WITH TRUST AND REGRET

"Sigh Isa... I guess it was my fault. I shouldn't have told you to accept his offer." Maria said sadly. Isabel profusely shook her head and said

" No it is not your fault Maria, it was all my discision" As if in a movie, she suddenly recalled that conversation on that fateful day.

FLASHBACK

" Maria, I'm in a complicated situation right now and I don't know what to do".

Isabel said with anxiousness written all over her face. She stared at Maria as if she was her last hope. Maria also asked in puzzlement.

" What is it Isa. Why this panicking"

" I think aunt and dad wouldn't accept Adrain mainly because of his poor background. Adrain has also asked him earlier to help him become rich in other for my family to accept him"

Isabel said. Maria also looked at her with questioning eyebrows, signalling her she understands nothing about what she is saying. She said

" Aha...so...., help him of course, I thought you were going to do anything to be with him. Even know you had to go great lengths"

Isabel said in frustration

" I know but...now he is asking of some documents or so,..... I think it's a project. He wants me to steal it for him."

She lowered her voice at the last part as if scared of someone hearing her. Maria seemed to finally twigged and asked with a questioning eyebrows again

" Is that project you are talking about very important. " Isabel answered with a doubting voice

" That.... I really have no idea." Maria cleared her throat and asked

" Are you willing to do it...." Isabel hesitated as if she was having a serious battle with herself. Maria saw it and continued

" Okay, let me put it in this way. Do you think this Adrain of yours would make you do anything absurd for his personal gains?"

This time, Isabel immediately shook her head without hesitation and Maria said with satisfaction

" Then... I don't see anything wrong with it....

.... but Isabel be wary of this guy."

She said with concern and Isabel smiled and nodded. She stood up, thanked her and quickly took her leave.... Little did she know was that project was her family's ladder to their ultimate success.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Isabel asked Maria again in her drunken state

" What should I do Maria? I don't wanna marry Carlisle DelaVega."

Maria looked at her with astonished face and asked in disbelief

" But Isabel, I don't understand. Why don't you want to marry him. In fact Carlisle DelaVega is not only breathtakingly handsome but wealthy and the man in every girls dream. He is also a famous business tycoon. You have such a golden opportunity on your laps like this and you are just pushing it away."

Isabel suddenly yelled at her

" I am not marring that guy. It is Adrain and Adrain alone."

Maria became frustrated all of a sudden by Isabel's behavior and snapped back at her

"Oh then why don't you leave with him to a very far place and then no one would disturb you again. Sounds great right"

She then rolled her eyes. Isabel felt her mind freeze, and she begun mummuring Maria's sentence all over and over again.

" Leave.... with.... him...to.,.a....very far....place....and then..,.no one ... would... disturb....us again..... Leave.... with... to a ....very....."

She kept on repeating her words and Maria stared at her in puzzlement. The first thing she thought of was her friend was getting mad. After some few seconds, Maria thought something was off with Isabel's words. Listening to it carefully, she realized something and said

"Isa ..... don't tell me you are gonna do that."

But before Isabel could talk, she suddenly passed out. Maria was shocked at first but after taking a glance at the number of empty wine bottles on the table, she realized it was the effects of the wine. And indeed, Isabel was extremely drunk. Maria called one of the bartender's to help her send Isabel to her car. Thankfully, the bartender gladly helped her. But when that neared the car, Isabel suddenly woke up and run to the dustbin and threw everything out. She vomited like there was no tommorow. Once she was done, she felt weak and was about to fall, but out of reflexes, both Maria and the bartender quickly can to help her. They placed her at the back seat and Maria gave the bartender some tips. After that, she quickly drive to the Snow's mansion. When she reached there, the security men immediately recognized her and gave her way. Then they helped her send Isabel into the mansion. They saw Lucia in the living room when they arrived and just placed Isabel in the couch and went. Seeing Isabel in that state, Lucia panicked and asked anxiously.

" Maria, what is wrong with her " Maria replied nonchalantly

" Nothing much, she just drunk too much "

Lucia frowned and said sternly

" Drunk too much, why didn't you stop her."

Now Maria frowned and said a little upset

" Hey Lucia,she called me late and I met her drunk. Is not that she would have listened to me even if I told her a thousand times. We both know how stubborn she can be."

Lucia realized her mistakes and said reluctantly

" Sorry Maria..." Maria abruptly interrupted

" Don't worry, since she is here, I will be on my way"

Lucia nodded obediently. Maria turned and went. Lucia stared at her back as she was going. She could swear that there was something odd about Maria. She do no trust her at all.

Maria on the other hand sat in her car and thought furiously,

" Just because I'm from a low class, she cares to talk to me like that."

Then she quickly drives her car away. In fact, Maria was from an average family. Her family could not be compared to one-fifth of Isabel's family. But Isabel had never cared about that and still accepted her as her friend which she was grateful for. But seeing Lucia, Isabel's younger sister talking to her like that made her annoyed. Anyways, she need not worry because with the help of Isabel, she was soon going to be rich.