Chapter 23 - We All Move On

Isabelle Orsino

Sebastian held my hand tightly when we both walked on the sand. I decided to walk on barefoot by holding my sandals on the other hand. Sebastian did the same thing and I took a really deep breath.

"You love the beach huh?" Sebastian asked as he turned to me.

"I love it. I love the beach so much." I said as we walked closer to the water.

"How about you? Do you love the beach?" I asked as we stopped two steps before the water touch our feet.

"I don't have any preference when it comes to the sea or the mountain. I like it but I don't think I love it." I chuckled when he said that.

"I love sitting on the side of the beach, sunrises and sunsets are my favorite. Now to think about it, somehow it reminds me of you." I turned to Sebastian and he raised his eyebrows.

"If it's a good thing, I'll accept it but if it's not, I rather not hear it."

"You're too good to be true, Grey. Ever since, I was a little girl, I've always think that you're unreachable and too beautiful to even be touch by anyone." I said admitting what I thought about him.

"I have to admit that I admire you even though our families didn't have the best relationship. Your hard work, dedication, your view in life and how you always be the best version of yourself. I don't think I can do that." I added.

"I'm not perfect." He said simply.

"No one is." I said as I pushed him towards the water. He looked at me disbelief and I chuckled. He tried to catch me but I ran away from him. I walked backwards and he smirked before he picked me up on his shoulder. He walked to the water with me and he put me down to the water.

"You're mean! I'm not as tall as you!" I hissed realizing that the water already reach my thigh.

"I hate you!"

"Bye!" He said as he ran away and I quickly caught up with him. He sat on the sand facing the water and I sat beside him.

"You're always mean to me.." I hissed.

"I'm curious of something." He said and I gestured him to ask away.

"Why did you pick me? Why do you want to marry me?" He asked and I smiled as I looked up to the sky.

"You're always on the top of my list when it comes to who I want if I can pick one man to be my husband." I said honestly.

"My granddad asked about it and I never hesitate to say your name. I know that I'm not capable of love anymore after being betrayed again and again. Being bullied again and again. I know you're the only man that I could trust my life with."

"I don't know what my gramps did until all of this happened. I don't even mind with all the rules you gave me, I just want to be happy even though we might get a divorce one day when you find someone you love." I smiled.

"So.. you're just going to let me go if I ask you to?" He asked.

"Gladly, I'm prioritizing your happiness first. I think I owe you that much." I let out a long sigh.

"That's why I'm trying to keep all the rules you gave me, Grey. I want to respect all your decisions because I'm no one. A wife is just a status." I added.

"You're selfish." He said and that made me speechless.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't even consider my feelings, you only think about what you do instead of asking me if I like it or not." He said and I sighed.

"I don't even want to know about your feelings. I think you should keep it to yourself." I said looking down to the sand.

"One day, if you want to know, you can ask because I will tell you."

Sebastian Grey

After we got out from the beach, Isabelle is drown in her own thoughts. I'm actually speechless hearing her side of the story. I don't even know how to feel about it.

Isabelle Orsino is not actually that bad.

We both went to a convenience store to buy some snacks before going back to the hotel.

To be honest, after talking to her, my thoughts about her changed a lot. I can say that I learnt a lot from her because she's far more mature than me. She's not afraid in admitting her thoughts and feelings.

"Isabelle?" We both turned to man who stood behind me.

"Andre?" Isabelle smiled and the man nodded.

"How are you?" The man named Andre said as he gave Isabelle a hug. Andre then turned to me and Isabelle turned to me too.

"This is my friend, Sebastian Grey." Isabelle introduced me. "Sebastian, this is Andre Conrad." Andre put his hand out and I shook it.

"Nice to meet you, Sebastian. It's great to see Isabelle has new friends."

"Nice to meet you too." I smiled.

"What brings you both here?" Andre asked looking at the both of us.

"Well.. we have work here." Isabelle answered.

"You live here?" I asked.

"Yes, it's been 8 years. I asked Isabelle to live here but she rejected the idea 8 years ago." Andre said as he turned to Isabelle.

"I see."

"We're actually have some emergency, we have to go upstairs." Isabelle said and Andre nodded.

"Okay, I guess see you around." He said looking at the both of us. Isabelle gestured me to go and I nodded.

"Bye Andre."

"Bye Isabelle, hope you have a great work-trip here." Andre said and we both walked away from him.

"Ex-boyfriend?"

"Ex-fiance." She corrected me.

"Good to know." I said in a sarcastic tone.

"It's in the past, there's no point in talking about him. We all moved on."