Isaak: The Counterpunch Series Book 1 Read online

  Yet I can’t move, for some unknown reason I’m frozen on the spot.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Remme

  I pull up into my parking space only twenty minutes after leaving Isaak’s house. I could see him in my rear-view mirror watching, waiting for me to disappear from his sight. I’ve got to say I left Isaak’s with a smile on my face, and no matter how many cameras flashed in my face at the gates, or the questions that they bombarded me with, nothing was going to wipe the smile from off my face.

  I walk into the building at work, beaming with pride and satisfaction. I throw a wave over at Charlotte who’s sitting in the same place as always.

  “Hey Charl, what have I missed?” I sing across at her.

  When she looks up at me with a shocked expression, she has me stumbling over my feet as I reach the desk.

  “Charl? What’s up?” I question, full of concern for her.

  “Remme. Oh erm, sorry. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

  I look at her confused.

  “Why, I still work here don’t I?” I say jokingly. “Or have I been sacked and don’t know it yet?” I chuckle, but when she doesn’t join me, I start to worry. If anything, she looks embarrassed—whether it’s for me or herself is yet unclear.

  “Remme, have you not seen the news that’s online?”

  “What do you mean?” I’m slightly confused. What does the news have to do with me showing up at work? “I’ve been working, so no I haven’t. Why?”

  She bites her lip nervously, blinking at me a couple of times—no doubt thinking of what to say next,

  “It’s you, Rem. You’re online. In fact, you’re everywhere.”

  I find myself stumbling back a step like she threw a bucket of ice-cold water over my head.

  “E…excuse me.” I’m struggling to breathe, the air I’m gasping for not entering my lungs at all.

  “There’s articles blowing up all over the internet. Of you and…and…Isaak Brookes…together.”

  I don’t miss the moment she cringes as she finishes Isaak’s name. I now know exactly what she’s referring to.

  “I’m sorry Charl, but I need to go.” With that said, I rush over to the lifts frantically, repeatedly pressing the call button for the damn lift to arrive.

  “For what it’s worth...Isaak is one mighty fine beast. I wouldn’t hold anything against you. In fact, I’m in your corner cheering you on,” Charl shouts in my direction.

  I don’t look back, I can’t. I’ve never been so humiliated in all my life. I thought I would have had a bit more time to talk with Rachel before any pictures went live for everyone to see.

  A little luck is on my side, as the lift dings and opens before she can say another word. I dart inside and hit the button for the floor my office is on. I try to gather some wits about me and get my head on straight before I reach my floor. I can only imagine the photos they will have of me with Isaak. I mean it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Walking me to the car was one thing, but that kiss? I wanted it, but all this could have been prevented.

  I knew the cameras would be aimed at us waiting for the right moment to strike for the next big story, Isaak warned me of that. I knew that before our lips were locked, but the whole time he was kissing me all I could think about was him and me together. The whole world will now know Isaak ‘The Bruiser’ Brookes is all mine. Just that thought alone has my tummy fluttering and my insides turning to jelly. I knew they would have found out eventually, but at least I would have had time to come up with a plan so they would find out on my terms and no one else's.

  Now? Now I have to deal with the consequences of my actions, just like I told Isaak, only now it’s sooner than I thought.

  Before I met Isaak, this very situation would have had me shitting myself: I would never do anything to jeopardize my career, I just wouldn’t do it. I had no reason to. With Isaak...I find myself willing to give it all up just so we can be together. Something I never thought I’d say any time soon.

  All of a sudden, I realise what it is I’m feeling and it’s not as scary as I thought it would be.

  “I’m in love with Isaak.” My hand shoots up to cover my mouth as the words slip from my lips. I quickly glance around me to make sure no one has heard me, which is pathetic on my part because I’m still in the bloody lift, alone. Not that it makes any difference now, as it’s apparently all over the internet for everyone to make their own assumptions on.

  The lift doors open, and if my day couldn't get any worse, the first person I see when I walk out is none other than Melvyn Carter. I find myself rolling my eyes at him and the overly confident, cocky look he's giving me. I can't be doing with him right now on top of everything else, so I begin to stride past him, thinking he'll leave me alone.

  I'm not that lucky.

  He's on my heels and following me. We walk past all the desks and workers—who, might I add, are either glaring daggers at me or silently laughing. Two faced twats, the lot of them.

  “Well, well. Look who's decided to show her face instead of spreading those thighs of hers,” Melvyn whispers low into my ear. It makes my skin crawl. I try to ignore him and carry on to my office with my head held high. I'm not ashamed of what I've done, and I'm most definitely not ashamed to admit I'm in love with Isaak if someone thinks to question me. I do, however, feel it right to admit this to Isaak himself before I go brandishing it around.

  What I feel towards Isaak is not just a temptation or an attraction that’s forbidden: it’s pure lust, love and admiration for him, something that I will fight for. At the end of the day, you can’t help who you fall in love with, whether it be wrong or right, and Isaak is everything that is right for me.

  I make it to my office with minimum exposure, all except for Melvyn.

  Once inside, I drop my bag on my desk and turn abruptly, pinning my eyes on the unpleasant man standing inches from my desk.

