A Love to Forget novel Chapter 5

Esme spun around and found Isaiah standing behind her, his expression drastically changed. She quickly ended the call, but Isaiah rushed forward, grabbing her hand.

He asked, "Essie, who's immigrating?"

Esme kept her face straight. "It's just a classmate. She's planning to move abroad and wanted to meet up before leaving."

Isaiah's panic subsided at her composure, never suspecting she might lie. Even so, he still pulled her into a tight hug and muttered, "You scared me. For a second, I thought it was you."

Esme's lips twitched into a faint smile. "It's just immigration. Why are you so dramatic about it?"

Isaiah's heart was still pounding as he explained, "Essie, you know my family's background—generations in the military. Moving abroad isn't an option for me."

He paused, his grip on her tightening as if to anchor himself. "If I ever mess up, you can yell at me, hit me, or even kill me, but please don't leave the country. I wouldn't be able to find you, and that would kill me more than anything."

Esme stayed silent in his embrace, her faint smile hiding her true thoughts. She murmured, "I understand."

Perhaps sensing something was amiss, Isaiah stuck by Esme's side for the next few days, refusing to let her out of his sight. Even when his friends invited him to a new lounge for a gathering, he insisted on bringing her along.

Isaiah's constant vigilance worked against Esme's favor, as she had no opportunity to slip away to the immigration office. Resigned, she accompanied him to the lounge. As soon as they entered the private room, Isaiah's friends greeted them with warm enthusiasm.

Someone said, "Esme, relax and enjoy yourself. We know you like quieter vibes, so we swapped the usual music for piano tracks and cleared the place out just for you."

"Yeah, Isaiah made sure everything here suits your tastes, including your favorite desserts."

"Come, Esme, sit here! The fruit's all washed and sliced."

Isaiah raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "When did you guys get so good at buttering her up?"

One of them laughed and shrugged. "Everyone knows Esme's the love of your life. If we don't treat her right, how could we expect you to keep hanging out with us?"

"Exactly! The moment you got married, you ditched us for her. We've accepted it. Now, we just want to join you in pampering Esme!"

Laughter filled the room, lightening the atmosphere. But just as the mood peaked, a petite figure suddenly walked in—it was Audrey.

The manager rushed forward to intercept her. "I'm sorry, miss, but we're hosting VIPs tonight and aren't accepting other guests."

Audrey brushed past him without a second thought, smiling brightly as she addressed the room. "Esme, Isaiah! So it was you who booked the place. What a coincidence. You don't mind if I join you, right?"

Before anyone could respond, Audrey strolled over and sat down beside Esme. Under the dim lighting, she casually slid Isaiah's hand under her skirt.