His touch had become the only thing that could keep her grounded, and he always knew when she needed it… needed him. Today had been a particularly hard day. The clients were one thing to handle, but the gossip in the office was way worse. She walked in on two of the newer advisors going on about how she didn’t deserve to be there, even if she was fucking the boss. Her Cuban blood boiled, but instead of screaming at both of them, she held her head high and pushed her way toward the coffeepot. She poured herself a cup and then closed herself back up in her office. She knew Micah was dealing with a load of shit because of her and every day she battled her demons to stand tall next to him and face the wolves. The desire to run from all of it was more than she could handle at times, but then he’d reach for her and his touch would ground her again, reminding her of why it was so important she stayed strong. Now was one of those moments.
“Of course, my dear, we wouldn’t miss a meeting with you. Now tell us what this is all about,” Mrs. Morales said as she reached for a guava-filled sugar cookie that was on the platter in the middle of the table.
“There is something that I’d like to disclose to you both before you transfer your business to the firm. I want to be clear that Micah only just found out what I am about to tell you and we have been fully transparent with the situation. All of our staff, his staff I mean, and the firm’s clients have been informed. Some have left, and I didn’t want you to move your estate to us without personally speaking with you.”
“Okay then, what’s the trouble?” Mr. Morales asked as his wife continued to enjoy her sweets, as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
Isabel explained the financial side of the situation she was involved in. She had memorized the spiel, having given it so many times over the last few weeks. In most situations, she left out her personal relationship, but the Morales were different from most people and as she continued to talk, she could sense the question before Mrs. Morales even said it.
“Did you love him?” she interrupted.
Micah’s grip on her hand tightened, and she looked in his direction. The look on his face was unreadable as he turned to catch her eye. In that moment, she realized he had never asked her if she loved Keith. In fact, he had asked nothing about him. Once he knew about the financial mess, he just handled that and moved on. But now, being faced with the question from Mrs. Morales, she could see how badly he needed to know as well.
“No, no, I did not. I was young, and I thought it was love, but now I know what true love is and I can assure you that wasn’t love.”
“Well then, I’ve heard enough, haven’t you, sweetie?” she said, turning to Mr. Morales.
“I think so.”
Isabel’s heart dropped. These clients were make or break it for them. Their business was important to the firm, but also the key to Isabel’s plan to give back to the families that suffered the fallout in California. Micah still hadn’t let up his grip as she looked at the older couple across from them. The worst possible scenario was unravelling before them and he still hadn’t given up on her. He was still there, holding strong.
“Mrs. Morales, I respect your decision, but if I could just explain. You see, Micah would never...”
“Isabel, darling, please, take a deep breath. We aren’t going anywhere.”
“You’re not?”
“Of course not. Did you really think one mistake in your personal life over ten years ago would keep us from doing business with you and Micah?”
“I... umm... I guess I did.”
“Darling girl, we have not made it through this many years of life, love, and business without messing up along the way. I’m certain what you went through had to have been awful and living with it has punished you enough. If people can’t see that, then fuck them.”
Mr. Morales, Micah, and Isabel all let out a laugh at her crass language. Mrs. Morales just smiled across the table and made a motion for someone to push the plate of cookies in her direction.
“Now, on to more important things, what bakery did you get these cookies from?”
Hours later, they were back at the apartment. Izzy walked to the couch, slipped off her heels and let her body drop face first into the cushions, screaming into a pillow when she landed. She rolled over to find herself in Micah’s shadow as he stood over her.
“What?”
“That was an impressive scream.”
“Thanks,” she said as he took a seat next to her, pulling her legs into his lap.
“Why is life so fucking hard all the time? It’s impossible to catch a break.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Do you though? You and Luca live this life that is so far removed from normal that I wonder if you have any idea how hard it is for the rest of us.”
Micah shook his head in her direction, “You are very wrong and also right with that statement. We didn’t grow up like a normal family living in a subdivision throwing a ball in the backyard with our father. Instead, we grew up on a compound to keep the world from knowing what was really happening inside it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Izzy, there is still a lot you don’t know about me. We didn’t have a normal life growing up, and it’s only gotten harder. Sure, we had money, but that doesn’t solve everything.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just frustrated and so angry lately. I’m sick over the fact that I nearly destroyed your business and, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why you didn’t just fire me.”