chapter 6

ISABELLA POV

But I cut him off, my anger boiling over. 

    “ Just give him the phone! Now!”

   There was a pause, and then I heard Ryan’s voice on the other end of the line. “ Isabella, what’s wrong?” He asked, his tone calm and collected.

   But I was having none of it. “ Did you have to announce it?” I yelled, my voice echoed through the phone. “. Did you have to make it public? What were you thinking?”

“ Why did you announce it first before informing me?” I demanded, my voice shook with anger.

Ryan’s calm tone was starting to get on my nerves. “ I didn’t even think that we were going to announce it publicly,” I continued. “

Ryan’s voice came through with a brief pause. “ Hold on a sec, Isabella. Do you think that you would be able to get back your mom’s company by keeping everything private?”

I felt a surge of frustration. “ Ryan, don’t forget the base of our relationship. You know that after all this is over, we’ll go our separate ways and get a divorce. It’s a contract marriage, after all.”

Ryan’s voice was smooth as silk. “ So, divorcing for stars isn’t something that’s uncommon...it’s normal and it’s nothing new...”

But I wasn’t interested in hearing his justification. “ I know I can’t refuse, but I don’t like the idea of just going with the flow of things,” I said, my voice firm.

Without waiting for his reply, I hung up and started getting ready for school. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Ryan’s games right now.

     

   I quickly got dressed and headed downstairs, my mind still reeled from the conversation with Ryan. I couldn’t believe he had announced our engagement without even telling me first.

    I walked into the kitchen and found Maria, the maid, busy making breakfast. She smiled at me and asked if I wanted some pancakes or eggs. I shook my head, still feeling a bit upset. “Just coffee, please,” I said.

   Maria nodded and handed me a cup of steaming hot coffee. I took a sip, feeling the caffeine kick in and clear my head a bit.

    As I drank my coffee, I couldn’t help but think about Ryan’s words. He was right, of course. Divorcing for stars was nothing new. But that didn’t mean I had to like it. And it didn’t mean I had to go along with everything Ryan wanted without questioning it.

    I finished my coffee and headed out the door, feeling a bit more determined.

     I couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises Ryan had in store for me. 

    As I walked out of the mansion, I was immediately surrounded by an entourage of bodyguards. 

    I felt a little self-conscious about the fuss, but I knew it was all part of being engaged to Ryan West. He was a high-profile celebrity, and his fiancée was bound to attract attention.

    The bodyguards escorted me to the car, a sleek black SUV with tinted windows. I slid into the backseat.

    As we drove to college, I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. I was still getting used to the idea of being part of Ryan’s world, and it was a lot to take in.

    The bodyguards were discreet, but I knew they were always watching, always waiting for any sign of trouble. It was a little unnerving, but I knew it was all part of the package.

    As we arrived at college, I could feel the eyes of my classmates on me. They whispered and pointed, no doubt speculating about my engagement to Ryan.

    I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, my head held high. I was determined to navigate this new world with confidence and poise.

   The bodyguards fell into step beside me, their eyes scanning the crowds as we made our way to my first class. I felt a little like a celebrity, but I knew it was all just part of the show.

   As soon as I stepped into college, my best friend and roommate, Cario, walked up to me with a huge grin on her face. “ Oh my God, are you really the one I saw on the news? Like, you’re all over the news, girl!” she exclaimed.

    I sighed tiredly and shook my head.  

   “ Cario, I’m too stressed for any of this right now.”

   But Cario was undeterred. “ Have you checked the group chat?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

   I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “ No, I haven’t.”

   Cario let out a loud squeal. “ There’s absolutely no way you just got married to every girl’s dream man!”