CHAPTER 2: A night to remember

The following day, John awoke in his penthouse feeling excited and anxious with thoughts about Isabelle and their enchanting night. His heart was pounding with excitement as he quickly grabbed his phone to message her.

"Good morning gorgeous, last night was amazing. Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?" He inquired, eagerly awaiting her answer.

While waiting for her reply, John left his bed and started his morning regimen. Mark, his assistant, had already planned out his busy day filled with meetings and business lunches but John was preoccupied with memories of the previous night.

Right before going to take a shower his phone vibrated with the message from Isabelle.

"Hello, I would be thrilled to meet you this evening but when and where?" Isabelle texted.

John was so excited that his heart raced and he promptly suggested a high-end restaurant in town and he scheduled the meeting by 8 pm. Isabelle agreed to the schedule and the deal was sealed.

John's heart was full of excitement for the rest of the day causing it to pass by in a blur. During his business meetings, John mechanically followed along while his thoughts continually drifted back to Isabelle and he was eager to see her once more.

As night drew near, John felt like a young student going on his inaugural date. He got to the restaurant ahead of time and was dressed well to make a good impression on Isabelle, waiting nervously for her to arrive.

Isabelle on the other hand quit her part-time work for the event, her whole day at campus was blurry with imagination of the future with her newly found friend.

A few minutes afterwards, Isabelle entered the restaurant appearing gorgeous in a red dress that accentuated her figure perfectly. John's heart came to a stop at that instant as he realized he was in serious trouble because he had lost control. He was quickly developing strong feelings for Isabelle which he couldn't keep to himself. He stood up, gazing at her upon her arrival.

"Wow, you look gorgeous" John commented, his eyes fixed on the beauty before him.

Isabelle's cheeks turned pink as she blushed and made her way to the seat in front of John.

"Thanks, you're not bad-looking either." Isabelle responded as she stated.

John and Isabelle sat down and the conversation flowed without any hitches. They talked about different subjects and exchanged laughter and smiles, filling the room with light. Despite that they met a few hours earlier, John felt an immediate bond with Isabelle as if they were long-time companions.

Immediately Isabelle settled, John ordered food suitable for the dinner and met Isabelle sertisfaction. While savoring their food and drinks, John couldn't help but notice the twinkle in Isabelle's eyes illuminated by the subdued lighting as he was captivated by her beauty, both inside and out.

The joyous night was short lived as the night went on with John's phone buzzing with a message from his sisters reminding him of his responsibilities and obligations.

"Hmmm" John took a deep breath with his heart weighing with frustration. He Let out a deep sigh with his phone fixed on his phone and half of his attention on Isabelle giving their conversation bad flowing. John could feel the weight of his legacy heavy upon him

Isabelle observed the shift in John's behavior as his attention was shifted to something else and then she extended her arm on his hand.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Isabelle inquired.

John paused for a moment, uncertain about how much to reveal. However, there was a quality in Isabelle that compelled him to be vulnerable and confide in her with his secrets and fears.

I'm only dealing with family members, their standards for me are so high that it can feel suffocating, like I'm being weighed down by stress." John whispered.

Isabelle’s eyes filled with understanding and she softly grasped his arm reassuring him that she knew the sentiment.

"Maybe if we work together we can find a way to break free from it. I feel the same too when my boss hooks me down with a lot of work… can't we just had vacation for maybe fucking two days and leave where we wouldn't be recognized" Isabelle suggested,with her eyes blinking like a bird that just break through his cage.

John felt his heart skip a beat as he heard Isabelle’s suggestion and at that instant, he realized his desire to dedicate his life to ensuring Isabelle's happiness and breaking free from his family's history.

John's gaze met Isabelle's eyes and he experienced a rush of optimism. Never before had anyone understood him in that manner, and he felt great about it. No one had ever presented him with an escape and he felt a rush of optimism as he gazed into Isabelle's eyes and filled his mouth with response.

"I suggest we leave together, you're the only one I want now" he said in a low voice. "Let's get away from the city... the loudness, the pressures, and beyond. Let's search for a space where we can truly be ourselves without facing criticism" John exclaimed.

"Yes, that's it! I want to forget about college, I want to forget my career. I just want us to be together" Isabelle gleamed with her eyes before a nod.

"I think I know somewhere,'' John suggested.

As they exited the restaurant, John and Isabelle strolled hand in hand towards his car with the night air enveloping them in an intimate embrace. Leaving the city behind, they embarked on a journey into the darkness and the headlights illuminate the winding road ahead.

As they drove, Isabelle opened up to John about her fears and uncertainties sharing the enigmatic complexities of her life. John listened intently, feeling a profound connection to her vulnerability. The silence between them was punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional passing of a car.

After what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at a secluded beach where the moon cast a silver glow over the waves and a beautiful serene mansion stood before them. Its tranquility is a stark contrast to the turmoil of their lives, both of them headed toward the mansion with smiles on their faces. As they were heading toward the mansion the ocean's rhythmic melody that enveloped them freed John from the shackles of his legacy.

He felt unencumbered and able to be himself without fear of judgment or rejection.