Chapter 61
0063
A soft knock came at the bedroom door of Isla’s penthouse in Wyndham Heights.
At first, she didn’t move. She only turned to the other side of the bed and buried her face deeper into the soft pillow.
The knocking came again, it was light but persistent.
She groaned quietly, her body still heavy with sleep. Finally, she opened her eyes and blinked against the soft morning light spilling through the glass wall.
Her head throbbed lightly. She had slept very late the night before.
After her mother left, she spent almost the entire night rewatching Gabriel’s interview online–again and again, until she could almost recite his words by heart. Each time she watched the video, she felt pride, maybe pain, confusion or longing. It was strange after how much he had hurt her. He could stir so many emotions inside her.
Even though she knew he did it mainly to stop the rumors from spreading further, it still mattered. He didn’t have to defend her publicly–but he did. And that meant something to her.
But she hated that it still made her heart flutter.
All she wanted this morning was peace–to sleep away her thoughts, to stop replaying the way Gabriel had touched and kissed her. The way he made her body remember him in ways her mind didn’t want to.
The knock came again, louder this time.
She sighed and sat up slowly, stretching her arms and yawning.
“Who is it?” she asked with a sleepy voice.
“It’s me, Sofie. Can I come in p>
Isla rubbed her eyes and forced a small smile. “Sofie? Yes, come in p>
The door opened and Sofie stepped inside, carrying a tray with a cup of coffee and a neatly wrapped fish sandwich.
Isla’s brows furrowed. “Why are you not at work p>
peat
Sofie ignored the question at first. She set the tray gently on the bed and gave her a soft smile. “Please something, Isla. You’ve not been eating properly for days. Now that you have time for yourself, you need to take care of your body too p>
Isla looked at her suspiciously, folding her arms. “ That doesn’t answer my question. Why are you not in the office, Sofie? And don’t even try to lie to me p>
Sofie sighed and lifted her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, calm down, ma’am. ”
“Don’t call me that,” Isla cut in, rolling her eyes p>
1/3
“Fine. Isla,” Sofie said with a grin. “The CEO called me yesterday. He said I’ve been reassigned to you–not just as your assistant at the Wardrobe, but as your personal assistant. So, it doesn’t matter where you are, I still work for you. Even as your housekeeper. And yes, I’ll still be paid p>
Isla’s mouth fell open slightly. “And you agreed to that p>
Sofie shrugged, half–smiling. “Of course. Between you and me, I’d rather work for you than set foot in that office again. Delphine resumed work yesterday, and the entire place already feels toxic. Everyone is walking on eggshells. I can’t stand her p>
Isla let out a long sigh and pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry, Sofie. I know how that must feel p>
Sofie waved it off. “Don’t be sorry. I made my choice p>
But Isla frowned, leaning forward. “Still, don’t ever talk like that again.” She reached out and playfully slapped Sofie’s shoulder.
“Ouch! What was that for?” Sofie whined dramatically, rubbing her arm.
“For calling yourself a housekeeper,” Isla said, pouting. “You’re not one. You’re my assistant. A professional
one.
Sofie chuckled softly. “It’s fine, Isla. I’d still be happy even if I was your housekeeper. As long as I’m working for you p>
Isla’s lips trembled slightly. Her eyes began to glisten. “Thank you, Sofie. You have no idea how much that means to me p>
Sofie set the tray aside on a nearby glass table and wrapped her arms around Isla, pulling her into a warm hug. It’s okay. You’ll get through this. Everyone who truly knows you is on your side p>
For a few seconds, Isla held on tightly. Her heart softened. She almost thought that the entire world was against her. But now she knows that she still has the love of many, her new friends.
When they finally pulled apart, Isla smiled faintly through her tears. Updates are released by (.)net
“I’m hungry,” she said, sniffing and trying to change the mood. “But I don’t want a sandwich. I’m craving Chinese rice p>
21
“Chinese rice? This morning?” Sofie gasped. “Isn’t that a bit much for breakfast p>
Isla laughed lightly. “Maybe. But it’s my bad habit. Don’t worry, I’ll just call the concierge to order it p>
She slid out of bed and padded across the marble floor to the phone. Her voice was calm when she spoke and gave the order.
As soon as she hung up, she turned back to Sofie. “ I’m going to take a quick shower. Make sure you eat that sandwich before it gets cold p>
“Bossy already,” Sofle teased.
Isla chuckled as she disappeared into the bathroom.
2/3
The sound of running water filled the room for a few minutes. And when she came out again, wrapped in a white towel, her skin glowed softly and she felt refreshed. She stood before the mirror, brushing her long blonde hair, then slipped into a casual cream dress.
She looked calm–but inside, her heart was restless. Her mind drifted a little to Delphine’s pregnancy. But she quickly snapped out of it.
Just as she was about to start a conversation with Sofie, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She glanced at it- and froze.
The name on the screen made her stomach twist.
Mine.
Gabriel.
She hesitated for a moment, then reached for the phone. Her pulse quickened as she tapped the message open.
Let’s have dinner together tonight. You can choose the place. Let me know your decision, my love.
For a few seconds, Isla just stared at the message, her chest rising and falling heavily.
Her throat felt dry.
She closed her eyes, whispering to herself under her breath. “ Gabriel, what do you think you’re doing p>
Anger began to rise again. She wanted to throw the phone away.
She wanted to hate him. But her heart–that foolish, stubborn heart–beat faster anyway.
Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.