Unveiling The Billionaire's Heart

Isabella Campbell quickly lowered her hands to catch the bowl of soup before it touched the ground. All the staffs of Madamé Rossella's restaurant were extra careful. Isabella walked to and fro within the kitchen besides her colleagues as they cooked graciously, their aprons clinging to her body like a shield. She worked tirelessly, making sure there was no single defect in any meal she was cooking, or she would be a dead meat. The lively hum of conversation and clinking of cutlery surrounded her, creating an ambience of busy contentment. People in Marado city loved the restaurant, and so, it was always full with customers rushing in to eat sumptious meals. Madamé Rosella was known to have one of the best foods in the city. As Isabella kept working, suddenly, a sharp sound sliced through the air. Madame Rossella began to approach Isabella in the kitchen. Her eyes were brimming fire. Everyone could tell that Madamé Rosella was angry. The lines on her face etched deep with disapproval and hatred. She looked like she was eager to tear Isabella into pieces. "You! Isabella Campbell!" Madamé Rossella's voice rang out, drawing the attention of the other staffs nearby. Some of them continued cooking, their eyes staring straight into the food they were cooking. Others quickly took excuses to use the restroom. They all avoided Madamé Rosella. She was one heartless boss. Isabella's heart fluttered nervously, as if anticipating the storm that was about to break loose. "Yes, Madamé Rossella?" Isabella replied, her voice as loud as she could call out. She immediately stopped whatever she was doing or about to do. As soon as Madamé Rosella was close enough, she raised her hands and slapped Isabella very hard on her face. The sound of the slap echoed through the whole kitchen room. All the metallic utensils bounced back the sound. The young girl who was still monitoring the food on fire in front of her gasped silently. She was a new staff and she had heard how ruthless Madamé Rosella was, but it seems she didn't know fully what it meant. The young girl shrugged in fear and focused on her food so she wouldn't draw attention to herself. Her name was Nicki. Madamé Rossella's eyes narrowed, her voice filled with venom. "I have received a complaint, Isabella. You fool. You keep tarnishing the image of this restaurant! Who gave you the gods to speak improperly to my client? Now he has left and we just lost a big customer you brat!" Madamé Rosella hit her again. Isabella's heart sank, and she felt a knot form in the pit of her stomach. This was definitely not be first time Madamé Rosella had hit her or any of the staffs. They were all used to it. She had always tried her best, pouring her heart into her work, as it was her passion at the end of the day, all she wanted was to conserve her self respect. She knew this would happen, though. "But Madamé Rossella, he..." Isabella began, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation. "Silence!" Madamé Rossella's voice thundered, causing Isabella to flinch. "I have heard enough excuses from you. You have crossed a line, Isabella, a line that I will not tolerate. Your incompetence and carelessness have cost us a valued customer." "Leave my sight now! You're a disgrace to this restaurant!" Madamé Rosella screamed directly at Isabella's face. "Yes Madamé Rosella! It was a mistake. I.. I promise never to do it again!" Isabella replied calmly, her head facing downwards and her gaze locked on the thin lines that cut across the tiles on the floor she was standing. "That's your purpose here. Making mistakes, right? I should have sacked you long ago, but I still needed your tiny hands around." Madamé Rosella sparked again, but a little calmer. Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes, her voice choked with emotion. "I-I didn't mean to..." Madamé Rossella cut her off with a wave of her hand. "Save your apologies, Isabella. They hold no weight here. You have tarnished the reputation of this restaurant, and for that, there will be consequences." Isabella didn't dare look at her boss's face. As a matter of fact, something she had tried to control broke free. A droplet of water fell from the lady's eyes. Isabella quickly used her feet to wipe her tears off the ground. All she prayed for was for the ground to open up and swallow her. More droplets of tears dropped from Isabella's eyes as Madamé Rosella walked away, throwing the liquid in her mouth almost on Isabella. She was used to Madamé Rosella's rudeness, but she just didn't know why today