Isabella CampbellI opened my eyes to an empty room and frowned because it felt like I was on the floor due to the hard surface beneath me. I sat up and was right when I found myself on the floor.I stood to my feet slowly because I was in so much pain. I wondered why I was here in the first place because the last I remember, I was in the hospital after that harsh experience I had days ago.I turned around to see the interior of the apartment I got attacked in and was scared that my attacker was still in there.Looking around the well-lit room, I made my way to the phone to call someone for help. When I picked up the phone, I felt someone touch my wrist and I jerked trying to wriggle my hand from the person’s grip only for it to tighten.I looked at the person only to be met with a masked face. I screamed and held my body being held back followed by the soothing voice of Ben.I opened my eyes to see myself laying on the hospital bed. Ben was holding my hands, worry on his face.“Are y
Isabelle CampbellIt’s already the end of the month. Still, the pervert douche ‘My manager’ has refused to give me my last month’s pay.“I’ll pay last month's and this month’s by the last day of the month” his useless promise rang in my head.I know I should have taken some actions to make him pay me up. If I didn’t need the money urgently, I wouldn’t have to come to work here. I have my mother’s bakery down the street but business has been slow and I can’t keep up with rent.I would have gotten a cheaper space and moved out of there, but that bakery holds so much memory of my mum that it’s so hard to let it go. Thinking of my mum changed my mood suddenly and the heaviness I had been trying to keep away was slowly getting in my heart. Too much hurt for this weak heart to bear.I looked down at the cupcakes I was icing and smiled. I made a happy face on all the cupcakes, even though I was sad and miserable.I picked up a cupcake and smiled when memories Mum showing me how to ice the cu
Alessandro Moretti“Do you feel okay sir?” I adjusted the pillow for my grandfather, Charles Moretti again.“Yes, I do” he answered, followed by fits of coughs. I helped him sit up so he could drink water. “Thank you, Sandro” he whispered. I smiled with a nod.“You’re welcome, sir” I looked at my frail-looking grandfather and sighed.He is getting as weak as he looks as the days go by. I didn’t realize I said it out loud.“Sandro my boy, I am not a weak old man. I am strong” he tried to joke but he coughed again and waved me off when I stood to help him.“The pneumonia really shook you, old man” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. My mood mostly.I don’t want to lose my grandfather. He’s the closest to a father I have. My dad is never here and mum just makes matters worse for herself and everyone she comes across.He side-looked me and then chuckled lightly. “Wait, till I am strong enough to kick your butt”I laughed and it sounded genuine then held his hand. “I will be waiting for
Isabelle CampbellI am heating the remaining food I made to give to Mr. Charles after I destroyed the first meal by letting shattered glasses and the floor mix with the food.I am an idiot. I wanted to bang my head so hard on the wall for my stupidity.“Why didn’t I do my findings before accepting the job?” I slapped my forehead and hissed when the assaulted part stung.I was humiliated and lost my job because of that prick, only to come here and work for him. No, I work for his grandfather, the old sickly man I prepare food for. I felt some kind of relief when I realized that arrogant fool wasn’t the one I would be cooking for.I might sound dramatic, but that man is bad-behaved, and spoilt and thinks everything can be handed to him because it’s true. He’s born to this wealth but that didn’t give him the right to downgrade me the way he did yesterday.“I hope you’re not dim” his words from earlier as he helped me carry the tray from the floor bounced in my head.If I wasn’t at fault,
Isabelle Campbell“Liv, you would have seen the shock on my face when those senseless words left his lips” I passed Olivia, my best friend the cupcake I just finished decorating then picked up the next one. “He’s so arrogant” I grimaced at the event of yesterday.Liv looked at me. “It’s that bad?” I nod my head.“Very, I can’t imagine what goes on in his head. Like, how do you just walk up to a complete stranger and make such a ridiculous request? After you made her lose her job that would have gotten back her late mum’s bakery” I put down the cupcake I was holding and threw my hands up in the air in frustration. “I don’t like him,” I said in a small voice.Liv stopped arranging the cupcakes in the packaged boxes and rested her hands on the counter then looked at me.“He’s a douche” she comments and I nod my head. I could feel tears threatening to fall but I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths to calm myself down. I’m suddenly feeling emotional now.“I understand this guy’s a douc
Isabelle Campbell“You didn’t come to work today,” he said. His deep voice as it vibrates in my chest. I felt my palm sweating, a sigh that I was nervous. I couldn’t understand why, so I rubbed my palm against my cloth and kept my fist balled.“What are you doing here?” ignoring his question, I asked again. He turns to look at me and puts his hands in his pocket.“Is he the o-” I hushed Olivia when she whisper-asked me and let out a low whistle. I wished I could glare at her to behave.When she sees a handsome man, she loses all sense of reasoning.“You didn’t come to work” he repeated his earlier statement, which irritated me.I walked toward him and pushed past him to open my front door, Olivia was right behind me when I entered.“Can I come in?” he asked. I turned to look at him, my eyes firing daggers in his direction.I was already provoked today and he might be at the receiving end of my anger if he says something stupid.“Now you are being polite” I grit out clenched teeth.He
