How he regarded me... He's acting as though he knows who I am? She walked on while reflecting. Ah, Iza... whatever nonsense comes into your head. Fair enough; he does have a rich-looking appearance. Who is that, exactly? An actor? A rocker? Hmm... It doesn't appear to be. Otherwise, the crowd began to attack his attention a while ago.
She was last in line. Those in front of her turned to look at her, and a simple smile spread across her lips. Although aware of the numerous inspections, she pretended to be busy as she looked at her watch. It was eleven in the morning. It would soon be lunchtime.
Would she survive with her persistent hunger? Her mind wandered when she spotted a car from a while ago entering the high-rise building's basement. She thought that they must be working in the same building.
Although there was an extensive line, those in front of her moved through it quickly, leaving only five people behind. She reasoned that it appeared there was no time left. As she took in her surroundings and observed the small security camera in front of the building, she could not conceal her agitation. She didn't mind watching it.
A security guard arrived to update them when only three of them remained. "The time is up, ladies. The three of you need to return after lunch," he said.
She could not help her snide remark., "You should have told us earlier that it was only till 11:30."
She raised her hand just as the guard was going to speak. She answered with a blank expression, "I get it. It makes no difference, guard. Perhaps your manager has already decided from among the many candidates. I'm grateful, but I’m not coming back."
"Of course, 'said the one in front of her hurriedly. "I won't be back either if it's after lunch. "
The person in front of the line said, "Me too. But may I ask what positions are open right now, guard? And how many candidates are required to fill the position?"
Izabella was eager to hear what the guard had to say, but his cell phone in his chest pocket rang before he could respond.
"Yes," you said.
The final three applicants were paying attention to what the guards were saying. When the guard nodded in response to his call, they slyly exchanged glances. He then looked at the three of them while placing the cell phone back in his chest pocket.
The guard allowed, "You may go together for the interview. You're in luck since the Chief Boss just showed up to finish it. You're all fortunate! When the marketing manager is out to lunch, he never covered for an extended interview.”
WHEN Izabella's cell phone rang inside her bag, she postponed entering the building. She had a call from Shanda. Before answering the phone, she motioned the two applicants to go without her when she noticed they were waiting for her.
"Ugh. I have one more ambiguous, but I'm too lazy to work on it. How are you doing?" Izabella replied to her friend.
"Oh my, my head is hurting a little, and I'm at home, but I must know what happened with your interview. What then? You failed?"
"Something like that. One is a personal assistant (PA) and modeling, which I gave up. Getting that PA would be fantastic, but I'm not placing much hope in it. I also don't want to be a dog's body, to be honest."
"Oh, you're not taking summer classes, so get back to modeling. Try to put some money aside to cover your expenses. I'll follow suit."
"Are you serious? I don't want that crazy man to track me back."
She was startled by her friend's loud laughter. “Blame your parents. Being tall and attractive has served you well, but it's not all that terrific for you," Shanda said. " Just go to the interview and see if I can blend in.”
"Ugh. No modeling for me. If luck were on my side, I'd choose to be a marketing assistant."
"PA, what about it? That's exciting if your boss is attractive."
"Actually, no. I'm not interested in working as a PA. It sounds like your employer is being babysat."
Shanda's laughter was thunderous.
"I don't mind doing any typing work, either."
“Why do you sound so helpless.”
Ugh. What kind of thinking is that? She scolded herself.
"Oh, I could use any task to keep me occupied to get out of the house. I requested his calendar itinerary and learned that my father would spend most of his time traveling. Even though it hasn't happened yet, I could already feel myself being choked."
"That horrible, huh?" Shanda's laughter could be heard once more.
"Sort of. Even though our home is spacious, I feel crowded in it now that Camilla spends so much time there. Just thinking about what my stepmom said yesterday has me feeling overworked. I had the impression that wasn't a casual comment. For all I know, she might already consider some men to pair with me as her chosen husband. Even worse, Jerry, her brother, is not present. He hasn't contacted me in more than a month."
"So, if your half-brother wasn't driving you today, who was?
"Nobody. Jerry is not at home. I hailed a cab. Dad is unaware of my activities. Bring your behind over here and grab me. I'm starving..." Izabella paused her remarks when she saw that the two interview subjects had already left. They raised their thumbs in approval.
"Congratulations!" she yelled. Nearly simultaneously, both women turned their heads back.
She overheard Shanda muttering, "Go and have your interview. I need to shower immediately to get my headache out."
"Oh, wonderful!" Izabella grinned brightly. "Your GPS located me?"
After saying, "Wait for a second," Shanda vanished for a while.
