"His room is right there." Stacie pointed.
"Okay. You can leave, now. Thanks." Stacie returned to the living room and Isla knocked.
"Who is it?" Isla's heart skipped to hear his voice again.
"Stacie, what do you want from me?"
"It's not Stacie. It's Isla." Cade blinked a few times before jumping out of his bed. He opened the door and as soon as he saw Isla, he felt like time stopped around them. Without hesitation, Isla flew into Cade's arms and he lifted her high above the ground. She was crying in his arms and Cade closed his eyes and allowed Isla to let out her emotions.
"Isla..." He whispered.
"My..my love." She looked at him.
"Why didn't you pick my calls? Why didn't you reply my text messages, huh? Why were you avoiding me?" Isla started hitting Cade. He touched her shoulders and made her sit on his bed.
She admired his room.
The room exuded a sense of refined elegance, with walls painted a soothing shade of light gray. Plush carpeting in a rich charcoal hue covered the floor, complemented by a statement piece of artwork above a sturdy wooden dresser. The bed, adorned with crisp white linens and a few plush pillows, dominated the space.
A sleek, modern desk sat in one corner, clutter-free except for a high-end laptop and a few neatly stacked books. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed natural light to pour in, illuminating the room's tasteful decor. A door led to a spacious en-suite bathroom, featuring sleek fixtures and high-end amenities.
The room's ambiance was one of understated luxury, perfect for relaxation or productivity. Soft lighting, courtesy of table lamps, added warmth and sophistication to the space. Overall, the room reflected the occupant's discerning taste and appreciation for comfort and style.
"Look, Isla. I don't know why you're here."
"You looked so happy to see me. Why are you suddenly sounding this way?"
"Your dad told you never to see me again. What if he finds out you're here?"
"Dad has given us his blessings, Cade!"
"Stop being silly. Did you hear the things he said to me? He believes I'm not worth your time. He believes I'm too poor to give you the best life. He believes I can't take care of you."
"He has apologized for all that."
"And you think I'll just forgive him?"
"Why won't you?"
"Why will I?"
"Cade. Dad didn't mean any of the things he said. He only said it out of anger. He asked me to come here and tell you that we have his blessings!" She squeezed his hand as she was speaking excitedly.
"Okay...."
"I can tell you're still hurt."
"He said so many bad things.."
"It's okay." Isla whispered as she sat on his lap and brushed strands of hair off his face.
"He likes you. He said so many good things about you. He only underestimated you because he thought you'd never get a better job to take care of me. But I believe in you." Cade nodded as he stared at her.
"Thanks."
"For...."
"For coming all the way here just to see me. I thought it was over."
"Was that why you ignored my calls and texts? You thought I wouldn't find a way. I cried a lot, yunno? And Dad couldn't stand it."
"Your makeup doesn't hide it. You have eyebags." He cupped her cheeks.
"So when do you plan to get married to me?"
"What?!" Cade was alarmed and let her face go.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you want us to get married?"
"Yeah but I..."
"Yeah??"
"I mean of course yes I want us to get married. But I don't think I'm ready for that."
"Dad was absolutely right! You don't have any good plans for me." Isla frowned dramatically.
"Hey, don't say that."
"Why don't you want to get married like right now?"
"Firstly, people have no idea we're dating yet. We can't just announce our marriage."
"Okay... Good point. When do you want to let the world know that we love each other?"
"When the Time is right."
"When will the time be right?"
"In a year's time."
"Cade, are you serious? I.. I'll be 34 then!"
"I know. That's the right time for me."
"I disagree. Six months."
"No!!"
"Yes!"
"Okay, nine months. When Julie has her baby shower, we'll announce it then. Is that okay?" Isla thought for a while before nodding.
"Fine." She stole a kiss and tried to run away but Cade pulled her close and cupped her cheeks, crashing his lips on hers, kissing her with a deep strong emotion.
They both went downstairs holding hands and for a second, they forgot Cade's family were there, staring at them with weird faces.
Cade awkwardly pulled away and Isla smiled at them.
"Did Cade get injured? Why were you holding him?" Mr. Hudson asked.
"Well...um..." Cade tried to speak but Isla cut in.
"Actually, Cade and I love each other."
"What?!" The family was alarmed and Cade felt embarrassment wash over him.
"Really? That's big news!" Mrs Hudson and Dora found it a little hard to process the information.
"Cade and I have been dating for a while now. Right?" She gave Cade a loving smile and he rolled his eyes.
"We had a little misunderstanding and I only came to apologize."
"Does that mean you'll be my mum soon?" Dora asked her.
"Yes."
"Cade, is it true?"
"This shouldn't be any surprise to us. We all know Cade working as Isla's house manager was a bad idea in the first place. He has been into you for years!" Stacie told Isla.
