ISSABELLE

Eight o'clock, Issabelle reminded herself.

Just on the entrance of the pub, she saw one of her client Dennis, who had accompanied his mother and sister to her boutique a few days back, and then he had subsequently, proposed to her for marriage. Which she had immediately refused. On seeing Issabelle, he came to meet her at the pub very enthusiastically. He looked appreciatively at Issabelle. Dennis was probably hoping that she would still change her mind. He greeted her and gently kissed her hand. This was noted by Ryan who was sitting facing the entrance. Ryan immediately came over to her side. Issabelle had no other option, so she introduced the two men. Issabelle had a feeling that what she saw in Ryan's eyes was pure male jealousy. He must be envious to see that, people found her desirable. The other day it was Jimmy and now Dennis. Though all these thoughts boosted Issabelle's sagging ego. But she fell that she was in no mood to play power games than.

Ryan asked Issabelle whether she would like to go for some drinks, or directly go to the restaurant? Issabelle replied, to the restaurant. Ryan commented that "You seem to be very well known around here." Issabelle replied that she had a lot of business contacts. To which he retorted and, a very successful one too. Issabelle replied whether he found that surprising. Ryan replied that he wasn't surprised, but was humbled with the knowledge. He said that he always knew that Issabelle had a fire within her, that just needed to be ignited. But he was always wanting to be the provider so that she could stay at home. He told Issabelle that he was both humbled but also hurt. He was humbled that how fiercely she had clung to her independence, and brought Cathy up with so much love and care, giving her security at the same time, so that Cathy could follow her dreams. He was hurt by the facts, that it must have been a very tough time for Issabelle, balancing, home, nurturing a child, and working, all at the same time. He told Issabelle that he blamed himself for all that she had to bear, all that she must have suffered. Ryan then said, "When Cathy told me that you had no men in your life, I believed her completely. What could any man have offered to you Issabelle, that you don't have?"

"I used to believe that I was the stronger one, and I had always wanted to nurture you, support you financially, emotionally, in every way possible. I was but proven wrong Issabelle, though I am very happy seeing you independent, and for the name, that you have made for yourself. But I am equally hurt, that you had to bear these difficulties, all because of me. I ask for your forgiveness Issabelle."

Issabelle replied, "I worked very hard, not for myself. I personally didn't want any commercial success. It was because, I didn't want Cathy to ever feel that she did not have any of those things, that other children had. I didn't want her to lag behind other children her age, in any way. I struggled hard for success, not for myself, but for Catherine's sake. But I know how you make me feel? You make me feel that I have failed Cathy, that I have put, commercial needs before her needs. I feel as if I have been less lovable. Because of the things that she had confided to Steven and then to you. I feel that I have not brought her up with enough love and care."

Saying that Issabelle broke down. Her eyes welled up with tears, she could not bear anymore, and she just walked out of the restaurant, towards her car parked, in the parking lot. She did not realize that Ryan followed her up to her car, he gently took her in his arms, and turned her to face him. He told her, "Why did you assume that I would feel that, you have not brought up Cathy well? In fact, you have brought her up much better than I could ever have. Just be assured Issabelle that I would never hurt you." Ryan gently wiped away her tears, and brought his head down towards her and gently kissed her on the lips. His kissing then became harder, trying to elicit a response from her, his tongue trying to part her lips, and than going within as if to find some hidden treasure. His fingers were stroking her back gently and then held her tightly as if he never wanted her to go away, or escape from his arms. Issabelle also started to respond to his kisses, she knew that she could not control his onslaught, of those hard kisses. She started kissing him back with equal passion, not wanting to separate from him, aroused with desire. She knew that Ryan was equally aroused. Issabelle muttered that what they were doing was very wrong. But he replied back, that it was not wrong, but standing outside the car and kissing one another, in full view of the public was wrong. He took the car keys from Issabelle, and gently put her in the passenger seat, and then started to kiss her with more vigor. His hand cupped her breast and found them to be very hard. His fingers started teasing her nipples, drawing them to a peak. She too started to caress him, feeling his manliness with her hands, stroking it gently, and then firmly. She gave a moaning when Ryan started to kiss her nipples firmly. She was unable to control herself, she wanted him to take her there and then. Ryan was equally aroused, he told her that, "Please Issabelle let's go to your place." She agreed to Ryan's request, and they drove off to her place.