Her heart melted as the melodious song played. The lyrics were just as stuck and twisted as her life was. Day by day, she faced different problems. She read novels, listened to music, book tickets to watch her favorite movies, but you know, somehow, we'd be taken back to the dark reality behind our good looks and smiles.
Isla Sinclair was one person whose past haunted a lot. Born to wealthy, famous and loving parents, had lots of friends, attended an expensive school, had classy belongings and was even the leader of a college girl group known as Daisy Damsels. Her mom was part of an American supermodel screening society while her dad owned a beverage firm. She never really lacked anything back when she was a student of Redville Academy. What about being the school president of her college? Gawd, the Sinclairs contributed a lot for the success of the learning citadel.
Isla wasn't the mean, proud, rude or arrogant mental picture of a girl you might have already. She was a gentle soul when it came to academics, a sassy type when it came to shopping and more exquisite interactions with Daisy Damsels. The girls in the group, Sasha, Wendy, Lindsay and Julie had different attitudes and ways of life, but they were all rich and famous.
Isla's friends had barely graduated from college when they started having boyfriends. Isla felt a bit jealous and left out. Life after college was becoming confusing. Her parents got more busy, and her mom bought her a house outdoors alone. Daisy Damsels were no longer active, because all her friends had to go on dates with their boyfriends. Lindsay and Julie got married in a twinkle of an eye and Isla couldn't even attend due to the nature of her supermodel screening job.
Isla clocked 25 when she tied the knot with her lover, Jake Hollidae. The wedding was the most elaborate of all the Daisy Damsel girls and they all came together to celebrate with their leader. Isla felt like the happiest girl in the whole world, reminiscing on when she met with Jake at an amusement park, when he promised to always keep her company and their first passionate kiss in the dark, near the kitchen fridge. Their wedding pictures were the hot topic on the internet, and every girl's dream was to be Isla.
Months passed, and Isla realized that Jake never really loved her. He asked her to stop working and become a full housewife, promising her a salary of two million dollars every three months. He refused to make love to her, he made her do lots of house chores and go through so much stress that she became weak, lean and pale. He walked out of the house at odd hours, got drunk, and would vent all his anger on his wife, driving into her insanely and growling loudly.
It was all over the day Isla saw Jake Hollidae in bed with Margaret, her nosy neighbor.
The music had been changed to a fast addictive pop beat. Then, she remembered that she hadn't even showered yet. Her mom was coming over with some supermodels, and she needed to make them nice dinner – at least.
She ran upstairs, as fast as her legs could take her. She brushed her teeth, took a shower, wore her pink robe, combed her hair in front of the mirror and changed into an attractive pink crop top and a short jean skirt. She walked slowly back downstairs and jolted when she heard the doorbell.
"Hi." She exchanged pleasantries with a big smile on her face. Ushering them in, she walked to the kitchen to get them refreshments – chips and juice. She was a bit embarrassed when one of the models was staring with a digusted look, directly into the plate.
"Is there a problem?" She asked.
"The thing is, I don't like chips." The model replied.
"Whoopsie. I'm sorry. What would you like then?"
"I'm fine with the juice." Isla nodded and sat. They talked at length about business, until an offer came in for Isla. One she couldn't miss.
"You would have to come along for the Paris Runway. Is it fine or you've got a tight schedule on?" Mrs. Rhea Sinclair asked formally. Isla gave it a little thought as her legs danced in the furry slippers she was putting on.
She'd feel intimidated to go back to a fashion show after what happened back when she was still married to Jake Hollidae. The disgrace at the National Fashion Show Competition is unforgettable and videos are all over the internet.
"What do you say, Mrs. Gerard?" That name caused her heart to skip a beat. The second trial she made with marriage – Nigel Gerard. She was pissed off, because she knew her mother was being deliberate, just to embarrass her as a divorcee. She controlled the fist she already clenched.
"Um...I'd rather just stay in the office. I can't show my face at a runway show, just yet." She finally spoke, breathlessly.
"And...that. Its Sinclair." Rhea scoffed.
"When exactly are you gonna show yourself, ma'am? It has been five years." One model questioned.
