ISSABELLE

The next morning while Issabelle was getting ready for work, she kept thinking to herself, wasn't Cathy asking too many questions about Ryan ( Cathy's father ), and wasn't she trying to bring him into every conversation, that they had between them? She understood this to be Steven's influence over her. Though Issabelle had not hidden anything from Cathy, the facts about her marriage to Ryan, the break-up, how Ryan had turned his back on both of them, and now after so many years, when Cathy was knowing about all the harsh realities, why was she again interested in her father?

Issabelle knew very well that, Steven and Cathy were deeply in love with one another, she also understood very well, that like any other girl in love, she too might be discussing her father with Steven. That's how the discussion about Ryan must have come up between them. He being a male, would definitely have sided with Ryan.

Issabelle's worst fears were realized when after a couple of days Cathy called her up to inform her that she had seen somebody like Ryan, while she was on her way to work. Issabelle retorted that how could it be him. Ryan very well knew that Issabelle would never forgive him, and he had no place in their lives. He gave up all his rights, the day he had denied Cathy to be his child. Issabelle tried to lighten up the conversation between them, by asking Cathy, how the house-hunting was going about? She asked Cathy to inform her, once something materialized.

Issabelle glanced at her watch, not wanting to be late as she had a meeting with Jimmy a renowned photographer for a photoshoot. As she was launching a new collection at her boutique, of ready to wear dresses, targeting teenagers. She was supposed to meet him at 10 am, at the coffee shop. Issabelle considered Jimmy to be only a business associate, but if given a chance he wouldn't mind establishing a personal relationship with Issabelle, which he often tried to tell her. He was a perfectionist in his field, the way Issabelle was in her field. He always would try to convince Issabelle to get married to him. He was quite young, just 32 yrs, while Issabelle was 39 yrs.

Issabelle reached 10 minutes late for the meeting. Jimmy came forward to greet her and was wanting to kiss her, but she gently fended him off with her outstretched hand and avoided his kiss. When he started flirting with her, she gently warned him, that she meant only business, and hoped that he was OK with it. They discussed the fashion shoot while having coffee. It was decided that the photo shoot would be held on the weekend, at an upmarket restaurant in their locality, having an attached lounge bar. Following the photo shoot, they planned a fashion show, where Issabelle would display haute couture, her new fashion line for women in their thirties. She would be presenting it to the movers and shakers of society. Issabelle would herself be the showstopper for the show.

Jimmy and Issabelle planned to have dinner the same night, at that restaurant and lounge bar, and simultaneously discuss organizing their fashion show, with the owner of the hotel, who was a very good friend of Jimmy. Issabelle decided to meet Jimmy at 8 pm, at that hotel.

Issabelle reached sharp at 8 pm and found Jimmy waiting for her. They were served with starters, followed by very good health-conscious dishes, followed by the main course. Issabelle liked both the food as well as the ambiance there. ( She had made up her mind, that after discussion with Cathy, she could probably host their wedding breakfast at that place. Cathy had informed Issabelle, that her mother- in- law, would be hosting the wedding reception at their mansion, in their large garden). After finishing their dinner, Jimmy and Issabelle had a glass of champagne. While she was sipping on her drinks, Jimmy suddenly pointed out to her that, that on the table to their right there was a man, who had persistently been gazing at Issabelle all evening. He told her to just casually tilt her head to the right, and watch him. Issabelle did just that, the man seated at that table was staring at her, and he was none other than her ex-husband Ryan. Issabelle could not believe her eyes, because that same day she had told Cathy confidently, that how was it possible that Ryan would come back, and that too after so many years. Issabelle started feeling dizzy, she was in shock after seeing Ryan. Jimmy excused himself to take a call and left her alone. At the same moment, she saw Ryan alighting from his chair, and walking towards her chair.