Bound To Fall

I Refuse To Forget

Sterling

The past few days have still been just as uncomfortable as the first one. Isabelle had finished being trained and my father had finally started sending actual work my way. He even liked to send things for me that could have gone into a simple email. I assume he was doing this as a way to force Isabelle and I to see each other often.

My cell phone began to ring and pulled me out of the concentration I had on one paper. I glanced at the screen to see it was Elise, again. She had already called a few times but I ignored her as I was working. Just because I was hired on by my father didn't mean he was going to allow me to screw around. If I wanted to keep this position I had to prove myself worthy, just like anyone else.

The phone stopped buzzing but it didn't last long. She called back once again. I let out a sigh as I knew the only thing to stop it was to answer or turn it off. I decided to answer that way I could deal with her being pissed off now and maybe talking pleasant later.

I picked up the phone and answered it. "Elise, I'm working. You can't just call me whenever you want."

"So work takes priority over your girlfriend?" I could hear in her voice she was pissed. "Sterling, there will be other jobs if this doesn't work out. There will only ever be one me."

And one of her was more than enough for this world. She was a lot to handle most of the time. I had thought about calling it off in the past but she managed to guilt me into staying or used threats. We were at a rough patch in our relationship is what she called it, except this rough patch had started a month after being together and there was no end in sight.

Isabelle entered the office with more papers in her hands. She was about to turn away and leave when I motioned for her to stay. My eyes ended up lingering on her longer than they should have. She shifted uncomfortably as she was waiting for me to finish my phone call. It would be so easy right now to break up with her and pour my heart out to Isabelle.

"Sterling!" She hollered into my ear angrily. "Are you ignoring me?!"

"No." I shook my head to pull me out of my thoughts. "At this time Elise this job is important to me. I'm sorry but I do have to put my career first sometimes."

"Whatever." I could tell by her tone she was probably rolling her eyes right now. "I just wanted to see if you were up for that dinner you promised me on your first day."

"I never promised it, I said if everything went well we would." I reminded her. "Unfortunately I had something come up."

"It's always something with you." She responded in annoyance.

"Look I'll take you out tonight, but I have to go now." I just wanted her to get off my damn phone right now. This situation was already bad enough, I didn't need to make Isabelle feel even more awkward about it.

"Great." Her tone was now happy as it completely flipped from her scolding me. This is how she was though. She threw a fit but once she got her way it was like it never happened. "I'll see you tonight then. I love you."

I hesitated for a moment. I didn't want to say those words in front of Isabelle, not to another woman. I was in a position I couldn't win in. My mind spun as I tried to figure out what to do.

"Sterling?" Elise's voice called out.

"I love you too." I sighed as I responded with the words I knew would satisfy her.

I could instantly see Isabelle's face flush with disappointment for a moment as I hung up the phone. Even after all these years her expressions were the same. It's what made it easy to tell how she was feeling. Lately I could tell she had been feeling a lot of frustration and irritation.

"Sorry for interrupting you Mr. Tipton." She collected herself and pushed the disappointment away. "Your father sent these forms for you to fill out."

I stood up and came around my desk as she approached me. She refused to look me in the eyes as she held out the papers. I grabbed the forms in one hand and her wrist in the other. I set the forms down behind me and I watched as a look of surprise took over her face.

"Mr. Tipton, let me go please." Her voice was quiet as she spoke.

"Isabelle, stop treating me like a stranger." My tone was calm as the words left my lips. Inside though I was frustrated, frustrated at what had become of our relationship.

"You're not a stranger." She paused and I felt a slight feeling of relief, until she continued on. "You're my boss. Now please let me go, I have work to do."

I let go of her wrist. "You're my assistant, that means you do what I tell you. Right now I want you to have a seat."

She didn't say a word as she took a seat at my desk. I went around to the other side and sat down. She was looking everywhere but at me. She did this when she was uncomfortable. Maybe I still knew my Izzy better than I thought.

"I want to catch up." I wanted to know how she had been. I never stopped caring for her, ever. All I wanted for her was to be happy in life, I had just always thought I would be a part of it.

"What's there to catch up on?" She asked.

"I want to know how you've been. I want to know what you've been doing for the past four years." Her gorgeous grey eyes finally met mine. "I want you to talk to me like a friend, not a boss."

She thought for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Working, that's what I've been doing. When I haven't been working I've been baking. Are you happy now? Can this conversation be over?"

"Izzy-" I started but she cut me off as she abruptly rose up from the chair.

"I told you not to call me that." Her voice slightly cracked as she headed for the office door.

I stood up and caught up to her before she could leave. I grabbed her by the wrist once more and then I gently pulled her so she would have to turn around to face me. She was so close I had to resist the temptation to lock my lips on hers. "You can act like we never happened but I refuse to forget some of the best memories I've ever had."

There was a flash of hurt in her eyes but she pushed it back. "Sterling, it's been four years. You've clearly moved on and so have I. Don't try to make this any more than what it is. Our relationship is strictly business." Her tone was stern as she spoke.

She managed to get herself out of my grip and headed back out of the office. My eyes were glued to her back the entire time. Just looking at her made me feel things I hadn't felt in years. Things that not even Elise could make me feel.

I know it's shitty to want Isabelle so bad when I'm taken. I know it's wrong but I can't help it. With Isabelle up until our falling out all I had felt with her was happiness. With Elise I feel miserable and trapped with no escape.