Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
ISABELLE
I t’s three a.m., and even though I’m snuggled under the covers in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever laid in, I haven’t slept a wink. And it’s not because I’m afraid.
Well, it’s not ONLY because I’m afraid.
I’ve always struggled with falling asleep, ever since I was a little girl. My dad did his best to comfort me, but he was so busy working and isn’t exactly what I’d call an emotional father. I especially feel this now, as he tries to juggle being both my father and manager. Most of the time, the manager side wins out. And my sisters…well, they considered me little more than a nuisance. So my dad’s solution to my sleep problem was simple: I had a tiny TV in my bedroom with a DVD player attached, and I’d watch The Sound of Music or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and fall asleep to the music and dancing.
This has turned into a daily ritual—nay, a necessity. Now that technology has advanced, I don’t have to rely on carrying around DVD copies of my favorite movies. I can stream them all on my phone.
Except for when there’s no Internet.
Boo-hoo, first world problems, right? I know, I’m ridiculously spoiled. But I haven’t had a night without my movies in years. The last time I tried to sleep without them was at a slumber party my sophomore year of high school. I ended up calling my sister Catherine to pick me up early.
It was a killer for my social life. I was already the weird girl who was super into classic movies and musicals, and after this embarrassing episode, only Jen wanted to be my friend. But hey, it turned out to be research for my future career.
Although, who knows how much of a career I have to look forward to, now that I refused to do this role with Adam.
Oh, my blood boils just thinking about him tonight. His self-righteous attitude got under my skin in the worst way. I wish he didn’t affect me so much, but I can’t move past it. The implication that I’m only going to be successful because of my father drives me nuts. I’ve been working my butt off, acting in ridiculous, tiny roles for years, and never taking advantage of my father’s reputation for a leg up.
And here was my opportunity. Finally. Sure, it wasn’t going to be a huge Hollywood blockbuster, but it was still going to be a leading role in an actual movie. Now, because of stupid Adam Stone, I’m losing my chance.
I tell myself it’s not the end of the world. There will be other movies. But producers talk, and if I say I won’t do this movie because of Adam, maybe I’LL get labeled as “difficult to work with.”
My career will be over even before it begins.
Ugh. If only I could just watch The Sound of Music and fall asleep to the captain singing “Edelweiss.”
I’ve tried to lose my dependence on watching movies every night. A few years ago, I listened to a podcast about how important it is to get early morning and late evening sun for our bodies’ rhythms. So, every morning, I drink my coffee out on the balcony of our tiny apartment in LA. And every evening, I take a walk around sunset time. My body’s clock seems to have aligned better ever since I’ve done that.
But here…I’m trapped. And I keep hearing a voice in my head that says outside, outside, outside.
The rich smell of coffee is the only thing keeping me awake right now.
I THINK I fell asleep for a grand total of thirteen minutes last night, only because I kept imagining the “Favorite Things” scene from The Sound of Music . But Brigette came in around seven this morning, singing loudly and offering to do my hair and makeup. When she saw how tired I was, she offered to let me sleep in, but the damage was done. There was no more sleep to be had.
So now I’m here in the kitchen with the staff at eight, trying to wake myself up with coffee and sugar. I’m wearing silk purple pajamas that must belong to Lily, because the pants cut off at my calves. They’re ridiculously comfortable, though, so even though they’re super short, I’m willing to endure a silly appearance.
And Lionel made good on the offer for slippers. Somehow they had a pair of fuzzy pink bunny slippers in my exact size. I look like a child, but I’m too tired to care.
“Ms. Lovett?”
“Hmm?” The sound of Brigette saying my name snaps me out of my stupor.
“More coffee, dear?”
I sigh, leaning my forehead on the table and stretching my arm out. “Yes, please,” I mumble.
Brigette chuckles as she fills my mug with more steamy goodness. “Rough night?”
“You could say that,” I reply.
I don’t know how I’m going to function.
And worse, I’m still stuck here. Because it’s STILL snowing.
I’m trapped in this castle prison with hardly any light…and Adam Stone. I just pray I don’t run into him anymore while I’m here.
“Are there any snow clothes I could wear? I’d really like to just step outside for a few minutes.”
