Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Isabella's pov;

"What is this?" Big brother asked me when I handed over the business plan to him.

"It's my business plan for my restaurant."

"You already prepared a plan?"

"Yup! As soon as I graduate, I'm going to work on my restaurant dream. Take a look at it and give me a review."

While he was looking at the business plan, Mr Martinez came downstairs.

"Mr Johnson!" He called out Big brother.

I said to Big brother, "Sit down, I'll take care of it. You sit and continue reading my business plan."

I walked to Mr Martinez and asked him, "What do you want, Mr Martinez?"

"I didn't call you. I called Mr Johnson. What is he doing?"

"He...is looking through my business plan."

"Business plan?"

"The restaurant. I wrote down some points so he's reviewing it for me."

"Why didn't you show it to me?"

Before I answered it, my big brother came with my business plan and said to Mr Martinez, "She will show you for sure because she wrote down your name under the investor."

Mr Martinez asked, "Investor?"

I said, "Yeah, you mentioned in the contract that you will give money for my restaurant startup. Did you forget that?"

"I remember."

Big brother, "Five years contract?"

I said, "Didn't you know that? I thought you would have known it since you know everything about Mr Martinez." I turned to Mr Martinez and asked, "Can I tell him about it?"

Mr Martinez nodded and walked to the kitchen.

I said to Big brother, "I signed a five years contract with him, if i wasn't successful in running my restaurant dream, i… I have to marry him in return. In the meantime, I should give the compensation money which is ten million dollars and the startup money he's going to lend me from my restaurant's profit income."

"What if you can't be successful? Are you going to marry him in the end? I mean… I'm glad when you get together but getting married because of some defeat, does it sound okay to you?"

"Who's saying that I'm going to get defeated, big brother. I will run my business successfully and will return his money back to him before the contract ends."

"When did you sign the contract?"

"When I started college."

"That means you will have two years after graduation. Do you think you will succeed in those two years?"

"Why are you asking so many questions? Didn't I say that I will win for sure. By the way, did you review my business plan?"

I took the plan from him and walked to the couch and sat on it. I saw some mistakes here and there which were corrected by my big brother. I think I have to redo it again.

Mr Martinez called out my name.

I walked in the direction of his voice and found him at the dining table.

He asked, "Did you eat?" And sat at the dining table.

I nodded and sat in front of him and asked, "Do you know any popular places in Santa Rosa?"

"For your restaurant?"

"Yup! I need my restaurant to be easily seen by everyone. I don't want people to get lost while they are looking for my restaurant so I want it to be on the main Street or on the popular street."

"Then you have to try the tales street, it was one of the popular streets since it was divided into many popular cafes and restaurants."

"Tales… I think I heard about this before… yeah! I got it! There was a restaurant on that street which belonged to my friend's parents. He said his parents are taking care of that restaurant."

"What is this friend's name? Do I know him?"

"No, you don't. His name is Jeremy Johnson."

"Is Johnson his surname?"

"No, it's Williams."

"Williams?... Was the diner named JP?"

"How did you know the diner? Did you eat there?"

"Mr Williams doesn't only have that one restaurant, he has branch restaurants in Santa Rosa and also in other parts of California. He's quite popular in restaurant business."

"Wow. He's good. I was inspired when I heard about him. I want to be like him. To be known among rich people. I want my restaurant to be popular like his restaurant too."

"Haven't you met him? You said he's your friend's father."

"When we went to eat along with Jose, Tracy, and Jeremy, he invited us to his house but I was in a hurry so I left early."

He gave a nod and continued eating his breakfast.

Mr Martinez said, "I'll be going to los Angeles tonight so don't go anywhere and be home. If you go anywhere, be back before 8."

"When will you return?"

"Two days from today."

"Okay."

"Mr Johnson will be here to look out for you. And, if you want anything ask Chuck. He'll get it done for you. Take Mateo with you, if you're going out."

I nodded and said, "Got it! Don't forget to buy sweets for me this time."

"What do you want?"

"Panda donut, cheese rolls, macarons, s'mores bars, salted caramel pecan pie…"

"Wait, send me a message, I'll buy it for you while returning."

"Okay. Got it!"

Big brother asked, "Do you think you'll finish everything?"

"It's sweets. It'll last for days… so I'll eat it one by one slowly and happily."

