WITH TRUST AND REGRET

Soon, Isabel found herself in the DelaVega's mansion. Everyone was nice to her and she met almost all of the family members. It occurred to her that not all them were living in the mansion, it seemed they all came just to welcome her. After the introduction, Grandpa DelaVega asked Carlisle to send her to his house which he obliged. In the car, Isabel was nervous but she decided to make things clear between them when they arrived.

When they reached home, Isabel looked around her surrounding trying to familiarize herself with the house. Frankly speaking, the house was enormously huge and elegant. The interiors were very exquisite and mesmirizing. All the househelps in the house introduced themselves to her per Carlisle's instructions. They were only three to be precise. The male Butler, the female cook and the female househelp. After thier introduction, they went to thier respective working area, leaving only Isabel and Carlisle there. Before Carlisle could talk, Isabel who had been quite the whole time suddenly harshly snapped

" Let me make things clear between us Carlisle DelaVega."

She paused and silently waited for his expressions. She didn't find herself close to him to call him affectionately as ' Carl '. Carl on the other hand was clearly caught off guard by Isabel's words. He was clearly not ready for this. But he quickly regained his composure and offered

" You can call me Carl "

Isabel rolled her eyes and said

" I'm sorry but we are not that close and it would be best for me to be calling you Carlisle, if you don't mind "

Carl smirked wickedly and said

" What if I mind "

Surprisingly, Isabel once again rolled her eyes and said bluntly

" I care less."

" Now listen to me Mr. I never agreed to this annoying marriage in the first place. I was literally forced into this damn marriage and I don't think I'm ever going to agree. First things first, don't expect me to perform any wife duties. I am only your wife when yours or my family are around. Secondly just because we're married doesn't mean you can control me around. I'm free to go anywhere I want anytime. That's all. Just two, easy least right "

She smirked mischievously as if she has already won. Then as if remembering something, her eyes suddenly darkened and she said

" And....oh..... God, before I forget, most importantly do not ever think of consummating this marriage "

She stared at his face with piercing eyes. Carlisle who have been quite this whole time, suddenly laughed out. Isabel was dumbfounded by Carlisle's actions thinking inwardly ' now I'm dealing with a lunatic '.

" Ha~ha~haaa "

She opened her ready to scoof when Carlisle said slyly

" And what makes you think I would confirm to this childish rules of yours. I am your legal husband and technically I can break all the rules you mentioned in a blink of an eye especially the... last one "

As his words reached her ears, she slightly trembled. What the hell was she thinking. She cursed. She was really doomed. Why did she thought Carl would be easy to deal with. If he really acted according to his words then she was as dead as a meat. Just when her thoughts were all messed up, she felt Carlisle inching slowly but closer to her. With every step Carl took took forward, she took two steps back. They continued this game if theirs until she finally felt her back but the cold strong wall. Her chest was heaving up and down, her face was flushed red and with much difficulty, she warned with trembling voice.

" You..... you what do you think you are doing. Get away from me "

All of a sudden, Carl stopped in his tracks and laughed again. This time, she could feel the mockery in his tone

" Has Isabel, you are more funny and intriguing than I thought."

Then his face suddenly turned cold and chilling

" I also never wanted to marry you. It was all out of my respect for my grandpa. I've never considered you for once as my wife much more think of consummating this marriage. I runned a background investigation on you so I understand you "

Isabel was shocked to the core, after hearing Carl's words. Carlisle on the other hand smirked when he saw her shocked expressions and raised his brows

" What, you thought I would just get myself in a marriage without having a background investigation on my future wife? Ha....and"

His voice turned cold again, with some faint possessiveness in it

" I know you had this lover boy of yours. Even though we don't acknowledge ourselves as partners, we are still married and I don't want to see you around that guy again. I still have some pride to save."

Thinking of something, he suggested mischievously

" Oh, then why not try this. If you do not meet him again, I follow all your rules "

Before Isabel could reply, Carl called the househelp and ordered her

" Anna, send her to 'our ' room "

Isabel trembled and Carl caught a glimpse of it. He smirked wickedly and said

" You were so bossy some moments ago, what's wrong....cat got your tongue "

Then he said seriously as if trying to explain

" I last thing I want to see is grandpa barging into my house unannounced and figuring out my wife and I sleep in separate rooms. "

Anna the househelp said politely to Isabel

" Madam, this way please "

To her surprise Isabel rather sent daggers at her side. She stood there confused as she thought of what mistake she had now committed. Isabel on the other hand tried to protest that she'd rather sleep in the guest room but she saw the cook approaching Carlisle. The cook asked

" Sir do you want me to prepare you some juice "

" Nah, I'm off to work "

Carlisle answered nonchalantly. But the cook still continued

" Okay, what would you want to have for dinner when you return "

Carlisle answered nonchalantly again

" I won't be back, just make her feel comfortable "

The cook replied again

" Okay sir "

With that Carl left the house.

Isabel finally felt at ease with Carlisle gone. She jumped on the bed when she entered the room and cried her heart out. She still couldn't believe that she was married and was living in a total stranger's home. After crying for sometime, she wiped her tears away and thought to herself resolutely

" There's no way I am going to be kind towards anyone in this miserable house. Least they succeed in manipulating me. They are all the same and I will make sure he divorce me so I can go to Adrian. Talking of Adrain, I have not seen him in ages. I need to visit him one day. I haven't heard from him a long time. I hope he's okay "

She thought anxiously. Then she quickly took her phone and texted someone on the phone and quickly the person on the other line replied as if she had been waiting for her message. Isabel then placed the phone away and slowly closed her eyes thinking of her next move to leave the house.