The city lights stretched endlessly behind them as the car glided smoothly through the quiet roads leading to Anthony’s villa.
The earlier chaos had long faded into silence, replaced by the soft hum of the engine and the steady rhythm of the night.
Pelumi was fast asleep in the back seat, her head tilted slightly to the side, her breathing calm but heavy.
The transformation had clearly taken more out of her than she could handle.
Even in her sleep, there was a faint glow to her presence—subtle, but impossible to ignore.
Anthony glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his expression softening for a brief moment before returning to its usual calm.
Then, without taking his eyes off the road, he spoke.
“You know she’s been playing right?” he said casually.
“Like you coming home with us.”
Isabella, seated beside him, leaned back comfortably, her lips curving into a faint, mischievous smile.
“Playing?” she echoed, tilting her head slightly toward him.
“Or maybe she just knows what she’s doing.”
Anthony let out a quiet breath, somewhere between a sigh and a chuckle.
“You didn’t hesitate,” he added.
“Most people would.”
“Most people aren’t me,” Isabella replied smoothly.
“And besides, I go for what I want. Since I can’t get you out of my mind. I will just go with flow.” Isabella thought inwardly.
She turned her gaze toward the window, watching the passing lights reflect in her eyes.
“Besides,” she continued, her tone light but layered, “you didn’t exactly stop me.”
Anthony finally glanced at her, just briefly.
“Would you have listened if I did?”
Isabella smiled wider, her eyes gleaming.
“Not a chance.”
A short silence followed, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
If anything, it carried a strange sense of familiarity—like two people who hadn’t known each other long, yet somehow understood more than they should.
Anthony shook his head slightly.
“You’re trouble.”
“And yet,” Isabella leaned a little closer, her voice dropping just enough to tease, “you brought me home anyway.”
Anthony didn’t respond immediately.
Instead, he returned his focus to the road ahead, but the faint curve at the corner of his lips betrayed him.
“You invited yourself,” he corrected.
“Mhm,” she hummed.
“Your phone!” Isabella extended her hand.
“For what?”
“Just give it to me.”
“It’s there .” He pointed.
Isabella took it.
Ring, Ring, Ring.
Call connected to her penthouse.
“Miss!” Clara said.
“I won’t be coming back tonight, if anyone called, tell them I turn myself in bed early.”
“But_”
“Has my car arrived at home?”
“Yes miss, the driver let earlier after dropping it.”
“Ok, my phone is there, take it in for me. And…”
She paused.
“If there’s any emergency at all.. call this number.”
She hung up.
Dropped back the phone.
“You’re really making yourself at home.”
“Who knows.”
Screech!
Anthony pull up at the road side of a sudden.
Yea, that was sudden.
Passerby, pedestrian honking throwing abuse at him.
For his reckless action.
“You’re not serious, are you?”
“I am.” Isabella said calmly.
Anthony is even rich and powerful.
There’s no need to be long-winded about it.
“Seriously? Your grandparents will literally kill me for even thinking about snatching their jewel!.”
“That’s your problem to deal with.” She smirked.
“But I never agree to any of this.” Anthony said.
“Not like you had a choice.”
“I am not agreeing to this.. there’s nothing profitable for me in this.” Anthony retorted.
Then a smack at back of Anthony’s head.
“It’s a lifetime worth of an achievement for you to have me!” She almost roared.
“And a bag of trouble for me at the same time. Your family will end me!”
“That’s your problem to deal with.”
“I say no!.”
Another smack behind Anthony’s head.
“Can you at least stop, I am driving!”
“Then keep shut. I am doing you a favor by been in relationship with you.. hmph!”
“But_”
He stopped.
He can feel the temperature in the car dropped.
He met Isabella’s smile, that doesn’t look like one.
Then_
He stopped.
What a life of torture!
He thought.
Isabella smile triumphantly.