was different. Isabella's shoulders slumped, her spirit dampened by the weight of Madame Rossella's words. She had hoped for understanding, for a chance to explain herself, but it seemed futile now. "Please, Madamé Rossella, I will do anything to make it right. I can work extra hours, I can...," Isabella pleaded, her voice barely audible. Madamé Rossella's expression softened slightly, a glimmer of consideration flickering in her eyes. "Isabella, you have been given opportunities before, and yet you continue to disappoint. I wish there was a much more bitter way to say this." "You.. are.. fired!!!!" Those words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Isabella felt as if the ground had been ripped from beneath her feet, leaving her suspended in a state of uncertainty and despair. She had hoped for a different outcome, a chance to prove herself, but it seemed her dreams were slipping through her fingers. With a heavy heart, Isabella gathered her belongings, feeling the weight of disappointment settle upon her. As she walked out of the restaurant, tears streamed down her face, mingling with the rain that had begun to fall. As she got outside the building fully, Nicki suddenly ran up behind her. "Hey Bella. Bella…" she called out. Isabella turned back reluctantly. She barely heard her name. "Yes, Nicki?" "What you gonna do now? Is this how she's always been? Cause, honestly I'm scared!" Nicki said. Her eyes displayed fear. "Yes Nicki. And you'd see worse. You a smart girl. Don't waste your talent here. Madamé Rosella will destroy it for you and leave you devastated!" Isabella said wickedly. "But… what about you? What's gonna happen to you now?" "I don't know Nicki. I'll just find somewhere to spend the rest of the evening, and then, I'll head home. Bye Nicki." Isabella left Nicki in a confused and worried state, wondering if she had made a mistake becoming employed here. °°°°°°°°° Isabella walked wearily back home, her steps heavy and burdened like she had never walked before. The rain poured relentlessly, making the situation terrible. It was like the Moon Goddess had cursed her. The streets seemed endless. As she remembered Madamé Rosella's last words to her, her heart ached. In this town, getting a job was almost impossible, especially for those who didn't possess a certain educational degree. Each raindrop that kissed her skin felt like a cold reminder of her loneliness. Finally, she reached the small apartment she shared with her roommate, Amanda. As Isabella stepped into her apartment, Amanda rushed towards her. She seemed to be excited. "Isabella! You won't believe this! You know Alexander Reynolds? The billionaire? RRV?" She asked eagerly. "Yeah, what about him?" Isabella said, her voice sounding depressing and uninterested. "Great, he just made an announcement that could change your life!" Amanda exclaimed, her eyes brimming with anticipation. Isabella barely registered the words, her mind still consumed by the cruel dismissal from Madamé Rossella and the extinguished flame of her culinary aspirations. "I don't want to hear it, Amanda. There's no point," she replied, her voice laced with resignation. Amanda's face fell, her enthusiasm dampened by Isabella's reaction. "But Isabella, this could be a chance for you to prove yourself! Alexander Reynolds is looking for talented cooks for his new company. The opportunity is immense, and the pay is f*****g huge." Isabella shook her head, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. "Just let me be, Amanda. It's too late. I've lost everything. I don't have the energy to try anymore. I want to sleep!" Amanda reached out, her voice filled with compassion. "Babe, what's up with you? What's with the cold? You have a passion for cooking, and it's still burning inside you. What the f**k happened to you?" Droplets of tears suddenly dropped down Isabella's face, her voice choked with sorrow. "I got fired Amanda. I just got fuckin fired. Can't you see that nothing matters?" "Look, I just wanna go to bed! Goodnight!" Isabella said. With a heavy heart, Isabella retreated to her room, feeling the weight of her despair pressing upon her. As she lay on her bed, sleep enveloped her, carrying her away into a world of dreams. In the depths of her slumber, her mind conjured images of a prince who would lift her from her hardships. So, Isabella narrowerd her eyes close to emptiness, her head staring straight to the ceiling that had some worn out holes in them, waiting for the dream fairies to take her to her prince charm. She shut her eyes and drifted to sleep.