Isabelle’s mind wandered to the call she had taken the previous night. Rachael had clearly stated that any act of procrastination could jeopardize all their pain-staked plans. She needed to be determined and decisive. The clock was ticking, the agreed time for their meeting was fast approaching. She hadn’t been out of her room since she woke up. Anastasia had reluctantly brought her breakfast to her doorstep. The girl was such an amateur to think she could rule above the lady of the house. She was bound to be doomed.
As Isabelle walked silently to the living room, all dressed and ready for her outing, she heard the sound of giggling from the kitchen. No matter how much she wanted to mind her business, she was compelled to check the source of the sound.
“He’s god damn handsome. I want him but I need to get rid of his fiancee” These were the words that penetrated Isabelle’s ears as she walked into the kitchen. Anastasia was on a call and failed to notice her presence, so she continued to speak. “Their relationship is not that good so I think I have a chance. Only a disabled man would resist someone like me”
She wasn’t boasting, she was truly endowed with an hourglass shape, which was a huge contrast to Isabelle’s which was the perfect shape for a model. Her voluptuous breast was in dosage with her age.
The moment she was done with the call, Isabelle retreated and pretended to have just visited the place.
“I’m heading out. I would be back just in time for dinner” Isabelle said with much tentativeness. She didn’t think she needed to inform her but she had to. She was unpredictable, her obsession could make her do stupid things.
A fake smile curved on Anastasia’s lips as she spoke” No problem, Isabelle* she purposefully called her by her name to let her know her dislike. “I’ll be waiting for you… How about your hands?”
Isabelle could sense the sarcasm and hatred in Anastasia’s tone. What did she do exactly?… “It’s fine, thank you”
As she turned her back against Anastasia, she could feel the penetrating stare directed at her back. She feared to turn back to see the expression on the maid’s face. She knew she couldn’t afford to underestimate her so she had to tread cautiously.
Jealousy brewed up in her heart as she recalled the words she had heard from women covering her fiance. She wasn’t going to let her have him even if she couldn’t have him herself. She needed a plan to get rid of her. Before she could step out of the house, the voice of her mother-in-law echoed through the walls of the house.
She wanted to ignore her but she was Liam’s mother. “Good morning” she greeted immediately their eyes met. But as usual, the woman responded with a scornful look.
Lately, she’s been strangely affectionate to Anastasia like a mother would act to her biological daughter. But Anastasia was no daughter of hers, just a stranger whom she just met.
“Good morning Aunty” Anastasia was grinning from ear to ear. They were so close that she could use the word ‘aunty’. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did, my dear” Rose replied with an elaborated happiness. “I’m quite famished. Is breakfast ready?”
“Of course, Aunty” Anastasia nodded in affirmation. “I also made your favorite tea, the one you said you loved dearly
“Oh! You’re such an angel” Rose cupped Anastasia’s hands in her and then increased the tone of her voice. “If only my son could find a woman as doting as you are… But he’s blinded by a lazy one”
Rose threw a glance at Isabelle’s spot, but she was already gone. Her expression turned sour at this realization, her words were meant to attack Isabelle but it was useless now.
Rose had noticed the dreamy expression on Anastasia’s face when she caught sight of Liam. She knew was obsessed with him and decided to use it to her advantage. She could use her to get rid of Isabelle, and when she was of no importance to her anymore, she would be discarded like the trash she was.
****
Sitting across a table close to the window of a small-scale restaurant that Rachael had chosen for their meeting, Isabelle imagined the expression on Rose’s face when she noticed her absence. She wasn’t ready for her words of disdain at the start of a new day so she took her interaction with Anastasia as an opportunity to escape.
She couldn’t stand and watch those two people belittle her and tamper with her property. Liam belonged to her. But her act of betrayal was fighting against her making her feel less worthy of him. So, she had painfully chosen an option, regardless of the consequences of losing the man she loved. She wanted to fight but can she win the battle?….
“Isabelle” a female figure walked upright to her in a rough suit that told the story of her hectic day at work. She sighed in exasperation”I’m sorry I’m late, I got held up by the work that was piled up during my absence”
Isabelle tried to gather her thoughts the moment she heard her name” Oh! Rachael, it’s fine. I just got here myself”
“Are you okay?…. You look more down than the last time I saw you” Rachael asked with a concerned tone as she detected the fading wrinkles on Isabelle’s forehead.
“Yeah… I’m good” Isabelle responded with a forced smile on her lips before a thought came to her mind. “Um… Rachael, did you boss plant another spy in my house, anyone by the name ‘Anastasia’?”
“No” Rachael shook her head in denial. “From the information I gathered today, Penelope was the last spy he used. Is this Anastasia a new maid?”
“Yes, she is”Isabelle sighed in frustration as she recalled the words she heard from her. “She wants Liam and Liam’s mother is in full support of her. She detests women of lowly status, I wonder why she’s so attracted to Anastasia. It’s really strange”
“You can’t say, Isabelle. Liam got his manipulative skills from his mother, his father was quite the gentle one, the more reason why he was used” Rachael explained.
“So, you mean. Rose is using her?” Isabelle’s lips pouted in surprise. “I thought as much. But how do you know so much about Liam’s family?”
“I work for his rival, remember?” Rachael said. “Now let’s go straight to the point, what’s your choice?”