Disclaimer: I don't own Wuthering Heights. However, I do "own" many fictional characters that live in my closet muahahaha

Hey loyal fans! Thank you all so much for all the R&R. xxx love all of you and your support. I'm so glad to know that my story makes the concept of the book more interesting. But I will keep echoing these words: READ THE BOOK. I love it so much and I hope all of you will too! Anyway, this next chapter moves a bit quickly...

Isabella lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She wanted to sing. She wanted to fly. She wanted to throw open her window and scream at the top of her lungs, and she knew why. Every time she closed her eyes, one face appeared through the blackness. Every time he entered a room, her heart would start pounding so loud she swore everyone else could hear it. She had only known him for a week now, and yet her mind kept replaying his every word, gesture, and expression. His name was always on the tip of her tongue, just waiting to be spoken. She whispered it into a pillow, over and over again, wishing he could hear her.

After he had returned on that first day, Caty had offered for him to stay in the penthouse, since there was more than enough room for one more person. He had accepted, and now Izzie was almost afraid to leave her room, just in case she bumped into him and acted like a total idiot again. She wondered about him. What was his real name? Where had he come from? What did he think of her? She had no courage to ask him, not that he even paid any attention to her. He seemed to have eyes only for Caty, and Caty wasn't polite enough to let Izzie in on their conversations. She was sick of it, and she was going to make him notice her today.

She heard the sound of laughter coming from nearby. HC and Caty were up, making breakfast and talking. She brushed her hair, put on a pink dressing gown, and stepped into the kitchen, "Good morning!" she said brightly, "Wow! Something smells good!" she smiled at HC in the way which made most men nearly faint. However, it had no effect on him. Caty raised her eyes bemusedly. She laid the table and went to grab the seat next to HC, as usual. To her surprise, Izzie had already taken it, "So, HC," she started, placing a hand dangerously close to his, "I didn't know you could cook so well!"

"Er...you haven't actually eaten anything." He said, looking puzzled

"Well...um...yeah, but it looks good!" she sunk farther down into her chair; feeling embarrassed by Caty's muffled giggles. Edgar entered the room and sat down next to Caty, kissing her on the cheek, "Good morning, everyone!"

"Morning," said Caty, "Hey listen, HC and I were thinking that we all might go to the park today. We could eat at that cute little bistro by the lake." Izzie could hardly imagine HC suggesting this, but he would probably go anywhere Caty went.

"Sorry," said Edgar, "I've got to finish a paper, but you guys can go without me."

A week ago, Caty would have cancelled her plans and stayed home with her fiancée, but that week seemed like a century, "Oh, that's too bad." She pouted for a second, and then continued talking to HC.

It was a beautiful day, and the park was crowded. Caty, HC, and Izzie sat down at an outside table. Izzie had once again snagged the seat next to HC. She discovered that he didn't talk much. He was mysterious. It made her like him even more. This was good because while looking into his dark eyes, she was barely able to form a coherent word. Right when they were just about to leave, she felt a hand on her shoulder, "Izzie? Hi! I never thought I'd see you again." She turned around, the excited voice belonged to that actor, James what's-his-name, who she had met at the restaurant last week. Apparently, he hadn't forgotten her.

"Oh, James, hi!" she tried not to sound annoyed, "So, what are you doing here?" she would make some small talk and then dismiss him subtly.

"Well," he said, "I'm shooting a movie about a half a mile down from here, and I decided to go hang out in the park."

"Oh, that's nice." She smiled gracefully, "Well, it was nice seeing you again..."

"Oh, Izzie." Said Caty, you don't have to leave your friend because of us. Why don't you two go have fun? See you later!" it wasn't a suggestion, it was an order. Caty was clearly trying to get her away from HC. Izzie had manipulated enough people in her life to know that tone. There was no use resisting. She walked away. She would get to HC though. It was her mission.

The walk with James was boring. He bragged about his fame and the parties he went to while Izzie nodded her head without actually listening. Before, she would have been charmed by the roses he bought her and the way he introduced her to everyone on his movie set, but not anymore. James seemed so dull compared to dark, handsome HC. Eventually, she was able to make an excuse and free herself from the artificial people. Catching a cab was no problem, but the traffic was. After a half an hour of barely moving, she paid the driver and decided to walk home, even though it was starting to rain. What can a little rain do to a girl in love?

It turned out that her new Ferragamos were not made for city life. Just outside the apartment building, one heel snapped, causing her ankle to twist. As she bent down to evaluate the damage, the contents of her purse spilled out onto the muddy sidewalk. The rain had gotten far worse and she was soaking wet. As she bent down to pick everything up, her hand touched another. She looked up and froze.

There was HC, rain-soaked and smiling warmly at her. She had no idea that he was even capable of smiling. It made him look even handsomer, the fairytale prince right out of her dreams. Even though she could feel the pain in her ankle and the mascara running down her cheeks, she just had to smile back, not her usual false smile, but a genuine grin. His lips began to move slowly, and she realized he had said something. He repeated it a little more loudly, "Are you okay?"

This made her snap back to life. Her cheeks flushed as she quickly drew her lingering hand away from his, "Um...er...wha-oh, yes, I'm fine!" She quickly picked up the scattered items from the ground and shoved them back into her purse. This was the first time she'd ever been speechless in her life. He stood up and held out his hand chivalrously, helping her to her feet, "Are you able to walk?"

"Um, I don't think so" she stuttered, and he tucked her hand into his elbow. She felt like Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe, being escorted by a handsome gentleman. That's what he was, the most sophisticated, elegant, courteous man she had ever met. Who would be able to resist that?

When they reached the elevator door, she started searching for her keys in her purse, until she felt a tap on her shoulder. HC was dangling her key ring from his index finger, raising his eyebrows. He had probably taken them when her purse had tipped over, "Looking for these?" he asked mischievously, holding them out just beyond her reach.

She huffed, pretending to be annoyed, "Why did you take them?"

He handed them to her, "So I could have the time to do this" and before she could respond, he grabbed her back and kissed her, just like in a movie. He was, as she had expected, a good kisser, such a good kisser that she couldn't object to the impromptu kiss. In fact, she wouldn't have had it any other way.

HC had planned it all out perfectly. He had played sick when Caty invited him out to dinner with her and that repulsive idiot. As soon as they had left, he had paced near the gigantic window overlooking the street until the girl was finally standing there. The fall made things too perfect, now he was even more of a hero in her eyes. The key trick was all off the top of his head, but it had worked out brilliantly and now he had her, in his arms, lips pressed to his; completely at his mercy. It was all just so...perfect. Revenge was just around the corner.

Then the moment of perfection, he heard a sharp intake of breath behind Isabella. Sure enough, as he lifted his head, there was Caty, hand in hand with Linton. Her eyes were first wide with shock, and then burning with rage. His expression was one of pure hatred.

Isabella's reaction was much unexpected. At first, she resembled a deer caught in the headlights of a Jeep. Then her cheeks flushed and she looked embarrassed. Finally, she composed herself and looked Caty straight in the eye. Her smile was triumphant and gloating.