Isabella sat on the porch, watching the unmovable lake that mirrors the clouds that move languidly without a care from those who were from the land. Isabella thinks it’s peaceful. Birds would sing a soft tune as they flew from one branch to another, accompanied by the wind's sweep of the white fluff of clouds while the gentle breeze moved toward and through the spaces between the trees, creating a soothing sound.

How peaceful would it be if time paused for a moment. If the world were to put on a complete halt and the only thing moving would be the gentle breeze that caressed her skin as it moved toward and through the trees, the white endless clouds that always had a familiar shape or form that people would guess from time to time, the birds that would sing their usual tune as they spread their wings and fly.

If only she could stop the time or even reverse it, she would have done something different. Isabella would have changed how things were. Isabella would have changed herself for betterment of everything.

She closed her eyes.

Dmitri walked towards the porch and saw Isabella sitting on it, looking at the skies longingly, as though she was looking for an answer up above. She would have wanted that. An answer to the questions in her mind.

Her mind never took any rest. Not since they left. They knew how this situation birthed a problem. Isabella has probably thought of every question she could have asked if there were answers. She probably thought of every scenario that could have happened if she were not born… well, out of love.

Dmitri sighed. He wasn’t good with this type of Isabella. He wasn’t good at the emotional side of things. That was more like Rafael’s forte but Raf had to man up and ask Romeo the current issues, Elois’ sudden outburst and the things that happened while they were away and Dmitri would gladly face this sad little gem of theirs than face Romeo.

“Hey, Miss Gem—” He started.

“Don't comfort me. Just tell me.” Isabella’s cold and lifeless voice echoed in the silence of the surrounding. It grated Dmitri’s ears because he knew the bright tone Isabella had when she was once unaware of the pain and the torment that her family and friend had brought.

Dmitri didn’t walk towards her. He didn’t come to bring comfort. The least Isabella expected from him was comfort. She should also know that their relationship wasn’t personal or intimate. In the end, their relationship was just nothing but a master and servant kind of thing.

“Due to some families fleeing or revolting against the organization that your family built over many generations, it appears to be falling apart right now. In addition, it appears that the Torres' businesses are rapidly collapsing for a variety of reasons. One was that there appeared to be countless moles coming from various rebelling families. Your father is presently looking into it because we still don't know how long the said moles have been there. Second, the businesses lack both concrete business structures and transparency.” Dmitri said, listing off the things that Rafael told him.

''So, it means that nobody was checking if their business was doing alright?”

Dmitri sighed again. “I don’t know.” He spoke. “I don’t know the whole detail.”

“Hmm.” She hummed before she hugged herself. She didn’t speak for another minute or two. She just watched the lake as it mirrored the sky and the trees as it swayed, creating a rustling noise that made Dmitri uncomfortable for some odd reason.

Finally, she spoke again. “Is there a reason why they blamed me?”

Blamed for what? For their failures? For their demise? Dmitri’s expression darkened and his fist clenched. How could they blame it on a child who had no choice but to be like Rapunzel locked in her tower? She was caged in her own home with minimal power to order anyone.

“Dmitri, please.” She pleaded and Dmitri snapped in his own thoughts. He realized that he’s been silent for too long. He looked at Isabella and he saw her looking back at him with her beautiful innocent eyes that were finally tainted with trauma, her tired expression tells multiple stories and she wore a frown on her lips.

Dmitri sighed. Tiredly this time. “Some of the families who left and went into hiding were caught.” He explained slowly. “And it seems that the reason why some left was because of a member in the Torres family who promised them to put an end to your father who, according to them, brought no benefit to the organization despite being the family who is on top of the organization and is considered the leader of it.”

“It couldn’t be your brothers because they were with Dante the whole time and, according to Romeo, they never went anywhere and were always under constant supervision. It especially couldn’t be your father or grandmother.” Dmitri continued. “Which leads to…” He trailed off, looking at Isabella knowingly.

Isabella scoffed. “How could it be me?”

“How could it not be you is what they’re thinking.” Dmitri snorted. “Look, you were here with not that many guards to watch your every move. You’re the only Torres who could actually have the power to pull the strings.”

“I’m just a child!” Isabella exclaimed. “I can’t possibly do all that. Why would they think that?”

“Here’s the crazy thing, the families that were caught?”

“Yeah?”

“They asked why that particular Torres was doing it and they said that they were left by their family.” Dmitri said, looking at her expectantly. “Who’s the only Torres left by their family?"

“Me…” Isabella muttered in disbelief.

“Kids can be diabolical if they want to, Isabella. If they have the power to do bad things, they will.” Dmitri said seriously, staring at her as though he was observing.

“Who do you think it is?” Isabella muttered, asking herself the question but Dmitri answered it for her.

“Another kid who’s also probably a Torres?”

"That can't be possible." Isabella scoffed. She was the only kid who was Torres.

When she opened her eyes, Nicolai was in front of her.

She would have probably thought it was a dream with how he looked too much like a painting to be real but she knew it was with how there was pain and longingness in his eyes. The years of torment were reflecting in his eyes that Isabella almost felt sorry.

How did things go wrong?

“I thought you left.” Isabella muttered tiredly. She was honestly tired from everything. She just wants to sleep forever if she could.

“I could never leave without talking to you, Izzy.” Nicolai whispered softly like how soft the breeze caresses her skin or how soft a fluffy cloud is in dreams. His tone was gentle, as though he was approaching a predator.

“I’m tired.” Isabella muttered, wanting to cry because she missed him and she wanted him back. She wants him so bad. Isabella wants to be his friend again. She wants to laugh and cry with him. There’s a million things that she could say to him. A million topics that she could share.

Nicolai was hers and she was his. They were friends and now they’re not.

Nicolai smiled in a sad way that made her want to mirror it, his eyes watering his hands were slightly shaking.

“I know…”

When did things go horribly wrong?

______

It's sad how things went for Isabella. Things are falling apart! 😗 I wonder who's the other Torres

It's fifty five! I'm so surprised that I'm  here!! This story is finally gonna be finished soon! ^^

I hope you guys enjoyed it. This chapter has more details than actions (⁠´⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠.̫⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠'⁠)

Thank you to those who wished me luck on my exam and well... I guess I did good on some subjects and some others just makes me want to die in a corner ;_;

....

WELP (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)