"I know. And I'm reciprocating the love. He should be happy about it."
"Let's go talk it out in the dining." Mr. Hudson led the way, still shaken from the news Isla broke.
Isla Sinclair settled into the plush leather seat of her car, dialing her mother's number as she headed to the modeling agency in Mexico. The phone rang a few times before Rhea Sinclair's voice came through, smooth and confident.
"Isla, darling, what's the plan for today?" Rhea asked, her tone dripping with sweetness.
"I'm on my way to the agency." Isla replied, her voice firm. "And I better not see you anywhere near this shoot. I've told you before, it's either me and no one else, or I'm out."
Rhea's laughter echoed through the line. "You're not interested in doing the gig with me? Well, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."
"Let's see what happens..."
Isla arrived at the agency. She strode in, her confidence and poise commanding attention. "I need to meet with the manager immediately," she told the receptionist. "I'm ready to begin the shoot."
The receptionist nodded, her smile warm. "Right this way, Ms. Sinclair. Carmen is waiting for you."
Carmen, the woman who had called Isla about the gig, greeted her warmly. "Isla, lovely to see you! How's your mother doing?"
Isla's expression remained neutral, her gaze flicking past Carmen. "Let's focus on the shoot, shall we?"
Carmen's smile didn't waver. "Of course, dear. Let's get started."
As Isla waited for the manager, refreshments were brought to her – fresh fruit, water, and a selection of teas. An hour passed before she was called to the photo room.
The shoot progressed smoothly, Isla posing and smiling with ease. But as she tried to leave the room, a stunning woman blocked her way. Curly brown hair cascaded down her back, framing her heart-shaped face and plump lips. Her villainous eyes sparkled with amusement, and her curvy shape was evident even under the loose-fitting clothing.
Isla attempted to move past her, but the woman shifted, blocking her path again. Isla's frustration boiled over. "Excuse me, can you please move?" she asked, her voice icy.
The woman folded her arms, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Welcome to Mexico, Isla."
Isla's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
"I'm Talia Hudson," the woman replied, her voice husky. "You must be Isla Sinclair."
Isla's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with the implications of Talia's last name – Hudson. What was the connection?
"Yes, what do you want from me?"
"Do you know who I am?" Talia asked. Isla was getting more and more frustrated.
"Who the hell are you?! Do you want me to call security?"
"Go ahead. Call them. They must be happy to know Isla Sinclair's messing around with my man. It's either you come first and he comes after in all the videos I watch! Why?"
"What man?" Isla pretended not to know what she was talking about.
"What audacity? You think you can just take Cade away from me so easily? Or would you say you don't know Dora's my daughter?"
"You dont deserve Cade and Dora. What kind of a mother leaves her child and runs off with another man? It's absolutely wrong of you! You have no right to stand here and talk about Cade or Dora!" Isla shouted at Talia.
"And what makes you.... Our special advisor? You're only his boss. Why are you getting into his personal life? Don't tell me you guys are dating..." Talia spoke dramatically.
"What did you expect? Do you think Cade will stay heartbroken waiting for you to come back? Of course, Cade and I are official."
"I didn't think Isla Sinclair would be so shameless."
"....,"
"Now that you've met me, and I've done a proper introduction, you better end things with Cade. He is my baby's fucking father."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Whatever is going on between you and Cade Hudson should be put into a halt because I'm fully back to play a motherly role to my daughter."
Isla remained silent, studying her eyes and every word as she spoke and stared venomously.
"If you're done, permit me to get to work." Isla pushed her slightly and walked away.
'Isla Sinclair, what do you think you're doing?'
'Reply my texts right now!'
'I just discovered your things in my house! Are you moving in with us?'
'Stop ignoring my texts!'
"Now you know how it feels when someone ignores you." Isla smiled at his reaction on a video call.
"Why didn't you pick my calls or reply to any of my texts for so long?"
"Did you miss me?" Isla asked cutely.
"Forget that. Why do you have a whole suitcase here?" He questioned.
"Oh, that. Just thought I'd spend a week with my boyfriend."
"What? Don't you need to get home?"
"No. Home's boring. Plus, I don't have plans to move into my house yet."
"I don't think you'll ever be comfortable with Dad, mum, Stacie, Dora... Can't we just meet somewhere else?"
"That was then. Now I'm not afraid of anyone." Isla smiled contently.
"Anything on your mind?"
"Talia Hudson." She blurted out.
"What?"
"Who's Talia Hudson?"
"The girl I met earlier. She's claiming to be...the Talia you spoke to me about."
"She's Talia Evans. How dare she call herself Hudson?"
"I think she lives in Mexico. And probably the person she eloped with then, isn't interested in her anymore. That's why she says she wants to come back to you."
"Isla, are you serious about this?"
