Chapter 14 ~ Isabella
∞∞∞
I’m standing in the middle of this luxurious bedroom, angry, hurt and betrayed by my father.
.. again. I knew he was upset last night on the way home.
But I didn’t think he was that upset that he needed to kick me out.
I felt the hate, the anger; he didn’t have to add the knife to get me to see the point.
And to dump me off on Alexander, no less!
I would have gone to stay at Anna’s if he wanted me out that badly.
But as I’ve understood from the past, he is a coward, a slave to money and power.
The Russos have it all in his eyes, and I’m seeing why Alexander despises me so much.
I fall short on all fronts, plus the added benefit of an insistent father.
I am mortified and irritated that I keep ending up looking like a fool at every turn.
I slowly make my way over to the bed, running my hand over the silk duvet.
It’s cream with light pastel pink accents.
A faux fur blanket in pastel pink lies across the end of the bed.
It’s luxury at its finest. As I look around the room, it’s more like an apartment than a bedroom suite.
The only things missing are a little kitchenette and three cats, and this was what I had seen in my head when Alexander would kick me out.
I walk over to the one closed door and am astonished by the lavish bathroom hidden behind this simple door.
The bathroom is completely tiled in marble and has a double vanity with gold faucets above the sink, a private cubby for the toilet, and a large freestanding tub that occupies a corner of the space.
I approach the large, glass-enclosed shower and open the door. Six jets? I have never had a shower with six jets before. I examine the marble sink with my hand. I look over at the tub again with longing; I am definitely going to take a bath in that enormous tub after dinner.
I walk out, closing the door behind me, and see my life haphazardly piled over into one corner.
Everything I own fills three large suitcases.
Just three. I have never been a clothes person.
I like my simple leggings and hoodies. I own a few dresses for the proper occasions.
But it makes me sad to see how three suitcases dumped in a corner of this luxurious bedroom represent my life.
I turn my head and look at my ‘art room’ as he called it.
I make my way over and I step in. Everything is tossed randomly into one corner.
My paintings are all stacked up facing the wall.
Once I have more time, maybe tomorrow night I can organize it better.
God forbid I step on his Persian rug, so I back out and make my way to the suitcases.
I guess I better look for a change of clothes.
Dinner is in an hour and I still have to shower.
I dig through and find my favourite cream sweater.
It always makes me feel comfortable. I’ll pair that with some jeans and a pair of black flats.
I don’t think this dinner calls for formal dinner attire, but he didn’t mention if I had to dress up for the occasion.
He left angry, so it doesn’t matter anymore if I show up in the wrong clothes. He’s always angry with me.
After the best shower of my entire life, feeling nosy, I open the drawers on the vanity.
There’s already a blow dryer, complete with brushes and combs.
When I pull open the next drawer, it’s fully loaded with brand-new top-of-the-line cosmetics.
I don’t wear make-up, but wow! I bet this stuff costs a fortune.
It’s not that I can’t afford it, but it’s just not my thing.
I’d rather spend my money on canvas and painting supplies.
Closing the drawer, I look over to the tall cabinet next to the vanity.
I pull open the door and it’s loaded with soft cream towels, and an assortment of bubble bath and bath salts.
Lifting the lid, a waft of lavender hits my nose.
I sigh, looking at the tub again; I’ll definitely take a bath with the lavender salts.
Putting the jar back, I take it in the bathroom as a whole. He is certainly prepared for a man who claimed he only found out I’m moving in this morning, either that or he’s got superb staff.
Maybe this is where he puts his girlfriends? Or his, what did they call it? Subs? I shake off the thought. I pull out the hairdryer and attempt to blow some of my hair dry. I got about 20 minutes to get ready.
My phone starts dancing over the vanity and I put the brush down to grab it before it vibrates into the sink. It’s Anna.
I shut the blow dryer off and swipe it open to read her text.
Anna: Holy Fuck he’s hot! You lucky bitch!
Izzy: lol. Looks aren’t everything, Anna. Being treated like a human being is better, in my opinion.
Anna: So he’s being a dick? Or a typical male?
Izzy: The former. There hasn’t been a very pleasant interaction between us since I met him. I just want to get in my car and drive and never come back.
Anna: Sorry, this must be hard. Your dad is a real shit. I already knew he was an asshole, but this elevated him to super-asshole status. I’m so sorry, Izz. If I could run and grab you and take you home with me, I would.