He patted my head and asked, "Why are you craving sweets so much? What if you get tooth decay?"

"I won't!" And gave a stare at him.

I asked Mr Martinez, "When will you be leaving?"

"Afternoon flight."

I nodded and continued discussing my restaurant plan with Big brother.

In the night,

After Big brother left home, I sat in front of the house to get fresh hair from outside. The sky was cloudy but it wasn't raining yet. Did Mr Martinez reach Los Angeles by now?

Chuck asked, "What are you doing in here?"

I signalled him to sit beside me while saying, "Take a seat."

He sat and asked, "Can't sleep?"

"Yes. What about you? Why are you still awake?"

"I came to close the doors."

"Oh… Chuck, why are you still single? Don't you want to have a family on your own?"

"It doesn't work for me."

"Why are you saying that? You won't know until you try it."

"What if I don't like it after I try it, can I leave it as it is?"

I smiled and said, "Did someone break your heart?"

He stared at me and said, "How many times do I have to tell you that I haven't dated anyone before then how will someone break my heart?"

"You never dated anyone. You don't like to be in relationships. Then are you going to be like this forever?"

"What's wrong with being alone? It's fun actually. It's like I'm living my life on my own. No commitments. No regrets."

"I think if i continue listening to you, I'll become like you too."

He laughed and said, "Bella, I have to talk to you about something."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I heard while you were talking to Mr Johnson about the contract."

"Yeah?"

He asked, "Are you going to leave the house once you gave the money back? Aren't you going to be here?"

"That's what was mentioned in the contract."

"Did it say you have to leave the house?"

"Um… not exactly. But it was something like that."

"Don't think I'm speaking for Mr Martinez since I'm working here. He's really happy now. I never seen him being this happy before. To be honest, I never saw him smile at anyone since he was tight lipped all the time. But now, after you came to this house, he started smiling, laughing and talking. He talks to us like how every normal person would do. That was because of you. I think he made an agreement in order to not let you go."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean… Who can run a successful restaurant in two years? Being a new restaurant, you don't survive there long. I think that's why Mr Martinez asked you to sign a five years contract when you started college."

"No, he was just giving me a push for my dream. He would be proud if i make out successfully in the restaurant business. What about you? Do you think I can't do it?"

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"That means i can't. Chuck, thank you for worrying about me but trust me. I can do this."

"So you're going to move out of this house once you gave the money to Mr Martinez?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Don't ask me again. I may change my mind. And, don't tell anyone about this."

"Don't be worried. I won't tell anyone." He patted my head and said, "I don't know how to say this but i don't want you to leave the house."

"You're asking me to stay for him?"

"Not just for him. Everyone in the house changed because of you. Starting from me. We as workers don't speak to Mr Martinez or Mr Johnson out of work. But take a look, I'm sitting beside you and speaking to you informally."

"Chuck, Don't speak like I'm from a rich background. I'm like you too. I was once a part-timer too."

After a while,

I came to my room after a long talk with Chuck. He's the only person I share everything with because he doesn't tell anyone even if I badmouth Mr Martinez. He was like my new friend, and he listened to my story when I got tired of explaining everything for the millionth time. It wasn't like I had a problem talking about my feelings. I was fine expressing myself through stories or just talking out loud without really saying anything. It made me feel a lot better when I talked about something that bothered me. But Chuck? He was different. He never judged or told me it was stupid no matter what I was trying to say. If anything, he would encourage me more than anyone else in the house. But it wasn't easy to open up with Chuck in the beginning because he was a tightlipped guy.

I let out a yawn and dropped on the bed. I got a call from someone. I picked up my phone and saw it was Julian.

“Hello?”

"We're standing in front of the house. Come out."

"Where did you say you were?"

"In front of your house."

"What do you mean 'we' ?"

"Carlos, Leah, Gia, Jack and me."

I ended the call and came downstairs and knocked on Chuck's door and waited for him to open it.

He opened the door and asked, "What is it?"

"My friends are waiting for me in front of the house.?"

He rubbed his eyes and asked, "I don't get it."

"My friends are asking me to go out with them."

"To where?"

"Nearby club."

He walked to the front door and opened it. He asked the guards to allow my friends inside the gate.

I saw my friends walking towards the house and waved at me.

Chuck asked them, "Where are you going?"

Julian said, "FI club."

"How are you going?"

Carlos said, "I bought a car. I'll take everyone in it."

