Cruel Intentions [Theo]

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Isabella had clocked the time on several occasions since arriving at the quaint little café that she had told Theo she would meet him at for lunch. The strictly business nature of the meeting and her awaited company had her already impatient wanting to hash out the details sooner rather than later. It had entirely to do with the simple logic that the sooner they came to a solid agreement the sooner one of them would get their prize. Out of the two of them, she realized, what Theo wanted from her was much more of a sacrifice than what Isabella wanted from him. He could replace the car but the emotional damage of what he wanted couldn’t be dealt with as easily. It had been stupid of her to agree to it but Isabella had always been too prideful for her own good.

Sipping on her water looking over the menu while she waited for the briefest of moments she had thought maybe Theo was standing her up. That wasn’t like him though, at least not in this case. Reputation was on the line, bragging rights and a chance to make her look like an idiot so he wouldn’t really pass it up. He was probably just running late as some notion to put things more on his terms. Since Isabella had initiated the wager, set the meeting and had a dominate personality to her name it seemed likely that Theo would do what he could to take charge somewhat. Then again maybe she was over thinking it. When he did show up though, Isabella didn’t even bother looking up from her menu, her expression etched with how displeased she was. ”You’re late.”

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

It seemed Theodore’s mind was gaining a new experience he hasn’t felt since he was in his Freshman year. They seemed to have taken a turn for the worse and centered on a woman by the name of Gwen Trojan. He was beginning to hate the way everything seemed to be happening around him, how his thoughts somehow drifted back to the woman he had kissed oh, so long ago. That kiss that left his lips tingling, that kiss that made him want to go back for more, that damn kiss that seemed to make him weak to the knees, and left him desiring for more in a way he had never felt before with any other woman. Everything Theo had done for the past few weeks were centered around distracting himself from that damn Gwen Trojan. Walking toward a little café at this precise moment, his hands in his pockets, what he was about to do was just another distraction.

And, who better to distract him then Isabella Diaz? This time the distraction was of different kind then the one he was used to with the woman. Theo and Isabella’s relationship had always been more physical. He used her for pleasure and if he was being honest, she was rather ‘decent’ at it. One of the better ‘fucks’ to put it bluntly. Except this distraction was not like their little ‘play’ times, this time it was a bet she had decided upon. A bet Theo was more then up for. He assumed this would be as easy as they came; he was after all a mastermind at getting girls into bed with him. Sometimes it took longer than others but he always got his way.

Walking into the café he walked over to Isabella and took a seat, rolling his eyes at her. He had no real need to explain why he was late, “Mmm. You’re point?” he asked her, as he sat down across from her. He had no real reasoning behind being late he just was. He had taken a small detour with his car then parked it a little ways away from the café, away from all the other cars, and took himself a nice little stroll before arriving at the Café.

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Her gaze scanned over Theo’s features, scrutinizingly. How was it that a person with as much untapped potential could wind up like him? Isabella had heard the rumors about his freshman year and the kind of person he had been then. Perhaps if she’d been around before his change into what he was now things might have been different between them, they might have been friends. When it came to her she was a bit of an oddity amongst the popular crowd. She didn’t get along all that well with the majority of them and yet was still able to hold her position without sucking up to the supposed elite or changing who she was or who she hung out with. Theo on the other hand seemed to surround himself with people he didn’t even like as a formality.

Isabella merely shook her head at him. If he hadn’t figured out that the point was common courtesy then he probably wouldn’t have cared to hear it either so she wasn’t about to waste her breath on that. She just assumed that whatever had kept him wasn’t all that important for her to know about still thinking it was some sort of male display he’d seen the need to indulge in. Understanding Theo wasn’t really a concern of hers though and it never had been, there were just momentary flare-ups when curiosity did its best to get the better of her. Nothing a little determination to squelch couldn’t remedy.

”You did bring Cherry, yes?” Isabella inquired glancing out the window to see if she could catch a glimpse of her future car. Not seeing it, at least not from the angle they were seated, Isabella sighed. Before she could get straight into the terms of their bet when the waitress came bouncing back over to collect Theo’s order she’d let them get on with it and wait for the girl to hurry back off before speaking up again. ”Her name is Veronica Martin.” Pulling up the girl’s facebook page on her phone she slid it over to Theo so he could get a good look at his intended target. ”Do you know her?” Isabella had been fair in picking the girl out. She was moderately pretty but terribly bashful and barely registered on people’s radar. The only thing she was involved in with school was band she played the flute.

