Chapter 3

Isabella's POV 

When I woke up, I was in his arms. My body was aching badly. My head was resting on his bare chest with his hands wrapped around my body. For a second, I felt safe, like I belonged there. I picked up my phone and checked the time. 

“Shit,” I muttered, almost jumping out of bed. I was running late for work. 

I quietly got out of bed, careful enough not to wake him. I picked up my clothes and put them on. He shifted slightly but didn't open his eyes. God, even asleep, he looks hotter. 

If Sabrina heard I actually spent the night with him, she'd probably pass out. She was his number one fan, and to her, he was practically untouchable. He was her secret crush, and has sworn to herself to win his attention. 

 My stomach twisted when I remembered some parts of last night. How he kissed me, touched me like I was the last girl in the world. The flashbacks made me feel sick. I wanted to forget but for some unknown reasons I can't. 

To me? Right now, he was a mistake.

Finally I was dressed and ready to leave. I tiptoed toward the door and just when my hand had just touched the knob, his voice startled me. 

“Leaving already? Anyways, don’t you think you’re forgetting something?”

I turned, surprised to see him awake now. Just a minute ago he was sleeping like a new born baby. I was confused. Was he pretending to be sleeping all this while?

Before I could respond, he tossed a bundle of cash onto the bed. That was… a lot. This money could literally cover my mom’s hospital bills for at least for a month. I was about to thank him, but then he said something that made my blood run cold.

“Of course,” he said, leaning back against the pillows, “all you whores care about is money.”

Those words felt like a slap. I stood still, stunned.

“Excuse me?” I asked quietly.

“You heard me. You’re a bitch. And all bitches like you care about is money. After all, what you all know how to do is walk around with a pretty face, nice body, and a hungry wallet” he said boldly, this time looking straight into my eyes, with no remorse.

I stared at him, stunned. Wasn't this the same man who held me close just hours ago, whispering sweet promises into my ear? The same man who kissed me like I meant something. Now I'm a whore?

I walked toward him slowly and picked up the cash from the bed. 

“You know what?” I said, with a firm voice. “You’re right. All I care about is money. Because unlike you, some of us are trying to keep our mothers alive. You think this makes you powerful? You think you can buy respect and dignity with this?” 

I threw the money back at him. 

“Keep your filthy money, Damien. You don’t get to buy me and then shame me for it.”

He raised a brow amused and unbothered. His expression suddenly changed, and I knew he was surprised that I had the guts to stand up to him. 

“And by the way,” I added, with a low and steady voice, “if you think calling me a bitch will break me, you clearly haven’t met a real woman. And about your mother, oh I pity her,” I added, narrowing my eyes, “I hope she never has to know the kind of man her son really is.”

He said nothing but his smirk suddenly faded, and I knew I hit the right nerve. With that, I walked out , slamming the door behind me. I was on the verge of tears but I didn't let a single tear drop. He wasn't worthy of it.

I checked the time again and I had less than five minutes to get to work. I rushed to the ladies’ apartment to take a quick shower. As I pulled off my dress, a card slipped out and landed on the floor. I picked it up.

“If you want more, you can always find me.”

Damien Sinclair

[Phone Number]

The audacity, I scoffed and tossed it aside. Of course, all rich men like Damien were all arrogant, entitled, and dangerous. I certainly wasn’t going to fall for that again.

I quickly looked at my watch and certainly, I was late. I ran to the bus stop, praying for a miracle but as soon as I got there, the bus pulled away right in front of me.

“Wait!” I shouted, chasing after it, but it was no use.

The next one would take an hour which I didn't have. I didn’t even have ten minutes.

Tears welled up in my eyes but I swallowed them back. I couldn’t cry. This is not the time to shed tears, I reminded myself.

I quickly took my phone and called my boyfriend. It rang three times before he picked up.

“Hi, baby girl,” he said.

“Hey, babe. I was wondering... could you come pick me up? I overslept a bit,” I asked, trying to sound calm.

“Umm... babe, I’m really sorry. I don’t think I can make it in time,” he said, voice low and uncertain.

“Alright,” I said softly and hung up.

I tried calling Sabrina next. “Hey girl, wossup?”

“See girl, I really need your help urgently. I was wondering if you could…” I paused as I heard her moaning. 

“Wait, are you busy?” I asked.

“Holy shit, you’re gonna make me cum!” she shouted.

I didn’t want to hear more. I just ended the call.

At that moment, I just wanted to cry because I felt lost and lonely. 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard my mom’s voice in my head.

“There’s always hope, even when it feels like the world’s against you. Remember, you're stronger than you could ever imagined.”

That lit a fire inside me. I took a hair tie from my bag and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail. I took my heels in my hands and started running, ignoring the confused looks from strangers. I didn’t care anymore. I just had to make it.

As I reached the crossroad, a black Rolls Royce Phantom came out of nowhere and screeched to a halt inches from my body. I was frightened. 

The driver rushed out. “Miss, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, still breathless.

Suddenly, the passenger door opened and my heart skipped as the man I swore never to see again was now standing right in front of me.