Chapter 3 The Meeting

"In all our years of friendship, I have never seen you like this," Carlos said smiling while he drove to the store. Christiano said softly "People evolve" and they both laughed out loud.

They took their time selecting clothes that could help Christiano blend in as his search for true love began.

"I will see you tomorrow" Carlos said waving goodbye as Christiano dropped him off.

...

"Oh my head" she softly said as she dragged herself off the bed in the small cottage. She had cried all day two days earlier with no food. Isabella walked to the kitchen to make coffee so she could feel better.

Having no friends left as everyone despised her, she was left to lick her wounds alone. "I will fight back and I will get back on my feet," she thought as she sipped her coffee.

She had learnt in school that daily exercise helps with one's mood, so she decided to jog the next morning just to leave the house.

"I would not take that path if I were you," a masculine voice said behind her. Looking back it was Heberto, her high school classmate, her eyes widened and she immediately went to hug him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Heberto invited her to the gym so they could catch up later that day and she obliged.

"Goodbye," she said, smiling at him as he jogged towards the hill. Feeling relieved that the universe sent her friend to comfort her, Isabella walked back home so she wouldn't go missing.

She went to meet Mara the sorcerer to know the recent happenings in the palace since everyone despised her for something she knew nothing about.

Looking at her with sorrow in her eyes and holding Isabella's hands Mara the Sorcerer said "Your betrothed heard about your parents and on arrival, Rolando told him you caused their death, so he broke the engagement"

Falling to the ground, Isabella cried bitterly. She looked forward to his visit. "Ah! Why me?" She said with tears rolling down uncontrollably from her eyes. She walked back to her small cottage, the only place where she had shelter.

"But Dad I told you I was working on it, please let me do it my way" Christiano said holding the phone. As the door opened, it was Carlos who came to show him their monthly account audits for the year.

Waving at him to come in, Christiano said "Goodbye Dad, love you," and he hung up.

"It looks really good Carlos and we are hitting the numbers," Christiano said smiling.

Handing Carlos a cup of coffee, Carlos said "Thank you" and immediately added, "I know of a gym around here, run by some random guy called Heberto and it looks good. We should check it out. " Smiling sheepishly Christiano replied "Ahha! My friend is on my side," agreeing with Carlos.

Christiano and Carlos went to the gym thirty minutes later after coffee. As they walked in they assessed the gym. To the immediate left of the entrance was the reception desk with a young-looking lady in her late teens. She smiled at them as they walked in and they both responded with a nod.

Opposite the reception desk was the retail section where workout gear, supplements, water bottles and protein shakes were sold with the price tags neatly on them.

Seeing a waiting lounge, Carlos and Christiano sat there to observe what was happening but shortly after the receptionist walked up to them saying "Welcome to Balance Fitness, how may we be of service gentlemen?" "Thank you, " said Carlos. "Please can we see your packages?"

"Of course" she said handing them the pricelist.

They both looked through the pricelist and service booklet handed to them. Immediately Carlos interrupted. "See" he said reducing his tone and looking towards the right entrance door.

It was two beautiful skinny ladies smiling and walking down the hallway.

Chritiano's eyes stood for a minute to examine them, looking uninterested, he returned his attention to the booklet.

"What? Don't you like them?" Carlos inquired. "No I don't" he retorted without looking up. They decided to choose the Silver package since it was very flexible. Carlos gave the lady his credit card and collecting the receipt they both left.

"We'll keep looking," Carlos said smiling at Christiano. Christiano got a business call that would take him to the palace that day and they both drove down. After sitting with the investors from the oil company from the Far East, they were urged to stay the night but Christiano insisted on going back to his small vacation house.

"Take care," Carlos said as Christiano dropped him off and drove down to the wine bar to ease stress instead of going home.

Walking into the bar, Christiano saw a beautiful light-skinned lady nicely sitting and sipping her wine.

On a closer look, she had a signature beauty mark on her chin which added a lot of uniqueness and charm compared to all the women he had seen.

The skin of her neck was smooth and glowing showcasing her elegance. Coming closer Christiano perceived a faint scent of jasmine and rose flower finely mixed. This made him stare. The bar attendant asked, "Prosecco, Barolo or Chianti which wine would you have?" "Chianti" Christiano replied without easing his eyes from the lady and wondering what she was doing here at this time without company.

Again he was distracted by the sound of the wine pouring into the glass cup. Once the bar attendant handed him his drink, he made his move.

"Hello," he said walking closer and smiling a glass of wine in his hand, the lady responded "Hi". "Who is this man?" She thought as she carefully assessed him. He had a well-defined facial feature and, a strong jawline graced with prominent cheekbones. With an olive skin tone, his eyes looked so expressive, almond-shaped, bathed with thick dark lashes. The natural curly waves of his hair added to his romantic charm.

Though looking simply dressed, he possessed well-defined lips that complimented his strong features alongside his athletic build which enchanted her the more.

"I do not have anything to lose," she thought. So Isabella asked "Are you new around here?" "Yes," he replied. "I am as well," she said softly.

Out of curiosity, Christiano asked, "What is a beautiful damsel doing here all by herself?" Knowing that she was tipsy, Isabella tried hard to comport herself and she wouldn't discuss her ordeals with anyone, at least not a stranger.

Staring hard at him with a seductive look in her eyes she said "I am trying to get fresh air.."