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

He ever so slightly rolled his eyes at her. Straight to business, she seemed to be. Could he not order his burger first? He licked his lips as he noted the waitress walking over to their table. His mind drifting completely away from Isabella, acting as if she was no longer even sitting across from him. "Hello, darling." he smiled at the waitress. She was surely pretty enough, had a decent size bust and he would gladly have this woman serving food to him. He licked his lips, as he ordered a burger with fries, and then breathed out in a shrilling voice, "And I must add, my do you look beautiful today," the waitress gave a laugh before taking off to put his order in. Theo's eyes watched as she walked away before finally going back to looking at Isabella. A look as if he completely had forgotten she was there, even though this was not at all the case. He knew very well she had still been sitting across from him.

"She's parked a few blocks away, didn't want to give my baby a dent." he smirked at her. He had an ease about him as he spoke. As if this little bet they had going on was no real challenge at all. The way he spoke made it seem as if he was not even the slightest bit worried that she was asking, in order to steal his car away. He already knew he had the bet in the back of his hands before even knowing who he was going to have to sleep with. When she spoke up mentioning the girl Theo gave a short, disgruntling laugh. Veronica Martin he knew her, she was pretty but someone he didn't often find himself associating with. It didn't mean he couldn't get her into the sack with him though. If anything, it would be one of the easiest challenges he probably participated in.

"Yeah, I know her," he paused, "Not much of a challenge." he added in with a thoughtful look up at the ceiling before looking back at her, with a smirk. "This is like putty in my hands."

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Though she didn’t appreciate being ignored, jealousy was something afforded to people whose attention she actually wanted. Theo no longer fit into that particular category. There had been a time, during there games where Isabella might have made a move to have him focusing back on her and teasing him but that was a thing of the past and so was he, as she was sure she was to him now too. The waitress however seemed to eat up his attention nearly tripping over herself bidding for it. The display was terrible to watch making Isabella want to cringe as if she were watching a train wreck and, figuratively, she was. She didn’t get it. His appeal had never made her like that but then Isabella had never actually liked him as a person either, maybe that disdain had helped keep her from looking like their waitress. Keeping her comments and telling expressions to herself though she too rattled off her order of a Chili-spice salmon salad.

Isabella knew he hadn’t forgotten she was there no matter how pompously he might have given that impression. She was doing her best to be patient with him, which wasn’t the easiest thing for her to do. Theo unnerved her, always had and likely always would. His personality, at least the one he showed her, just grated at her rubbing her the wrong way and calling out that feisty side in her. What was worse was that a lot of the times he did it on purpose making claims that she was sexy when she was mad. This was business though and keeping a level head was generally a necessity for those sorts of things. If her father didn’t keep his temper down in his business losing his head could be very literal. The cases were different of course- Theo wasn’t Mexican cartel but he was someone she’d rather not give the satisfaction anymore.

Taking her phone back as he boasted Isabella hated that smirk of his and would have liked nothing more than to wipe it off of him. Licking her lips she returned a tight smile. ”Then you wont have a problem with the stipulation of proof being needed. I want documentation of the deed to assure your integrity.” It was cruel to Veronica given he succeeded, being captured on tape but it would stay between her and Theo and Isabella had no intentions of putting it out there and hoped he wouldn’t either.

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

Theo really did not know as to what he was doing. Why on earth had he even agreed to this little bet with Isabella? He was never one to associate with woman unless he was getting some sort of sexual favor from her. Clearly, the woman sitting in front of him knew how to get his blood boiling ever so slightly. Even if she had no longer been what he once called a play toy she still seemed to know how to get under his skin. Except the only difference was it wasn't the kind of fun that he fully approved of. Their little adventures of all their clothes being shredded was rather over before it even really began. Her spunk inside her after she seemed to get him into bed for the first time left as soon as that night was over. She as Theo would call it became needy; she nearly got down on her knees and begged him to take her into the bedroom one more time. It was rather unappealing for Theo considering the fact the huge appeal with Isabella had always been the game. Once that game was over, he hadn't found much fun in her anymore, even if she had been fun in the moment.

