Isabella_I woke up to people talking in my room. When I listened closer, I could recognize the voices. It was Dominic and Cesare. When I opened my eyes, I had to adjust because of the light that was coming though the open curtains. The sounds were coming from beyond the open door, and they talked loud enough that I had thought they were in the room.I sat up straighter, there was no point in staying in bed, I needed to pee anyway. When I came back from the bathroom, they were both gone from where I thought I'd heard them.I took my bathrobe and walked out of the room. There was no one there, and the more I walked towards the stairs, the house was dead silent. I was not losing my mind. I took the stairs down. I could hear some activity in the kitchen. I followed to where the voices were coming from, praying to God that I find people. Losing my mind was not high up on my list of things I wished for myself.
Isabella_ The drive out of the estate to the cabin was surrounded by stifling silence. I did not enjoy the journey. There was nothing to look forward to in the cabin. But it was the only place I wanted to be, it was the only place that we had been truly happy together. When the car came to a stop, Cesare raced towards the cabin. I had told him that we were taking a short holiday, and he had been thrilled. I didn't know what else I was going to tell him. Vini carried the leather bag Inside, and I stacked it away in a closet. “I'll take my leave now.” Vini said, looking awkward. He knew everything and probably felt sorry for me. I was in no mood to convince him to stay for tea or anything that would require small talk, so I said my good-byes. After he left, I walked around the small cabin. This was it, until I could face the world again. But until then, I wanted the solace of the woods. The dense tress were the only thing I wanted to see before I closed my eyes and the first thing
_Five years ago.Peace at last. Isabella wiggled her toes and played with the bubbles from the overflowing jacuzzi. The Montego family was away on vacation. The staff was not allowed to use the jacuzzi, and that included her. But who's going to tell? If ever she were to get caught she knew Frank Montego would laugh it off, but his wife, Rosetta would march to the heavens for her to get fired. Then there were the two sons, Eric and Dominic. Eric stayed abroad and they didn't see much of him. Then there was the eldest son, Dominic. She rolled her eyes. The frightening Dominic. She doubted Dominic even knew she existed. The only time he looked at anyone was to give them his icy glare. Apart from that, he kept to himself. Some said he ran the family business alongside his father.A business that none of them knew what it entailed. But one thing was certain, The Montego family was rolling in dough. The family home had been a castle that got converted into a home. With twenty bedrooms, an
"What are you going to do to me?" she asked."Spank you." He said without batting an eyelid. Her mouth hung open and she stared at him. And Dominic wasn't in the least bothered. if anything, he was growing impatient. She took off her pants and stood in front of him in her cotton knickers. "Come here." he patted his thigh for her to lie on. This was by far the worst humiliation she had ever experienced. She lay her stomach flat against his thigh and waited. The first slap came fast and hard. She bit inside her palm to keep from screaming. After the second one, she struggled away from him and tumbled down to the cold floor. "Anything but this, I'll take any punishment but this," she said rubbing her sore backside. His grey gaze had turned a darker shade of silver. He looked at her for a minute and then took a swing from his bottle."You too young for anything else." He put the bottle down and fixed the sleeves of his shirt. "I'm twenty-two, I'm old enough."Isabella blurted out,
Two weeks had passed since the day she listened to Dominic and Joseph's conversation. The mansion was swamped with maids and cooks everywhere, tonight was Dominic's big party. His parents were back from vacation and his brother was expected to arrive before the party. Isabella was now used to her duties as Dominic's maid. She woke up and ran Dominic his bath, and ran any errands he might require of her. Now that she was done tending to Dominic's needs, she was helping Mrs brown polish the wood on the staircase. The sun was making its final journey on the sky and the house looked like a dream. The first guests were expected to start arriving right after sunset. Only a few girls were chosen to help with the party tonight and Isabella wasn't one of them. Nevertheless, she was determined to be part of the party. Earlier in the day, she had collected stones to stand on top of and watch from a window, the window that she selected would give her a perfect view of the party because she
Five years laterDominic Montego's jaw tightened as he looked at the layout of his family estate from the air. From up here he could make out every inch of land and most importantly, he could see that damned cottage, its coming to view only added to the burning hatred he felt for the place. Coming back home brought nothing but memories he would rather forget. He hadn't been home in over four years. Running a business abroad and conveniently burying himself in work, had been a good excuse not to come home until now. What made matters more pressing was that his father had been murdered in cold blood, butsuch was the fate of many mafia men. A fate he vowed not to be part of. No matter how painful coming back home was, he needed to get over it and forget everything that had happened in that cottage. The only thing that should be at the forefront of his mind now was his father's legacy, taking the Montego empire to soaring heights. And finishing what the old man had started.He blinke
[Eight weeks later.]_Isabella_I threw my backpack on the floor the minute I entered my room, kicked off my shoes, and lay cross-legged on my single bed.Exams were finally over for the semester. I could finally breathe. But I was far from being done with school. I had about three more years to go. But for now, I could breathe before going to work in like...ten minutes.I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. My relaxation was over, I needed to change for work. I walked over to my window and peeked at the road below. It was deserted due to a large number of students who were already done for the semester and had gone home.The cafe was not far, but the silence gave the place an eerie feeling. After changing and putting on music to lift my spirits, I made my way downstairs to the lobby. Mike, the security guard gave me a gentle nod as I passed him and out of the building. It looked like it would be me and him during this summer break. I stopped at the pedestrian crossing, not because
"Want to take a look?" Stephanie asked. Isabella woke from her daze. She had completely switched off while the young man was doing her hair and makeup. She opened her eyes and someone like her looked back at her.She looked... beautiful. Although that was the last thing she wanted to admit at the moment, the man knew what he was doing. She looked like a porcelain doll, perfect and cold. She flipped her lashes and closed and opened her eyes. It was her."This is not me," she whispered to herself, but it was not soft enough because Stephanie turned to face her."This is the best version of you. Your groom is going to flip when he sees you."Stephanie helped her into the dress and zipped her up. She couldn't help but steal a glance at herself in the mirror. The dress fitted her like a glove. A tap on the door brought her back to her reality and Stephanie rushed over to speak to whoever was at the door. "You need to be going already," Stephanie said apologetically. He put her shoes on a