CHAPTER THREE: ISABEL
1291 Words
CHAPTER THREE
I recognized the voice immediately I heard it.
Ronald Baker.
He stepped out from the shadows of the large sitting room like he owned the world — which, in a way, he did. His suit was perfect, his hair slicked back, and that cruel half-smile on his face made my stomach twist.
As he stepped into the light, something about his reflection in the glass behind him was off. It moved a heartbeat too slow, like it was deciding whether to follow him or not.
“Who are you?” Mum demanded, stepping protectively in front of me.
“Oh, Isabel didn’t tell you?” His voice was smooth and mocking. “I’m her new sponsor.”
Mum turned to me, disbelief and hurt flashing in her eyes. “Tell me you don’t know him, Isa…”
I swallowed hard, tasting bitterness. “Mum… I was going to tell you later—”
Ronald clapped his hands slowly, smirking. “Ah, family drama. I should’ve known poor people always have a touch of chaos. You should’ve told your mother, Isabel. Or were you planning to turn down my offer?” His tone dropped dangerously low.
“You gave me till morning to decide,” I said, forcing myself to sound braver than I felt.
He rolled his eyes and stepped closer. Mum immediately stood between us. “Whatever you need,” she said quickly, “please ask me.”
Ronald scoffed. “I don’t need you. You’re old, sick, and used up. I wouldn’t even let you clean my shoes.”
Silence fell. The words sliced through the air. I stepped in front of my mum, heart pounding. “Why have you brought us here?”
He smiled. “You mean, thank you for the new apartment.”
Mum and I blinked at him.
“I’m giving you both a better place to stay — rent-free,” he continued casually, gesturing around. “Somewhere your mother can get proper care while you focus on your little mission.”
Mum frowned, confused. “Mission?”
He ignored her, focusing on me. “You’ll go dress shopping this evening. You can’t seduce Aaron looking like a maid. Even the gateman wouldn’t look twice at you.”
I bit my tongue. There was nothing wrong with my clothes. They were simple, clean, and mine.
He grabbed my chin roughly. “Don’t fail me, Isabel. If you do… I’ll start by setting your mother’s life on fire. You leave for your mission tomorrow.”
His fingers were ice-cold, but the spot he touched burned long after he let go.
I blinked, hiding my fear, and nodded once. He smirked, released me, and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Mum turned to me, anger and worry mixing in her eyes. “You care to explain, or you’ll tell me later?”
I tried to touch her arm, but she stepped back. “Isa, a rich man just hijacked us from our home in the middle of the night, gave us a new apartment, and threatened me! What mission is he sending you on?”
“Mum, please—just calm down. I’ll explain.”
“How did he even know you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because of this,” I said quietly. “Because I knew you’d react this way. Please, sit and listen to me.”
It took a while, but eventually she did. And when I told her everything—about the email, the offer, and Aaron Dashinmore—she just started to cry.
I’d never seen her cry before. Not even when she was in the hospital, weak and pale, with tubes in her arm.
Watching her now broke something in me.
“He hasn’t given you a choice, Isa,” she said softly, wiping her tears. “You’ll have to bring the president’s son to him. Then… we’ll run. We’ll leave this country before they can find us.”
I nodded and hugged her tightly. Her arms felt smaller, weaker than before.
That night, we fell asleep curled together on the expensive green sofa, her hand stroking my hair.
---
I woke up to the smell of bacon and toast. My favorite.
Mum was already in the kitchen, talking with a woman in a neat apron and chef’s hat. The sound of sizzling butter filled the air.
“I could get used to this rich life,” I said, grinning as I walked in.
Mum didn’t smile. “Don’t forget why we’re here, Isa.”
“I know,” I said quietly, sliding into a chair. “But maybe for a few minutes, I just want to pretend everything’s normal.”
She sighed. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
I didn’t argue. The toast was buttery and perfect, but it didn’t make the dread in my chest fade.
After breakfast, a young woman in a purple-and-white uniform approached. “It’s time for your shopping, ma’am. The car’s waiting.”
Mum kissed my forehead. “Call me if anything happens, okay?”
“I will.”
Outside, a sleek limousine waited, the kind I’d only seen in movies. The driver opened the door for me, and I sank into the plush seat.
The ride to the Eden SuperMart was silent except for the soft hum of the car engine. When we arrived, the bodyguard who’d been following me stepped out and opened my door.
Inside, the place looked more like a palace than a*****e. Gold lights. Glass counters. Perfume in the air.
“Bring her the best of everything,” the bodyguard told the salesgirl firmly. “And make them sexy. Revealing. She needs to stand out.”
“I— I don’t wear things like that,” I stammered, clutching my bag.
He raised a brow. “Would you like me to call Mr. Baker and tell him that?”
That was enough. I shut up.
Minutes later, I was surrounded by silk, lace, and glitter. Dresses I couldn’t even dream of affording. The salesgirl kept pushing outfit after outfit at me.
“Try this one. Oh, this would look divine on you.”
I changed again and again, watching a stranger appear in the mirror—one dressed in expensive fabric, soft hair, painted lips. She looked like someone who belonged in this world, but she wasn’t me.
After a while, the woman brought out ball gowns. “You’ll need something for the school ball. Maybe this?”
She lifted a sparkling royal-blue gown. I reached for it—only for another hand to grab it at the same time.
“I think I saw that first,” a girl said coolly.
She was stunning. Her hair shone like sunlight, and her nails were diamonds. Beside her stood a handsome boy, lazily running his hand down her back.
I quickly let go. “You can have it.”
She looked me over like I was something unpleasant on the floor. “Obviously. You couldn’t afford the hanger.”
Her boyfriend chuckled, not even pretending to care.
I turned away, reaching for a softer pink gown instead. But then, as I touched it, I heard the boy’s voice drop low beside her.
“Aaron’s on his way. He just texted he’ll be here soon.”
The girl smiled, lips red as blood. “Perfect, my mini president. I’ve missed him.”
My hand froze midair.
Aaron Dashinmore.
The president’s son.
The boy I’d been sent to find.
And he was coming—right here, right now.
A shiver raced down my spine. For a second, the air turned heavy, charged. Like something ancient had just woken up—and it was looking for me.
- Writer
