03 Unknown shadow

Isabel’s POV

my eyes opened to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the room curtains.

The unfamiliar ceiling of the room came into focus.

Where am I? 

I asked myself, feeling a slight ache.

I groaned softly, pressing a hand on my temple as I tried to piece together the fragments of last night. 

I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to remember how I got here.

What happened? 

I thought to myself, anxiety bubbling as I pushed myself to sit up.

I scanned the room, searching for any clues that might jog my memory, but everything looked untouched, pristine, almost sterile.

The mirror across the room caught my eye.

Slowly, I stood, wrapping a sheet around me as I walked over.

My reflection looking back at me- disheveled hair, makeup smudged.

My eyes wide with confusion and fear.

I noticed a faint bruise on my shoulder, but there’s no pain, just the unsettling sense of not knowing how it got there.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

I need to figure this out, to make sense of the chaos in my mind.

Turning back to the bed, I scan my eyes at the room once more for any overlooked detail.

I’m in a hotel room! 

I exclaimed.

Could it be…. Could it be that I slept out? 

Does that mean I didn’t get home last night? 

I say, tilting my head to the side.

Panic clawed in as I struggled to recall even a single detail of how I ended up here.

I quickly grabbed my phone on the nightstand, hoping for some hint, something that can help explain the fog in my mind.

Oh no! 

It’s missed calls from Alexander!

I say, covering my mouth from sounding too loud.

I blink my eyes severally, trying to see if it’s a dream or not.

For a while now, Alexander hardly calls me.

He sometimes just leaves a text when he sees lots of missed calls from me.

But seeing his missed calls now, feels like a dream. 

Am I dreaming? I say feeling confused.

I remember meeting up with Cynthia.

The evening had started innocuously enough. I remember the laughter, the clinking of glasses and being introduced to James Brown, Cynthia’s school mate and friend.

I remember James joining our table, Cynthia excusing herself to use the restroom, and how happy I was talking to James at the table, he said lots of funny jokes that got me cracked up.

I also remember ordering a glass of nonalcoholic red wine.

But beyond that, everything was blurry. I’m unable to recall how I ended up in this room, undressed and alone.

Ouch!

My head hurts. I say rubbing my fingers against my temples.

A soft knock at the door pulling me from my thoughts.

I clutched the sheet around me as the door opened.

Cynthia stepped in, her expression a mix of satisfaction and amusement.

“Morning, Sunshine,” Cynthia said, a teasing lilt in her voice. “How are you feeling?”

“Confused,” I reply, my voice shaking.

“I can’t remember how I got to this room.”

“How could you let me sleep out? You know it’s going to cause more problems between Alexander and I.” I say, feeling a mix of sadness and anger.

“Relax, Bella.” Cynthia said, crossing the other side of the bed to sit on the edge.

“Not like I forced you into staying outside.” Her demeanor now shifting to one I can’t explain.

“Besides, you got pretty drunk, and I couldn’t let you leave looking that way. Or have you forgotten that you're the wife of Alexander, the CEO of the Kings Empire? What would people say if they see you looking all drunk? You should be thanking me for saving you.” She said, giving some weird body gestures.

Knowing there’s truth in what she said, I kept my cool.

“Don’t worry, nothing happened.” Cynthia says, holding my hands.

I sigh as relief wash over me, but a knot of unease remains. 

“Thanks anyways, for taking care of me,” I say softly to Cynthia, even though I'm still doubtful.

“Of course,” Cynthia replied, letting a smile play on her lips. “That’s what friends are for. Just take it easy today, okay?” She chips In mischievously. “We’ll get some breakfast and you’ll feel better.”

“No, don’t worry, I need to leave immediately. Let’s catch up again later.” 

This is weird, I mumbled, dressing up to leave.

How is it possible that I got drunk, and messed up my dress when the last thing I remember is the waiter handing a glass of drink to me, a nonalcoholic drink like I had requested.

And I don’t see any reason why Cynthia would lie to me.

A shadow of doubt flickering in my mind. Still feeling uneasy about everything.

Cynthia’s gestures seem not real, her explanation too convenient.

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the uneasy feeling. 

I have more immediate concerns to deal with, like the gnawing uncertainty of what truly happened last night, and how to explain myself to Alexander.

******************

Cynthia’s POV

Isabel seems not to get it. I say mischievously as she leaves the hotel room.

Does she think I fucking care about how she feels and her love for Alexander?

All this while I have tried convincing her to divorce Alexander so I can finally be with the love of my life.

But she has been persistent.

Now with the plot I have planted, let’s see how she still refuses to divorce him.

I laugh out loud, falling back to the bed.

Isabel has everything I have ever wanted: beauty, grace, charming allure, and most importantly, Alexander.

She’s so incredibly intelligent that she got hired to work in Kings Empire, where she seduced Alexander into falling for her and marrying her.

Of course, she seduces him, I want to believe so.

I sneer hard.

I get chills each time I think about it all.

Why will Isabella, who's not as wealthy as I am, have it all.

Alexander is mine!

I say, as I clench my fist.

Isabel has no idea what’s coming her way.