"Wait." Chuck walked into the house.

Julian asked, "Where is he going?"

I shrugged my shoulders and asked, "Why did you bring the whole gang?"

"More the merrier."

I looked at Leah and asked, "Leah, how are you?"

Leah, "I'm good. Your house looks big."

"Come inside and have a look."

"Can I?"

"Yeah. Come on, I'll show you around."

We walked to my front door and she said, "Oh, you got a nice place. It's bigger than we thought."

"Well, thanks! And it isn't really mine," I said as I opened the door, "It's Alexander's."

She followed me into my house while asking, "How many rooms does this house have?"

"Five bedrooms, Three guest rooms, Two study rooms."

After Leah entered the house, I told others, "What are you guys doing? Come inside."

Everyone entered the house and looked around.

Jack, "Bella! This house looks big.

"Yeah."

"hey! We have a gaming room on the third floor. Wanna check out?"

Leah asked, "You have a gaming room?"

"Yes, he installed it last year. Come with me, I'll show you." I turned to others and asked, "Who's coming with me?"

Everyone looked at each other's faces and nodded in the end.

I showed them the main rooms, kitchen, dining room table, living room area and bathroom before taking her upstairs to the gaming room.

I took everyone on the third floor. Jack asked me about Mr Martinez's working space so I said, "It's Mr… Alexander's office room. Gaming room is over there."

"Having a gaming room beside the working space?'

"Actually, he installed it with soundproof."

When we entered the gaming room,

Jack, "What the f*ck!"

Julian hit him on his head and said, "Watch your language."

Jack, "Bella! This looks awesome! Do you play here everyday?"

"Not everyday, only on weekends."

Jack, "Can I?"

"Go on."

Carlos asked me, "What about me?"

"Whoever wants to play, just go on and play."

After a while, Chuck knocked on the door and came inside after I answered. He gave a car key and said, "Don't squeeze in. Take another car and go."

"I don't know how to drive."

Gia said, "I know. I can take them."

Chuck nodded to Gia and gave the key to her and said to me, "Don't make it late."

"Okay."

After coming out of the house, Carlos, Tracy and Julian in a car and Gia, Jack and I in another car.

Chuck shouted, "Get home quickly!"

I shouted back, "Okay." While we're passing through the gate.

While driving, jack asked me, "What is Chuck's role?"

"He's Alexander's bodyguard but he also takes care of the house and us so he's staying with us."

We went to a nearby club. The one that was always crowded, full of teenagers and drunk teens. It was a good place for you to meet girls, but not quite the best for boys. It had been there longer than most clubs, probably, and they didn’t have the reputation as “bad” places yet.

I never really understood why people went there. There we saw a group of friends, all gathered together on the dance floor in a circle. They were dancing with each other and laughing loudly. We didn’t have much to do so we decided to join them. It felt like a strange experience at first but we enjoyed it.

After dancing for a long time, we came back to our table and started drinking a glass of wine. I shouted, "I'm feeling alive!"

Jack, "Keep it down!" And drank from his glass.

Leah asked me, "Are you trying to get drunk?"

My phone rang. I ignored it and continued drinking my drink.

Leah, "Hey, you're phone's ringing. Who's muscular money bag?"

"Sh*t! Give me that."

I took the phone from Leah and came to the restroom and washed my face and answered, "Mr Martinez?"

"I thought you would have slept by now."

"I was about to. Have you reached?"

"Yes, I'm in the hotel room. Did you had dinner?"

"Yeah…"

"What did you have?"

"Um… chiken… chicken pasta."

"Did Kirk prepare it?"

Usually, he ends the call quickly but why is he talking to me so long today?

"No, I did it. Chuck helped me."

"Okay."

"Bye."

"Where are you?"

"At house…"

"Why does it sound different?"

I walked into the private restroom and said, "What does it sound like?"

"I don't hear anything now."

"I'm feeling sleepy. Can I go to sleep, Mr Martinez?"

"Isabella, why do you sound different…"

I ended the call because I got nervous. Did he find out? No, he can't. How can he find out?

I came to where my friends were seated. My friends were already drunk when I came back from the restroom. They are sitting on their couches, drinking beer cans and talking about stupid things that don't matter.

"Guys! I'm leaving to the house. Gia can you drop me?"

She stood up.

