chapter eleven

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James swing himself out of bed in the early hours of the morning sniffles as he head to the bathroom he wash his face brush his teeth and went to the kitchen, his cellphone was left on the counter and when he check gwen has called him twice he avo...

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James swing himself out of bed in the early hours of the morning sniffles as he head to the bathroom he wash his face brush his teeth and went to the kitchen, his cellphone was left on the counter and when he check gwen has called him twice he avoid calling her back, he has some coffee went for a swim he after a while have breakfast then left the house, he met with Ivano and they drove out of town to get a few things ready for the auction,
Wednesday was new years day and the big auction was coming up and he had invited a few top bidders and has most of his best piece he has gotten a few people to join the auction to contribute their piece he was hoping that Leona get another he love the one she gave him of himself one such as that will definitely do,
Leona spend the day in her room putting together a photo to give to she was thinking of the same one she gave him for Christmas and the one by by his pool that one was fabulous, then she thought of doing both,
Isabelle wonder what was keeping her daughter so locked up and went to check on her she knocked on hearing the knocking leona hide her things and sat up
"What's happening?" Isabelle asked
"Nothing" leona answer
"You've been avoiding the family all morning" isabelle said
"Work" leona told her
"What type of work?"
"A project on photo art" leona told her mother
"When is it due?" Isabelle asked
"As... Soon as I'm done" leona said
"Soon as you are done can you come down" isabelle said
"I will mom" leona said
Isabelle got up and left her
Leona decided on her piece and went down,
They have dinner and head to the living room to sit isabelle phone rang Marsha called she haven't seen her since Christmas night and talk to her only since Friday,
There was a art display at the museum and she wants to drag isabelle off to see it,
She agreed to go,
James forgot about the display tonight and his secretary had to call him to remind him, he had to hurry to go home get ready and prepare himself for the showcasing,
It wasn't a fair or an auction it was just showcasing one of james original piece it wasn't something he done on a regular basis but it was a painting discribing the life of the ancient history of the first indian tribes and their home in a cave it was such a magnificent piece james didn't get must display pieces unless it was artifact and people were willing to come see his display he has isabelle on his mind he got the auction now leona
"I feel cluster" james told Ivano who was standing next to him as he sigh a few autographs
"It's awesome isn't it?" Marsha question
"Yeah it's ancient artifact that's art most love art" isabelle said
"Yeah that's a piece,
James was coming to wards the display case Ivano at his side but people wanting to get pictures and autographs were blocking the way isabelle roll her eyes at Marsha she wonder if she'll ever get there, she didn't say it but Marsha having the feeling she was thinking it,
"You're good don't doubted that and you just need to of yourself out more doing what he's doing" Marsha said
"I bet he knows all the right people" isabelle said
Shaquille knows Ivano pretty good they didn't hang out together but you could say they share a close relationship, shaquille was with isabelle and Marsha when Ivano spot him and he and james went over,
james remember shaquille and greet him with a firm hand shake
Marsha and isabelle were still enchanted by the piece stood watch and didn't notice they came ,
"Hey there man, good to see you" james voice echo in their ears and they both turn,
"Isabelle!" james said in a surprise on seeing the woman he was sure was isabelle this time he wasn't dreaming sleep walking or was he delusional
"James! Ahhh!" Isabelle said clapping her palm over her mouth her eyes wide open and her heart beating fast,
For a few minutes she stare at him in bewilderment her eyes widened
"James, is that really you?" Marsha ask
"The only true one" james said
"James Benjamin how my God I can't believe it" Marsha hug him
"How are you Marsha I hadn't seen you in what fifteen years"
"It's fourteen" Marsha said
"I thought you left town" Marsha said
"I believe you left town" james said
Speaking at the same time
They both smile,
"I've been on the move but not to stay" james said
"I've never left" Marsha said
"Oh yeah unbelievable you're in town all this while" james said
"Yes all this while" Marsha said
"So what you've been up to?" James asked
"I'm teaching dance lessons the studio right across here" Marsha said
"That's funny and we never run into each other" james said turning to look at isabelle who had her eyes on him
"How that I know I'll drop in sometime" he said
Marsha rub his shoulder pat it nod and smile at him
They both look at isabelle who stood in the same surprise way her eyes haven't left james her hand haven't left her mouth, even as Ivano talk with her, isabelle couldn't believe her own eyes that james was here he's still in town it's and what she couldn't believe that he's the man behind the showcasing tonight, it's not even so much the fact that he was into this art business and the night was about him, isabelle can't remember ever seeing james painting he took pictures sketch and play the piano and that's about it ,
A few people james know came to talk to him, some came for autographs and to take pictures with him, he was done and later turn to address Ivano "tomorrow We'll deal with the rest ok"james said
