"Dora is a girl who has been in Hollywood for six years. Why are you suddenly trying to show her love she doesn't need? She doesn't need your money, Isla."
"But she likes me."
"I can see she likes you. Don't hurt my daughter. Stop this emotional thingy. We all know celebrities and how they use fans to become a hot topic on social media." Isla smirked at his words.
"You're unbelievable, Cade. Once you act like you're so understanding, again you act as though you've been possessed." Isla walked out on him plainly.
Isla tossed and turned on the bed, recalling her dad's words again.
Cade was playing difficult.
As Mr. Sinclair said, she had to devise another means to get what she wanted. She needed Cade so much.
For her desires, her career and her reputation. She had enough of fans questioning her on why she had such a messed up life.
She had an opportunity, and she had to hold on tight. Her phone buzzed under the sheets and she jolted back to reality. She smiled at the caller id.
"Hey Dad." She made a sad sound.
"Isla dear, how have you been?"
"I...I don't know what to say. Your house manager is CRAZY." She emphasized.
"What?" Mr Sinclair was shocked.
"Cade is a calm and cool guy. He's caring and honest too. He's the direct opposite of whatever you think. Wait, did you even talk to him?"
"C'mon Dad. Its been four months. Of course we could have discussed. Cade is rude, grumpy and he's very difficult to relate with."
"I don't understand what you mean by 'difficult to relate with'."
"I pour all my feelings to him sometimes. I tell him everything I had with Brian. And he understands. He tries to console me. He cares for me too, but he isn't free to discuss with me. He's always holding back when it comes to his private life. He has a daughter, and I badly want to bond with her. She's so pretty and looks so ambitious. I want to inspire her. But he isn't letting me." Isla complained to her dad.
"Is that why you called him rude and grumpy?"
"Yes Dad." Isla grumbled. Mr. Sinclair was silent for few seconds before he continued,
"Do you like him?"
"Sorry??" Isla pretended not to hear that.
"Do you like Cade?"
"No, Dad. You know I love Brian too much to let another man, in here." She touched her chest.
"You're wrong, Isla. Cade might not take Brian's place, but will create his own space in your heart. I believe that strongly." Mr. Sinclair added.
"Don't say that."
"Isla, let me say it. Are you gonna die as Brian's widow? Huh? Are you gonna let everyone continue with their criticism? You are a celebrity, Isla. And you should do what your fans want. They want you to give marriage another try."
"I love my job and I won't let anything stop me from being comfortable doing it. But marriage, I've had enough of nightmares called men like Jake Hollidae and Nigel Gerard."
"Isla - "
"Goodnight, Dad. I'll call you tomorrow." Isla hung up. When she tried to catch some sleep, her phone rang again.
"Who the hell is this?" Isla cursed and was confused to see an unknown number.
"Hello? Hello?"
"Isla Hollidae, babe!"
"Jake??" Isla yelled.
"What do you have to say? Why did you call me? I thought I deleted your contact and strictly warned you never to call me again. I thought we were divorced. Why are you calling me that stupid last name?" Isla thundered.
"Isla, you're screaming. Its 1am."
"I know, that's why I'm asking you what you have to say."
"I just missed you, and I want us to meet tomorrow at any restaurant near you. Some of our wedding pictures were posted today by a fan." Jake smirked.
"I don't have any business with you or your ridiculous fan. I'm not your wife anymore. I'll hang up now, and don't you dare try to ring me, from now, till your unfortunate life ends, you scoundrel!" Isla warned him with gritted teeth.
"How dare you insult me?"
"Jake Hollidae, leave me alone. I'm not interested in you, and we're not meeting at a restaurant."
"You don't wanna make fans discuss how they spotted Isla Sinclair with her ex having juice at a classy restaurant? Isla, what happened years ago with Margaret and I, is not really what you think. I love you, Isla. I still love you and I'm ready to take care of you in the very best way. Give me a chance, babe."
"Shut up, Jake! You don't know how ridiculous you sound. And do you want to hear it? I hate you."
"C'mon Isla, hate is a strong word."
"I'm using it on you because I really do hate you. I despise you. You disgust me. You said this times without number when we were married. Let me tell you, I have another chance to fall in love, and it has happened again. There's a guy I like, caring, understanding, loving, friendly, mention any good attribute. And to talk about his physical features, gawd! He's damn sexier than you are."
"That's a lie."
"Its not. I can send pictures. I've moved on, and I want you to do the same. Its for the best. Goodbye." Isla hung up angrily.
Isla woke up on the ground the next day. She was famished and felt a bit miserable. She was waking up another night without Brian by her side. And recalling Jake's words, made her feel even more irritated with herself.
She heard Dora's voice in the passageway and sprang out of bed. She completely forgotten she had just a clear white linen petticoat and a singlet on.
"Hey, Dora!" She waved and Dora ran towards her.
"Hey, Isla! Your house is really big, I couldn't find my Dad." Dora complained.
"Aww. Are you sad about it?" Dora nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry. You know what, let's forget about your Dad for now. Would you like to see my legendary outfit collection?" Isla asked her with a gentle smile. Dora gasped in disbelief.
"You have the latest brand?"
"Hm hm." Isla replied with a nod.
"Let's go see it!" They ran to the room with giggles.
A woah escaped Dora's lips, as they checked out closets filled with dresses, crop tops, baggy jeans, shirts, shoes and expensive jewellery.
"Are these real diamonds, gold and silver?" Dora asked Isla curiously.
"Of course they are."
"How do you get these beautiful outfits?"
