‘Do your mum and dad know how you feel about him?’ asks Rachel.
‘No, not at all, I mean it was thirteen years ago. I was fourteen, I don’t think they realised at the time just how much I liked him. Mum is convinced that I don’t even remember what he looks like... I remember everything about him, Rach!’ Isabel sighs and leans her head back against the tub. ‘His thick, wavy black hair, his long lashes, blue eyes... so intense. His perfect aquiline nose, his tanned muscular forearms... oh Rach, I really hope that he’s aged terribly, I’m not sure I’ll cope otherwise!’
They both laugh and start imagining the horrible habits he may have developed over the years, his personal hygiene issues and his recurring sexual health problems. Before long they are both roaring with laughter and Isabel finally starts to feel a lot lighter.
‘Stunning,’ says Rachel as she admires Isabel in the evening sun on their patio. ‘Told you your hair would look gorgeous with those long, loose curls. Not too fussy. Very natural looking.’
‘Thank you so much, Rach. I love it!’
‘I’m not used to seeing you with make-up either. That dark mocha lipstick matches your nails perfectly. And I’m liking the halter neck bikini underneath the dress, you sexy thing! You’ll knock ‘em dead!’
‘I’m just hoping we don’t have to deal with many steps, these wedge heels are quite difficult to balance on! I’ve got a pair of flip-flops in my bag just in case!’ Isabel giggles and steps back to admire her friend.
‘Stand up! Oh Rach, you look stunning as usual. Have you got your bikini on underneath?’
Rachel is wearing a Rip Curl, black and pink strapless maxi dress which just skims the ground. She has her hair up in a loose bun with loose curly strands framing her face. Cerise pink lipstick completes her confident look.
‘Of course. Strapless!’ answers Rachel, ‘I look forward to a bit of pool action later! Sounds like these people have money. I want to make use of the facilities daaarhhling’ she mocks.
The doorbell rings ‘Ahhhhhhh,’ screams Isabel, gripping her friends’ hands; ‘it’s time to go!’
With one last glance in the mirror, they head outside to greet Isabel’s parents.
Chapter 24
‘Mamá, you can relax now. Here have a glass of champagne and sit down for a while. Everyone is happy, the waiters are doing a great job circulating with the drinks and canapés. Leanne and I can greet the rest of the guests as they arrive. Here..’ orders Marcos as he hands a sparkling flute to his mother and leads her to a comfortable chair on the lawn amongst her friends. She looks beautiful, he thinks, in a lace covered cream dress and a little cardigan over her shoulders.
There are at least forty people at the party already, gathered in groups, talking, introducing each other, laughing, and clearly enjoying the delicious food. Some of the ladies shelter under the parasols, whilst their husbands stroll around the grounds, admiring the gardens and the pool. Others have arranged loungers in the sun, to enjoy the last of the evening sun.
Marcos finds Leanne sitting on a large sofa surrounded by her girlfriends, with their own bottle of champagne in the centre of the table, laughing and clearly enjoying people-watching. He approaches them, smiling, hands in his pockets, looking very handsome in his beige trousers and his white, fitted Italian shirt. The stitching emphasising his toned torso and slim waist.
‘Hello ladies, I hope you are enjoying the evening?’ he asks, with a hint of humour in his voice.
‘Ohhh,’ says one of Leanne’s friends in a flirtatious voice, ‘very much the perfect host.’ They’re all quite tipsy already!
Slowly, Leanne gets up from the sofa and moves seductively towards him, with a cat-like grace. She is wearing a white dress, which clings to every inch of her body, leaving nothing at all to the imagination. She reminds him of the Elf Queen, Galadriel, from The Lord of the Rings, with her long blonde hair and her delicate features. She has an air of sensual confidence as she approaches Marcos and gently runs a perfectly painted, scarlet nail down his cheek, her eyes never leaving his. Her friends watch how Leanne seems to mesmerise him, teasing him as she leans slowly back from his kiss, sealing his lips with her finger tips. ‘Not here darling,’ she says in the slippery voice of a temptress. She turns away, almost laughing at the power she seems to have over him, as she re-joins her friends on the sofa.
