The Accidental Bride

Chapter Seven – First Job Struggles

Isabella tried to speak, her lips parting slightly, but no sound came out. It was as though her voice had been trapped somewhere between surprise and confusion. She stood frozen by the car, her eyes still scanning the house before her, trying to understand how a supposed driver could afford such a place.

Before she could gather her thoughts, the front door opened quietly, and an elderly woman stepped out. She was short, with silver-gray hair neatly tied into a low bun. Her uniform was spotless—a plain black dress with a white apron tied firmly around her waist and a small lace cap resting perfectly on her head. Her face carried lines of age, yet her eyes were gentle and full of respect.

She smiled warmly and bowed slightly when she saw Gabriel. “Bienvenido, señor,” she greeted softly in Spanish.

Gabriel returned her smile with a small nod. “Gracias, Maria. Take our bags inside,” he said in a calm but firm tone as he started walking toward the entrance.

Then, without looking back, he added, “You can come in if you want, Isabella. Or you can stay out here and stare all day.”

Isabella blinked, realizing she had been standing still the whole time. His words stung a little, but she quickly gathered her bag and hurried after him, not sure whether Maria had greeted her or not.

The moment she stepped inside, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened in disbelief. The house was far beyond anything she had imagined. The walls were painted cream with gold borders that caught the light beautifully. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, scattering light like small pieces of crystal rain. The furniture looked expensive—soft couches in rich brown leather, a marble center table, and a huge flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

She turned slowly, taking it all in. “This is…” she tried to say, but her voice trailed off.

Maria appeared just then, carrying their bags with surprising strength for her age. “Welcome, madam,” she said politely, her accent thick but her tone kind.

Isabella forced a smile. “Thank you.”

As Maria disappeared down the hallway, Isabella leaned closer to Sebastian and whispered, “Who owns this house?”

Gabriel walked past her toward the kitchen. “I told you already. My boss insists I stay here while I work. I drive him, keep the car, and live here during my service.”

She frowned. Something about his answer didn’t sit right with her. The way Maria bowed to him didn’t seem like how a housemaid would treat an ordinary driver. But she decided to let it go for now.

Maria returned shortly after, wiping her hands on her apron. “Sir, the room is ready,” she said.

“Good,” Gabriel replied. “You can leave the rest. We’ll handle it.”

For a brief moment, Maria looked at him, and though she said nothing, Isabella felt as if some silent understanding passed between them. Then Maria nodded and quietly walked away.

Isabella’s curiosity grew, but before she could ask more questions, her phone started ringing. She pulled it out quickly, and when she saw the caller ID, her heart skipped. It was from the café she had applied to weeks ago.

She pressed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Good afternoon, Miss Isabella,” the woman on the other end said cheerfully. “We’re pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted. You can start work immediately if you’re available.”

Isabella’s eyes widened. “Really? Thank you so much, ma’am! I’ll come right away!” she said excitedly, her voice rising with joy.

The call ended, and she let out a loud scream of excitement before she even realized it.

Gabriel, who was standing nearby, turned sharply. “What happened?” he asked, walking toward her.

“I got the job!” she shouted, barely able to contain her happiness. “The café in the city—I got in!”

For a second, he said nothing. His expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought. “How much are they paying?” he asked finally.

“Ten dollars monthly,” she said proudly, expecting at least a word of congratulations.

But Gabriel just stared at her. His face went blank, and his tone grew calm but cold. “Ten dollars?”

“Yes,” she said, still smiling. “It’s not much, but it’s something. I can start saving and maybe—”

He interrupted her, shaking his head. “You call that a job? Ten dollars can’t even buy you decent food for a week.”

Her smile faded slowly. “It’s a start,” she said defensively. “At least I won’t just sit here doing nothing.”

Gabriel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You don’t understand how things work around here, Isabella. You’ll waste your time for almost nothing.”

“I don’t care,” she said quickly. “I need to do something. I can’t keep depending on you. You may be fine with it, but I’m not.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Gabriel looked at her, his gaze unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward the stairs.

“You’ll do what you want anyway,” he said quietly before disappearing into his room.

Isabella stood there, staring after him. Her excitement had dimmed a little, but not enough to kill her determination. She had made up her mind. She would go to the café, start her job, and find her own path.

Later that evening, she sat by the window, watching the sunset paint the sky orange and pink. Maria entered quietly, carrying a tray of food.

“You should eat something, madam,” Maria said kindly. “You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

Isabella smiled faintly. “Thank you, Maria. You don’t have to call me madam. Just Isabella is fine.”

Maria smiled in return. “As you wish, Isabella.”

She placed the tray on the table and turned to leave, but Isabella stopped her. “Maria… can I ask you something?”

Maria turned back. “Yes?”

“How long have you worked here?”

“Almost ten years,” Maria said. “The family is good to me.”

“The family?” Isabella repeated, confused. “I thought Gabriel’s boss owned this house.”

Maria hesitated, her lips parting slightly before she smiled again. “Yes, that’s right,” she said quickly. “The boss.”

Then she left before Isabella could ask more.

That night, Isabella lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The house was quiet, too quiet. She could hear the faint ticking of a wall clock and the distant hum of the refrigerator downstairs. Her mind was full.

Who really was Gabriel? And why did it feel like everyone around him knew something she didn’t?

The next morning, she woke up early, determined to start her job no matter what. She dressed neatly, tied her hair, and tiptoed down the stairs. Maria was already awake, cleaning the sitting room.

“Good morning,” Isabella greeted.

“Good morning, Isabella. Going out early?”

“Yes, my first day at work,” she said proudly.

Maria smiled softly. “Be careful, Isabella. The city can be rough.”

Isabella nodded and stepped outside. The air was crisp, and the road was quiet. She breathed deeply, feeling a mix of fear and excitement.

As she walked down the path toward the bus stop, she whispered to herself, “This is my chance. I’ll make something of my life again.”