Isabelle Campbell I woke up feeling tired and cramped from the position I slept. I was ready for the day. My job as Mr. Charles’s chef still stands and I am grateful for it. I might have to wait till the end of the month to get my paycheck but at least I have some money I expect at the end of the month. It’s not all that bad. I was sitting inside the bus when my phone rang. “Isabelle?” a lady’s voice says from the phone. I frowned then looked at my phone screen to see the caller's name. My eyes lit up with hope. She’s an old, well-paying customer. “Oh, hi. I didn’t know it was you” I cleared my throat. “How are you doing? It’s been a while” She chuckled. “Yes, it has been. How’s business going?” “Fine” can’t share my problems with everyone. “I would like to request a cake and some snacks with it.” I felt my heart do a million summersault. “I need it by Friday, I will make payment by the end of today and will send details of all that I need to you too” If I wasn’t on a bus, I
Isabelle Campbell‘I will never subject myself to such thin’ the promise I made to myself kept repeating in my head as I sat in a café opposite my bakery while I waited for Alessandro.The nervousness was creeping inside my every being, my fingers twitched and I kept biting my bottom lips, looking at the door whenever it opened to welcome a customer.“Does he have the courtesy to know not to keep a woman waiting?” I grumbled in annoyance.I am feeling anxious about this decision I am making. I want to be sure this is what I want but my situation leaves me no choice.My phone buzzed in my purse, so I opened it to take it out. It was a message from Olivia. She’s coming to town in a few days since she had to leave promptly a day ago after getting an emergency call from home.I pressed the sent button after typing my response to her message when a deep, familiar voice caught my attention.I looked up at him, my phone still close to my face, and watched him sit on the chair before me.He s
Isabella CampbellI opened my eyes to an empty room and frowned because it felt like I was on the floor due to the hard surface beneath me. I sat up and was right when I found myself on the floor.I stood to my feet slowly because I was in so much pain. I wondered why I was here in the first place because the last I remember, I was in the hospital after that harsh experience I had days ago.I turned around to see the interior of the apartment I got attacked in and was scared that my attacker was still in there.Looking around the well-lit room, I made my way to the phone to call someone for help. When I picked up the phone, I felt someone touch my wrist and I jerked trying to wriggle my hand from the person’s grip only for it to tighten.I looked at the person only to be met with a masked face. I screamed and held my body being held back followed by the soothing voice of Ben.I opened my eyes to see myself laying on the hospital bed. Ben was holding my hands, worry on his face.“Are y
Isabelle Campbell“We should get you back to your room,” Alessandro’s voice cuts through my train of worried thoughts.I had been sitting on the wheelchair I was placed since I can barely walk, close to a heavily wounded Olivia who had all these machines connected to her to keep her alive.It broke my heart when Alessandro broke the news to me. This can’t be happening. First, I was attacked by some person and it isn’t up to a full day that my best friend got into an accident. Is this voodoo? I shook my head at that thought. I can’t possibly think that because things went this way.“We’ll come back to see her later and I will give updates when necessary” he mentioned.Alessandro wheeled me out of the room to my room then helped me to get on the bed. He adjusts the covers on me and sat on the bed.“You both will be fine” he caressed my cheek and I let out a sigh.“I don’t know about that” I couldn’t meet his eyes. “I need to rest” I lean back on the bed and closed my eyes, trying not t
Isabelle Campbell“This taste so good” I compliment between bits as I savored the egg rolls and spicy fried rice Ben brought for me. It has been a couple of hours since we sat here talking about our childhood, work and just anything entertaining.He grinned with a proud look on his face. “I made them myself, Glad you love it”My eyes widened slightly in amusement as I chewed. “That’s impressive, you’re a great cook” I raised my hand for a high-five, Ben gladly reciprocated, our palms met with a satisfying clap.“What’s going on here?”Alessandro’s gruff voice interrupted as he walked in. I didn’t notice him entering, but somehow, I could sense anger radiating from him with his eyes narrowed fixed on me then on his friend.I held the food plate out to him. “Ben made me dinner,” I explained, offering a warm to Ben who winked at me. I couldn’t help but blush.He’s a handsome guy, can’t blame me.I glanced at Alesandro noting his intense glare at Ben, who tried unsuccessfully to hide a gr
