NINETY-TWO

NINETY-TWO
ISABEL’S POV
I opened my eyes and stretched on the floor. I sat up and scanned the group, I couldn’t see Drake’s sleeping form on the bed. I sighed, rubbed my eyes and went to the bathroom.
God knows that I don’t want to see him at all. Last night, I crept into the room when I was sure he was already fast asleep and I was right. He was coiled up in the bed, sleeping soundlessly with a bandage on his hand.
Funny that the devil didn’t even look devilish when he slept, he looked peaceful and so calm. Anyway, it was none of my business, I just went straight to the floor, and curled up as usual before I dozed off.
The bathroom was empty too, he must have left so early. That was good news to my ears.
I brushed and spent enough time in the bathroom. The jacuzzi was so welcoming and I allowed the cool refreshing water caress me and my thoughts.
I came out after I was fully refreshed, and I dressed myself up before the maids would come knocking. I wore the heavy dangling jewelries, and picked an outfit that was suitable for me.
I looked at the girl in the mirror, she was different, her eyes were wild, her face was changing, the expensive outfit and jewelries she had on created a beautiful, sexy and appealing version of her. She wasn’t the ugly, ordinary girl that hustled to make ends meet, she was a girl that now had a huge amount of money coming into her account every single month.
I smiled at my reflection, and left the room hoping Drake and his bitch Rayna don’t spoil my mood because I looked pretty.
So, yes, I was happy.
The air this morning felt light, clean. My mind was set on one thing though…checking on Aiden.
I knew he would be sore today, so I needed to make sure he was alright.
Halfway down the hallway, I spotted Shirley and Aiden; they were laughing and holding hands.
I haven’t really seen Shirley laugh, she always carries a thick frown on her face every time just like a father, but this morning she was…beautiful, different.
Her long dark hair was swinging behind her, she was wearing a short-flowered dress that brought a measure of glint in his eyes.
She looked really happy and that warmed my heart.
Aiden looked better and stronger too.
Our eyes met when they drew closer to me and I smiled at her.
For a moment, her expression was unreadable just like her father’s then, her gaze softened almost like she was considering a smile.
But, she didn’t smile.
‘Hi Aiden, hi Shirley’ I said warmly, with a wide smile.
‘Hi Isabel, you look astonishing today just as always’ Aiden said with a large smile.
I chuckled ‘Oh, I know but thank you’ I said with a laugh.
He laughed too then we both looked at Shirley.
‘Hello Shirley, you look beautiful today’ I said to her.
‘Hello’ she said plainly.
Aiden and I looked at each other at once yet, I didn’t give up.
I looked closer at her face, and I could see small mascara that spilled down her face.
‘You’ve got a little something on your face’ I said, pointing to her face.
She stiffened, and her looks hardened ‘There is nothing on my face’
Did I say something wrong? I was just trying to be nice.
Aiden looked at her face and confirmed what I said.
‘I think your tears affected your mascara’
Tears? She cried? What could have prompted her to cry?
She frowned ‘Aiden!!’ she exclaimed.
I guess she was embarrassed or something.
Aiden quickly muttered an apology and looked away.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t mean…’ I started.
She glanced at me briefly, her tone flat. ‘Don’t think for a second that what happened last time makes us friends now.’
My smile faltered. ‘I didn’t say we were… I was being nice’
‘You don’t have to pretend you like me because I still don’t like you. The feeling isn’t mutual’ She stepped past me, her eyes sharp, voice laced with the same measured coldness Drake used when he was done with a conversation.
‘Shirley’ Aiden called, his expression changing.
She didn’t even look at him, she just turned to me again ‘You are still here to replace my mother. That hasn’t changed. Your niceness isn’t going to cut that’
Before I could reply, she was already gone, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.
I stood there for a moment, blinking after her. The resemblance between her and Drake was uncanny…..not in looks alone, but in the way they carried themselves. The same guarded edges. The same instinct to push people away before they got too close.
With a small sigh, I turned to Aiden and threw my hands up.
‘What did I do to get her so upset? Maybe I shouldn’t have commented on the spilled mascara’ I said, folding my arms.
Aiden sighed ‘She is just not in a good mood’ he said.
I scoffed ‘But she was just laughing two seconds ago. Gosh she’s just her father’s replica. Do I need to walk around eggshells whenever I see her?’
Aiden laughed ‘You do not. Just give her time and space. She will soften towards you soon, don’t worry about it.’
I shrugged ‘It’s okay…. how are you feeling?’
He chuckled softly. ‘Like I fought a stronger being. But I’m alive.’
‘Let’s just sit outside and talk’ I said.