Marcos joins in with the laughter, but feels more than a little disappointed as he realises that he has actually just been dismissed. It was a harmless joke but then he did, at least, expect her to jump up and join him afterwards. Realising that he is being played with, he excuses himself cheerfully and heads over to check on his parents.
He finds them sitting comfortably on the terrace with Leanne’s parents and two people he vaguely recognises. As he approaches, the man jumps out of his chair, arms outstretched.
‘Marcos, cuánto me alegro de verte, hijo.’
It takes a few seconds but he suddenly recognises him as his father’s English friend, Duncan. They embrace and Marcos slaps him firmly on the shoulder, ‘cuánto tiempo. It’s been years!’
Instantly he recognises Duncan’s wife, Louise. ‘You haven’t changed at all,’ laughs Marcos. ‘I had no idea you were going to be here! How lovely to see you both.’
‘You’ve grown into a very handsome young man,’ says Louise, blushing, ‘So where is the lucky lady?’ she asks.
‘She’s sitting over on the sofa there with her friends. I’ll introduce her to you later, of course,’ he says, feeling more than a little embarrassed that she isn’t with him right now.
Louise sits up in her chair and sees the group of young girls laughing and enjoying themselves on the sofa’s.
‘She’s the one in the white dress,’ he adds.
‘Wow, she’s terribly pretty Marcos. You’ll make a very handsome couple. Many congratulations,’ Louise says, standing up and kissing him on both cheeks. ‘You remember my daughter, Isabel?’
Marcos is starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. ‘But of course I do,’ he says, remembering the circumstances under which he had left their family home, ‘is she well?’
‘Well, as a matter of fact you can ask her yourself!’ she laughs lightly, ‘she’s on holiday here with a friend and I hoped that you wouldn’t mind if we extended the invitation to include them?’
‘No, of course not!’ he answers hurriedly, feeling suddenly nervous.
‘She’s just over there on the lawn with her friend, Rachel. She’s wearing a yellow dress. I’m sure she’ll be so happy to see you again after all this time!’
Marcos scans the lawn discretely, in case she is looking in his direction... then he sees her. Oh my god! Isabel!
Leanne swaps the empty bottle for a full one and they all scream with excitement as she shakes the bottle spraying them all with champagne.
‘God you’re so lucky to be marrying in to such a rich family Lea’ says Tracy, who works as a receptionist at the same hotel. ‘I mean who wouldn’t want all this?’ she sweeps her arm around dramatically, taking in the pool, palm trees, statues and water features. ‘This party must have cost a bomb!’
‘Probably did!’ smirks Leanne, ‘Marcos is so laid back and never stops me from doing whatever I want to do, so it couldn’t be better! Plus, I have my job at the hotel so at least I don’t have to hang around here playing “Lady of the Manor” all day either!’
‘You’ve got it well and truly sorted Leanne. I’m so jealous! And not only that, he’s gorgeous!’ says Tracy, gazing over at Marcos talking to his parents and a group of people she doesn’t know.
As they raise their glasses again to the lucky bride-to-be, Leanne is distracted by something. ‘Who the hell is that?’ she gasps, spilling her champagne. She stares over in the direction of a girl in a very short yellow dress, with long dark hair and a perfect figure... talking to her fiancé.
‘Well, do any of you know her??’ she asks again, this time with real venom in her voice. They all shake their heads, lo
oking up at Leanne in her formidable dress, her bitter, jealous expression dispelling any thoughts of Elven Queens.
‘Friend of Marcos’ parents?’ Tracy suggests innocently, ‘A teacher?’
‘Teacher??’ Leanne spits nastily, ‘she doesn’t look like a bloody teacher to me. More like some fucking Vogue model. What’s that bitch doing here and how the hell does she know Marcos!’ She slams down her glass and prepares to launch herself in their direction, but her friends just manage to pull her back and try to calm her down.
‘Listen Lea, you can’t go charging down there in this state. Calm down,’ urges Lucy, her best friend and beautician, ‘you look like the “Bitch Queen From Hell” with that expression. Come on hun, let’s get you calmed down, re-apply the lipstick and then you can go down there, looking divine and find out who she is, ok...? But you’re going to stay cool as a cucumber. Leanne? Come on, trust me,’ Lucy insists, as she gently pulls her friend inside, ‘you’re a hundred times better looking than her, but not like this, ok? Believe me.’
