Forbidden Desire 18+

Chapter Ten

ISABELLA MATTIA

✥

I had plans to hang out with Charlotte this weekend and go over our notes for class. Call me boring but we have a test in a few weeks and I want to stay on top of my work before I end up failing because I decided not to study. But as I packed my bag to go meet her at the library she dropped me a text to say that her parents surprised her on campus.

So I find myself in the library by myself. Studying alone isn't as productive as studying with someone else. I find that I'm easily distracted, wanting nothing more than to excuse myself so that I can go and grab an iced latte to fuel my cravings.

My phone buzzes and I pick it up to see Sophia's name on the screen. We've spoken here and there over the last few weeks but since classes started, I've barely seen her.

Sophia: Hey, girl! Me and Lucia and a few others are planning on hanging out and soaking up this lovely sun. Do you want to come?

Isabella: Hey, I'm just in the library at the moment

Sophia: The library?!?! It's a Saturday! You need to come out with us and have some fun!

I chew on my lip as I stare at the text and then my laptop. To be fair to myself, I've done three solid hours of work today and I'm pretty happy with what I've done. It'll help break up the weekend and I could do with soaking up the sun for a while.

Isabella: Alright, fine. When and where should I meet you?

Sophia: 2PM by the east campus car park? We're gonna head out of the grounds and go somewhere with more space and better views.

I begin to pack up my stuff and head back to my apartment. Elio trails behind me but I haven't spoken to him since Wednesday. Everything he did screamed asshole behaviour and I don't have the energy to argue with him about it. He seems more than happy to ignore me too so I guess we're both giving the silent treatment.

When I walk into my room I change into a red sundress and sandals before shoving my hair up into a ponytail. I don't know what we're doing today but now that the sun has made an appearance, I'm using this as an excuse to dress pretty.

I leave the apartment without telling Elio where I'm going. He follows as usual. In the distance I spot Sophia and Lucia as they wait by a white car. "Hey," I say as I approach them.

Sophia turns with a beam. "Ah, you made it! Let's go, we're late."

"Where exactly are we going?"

"Lake Prya. It's the best place to go around here. The water is to die for." Lucia offers me a smile before flicking her gaze to Elio behind me. "Your friend can come too."

Then she does something weird with her mouth, she attempts to lick her tongue over her teeth in a seductive manner but somehow comes across looking like a bloodthirsty vampire. But I shake away the thought in my head and think about what she said. Lake Prya. A lake.

My body heats and it has nothing to do with the scorching sun. "The lake?"

I refuse to let them see my trembling hands so I lace them together to take away the attention. Just because we're going to the lake doesn't mean I have to get in. I didn't even bring a bikini so I guess I'm out–I'll keep that to myself until I get there.

"Yeah," Sophia nods. "I can't believe you haven't been. It's beautiful and so picturesque. We better go. Get in the car."

Elio steps forward and clears his throat. "I'll drive Isabella."