  “What do you want, Melvyn?” I'm raging now.

  “Gotta say, you played a blinder, Remme.” He smirks back at me before situating himself in the chair opposite my desk. “Getting into bed with the notorious beast that is Isaak 'The Bruiser' Brookes.” The way he says his name is vindictive and full of hatred.

  “I don't have time for your unwanted accusations. So, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to leave my office. Now.” I nod my head over to the door, thinking he'll take the directions I'm giving him. But he's not finished.

  “It’s not really an accusation, not when you take into account what you’re currently wearing, and the fact it’s everywhere for all to see.”

  I look down at myself, wondering what the hell he’s on about.

  Oh God.

  I have completely forgotten I am wearing Isaak’s clothes. It doesn’t help matters having his branding splattered all over the T-shirt.

  “Just a word of advice… Don't get too comfy.” Then he makes a move to leave my office.

  Oh, hell no.

  “What do you mean by that?” The rage I'm desperately trying to keep a hold of is now threatening to surface. He’s pushing my buttons, and he knows it, but I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of getting exactly what he’s after. “You don’t know anything, Melvyn, so I suggest you keep your Goddamn nose out of my business.”

  “Oh, Rem… I know more than you think. You might be able to wrap Isaak around your little finger but me...not so much.”

  I stare after his back as he goes back to work.

  When he turns back around, he’s wearing a ‘cat got the cream’ smirk loud and proud. “All will be revealed soon enough, Remme. Maybe sooner than you think.”

  “What game are you playing, Melvyn? Do you have something to say about Isaak because clearly you have the opposite opinion of him to me?”

  “Isaak lost his belts for a reason, Rem, and he’s never going to win them back. I will be making sure that Isaak’s reign never returns.” With that, he walks out of my off
ice and doesn’t look back. I’m left standing with my mouth hanging open and on the floor.

  I go to follow him and demand answers, but as I round the door frame, I’m met with a stone-faced Rachel.

  “Remme, just the person I need to speak to.”

  Bollocks.

  I really wanted to get answers from Melvyn. I will resort to beating it out of him, too, if needs be. I store the information at the back of my mind, reminding myself to tell Isaak about the encounter the next time I see him.

  “Rachel, is everything okay?” I know it’s not, but I exchange pleasantries anyway. She moves her hand out, in the direction of my office behind me. My shoulders sag in defeat as I know what's coming next. Walking inside ahead of her, I make my way towards the seat behind my black, glass desk.

  “I’ll get straight to the point, Remme. As much I don’t want to have to do this to you, yourself and the board of directors have given me no choice in the matter.” She sits down in the chair opposite me, crossing one leg over the other.

  I stay silent, as there isn’t much, I can say to change the outcome of what I know will happen next.

  “There’s no easy way for me to say this, so I’m just going to say.” She pauses for a second then delivers the bad news. “In light of recent events, Remme, I’m afraid you’re suspended with pay following an investigation due to standards of misconduct, performance and ethics.” Wow, news really does travel fast when it’s spread in the media.

  “I understand the reasons for you doing it, but I’m not going to apologise for falling in love with someone. Regardless of the fact he is a patient, I remained professional during my work hours, and Isaak’s sessions have always been on point,” I say unapologetically. So much for telling Isaak first, but I’m not about to let this go without a fight.

  “I know, but there is nothing else I can do. You have until the end of the day to get whatever you need from your office, but all personal files need to stay on the premises. Data protection, as you know, Remme.” She shrugs. I nod my head once to let her know I’ve acknowledged her request.

  “Thank you, Rachel. I’ll be ten minutes then on my way.” I’m trying to stay strong.

  “Of course.” She stands and walks towards the door, and when I think she’ll leave without another word, she turns. “Also, I forgot to add, Isaak is your patient on the books here, so you can no longer treat his injuries until everything gets resolved. Melvyn will continue your plan with Isaak. I’m sorry, Remme. I’ll be in touch.” She gives me a sad smile and walks away, closing the door behind her.

  Oh, hell no!

  It’s one thing to suspend me but now it’s going to affect Isaak’s rehab, too, and there is no way I’m letting Melvyn anywhere near him after what he’s just said to me. Over my dead body.

  I feel the tears as they start to fall down my face. My future in this job may be lost, but I have Isaak: he’s my future now.

  Knowing what my next move is, I frantically rummage through my bag to locate my phone. Once I have it, I unlock it and I’m soon clicking on Isaak’s name and hitting call.

  “Come on, come on.” It goes straight to voicemail, but I re-call him anyway. Once again it goes to the answerphone. I slam my mobile down on my desk in pure frustration, not having a clue what to do. Then an idea comes to me. I quickly run around to the other side of my office and find Isaak’s file in my cabinet. I scan through the folder, finding what I need with ease. I pick my phone up, saving the number I need, and place the document back in the cabinet and get the hell out of there.

  I throw my phone in my bag as I put it over my shoulder, not bothering to lock the door like I always do. I ignore the stares and whispers circulating as I make my hasty retreat for the lift. Luckily, as I approach, the doors open. I rush inside, pressing the button for the lobby and escape the building before anyone can say boo to a goose, glancing over to Charlotte as she silently throws ‘will call you’ at me.

