ISOBEL'S POV I am running. Not in the woods like a normal cliché movie, but past blocks of apartments of a poor neighborhood. My heart beats faster with each step I take forward and every step sends spikes of pain through my skull, but I refuse to let it slow me down. When every limb in my body is on the brink of collapsing, one agonising headache won't be a reason for me to stop running. I can't stop. If I do... only God knows what will happen to me. My lips part, releasing a sharp breath that morphs into a scream. Despite the intensity of my cry for help, it feels as though no one hears me amidst the pursuit. That can't be right. People live in these buildings. Everyone knows everyone's business. Gossip is easy to spread around in this area. I know that because I lived here once. Yet it seems like no one was calling the police. The quietness of the night proves it. This is a very small neighborhood and the cops would speed up here if a crime is reported, there was nothing th
- ISOBEL - Something about having money makes you addicted to it. The scent. How it feels in your fingers. The respect it can give and no matter how much you have, you just want more. Greed kills the good girl training in you and you find yourself doing what you never thought you would. But you enjoy it, of course. For once, you want to be a bad girl and dine with rich men. Enjoy luxury with a fake smile. Not that you hate it, but because you have to smile to get more. The lust in the eyes of men as they take your presence in, the desire pulsing through their veins, and knowing you're wanted and needed does things to one's mind. It reshapes the mind to bask in the moment. It makes what's wrong become right, after all, it aids with escaping the painful truth of your tragic life. That's why I'm in a fucking club, half naked, dancing in front of them. Because it fills a hole in my heart not love, care or family can give. I pour wine on my body and swirl my head backwa
- CAMERON - Mourning. It drives someone to a lot of possibilities life can't seem to give. Gives us the need to be what we aren't and wonder what it would be like if positions were reversed. If I had the chance to go back in time to change things, I would. Unfortunately, mourning is something I'm well accustomed with. The disgusted look I had on my face as my eyes bore the smelly, rotting, bloody head of my father in the sack delivered to me that day replays in my head as I drown another glass of alcohol painfully down my throat. Anchester, my very close acquaintance and enemy of my father, had no remorse with dismembering my father's body and delivering it to me via my request. Now I have to suffer and live with the guilt of not being there when it happened. Even after months, father’s death plagues my soul. The fall of the mighty, most feared San Su Li. I hit my hand on the counter and it makes a loud thud as the tumbler entangled between my fingers came in cont
- ISOBEL - I can't only hear my heart beat violently against my rib cage, I can feel it thumping on my chest. As I make my way back stage, I try my hardest not to drop to my knees. He was staring at me so intensely and I felt every bit of it. It took every nerve in me to hold myself from folding on that stage. Not to lie, I loved the thrill. When his eyes were on me, it was so easy to focus on just attracting him. Now that I'm far from his sight, my body is finally acting like a girl. Not to talk about the fact that I have to get ready for my last performance before going private. I really want him to be the man I go private with. "You spent quite the time on stage, Cleopatra." Leo, my manager says taking me out of my reverie. Cleopatra is my stage name. I arrived in Miami for a vacation to clear my head and I've been here for months. During my stay, a crazy suggestion to work illegally in a club popped in my mind and I followed my desire. It was worth it. Today mak
- ISOBEL - It all happened so fast. One minute I was at the back of the stage, getting ready for my final performance then the next, I was drinking alcohol before getting on that stage. And I saw him there. This time, in the front, seated with his legs spread open and he wore a confident smile. I felt my heart beat resonate in my ears when I descried his form. I wasn't touching him, nor was my body in contact with his in any way, yet he reacted to my advancements while letting it be known to me. My head was spinning with satisfaction after the performance. That was till I was notified that I had been bought. I wasn't told by who and the suspense kills me. Now I'm making my way through the dark, expensive VIP corridor to meet him. Whoever it is. A cold shudder runs down my spine as I take a quick breath in preparation, standing in front of the black door with the room number. I don't know what lays behind this door. More like who. I stretch my hand holding the room
- ISOBEL - My body lands on the bed with a sharp push and I gasp, feeling the the hardness of landing on my back. I got naked first. I never thought it would take this long to get a man between my legs. I never thought I'd be the first to get naked but here I am, laying flat on a bed under the prying eyes of this luscious male. Having his attention sends fires through my veins. My whole body is on fire and this is just the effect of rubbing his cock. I moan softly and feast my teeth on my bottom lip, the feel of his dick in my hand replaying in my head. I would take that in all day long. Fit it through every hole fuckable till the only thing my body gets used to is his dick. Although, just for the night. His pants drop and he climbs the bed, moving to me. My words hang in my throat. I knew this before, but not having him stand by my side blinded me, his body is huge. Way huger than mine. The stranger's hand slowly undoes the buttons of his shirt. My brows crease.
