Isabella~
"Why did you flee from that building, Xavier? You know we have a chance to apprehend him." I looked at him angrily as he was running from Jonathan.
"Use your common sense, Bella; you have no idea how dangerous Jonathan is. He's not like Jordan. If we don't flee from him, he will kill us." He looked behind to check whether Jonathan was still following us or not, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for any sign of pursuit.
"But now, how will we bring justice to Laila?" As we paused near the police station, I questioned him again, my voice trembling with frustration.
"For now, let's put Laila out of our minds; we need to get back to the United States," he said, his tone curt. He asked me not to overthink this, but the words felt like a dismissal, and my chest tightened.
James made me sit on the bench. His heavy breathing and sweat dripping down his forehead gave me an idea of how exhausting carrying me must have been. Despite his weariness, he cast me a reassuring smile, as if trying to defuse the tension brewing between Xavier and me.
"What are we going to the police station for?" I asked, noticing Xavier's hurried steps toward the entrance.
"We are returning to the USA, and we came here to get police help to safely send us back."
His aggressive tone left no room for argument. I could tell by the way his jaw clenched and his shoulders stiffened that he had already made up his mind.
"No, Xavier, I don't want to go back without taking Jonathan with me," I said, shaking my head with determination.
"Don't be so childish, Bella. You already saw his cruelty," he snapped, his anger bubbling to the surface.
I met his gaze, refusing to back down.
"But if we leave now, we're letting him win. We're letting him erase Laila's memory like she never existed!" My voice cracked, but I pressed on, holding my ground.
James cleared his throat, stepping between us as the tension thickened.
"Bella is correct, Xavier. We are quite near to Jonathan, so I don't think we should pass up this chance," he said cautiously, siding with me.
Xavier's glare could have cut through steel.
"James, at least use your brain. Do you realize what we're risking? This isn't a simple case—it's our lives on the line."
I had never witnessed him in such a state of fear before. His blue eyes, usually so steady and calm, now brimmed with unspoken worry.
"Xavier, you are free to return to the USA if you wish to, but I will remain here until I have completed my task." I refused to budge, my voice unwavering.
He stepped closer, his frustration radiating off him.
"Why don't you get it, Bella? It's quite dangerous. Jonathan won't hesitate to kill us if he finds out where we are."
His words hung in the air, heavy with truth, but I couldn't abandon everything now. Not when we were this close.
"I have a plan," I said finally, my voice steady despite the doubt flickering in his eyes.
He hesitated, studying my face.
"Are you sure, Bella, that this will work out?" His tone softened slightly, but his gaze remained skeptical.
"Don't worry, Xavier. I am 100% sure," I reassured him, blinking at him with confidence I wasn't entirely sure I felt.
I turned to James, seeking his agreement.
"James, I hope you can do this."
James hesitated, glancing between Xavier and me.
"Bella, I don't think I am a perfect choice for this task."
I patted his shoulder with a firm smile. "You are the perfect choice, James. I trust you."
The European police agreed to help us and provided a safe place to spend the night. Despite their cooperation, I could see the unease lingering on Xavier's face.
"Bella, why are you so stubborn?" Xavier questioned me as soon as we reached our room, his voice a mix of exasperation and concern.
For the first time since our argument, we were alone, and the weight of our mission momentarily lifted.
"Xavier, please stop all this for a moment; we've finally had some alone time," I said softly, wanting to let go of the tension for just a while.
He sighed heavily, his shoulders relaxing slightly. Sitting beside me, he gazed at me with a disappointed expression.
As I sensed his closeness, my heartbeat accelerated. He kissed me before I could say anything. His lips were soft, his touch gentle yet fervent. I felt like I was on fire as his hand brushed my cheek.
We were sweating profusely despite the chilly weather of Italy, the heat between us making the world outside fade away.
"Bella, good morning." When I opened my eyes in the morning, I saw Xavier staring at my face.
"Did you not sleep through the night?" I asked, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I didn't want to miss the beautiful chance to stare at your face without interruption," he said, kissing my forehead and tucking my hair behind my ear.
My heart swelled at his words. I had always yearned for his affection, and now that I had it, I felt as though I was living my dream.
We knocked on James' door to wake him up after finishing breakfast. Today was a big day for us since we were going to execute our plan to catch Jonathan. The way he had threatened us lingered in my mind, fueling my determination.
James groaned as he opened the door, rubbing his eyes.
"Let me sleep a little longer, Xavier."
"We need to go shopping now, James; our time is limited," Xavier said, his tone firm but teasing.
I couldn't help but smile at their banter as we stepped into James' room, urging him to get ready. After shopping for our plan, I asked James to prepare himself for his role.
When James emerged from the restroom, my jaw dropped. He had transformed entirely, his appearance unrecognizable.
Dressed like a lady, he struck a pose, his expression a mix of embarrassment and mischief.
Xavier let out a low whistle, crossing his arms.
"Well, James, if this doesn't work, you might have a backup career waiting for you."
I stifled a laugh, unable to tear my eyes away. You look perfect, James, "I said, nodding encouragingly. But in the back of my mind, unease simmered.
We were stepping into dangerous territory, and though humor lightened the mood, the weight of what lay ahead pressed on my chest. This plan had to work—failure wasn't an option.