When Rivals Collide

tgomerys were gathered around

restaurant now?" Lilian asked, dabbi

, there hasn't been much improvement, but I'

wrapped up. Alfonso was the first to leave, foll

ady's food truck going?" Lili

d a decent amount of information on her. My next move is to invi

eo," she said warmly. "Thank you for doing this." She gav

um have going on these past few days?" Elena teased a

sion turning instantly rude. "What do

s. "I was just wonderiiiing," she added, leaning in to te

g his eyes in frustration. "I do

, delighted at how easil

ade her way upstairs to her room, basking in the satis

le tugging at the corners of his lips. He shook his head,

eo exhaled deeply, pulling

us? Are we still m

us's voice responded

ough week," Theo said, hanging up with a smirk as he lea

heo placed a call t

This is Theo, the age

tch of her tone unusually high, hinting

office to sign some official documents

what time shou

ine, Theo

e there u

to seeing you, Theo

took in a deep breath as she drop

house chores afterwards, then

nd her father was attending a me

to keep the food truck closed for t

rrived, she stood in awe, marveling at the grandeur of the building

sk, where a cheerful receptionist greeted he

me tag read Lizzy, responded with a wa

," Isabell

h wh

eo," sh

said, motioning to the right as she

Oh, you're here so fast!" he said, standing to greet her

bella replied wit

r her to take a seat. He placed two d

The first is an agreement outlining our partnership, a

e pen he offered as she be

s she handed them over to Theo, the coffee she

ck as the hot liquid

e quickly masked it. What a clumsy fool, he tho

hing into a drawer to pull out a c

abella said, her voice full of emba

" Theo replied, feigning polit

getting so exhau

e, and empathy wasn't exact

parents, and even with his sister, whom he loved dearly,

o something lighter. "You can't walk around with that stain on your shir

cheeks flushed with a mix o

," Theo continued. "We'll

o need for tha

mly, cutting her off befo

ly as though feeling shy. Theo gave her a brief nod, already

, and as promised, stoppe

ive," Isabella blurted out, her eyes w

Isabella quickly turned away, pressing her lips together. I rea

eo said, gesturing towar

ick, I, um... there's, um..." Isabell

ng his head slightly at her awkwardness. He walked over to a r

ftly, taking the dress and he

e, scrolling through his phone. A few moments later, Is

king up with a satisfied

e, shifting slightl

?" Theo asked, noti

the zipper. It's stuck," she ad

her. Gently pulling her by the waist, he began working on the zipper, his h

ched, and an uncomfortable flutter stirred in her chest

id with a sly smile

murmured, her voice

boutique. "I have to catch the bus now," Isabella

, bowing his head slightly in a mock display

ecting on the day's events. For some reason

dress, admiring it, her hand brushed against a tag

eart racing. "Oh my God. I knew it. I knew that boutique

ng at her, Isabella picked up he

ay. I couldn't help but notice the price tag on the dress. This costs a

t's okay, I'd like to

ed through the phone, ca

I couldn't exactly let you leave the office in staine

ief and gratitude. "Thank you so much for your ki

th a teasing lilt, he added, "If you keep

o laughter, the te

said in unison b

again, her shock returning. "$25,000 for a dress? F

ld get something like this for 25

e. I know he works at a fancy organization, but how could his mo

as she whispered into the