"Does it look like I'm kidding?"
Cade ran his fingers through his hair.
"You look hot when you do that."
"Just - quiet, Isla." His harsh voice made Isla a bit, sad and embarrassed.
She noticed he had a very readable expression.
The one woman who made his whole family turn against him, left him with a child and tore his own world was back.
He even had to get a job urgently and started performing fatherly roles and other responsibilities he was never ready for.
The woman who made his sex life come too quickly.
She slid him in bed and took his seed.
She made him regret every bit of his life and made him feel like he wasn't perfect for any woman.
He took him from his life of daydreaming and pure fantasy, into something he was never ready for.
Meeting her was his biggest mistake in life.
And now, she was back - to wreck the life he thought he was finally having without interruption.
The life of his dreams.
The life to wake up everyday with Isla Sinclair by his side.
The life everyone thought were just hidden deep in his thoughts.
"Does she know we're dating?"
"I told her."
"Isla! You shouldn't have!" He yelled.
"Why? Why is it so wrong that I told her? If I didn't, she'd have just flew to Hollywood to disrupt our lives."
"I don't want Talia Evans to harm you, that's all."
"She can never harm me. Don't you know who I am? Isla Mirabelle Sinclair. If she touches me, she'll get burnt." Isla boasted.
"Do you think you're more than enough to protect yourself? I know what length Talia can go to get what she wants. I don't want you to get involved - ever. So please, as long as you're in Mexico, try to keep at arm's length with her. Please."
"Fine." Isla pouted.
"I'll call you much later."
"Hey, Jules!"
"Hi Isla, what's poppin'?" They exchanged pleasantries as they stared at each other's smiley faces on their laptops.
"How's the shoot going?"
"Pretty well."
"Did Rhea Sinclair show up?" Julie asked.
"Nope. But someone worse came."
"Worse? Who could be worse than Rhea Sinclair?" Julie was curious.
"It's no other person but Cade's - daughter's mom."
"What the heck? What the fuck does she want? After leaving her daughter to start a new life with some freak? After making Dora lack motherly love for six years? Why is she back? I want to meet her and give her a piece of my mind, huh!" Julie was enraged.
"She says she's back to fulfill her motherly roles to her daughter. What kind of a mother comes back after six years? She didn't even turn back to ask how her daughter has been living!" Isla was irritated.
"Motherly roles? I hope it has nothing to do with your boyfriend."
"Julie, I hope you know that Talia and Cade have this child together. Of course she asked me to end things with her baby daddy?"
"Shit. Did you tell her you were Cade's girlfriend?"
"I did." Julie's eyes widened and her hands flew to her open mouth.
"Girl, you really shouldn't have. You'll be her target."
"I really don't care! I just don't want her anywhere near Cade or Dora! She doesn't deserve any of them!" Isla yelled.
"You know what, Isla. Just finish your shoots and come home as soon as possible. This girl will come after you and won't spare you for dating Cade."
"Well, I'm ready to face her!"
"I bet you'll lose."
"Julie, don't you even believe in me? What if Lucas' ex was back and she wanted you and your pregnancy out of the picture? Wouldn't you fight for the man you love?" Isla threw the question to Julie.
"Isla, don't use Lucas for instances. Listen to what I've said."
"Who are you here to meet with?"
"Rhea Sinclair." Talia replied with an expressionless look on her face. The workers let her in, and led her to Rhea's dressing room where she had a long closet of clothes, shoes, jewellery and bags. She spotted Rhea choosing a dress.
"Thank you." Talia thanked Rhea's workers and they left.
"Good day, Miss. Rhea Sinclair." She approached Rhea and she scanned Talia from head to toe.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"
"Haven't you heard of Talia Evans? The lead model for KillerNails?" Talia flaunted her sharp and well painted nails.
"I've heard of KillerNails. Why did you come into my house unannounced? There's no gig for you around here. I'm a busy model who came to Mexico for a shoot, which I'm supposed to be featuring in a magazine with my daughter, but I'm not quite interested, so I'm staying back and waiting for her to finish her shoots."
"Your daughter must be Isla Sinclair."
"Are you pretending not to know that?! Please tell me why you're in my house or else I'll throw you out like trash!" Rhea snarled.
"All I'm here for is to give my word to your daughter. Tell her to stay away from my baby's daddy. We loved each other and because of a misunderstanding, we fought and I had to leave for years. Now that I'm back, that bitch is telling me I don't deserve them! Where was she when Cade and I got into the mess with Dora?" Talia thundered.
Rhea felt sorry for her.
"Sad story, isn't? Don't you worry. I'll call my daughter and I'll give her the warning."
"By the way, I'll like to work with KillerNails."
"If I eliminate Isla Sinclair, will you talk to your society about me?"