Twins and the billionaire

3.

Isla's Pov

The town was quieter than I had imagined. The streets were lined with old brick buildings, small cafes, and shops that looked like they hadn’t changed in decades. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone else, where faces were familiar, and nothing ever really changed. It was exactly what I needed.

I’d arrived just two days ago, and already, I could feel the weight lifting from my shoulders. The hustle and noise of the city were miles away, and with every passing hour, I felt myself getting a little bit closer to who I used to be or wanted to be.

I wasn’t running anymore, but I wasn’t staying either. This town was temporary. A pit stop, a place to heal. I wasn’t sure what to do next, but I had to start somewhere. And for now, that somewhere was here.

My small apartment was on the second floor of a cozy building on Main Street. It wasn’t much just a modest one-bedroom with vintage furniture that looked like it belonged to someone’s grandmother but it was mine. It felt like a home, not a place to escape from, but a place to rebuild.

I took a deep breath as I looked out the window, the town sprawling out below. It was quiet here, almost too quiet, but that was exactly what I wanted. The peace felt unfamiliar at first, but now it was soothing. I needed this. I needed to be alone, to figure things out without distractions.

I had left everything behind in the city, my ex, the life we had built, the heartache but I couldn’t leave my need to survive. I still had to find a way to make it on my own.

I grabbed my laptop from the small wooden desk in the corner of the room and opened it, sitting at the edge of the bed. The soft hum of the town outside was a welcome contrast to the noise of the city. The sound of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the occasional car passing by, it was all so peaceful. So different.

My fingers hovered over the keys as I stared at the screen. The job search websites were open in front of me, the list of job titles scrolling by like a blur. I had no idea what I was doing. I’d worked in marketing for years, but now? Now it felt like I was starting from scratch.

I hadn’t even updated my resume yet. I hadn’t done anything to prepare. But I knew that if I wanted to stay here, I had to find something. I couldn’t rely on savings forever.

I scrolled through the listings, but nothing seemed to stand out. Most of the jobs in this town were either for retail, service work, or positions in local businesses that I didn’t have any experience in. I could feel the familiar panic rising in my chest, the fear that maybe I had made a mistake in leaving the city so abruptly.

But then, I saw it.

A job posting for a personal assistant. It was with a small but well-established business, and while the pay wasn’t high, it would cover my bills. The description didn’t sound too demanding, and it seemed like something I could manage. I clicked on the link, and my fingers moved almost instinctively as I updated my resume and submitted the application. It wasn’t a dream job, but it was something. And at this point, something was better than nothing.

Once the application was submitted, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling, letting out a long sigh. My mind was racing, but it was calming down. I knew this was just the beginning. The first step, really. I wasn’t going to be stuck here forever, but I had to start somewhere.

The next few days were a blur. I spent my mornings hunting for more job opportunities, my afternoons wandering around the town, and my evenings relaxing at home, enjoying the solitude. I even ventured into the local coffee shop a few times, trying to get to know the town a little better.

Everyone here was friendly, but I couldn’t bring myself to open up to anyone. I wasn’t ready for that. I didn’t want to talk about the past, about why I was here. So, I kept to myself. I smiled when I needed to, made small talk when it was polite, and tried to blend in.

But blending in wasn’t easy. The town was small, and people noticed when someone new came to town. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention, and I was not used to the stares and whispers that followed me wherever I went.

I couldn’t tell if it was because I was new, or because I looked like I had something to hide, but the attention made me uncomfortable. It was as if the entire town knew I didn’t belong, and I was just trying to convince myself that I did.

Still, I couldn’t ignore the sense of calm I felt here. The gentle routine. The lack of chaos. There was a beauty in the quiet. In the simplicity.

I didn’t hear anything back from the job I’d applied to yet, but I wasn’t discouraged. It hadn’t been long. Besides, I knew it wasn’t the only job I was going to apply for. I was determined to make this work.

The next morning, I woke up early, the sunlight filtering through the blinds and casting soft shadows across the room. I had a plan for the day,a list of businesses to check out, and places that might be hiring. I didn’t want to wait around for someone to contact me. I wanted to be proactive, to make something happen.

After a quick breakfast, I grabbed my jacket and my purse, heading out the door with my resume in hand. The cold air hit me as I stepped outside, the fresh breeze filling my lungs as I walked toward the main street.

The town was waking up around me. People were opening their shops, chatting with neighbors, and going about their daily routines. I tried to blend in, walking with purpose as if I had every right to be there, even though I felt like I was faking it.

The first few businesses I visited were either closed or didn’t have any openings. It wasn’t the best start, but I kept going. The next place I walked into was a little bakery on the corner. The smell of fresh bread and pastries hit me immediately, and I couldn’t help but smile. I hadn’t expected a bakery to be hiring, but I decided to give it a shot anyway.

I stepped inside, greeted by the warmth and the inviting scent of sugar and yeast. The woman behind the counter, a grandmotherly figure with a kind smile, looked up as I approached.

“Good morning!” she said brightly. “How can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you’re hiring?” I asked, trying to sound casual, despite the nervous flutter in my chest.

She raised an eyebrow, considering me for a moment. “We’re not looking for anyone right now, but you can leave your resume with me. We sometimes need help when things get busy.”

I smiled and handed her the resume, my heart still beating faster than it should have been. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, dear. Good luck!” she called as I made my way out the door.

It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Maybe she wouldn’t call me. Maybe she would. Either way, it was one step closer to something real.

I took a deep breath, walking out into the street with my head held a little higher than before. I didn’t know what the future would hold, but I was going to make it. One step at a time.