Chapter 4

ISA POV

“I’ll be here till morning.” The sweet little blonde hair nurse, Ava, in painfully cramped scrubs called out waving on my way out of the clinic. I just wonder how she breathed in that. I waved back jiggling the keys in my hand before turning to step down the three stairs and headed to a shiny blue Kia sedan parked in one of the exclusive spots just outside the clinic. Rounding it, I slipped into the driver’s seat and locked the doors before buckling up, then started the ignition.

I powered the radio and after a few scrolls of my finger on the screen, Beautiful People by Ed Sheeran poured in the live speakers, causing a huge smile to spread on my lips. I stepped on the gas and took off into the night.

WHAT A GOOD DAY IT HAS BEEN!

From waking up to find car keys on my kitchen island, a blue brand new car still clamped in tags parked outside on my driveway, to having a chance to avoid the much-dreaded Sunday noon tea party with trophy wives at the Thompsons because of a call from the clinics, right when the cars started arriving for the party was drop-top, hands down, best day ever.

Not even 24 hours had gone by after being gifted a clinic, but now I was driving MY own brand new car, all fueled and just ready for me. Despite all of that, I was still adamant about keeping my mouth sealed. And I was willing to do that for as long as I was figuring out why the hell I was brought to the United States of Fuckin’ America in the first place. But for all I know, the house I lived in was under the name of Isa Jones, the clinic which I rushed to sign the papers was also under the name of Isa Jones, and so was the little babe I was currently driving.

It whooshed smoothly against the tar roads as I drove to the outskirt of the busy city, where my house was located. The music pouring from the speakers was just as enchanting, and I couldn’t help but melt into a puddle every dang minute. Whatever I was handed, I was going to make use of it without complaining. Because so far so good all have been so un-fuckin’-believable it felt like a dream.

It almost felt like I was in Cyprus. All alone in my house, my favorite music pouring out as I drove from work where I breathed in the antiseptics and chloroform as well as pus and blood. Almost like my old life. Putting a big emphasis on ‘almost’.

Because whether I wanted it or not, I was in America, living as Isabella Jones from God-knows-where, not Leigh-Ari Montreal.

It took me 15 more minutes to make it to the entrance of the neighborhood, then 7 minutes maximum to pull up in front of my house. But what stood in my driveway brought my eyebrows together in confusion. Right where I was going to drive to make it into the garage was a white mail van that looked like it has been chewed thoroughly before being spat by a cow.

The back of it looked like it was going to fall off, and the sides were just as horrible, and I couldn't help but wonder who dumped it here. I glanced around to find curious neighbors whispering among themselves as they glanced at it, it was as if it might jump at them, seeing as how they all maintained a good distance.

Great. Just great.

Now I was going to deal with nosy neighbors at 9 in the evening. I already didn’t make it to little Maya’s birthday yesterday because of Xander and his clinic (that I was thankful for), and now I was going to have to fake smile to all of them, then explain why the hell was a damn bashed truck on my driveway.

I slowly pulled behind it and let out a huge sigh, then leaned back against the headrest and counted a few seconds in my head. Before I could even reach to three, a loud tap on my window sounded, causing me to roll my eyes heavenward.

Here goes nothing!

I unbuckled and stepped outside of the car, then pulled on a wide-eyed expression matching everybodys. Rebecca who had knocked on the window just stood next to me yelling across to others who were standing across the street, watching.

Didn't these folks have anything to do? Like watch news, or tug kids in bed?

“Oh my goodness. What happened here?” I asked clutching my stomach,

“I really wish I had an idea. I was just going out to throw some trash, from yesterday’s party and then I found it right here. My husband called the others. By the way, thank you so much for the gift. Maya has always wanted to have a full Barbie set.” She clutched my arm and smiled up at me,

She’s touching me…

“Oh, it’s nothing, Becca. That was the least I could do since I missed the party. Anyway, I am sure this is all my boyfriend’s doing. He is rather, less careful with the company’s property. I swear I am going to have grey hairs before 40.”

“Oh, dear. We just pray he won’t be jobless when his boss sees this.” The lady suddenly called out, standing right in front of me. When the hell did she make it here?

I smiled at her and nodded. She seemed to be not more than 40, and she was lean with very short, blonde hair. Dressed in a big puffer and snow boots, I sized her bottom up and nodded. Designer clothes, she was indeed one of the trophy wives.

“Isa, meet Mrs. Edwina Williams. She lives two houses down there. She’s one of the elite members of this community and we’re blessed to have her. Her husband is head of the FBI. Mrs. Williams, this is the neighbor I have been rumbling about, Isabella Jones.” Becca smiled gesturing to the two of us, I wanted to groan out loud, or just tear from them and take off to my house and hide, but I had to keep up with them to raise less suspicion,

“Mrs. Williams. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I said taking her hand in mine and nearly threw up when she brought it to her lips. Do they all do that here?

“Oh, just call me Ed. Everybody calls me that.” She said nodding to Becca, and all I could do was grin like a mannequin and just stare at them,

“What is it that you do, sweetheart?”

Oh, here we go.

“Isa is a doctor. She owns a clinic in town, that's why she didn’t make it to yesterday’s party and today's tea party. It’s still new.” Becca replied on my behalf and I wanted to bake her apple pie for it,

“Ladies, I do wish to stay here and chat with you. But as you see, I have an issue to settle with my boyfriend, about how he’s going to be jobless by tomorrow.” I said slowly pulling my hand from Edwina’s hold and already backpedaling without showing,

“Of course dear. Just let us know if you need anything.” Becca replied giving my shoulder a small pat and hoisted Edwina backward, even though she looked like she wanted to pick up a fight and ask me a few more questions. I waved back at everyone and charged into the house which was… surprisingly unlocked.

I opened the front door and shut it close behind me, then powered the lights. My mouth dropped in a silent scream when I spotted drops of blood, leading to the living room. The front porch had been clean, with no spot of red or anything. I stretched my hand forward and took the first thing that it landed on, and then carefully proceeded into the kitchen while trying my best to make no sound. My heart however had different plans, because it felt like it was somehow in my mouth and I would just spit it if I opened my mouth, not only that, but it was using my tongue like a damn trampoline.

I peeked into the living and right there on my white fuckin’ leather couch was a man, who was drowned in his own blood, all limp and unmoving. I wanted to scream and let out all the earthly curses of this world, but I couldn’t, not when I had nosy neighbors still waiting outside on my driveway. I do hope they had fucked the eff off.

Against my better judgment, my doctoral instincts kicked in and I dropped the thing I had in hand. Luckily, it was a plastic vase which meant it didn’t break. I walked to a man- a boy who didn’t look like he was even 20 yet and then tore his bloody t-shirt open to reveal a gun wound on his lower abdomen. It was so angry that it continued oozing blood. I rushed to the kitchen and withdrew the first aid kid, then did what all doctors did in times of emergency. When his wound was all dressed, I got up and headed straight to the house line and rang the clinic, and Ava answered on the third ring,

“How fast can you get to my house?” I barked without much of a greeting,

“Is something wrong, doctor?”

“I need you to come here, don’t bring an ambulance. And I sure can’t drive a bloodied anybody in my new Kia.” I almost sounded like a bitch, but I really wasn’t going to drive back to the clinic.

“Give me 30.” She said into the receiver and I nodded before hanging up. I walked to the front door and peeked out through the little side glass at my driveway, to find it...

CLEAR.

Not even a single soul in sight, even the cow-chewed van was gone. Only my Kia remained untouched and unbothered.

Fuckin’ Xander.

Because I knew all of these were his doing!