ISSABELLE

Ryan dressed up and left for work. While Issabelle was deciding to have a shower and dress up, the phone started ringing. It was Emma on the phone. Emma laughingly told Issabelle, "Well you turned out to be a dark horse, isn't it Issabelle?" She continued that, "Though I am not completely surprised, if I may say so. Despite all your protests for last so many years, I strongly had a feeling Issabelle, that you still loved him. As both of you had been so much in love with each other, how could those feelings be destroyed? By the way, I am so happy for both of you, that you'll are back together again. Just as if you'll have fallen in love once again."

Issabelle was sure that Emma would have got the news from Cathy. She was glad that Ryan had gone off for some work, or he would have seen her flushed face as also her tear-filled eyes.

Emma had not yet finished her excitement speech, she stated, "How nice, it's like being young once again Issabelle. Also, you are so fortunate, that you still have got a fabulous figure"

Issabelle corrected her that, the figure had nothing to do with good sex life. But Emma replied that a twenty-year-old, had a great advantage over, a forty-year-old. She can do it in any position she likes, without worrying about what her partner would think of seeing her unclothed, flabby body full of stretch marks. Issabelle laughingly replied, "You and me, we are in our forties, not in eighties Emma, why are you so much worried?"

"Cathy said that when she came to your bedroom, you had no energy left to lift your head from the pillow, while Ryan ....." Emma started laughing, not able to complete her words.

Emma that was not exhaustion, it was in fact embarrassment, Issabelle said. She then questioned Emma, who had given her all this information? Emma replied, "It was your assistant Lisa, who fed me with the information. I then rang up, Cathy and confirmed the news with her." Issabelle embarrassingly replied that she was getting late for a meeting and would catch up with Emma later, and disconnected the call. Emma was not the only one to call, she kept on receiving calls from curious people, to confirm the news. Issabelle was about to take the phone off the hook when Cathy called up. She said that "Mom, I have been trying to get you for ages." She didn't wait for Issabelle to reply that all those calls were thanks all due to her. Cathy excitedly told her, that she and Steven were going to see the house again, and they wanted her to join them.

Hearing the excitement in Cathy's voice, melted away Issabelle's anger. Issabelle replied that she would take time, as she was going for a shower. It would be better if they went ahead, and she would join them afterward. Cathy replied that they were going to collect the keys, and would pick her up on the way. Issabelle agreed to that.

Issabelle hurriedly finished a shower, and wrapping herself in a towel, she came out of the bathroom. She discarded her towel and pulled on a clean pair of briefs from the drawer when she heard a knocking sound on her bedroom door. Thinking it to be Cathy, she said "Come in darling, you don't need to knock."

The door opened, but it was Ryan and not Cathy. He stood at the entrance taking a look at Issabelle's naked figure and tangled hair. Instinctively Issabelle wrapped around a towel. She questioned him "Why are you here, Cathy was supposed to pick me up?"

"What's wrong with you Issabelle? What is your problem?" Before Issabelle could realize, he reached her and took hold of her shoulders. She tried pushing him away. But the warmth of his body, his shirt rubbing against her nipples, and the betrayal of her hard nipples, Issabelle was worried would be noticed by Ryan. She remembered Emma's words, that part, of her, still loved Ryan. She remembered that in the morning she had panicked seeing Ryan. But she then remembered all that had transpired between them the previous night and the way her body had responded to him. She had then realized that it was not just physical lust, but she had an emotional connection to him. How could she still love Ryan, after the way that he had hurt her? But a voice inside her mind kept on repeating, that Issabelle you should forgive Ryan. But then she kept on answering herself "What if he again hurts her? She would not be able to bear that."

"Issabelle it's alright", Ryan said softly. He held her tightly in his arms, never wanting her to go, wanting to protect her. It was as though Ryan was able to read her mind, and understood her agony and torment. Issabelle realized that he was actually caring for her, and was not wanting to hurt her. Ryan then realized that she was stark naked in his arms. He was aroused by her sight. He kissed her on the lips, followed by her throat and nipples, and told her that, "Before I change my mind and take you back to bed Issabelle, please dress up." He told her that, if she didn't want others to think that they were making love and that they cannot bear to separate themselves from one another, then she better hurry up. Issabelle rushed to grab her bra and clothes that she had spread out on the bed. She wore a black knee-length dress, with cream flowers printed on them. She was looking a thorough professional in that dress. Ryan helped her with the buttons but his finger stayed a little too long near her breast. He then brought his neck down and bent to kiss her nipples, lingering a bit too long, to kiss the valley between her breast.

Issabelle wore a cream jacket over the dress, wore her shoes, and slipped out of the bedroom. Locking the door of the house behind them, they drove off to Cathy's place.