The Ambassador and Me: an unlikely love story (The Ambassador Trilogy Book 1)

by Villano, Mia

  I went back to my condo after work. Thankfully, I had the condo to myself. I grabbed my laptop and searched her name again. Not much came out about her. It showed her again with Fabrice, her talking at a podium, and what little information about her that was out there. I googled Fabrice again and saw no mention of a wife anywhere on the internet. Around five I texted him.

  Sick and went home to my condo. Can’t go out tonight. Sorry. See you tomorrow.

  I thought about turning off my phone but left it on in case there was news on Anthony. He had been improving, and they hoped to have him wake up soon. He had moved his feet the other day my mom said. The police had no leads on who could have beat him up, and I’m still not convinced my brother didn’t have something to do with it. They were hoping once he wakes up he can give a description.

  I made something to eat, laid down on the couch in our living room, and put on the television. I needed to go for a run and decided it was a good time to get my running gear on and headed out. I wanted to run about three miles and do it before it became dark. I put in my ear buds, turned on Madonna, and started running down the sidewalk. Halfway into my run a blacked-out SUV pulled up alongside me and the window rolled down.

  “Isabella, get in the car.” It was Fabrice. His head was outside the window as the car drove at an alarmingly slow rate.

  “Fuck you.” I pulled the ear buds out of my ears.

  “What? Are we resorting to this again?”

  I stopped, and the car stopped, as well. Fabrice stepped out and tried to touch me.

  “Don’t touch me.” I walked away from him.

  “What the hell is it now?” he asked, totally oblivious to what I was about to tell him.

  “Your girlfriend Marin called me at work today to tell me that you were taking me to the Correspondents' Dinner so the press won’t bring up your marriage to Celeste who is dying.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not saying it again. Why the fuck would you do this to me?”

  I started running again and he caught me by the arm before I could get away. I tried to get out of his grip.

  “I said don’t touch me.”

  “You have officially lost your mind.”

  “Let go of my goddamn arm.”

  “Stop it, Isabella. Get in the car.”

  “Let go of my arm.” He let go and I ran flipping him off as I made my way through the neighborhood, running on their lawns and not the sidewalk. He wasn’t going to tell me to get in his car again, drag me to his house, and entice me with sex. I’ve had enough. I ran until I couldn’t run anymore, stopped at a coffee shop and ordered a cup of coffee, called Avery forgetting she was in class, and called a cab when it became too dark to run.

  I got home when I thought the coast would be clear. I didn’t know who to believe, or not believe, anymore. I was tired, sweaty, and fed up.

  My mom texted me that said. “Call me ASAP.”

  Great, Fabrice probably told her what happened, and she wanted me to call her so she could convince me to stay with him.

  I reluctantly hit her picture as the phone dialed her number. She answered before it finished ringing.

  “Izzy? Anthony is awake and is talking to the police.” My heart sank. I couldn’t bear to hear Danny had been arrested. I sat down on my couch to hear the news I didn’t think I could handle.

  “What did he say?”

  “He doesn't remember anything. Still no answers of who did this to him. I hoped Danny was in the clear, but it looks like they are going to keep looking into it. His mother said they hope he regains more of his memory as he gets better.”

  “I’m sure it’s someone he is mixed up with that he owes money. Is he fully awake?”

  “I guess. His mom called to tell me the news. He’s still in bad shape and needs therapy. He has a long road ahead of him. Since the father is so ill, his mom may send him back to California with relatives. Let’s hope so. When he is released from the hospital you should go down to the police station and file a restraining order until he does leave.”

  “Yes, I will. I don’t want him anywhere near me. Did he talk about me or Fabrice?”

  “No, he never mentioned either of you. I hope he just forgot. He has short and long term memory loss from being bashed in the head repeatedly with that bat. Christ, this is a nightmare, Isabella. What’s wrong? You aren’t saying much.”

  I didn’t want to go into it. I just wanted to be left alone.

  “Just a long day, Mom. I’m tired and I need to get some rest. I was hoping he would tell the police who did, so I could quit worrying about Danny.”

  “I understand. I have those days. Get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “Okay, Love you.”

  “I love you.” We hung up and I fell on the couch, too tired to cook anything or even worry about eating.

  I drifted off to sleep as I lay there, only to be woken up by pounding on my front door. Avery must have come home even though I hadn't heard her come in. She ran out of her room.

  “Who the fuck is that?” she yelled.

  “I don’t know.” I said. I stood up and Avery stomped to the door to look out the peep hole.

  “Fabrice.” Before I could tell her not to open the door she already did it.

  “What the fuck, Fabrice? It’s like two in the morning. Come in. Hasn’t Izz made you a key yet?” I had not had the chance to talk about our fight to Avery, so she had no idea I didn’t want to see him. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and walked over to him.