Knowing what heir business were Ivano nod, "is it that you're leaving?" Ivano ask
James nod,
Ivano nod too, "I'll call you up" he said said
James face shaquille shook his hand, "such a pleasure once again" he said
"The pleasure is always mind" shaquille said
They both smile
James pat Shaquille's shoulder he turn and smile at Marsha
"Oh Marsha it's good to see you" james said hugging her
"I'm glad myself I hope to see you again soon" Marsha said as they embrace
""There's an auction on Wednesday at my gallery" james said handing Marsha a card "it starts at six hope to see you there" james said
"Most definitely" Marsha said smiling
James was walking away when he held Isabelle's upper arm and pulled her away, Marsha try to reach out to isabelle but they were already trying to get through the crowd Ivano shrugged when Marsha look at them,
"They know each other?" Shaquille asked
Marsha nod,
"Mmmh" Ivano said
But neither of them give any details,
james got to the outside with his palm around Isabelle's wrist they came to a stop where they face each other they stare into each other's eyes
"Isabelle" james said her name in a heavy tone
"James" isabelle said as her voice trimble,
"Let me explain" she said shakingingly
He want her to explain why she left him at the alter waiting to put a ring on her finger, he has so many things to say to her, he wanted to outbursts his anger feeling tell her what he think about her hoping it was nothing good but seeing her make his needs buzz at him he pulled her to a motel around the corner not very far got a room and instead of a heated conversation they made some heated love neither was able to resist,
"Your body is still so gorgeous" james said as he kiss Isabelle's breast and belly at the same time admiring her
"Oh james I need you so" isabelle cried out holding on to his hair as he love her down
They were apart for a very long time with only thoughts and memories of what shared between them from the past how they were two people desperate for each other's love as as they enjoy the feeling of being in ach other's arms again there was nothing either wanted more not even the fact that james was so mad at her right now and for the fact isabelle has so much to explain,
James held Isabelle tightly to him not wanting to let her go ever again he has a lot of questions he want to know so much but he becomes too comfortable to care and after a heated love he lay rubb her hair until he fell a sleep,
Isabelle lay next to james the warmth of his body heat make her cuddle to him more as she rub his chest he turned open his eyes and smile at her isabelle smile back, she can't believe it wasn't a dream after sixteen years she gets to feel james arms around him again it's just a pity she couldn't stay the entire time when he was in deep sleep she sneak out and left, it was late and isabelle made it back to her car, the street was almost empty as she walk to her car five buildings from the museum was the motel she got to her car and sat lean her head back and play on her memories for a while she smile, then a grin she giggled then laugh she sighed and touch herself
When she got home it was pretty late and sneak her way in and took a shower then climb into bed Ralf turn to face her when she's did he just smirk at her and close his eyes
James feel next to him but the space was empty he open his eyes to find isabelle gone, "damnit" he said hissing "not again" he said fustratingly he sigh and rest his palm over his face, he can't believe this had happened again he had the feeling she was just just here to attend the showcasing as she was in to the art business as well, james took a shower before checking out of the motel and head straight home, he hadn't felt this good in years and can't believe he got to love isabelle it wasn't a dream it wasn't he's sure about it he's not seeing things he's a hundred percent sure, he call Ivano up "did we ran into anyone in particular at the showcasing?" James asked
Ivano grin knowing that sound of excitement in his voice "we did ran into shaquille" Ivano said "and Marsha who's now his girlfriend"
"She is?" James asked
"Yeah he seems cool with her" Ivano said
That's good what happened to her marriage before?" James question
"It ended real bad" Ivano explain
"I didn't finish that Marsha was still around" james said
"I didn't know you didn't know" Ivano said
"That's how it is" james said
"Yeah that's how it is, so did you get the answer you wanted from isabelle?" Last nigh?" Ivano ask
James chuckle he got the answer but it depends on what, he did got the answer to his calling body the lovoe made was sweet he felt to be still holding her
"I'll come by you and we work on it" Ivano said he ignores the fact that james didn't say but from the sound in his voice tells him something bigger than a conversation took place,
"Must the children go to the community center today?" Isabelle asked
She comes in the kitchen all dress up
"You're going out?" Carmen asked
"Yeah I'm meeting Marsha" isabelle told her,
"You came in so late last night did the showcasing took that long?" Jeana asked
"You know Marsha" isabelle said
Ralf look at her,
"You're kids free for today" carmen said
"Thanks it's like I wasn't going to get a time off"
They laugh
Isabelle's phone rings and she saw it was masha who was calling "I'm about to come by you" isabelle said as she open the line,
"Ok" Marsha said and they hang up,
"Good morning" leona said as he entered the kitchen
"Good morning" they said
"Going out?" Isabelle asked
"Can I have a hundred dollars mom please?" Leona ask
"A hundred dollars what far?"
