CHARACTER 7
1868 Words
Isabelle sat crossed-legged on the couch, munching on a bag of chips while her other hand was busy scrolling through her phone. After Darren left, she had received an email from Francis; it was intel on Kaine’s background check.
Her forehead creased as she read through the email. “Kaine is basically just ordinary, how come I have never seen him close to Alexander in public?” she pondered.
“Woah, what’s got big sis soliloquizing all of a sudden?” Domain teased as he descended the stairs.
Isabelle stared at him, then rolled her eyes. "Very funny Damian.”
He chuckled, strode towards her, bent a little and pecked her cheek, “I’m off sis,”
“Wait, we need to talk,”
He raised a questioning eyebrow, and she frowned, then he sat back on the couch, “Spill it.”
She cleared her throat, “You’re going back to high school, Damian," she blurted.
Damian's eyes went wide. “What?”
“You heard me, Damian.” She said, “Look, you’re still young, what are you? Maybe 18. It’ll be wrong for you to just drop out of high school. I want you to live a normal life, make friends and enjoy lots of high school drama,” she added, her tone serious.
He heaved a deep sigh and ran his finger through his hair, “What if it happens again?”
“Nothing will happen, Damian, if it does, just ignore it, and if the pressure goes beyond your endurance, then don’t hesitate to implement what you’ve been taught.” She uttered calmly.
“Besides, your new school is a private high school. Trust me, the moment you step in, you’re going to be pulling both boys and girls. I mean who wouldn't fall for a hot blue-green-eyed blond like you? "Isabelle teased.
Damian scoffed, “Fine, but if things get out of hand don't blame me for my actions,” he forewarned, his tone icy.
“I just want you to have a normal life, socialize and have fun. I’m sure you can do that for me, please” she muttered with a cute pout.
“Only for you, Isa,” he mumbled.
“Yay. You start next week ok.” She beamed.
He rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
He stood up and was about to leave when the doorbell rang, “You expecting someone?” he asked with a raised brow.
“No,”
He advanced towards the door and opened it, and his eyes met a petite figure.
“Hi, is Isabelle home?” the figure asked.
“Yeah, I guess, and you are—”
“Oh, I’m Chloe. Isabelle’s best friend," she answered. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and a gasp left her lips. “Wait, you must be the kid brother she talked about. Holy hell, you’re more handsome than I imagined,” she uttered with a giggle.
Damian stood stunned, then he gave way for her to enter.
“Isa!” she shrilled, bolting towards Isabelle, and trapping her in a bear hug.
Isabelle's eyes went wide, she didn't expect Chloe to find her. Isabelle looked over to Damian and mouthed ‘help’, but Damian only gave her a sly smile and left.
Chloe broke the hug, and cupped her face. “I really didn’t think i would find you, but thank goodness i did.”
“Yeah, I’m happy you found me,” Isabelle muttered sarcastically, pulling away from her hold.
“So, why are you here?” Isabelle asked bluntly.
Chloe rolled her eyes, “That’s not how you treat a guest, Belle.”
Isabelle sighed, “What can I offer you?”
“I think water would be fine,” she answered with a smile.
Isabelle brought a bottle of water from the fridge and gave it to her.
“Thanks bestie,” Chloe said with a grin.
“So, why are you here?” Isabelle asked again as she sat down opposite her.
“Well, I went for an interview, and guess what, I got it,” she beamed excitedly.
“I’m happy you got the job, but I still don’t understand what it has to do with me.”
“Well, I recently relocated with Liam here, and I don't have any friends nor do I know anybody here. So, when you told me about your brother, I thought we share something in common, and I really hoped we could be friends,” Chloe said with a sad pout, her voice soft as she sniffled.
Isabelle stared at her speechless, sympathy caught in her throat. Somehow she understood how Chloe felt, but she didn't know what to say, she was really not into making friends.
“So, what do you say, Isa, can we officially be besties now?” she said, fluttering her lashes innocently, trying to look adorable.
Isabelle palmed her face, “What if I’m not what I seem, Chloe?" What if I was dangerous, and what if I do something to hurt you?” she asked, her voice stern and serious.
Chloe blinked, then smiled, “You don’t look like someone who would hurt me. I don't know why, but my gut trusts you, and trust me when i say my gut is never wrong. I’m sure neither of us has ever had a genuine friendship, but we can get to know each other better the more we spend time together.”
“I hope you don’t regret this,” Isabelle muttered. She was tired of trying to make her understand.
“Trust me, I hardly regret anything in this life. So we're good now?” Chloe said.
“Not yet, I have one last question,” Isabelle said.
Chloe rolled her eyes, “What’s it this time?”