  “I need to talk to you, now.” He didn’t even look at Avery.

  Avery took that as a hint and grabbed a bottle of water and went back to her room without saying anything.

  “I don’t have any more to say, Fabrice. There is nothing left to talk about.” I didn’t care anymore. I just didn’t care what he had to say.

  “We have to talk. Please listen to me, not Marin or anyone else. Listen to me.”

  “Sit down.” I said, as I fell back on the couch. My hair was all over the place and I still had on my running clothes.

  “What did she tell you, Isabella?”

  “I thought you talked to her. Don’t you know?”

  “I know what she told me she said, but I want to hear it from you.”

  “She called and asked if she could meet me today. I asked her why and she said it was about you. I told her it wasn’t necessary and then she asked if I was going to the Correspondents' Dinner with you. I told her it was none of her business and she said she was going to be there. I said okay or something, I don’t know. She then went on to tell me the only reason you were taking me was to keep the news off of your dying wife. I hung up on her.”

  He looked down at his hands that were on his legs.

  “It’s Celeste isn’t it? Are you married, Fabrice?” Tears swelled in my eyes and I tried to hold them back. I was devastated and crushed.

  “No, I’m not married. I was married.”

  “Why couldn’t you have told me that before?”

  “I didn’t feel it was necessary. We were going to have a talk in Paris. I planned on telling you then. We just didn’t get around to it with everything going on with Anthony.”

  “Don’t do that, Fabrice. You had plenty of opportunities to tell me. Don’t blame it on Anthony.” I looked at him and he shook his head.

  “This is very difficult for me to talk about. It’s not something I go around telling just anyone.”

  “How does Marin know then?”

  “Marin is sneaky and vindictive. She went with me to Paris and looked up Celeste and paid her a visit. She’s a trouble maker and she thinks that hurting me is the way to get back to me. If she has something on someone she can use that against them.”

  Silence enveloped the condo. I heard the clock ticking over the kitchen sink. I sat back on the couch and grabbed a pillow to hold on to.

  “Tell me about her.”

  “I met Celeste seven years ago. We fell
in love. Her intelligence drew me to her and how feisty she acted. She was a lawyer and a real go-getter. We met and seemed to fall in love overnight. Like I did when I met you the night of the gala.”

  “You don’t have to say that, Fabrice. That’s not necessary.”

  “I don’t say what I don’t mean. Anyway, I asked her to marry me and she agreed. We were married six months later at my family's estate.” I could tell this was hard for him to tell me. He kept pausing and looking down.

  “We were in love and wanted to start a family. We tried. She couldn’t get pregnant. We went to the doctors and ran tests to see why she couldn’t get pregnant. She began having symptoms of pain in her muscles, dizziness, and blurred vision. We thought she needed glasses and just refused.”

  “When we went to the doctor they found out Celeste had MS. It devastated and changed her. She wasn’t the Celeste I married. She wanted me to divorce her. I refused, so she had our marriage annulled. I tried with all my strength to be with her and be her husband but she didn’t want me anymore. She didn’t want me to be around her when she was told she would get worse. She became so angry at life.”

  “I allowed our marriage to be annulled and she moved back to her parent’s house. She is worsening and in the final stages of the disease. I have visited her many times and just saw her last week when I stayed behind in Paris. She doesn’t have much time.” Tears filled his eyes as he looked at me.

  “I’m so sorry, Fabrice. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” I felt horrible once again for behaving as I did. I wanted to hold him in my arms and kiss him. I reached over and grabbed his hand. He took me in his arms.

  “I just don’t want her to suffer. She has suffered so much. She was beautiful and so full of life. Now she lays in a bed unable to move, talk, or live. Marin is a mean woman. She became enraged when I told her you and I were a couple. This was her way of hurting me. I had no bad intentions for this dinner. I wouldn’t do that to you. I want everyone to know I love you, Isabella.”

  “Fabrice.”

  Fabrice bent down and sealed his mouth over me. His lips were soft and seductive. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back to look into my eyes. I laced my fingers around his neck. I moaned loudly as he kissed me again, and we became wild with passion for each other. I couldn’t get enough of him. His tongue plunged into my mouth as he said my name. I wanted to lick and taste him. I wanted him so bad.

  “Once again, I’m sorry. I should have told you about her before Marin dug her claws into you. She wants you to run away from me. She wants you to think the worst of me. I hope you understand I wouldn’t hurt you, sweet Isabella. I wouldn’t do anything to make you hurt again.”

  “I know that, Fabrice. I know you are a good man. I’m just looking for the bad because it seems too good to be true. I’m so sorry about how I act. I fly off the handle way to fast. I have so much on my mind.”