It seemed the two found a new game to play. A game that Theo probably should have never gotten himself involved in. This little bet of theirs was not something he normally would partake in if the stakes were not higher. He would be able to ruin her 'reputation' ever so slightly but he felt he probably could have done that on his own without her fully admitting what he wanted her to admit. As it was duly noted before though the woman always knew how to get under his skin. This just seemed to be another one of those instances. He almost felt as if he needed to prove to her he was the best and he was capable of getting any woman he wanted. In his mind it was all rather simple and he supposed he was getting two things out of it... a good lay, and ruining Isabella a little bit while he was at it. He was not totally heartless but the woman had really brought it upon herself. She was trying to push his limits and Theo felt as if she would soon regret this later.

It may come as a slight shock but Theo had never been one to video tape the woman he had sex with. He wasn't vile enough to try to actually humiliate the girl afterword’s. It was more him sleeping with them to prove a point to the world. To prove he could sleep with any woman his heart desired and that he was as smooth as they came in regards to the male species. If a woman got hurt in the process of their evening with Theo Morin, it usually was on account of their own emotions nothing Theo would ever feel the need to take the blame for. This however he felt was morally wrong in its own way because if this leaked out the girl could be ruined for life. He bit down on his lip giving her a weird look, one she had probably never seen before in her life from him. "I don't know..." he shook his head ever so slightly, pausing briefly before giving a short thoughtful look, "Id' just show you? You wouldn't keep it? I know how much the thought of me drives you wild...and a videotape would certainly throw your hormones out of whack now wouldn't it Ms. Dias? Help you relive that night?" he questioned her the first two questions serious before throwing in his natural 'theo' charm. This way he knew for a fact he would be deleting it right after showing the woman. It still seemed simple enough but the videotaping seemed to be taking it just a smidge far...even for a man like Theodore Morin.

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

One way or another she and Theo seemed to always end up here, playing games with one another. Isabella wasn’t sure why they never were able to break out of it except that maybe neither of them wanted to. Theo got under her skin forcing the worst possible side of her to the surface and she let it loose on him without much regard of the consequences that might have come from their tiffs. That momentary stretch of weakness that day on the football field hadn’t been because she wanted Theo, it was because she had been so conflicted with someone else and looking for something to distract herself, some way of helping her figure out what her next move was going to be. She would internally admit that she had been completely out of character needing him to give her that distraction she’d thought could help her, but Theo had given her something better than that and Isabella was grateful for it.

It was doubtful that Theo would ever believe that he’d helped her out it just didn’t seem like the kind of thing that he should have been capable of and probably didn’t want to be capable of it either. A kindness extended to her- Isabella being grateful that he had rejected her and inadvertently did the right thing for both of them. Theo might not have been attracted to her anymore, she lost her charm when she’d folded so easily on the field but that was okay- it was where Isabella needed to be. Theo did bring out the worst in her but it was also a reminder of the best of her too and how certain people could call that out. This new notion of penting them against one another, bringing a different kind of rivalry and challenge to the other was another example of the negative aspects of her personality. He made her indulge in them.

Isabella smiled softly looking over at Theo. ”You used to drive me wild, Theo but I’ve moved on from that, matured.” She wasn’t the same girl that she had been in the past with him. As much as she had been avoiding love out of the inevitable future of a stranger then being around Theo, seducing each other had been fun and engaging but Isabella didn’t want to play those kinds of games anymore. She just wanted to be happy and Theo didn’t do that for her and he never would. ”You can dispose of it after I get the confirmation.” She assured him. Theo wasn’t the nicest of guys but she didn’t think that he would really leverage the tape over the girl or let it leak for the rest of the school to see- he wasn’t that much of a jerk. At least she hoped not.

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

He licked his bottom lip before giving her a cocky smirk. His hand reached out and his thumb gently brushed over her jawline. "Mmm, I can still drive you wild." he exhaled. If the tables were a little closer, he might just have tried to push her buttons a little more. Theo was one of those men that always believed he could get exactly what he wanted. Even in regards to Isabella, he still had that little thought in his mind that he could get her back into his dorm room. Even with this little bet the two had going on and even if she acted, disgusted with him it never stopped these cocky assumptions. He had been able to get her in his dorm room once and was certain he would be able to again if he tried hard enough. She had after all nearly begged him to take her away a few weeks prior. That instant had just made the man's head swollen to a huge degree. His fingers brushed over the table as if he was wiping away imaginary dust, letting out a small forced yawn. A look etched across his face as if he were bored just by being in her company. Of course, he wouldn't be here if he had been as bored as he was playing. The girl in front of him probably would be keen enough to know that much about Theo. He never stuck around long when boredom really came knocking at his door...