* SIX MONTHS LATER * - ISOBEL - 'You're such a good girl.' The deep voice of the stranger rings in my head again. I try to shake it off. It's been months, yet, I can remember all of it like it happened yesterday. Every damn graphic experience. Every reaction. Every orgasm. Every word. I clear my throat as I parade the busy streets of the city, walking to the venue, a hotel. My friend, Nina, and I are supposed to dine together. She didn't tell me the occasion, but I sure as hell won't miss it! I sip out from the straw in my plastic cup, drinking boba tea. Correction, Nina is not just my friend, she's my only friend. My best friend. And the only one my aggressive step brother didn't chase away from me. I cover the side of my face with my hand and pass by a tattoo shop. It's a Friday night and people are everywhere, either getting wasted or occupied with one thing or the other. I throw my empty cup in a city bin. The hotel is just a few blocks away. I can't wait
- CAMERON - Depressed? No. More like adjusted to accompany the pain. They say time heals agony, I wonder if that will be the case for me. I'm sat at the back seat of my limo, heading to my hotel. It's been eight months since my father's passing. I've succeeded in avoiding every being in my life while pausing my own life with pubs and clubs on a daily. It was high time I did something about it. That's why I started my own business. Managing several hotels along with my father's businesses is no easy task, that I've come to know. At least tonight, I'll have my father's lawyer read his will and then I'd know which shares are mine and manage my time properly. As funny as it sounds, father loved us all and left his will for all of us. If only he showed us how much he did during his time alive... My fist clenches. If he did, maybe I would've done something to keep him alive. And if I couldn't, the pain would hit harder but maybe I wouldn't have the guilt of hating him the e
- CAMERON - I stand in front of my mirror, getting dressed for my evening. I have a surprise date planned tonight for the two of us. One I know she’d love. It’s been a while since I caught myself getting dressed for a lady. It’s been a while since I found myself trying to leave a remarkable impression about myself to someone and I can’t deny, while I do feel rusty in that aspect, I sure do enjoy putting in the work, if this can be considered as work. The ends of my lips curl into a smirk. I walk to my perfume drawer. I press the button at the side and the glass door display slides open. I take my favourite cologne out and spray it on both my wrists when I hear the chime of my phone. I walk to my room, holding the bottle of perfume in my hand, to get to my phone which is on my bed. The moment I stand right in front of my bed, I pick my phone up and stare at the screen. ‘Don’t wait for me, I’m not coming.’ This makes my jaw clench. I guess my night just took a turn and
- ISOBEL - I still don’t get it. Imagine dashing away from a conversation, leaving someone alone with no word or text as to why. Especially after I opened up. It shouldn’t bug me as it does. After working today, he was the only one I could think about. What happened in the park was the only thing playing in my mind. Did I scare him off with my question? Did he only respond that way to ease my mind just to leave at the first chance he got? I huff, my eyes on my phone. I am laying flat on my bed with my hands holding my cell phone to my face. I have received no text from him. Not a single one. Now, if I had people in my who I could talk to, I’d probably be out for drinks but here I am, fantasising about a man who left me at the park. This is pathetic. I am too old for this and I certainly am too much of a catch to have one man invade my head and plague my thoughts this much. So many people would want to be with me. So many men. But are any of the men him? M
- CAMERON - I arrive at the hospital. Richard is registered in one of the rooms here. I still cannot believe he got involved in a car accident. What on earth was he doing? His job? He needs to take it easy. He’s all I’ve got. Literally. I know he works for me but I do care about his wellbeing and that man does not seem like someone who values his own wellbeing considering he’s always here to help twenty-four seven. “Thank you.” I say to the nurse at the entrance check out who just let me know his room number. “Anytime Mister Su Li.” She responds. I dash away when I hear her call forth the name of someone. Probably the relative of a patient admitted in here. I let out a sigh while taking the elevator. My mind is a total chaos right now. Please, Richard, be okay, I say to myself in my head trying to blow off some steam. Part of me is plagued by something. Did he get this accident while trying to do my bidding? I can’t tell but I hope not. I hope he’s safe and out of da
- CAMERON -She's hurt. I've been in a place where I forgot myself so I can easily tell when someone is going through the same thing.I don't know what Isobel's demons are or what it is that happened that makes her want constant reassurance, but I'll be here to give it to her. I'll always be here to let her know that she can lean on me and I would never judge her. Ever.I watch her make her way to the ice cream van with the kid. I squint, resting my elbows on my knees to have a good view.I'm not staring at any other part of her but her waist, hips, and my favourite part? Her ass. I feel like an asshole but I can't help myself. I avert my gaze away, trying to be decent when a call cuts me short.My brows furrow when I dip my hand in my pocket to bring my phone out. The caller ID is vague to me. I pick up, holding my phone to my ears. "Hello?"The caller murmurs something to me. This makes my heart skip a beat. I'm afraid I have to leave. It was Richard. He just got into an accident. O