Alessandro Moretti“She’s going to wake up with a mild concussion but she’ll be fine,” the doctor said as we stood outside talking about Isabelle’s condition.I don’t know how to feel about this. Who could have known she was there and gone to attack her? My mind drifted to my sister but I don’t think she’s crazy enough to hurt someone.“She just needs to rest enough and she’ll be good” he smiled and then handed me a small piece of paper inscribed with her medication.I thanked him with a nod and walked into her room. I must admit that the dark coloring on her face made her look even worse. It isn’t pretty on her but I’m never saying that to her.I walked to the bed and sat on the chair beside her. Even with all that’s going on with her, she looks at peace.I took out my phone from my pocket and then called a friend of mine no one knows about. “Hey bro” his voice sounded smooth and casual from the other end of the line.“I need a favor, I will send you all I know and would appreciate i
Alessandro MorettiI checked my appearance in the mirror and adjusted my tie well. I loosen the tie to give myself some space to breathe.I needed to feel okay since I could meet people I didn’t want to meet.My eyes settled on a single rose and card sitting on my bed. I sighed and turned to pick it up.“Can’t believe I let his words get to my head” I muttered under my breath and opened the card to read what was written. I chuckled at the words and placed them back on the bed.I checked the time once more, picked up the rose and card once more and walked to my bedside table to fetch my watch and keys before going outside my room to pick Isabelle up.I imagined Isabelle in a stunning, off-the-shoulder red dress, slit up her thigh, her dark hair styled in a sleek updo with soft, wavy tendrils framing her smooth, porcelain face.“What is wrong with you?” I smacked my forehead to get those thoughts out of my head.My phone rang and I paused from entering my car to answer it.“Yes?” my bro
Isabelle CampbellI’m standing in front of the elevator, waiting for it to get to this floor so I can leave. I made my decision already.How I feel concerning his sudden decision to change our contract and move on to something that big, is valid. He can’t just change it, offer me so much money, and then expect me to accept blin—.“I apologize for dropping that on you like that” My train of thought was interrupted by Alessandro’s voice.I turned around to face him, I saw how apologetic he looked. It was genuine.“I don’t want to get married for money” This was something I promised myself. I have watched someone I cared about get into a marriage all for the sake of money and she lost herself in it. The end was bad. I don’t want that.“Prince charming, coming to lift you off your feet and make you the happiest woman alive,” he said, a small smile on his lips.I let my tensed shoulders ease up. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh, when I opened my eyes, Alessandro was a foot away from me.
Isabelle CampbellMr. Charles was almost done with his food and the funny stories he told about him and his late wife made me laugh so hard and my heart feel so light.No matter how bad it’s going, this man can brighten your day.“You are an amusing man, your wife was very lucky to have you in her life” I laughed and wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes.“I’m a real charmer, you know? She couldn’t resist me and my many funny stories. I would make a fine storyteller, eh?” he wriggled his brows with a grin on his lips which was followed by a series of coughs.I stood up and grabbed the glass of water from the bedside table to give him. I patted his back lightly and waited for him to calm down before handing the glass to him. He took it and gave me a thumbs up.Just then, a knock was heard on the door and Alessandro’s head popped in before the rest of his body entered the room.A wide grin formed on his lips as he looked at his grandfather. I went back to sit on the chair I was sit
Alessandro MorettiI have seen my mum very angry. Countlessly and her stare when such emotion takes over her could kill a bird in minutes. And that angry stare is mostly directed at my dad. It's no surprise since they hate each other.I have never seen such an angry and mortified look on her face. She looks like she got the worst news of her life and it’s scary because the look was mostly directed at Isabelle.‘Is that how mum looks at people?’ I wondered, then my gaze went to Isabelle who was beside me.She looked like she wanted to hide behind me because she was uncomfortable with the look my mum directed at her.“Mum”“My office now” she interrupted me and turned sharply, then marched to her office down the hallway. Those were anger steps.I turned to Isabelle so we were facing each other. “Mum can be scary at first but she’ll warm up later” I tried to comfort her.I didn’t care what or how she felt before now, so I am kind of surprised that I want her to be at ease at least. Even
Alessandro MorettiI let go of the hug to look at my little sister who looks way different from the chubby girl she was two years ago. It’s been so long since we saw each other and I miss her so much.“You look so different from…” she gave me a warning look. I chuckled “The last time we saw. It’s a great improvement” I commented and she grinned.“I know right” She stroked a pose and pouted as if she was at a photoshoot. “You get rid of what you don’t like” She flipped her shoulder-length hair then turned to Isabelle who stood there watching us, holding my sister’s stuff. I sighed.I smiled at Isabelle but she returned a frown. “I’d love to introduce you to someone special,” I say holding her shoulders.She turned to me with a frown. “Not in front of the maid” She points at Isabelle and looks at her again “Why don’t you do away with my things and get me something to dr-”I took my hands off my sister’s shoulders, walked to Isabelle and retrieved my sister’s belongings from her. I held