"From our modeling society. Our models use these." Isla tried to explain to Dora.
"But if you have these precious stones and elegant dresses, why didn't you win the Interstate Fashion Showcase? Natasha won it instead." Isla hissed. She felt embarrassed.
Isla knelt down to face Dora and started whispering.
"I'll tell you a secret. Natasha Jackson isn't the right winner of that showcase. It was me. There was a misunderstanding."
"But no one will believe that." Dora folded her arms.
"They won't, but you do. Right?" Dora smiled shyly.
"I believe in you, Isla. I know you can achieve anything. You're much better than Natasha or any other model."
"Oh, thank you, thank you, Dora. These are the most important words anyone ever told me." Isla was teary-eyed.
"You killed the runway showcase, anyway." Cade's words played in Isla's head and it made her blush. Only if Cade wasn't so pathetic.
As Isla and Dora walked out of the room chatting, they saw Cade dusting some tables.
"Dad!!" Dora ran to him and hugged him tightly.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, my sweet angel. Did you sleep well after I tucked you?" Dora nodded.
"I slept very well, Dad. The bed was very comfortable."
"I had aches all night." Cade lamented to his daughter.
Isla walked in to their discussion.
"Uhm...I have a room for Dora. You won't have to sleep on the floor anymore."
"I'm not sure she'll like it there - "
"She'll love it. It has a Playstation, Barbie house, teddy bears and it has a claw machine too. She could win gifts IN HER ROOM. Wouldn't that be fun?" She caught Cade trying to take his eyes off her.
"Please Dad. Let me use the room." Dora pleaded and Cade smiled at her.
"Anything for you, sweetie." Dora rejoiced and asked Isla for directions. She replied her, and Dora didn't wait a second before dashing upstairs.
"Why are you so caring towards my daughter?" Cade asked Isla. She frowned.
"Its just a simple question."
"I like her. She reminds me of my younger self." Isla replied.
"Very well, then. I'm not annoyed. I just thought you were doing what every celebrity does – using everything as an opportunity to get what you want." Isla moved a bit closer to Cade.
"What do you think I want?" She spoke softly.
"Whatever. You're making the breakfast yourself today. Let Dora have a taste of your magic hands."
"Hmmm, magic hands indeed!" Isla exclaimed and walked into the kitchen. Cade followed.
"I heard what you said to Mr. Hollidae last night." Isla stopped.
"What?"
"Yeah. About the new guy you liked."
"Oh. That." Isla blushed.
"I hope you were not referring to me there."
"Excuse me???" Isla looked into his eyes before letting out a high pitched laughter of mockery.
"Are you serious?"
"This is crazy!" She couldn't control her laughter and fell to the ground.
"Okay, okay..." She crawled to a drawer and took out a glass. She poured herself a glass of water and gulped it slowly. Cade just kept a plain stare. He thought she was going to make him feel disgraced like every other celebrity he had seen online.
Her first husband was Jake Hollidae, whose dad was an entrepreneur, and mom, the owner of a popular mall in Seattle.
Her second husband was Nigel Gerard, a multi-millionaire.
Brian, her third husband was born to parents in the medical line. His dad owned the biggest hospital in the city. What will someone like Isla Sinclair, a high class girl be doing with Cade Hudson, who was just moderately rich?
Isla was everything he needed. Beautiful, intelligent, bold, and had this body, lips that could tempt any man. But he could never have her. He always held back. The Isla who appeared bold was also weak. He didn't want to drag her into anything she wouldn't like.
"How did you get me?"
"Of course I was referring to you, who else?" It was like a bomb dropped before Cade.
"Are you drunk?" He said in disbelief.
"I'm alright, Cade. If I didn't say all those nice things about you, Jake would keep calling to bother me. Its not like those things are even true." Isla rolled her eyes. Cade chuckled softly.
"Is that so?"
"I like you." Isla sounded soft, barely above a whisper.
"Isla look. In four years, you've had two failed marriages. Men has criticized you so much. And currently, you're finding it difficult to forget your dead husband. Why are you putting yourself in pressure with another man?"
"Is that the reply to my confession?" Isla moved closer to him, such that they were inches apart.
"There's something you're not telling me."
"Isla, there is nothing. Cook breakfast – my daughter must be starving." Cade walked out of the kitchen.
After breakfast that day, Isla was up to a game. Between the hours of 9am-12pm, Isla was walking around with a black string bra and shorts, covered with a white jacket, 'inspecting' the house. She added lipstick, did her nail art and even called for a spa treatment.
"Isla Sinclair, what are you doing?" Cade was surprised.
"Making myself hotter for you." Isla winked seductively and Cade rolled his eyes.
"You're just impossible." Cade left her standing there. The next day, she was almost naked with just a net string hanging over her boobs.
"Isla, what are you wearing? This is a bad influence to my daughter!" Cade yelled at her.
"Oops." Isla chuckled cheekily.
"I'll go change.." She walked slowly into her bedroom, not taking her eyes off Cade.
Few months passed, and the year was almost ending. Dora was permanently living with Cade and Isla, and had the best care!
She was taken to school by luxurious cars, had new set of outfits every week and visited amusement parks and tourist centers more frequent than the restroom. Cade felt that Dora was becoming more of a spoiled brat.
"Hey, whatcha doing?" Isla walked behind Cade while he was in front of the television with the remote.
"As you can see, trying to watch my favorite show." He paused a little before saying,
"I'm glad you stopped wearing all that crap. It doesn't suit your personality."
"Really? But I'm a model." Isla laughed.
"I mean, your inner self." She shrugged.
"Indeed."