Izabella seemed to be waiting for her as she regarded the guard.
"Alright. Got it, "Shanda agreed. “I'll drive quickly on my motorcycle.”
"Cool. Please wait for me. I'll take about my most recent interview first. Get me ready for pickup. I'm starving, so bring me a sandwich!" She hung up the phone before her friend could respond. The guard's voice calling for her could then be heard.
She followed the guard who was leading the route after silently nodding. But throughout, she felt off-balanced by the way he occasionally turned to glance back at her. She even spotted the subtle but noticeable brow crease as he glanced at her.
She started being wary and vigilant about the people she interacted with after what happened to her last summer. She would get insane when things went wrong, especially now that she was alone.
When he stopped and raised his right hand, he quietly told her he needed to answer the call. It was a quick call. All she heard was three times 'yes' coming from the guard.
What's going on? Her thoughts were concerned as she followed the guard. Shall I continue or head back to the side street and wait for Shanda?
IZABELLA handed the receptionist her résumé and was then silently led into the conference room, which was large and elegant, screaming right in front of her eyes. She wanted to give it a shot because the workplace was impressive. Even though her father's workplace was unique enough, she couldn't help but compare it to her current location.
She could work at her father's place of business, but that would mean she would be supervised by whoever her father assigned to be her office nanny. And she didn't view that as being independent of her father. It's another method of spoon-feeding her subtly. And that might give her father the idea to put her in charge of a company she had no interest in.The room was chilly as she entered, and the flowers were fragrant. There was only a 16-seat rectangular oak table, and a large screen typically utilized for presentations was in the center. Each leatherette chair had several folders spread out on the table.Her spine tingled as a cold breeze came from the ceiling. She deduced that it must be centered because the entire space was chilled. She didn't need to be shocked because even in their home, in Manhattan, the electricity tariff was expensive when it was sweltering in July.The intercom announced, "Take your seat, and someone will be with you shortly," in a woman's well-spoken voice. "Please read and complete the information in the folder to keep the interview on schedule.”She occupied the middle seat, where a folder was placed on the table. Before opening the folder, her hand moved after a brief moment of stillness. She took a big breath and pondered. I guess another resume with their company letterhead on it. Given that she was on a hunger strike, she found it tedious. However, she needed to fill out two pages of the paper as she inspected it.She took a glance at everything, including the ceiling. The fact that she assumed she hadn't noticed a security camera in the conference room when, in fact, the entire organization had one installed was quite strange. She wondered if it was concealed somewhere.As soon as she entered, she noticed a coffee maker in the back room. The smell was rather alluring. Her stomach lurched, and she felt it. She was famished!She let out a sigh and gazed at the paper's top page. She was running out of patience trying to complete the form, which asked for most minimal personal information and, if applicable, a brief history of encounters. She chose private, and she had no professional experience. She would want to start again rather than revisit her past experiences, which she would rather not discuss.She pondered; I don't know why most employers want me to bring my résumé and then fill out another form from them. I think it's a waste of time!Even as a college graduate, applying for a job can be exhausting. I suppose I'll be an errand girl or someone's assistant if I try to use the hospitals, someone who could aid me in my field of study. However, the line was undoubtedly longer, given the number of graduates from the same degree in our class. But I prefer short work like a typist to use my time and earn money, she thought. I can avoid my two-step relatives' presence in the house this way. Izabella comple
As she attempted to open the locked door, Aleksander observed her. Even before they met, he had never seen such beauty or experienced the longing that such beauty sparked in him. He was going crazy from it. To satisfy this sexual thirst that consumed him, he longed to taste her.He inhaled deeply, smelling the air for her perfume. His loin hardened, and he started to pant. When he saw her face in the picture taken by the camera outside his office building, he felt the need to bury himself inside her. He shook his head with that misplaced thought. His mind screamed as he moved in her direction, but he contained it, grabbed her shoulders, and drew her away from the door. When he was going to kiss her, her eyes widened, and her body shook with panic. She pushed him away right away in response.She said, "Get away from me!"He growled in a low voice, "Stop resisting me. I haven't seen you in so many months—is this your way of saying hello?" "I don't know what you're talking about, Mist