“In this storm?” Brigette shakes her head. “We do have snow clothes, but you’ll have to wait until the snow lightens up.”
My heart sinks. “What can I do today?” I ask. “Is there anywhere I can go to make sure I don’t see Adam?”
“That desperate to avoid him?” she asks with a playful smile. She sets down the coffeepot and taps her lips with her finger. “You could head to the library. I think that would entertain you for some time.”
I’m not much of a reader, but at this point, I’ll do whatever I can to distract myself from the snow falling outside. If only I had cell service. At least I’d be able to watch something or even call Jen.
The cooks are working busily to prepare breakfast, and it smells amazing. Pancakes and bacon and eggs have always been my favorite.
“Do you make breakfast like this every day?” I ask Mario.
Mario nods and faces me. “Mr. Stone actually prefers oatmeal, but he allows us to make whatever breakfast we want for ourselves.”
“Oh.” That’s actually pretty nice. I wouldn’t have expected that from him.
A rush of footsteps alerts me to Theodore’s presence. Today, he’s wearing a skin-tight spandex Spider-Man costume. He stretches out his hand to me, keeping his middle and ring fingers pointed at his palm, and makes “CH-CH” sounds, like he’s shooting a web.
“Well, good morning, Spider-Man,” I say.
He crouches down on the ground, one leg straight out to the side. “I’m actually Spin.”
“Ah, yes, of course.” I don’t know the difference, but apparently it matters to him. “Good morning, Spin. Are you ready to save the world today?”
He nods, his face solemn. “Green Goblin is in the library. I have to stop him.”
“You can’t go alone, Theo,” Brigette pipes in. “Where is Becca?”
Theo shrugs.
Brigette sighs. “Isabelle, would you mind taking Theo to the library? It’s just a few doors down from here, and Theo knows the way. Breakfast will be ready in about fifteen minutes. This way you can pass the time without falling asleep at the table.”
I stretch my arms high above my head, trying to pump blood through my body. “Sounds good.”
Theo holds his hand out to me, and with a smile, I grasp his tiny fingers. He pulls me with alarming strength out of the kitchen and into the main part of the castle.
“Do you like being here?” I ask. Even though Adam doesn’t allow bright lights, the morning sun streams through the stained-glass windows, reflecting colorful lights all over the floor, and I can finally see the place more clearly. Red and purple velvet drapes hang from the windows. The walls are covered with paintings of the countryside; my guess is they’re of their home in England.
“Yes. It’s fun because there are a lot of places to hide.”
I snort a laugh. “Where’s your favorite place to hide?”
He eyes me suspiciously. “I can’t tell you. Then it wouldn’t be a hiding place anymore. ”
“Mm, true.” I give him a serious nod. He seems appeased and keeps leading me through the halls.
I’m caught up studying the paintings and decorations in the castle, not to mention still half-asleep, so I don’t immediately notice when the door to my right opens, and Adam Stone comes barreling out.
“Agh!” I cry. Not only am I caught off guard by his presence, but with the full sunlight on him, his appearance is even MORE shocking. How is this the man who portrayed Harry Ryland in Live Another Day , the dashing World War 2 hero who saved the United States from an alien invasion?
Yes, that was a real movie.
He seems just as startled to see me, almost like he forgot I was here, his eyes wide and piercing. Well, one eye. Now that the morning light is streaming in the castle, I can clearly see the scar over his left eye, from his forehead down to his cheek, and that eye is glassy. Still, I inhale sharply at the intensity of his full attention on me. For a moment, I can see the Adam Stone who made me swoon in the movies. It wasn’t just about his grooming, but that intense gaze could make a girl fall in love.
But in a split second, his shock turns to disdain. Eyes narrowed, jaw set, he looks like the carnivorous beast from last night.
Brave Warrior Isabelle won’t take his attitude. I look away and pull on Theo’s hand. “Let’s go.”
I tip my chin up and walk past Adam, catching a glimpse of him watching me out of the corner of his eye. Maybe he’s repulsed by the pajamas that are too short or the bunny slippers on my feet. Let him watch. I won’t be afraid of him.
But a single word from him stops me dead in my tracks.
“Wait.”