"Work I need to go to the photo shop, I'm going to pay you back" leona said
"Out of what?" Isabelle asked , "haven't you bust out all your savings and it's all gone?" Isabelle asked
"I promise to pay it back mom please I have to do this today" leona said
Isabelle gave her the money "I want you to pay me back" isabelle said
"That's what I said mom, later mom, ok you" leona kiss her mother's cheek kiss her great grand mother said good bye and left a head of isabelle who left shortly
The others left for work a little later leaving the older ones at home, Ralf and the children
Marsha was just opening up her dance studio when isabelle got there Marsha widen her eyes she could just look at her and tell that james hs touch her to the look on her face,
"Wow girl you're blooming tell me about it" Marsha said
Isabelle sigh "I can't believe james is still here" isabelle said
"I can't believe it myself" Marsha said
They sat together on cushion on the studio floor,
"Did you talk?" Marsha asked
"Body language" isabelle said
"You guys make love?" Marsha asked
"He drag me away around the corner from a motel before long we were making love" isabelle said
Marsha clap and laugh
"Probably needed that more than the air you breathe" Marsha said
"How could you tell? Unexpectedly he's sixteen years better" isabelle folded her legs and sucked in air, she sigh deeply
"When someone make you feel special ten twenty thirty years down the road that's the same feeling he's going to make you feel, and you you still love him" Marsha said
Isabelle nod
"He was good to you isabelle I can't forget" Marsha said
Isabelle vnod she remembers how much,
"What happened after you make out?" Marsha asked
"I think he became both excited and exhausted he felt a sleep smiling"
"You left him asleep he is going to be furious this time" Marsha said
Isabelle thought so too, she frowns and shrugged
"We're going to the auction right?" Marsha asked
"I want to think so" isabelle said
"You want to think so, of course you're going, bringing anything" Marsha asked
"I didn't came prepared for that"
"You're in to art you have to always prepare" Marsha said
"Maybe become other time" isabelle said
Marsha nod and they smile at each other,
"I can't believe you didn't talk" Ivano said when james told him what had happened last night, "I thought that was why you were so glad to see her"
"I remember what we had man it was too perfect and hitting it last night make me want to have her back" james said
"You believe that's possible?" Ivano ask
"I don't know" james said
"You want her back and you have no faith to say it can happen" Ivano shook his head,
The doorbell sound and james got up to get it, he open up to see leona
"Hey leona" he said she smile at him and hug him,
"I wasn't expecting to see you today, come on in" james said
"I did what you said" leona said
"Oh you did let me have a look" james said
Ivano came from the bar and saw the someone from angle he was standing the someone looks like isabelle "hey you" Ivano said leona turn and he pull back she was way too young to be isabelle but she almost look that way "I'm sorry you look like someone I knew" he said
"I'm Leona" leona said
"Leona?" Ivano questions he look at james he was the only one that heard her name and think of james middle name that was Leo "I'm Ivano"Ivano said
"Leona is here with a piece top auction" james said taking the bag
"You're into art?" Ivano ask
"Ah you chose this one" james said turning the portrait to show Ivano
"This is good" Ivano said
"You paint this?"