- ISOBEL - With every step he takes closer to me, my heart races with anticipation. This is nothing extraordinary, he’s just here to keep me company yet I can’t get over the kind gesture. Maybe it’s because I’ve not had friends since I was a teen and lost touch on what it’s like to have people to hang around with, I shrug, I am not sure, but the feeling is nice. I’m as lonely as the word lonely can get, I have nothing of extra value apart from my savings, which I managed to have from mostly my dad and hard work but other than that, I’m just an ordinary lady yet this man who seems to have everything is going through this ‘ordinary’ path to be with me. I like it but I can’t help and wonder why. I certainly hope Nina didn’t put him up to it, something tells me that for him to be present in her congratulations party, they must have some sort of relationship beyond the work place and it would suck if she did because that would mean his actions are nothing but pitiful to me, but I d
- ISOBEL -I wait a little longer. The small fingers which cling onto mine alerts me that I need to act fast. "I think that speaks for itself, you're not needed here, at all." I emphasise on the last two words on purpose.First off, it's a bad look for me as the baby sitter. I can't have men hanging around me whine doing my job. Cameron is the only man I have in my life and he's not even in my life anymore exactly and that makes it worse.No parent would want their child with a stranger who's accustomed with the nanny. Especially if that child exhibited signs of discomfort which James is giving off now.Cameron stands up. He's facing me. My brows are furrowed. "Thank you for offering and dropping by but we'll be fine on our own. I'm working." I say to him.He's rich. I'm just a babysitter. I don't complain about my line of work though but he won't feed nor pay my bills."Another time, please." I add, my tone serious. I can't come off as welcoming. Not in this case."I'm sorry for both
- ISOBEL - “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re stalking me.” I say the moment he gets over here. Good thing I decided to change outfits today. I can’t imagine how embarrassed I’d be if he got to see me in an I don’t give a shit outfit. Cameron probably might not care but I will. In fact, he should. He’s a freaking CEO. The people who he associates with should look befitting I guess. Or I at just be overthinking? I drape my eyes up and down his body. Cameron always looks so perfectly dressed. And no, I don’t think I’m overthinking. If I haven’t spent a night at his place, I’d assume he wears corporate clothes to bed. “I don’t know, maybe.” He responds, looking at me straight in the eyes with a sinister look on his face. This suddenly makes me feel uncomfortable. For what it’s worth, between the two of us, I’m the stalker and stalkers don’t fret nor expose it! Tch. My eyes are still glued to his. His darkened gaze makes my stomach clench. Cameron diverts his attenti
- CAMERON - I drink out of my coffee, sipping it while letting the hot liquid burn my tongue. I’m meeting someone here today. A very important person. I bring the coffee mug to my mouth again, breathing into it through my mouth and inhaling the steam, while staring out the glass walls of this café, my attention outside before taking a sip. To think just not long ago, this was me in this same spot almost every morning, battling with severe depression makes a half grin form on my lips. Slowly but surely, I feel the sad feeling slipping away. And it’s nice. The door bell chimes and my attention is diverted to the door. A familiar figure waltz in with someone. I’m torn with a sense of deja vu as Isobel makes her way inside with a little boy by her side. One whose face I remember a little too well. This makes my grin widen. Funny how fate has it that I have someone to meet today too. Just like the first time we met. The representative of the airline I’m about to purchase is
- ISOBEL - “You did not!” Nina exclaims. I don’t have to look at her to know she’s stunned. I’m standing in front of a mirror in my room while zipping up the back of my shirt on my own. “I did.” I respond. My back is to her. “No you didn’t.” She pushes, sat on my bed. I laugh. “I actually did.” “No freaking way!” Nina says. I walk to the other end of my room where my bed is to get my watch from my bed table. I place it on my wrists and put it on myself. Nina can comfortably aid me with dressing up but I’d rather do it myself. I’m used to it so I find no issue doing it alone even though she’s in here. “Nina,” I take a short pause. “As I have said a thousand times already,” I emphasise on this statement, “I did.” I finally add, meeting her gaze with a smile. Even I can’t believe it to be honest. I left him that way. The look on his face as his body parted from mine was cinematic. The sight of his erection pleased me. For so long, that man has left me wanting and it’s