ISABELLA POV“Why did you change the color of your hair?” He narrowed his eyes on me.Huh?My brain clicked into place. Hannah had blonde hair. Mine was brown. How did no one notice that already?“I…I just felt like the other one was old. I wanted to spice things up a bit.” I said, avoiding his eyes.He eyes me up and down, doubt in his eyes.Please don't notice.Please don't notice.Please don't notice.“You've gotten a bit thin. You should eat more, help those small boobs.” I stared at him in shock. “The hair suits you, by the way.” What sort of human was this? I bowed, and he left the room. My phone buzzed almost immediately.I picked it up, my hands trembling. That man's aura was terrifying. “Hannah?”“Are you in yet? What's going on?” She asked. She sounded like she was on the road.“Yes, I'm in. Your house is very beautiful.”, I spoke barely above a whisper, in case anyone was listening.“Well, it's yours now. I forgot something though. Your hair. Has anyone noticed?”“Yes. Ma
TITLE: FREEHELENA'S POV.Free. I was fucking free. It felt unreal, maybe I was dreaming. A part of me was annoyed that I'd forgotten to change the color of Isabella's hair, but since it didn't cause an issue, we let it slide.I would miss that house, regardless of Maxwell's cold attitude. I would miss the servants and their niceness. I would miss the soft beds and good food. I would miss Holly.I waltzed out of the Cafe, happy and elated. Next step, figure out where to sleep tonight. It was a bit late to start the journey back home.“Hannah.” A dry voice called out behind me. I spun around, surprise etched into my face. A relatively short and stubbled man stood in front of me, with a smug smile on his face. I recognized him, but the memory was faint. We stared at each other for a few seconds, and he laughed.“Is your memory that short?” He said, chuckling.I was genuinely confused. What was so funny?“I think I know you, but I'm not sure. An introduction would be nice.” I said, f
ISABELLA'S POVI entered Maxwell's home office. It was Sparsely furnished, save for two office chairs, a desk, and lounge chair towards the right of the room. He was deeply immersed in his work, and I cleared my throat to indicate my presence.He peered up at me, and ran his eyes over my body. I looked down.Only then did I realize what I was wearing. A short that stopped midway through my thighs, and a tank top. I was revealing a lot of unwanted skin.“Don't you get tired?” He snarled.I shot my head up, confusion splayed on my face. “Huh?” I blurted.He sighed, and got off his laptop. I stood transfixed in my position, still staring at him. He didn't have a shirt on. My eyes dipped low, to his chest, abdomen, and..‘Avert your gaze young woman.’ My conscience pricked at me. I was trying to think of a counter when Maxwell grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him.I flinched at the sudden movement, instinctively taking a step back. But I couldn't move.“I won't fall for you Hanna
MAXWELL POVHannah was different.Not pathetic, not begging, not…lame. She had an air of resistance around her, something that intrigued me. I was still unbothered about her, but the change was noticeable. Maybe she was still trying to get my attention with her new found behavior. Wasn't going to work, haha.It was already 3pm, and I hadn't had lunch. Mom and dad came over for a ‘brief discussion on marital affairs.’ Yes, that's exactly how it sounded. I didn't want to, but I didn't acknowledge them, I'd probably spend the next month listening to lectures from my mom. I groaned, but got up and made my way downstairs.“Max! There you are. I was worried you'd leave your parents waiting. How are you?” Mom said as soon as she landed her eyes on my frame. I glanced at dad, and nodded respectfully.A simple greeting, but the message had been passed. Dad was never one for too much talk.I walked over to mom, and gave her a slight hug.“Have you had your shower Maxy? Don't tell me you've been
ISABELLA'S POV Mom was stable. The doctors said her condition had drastically improved within the last four days, and they didn't know why. Part of me believed she could see and hear everything that was happening around me, and wanted to return as soon as possible so she could help me through it. Or at least be there for me.My eyes brimmed with unshed tears as I stared at her unconscious form laying on the hospital bed. It was silent in the ward. The periodic beeping of the heart monitor was the only disturbance.“Mom, I miss you. A lot has happened. A lot I want to tell you. Please, stay strong for me. You'll be fine, I promise.” I sniffed, wiping off my tears.I glanced at my wrist watch. 2:50pm. I better get going. Giving my mom one more kiss on her forehead, I left the silent ward.I stopped at the finance unit and made a deposit for the first phase of mom's treatment. The nurse there stared at me like I was a ghost. I knew her, but not on a personal level. I was always here to
ISABELLA'S POV I walked into the large mall, and everything seemed to hush for a moment. I hadn't been at a mall for years. I walked through the sliding glass doors, the chilled air from the air conditioning rushing at me, and sending shivers down my spine.The occasional chatter of people, alongside the clanking of pots and plates from the restaurant made me feel a familiar wave of nostalgia. I paused, taking a deep breath.The mall was still as I remembered, only minor changes here and there to the design and colors.I swept my vision over the space. Families, couples and groups of friends moved in their own accord, absorbed in their own worlds. I felt like a teenager again.I moved towards the food court, the familiar aroma wafting into my nose.“Ma'am, are you alright?” I heard a deep voice behind me. I whipped around and found the driver, watching me with an inscrutable expression.“Yes. I'm fine. Is there a problem with the car?” Why was he here?“Master says you shouldn't be
MAXWELL POVHolly had successfully pulled me downstairs, insisting that I had to try out her new dish.I walked lazily to the dining, and sat down, with my laptop. A few moments later, I spotted a shade of blonde out of the corner of my eye. I glanced up. Bright blue eyes stared back at me, and my heart skipped a beat. “Good evening, Maxwell.” She said. I didn't respond, but kept my gaze on her. To my surprise, she held it steady, with a similar fierceness.I looked away, and released a breath I didn't know I was holding. We sat in silence, waiting for Holly.I glanced up at her occasionally, my face hardened with annoyance. Why did she have to be so damn…“Why did you buy so many clothes? You have more than enough already.” The words left my lips before I could think. I couldn't understand why she started spending so much in such a short time.“I didn't buy clothes. I want to start a fashion line.” She replied, keeping her gaze on her phone.I snorted. “Fashion line? What do you re
ISABELLA'S POV “This is great news Bella. I'm so proud of you. So, when do I get to see your designs?” Julia said over the phone. She had asked me what I had in mind since I wasn't gonna work at the Cafe anymore, and I just said what came to mind.The truth.“In a few weeks. I'm still working on them. In the meantime, do you have any fashion brands I can work with?” I had tried searching online, but most brands only wanted people who were already famous in the industry, or sons and daughters of…well, people who were already made.I heard her exhale over the phone. “Bella, we're in Oklahoma. I don't really know anyone who can help. I think you should check it out in New York. There's a fashion brand that's accepting auditions next weekend.”My heart dropped.Next weekend was way too far.It was also when I had to leave for the “event” with Maxwell. This is just shitty.New favorite word, shitty.Yes, again.I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked a whole lot different than I