Rhea stormed into the building, dodging Jake's bodyguards who tried to intercept her. They lunged forward, attempting to grab her arms, but she shook them off with a fierce determination. Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she marched towards Jake's office.
Jake, seated behind his massive wooden desk, looked up as Rhea burst in. A hint of amusement danced in his eyes as he watched the bodyguards hesitate behind her.
"Ah, Mother-in-law," Jake drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"How lovely to see you. Boys, you can leave. I'm sure my dear mother-in-law means no harm."Rhea's eyes blazed with fury at the title.
"Don't you dare call me that," she spat, her voice venomous.
Jake's smirk grew wider as he leaned back in his chair.
"Why not? It's a title you earned, after all. And speaking of earned... I think it's time Isla knew the truth about her husband's death."
Rhea's face turned cold, her eyes flashing with anger. Jake continued, "The clip was such a sight for her. She even went paralyzed in shock."
"Rhea's hand flew out, slapping Jake across the face before she could stop herself. The sound echoed through the room.
Jake's smirk never wavered.
"The truth is, Rhea, Isla needed to know what really happened."Rhea's anger boiled over, and she slapped him again.
"You dare to cross the line, Jake, and you'll fall just like... others have. Don't think for a second you can play with fire and not get burned."Jake chuckled, a cold glint in his eye.
"There's nothing you can do to stop me, Rhea. You're powerless."Rhea's eyes narrowed.
"If you don't stay on track, Jake, you'll die like a poor chicken, with your neck snapped in an instant."
With that, Rhea turned on her heel and strode out of the office, leaving Jake and his smirk behind. The bodyguards watched her go, hesitant to approach her as she disappeared into the elevator.
Rhea stood outside the office doors, her eyes blazing with fury as she muttered to herself,
"How could Jake be such a betrayer? Doesn't he know who he's dealing with?"
Her chest heaved with anger, her hands clenched into fists.As she composed herself, her men approached, opening the car door for her. She slid into the luxurious interior, the cool leather a welcome respite from the tension simmering within her.
Just as she settled in, her phone rang, shrill in the silence. She glanced at the screen, her expression darkening at the sight of her husband's name.
"What now?" she answered, her voice laced with irritation.
Mr. Sinclair's voice boomed through the speaker,
"Rhea, what have you done about Isla? Why hasn't she returned to the modeling society? You're her mother, for goodness' sake! Can't you control your own daughter?"
Rhea's eyes flashed with defensiveness. "It's time Isla stood on her own. She's capable, and—"
"Capable?" Mr. Sinclair's voice rose. "You think she's capable of managing her career without our guidance? You're her mother, Rhea, and it's your duty to ensure she's on the right path. And that path is with us, where she belongs."
The argument escalated, words flying back and forth like daggers. Rhea's anger boiled over as Mr. Sinclair's tone turned condescending.
"You're more concerned about your own legacy than Isla's well-being," she snapped.Mr. Sinclair's voice turned cold.
"Maybe it's time we got a divorce, Rhea. You're clearly more interested in sabotaging Isla's career than supporting her.
"Rhea's shock was palpable. "A divorce? Because of Isla? You're insane!"
Mr. Sinclair's words cut deep.
"You're the one who's insane, Rhea. You're the one who gave birth to her, and now you're kicking her out of the very thing that brought her to the spotlight. Are you jealous of your own daughter?"The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Rhea hesitated.
Then, with a cold smile, she said, "Yes. I'm jealous. And if it means Isla dying, I won't let her surpass me again. I won't let her shine brighter than I ever did."The line went dead, Rhea's words hanging in the silence like a challenge.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sinclair's expression turned resolute.
"I'll put everything on hold. I'll return to Illinois, to my daughter. She needs protection from the evil clutches of her own mother."
His eyes narrowed, determination burning within them.
"I'll make sure Isla is safe, no matter what it takes."
Cade leaned in, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, how did you meet your friends?" he asked Isla, his voice filled with genuine interest.Isla's face lit up with a warm smile as she settled into the story. "I met Julie when I was five," she began.
"We attended the same preschool, and she was just so... social. I mean, she knew everyone in the class, and everyone knew her. I was a bit shy at first, but she made it easy for me to associate with the others."
Isla's eyes took on a faraway look, lost in memories.
