2: Off Work

Isabella

“ Girlfriend?” Those words rang in my head like some jingle bells. He still had his cold expression on as I stared at him.

His eyes did not leave his phone even though what he said came as a shock to me.

I expected a response, at least some explanation as to what I was getting myself into but got none.

“We’re here,” He turned to face me. His eyes narrowed from my chest to my lips, then slowly to my eyes. It was like some calculated move and it made my heart raced

“So play along,” His hands slowly brushed my hair, making me shift in shock. His face got closer to mine, and my heart pounded, loud enough that I felt he could hear them.

“What’s happening? What’s going on?” I kept asking myself subconsciously while he stared at me briefly. His eyes navigated my whole face, conflicted like he fought his thoughts when he pulled back and touched my nose instead

“Let’s go,” I released my long-held breath, confused for a second, but took his hands the moment he offered them to me.

We stepped out of the car, and he held my hands as we walked to the entrance. There were people and a few cameras at the entrance.

“Smile,” I heard him whisper and I did immediately.

“Just play along,” he repeated before his hand went around my waist and pulled me to himself, while my eyes widened and my body shifted uncomfortably to his touch.

I turned my head away from the flashes and looked at him, and he turned to me smiling when he placed a kiss on my forehead, causing me to freeze at that moment, unaware of what to do, while the cameras kept clicking

“Let’s go,” He pulled me as we made our way to the doors of the event while he ignored questions thrown at him.

“How much longer do I have to do these?” I asked him

“As long as I need you, Isabella,” he said and I scoffed.

“You’ve got to pay for the extra hours sir,” I had no idea where I got the gut to say that or how those words flew out of my mouth. But I just did and I hope I don’t regret it.

“Pay for extra hours?” He turned to me, after grabbing a glass of champagne from the waiter.

“Yes,” I said shakily, he chuckled again.

Was that a good sign or a bad sign? I couldn’t tell, but that small smile made me worry less.

“Okay,” he finally said after taking a sip. I turned to him, out of words, and just nodded my head confidently at him, as we found a place to sit.

The event went on and I noticed it was the elite of the elites in the country that attended. They talk about funding, new trends, and charity events. It was eye-opening and beyond-educative for me, but the headache I was having wasn’t letting me enjoy the event to the fullest.

“Are you okay?” I heard his voice, it was soothing and one who didn’t know him would mistake it for him caring.

“I’m fine,” I lied. This headache has been going on for weeks and I thought painkillers would help but it seems not to be working.

The event had come to an end and everyone around was saying their Goodbyes and having their final interaction with one another.

An older couple walked up to us and immediately Mr. Tristan rose to his feet and I did the same.

“How lovely for you to attend Tristan,” The lady said, while Tristan wrapped his hands around my waist.

“And this must be your date,” The older man said.

“Girlfriend actually,” he was quick to respond and I forced a smile on my lips,

“Well she is a beauty,” The man said, and I slowly placed my hands on his chest grinning, as I appreciated their compliments, while the conversation continued.

…

“I’ll send my regards to grandfather,” He responded and waved to them before slowly pulling away.

After a few more greetings, we were now in his car and he was dropping me home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said immediately I got off and I nodded my head walking into my apartment.

“What a long night,” I yawned and grabbed the painkiller pills from my vanity desk immediately shoved them into my mouth, and grabbed a bottle of water.

“I need some sleep,” I said in a tired tone, and immediately fell on the bed slowly drifting off to sleep.

.. The next morning.

I rolled to the other side of the bed almost falling off, when I started to rub my eyes yawning loudly.

“Ouch,” I cried out feeling the sharp pains on my head. I slowly got up confused about what side to hold when I cried out in pain.

“What is happening to me?” I said to my hearing alone as tears poured out of my eyes. I raised my head staring at the clock on the wall and it was already 9 am.

“I need to go to work?” The words flung out of my mouth even with the excruciating pains I felt right now.

“It hurts,” I cried out, reality hitting hard. I was all alone, I could die here, I was all alone.

“Please stop,” I grabbed the bottle of water clenching it when I fell on the ground losing consciousness.

A few minutes later. I woke up to find myself lying on the floor. Confused at first, when the memories came rushing back.

“I’m not dead,” I breathe out in relief helping myself up. It was now 9:30 am and it scared the hell out of me missing work but I needed to go see the doctor.

I immediately rushed to the bathroom to have my bath, trying not to panic over the fact that I fainted in my apartment and nobody knew.

I dressed up quickly and had a little to eat, while I hailed a cab rushing to the hospital.

“Everything is fine,” I whisper to myself in the cab, rubbing my palms as I try not to think of the worst possible occurrence.

“I hope this was just stress,” I thought and took in a deep breath, as I walked into the doctor’s office to run some tests.