Chapter 5

Isabella's POV 

When I saw him again, my whole body tensed. I was about to explode with anger. Why does he keep showing up? Every time I try to breathe, to escape, to rebuild even a little, there he is. Is fate playing some cruel game with me? 

“Are you blind? Can't you watch where you're going?" he snapped, spitting the words at me. His voice was filled with disgust and arrogance. I was taken aback by his words. Wait, what? The audacity?

At that moment, I completely forgot how powerful he was or who he thought he was. All that influence, all that money, none of it meant anything to me. All I saw was just a rude and arrogant man.

"Damien or whatever you call yourself, I don't care how influential or powerful you are, but this must stop. Obviously it was an accident. And yes, it's my fault, so I'm sorry. But that doesn't give you the right to talk to me however you please.” I glared straight into his eyes without blinking.

One of his bodyguards stepped forward and without any warning he slapped me hard across the face. The force turned my head and my ear started ringing but that was when my pride burned even more. 

“No one talks to the master like that,” he barked. “Now get on your knees and…”

WHACK!

I didn’t even let him finish. I returned the slap without thinking twice. Now I was as fierce as a lion. Suddenly, my mother's voice echoed in my head, as if she was right beside me. “Never let anyone intimidate you, Bella. Not family, friends, or strangers. Especially not anyone who thinks their power gives them permission to disrespect you.”

I shoved him aside and faced Damien again. His other guard stepped forward, but Damien lifted a hand, stopping him.

“I don’t know what exactly you want from me,” I said, my voice shaking with rage, “but enough is enough. This ends here. I don’t owe you anything and you are nothing but a stranger to me. Henceforth, I won’t tolerate any form of insult or disrespect. I know my worth.”

"You're nothing but an escort who willingly throws herself into men's arms for money. Is that what you call dignity?"

WHACK!

I slapped him. 

“How dare you?”

My fingers trembled and my blood began to boil as tears welled up in my eyes. 

“You spoiled, arrogant brat,” I shouted. “You don’t get to speak to me like that. What happened between us was a mistake. A huge, disgusting mistake that I regret with every part of me. I hate you Damien. I HATE YOU!” I screamed while lunging at him, unable to hold it in anymore. 

Out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrapped around me, holding me back. 

"It's okay, Bella. I got you now. Calm down. Please, calm down,” Andriana whispered, hugging me tight, trying to pull me back to myself. I collapsed in her arms, trying to hold it in but I couldn't. 

"I'm so sorry, sir," she said, bowing slightly toward Damien. "She's not usually like this. She's having a mental breakdown. That’s why she lost it.”

“A mental breakdown?” I wanted to scream. I hated that she had to cover for me. But I was too broken to protest.

“I hate you. You're a beast,” I shouted after him as he walked past us without looking back.

Right there in Andriana’s arms, I let it all out. Everything I’d been holding in for months. The pain, the humiliation, the grief. All of it. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I just wanted to disappear. I wished more than anything that my mom was still here. If she was alive, none of this would’ve happened.

I used to be a princess in my own little world. I never had to worry about what I’d eat or where I’d sleep. I was always safe, loved and protected. But the day my parents died in that mysterious car accident, everything shattered. I lost them, I lost our home and I lost myself. Now here I was just trying to survive each day.

Unable to breathe, I pulled away and ran to the little garden behind the restaurant. I needed to be alone, to breathe, to scream. It was the only place I could cry without any audience. I let it all out. I screamed until my voice cracked. I cried until I was empty.

I sank to the ground, reached for the chain around my neck. I remember vividly the day mom entrusted it to me. I opened the tiny locket and stared at the photo inside. It was a picture of our family. Mom was smiling gently, holding baby Joshua and my dad was sitting beside her. I was tucked in between them, grinning like the world was perfect. God, I missed that version of my life.

Now, they were all gone except Joshua. Everything changed the night their car accidentally crashed. I still believe their death was mysterious and I am very sure someone caused it. But who? That was the big question. 

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps approaching. I quickly turned and realised it was Andriana. 

"I know you have a lot to say,” I said quietly, “but please, I want to be left alone," I said, not looking at her.

She didn't respond or leave. She just stood there. 

"Please," I added softly.

She crouched beside me, her voice was gentle. “I know this is a lot for you. But you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here for you, Bella.”

Something in the way she said that hit me deep. She sounded just like Sabrina, my best friend, my sister in every way that mattered. God, how I missed her. Just the thought of her made my heart ache. She always knows exactly what to say, how to hold me together when I was falling apart. If she were here, she’d know exactly what to say to pull me out of this mess. But unfortunately she wasn’t.

“Before I forget,” Andriana said breaking the silence. “The manager wants to see you in his office.”

Of course I was expecting this sooner. I knew what this meant. Another round of scolding and being reminded how far I’ve fallen. I stood up slowly, brushing off my uniform and wiping my face.

“Well, I guess this is my fate,” I mumbled.

We walked back together in silence until we reached the manager’s office, Andriana pulled me into a quick hug.

“Come find me when you’re done,” she whispered, giving me a look of reassurance.

I nooded while watching her leave. I took a deep breath, and walked up to the door. My heart was pounding loudly. I reminded myself quietly that whatever happens in there, I just have to face it and don't waver.

And with that, I knocked.