He didn't let his bored expression falter in regards to the tape. Except his insides were very much pleased that she was not considering keeping the tape. Even if his cocky nature instantly told him to spit out at her that, she would clearly want the tape for her own pleasure he was relieved. He was not looking to ruin anyone’s lives...not really. If he just so happened to sleep with a woman and they declared their lives were ruined that was their own problem. In regards to taping a night with a girl that could really destroy, her not just in the moment but also in the future, those types of things often followed a person with them to the grave. Just making a mistake with Theodore Morin could eventually be erased but a tape this was not as easily disposed of. Besides, it was not as if Theo really even wanted a sex tape of himself out there. He liked to leave his little adventures, as a wonder to the woman, if his moves got out, he was certain people would be curious enough to watch. They would even probably attempt to criticize how he was in bed, even if they were not experiencing the moment. And, Theo Morin…he had moves. That was something he was very confident in.

He extended his hand out over to Isabella, giving her a slimy smile, "You have yourself a deal, Ms. Dias."

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Remaining still, unflinching despite his hand violating her face, Isabella kept her gaze directed on him, displeased. This sort of thing had been common between them in the past. Him touching her and vice versa was all part of their little games but things were different now. Nate hadn’t said it in so many words but all of his actions and quite a few things she’d picked up on like the drawing of the two of them that was yet unfinished and a magazine in Nate’s possession catering to engagement rings, not to mention the ever looming dictation of her father Isabella was gaining that heavy suspicion of what Nate’s next move was going to be. Ironic that she would chose to have the execution of her wager with Theo happen so close to her birthday, so close to when she calculated Nate would make his move. Was it some form of cold feet that she was experiencing and if so why did it come in this particular form? Wouldn’t it have been easier to just play along with Theo’s delusion of being irresistible and cheat on Nate? It was because this way, she was only flirting with separation rather than taking an unforgivable plunge. Even if Nate would have forgiven Isabella for cheating, she wouldn’t have been able to forgive herself. She remained steely through Theo’s usual seduction methods wanting to stay focused on their business for now.

While he looked bored with her Isabella knew better than to find offense in it. It was one of his tactics to get under her skin and it worked in most cases. Isabella had gotten so mad at him for pretending like she didn’t exist when she was clearly someone that you noticed when they walked into a room. A presence like hers was impossible to ignore. This time, even as it crept up on her with a mild sense of irritation from the familiar she kept her calm in tact. Letting him ruffle her feathers now would distract him from the matter at hand. They could get under one another’s skin after they came to an agreement about how things were going to play out, all the stipulations that went with the bet. She didn’t like the smile that he gave her and a look of disdain crossed her features as their hands met to shake, sealing the deal.

Recoiling her hand to her own side of the table Isabella offered the waitress a smile out of courtesy. Not even a sliver of the woman’s attention was give to her though, it all focused on Theo hoping to get another dose of his brand of charm. Receiving her food and the mechanical thanks for its delivery was the last bit of civility that Isabella would be showing to her though, especially since, if not for Isabella’s quick hands, the girl’s lack of attention might have split Isabella’s food into her lap. It might have even been on purpose, out of jealousy. Stupid girl didn’t have anything to be jealous over. Once she was gone Isabella shook her head sticking her fork, a bit harshly, into a cut of fish and stabbed through lettuce as well poising it to take a bite. ”It’s sad that your arrogance and general disrespect for the female population will never prevent you from getting so much attention. Doesn’t that bother you? Knowing that these girls that fall for your act are fooling themselves thinking that you’re some devilishly attractive bad boy with a secret heart of gold that they’ll be able to enjoy the ride without getting hurt and get that thrill they’re seeking then turn you into a harmless little kitten?”

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

It did not phase the man when she reacted in a different manner then she once would have. That smooth expression still remained on the young man's face, as he did not even take a second thought to what made her reactions to him differ from what they once were. He had heard rumors around the school, many really. Theo had never been one to buy into them all but maybe these had been accurate. The rumor mill always stirred up something new and this time it was about Isabella having a steady relationship with some older man. Even if her new reaction to him was something of rejection it did not pain him, if anything he felt she was just getting better at her acting. Sitting here in public, trying to settle her deal, thinking she would gain his car. It was all formal for her but if Theo had put in a little extra effort, he was certain he could make her skin crawl again. The question was did he even want to bother? The day he walked away from her he had found himself bored with her. People that bore him never seemed to keep his interest for too much longer, he wasn't one for second chances. He really usually only ever slept with a woman once, got a taste of them, then never bothered with them again.