Marcos casually helps himself to another glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters as he heads hesitantly in the direction of Isabel and her friend, instinctively aware of her parents watching from the terrace. Shit, shit, shit! he thinks, as he tries to approach as nonchalantly as possible. One hand in his pocket in a “long time, no see” sort of way. He knows it won’t work. She’ll see straight through him. She’s just gorgeous, different of course, but in a very good way. He suddenly realises that he hasn’t told Leanne about Isabel, he just assumed that they’d never meet again. And now she’s here, in Spain, in his parents’ garden looking...
‘Isabel’ he blurts out a little louder than he’d planned and realises that he has to announce himself, before he literally crashes into her.
‘Marcos?’ utters Isabel, standing up on tip toes, even in her heels, to give him a kiss on the cheek. Marcos, going for the traditional two kisses, brushes Isabel’s lips by accident. Rachel steps in and hurriedly introduces herself, as they both blush awkwardly.
‘Hi,’ she gushes, ‘I’m Rachel, Isabel’s best friend from England. Thank you so much for inviting us. Well, for letting us come along! Your parents’ house is amazing,’ she continues excitedly as she leans in for the two kisses.
Marcos acknowledges her gratitude, but immediately returns his gaze to Isabel. ‘I can’t believe you’re here!’ he sighs, feeling the overwhelming urge to sweep her up in his arms like they were teenagers again.
‘I’ll go and get us some more drinks,’ announces Rachel tactfully, ‘back in a bit,’ as she skips across the lawn to admire the pool.
‘So...’ says Isabel.
‘So...’ Marcos finishes his drink and runs his hand through his hair. ‘Oh man, I don’t know what to say! I feel eighteen again... but you definitely don’t look fourteen! I mean, you look amazing but it’s just ...’ he hurries, feeling his face flush for the second time.
‘I know what you mean,’ Isabel laughs, feeling self-conscious, ‘I was a girl last time we met!’
‘Exactamente...! did you keep your Spanish up?’ he asks hopefully.
‘No, I’m sorry to say that I didn’t. I’m a French teacher now actually,’ she replies timidly. ‘And you’re getting married? To an English girl?’ she adds, trying to sound cheerful.
‘Yes, ironically. Leanne, she’s with friends.’ He looks over towards the sofas but she has gone. ‘I’m sure you’ll meet her later. She’s a real free spirit, I’m sure you’ll love her. Everyone does!’ he says with a nostalgic look in his eyes.
‘Sorry,’ he laughs, feeling like an insecure adolescent, rather than a wealthy, confident businessman. ‘Seeing you again! It’s just taken me by surprise. In a good way... in a totally good way...’
‘I know what you mean,’ agrees Isabel, ‘my parents called me and told me that they had invited us along and I was mortified! I wasn’t sure what you’d think or even if you’d remember me!’
‘Remember you?? Oh Isa, I thought of you every day since I left. But, five years ago I met Leanne,’ he sighs, wishing everyone around them would just disappear.
‘I met my boyfriend five years ago too,’ Isabel admits to her own surprise.
‘Oh so you have a partner? Married?’ he enquires, trying to sound casual.
‘Well, it’s a long story but no... on both counts. That’s why I’m here really. Getting away from things for a while.’
‘Oh, I see,’ says Marcos, trying to hide his initial reaction of relief and then thinking of Leanne and the reason for this party. ‘How long are you staying?’
‘About another month I think. Rachel goes back the day after tomorrow... Rach! Oh thanks hun, we were just talking about you,’ Isabel says, relieved to see her friend and accepting the full glass of champagne.
‘Cheers to friends, old and new,’ says Rachel, smiling widely, adjusting her dress and helping herself to another canapé from the passing waiter.
‘Darling, where have you been?’ both Isabel and Rachel look up and stare at the woman embracing Marcos. She nuzzles her chin into his neck and wraps a slender, tanned leg around his, staring inquisitively at the two women in front of her. ‘Will you introduce me to your friends?’
Marcos stiffens impulsively, clasps his fiancées hand and smiles awkwardly at Isabel and Rachel. ‘Of course guapa, this is Isabel... and her friend Rachel from England.’