"It really has.." She ran her fingers through her hair.
"Do you think Nigel or Jake must be waiting for you on the runway? Are you still scared that they'll embarrass you, huh? I'm sure I birth a brave girl who's focused on her bright future and is not hiding away from a guy! I didn't give birth to this coward sitting before me!" Mrs. Rhea was so disgusted with her daughter that her voice was being heated in Isla Sinclair's ears.
"I'll go. I'll attend the show." Her soft but sharp voice kept Rhea Sinclair shut.
"That's the spirit, ma'am. I'm glad you're ready to pick yourself up and flaunt that inner beauty of yours. We're so proud of you." The models applauded her and even blew kisses. Isla smirked at her mom, who rolled her eyes.
"We should leave now. We've said all we had to." Rhea Sinclair checked her gold watch.
"I'm cooking dinner, you can wait to have food." Isla was about to usher them to the dining table. The models were excited and ready to eat dinner.
"No,no,no,no,no! We have a shoot in two hours and we need to prepare for it. Let's end it right here. We'll meet at Paris." Rhea Sinclair stopped them.
"Okay then, if you say so." Isla shrugged and smiled at the models. She ushered them out of the house and slammed the door extra hard behind her mom.
"Damn you, mom! How could you? How could you talk about Nigel?! How..." Her anger was far beyond just talking. She had to take action. She had to go to Paris and show them all she wasn't a coward. She had to getting to face a good reality. The reality of being a divorcee. Not just any type of divorcee, but a 32 year old strong divorcee who's making her future bright and doesn't need a man to give her the world.
She had been at Paris, and returned to America after a week. The pictures and videos of her unexpected appearance were top trends on social media. People threw hate at her, while her fans remained strong at her defense.
Her house had been locked – and it was a horrible scene. There was a note pasted on the door written in bold letters, warning her never to come for the house again because it was sold to someone else. There was even a sold out sign in the garden.
Who could come and sell her house?
A text message was even sent that her things had been packed to her dad's warehouse. Isla couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.
What if it was Rhea Sinclair?
She was already jealous of her daughter because she had more fame, and was even still loved and supported after making appearance at the show. She knelt in the garden grass and was crying profusely. Some passerbys thought she was uprooting weeds.
That day, she went to rest her head at Julie's house. But she couldn't accommodate Isla for long. Her husband felt uncomfortable and they pushed her out with a flimsy excuse.
She went to Lindsay's apartment and quietly stayed there.
It was the beginning of a new year, and Isla had already recovered from the strange loss of her house. She changed her wardrobe and didn't bother herself about the things at the warehouse.
"Hi." She said and her dad's eyes twinkled on seeing her. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her in. They discussed at length and Isla realized how much her dad wanted her to stay in the house. He was disheartened about the fact that she was a divorcee.
"If you don't mind, I've got a dating site in mind. It was really helpful to one of my brother's sons, and I have a feeling you won't have any difficulty meeting a guy online. Girls have crushes, online you know?" Mr. Sinclair winked, and smiled to hear his daughter's response.
"You see, Dad, I'm not interested in any dating site. I'm a divorcee, and I've learned to live like that. There's absolutely no need for me to sign up searching for a relationship."
"C'mon Isla. Don't act so plain minded. Jake and Nigel has contributed more than enough to make your life hell. Don't even think about trying to remain like this." He tried to convince her.
"Don't think about it, Dad. It isn't too good for your health to bother about unnecessary things." Isla got up and walked upstairs.
"I'm still talking to you, Isla." Mr. Sinclair sounded stern.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
Isla wasn't really staying home, and her dad felt bored. She attended photoshoots, runway programs, fashion weeks, shopping sprees and came home once or twice in a month.
"Isla, you've done well, Darling." The head of the screening society, Dakota Williams, praised Isla for her hardwork.
"I'm glad you're now living like the super girl that you are. Your mom was worried about you when you took a break from modeling. She explained what a dark past you had and the sleepless nights she had about it. She must be happy you've stepped up." Dakota said with a smile.
"I'm satisfied, Dakota."