Isabella had been one of those unusual cases to say the least. A year of their games and they finally gave in to full temptation. Theo was not one to say a woman was better than all other woman and Isabella would never even get that title. The only title she had was fun while she lasted, a great time, but not something he craved. She was more like the dip to chips and dip. You can still eat the chips without the dip, but hell the chips are still pretty damn tasty with the dip. The dip would never be necessary though. And this was exactly how he viewed Isabella Dias; not necessary. At least she wasn't a plum, once you got a bite of those, that's all you needed and those were easily thrown out. He gave her props for that. It seemed that Theo still found himself falling under their little game even when the sexual foreplay was out of the picture. He still found himself taking another chip and dipping it into the jar but instead of digging into the hot and spicy salsa dip, he found himself digging into the artichoke dip...which could very much in the future live up to the 'choke' part of the dip.

Theo's attention turned from Isabella as the waitress appeared with his food, "Ah, delightful," he gave the woman a smile, "Thank you, doll," he winked at her before his eyes gazed down at his burger, and took a huge bite, letting out a soft moan. "It's delicious, tell your cook he makes a mean burger," Theo told the woman, before she giggled and scurried off. His eyes then found their way back over to Isabella and he rolled them, a look of annoyance etched into them briefly. "Not at all," he shook his head at her, "Not even the slightest," he gave her a devilish look, biting down on his bottom lip, "Even the woman that know this about me still seem to shed their clothing for me," he paused to pick up a fry, dipping it in ketchup, "Including you, Ms. Dias," he smiled at her before plopping the fry into his mouth.

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

She wasn’t sure if she believed him. If Theo cared enough not to sully a perfectly nice girl’s name with a sex tape spread around then he had to have some kind of conscience toward other things as well. Isabella hadn’t put much thought into Theo beyond getting him all hot and bothered in the past and now she was pretty sure the only real interest she had was mere novelty but the thoughts that roamed through her mind didn’t seem to have much filter in coming out of her mouth. Why should she had held back what was on her mind? It wasn’t like she had anything to prove to him any longer. A big chunk of their relationship had been about blatantly ignoring any sort of real conversation between the two of them so they didn’t even hint at a personal connection. She’d been fine with that and still was. However, neither one of them could deny that they didn’t know each other on a level that they’d tried desperately avoiding.

It bugged her that she was one of the few people that knew Theo Morin better than those so-called friends that he hung out with. There was more to him then he ever showed and even with Isabella suspecting that she never tried pushing whatever good was in him to the surface. Everything that she had said just a moment ago wasn’t completely negligent of her own actions toward him, after all she had slept with him too and it was just like him to point that out. He’d never let her forget it either she imagined. As much as that irritated her could she really be mad about it? Of course not unless that irritation was turned on herself. It wasn’t like she hadn’t made her own choice. That clock was ticking for her though and she had wanted to experience as much as she could before settling down. A year of teasing Theo, it had just been time to take that final step and be done with it.

If not for his cocky comments to her recently she probably wouldn’t have spoke to him ever again, or so she told herself. The fact of the matter was that whatever messed up, hateful relationship that they had- it didn’t seem like either one was willing to severe all ties just yet. That very well could have changed at the end of the year when he graduated and moved on with his life, maybe even moving away from Hadley, but until then they were kind of stuck in this strange, tense, rivalry with one another. Him calling her out brought a vibrant smile to her lips as she laughed. ”I didn’t have any expectations for you, Theo. That’s the difference.” He couldn’t seriously group her in with the type of girls that she was referring to. Well actually he could but he would just be an ass about it and it be inaccurate. ”You might not be as heartless as you come across but you still aren’t ready to let go of whatever keeps you a jerk.” Taking a sip of her drink she looked at him over the rim studying his features. ”It does make me curious as to what the trigger was. Just a spoiled rich boy unable to see past his own selfish means or pushed into it to protect that little heart of yours.” Staying true to their usual ways Isabella didn’t pry with questions, merely spoke her mind.