The gates of the villa opened smoothly as they approached, revealing the expansive property bathed in soft, elegant lighting.
By the time they arrived, Pelumi hadn’t stirred.
Anthony stepped out first, moving quietly to the back seat.
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms, mindful not to wake her.
Despite everything, she looked peaceful.
Isabella watched him for a moment, something unreadable flickering in her eyes before she stepped out as well.
” I’ll Lead the way,” he said lightly.
Isabella nodded.
Everyone at the villa was shocked about the visit of Isabella.
Her arrival made the whole villa feel complete!.
Morning came slower than expected.
Sunlight spilled through the wide windows of the villa, illuminating the luxurious interior with a warm glow.
And chaos.
“Anthony!”
Pelumi voice echoed through the halls.
Anthony, who had just stepped out of his study, paused, already sensing trouble.
He followed the sound into the living area—and stopped.
Pelumi stood in the middle of the room, laughing uncontrollably, while Isabella chased after her with a throw pillow in hand.
“Give it back!” Isabella demanded, trying—and failing—to maintain any form of dignity.
“No!” Pelumi shot back, dodging effortlessly.
“You started it!”
Anthony blinked once.
Then twice.
He looked around his pristine living room—now anything but pristine—and exhaled slowly.
“I leave you two alone for one morning…”
Neither of them listened.
A pillow flew across the room.
Anthony stepped aside just in time.
Pelumi burst into laughter again, while Isabella finally gave up the chase, dropping onto the couch dramatically.
“This is your sister,” she said, pointing at Pelumi.
“Control her.”
Anthony folded his arms.
“You seem to be doing fine.”
Pelumi grinned.
“Of course you do,” Anthony muttered.
Hours later, the energy finally settled.
Pelumi had retreated to rest again, though this time it was voluntary.
The earlier play had drained what little strength she had regained.
Isabella, however, stood near the entrance, car keys in hand—but not her own.
Anthony leaned against the wall, watching her with mild curiosity.
“That’s my car,” he said.
“I’m aware,” Isabella replied calmly.
She twirled the keys once around her finger, completely at ease.
“You have your own,” Anthony added.
“And yet,” she turned to face him, her expression innocent—too innocent, “I want this one.”
Anthony raised an eyebrow.
“That’s not how things work.”
“Why not?” she challenged lightly.
“You have more than one.”
“That doesn’t mean you get to go out with my car.”
Isabella stepped closer, her presence effortlessly commanding.
“Then let’s make it interesting.”
Anthony narrowed his eyes slightly.
“I’m listening.”
She smiled—slow, deliberate.
“I have work to attend to. Important work,” she said.
“And I need a car that matches my mood.”
“And yours doesn’t?”
“It doesn’t,” she replied without hesitation.
“It’s too… expected.”
Anthony almost laughed.
“So you want mine because it’s unexpected?”
“I want yours,” she corrected softly, “because it’s yours.”
That made him pause.
Just for a second.
Isabella noticed.
She always noticed.
“Relax,” she added, her tone shifting slightly, playful again.
“I’m not stealing it. I’ll bring it back.”
“That’s what people say before they disappear with things.”
She gasped lightly, placing a hand on her chest in mock offense.
“You wound me.”
Anthony sighed.
“You’re dramatic.”
“And you’re stalling.”
A brief silence passed between them.
Then Anthony pushed himself off the wall and walked past her.
“Don’t scratch it.”
Isabella’s smile widened instantly.
“So that’s a yes?”
He didn’t turn back.
“It’s a warning.”
She laughed softly.
“I’ll take it.”
As she stepped outside, the sunlight catching her figure, she paused briefly and glanced back at him.
“Try not to miss it too much,” she teased.
Anthony shook his head.
“I won’t.”
But as the engine roared to life and the car disappeared beyond the gates, he remained standing there a moment longer than necessary.
And somehow, the villa felt a little quieter.
good morning everybody!
Happy new week.
have a blast!