“Are you gay?” Isabelle asked bluntly, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Chloe burst out laughing, almost choking, then she stopped, “What? You got something against gays?” Chloe retorted, her voice sharp and serious.
“Nope, I don't,” Isabelle answered.
“So, why are you asking if I’m gay like it’s some crime?” Chloe asked in a sassy tone, flipping her hair.
Isabelle pinched the bridge of her nose. Was this what she had to deal with? “I don't know, maybe because you were kind of clingy,” Isabelle answered calmly.
“Well, that's a dumb way to think, but I'm straight. So can we be friends now?”
“Yeah, i guess” isabelle mumbled
“That’s great, how about we go out and celebrate?” Chloe beamed excitedly.
“Where do you suggest we go?” Isabelle asked.
“How about we go to a bar tonight? Just the both of us, we’re going to have lots of fun,” Chloe beamed happily.
“See you tonight then,” Isabelle muttered.
“Bye bestie” Chloe said as she pulled Isabelle into a hug.
She broke the hug and left. Isabelle sighed, massaging her temple lightly. She'd never had friends before, and Chloe was too naive for her world, but something in her wanted to give friendship a try. Just this one time.
THE NEXT DAY — CROSS INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL.
A white Rolls-Royce Cullinan parked in front of CII, and a slender silhouette stepped out from the car. Her presence screamed wealth and undenied elegance, she threw on her shades in one graceful motion as bodyguards trolled around her.
She flipped her hair elegantly over her shoulders as she sasheyed into the building. The click of her heels and the effortless sway of her hips turned heads and muffled murmurs.
“OMG. Isn't that Sienna Vale?” one employee murmured.
“Holy hell, that’s her. Wait, why is she back? I thought she and Mr Cross had severed all ties.”
“I guess she’s back for another round of heartbreak.”
They kept on gossiping, but Sienna didn’t seem affected by their taunts. She was here for a reason, and that’s Alexander Cross.
ALEXANDER’S OFFICE
Isabelle stood before Alexander waiting patiently like she was some mannequin. He had called for her minutes ago, but still hadn’t uttered a word.
She cleared her throat, “Sir, don’t you think it's quite rude for you to keep your PA, standing like some statue?” she said, looking pissed, but still maintaining a professional smile.
He didn’t look at her, he kept his gaze buried on his screen. “Miss Sinclair, do you still want your job or not?” he asked, his tone flat.
Isabelle stared at him with a furrowed brow, something was wrong somewhere. He hadn’t called her pretty doll all day, and it was starting to get to her.
“I’m sorry sir,” Isabelle mumbled, her head low.
Alexander looked at her, those magnetic eyes of his felt like they could see through her, “Why the apology, miss Sinclair?” he asked with a raised brow.
Isabelle bit her lips, “I’m sorry, if it may seem that I questioned your authority.”
Alexander stared at her, tapping his chin lightly. He took a file from his table and handed it to her, "I need you to review these documents for me, Miss Sinclair, I’ll be needing them.”
“Enough,” she snapped. She didn’t know if he was doing this to infuriate her, but it was definitely working.
Alexander raised a brow, “Excuse me?” he muttered coldly.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Cross, but why the formality?” she fussed.
Alexander’s eyes darkened, but said nothing to her. Isabelle stared at him, hoping for him to say something, but his silence alone was deafening and was getting under her skin.
He stood up, advancing slowly towards her, but she didn’t budge. She stood still calmly waiting for the storm.
Alexander tilted her jaw. When he got close, her ice-blue eyes met his, they were filled with unwavering determination.
“No one. I repeat no one tells me what to do, Miss Sinclair. You’re my employee, and only I can tell you what to do. Got it?” he dictated, his tone gruff and gravelly.
Isabelle swallowed, as she nodded slightly. She was supposed to be afraid of him, but with him this close her body wanted something else. His minty breath alone was making her feel butterflies in her belly.
A devious smile graced Alexander’s lips, it was as if he instantly read her thoughts, “You’re really a dirty pretty doll, aren’t you?”
He patted her head slowly, "You don't have to worry, you're still mine, pretty doll,” he mumbled. It was as if he was giving her assurance, and Isabelle was happy with his assurance.
His hands trailed from her hair, down to her waist, and he pulled her closer to him. Isabelle gasped at the sudden pull, their lips were a few inches apart.
The door flung open abruptly, they both turned, and a fuming Sienna came into view, but Alex still didn’t let go of Isabelle's waist, which aggravated Sienna more.
Sienna stormed towards them, yanked Isabelle out of Alexander’s arm and struck her twice across the face.
- Writer