"We were actually seatmates in preschool, and Julie would tell me the funniest stories. She'd make me laugh even on my worst days. We'd read together, play together, and just have the best time. Before I knew it, we'd become inseparable."
Cade chuckled, picturing a younger Isla and Julie. "She sounds like quite the character," he said.
Isla nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, she is! And then, in high school, we met Lindsay, and we formed the DAISY DAMSELS group in seventh grade. We were all about supporting each other, being there for one another through thick and thin."
"But the group really took off in college when we met Sasha and Wendy," Isla continued.
"We just clicked, you know? We shared the same interests, the same sense of humor... it was like we'd known each other forever."
As Isla spoke, her face danced with emotions, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
"We've had so many fun moments together – sleepovers, road trips, late-night conversations about life and everything in between.
But we've also had our fair share of fights and disagreements. There was this one time when Julie and I had a huge argument over something ridiculous, and Lindsay had to mediate. It was hilarious, looking back on it now."Isla's expression softened, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"And then there are the moments we've cried together – when Sasha went through a tough breakup, and Wendy faced a family crisis. We've been there for each other, through every up and down."
Cade listened, captivated by the warmth and love that radiated from Isla as she spoke about her friends. He could see how much they meant to her, and he felt grateful to have been a part of their lives.
"How did your friends take it when - when you had these difficult marriages?"
"They cried a lot. Especially when Brian died, we were all crying...It was just like a movie."
"Who easily cries?" Isla chuckled, struggling with tears.
"Sasha. Sasha easily tears up. When she had the breakup, she had some pills...she wanted to take them and die. And when we fought in college because her crush had a crush on me, she was crying during our argument asking me why I even came into her life." They both laughed.
"Tell me how did you take the issue of my marriage?" Isla wiped her tears, and faced Cade, waiting for his response.
"I..I cried too. Really it should have never been you. Julie told me about the old Isla. How social and bright, how often she laughed. But when you married Jake Hollidae, the girls saw your life falling apart. In your second marriage with Mr. Nigel Gerard, you became lean, pale and stressed. When you married Brian, they saw your life had spiced up a little, and when he died, you tore into a million pieces." He noticed Isla crying again.
He cupped her cheeks and brought her closer to himself.
"I want the old Isla back." He whispered, and wiped her tears with his thumb.
"Crying makes you look old."
"WHAT?" Isla was taken aback and Cade nodded affirmatively.
"You're 33. When you smile, you look 18. But when you cry, you look 60."
"No way." Isla hit him and he laughed.
"I'm telling you the truth. When is your retirement age and what are your plans?"
"I'm retiring in seven years time. And I'll join another modeling society to begin my mentorship career."
"Interesting. That's still a long time."
"And you? Are you gonna be my manager forever?" Cade blinked a few times.
"Are you realizing you have no plans for your life?"
"Actually I do. I have an eye for production and marketing."
"Do you even have any experience?" Isla was curious.
"Yup. I worked with my dad for a year before he asked me to become independent and get a job."
"Wow. Why did he say that? Is he cruel, like Rhea Sinclair?"
"No. My dad just wants me to stop relying on his money."
"You've never said anything about your parents."
"Don't you know who my dad is?"
"Who is he?" Isla asked.
"Haven't you been to your dad's industry? My dad has been working there as one of their producers for three years now."
"Really? I haven't been there in five years! But you said your dad had a company of his own, right?"
"He did. But his older brother took over the company because he had better backup to win the case. It was a major slug out between them and the other side won. He left us with almost nothing. That was another reason why my dad was furious when I had a baby with our neighbor. Without a job."
"That could have really hurt."
"Your dad and mine attended the same elementary school then and they weren't good friends, but he still helped to get my dad the job."
"Dad is really nice." Isla grinned.
"When am I meeting your family?" Cade's smile wavered.
"Don't bother about that, Isla Sinclair. If you're meeting them, it'll be as my boss. Not as my girlfriend."
"What? No! Why don't you want anyone to know we're dating?" Isla was sad.
"Isla, I told you. We're hiding this so we can protect you and your career. If anyone finds out we're dating in public, you'll be haunted by your own fans for falling in love with your worker."
"But love is fucking natural. If they are not going to understand that, then I'll be happy to let go of them!" Cade placed his index finger on Isla's lips.
"Shh..."
"By the way, did you open the present box I gave you on your birthday?" Isla instantly recalled.
