Chapter 5 What's Wrong

Isabella's POV:

The rest of the day went by without a hitch, and before I knew it, I was clocking out of work. I checked the time- four in the afternoon.

Grabbing my phone, I sent a quick text to the one person that could help me out of my misery.

Me: Cas? Are you free?

I tidied up my table then snatched my purse off the desk. Slipping into my coat, I pushed my hair back. I was already halfway out of the building when a message notification popped up on my screen.

Casperella: My place or yours?

Me: Mine.

Casperella: Anything I should bring?

Me: Just your pajamas and sleepover kit.

Casperella: Sounds like a date.

Entering my car, I drove down to my apartment.

***

A short nap and a hot shower later, I headed down to the kitchen to get started with some muffins.

My wavy hair was rolled up into a messy bun and I was in a gray off-shoulder crop top, with matching leggings. Mixing the flour batter in a bowl, I added a good amount of yeast and covered the mixture, leaving it to rise for a few minutes on the kitchen counter.

Plopping down on the sofa, I flipped through the channels as I tried desperately to clear my mind off the details of my day.

How could my life have changed so dramatically within the span of twenty-four hours!

Finding it pointless, I decided to scroll through my phone instead.

Ding dong

Hearing the doorbell, I rushed to open the door. Casperella, dressed in casual jeans with a plain white top and a brown leather jacket, stood smiling at me as I ushered her in.

"Hey bitch." she greeted, coming in for a hug, to which I obliged.

"Hey queen bitch!" I laughed giving her a light kiss on the cheek. Casperella Dominguez had been my best friend since 9th grade.

Being the loner with the braces, glasses and flushed cheeks, I was a pretty good target for the bullies at Eastview High. That was until, the new badass girl stepped in for me and stood up to my bullies. Shocked, I thanked her profusely. It was the first time anyone had ever fought for me.

I couldn't tell my Dad that I was being bullied because I didn't want to worry him any further. He was already doing more than enough for me. Waving aside my gratitude, Casperella and I had quickly hit it off. I never got bullied again and we had been on a rollercoaster of our fair share of ups and downs, laughters and tears.

I walked to the kitchen to finish up with my muffins, making way for her to enter. She was holding two grocery bags along with her sleepover kit which majorly consisted of her bath stuff, her hair products and other sleeping necessities.

She dumped the bags on the counter as I tucked the muffins into the oven. Rummaging through the shopping bags, I found the contents to be chips and Doritos. This girl was a life saver.

"I love you!" I could almost feel myself shedding tears of joy as I sent her playful air kisses. She knew me so well.

She chuckled, swatting me away. "Yeah yeah, I love me too."

"Where are we on Ryan?" I asked, wiggling my brows suggestively.

"Oh god– No. We're nowhere!" She squealed, blushing crimson instantly.

"You sure? You seem to be turning such a beautiful shade of red if it's nothing Cassie." I laughed, reveling in her obvious embarrassment.

"Shut up. I hate you." She turned even redder.

"We both know you can't do without me darling." I said, giving her a wink.

Ryan was the new guy she had met recently. Based on her description, he seemed like a perfect gentleman. One that seemed to rock her world even faster than the others had. She didn't want to rush into anything so fast, after the last guy had broken her heart.

Beep beep!

The oven beeped, alerting me that my muffins were ready. Wearing a mitten, I brought them out, carefully placing them on the counter to cool for a bit.

"So.. Spill the beans!" I nudged my best friend.

We spent the next hour in my room, eating muffins and munching on chips as she updated me about her love life.

Funny that I never really had one.. Until now.

Eventually, Cassie looked straight at me with a concerned look in her eyes.

"Bella? What's wrong?" It still surprised me how easily she could read me.

Was I really that transparent?

"Whatever do you mean Cassie?" I grinned, shooting her an incredulous look. Hoping she won't see past it.

"Cut the crap Bella, tell me what's wrong." She pressed. Again, this girl knew me so well.

"I-" I opened my mouth to tell her about the marriage contract with my boss, but then shut it back, remembering a clause in the contract:

Full confidentiality must be maintained all through the duration of this marriage.

I found it hard to keep anything from her, but for the sake of my father, I had to.

Instead, I opted to tell her about how my father's declining health was silently wrecking me. Before I knew it, I was a sobbing mess in her hands.

Comforting me, she said "You know what you need? A drink."

"A drink isn't always the solution Cassie." I rolled my eyes, sniffling.

"Not always, but it is, in this situation. Get dressed. We're going out." She folded her arms-her classic 'No Argument' look.

Sighing, I said "Okay, but you're dressing me up."

"Always a pleasure Isa. Now head on to the shower!" She chuckled, shooing me away.

Soon, we were both dressed and she got down to my make up.

"...and done! Voila!" She twirled my revolving chair to the mirror.

I gasped, barely recognizing the girl staring back at me. "You are a sorceress. Thank you so much Cassie!"

"You're welcome bitch. Let's go!" She said, dragging us down to her car.

Few minutes later, we found ourselves at the front door of another club, down in Las Vegas. Zouik Nightclub was the name

Walking inside the dimly lit building, we got a few stares. Some awestruck, some dirty, some lustful.

Brushing it aside, Cassie and I ordered our drinks as we talked about anything and everything. Soon we were a giggling, drunken mess. Luckily I could hold my own achohol, so I was able to keep track of the men that approached us in a funny attempt to hit on us.

But then, being partially sober had it's down sides, because, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched, as well as the feeling of dread that came over me.

Unable to control myself anymore, I gave into the feeling of paranoia and scoured the room. My eyes only stopping when they landed on a pair of murderous grey eyes,

Xander's.