Izzy: I know. And if I could, I’d be there right now. I’m scared Anna. I don’t know what I’m doing here. How my life got this fucked up?
Anna: Okay… now you’re freaking me out. You used The F-Word. He was so attentive tonight. He couldn’t stop touching you. Are you sure he’s not into you?
Izzy: There is no other word I can use. That word is descriptive of my whole life right now.
And no, he’s not into me. It was a show for you, Anna.
A ruse to make you and everyone in the bar think he likes me.
I assure you he doesn’t. After we left, he didn’t say a word till we got home.
Then he showed me to my room and left me there.
Anna: I know Izz. I am sorry. This is so fucked up. I was only trying to make you smile. But I agree this whole thing is on a massive scale of fucked up. Want me to call? We can talk? Work it all out?
Izzy: If it’s okay with you, I’d rather talk at work. I’m supposed to head down for dinner soon, and I’ve already made him mad… again.
Anna: Ok. But you call or text… anytime. I’m here. fuck male chauvinist men and their big dicks. Right? We have wine and chocolate!
Izzy: OMG! you make me laugh. And he is that, and he does have a big… thing. :)
Anna: WTF? How do you know that? Spill it? Did you touch it? I’m calling… fuck waiting till tomorrow. I need details, girl.
My phone rings. I quickly run and grab my clothes, close the bathroom door, huddle in the corner by the tub on a towel and tell her everything.
The knock on the bathroom sometime later door has me snapping my head up.
“Who’s that?” Anna asks.
“I don’t know, but if it’s him, I’m dead.”
I look at the time on my phone. I’m already 15 minutes late.
“Crap! Got to go. See you Tomorrow.”
I hang up without saying goodbye. A knock rattles at the door again. Grabbing the tub for support, I haul myself up and tiptoe over to the door.
“Miss Gallo? Are you okay?” His rough voice muffled through the door.
It’s the big guy. Oh, Chester fried chicken! I must have missed him knocking on my bedroom door while I was on the phone. I’m not dressed, and my hair is still wet.
“Just a minute… ahh Mr. Carlos. I’ll be right out”
I can hear him laughing. “It’s just Carlos. I’ll be waiting out in the hall.”
Bloody Mary with celery!
Now I have to rush. I throw my towel in the corner and snag up my jeans; I jump up and down, trying to get them past my thighs. I pull my sweater over my head and toss my shoes on the floor. Stepping into them, I button my fly and do a quick check in the mirror. I look okay, pale, but screw it.
He doesn’t like me much, anyway. I bet now I’m in for another chokehold cause I’m late. Why can’t I get anything right with this guy?
I rush out my bedroom door, coming to a screeching halt, as I pat my hair down. Carlos is pacing the hall but stops once he sees me.
Stepping towards me under his breath, I hear him say, “lucky bastard.”
Well… my assessment of Alex, so far, he’s right. Lucky… not so much.
“Sorry, I got distracted talking to a friend.”
He points toward the end of the hall and starts walking. His long strides make me do a fast walk, trying to keep up.
“Ahh, don’t worry about it. He needs to sit and wait for a beautiful woman. He’s used to everyone jumping at his bark.”
He laughs now as we make our way down the stairs.
“From now on, just call me Carlos.”
He smiles down at me, and I smile back. I put my hand out once we reached the main floor.
“Izzy. My friends call me Izzy.”
“Izzy.” He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “Nice to meet you, Izzy.”
He drops my hand, and we turn, heading down a hall.
“Once he pulls his head out of his ass, you’re going to knock him right back on it Izzy. Come on, dining rooms this way.” He breaks out with a huge smile.
Opening the door, he lets me step ahead of him and I stop immediately. Alexander’s face is puckered in anger, his eyebrows pinched together and those grey eyes are almost a sliver, making me shrink in on myself. He’s standing up out of his chair, glaring at us.
He growls at me, “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been sitting here for over 20 minutes waiting for you to show up. Why can’t you just do what I tell you to do and be here on time?”
My hair is hanging down and hiding some of my face and out of nervous energy I pull my sleeves cuff down, my hand tugging at the edges. Is he going to choke me again? Slam me into the wall? Slap me? I just stand there waiting for another roar from him.
With a frustrating sigh, he mumbles, “Never mind, just come sit down and enjoy the dinner that Rose made for us.”