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

What always mind puzzled Theo was that anyone who ever had any expectations of him. He was one of the schools sluts, a man that would never be tamed. This was not some known secret that Theo Morin kept hidden. Before the woman hooked up with him, they most always knew of who he was, and what he wanted from them. Occasionally he would have those clueless girls, those he met at a party and had a drunken one-night stand. Most of these women were just so ashamed of a one-night stand that they never bothered Theo again. To say Theo felt bad was rather two sided, anytime he started to remotely feel bad for using woman he pushed those to the back of his mind. It was not as if the woman species never harmed men. He had experienced that first handed. It was their own damn fault if they got hooked on Theo and they ended up heartbroken. In his eyes, they should never be so foolish to fall for a man whore that would bluntly tell you he was not tamable. To be so foolish to assume you could change them was not only Theo being cocky, but them themselves being cocky, which really...was that not their own ego coming into play? Meaning in his thoughts they were at fault way more than Theodore Morin. It is what eased his mind. Over the years, he didn't even need to attempt to ease his mind, sex, booze, and girls were habit, his life, and there was no need to ease anything now.

His eyes began to get a hard glaze look in them as he stared at Isabella with what seemed like a very cold look. Who the hell did she think she was? What made her feel she had the right to put judgment on Theo. What made her feel it was her place to act as if she knew what was going on inside his head. What made her think she could sit here and tell him what she felt he was? She knew nothing about his heart, she knew nothing about his past, she had no right to sit there acting as if she did. Except...she hit everything right on the nail. Theo was not as heartless as he came across. When it came to his family, he would forever hold them very close to his heart. Not in the way most people did but in the seeking approval kind of way. Just this little notation about the Morin boy was almost proof enough he had a heart. The bigger proof was his Freshman year and how Isabella knew, knew he was trying to keep his heart guarded. It really pissed him off but part of him felt she was lying. Part of him was so wrapped up inside his new Theo Morin self that everything she said seemed to be the last of his worries. It seemed over the years he had gotten so cold, it didn't even feel like he was trying to protect his heart, his heart was so closed off from everyone that there was no need to protect it anymore.

"I think you're fooling yourself, Ms. Dias," he put on a laugh, as he dipped another fry into ketchup. "You're searching for something in me that you'll never find. What you see is what you get, I have no hidden layer, and you're more foolish then I predicted you to be," plopping the fry in his mouth, he twisted his thumb over his forefinger wiping away some salt from his fingers. "Now how about we just enjoy this delightful meal, and you keep your annoying vocals in your vocal box, where they belong." he then proceeded to roll his eyes at her, "I did not agree to this meeting to have a conversation with you, this is business. I suggest you keep it that way." he finally concluded.

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

He wasn’t happy with her in the least. That much gleamed in his eyes as she spoke and Isabella was sure to pay close attention to the ways that he reacted. Body language could tell a person so much and the more she had said the tenser Theo seemed to get. Maybe that was just the way that she was perceiving it but regardless Isabella took it as she would and it seemed like she was getting past that thick hide of his. She still wasn’t looking to change anything about their relationship- or lack there of- but since everything between them was on a different playing field one had to adapt to it. If the tables turned and Theo started poking at sore spots on her she wasn’t sure how she would react. Isabella knew how she should, but couldn’t guarantee it would pan out that way.

Everyone got hurt eventually, somehow by someone. Her own past had always been distant when it came to lovers. Theo was an excellent example of that so couldn’t really know what it was that he had experienced, that kind of heartbreak that drove him to become the person that she knew now, or rather who he showed her he was. For those that said they didn’t judge they were liars. Everyone did it; it was just a matter of either trying to see past it or not letting that effect your opinion as a whole. For Isabella she hadn’t done either. She had simply allowed for her negative opinion to be held without bothering to look past it and accepted Theo’s nonsense as it came as who he was. Isabella had never really believed it but it was what she allowed herself to believe. Was that going to change now? Highly doubtful but that didn’t mean she couldn’t prod him and make Theo feel uncomfortable.

She smiled, bashfully, looking down at her plate for a moment as a soft giggle escaped her lips. ”Perhaps I am.” She submitted turning her gaze back up to him underneath her lashes. ”We’re all fools in some way. If you really believe what you’re saying to me now then I think we found what makes you foolish.” She went back to eating since he was right about one thing the meal was indeed delightful. Isabella disagreed about her voice being annoying but that was his opinion and she was pretty much convinced that the only reason he found it annoying was because of what was coming out of it. He could roll his insolent eyes all he like. ”You have little sense of civility. Being conversational, even in business, is kosher so I suggest that you get over what you think you have agreed to and deal with what you’re faced with now.” That said she gave him a sweet smile. ”I’m sorry if I upset you with my…expressiveness. I would have thought you’d be able to handle those sorts of things. Maybe I gave you too much credit.”