"It's picture art" james said
Ivano nod, "it is you right?" He asked james
James nod
"He show the other one to him and they both look it over lamenting on it
"You're good" Ivano said
"Thanks" leona said
"And it was nice to meet you" Ivano said
Leona smile
Ivano nods "I'm going to get out the way and leave you two to talk" Ivano said
"Call me later" james said they embrace and Ivano left
"I can entertain you with anything?" James asked
Leona look at him
"You're staying a while?" James asked
Leona nod,
"I'll make fish sandwiches and some strawberry daiquiri" jams said
"The one without the alcohol?" Leona ask
"Is has to be right" james said
Leona nod and smirk, he leaned the pictures in a corner and ushered her to the kitchen guiding her by the shoulder,
Leona lurk around the counter while he fix the strawberry daiquiri and fish sandwiches
"I have dice game" leona said when she and james sat around the table
James grin "you want to challenge me is that so?" He asked
"I'm good I must warn you" leona said
"Oh oh I think I hear a challenge" james said putting his hand to his ear
"You got that right" leona said she giggled and james heart skip a beat he remembers isabelle from last night making love to her holding her the fact that he is angry with her fifteen sixteen years of anger and he didn't get to show it to her, she was beautiful inside out like the first time he touch her,
James and leona move into the living room they got comfortable on the rug open the dice board and was ready to play "I'll throw first" james said
"No I'll throw, ts ladies before gentleman" leona said
"Nonsense the man is to pave the way for the ladies" james said
Leona giggle and shook her head,
"Who did god created first Adam or even?" James joke
Leona grin
"Ok you win, I'm even too young to argue" leona said handing james the dice
James first throw was a double six then he throws a six three he got a double three and leona grab the dice
"Wait wait stop" james said
"What it's my turned to throw"
"I didn't move as yet, and I'm going to want to throw again if I don't finish move and you took up the dice"
Leona giggle "unfair" she grumble
"Rules or rules missy" james said
They trill themselves playing the game for a while the game got them for to toe with each other I'll for kill and jumping barriers james miss count so many times killing her when it shouldn't be and they argue about it
"You weren't watching the game" james said
"I was watching just fine" they laugh and make face at each other,
"So you really think that my work will be notice?" Leona ask
"I've noticed it" james said "ah!" He said I kill you"
"No you didn't " leona said reaching to take the dice again
"I have a bucket of cookies and cream" james said in a whisper
"Really that's my flavor" leona said
"don't go anywhere" james said getting up leona smile up at him he went in the kitchen and return with a large keg of cookies and cream withcone spoon he set it tpin the middle lean over and have some spoons leona giggle he was done when leona did the samec and giggle they got back into the game both having themselves a great time
Gwen couldn't get through to james he wasn't at work for she had stop by so she decided to come by the house for he wasn't with his family she call to check, she knock but he didn't come his van was there and so was his car hen she peek in the garage through the glass in the door she turn the knob and tube it open she could hear giggling and look to see james on the floor with the girl she was almost laying on him as they were wrestling for the dice neither of them hear when gwen comes,
"James" gwen said
Leona and james sat up
"Gwen you're here" james said
"Yes I am i try to call you, what is she doing here?" gwen asked
"Hi leona said
Gwen look at her but didn't answer
Leona came so we were having a little fun playing dice, want to join us?" James asked
"No I don't play ludie" Gwen said
"It's ok, I was leaving anyway" leona said getting up and started putting her things together
"You should give me your number so I can call you" james said"
"Sur"e leona said james gave her the phone and she puts the number in,
"Thanks" james said hugging her to him and kiss her forehead
Gwen watch them leona left and james look at her,
"What's all this?" Gwen asked pointing to the keg of cookies and cream on the floor open up with just one spoon
James got up to take it up,
Father daughter bonding, or love triangle?" Gwen asked
"Gwen don't go there" james said
"It is as if you're blind Ithis can screw you up" gwen said
"I don't understand talking to this girl is going bro screw me, you think we m stupid?"
"I thought you weren't once but you're too caught up now to be anything else but stupid, I'm leaving" gwen said turning to walk away,
"I never thought I would say this gwen but you're behaving childish"
Gwen gave him a hard look hissed then turn and left, james sigh flag his arms and let her go after last night with isabelle he wasn't worried a bit now that gwen is mad at him that little moment was a lot to him he wasn't sure if it when he would see her but for now he's not worrying about nothing at all.

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