Chapter 6
1120 Words
So, let me get this straight,” Isabelle said, halting mid-step to glare at Freya. “You couldn’t even scare him off?”
The warm tones of Isabelle's lush sitting room clashed with the tension in the air. Freya perched uneasily on the edge of the velvet couch, her fingers clutching her knees as Isabelle paced back and forth, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor.
Freya flinched at the reprimand. “It wasn’t as simple as we thought. He’s...” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “He’s... complicated. I tried, Isabelle, I really did.”
“I can’t believe it,” Isabelle muttered, shooting Freya a sharp glance. “You had one job, Freya. One! All you had to do was make that ridiculous billionaire's son lose interest.”
“I'm sorry babe, but I can fix this”, Freya pleaded.
Isabelle stopped pacing and turned to face her friend. “Fix it how? By going on another date? I thought this was supposed to be a one-time thing, Freya.”
Freya stood, holding her hands up in a placating gesture. “It will be. I’ll give him back his wallet, make it clear we’re done, and that’ll be it. No more misunderstandings. Just… let me handle it, Isabelle.”
Isabelle exhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’d better. I don’t have time for this nonsense. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is that I have to keep pretending this is all fine?”
But then she sighed, her expression softening just a fraction. “You’d better. I can’t keep cleaning up after this. My father’s already suspicious about why I’m dodging these dates. If he finds out I’m using you as a stand-in” She broke off, shaking her head.
“I won’t let that happen,” Freya assured her, her voice quiet but firm.
Isabelle’s expression softened slightly, though irritation still lingered in her eyes. “Fine. One more date. But if you screw this up, Freya, you’re on your own.”
“You never bothered asking about the guy? How does he look or anything?”, Freya asked with a delicate smile curling down her lips, she needed to make her distracted from being annoyed with her.
“Who cares about his looks? I'm sure he'll be one of those mommy's boys, seeing as he's been used by his parents, same as me”, Isabelle replied sharply without thinking twice.
“Well…..that would've made you both a perfect match?. Mommy's Boy and Daddy's girl”, Freya mocked as the two burst into laughter, but it feigned too soon when Freya asked.
“You’re sure you wouldn't regret this?. You might be a perfect match?”.
“Over my dead body. Too many men on my trail than I doting on one mommy's pet”, she responded with pride, her sitting posture well balanced to maintain his composure.
“Wait! Don't tell me you've started developing interest in that guy already?”Isabelle asked, fear written boldly in capital letters on her forehead.
Before Freya could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the foyer. Both women turned to see Viktor Alucard, Isabelle’s father, entering the room with three men trailing behind him and a young girl, no older than ten, clinging to his side.
“Ah, my darling Isabelle,” Viktor greeted warmly, his deep, charismatic voice filling the room. He spread his arms as if welcoming her into an embrace. “It’s been far too long.”
Isabelle blinked in surprise. “Father? What are you doing here?”
Freya rose quickly to her feet, a mixture of awe and nervousness washing over her. Viktor Alucard was not just a wealthy politician; he was a household name, revered for his philanthropy and influence. Seeing him in person felt surreal.
Viktor waved a hand dismissively as he took a seat in the grand armchair, the young girl still by his side. “Business brought me back to the city, and I thought I’d stop by to see my lovely daughter.” His gaze shifted to Freya, his smile widening. “And who might this young lady be?”
“Freya Morgan,” she managed, offering a polite nod. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Alucard.”
“The honor is mine,” Viktor replied with a smile. “Any friend of Isabelle’s is always welcome.”
Isabelle, however, seemed distracted. Her sharp eyes fell on the girl at Viktor’s side, her ponytail bobbing as she clung tightly to him. “And who’s this?” Isabelle asked.
Viktor glanced down at the child, his expression softening. “This is Claire. I found her on the streets a few days ago, poor thing. No family, no home. I couldn’t leave her there, could I?”
Freya felt a pang of admiration for the man’s kindness. But Isabelle’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she didn’t respond.
The atmosphere shifted when Viktor’s phone buzzed. He excused himself, stepping into the hallway with his entourage. Isabelle remained silent for a moment, her fingers drumming against her thigh.
When her phone chimed moments later, she checked it and let out a frustrated groan. “Great. Just great.”
“What’s wrong?” Freya asked hesitantly.
Isabelle tossed her phone onto the couch. “Liam’s family sent a message. They’re requesting another date for their children tomorrow. The date coming as soon as this means the dude is interested in you, and he wants more”.
Freya’s stomach sank. “Another date, this tomorrow. I got my delivery job to resume back to?”
“Yes, Freya. Tomorrow,” Isabelle interrupted sharply. But her tone softened as she looked at her friend. “I’ve arranged for some new dresses, and my assistant has already sent you the money for your tuition. Just… do better this time, and drop the delivery job for now.”
Freya blinked, overwhelmed by a mix of gratitude and guilt. “Isabelle, I… Thank you.” She stepped forward, brushing a quick kiss on Isabelle’s cheek. “I won’t let you down.”
“You’d better not,” Isabelle muttered, brushing off her cheek in mock irritation. But a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
As Freya left the room, clutching the promise of another chance, a small voice in her mind whispered doubt.
“Can I truly put an end to this mess?”, she asked herself rhetorically.
As Freya left, clutching her resolve, a small voice in her head whispered doubt.
“Can I really end this mess?” she wondered aloud.
- Writer