"Oh, that! I placed it..." She got up and ran to the kitchen. Cade remembered he wasn't even done making the gift.
"Hey, stop!" He ran after her, and when he got to the kitchen, she was sitting on the cabinet, and saw golden beads in the box.
"Were you trying to make a bracelet?" Cade snatched the box from her, poured the beads in a plate and revealed the tiny bracelet to her. It had his name with golden acrylic letter beads.
"Wow. This...this is cute." Isla felt loved.
"I want you to wear this regularly, Isla. Stacie made a similar bracelet for me on my birthday years ago. I vowed that if I ever met you, I would make the same thing for you."
"Awww, thanks." She wrapped her arms around him.
"I have one more surprise." He opened the kitchen cabinet and handed her a document.
"Is this Julie's house document? Why do we have it in the kitchen?"
"I didn't want you to see this. And for correction, it isn't Julie's house document. Its yours."
"What?"
"Julie and I purchased a VIP building for you in the city." Isla's hands flew straight to her mouth.
"Are you serious?" Cade nodded and Isla screamed excitedly at the top of her voice, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you so much!" Cade broke the hug.
"So when am I moving in?"
"When your dad returns. I won't have you leave his house without informing him first."
"This is so exciting! Can I at least see a picture?"
"You'll get that from Julie."
"Julie is so full of surprises. She didn't even give me a hint on the house!" Isla was ecstatically describing and asking Cade questions on the building, if it had a pool, how many rooms it had, but she noticed that Cade was too busy untying her robe knots.
"Hey!" She held his hands.
"What are you up to?" Isla bit her lower lip.
"I'm up to having you next to me tonight.."
"But what if Dora sees..."
"Dora is in her room. She'll never come here, alright!"
"Hmmm..." Isla thought for a while and leaned in, her face was inches away from Cade's.
"Why don't I take the lead?" Isla's hands played with Cade's buttons, and they were all removed from their holes.
She wrapped her arms around Cade's shoulders, and her legs around his torso.
Isla and Cade's lips met in a passionate, intense kiss, exploring each other's depths. The kiss was hungry and carnal, yet tender conveying a deep emotional connection.
Isla's hands weaved into Cade's hair, while Cade's arms wrap tightly around her, pulling her closer with a sense of belonging. He lifted her from the cabinet and took her upstairs.
He placed her gently on the bed, with an even passionate kiss, exploring her body and welcoming her soft moans.
He took off the robe and pulled away from her, beginning to strip. He wondered why she had suddenly become nervous.
He leaned in and noticed her deepened blush.
"What's going on, Isla? Are you...nervous?" Cade's eyes traveled around her body and Isla shut her eyes gently.
"Do you want us to stop?" She shook her head and pulled him, trying to get even more relaxed as he planted kisses on her belly.
A wave of pleasure came over her as she suckled her, and teased the fire in her. She was shocked at her own strange shyness, and she was even more tensed that the door was wide open. He stroked her harder and tighter, creating an electrifying feeling in her fire.
"You look scared... We've done this before."
"We've never come this deep, Cade. And the door is open. Dora might come in here, and I won't want her to see this."
"Okay...will you be relieved if I close the door?" Isla nodded slowly. Cade went to the door and locked it. He then went back to Isla, who looked at him with a bit more urgency.
Before he could speak, Isla kissed him deep and hard and his hands went to her hips, making her more comfortable on the bed before thrusting into her. She made a soft and harsh moan and Cade leaned closer and drove again.
She felt him harder and felt herself - float.
The continuous thrusts were severe, and her cries made Cade pull to an abrupt stop.
"Are you alright?"
"Hum.." She let out a sound. He felt him go mad and feral, after seeing she really wanted more. Her grip tightened on the sheets, as her sounds felt like hype to Cade.
After the storms of craziness Isla has gone through between her thighs, Cade felt his seed sink into her, letting out a hoarse moan, he fell next to Isla on the bed.
When Isla turned to look at him, she saw sweat dripping down his face.
"I feel bad for you." She laughed hysterically and Cade smiled gently.
She noticed his gaze all over her body and she reached out for the sheets. Cade stopped her.
"Don't. I want to stare at you. You're so beautiful." Isla felt her heart skip and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"This version of you - is my favorite."
"Why are you so sweet?"