before heading back down.

As they were in the Upper Province, it didn't take long for Ben to arrive. Thereby dumping her expectations in the garbage.

Just like that, her exciting weekend turned horrible and she had no one to blame.

Dinner passed by and Carl was still locked up in the basement, making certain amendments and arrangements for his company.

At first, he only wanted something that he could live comfortably by. Only after experiencing being bullied and forced to work for others did he understand he had to grow powerful no matter the cost. At least to be able to protect what he holds dear.

When he came out for dinner he found out that Chamberlain had asked his sister to return home, much to his relief.

He did not even bother to ask if Chamberlain was already aware that he moved or how he found out.

It did not matter.

He quietly had dinner before heading to bed, leaving Kim to stare at his back until he disappeared from view completely.

…

Chamberlain's house,

”How wonderful to know you've become so disobedient as to disregard my words.”

Coincidentally, Bella returned at the same time as him.

”I'm guessing you want to return to the capital,” he threatened.

Isabella was so frightened she began sweating.

If there was anyone she feared, it had to be her father. So why then would she want to go back to their home in the capital.