Chapter 7 Isabella's POV

The question "What's lame?" I look around the graduation ceremony's reception hall before I ask.

Sighing, he rolls his eyes. It's a phrase they use in public. He murmurs, and I can hear a hint of arrogance in his voice.

He has developed a more negative attitude ever since he began his summer responsibilities, which include working for Mr. Gaius and doing his errands in the neighboring town.

Every time he had the chance, he would exult, and it has made me angrier than I want to confess.

I flinch at him as my ire flares. And I would understand why?

He mimics a smile for me. Hopefully, it is self-explanatory. For you too.

He catches my narrowed gaze. He always made me feel like I was so incompetent, and I didn't enjoy that.

"When an animal can't walk because of a foot injury, that's what the dictionary means by lame. Technically speaking, I am aware of what it implies, but not in terms of contemporary slang.

As Antonio's face falls, I break out into a little smile of victory. Isabella, "Goodness, do you always have to be such a know-it-all?"

We quicken our pace as the classical music gets louder.

No, your stupidity just makes things too simple.

He looks back at me with narrowed eyes, but I could care less. I found Antonio to be irritating at times. We move more quickly as the other assigned couples dance around us as the speed picks back up.

But when my foot starts to hurt suddenly, I lose my balance.

I grimace as I gaze up at Antonio, who is not looking at me. Imbecile. "You deliberately did that," I snarled.

I tried not to let my wrath get the better of me, but there were times when it was impossible to control. Furthermore, it becomes more difficult to maintain composure when Antonio ignores me and simply glances over at me. But the music stops just as I'm about to yell at him.

We both pause as we turn to face the reception hall's entrance and see Mr. Gaius leave the doors.

The hall was situated on the town hall's lower floor. It was decorated with round tables where parents and older people could watch the graduating students dance.

He chose to swing by because Mr. Gaius' office was upstairs, which is why he did so.

We all bowed our heads in respect as he approached the front podium, dressed in a dapper white suit. He appeared younger than forty for a man in his mid-fifties, which was another quality that made him great.

He had a peculiar way of getting everyone's attention, so when he spoke, everyone listened.

I was thinking about other things at the time.

There was nothing I wanted more than to get away, to find the clearing, and to find Jonathan. I had been performing it every evening.

Mr. Gaius was approaching us, but I had been so preoccupied with my own thoughts that I hadn't even noticed him until Antonio poked me in the side.

"Thank you, Antonio." He nods and says, "now, if I may, I'd just like to steal your valedictorian for some last-minute changes to her college application."

Upon hearing my application, my ears automatically perk up, and my heart begins to beat rapidly.

Had he also received word from NYU that I should go there instead, and was he coming to inform me of this? As I swiftly released myself from Antonio's grip and excitedly pursued Mr. Gaius, hope sprang inside of me.

I follow him, hopping with excitement, as he leads me upstairs to his study. My uncomfortable, tight sandals are creaking on the hardwood floor.

"My child, close the door." I approach Mr. Gaius from behind and comply with his instructions. I turn around to see him seated on the leather couch, motioning for me to approach.

I move my body in his direction as I sit on the opposite end of the couch from him. "Has my application received any updates? Have you reconsidered attending school in New York? I hope to inquire.

The lines around his eyes crinkle as Mr. Gaius gently chuckles. "So eager, my sweet Isabella." He laughs, but I didn't laugh back.

Was my directness excessive? He brought me up here to talk about these things, right?

"We'll make it there." He continues, then frowns as his eyes drop to my feet. But first, hand over those shoes; they appear to be causing you a great deal of discomfort. He orders, his expression dissatisfied with the sandals I have on my feet.

Without even waiting for my reaction, he grabs my ankle and pulls my feet into his lap.

I flopped back down onto the couch. He sits up, looking forward, and I'm across the length of it with my feet in his lap. And without saying anything further, the man begins to untie my sandal laces.

I see him remove them with my eyes wide open. It's OK, honestly. He takes them off and rubs my naked feet while I stutter awkwardly in his direction.

This circumstance was quite bizarre. And if anyone else had seen this, I would have been made fun of. It was insulting for him to treat me in this manner, but he insisted on doing so.

As I wait for him to speak, there is silence, and when he does, it is unimpressive. Did I mention how beautiful you looked tonight? So pure and lovely.

He begins massaging my calves while I'm wearing a long white dress, and I can only summon a distracted smile.

I started to wonder when he would inform me of the status of my application. I lean my head up and off the couch to look at him, but when I do, I see that he is already looking at me.

However, instead of focusing on my bewildered face, his eyes were glued to the heaving of my chest, where a tight white garment covered my upper half.

The unpleasant feeling that has been accompanying me all week suddenly became much stronger in a matter of seconds.

I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I caught myself attempting to breathe more slowly to avoid heaving and attracting his attention.

I immediately feel uncomfortable with where this is going as his hands itch higher and tighter against my legs. But I was unable to move for whatever reason. The idea that the man I was with was Mr. Gaius tied me to my place.

The man in whom we were instructed to have complete faith. We were trained to respect this man. I assured myself that he would never harm me and that I was safe, so why did I feel so strange?