AN: Sorry that I did not post this chapter the next day. Had to take a 4 hour long test, and then went out for dinner afterwards with friends. Lame excuse, I know, but now that most of the activities I am in are at its end, I shall be able to post more often. Thanks again to reviewers. Please R&R.

Chapter 19. In A Predicament

"Isabel?" Gregory greeted me with perplexity as he stood atop a grand staircase at my figure in the entrance hall. "What are you doing… are you alright?

"We must talk," I stepped towards him, rushing up the stairs. "I think something might be…"

"Yes, we do need to talk." Gregory grabbed my hand and led me down a corridor into a room that appeared to be a study, full of shelves of books lining the walls, numerous chairs, and a great fireplace with a large fire still spewing smoke. "Isabel, I will be leaving soon."

"Leaving?" I tried to come off as shocked.

"Yes," he nodded, his grip on my hand tightening. "But I shall be thinking of you every moment."

"Where are you off to?"

"Edmund told me that he has plans of investing in something related to music, and is in need of my assistance. I shall be gone for a week with my cousin, mon amour, but not a day longer."

"I think Ziddler has some plans…"

"Ziddler?" Gregory questioned.

"It… I… he…" I shook my head, unable to express myself.

"It is a stressful time, ma belle. Monsieur Ziddler recently told me of your position."

"My position?"

"Oui," he replied. "He just left before you arrived, explaining that the reason you were not agreeing to an engagement was because you were still in love with another man. I understand completely. I am not angry with you for how you feel, Isabel. I love you. I shall wait. I only ask for you to try. To grow to love me. How I wish to be with you…"

"You know…" I felt weak, my vulnerability revealed.

"Ziddler told me of your heartbreak," he went on. "I can understand your emotions, Isabel. I realize this is not the best moment to speak of my intentions, when you are still not completely sure of your feelings for me, but I cannot leave knowing that you are left in such a state. I want you to know I shall be there for you. That you have a man who loves you for who you are, and will do all he can to make you happy. I did not ask for your Uncle's permission yet, but I was wondering if you might…"

"…let me explain myself."

"Isabel," Gregory held my hands to his lips, looking into my eyes with such intensity, I kept my mouth shut. "There is plenty of time for explanation later. I must be heard. I must know before I leave. Marry me."

For hours Christian and me talked late into the night about love. Most of the time we did not make sense and rambled on like drunkards. But just being in his arms… having someone there to listen to my words, as pathetic as they must have sound… was the closest feeling to contentment I had ever experienced.

Now rested upon Isabel's bed on my side, my back to the door, I smiled at the sound of Christian's easy breaths of slumber. He had talked himself straight to sleep. Looking at his face, at how his face had this subtle smile plastered on while he slept, I wished to just kiss him tenderly.

"Thank you… for being there." I whispered to him, brushing aside his hair and pressing a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Cecille!"

"Isabel?" Cecille sat upon instantaneously, exclaiming. "I… did you enjoy the opera?"

"What?" Christian lifted himself up at the commotion, scratching his head. The first thing he saw was Cecille, and smiled. "Hello."

"What is going on?" my hands sought my hips as I watched Christian's eyes focus on me.

"Isabel?" Christian's eyes went wide as he looked from Cecille to me, like a little child caught stealing. "This… it is not what you may think."

"Oh please, don't mind me." I held out my hands, retreating to the door. "Don't mind me."

"Isabel!" Christian stood up, rushing to the door.

Slamming my room shut, I ran off, too engulfed in hurt and upset to remember to pick up the bottoms of my dress.

Escaping into the chilled night, the slap of the icy breeze felt like nothing against my numb body. So many thoughts raced through my head. So many ideas. Situations. Explanations.

Christian and Cecille…

…in my room.

Tears filled my eyes as I walked down the street, my head bent low to conceal my cries.

"Isabel?"

Looking up, I saw Toulouse looking down me from out of a window of a motel that appeared more abandoned than occupied. I stood where I was for a few minutes as Toulouse raced down to meet me, clad in a scarlet outfit that was no doubt a costume for whatever play he was to perform in.

"What is wrong, my petite?"

"I… is… can I stay at your place for the night?"

"If you need somewhere to sleep, of course." Toulouse held me close to console me, although I giggled at how he barely came to my shoulder, as he led me to him room. "What has happened?"

"I hold my breath as this life starts to take its toll

I hide behind a smile as this perfect plan unfolds

But oh, God, I feel I've been lied to

Lost all faith in the things I have achieved

And I

I've woken now to find myself

In the shadows of all I have created

I'm longing to be lost in you

(away from this place I have made)

Won't you take me away from me," (1)

I choked, about to collapse upon entering Toulouse's motel room, illuminated by numerous candles scattered throughout. Kept on my feet by a hidden strength within Toulouse's small frame, he led me to a mattress on the floor that was filled with velvet pillows and sheets of dark violet and crimson.

"What has happened, Isabel?" Toulouse repeated as I curled up on a ball, crying. "I will try to understand, but you must tell me."

I closed my eyes, wishing to leave this horrid sense of reality, but each time I did so, I saw them… on my bed… Cecille kissing Christian. Could I describe that image to Toulouse? Would I want to relive it by telling it?

"Do not worry, my petite." Toulouse bent down and patted my back, letting me know that although everything around me was breaking down, he was still solid. "Whatever it is that you are feeling, it shall go away with time."

Biting my lips to suppress my cries and tears, I shook my head, my body becoming tighter.

"Perhaps you shall feel better in the morning, oui?" Toulouse asked, waiting my answer.

When he was about to walk out of the room, I stood up and let my voice be heard.

"Please do not tell Christian where I am."

"Oui, my petite." Toulouse nodded and smiled. "We shall talk of the matter in the morning."

Surrounded now in darkness and the sounds of the night as all else proceeded on without me, I cried helplessly to myself. No thoughts went through my head as sobbed. No happiness. No sadness. Just an emptiness that engrossed the very fiber or my being.

"Never knew I could feel like this…" I lamented, as my future became as dark as the night sky. (2)

1. Evanescence "Away From Me"

2. Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman "Come What May"