Later, you could figure that out. And as we agreed, she should always be with you."She yelled, "She's not my servant; she's a buddy."He laughed at her response. "That's one thing I admire about you, Izabella. Your devotion is free.""And I have no idea why you refer to me as your wife. You're crazy," She went on to remark.He said, "I will not pursue that matter until I speak with Shanda. Join me for lunch, please.""No. I'm headed-"He interrupted her as she was ready to speak, "No. It would be best if you ate before going anywhere. Come to lunch with me. Perhaps dinner, too. Pick anyone, baby. Eating or sleeping?"The last choice made her flush. Her bag, hanging from her shoulder, fell to her feet, and his hand motioned it and flung it into his hand. What Izabella witnessed astounded her.He motioned for her to follow him with her bag, saying, "Come, follow me before you pass out at the entrance."No! Her intellect argued that he couldn't have her bag. I need it.She had no choice
Images flew through her thoughts, and she sat on the edge of the bed, grabbed her bag, inspected what was inside, and heaved a relieved sigh. Was holding my bag in his hands simply a dream? She frowned as her mind debated. She shook her head in irritation at how jumbled her thoughts were. She hurriedly phoned her friend after removing her phone from her bag. She grimaced. She tried a couple of times to call her best friend, but Shanda was inaccessible. Why? It was the first ever she was unreachable. As she recalled that her father was waiting, she sighed in annoyance. She wasn't surprised because her father usually wanted to spend time with her when he wasn't in a rush, and she didn't want to miss it since she didn't see him much. He worked either at the furniture business he founded or his secret underground lab. Her father wished to hide that he was a known scientist but was prepared to be forgotten. Non-existing to avoid interrogation. THE SMILE that was ready on Izabella's lips
The moment Izabella got out of the house, Aleksander walked towards her. They walked in silence. “You seemed miles away,” commented. She stopped walking as they were making their way to the car. Aleksander glanced at her. Silently, the man's brows met. "Don't laugh at me, but I want to clear one thing," she said gently. "Feel free. What is it about?" "How did you know where I live?" "I know since I arrived at the stadium yesterday." She gasped at that knowledge. "So, it's like you've been stalking me?" "No. I arrived yesterday from Greece. I was supposed to attend your graduation, but I felt I should wait until we talked. And I was planning to yesterday when I followed your gathering in that hotel, but as you bumped into me, I saw in your eyes that you didn't recognize me. I went early to visit you, but Mindy said you left so early. And then I found you on the street...: His tone had an accusing manner, making her blush. “I see. But I'm not coming back to your office. I have
The two men pivoted to look at her. She was stunned when the bulky men advanced in her direction. She started running in trepidation, but she slipped and fell. Then she felt a hand holding her feet and pulling her up but let go of her suddenly. From the ground, she bolted upright and faced them, but she was shocked to see the familiar figure of a man fighting with the bulky warriors. Ugh. I cannot be confused, no. I saw a green creature with the same skin in my dream, but that was like five years ago, the last time I saw him. Izabella reflected as she fixed her gaze on the warrior among the tricksters who was the most rooted. All of them were propelled into the air and vanished. Her position on the lush ground caught his attention as he halted and quickly peed into the distance to ensure they weren't in danger of attack. He moved quickly and appeared in front of her in a flash, immobilizing her. He amplified his hand to her. She reached for the warrior's palm already in front of h
When Larry said, "Feel at home, madame. I'll pick up Levitra first," she was pulled back to the present. Izabella felt relieved she would have the chance to spend time by his side. She took a deep breath and stared at him, shaking on the large bed. He opened his eyes gradually after sensing her presence. The man chuckled, "You looked like you were going to pass out. Come over here." He held his hand, and she softly walked up and palmed it. She was honest when she said, "I'm worried about you. "Will you be alright?" He replied, "There's no need for that, Iza. I'll be okay. "Don't worry, I'll be on my feet tomorrow," the speaker said. "Are you sure you're not giving me empty hope?” The only reaction was a head tilt from Aleksander. "I did not come back here and be let down," The determination in his voice compelled her to question, "What do you mean, Aleks?" Due to the pounding feet, Aleksander was unable to respond. And then, a woman with dark skin and long, curly hair appeared
Her eyes narrowed when she looked at her hands on the wheels. It was turning hairy, and her fingers were becoming elongated. She felt a hot, almost burning sensation all over her body amidst the air-con blowing. But before Izabella could be processed what was going on with her, a car at high speed came in front of her. The headlights blinded her then she felt like she was ruling in the air. And then her head hit a metal frame before blackness took her. And then she felt him. He moved closer until that warm breath fanned against her ear again. He breathed into it. "Izabella," he growled, making her body tremble. No! She screamed and started running without looking back. "Iza!" That voice seemed worried and troubled. And a muffled cry. She stooped, fighting the hands that held her. And slowly, she opened her eyes. "Oh, God! Thank you, you're awake now..." "S-Shanda..." she uttered and leaked her lips. "What happened? Where am I?" Before her friend could reply, the door opened, an