"I must say, your mom really loves and cares about you. She has screened and approved Judy Keen, another model who's ready to take up your duties." Isla's smile wore off immediately. She was puzzled.
"Judy Keen? How could Mom approve Judy? She's not even up to the task!" She exclaimed.
"Judy's different now. She's different from what you really think! She has improved a lot on her fashion abilities."
"But I never told Mom I was resigning – why did she have to employ someone else to take up my task? Its completely crazy!" Isla was furious.
"Isla, your mom cares about you and wants you to rest. Judy is only gonna be working for a short while. She wants you to stay home and be adequately fed. Just look how lean you are! When she's ready to give Judy up, she'll ask you to return. Okay?" Isla felt that all spoken was actually gibberish. She couldn't imagine being at home for what seemed like months and won't be paid all in the name of 'rest'. She felt she couldn't argue with Dakota and just sighed.
"Goodluck to Judy then." Mr. Sinclair was overjoyed when Isla explained to him that she was going to be home for the rest of the month. They spent time together, went to cinemas, beach parties, business parties, office launches, sightseeing and wherever the speed of their vehicle could take them next.
After a usual jog in the deep woods, surrounded by trees and fresh plants, they returned to their house in the city. Tired and hungry, having drove all through the busy roads, Mr. Sinclair retired into the building. They were cold and weak. Mr. Sinclair relaxed on his sofa with a blanket wrapped around him, while Isla went to the kitchen to make hot tea.
"Hello..." She could hear her dad's voice quiver.
"Really?" He exclaimed seconds later.
"Alright then, when is it?"
"Okay then, tomorrow it is." Mr. Sinclair ended the call.
"Isla." She had expected Sinclair to call her immediately. She walked to the living room with a tray holding two cups on hot tea.
"Yes?"
"I'll be on my way tomorrow for a business trip. I'll be there for more than a year." Isla looked dumbfounded.
"Uh? But...who's gonna keep my company until then?"
"My dear, you know I've gotta go. Its an important business that I need to supervise. You don't have to worry about how I'm gonna live. The address of my two storey-building will be sent, and I'll move there." Mr. Sinclair spoke gently.
"Damn you, Dad! I'm gonna be all alone! I feel....I feel like its gonna be tough without you! Can't I tag along?"
"No, Isla. C'mon. Why are you saying these things? You're not a 3 year old girl who has to tag along everywhere her parents go. You're 32! Twice divorced, once widowed. You need to learn how to live on your own. Because I don't think you're gonna be needing any man."
"No." Isla let out sternly.
"You have friends, right? You can let them know how lonely you feel and invite them over."
"You know very well that they are married and have their own family to take care of, right?" Isla folded her arms.
"Oh. That's the disadvantage, Isla. I wonder why I've got a daughter who's so beautiful and popular but doesn't have good luck with men. It's a stain on us, you know? You should really get a guy with ill luck, who you are compatible with."
"Do you mean I have ill luck?" Isla burst out.
"Something like that. Take a look at your life, my dear. You've been a girl who the whole world looks up to. You've been a celebrity since you were born. And people get the mentality that celebrities like you would like suitors begging for your hand in marriage. But when a lot is spent on a wedding just for you, something comes up and the man runs out of the deal. What's wrong with you, Isla? Why don't you have anyone who...why can't you just have someone who lasts with you? Rhea and I birth a flawless daughter, that I'm sure of. It's surprising the way men detest you so much after getting to be with you for a few nights. Do you have a habit that is quite disgusting to men? Does the tits behind the outfit disgust men? Aren't you sexually attractive? Don't you know how to deceive men with your body? Don't you know how to pull a man close?" Isla didn't have a reply for her dad's too many questions.
"If you wanna get a man all to yourself and never lose him, its not all about being of good and respectful character. Its not all about earning respect from everyone around. Guys are crazy about the juicy underneath. Being in marriage is not all about mentally trying to make him happy. Marriage is not an idea thing. Its all about physically and sexually attracted to your husband. If you're giving him that, he'll never think of any other woman."
"Hm." That was the only sound Isla could make.