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CHAPTER SIX

Author: Grace Kelly
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-17 04:07:35

ISABELLA’S POV

I dragged in a deep breath as my fingers trembled coldly. I was sitting in one of the offices that the red haired secretary had directed me to, just two days after i got to Florida. My heart couldn't stop beating so fast as I awaited them to get here. I meant the CEO of DeluxeArts, said to be in a meeting. I was dressed in a wine-colored cooperate gown that stopped a little above my knees, paired with a white heel and bag. Mireille picked them out. I took in the sight of the office as the large glass windows flooded the room with light, while overlooking the buzzing street. The office was separated by glass walls that made her feel almost seen and each calling painted in matte black. In front of land laid a sophisticated piece of wooden furniture with a monitor and keyboard on it. There were books, and paintings hanging and neatly arranged on the shelves. Everywhere smelt so intoxicating.

The glass door pushed open and I watched a middle aged man walk into the room, dressed in white suit. He had a pale skin and goldish hair.

“Sorry I kept you waiting, Miss Isabella. This won't take long.” He said, smiling as he settled down. “How are you settling in?”

I played with my fingers nervously as different thoughts swirled through my mind. Did he call me here because he wanted to send me back home? Was my invitation a mistake?

“Fine, sir. Thank you.” I masked my nervousness and returned his smile.

“Good. Ummm. There are a lot of projects going on presently that I can't wait for you to be a part of. The other two winners are working on the same team with you and I hope you get along. Sandra will show you to your office, do settle in well.” He stood up and stretched his hand again. “It’s a pleasure to meet a great talent like you.”

With trembling fingers, I returned the shake. My lips parting in a genuine smile. I was a great talent. I was worth all this that life was about to throw my way. I couldn't stop smiling even as he exited the room, and true to his words, the secretary from before came to show me to my office after we rode in the elevator for a while.

It was located in a calm part of the second storey. The door wasn't glass, it wasn't wood yet looked like it. As soon as she twisted the door open, I gasped. It was so pretty. The black and red arts hanging on both sides of the wall. The ash colored table and rolling chair. The laptop, mouse and keyboard. The ash rug. Not to talk of the painting materials dedicated to a larger part of the right side.

“This is your office. It’s time you meet the rest.” She informed and closed the door then led me to a general room in the middle of the building where two people were sitted. A brown haired pretty female, with glasses on, she was dressed in a white shirt and blue skirt, and she looked gorgeous. The other was the male who had contested after me. He was a plump guy with moderate beard. He was dressed in a patterned shirt and black pants.

“Hi, I’m Isabella, and I look forward to working with you.” I let out, feeling joyous, and energetic.

“I’m Dee, and this is John. We look forward to working with you too.” She smiled shyly and I nodded, biting back the tears. I was grateful to being here.

****

Gradually days had turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and soon I had 15 masterpieces scattered all over the world, bought by people who knew the worth of them. I had two awards for being the fastest-rising artist in the company, and I heard the rumor of a promotion lurking. All the nights of staying awake to practice had paid off. Of crying myself to bed because I didn’t feel like I was enough. Like my painting was worth it. All the nights of tearing every painting I made because I could see the good in them had shaped me into who I was today. The Isabella who never wavered even in the face of storm.

I sipped on my juice as I stared out of my office’s window, into the empty space and yet I was filled with peace, calmness and self love. The room was filled with the nice smell of my expensive vanilla perfume, and I was dressed in a Red two piece suit that cost about a thousand dollars, paired with my stiletto deep brown heels. My hair was curled at the side to make them look fuller, and my eyes trailed over the reflection of my slightly made face with a perfect red gloss to match. I was chubbier now and prettier, and I could never trade this for anything else.

Peace…

You never know how valuable that is until you have lived and dined in misery for too long. Alaric barely crossed my mind of late and that was all thanks to Mireille who wouldn't stop taking me on dates and getting me gifts even though she had a man now. A Greek god just like she wanted, and he was more than willing to make me feel loved too by buying stuffs for me whenever he did for her. Let’s not even talk about how she tried setting me up with his friends too, none of them ever fell through, but it wasn't them. It was me. I was being too careful to let anyone in, so I just friend zone them and gradually they get the memo and let me be. My best friend definitely wasn't pleased with that.

A knock on my door dragged me out of my thoughts and I yelled out a ‘come in’ then watched it open. It was Dee, and she was smiling so brightly, just like she always did. She was just a carefree, nice woman and sometimes I suspected that she was dating John.

“I believe this is yours.” She mumbled and handed me a nice envelope which I took after muttering a ‘thank you’. Nodding, she exited the room. My heart hammered rapidly and adrenaline shot through me as I peeled it open. It was a letter, and it read.

“Dear Isabella.

DeluxeArts have seen your work and how much dedication you put into the company. We appreciate you and look forward to making more masterpieces with you. However, we believe that you are the best candidate for the CalMel auction coming up in Alabama and we would love to have you overlook it. We look forward to more great news from you. The auction starts in a week, and your flight schedule will be communicated to you soon. Thank you.”

I froze for a second as it dwelled in. Alabama? Alabama held too many ill memories. It wasn't somewhere I ever wanted to go back to, not now that I had a wonderful life here. My mind reeled with million thoughts and I became unsettled.

I couldn’t go. No, not back to a town which hurt me without thinking twice. Deep down I knew I had to explain to the CEO. I had to make him replace me. Slipping the paper back in, I headed out of my office and straight to the elevator. My heart was beating fast as I thought of what his response would be, and the few seconds it took to get to the third floor felt like forever. Soon, I was making my way to his office, responding to the greetings on the way. I was about to knock on the door when I heard him speak.

“I assure you, Miss Isabella is the best fit for it.” A pause. “Yes, yes. I know how important the event is. I know. I know, which is why I chose her.” Another pause. “Oh! She definitely won't disappoint.”

My hand hung mid-air, and I bit on my lower lip ignoring the pain. It felt like an electrifying ant had dig its claws into me, and a flash of the memories I thought I had buried came swamping in. My legs wobbled but I caught myself before I lost balance.

Alabama…Did that mean I would face my nemesis again? Make him pay for everything?

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