Mason held my shoulders, his eyes widened as he searched my face and body for any sign of bruises. I cleaned the drop of tear in my eyes, squinting as I weighed the motive for his sudden appearance in my eyes.
"Isabel.. tell me. Did Matilda do this to you? Did she lock you up?" He asked once again, his face filled with concern as he stared into my bluish weary eyes. When he was about to touch me, I recoiled and retraced my step, not wanting him to. Since I learned about what he did to Ashley, I've resolved to keep him at arm's length. He is working hard to win my heart, but I will never let him have his way with me. I'm not a puppet he can use and toss around. He's nothing but a jerk and an egoist, I won't be among those he'd use for his carnal satisfaction.
"Don't touch me," I finally voiced out, giving him an intense stare, one that made him puzzled.
"I'm only concerned about you, nothing else. I heard you were locked up In the bathroom so I decided to show up so I can help you,"
"How did you know I was here? Who told you I was locked up in the bathroom?"
I asked, crossing my arms and he itched his nape, his lips quivering as he looked for words to say.
"How did you know I was here?" I asked again and he slipped his fingers into his hair, before saying, "That's not what's important at the moment. I'm relieved as long as you're alright. I know Matilda did this to you.. I'll definitely punish her for this, trust me, Isabel.."
Mason said with gritted teeth, anger evident in his voice. My brows furrowed as I stared at him. He's so confusing. Why is he acting so nice to me? Why don't I seem to understand him?
"Why did you come all the way here? Are you this concerned about me? Or are you just trying to win my heart with your parody of affection? I know you're only faking your concern towards me because you want to use me in turn.."
He stared at me in pure shock, and I bit my lips, maintaining a gaze at him.
"By the way, thanks for coming to check on me. Your mate's friends are the ones who locked me up."
With that last word, I turned to leave and he grabbed my hands, stopping me from moving further.
"Why are you being this cold towards me? Is this how you're supposed to treat me after showing you how concerned I am towards you?"
Mason asked, his brows furrowing as he gripped my wrist. "Leave me, Mason. Leave me. Thanks for showing up anyways but I hope you know that Laura was the one who came before you.."
"You asked if I was truly concerned about you or if I was only faking it. Well the truth is, I'm really concerned about you, Isabel. I just realized I truly love you. I want you back in my life and I really want to reclaim you as my mate. Marking Patricia was my greatest mistake. She's not my mate, only did it because her parents are acquainted with my father. I didn't know what got into me then. Isabel, can you give us a chance once again? Will you accept me back?"
Mason disclosed and I widened my eyes as shock filled every single part of my body. I couldn't move or say anything as shock rooted me in place.
Is this why Mason has been acting so nice to me? Is this why he has been so concerned about me all these while? Because he regretted his actions and wants to claim me back as his?
Numbness etched my features as I searched his face, weighing the truth in his eyes. He isn't my mate; I can't go back to him. How do I make him understand that? Plus, what he did to Ashley can't be forgivable. I heard he still has her under his orders and made her warm his bed every f**g time! Someone like him doesn't deserve to have a mate.
Wait…if Patricia isn't his mate, then who is his mate?
"There can't be us, Mason? I'm not your mate so it's best you find who your mate is." I snapped at him, my voice tinged with conviction .
"But you don't have a mate yet, Isabel, Who knows if we can even turn out to be mates?" Mason added while I stared at him scornfully. How silly can he be? What did he mean? Mates with someone like him?
I'd rather die than have someone like him as a mate? He's dishonest, selfish, and uncaring. After all he did to me, what he did to Ashley, he expects me to come back to him?
"Isa–"
"Don't call me!" I snapped back, glaring at him..
"You're not welcome in my life, Mason.. I'm done with you a long time ago so stop forcing yourself on me..I can never accept someone like you after everything you did to me. Besides, I have a mate now..I have a mate and I'm glad it's not you so stop bothering me or following me around!."
"Who's your mate, Isabel? Tell me! Who is he?"
He asked, tightening his grip around my waist.
"It's none of your business!" I retorted and he grabbed both my shoulders, his eyes staying on mine for a moment, his face etched with curiosity.
"Tell me. Is it Derek? Is Derek your mate?" He asked, searching my face and I couldn't help but gulp the pea-sized lump in my throat. My eyes widened slightly and I tried to mask the surprise on my face with a frown. When I remembered how Derek fought for me back then at the music class, I knew he must have suspected that we had a thing. I'll have to prove his assumptions are incorrect. I'll have to feign innocence.