‘Encantada,’ smirks Leanne with an icy stare, ‘and how is it that you are invited this evening?’
‘My parents are friends with Marcos’s parents,’ answers Isabel simply, ‘we met for the last time thirteen years ago when I was just fourteen. Rachel and I are on holiday here. Bit of a happy coincidence!’ she adds, nervously.
‘Hi,’ says Rachel, leaning forward to shake hands with Leanne, ‘great party!’
‘Mmmmm, isn’t it?’ Leanne clasps Marcos firmly around the waist and poses, one leg extended, emphasizing the curve of her slim hips, waiting for an explanation from one of them. When nobody speaks, Leanne continues. ‘Thirteen years ago?’ she questions, almost to herself, twisting a length of blonde hair delicately through her fingers, ‘so you must have been... what? eighteen?’ She turns her gaze to meet her fiancé’s eyes, searching for any hint of guilt. She sees nothing, but turns again towards Isabel. She can’t fail to notice her cleavage and toned stomach, clearly visible beneath the sheer material of Isabel’s dress. ‘So, you were good friends?’ she asks, with a challenging tone in her voice.
‘No, not really,’ answers Isabel, as flippantly as she can, aware of the tension between the three of them ‘Marcos gave me Spanish lessons after school for a couple of years, that’s all really and then...’
‘And then what exactly Isabel?’ Leanne spits.
‘And then nothing, Leanne. He left.’
‘He left, just like that?!’
‘Lea, darling, what’s the matter?’ laughs Marcos in disbelief, trying to make her realise how she is really over-reacting.
Leanne shrugs his arm from around her shoulder, her eyes still on Isabel. ‘You were studying in England for four years as far as I remember. So why did you suddenly leave the home of your father’s friend? What happened?’ she turns to stare at her fiancé.
‘Nothing,’ says Marcos innocently, hands up in front of him in mock defence, ‘I just wanted my independence that’s all.’
‘And you never met Isabel again?’
‘No,’ he smiles, shaking his head, hands still raised.
‘And why would that be? You still lived close by. You were at college. And yet you never once went back, not even to say goodbye?’
‘Leanne, I don’t know what you’re getting at? Come on cielo. Can’t you see how silly you’re being. We are engaged. I asked you to marry me and you said yes! Why would I have done that if there had been anyone else in the world for me?’
‘You tell me!’ she hisses angrily, spinning on her heels and heading over to her group of friends, trying to look
as calm as possible as she weaves her way through the guests, all seemingly oblivious to their dispute.
‘Shit. Marcos, do you want us to leave?’ asks Rachel, holding her friend tightly, ‘it might be best for everyone?’
‘No,’ says Marcos adamantly, ‘no, please stay. You are guests of my parents. I can’t imagine what has got into Leanne. I’m so sorry Isabel.’ He looks over at her, wanting to take her in his arms, but he also understands how inappropriate that would be. ‘Please don’t worry. Leanne has had a lot to drink, that’s all and she won’t make a scene in front of everybody. Please say you’ll stay?’
‘If you really want us to?’ asks Isabel quietly, ‘I really don’t want to cause any problems.’
‘That’s settled then,’ he smiles, ‘I’m going to circulate for a while and see if I can find Leanne. My father wants to make a speech later. Just enjoy the party, girls!’ he smiles, a big warm sympathetic smile and they watch as he embraces and welcomes more guests, in his natural, charming way.
Rachel and Isabel settle themselves on a couple of comfortable high backed chairs and accept a plate of mixed canapés and drinks from an attentive waiter.
Isabel lets her head drop back against the chair and puffs out her cheeks, ‘Shit, what on earth was that?!!!’
‘That, my lovely friend, was the biggest display of evil jealousy that I have ever seen...!! But, you know who she is, don’t you?’
‘Of course. Shit Rach, what are we going to do??!’
Chapter 25
Pedro’s speech is beautiful and, luckily, the forced smiles of the happy couple standing next to him are only obvious to Rachel and Isabel. They even manage to kiss convincingly when everybody raises their glasses to them. Although, Isabel notices, there is no eye contact. She doesn’t really know how to feel, but she does know that the last thing she wants is to be responsible for a breakup.
Waves of Betrayal (The Isabel Marsh Trilogy Book 1) Page 10