  I run around the side of the building to the car park and jump in my car. My heart is beating so furiously, I swear it’s going to leap from my chest. Pulling my phone from my bag that I chucked on the passenger side seat, I call the number I need and wait and pray that they answer me.

  It rings out multiple times, and just when I’m about to give up they answer.

  “Kenny here.”

  “Hi, Kenny, It’s Remme. I have some bad news…” I don’t let him get a word in edgeways. “I can no longer be Isaak’s physiotherapist. My boss is assigning him to someone else,” I blurt out.

  “Excuse me?” he questions.

  “It’s a long story. I’m not comfortable explaining over the phone. Do you know where Isaak is? I called but it went to his answerphone. I just thought I’d let you know so you don’t find it out from anyone else.”

  “If you can’t get hold of him, he’ll be at the gym. I have a funny feeling this news would sound better coming from you, Remme. Do you have the address for the gym?”

  “Yes, it was in all of Isaak’s information. Thank you, Kenny.” I don’t wait for him to reply as I end the call and chuck my phone down on the seat again. Starting the engine up, I put my foot down and drive in the direction of Owen’s gym.

  To where my heart is telling me I need to be.

  With Isaak.

  My Isaak.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Isaak

  “Remme? What the fuck, are you okay?” My mind is running hundred miles an hour. Something or someone has clearly upset her, and it makes my heart beat faster.

  “I... I… I’ve been suspended from work. I can’t treat you anymore. I… don’t know what to do. They are assigning you to another therapist. I don’t think having someone else step in will help you, Isaak. They will likely change your whole routine up, which in turn could set you back and you’ve come so far. I’m so sorry,” she rambles on, not coming up for air.

  I rush over to her in two big strides and hold her up in my arms, as she starts to shake violently.

  “Hey, it’s okay, Sweetcheeks. I’m sure we can figure something out,” I say whilst running my hand up and down her back trying to soothe her.

  “But I can’t work with you now that I’m under investigation, Isaak.”

  Fuck, this is all my fault. I don’t want her resenting me for my actions.

  “It was so embarrassing, Isaak.” She buries her head against my chest like she’s trying to hide herself. This is the moment Owen decides to slip out from his office, giving us both some space.

  “What happened when you left me?”

  “I went to work, the pictures of us were already online; there wasn’t anything I could have said to stop this from happening. Rachel was there ready to suspend me.”

  “Fuck... Remme, I know you're shaken up by what’s happened, but you have nothing to be sorry for. I was the one who kissed you outside my house, remember—not the other way around. As for someone else taking your place...not gonna happen. I’m sorry, but to me, Rem, you’re irreplaceable,” I openly admit. I feel her shoulder bobbing up and down in my arms. I move back a little to see if she is crying or something else, I wouldn’t know how to deal with, but she surprises me when she picks her head up and she’s smiling and laughing silently.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask.

  “Oh, nothing. You just always seem to make me smile when I’m having a bad day,” she responds, still smiling. “I have to admit, the only thing that was running through my head was that I needed to see you, so I came straight here.”

  “I’m glad you came to me. I’ve missed you since the last time I saw you.” I drop a small kiss to the tip of her nose.

  “Isaak, you saw me less than two hours ago,” she jokes.

  “Yeah, too fucking long,” I deadpan.

  “Hhmmm.”

  “Listen, I’ll speak to Kenny and see if there’s anything he can do. Don’t go stressing yourself out about this, okay? We’ll be fine, I promise.”
r />   She just gives me a small nod of her head.

  Leaving the situation as it is for now, I take her hand in mine and lead us back downstairs to the gym.

  “How did you know where I was, anyway?’

  “I tried to ring you a couple of times but there was no answer, luckily I remembered that Kenny’s number was in your file I have at work, so I copied it into my phone quickly before I left my office. He told me you would be here. I knew where the gym was as it’s also in your file.” She shrugs.

  “Someone’s been doing their homework on me, haven’t they?” I tease. When I turn back around, she’s blushing.

  “More than you think.” She winks.

  “Now I am intrigued.” Before I can ask her more, a voice shouts across at me. “This conversation isn’t over, Remme.”

  “Isaak, can I have a word.” I head over to Kenny, Vinny, and Bruce. My whole team is out in force today. Remme tightens the hold she has on my hand as I lace my fingers with hers. I give her a small encouraging nod, silently telling her everything will be okay. She responds with a timid smile.

  “What’s up Ken?” I ask as we reach them.

  “I had a very disturbing phone call from this lovely lady not too long ago, sounding very stressed, and I was concerned. I needed to see for myself that you were both okay.” Kenny normally acts strict and all business focused. I think this is the first time he’s ever shown a softer side to him. The fact he’s opened his arms and welcomed Remme into the team warms my heart. For that I couldn't be anymore grateful.

  “Thanks. Means a lot. We’re both okay, but I think we have a lot to sort out, don’t you?” I tell him. This is, after all, what he gets paid to do.