  “It’s fine. Everything is going to be just fine. It will only get better.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “Come home with me and we can shower and sleep in my bed. Tomorrow’s the dinner and you can get ready with me.” I truly wanted to be with him. I believed him.

  “Sleep?” I smiled up at him.

  “After I make love to you at least a couple of times.”

  I agreed and ran and got my overnight bag. I informed Avery where I was going and kissed her goodbye and went home with the love of my life.

  Chapter 18

  Fabrice took his time getting ready for the dinner, and I went to one of the many guest rooms of the house with Avery. She came over earlier in the afternoon to help me with my hair. Once I had that gorgeous dress on, I was afraid to go out in it. It fit my body as perfectly as if it was made just for me. The color looked stunning against my skin and the jewelry I chose. My boobs looked huge in it because of how it was cut in front, and I loved the long slit up the side to show off my toned legs. My hair was straightened and I added a smoky eye and red lipstick.

  As usual, Avery stood behind me admiring me in the full length mirror.

  “Well?” I asked. I knew I looked good. I had never looked so good.

  “I’m not even going to respond to that, because you and I both know you look like a goddess. My God, what Chanel does for a person! This is why I buy designer clothes, Izz.”

  “That and because your parents are richer than shit.” I smiled at her in the mirror.

  “True, thank God for that. You look utterly incredible. I hope you realize that.”

  “I do this time. I feel good about this. I’m nervous as hell and will probably be unemployed by tomorrow, but I will go down looking hot.”

  “Shut up, so what. You have the man and the career will come. No one is going to be fired. Fabrice is a powerful man. Just let the evening play out.”

  “I better get downstairs to meet my man.” I smiled at her.

  “Yes, you better before I hit you over the head with something, put the dress on, and go with him! You are one lucky bitch.”

  “What are you doing tonight?” I asked.

  “Cherise and I are staying in. I’m watching the news. I want to see you on television. I will record it. She’s making cauliflower pizza and vegan chocolate chips. Who knew she could cook along with everything else.”

  “Wow, I sense a little bit of love happening.”

  Avery shrugged her shoulders.

  “Maybe.” She winked and slapped my butt. “Listen, I’m going to head out. I have a lot to do. I feel like a third wheel and I need to get ready for tonight. You are going to be insanely wonderful. Remember, he is madly in love with you. Have fun and it will work out.”

  “Thank you, baby. I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Damn right. Just you and me tomorrow for some catching up.” I hugged Avery and she left.

  Walking out of the room I changed in, I paused halfway down the steps to the kitchen. Fabrice took my breath away. My heart flipped in my chest when I saw his back to me. I couldn’t help but look him all over. His suit was a deep, navy blue so dark it looked black. I couldn’t look away. He had gelled back his salt and pepper hair, left stubble on his face from the night before, and the way he looked made me breathless.

  When he saw me he walked toward me.

  “My sweet Isabella.” He took my hand and kissed my fingers. He gaze on me was incredibly intense. His wet lips on my fingers aroused me.

  “Fabrice, you look amazing.”

  “You look pretty good yourself. I like the dress.”

  “My boyfriend bought it for me.” I smiled up at him. He winked at me.

  He turned more to me and I let my eyes take him in. He looked so powerful and handsome and he claimed to be all mine. His eyes told me I was his.

  “Our car should be here. Are you ready to go?”

  “Are you having second thoughts?”

  He bent down and kissed me, bringing my body next to his.

  “Not at all. We are going to make quite the entrance.”

  The black SUV pulled up all waxed and shiny. Ronnie jumped out to open the door for us.

  He smiled at me and patted Fabrice on the shoulder.

  “I know Ronnie, she’s something else.” I slid across the seat to the other side and carefully fixed my dress. Fabrice slid in next to me and took my hand.

  After the short drive, Ronnie pulled up to the red carpet. He let us out with the stream of other cars. Fabrice stepped out and reached for my hand. I hesitated. I looked at Fabrice and his eyes told me it was going to be okay. His eyes said this is what we were supposed to be doing and nothing was going to stop him. I knew at that moment there was no turning back.

  “Let’s do this, sweet Isabella.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it as the cameras flashed. This was it.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  This book is dedicated to my three most important people in my life. Chris, Hannah and Abigail you are my everything. Thank you for putting up with me.

&nbs
p; To my Beautiful Betas, Kelly Wiley, Barbara Alvarez, Emma Louise, Michele Henderson, LJ Cruz, Elizabeth Clinton. I couldn’t have done this without you. You gave me the courage to keep writing when I didn’t think I should anymore. Hope you will be with me through my entire career. I love you all.

  To the woman responsible for helping me get this done. She has done so much for me and asked for nothing in return. I love her to death. Thank you Yolanda Ann at The Art of Romance Promotions.