The Playboy’s Downfall novel Chapter 72

AFTER Isla took a quick shower, she stepped out of the bathroom and saw Zero that was sitting on the bed.

“You can wait for me outside. I will just change—”

“I asked the maid to bring you some of mom’s dress. You can pick one—”

“Don’t talk to me as if we’re okay, Zero. Because you knew, we’re not. And please, let’s get back home early. I’m afraid Apollo will find out about this—”

“He’s out of town. You’re safe—”

“I don’t feel that I’m safe with you anymore, Zero. You just stabbed me with a sharp knife in my chest,” whoever will hear Isla’s words will feel the pain.

“Isla—”

“I had enough, Zero. It’s already clear to me. Don’t worry. And you don’t have to be sorry. It’s just that, I thought you’re wise enough to be responsible with your words,” she uttered, and Zero knew what she was pointing out.

Zero told her that they could be like real couples, yet Zero broke that.

“I don’t want you to feel—”

“Feel what? Pain? Why would I feel pain? Do you think I’m in love with you?” she asked and let out a sarcastic laugh. “Zero, don’t be too full of yourself. What are you, a gold?”

“It’s not like—”

“Ah… I don’t want to hear about it anymore. Just get out and wait for me downstairs,” she uttered.

Zero heaved a deep sigh and exited the room. His eyes widened for a bit when he saw his mom standing a meter away from him.

“What's wrong, Zero?” she asked.

Zero sighed again and shook his head. “It’s nothing, mom,” he replied.

His mother walked near him. “Son, I’m glad that at last, you already brought a woman here—and as far as I remember, you did tell me that you will only bring here the woman you love, does that mean, you love—”

“It’s not because I told you that in the past, mom, means to say I’m already in love with Isla. You know Apollo?” he asked, and his mom nodded.

“She’s Isla’s brother, and I’m just doing a favor to take good care—”

“While carrying her naked until you reached your room?” his mom interrupted, which made his eyes widen, and suddenly his forehead creased.

“Don’t fool me, Zero. Even if we’re not living with us anymore, I saw, and I know how to differentiate—”

“Mom, we’re not in a relationship. You know I will be going to Spain for a month, right? Isla is my friend, and I just want to spend this time—”

“Because you can’t accept to yourself that you shared feelings the way how she felt for you. hep,” she realized her hand to prevent Zero from interrupting. “You knew you were falling already. That’s why you’re distancing—”

“Mom, I told you, I’ll be gone for a month or two. I need to settle my business in Spain—”

“Come on, Zero. Your father and I had been there and done those. And no matter how hard you try to deny it,” she shook her head, “I won’t agree nor believe you again,” she said and was about to turn around when she spoke, “also, Isla is beautiful and got a perfect body, and I know she’s kind too. And the best thing is… she’s in love with you,” her mother added and left him dumbfounded.

Zero wiped his palm into his face to suppress his anger and knocked on the door. What’s taking her too long? She thought.

Having no patience in waiting, Zero started to climb down.

Isla, at that moment, doesn’t know where to start. She's so hurt—her heart was too broken for what Zero did. She was right all along that Zero would do anything stupid for her. And the fact that she thought about the possibilities, but she still did her best to cover it up.

She heaved a deep sigh as she stared at herself in the mirror. “Lesson learned, Isla,” she whispered before turning her back away and exiting the room.

She was expecting Zero was waiting for her, but he was not. The corridor is empty, and it’s only her who was standing there.

A tear fell from her eyes again as she started to walk her way to the staircase. She wiped her tears away and cheered herself not to cry again.

She doesn’t want Zero’s mom to see that she’s crying. What would she go to answer if the older woman asked for the reason why she was crying?