[theodore]

And through the rising and falling apart, We discover who we are

The world was filled with fools it was inevitable, every corner he turned a fool appeared. The woman Theodore Morin surrounded himself with were fools themselves. Many were the type that he found easy to get into bed with him, easy to sleaze around with, and partiers that woke up with massive hangovers the next day. Foolish situations they involved themselves in. There were also those women that he would sleep with that were the complete opposite from the easy woman. They were the woman that hoped someday they would change Theo. They were foolish enough to assume that if they gave in to Theo's charm that his charm would only be used upon them. It seemed Theo found everyone foolish in his or her own way, even the woman sitting across from him. Foolish in her pestering, annoying conversation and foolish to have even put this bet out there. She would certainly be losing in the long end and she was foolish to assume she wouldn't be.

Theo here often told himself and his big ego he was the only non-foolish person out there. He was smart enough not to get involved in a complicated relationship with woman. He was smart enough to know how to work his charm in public rather it be among adults, or peers. He was smooth when it came to school and getting the grade he wanted, making his parents think he was the man they wanted him to be, and of course, getting girls into bed with him. Unfortunately, if truth be told, Theodore Morin was just as much of a fool as everyone else in this world. He was foolish enough to take this bet. He was foolish enough to change himself after one heartbreak. He was foolish enough to hurt others and not give a care in the world. He was foolish enough to believe that as the days grew shorter, and his life grew more narrow he would not care if he was alone in the world. Because truth be told one day his foolish nature would catch up to him and he will regret it all, wishing he had remained his silly freshman year self.

"I have nothing to hide Ms. Dias. What you see is what you get and that is far from me being foolish," plopping another fry in his mouth, he slouched a bit in his seat. He was trying his hardest to maintain his dignity but the more the woman spoke the more irritated he became with her. "I can handle you just fine, Isabella. I just prefer it when you're not speaking. So be a doll and stop. Business or not I have no need to be polite with you." with that, he took a bite of his hamburger, sitting up in his seat, as his eyes drifted away from her toward the back of the restaurant. Not looking at anything in particular just hoping the woman would be decent enough to finally shut that trap of hers.

FOR ISABELLA DIAS

[ISABELLA MARIANA DIAS]

Her head lowered slightly as Isabella let out a soft giggle. He was so cavalier and it was such bullshit! People like Theo- and as much as she hated to group herself in any kind of category similar to his- herself included, had plenty to hide. He was bold-faced liar and the more that he talked the more she was beginning to think that he lied to himself most of all. If he wanted to keep up his act and being an idiot about it then, having said her piece, she wasn’t going to pry any further or make a bigger deal out of it than she already had. The conversation had stemmed out of habit. Isabella couldn’t get to him anymore through the sexual aspect- well she could try but it wasn’t where she was at in her life anymore and she didn’t want to venture there at that point either. Unable to kick the habit though Isabella had just resorted to exploiting another area instead.

Being polite didn’t usually come from a need. People were entitled to act as savage as they like but all things had consequences. While Theo might not have been too worried about disappointing her, already murky, opinion of him there was someone out there that he might have been trying to impress that he was seriously failing at the moment, whether he knew it yet or not. Theo was back to seemingly ignoring her again, which was his right though she still knew that he couldn’t ever not notice her. It wasn’t a matter of arrogance that she thought that but rather she had a way of being noticed. Perhaps it came from the mouth of hers that he was wishing she’d shut presently. ”You’re incredibly unfortunate.” Isabella announced before quieting to finish off her meal. He could stew over that information if he liked or completely dismiss it- she didn’t care which.

It didn’t take her long to finish and the silence she paid no mind too either allowing herself to seep into her own thoughts as though it were a lunch spent solo rather than with the company of someone that clearly thought he might have better things to do- however mistaken he might have been. Hailing the waitress back over, this time actually needing something versus the way that she had been circling around to gain Theo’s attention like some kind of vulture, she asked for the bill slipping a credit card into the black slip once it came around not even bothering to discuss the arrangements with Theo and paying for both meals. Isabella didn’t think that the conversation was worth it. ”Now, time for that test drive.” Putting her returned credit card away, signing and writing down the tip amount Isabella looked to Theo for him to lead the way.