"Wait, how will you return after dropping me at the house?" While she was thinking, I said, "I'll take the cab."

"What about the car?"

"Bring it tomorrow to college, I'll ask Mateo to take it."

She nodded and sat beside Leah.

I bid goodbye to others and came out of the club. The night air was cold but not too cold that I could not walk without my jacket or scarf, the cold was enough.

While I was walking on the pavement to look for a cab, a guy followed me. He's wearing sunglasses and a mask and has this really weird looking jacket with a zipper and holes in it. It looked like an oversized trench coat. As he was walking behind me I noticed his hands. They were covered by gloves and they looked kinda gross but it doesn't matter what they are because the only thing that matters is his face. I ignored him and continued walking. When I stopped to call a cab, he stopped too. I took my phone to call a cab, and that man started walking towards me. Is he coming towards me?

Suddenly, a car stopped in front of me. It looked familiar. Someone got out of the car, it's Issac. What is he doing here?

After seeing Issac, that guy changed his direction and walked away from me.

Issac, "What are you doing here?"

I looked away and said, "I came out with my friends."

"Where are your friends? Why are you alone?"

"Why do you want to know about that?" He has a worried face. I said, "They're still there. I took off."

"Can I drop you?"

"It's fine. I'll call a cab."

He nodded but didn't leave instead he stood beside me.

"What are you doing?"

"I'll wait till the cab comes."

"Whatever."

After trying so many times, I couldn't get a cab. I let out a sigh and started walking on the pavement.

He walked beside me and asked, "What happened?"

"I didn't get a cab."

"Where are you going now?"

"To the nearby bus terminal."

"I can take you with me."

I looked at the time. What if Mr Martinez calls Chuck and asks about me?

"Okay. I'll come with you."

While traveling in the car, Issac asked, "Do you want to visit our house?"

"Drop 'our' term while speaking with me. It's weird."

"Do you like to pay a visit to my house sometime?"

"Why should I?"

He went quiet.

I continued, "Listen to me, I won't call you brother no matter what so don't expect things like that from me."

"What about being a friend? Can I be your friend instead?" Asked while smiling at me.

"Why are you being nice to me? Is it because I'm the daughter of that guy or is it because you don't want me to tell the truth to your mother?"

"I already said that I don't have a problem with that. Telling the truth or hiding it, it's your wish. I don't have anything to do with it. You want to tell her, go on and tell her. I won't stop you from telling the truth. I thought you would get mad at me after hearing the truth about why my father left you so I prepared myself well to speak with you but you reacted differently. You didn't get mad or angry at me, instead you talked to me like you were already facing a lot in your life. It made me upset. That's why I wanted to be your friend. You can talk to me as a friend."

I smiled and said, "You're a lot different than me."

"You didn't give a answer yet."

"Why do you want to know?"

"You can talk to me like how you talk to your friends."

"I don't share everything with my friends." And turned away from him.

"Why are you staying in Alexander's house? I heard that Noah Johnson is your guardian, aren't you supposed to stay with Noah instead of Alexander?"

"You can stop here."

"What?"

I pointed at the house and said, "We're here."

"Oh! Okay."

He dropped me in front of the house and asked, "What should I do to be your friend?"

I smiled and said, "Have a good night."

He nodded and left in his car.

I walked into the house and saw Chuck waiting in the living room.

"Ah! Finally, you came!"

"Are you waiting for me?" I asked as I removed my shoes near the door.

He nodded and said, "Mr Martinez made a call to me and asked about you."

"What did you say?"

"Like usual. I said you were sleeping in your room so he ended the call."

"Thank you, Chuck."

I came to my room and dropped on the bed since i was exhausted. I stared at the ceiling, trying to make sense of what I had just done. I should have rejected when he asked me to come in his car, but I didn't.

My phone rang. It's Mr Martinez.

I answered the call after two rings to make him believe that I was sleeping before taking the call. He had been trying to get me for a while now and I'm pretty sure he's going to yell at me if I answered it now but I don't have any other choice.

I asked him before he did, "Why are you calling me at this hour?"

"Did I wake you up?"

"Yes."

"I called Chuck. He said you slept."

"Then why did you call me?"

"When the connection was lost, I thought you were in trouble."

"I'm at the house and lying in the bed and talking to you, Mr Martinez."

"Okay, okay. Go to sleep."

"Wait…"

"What is it?"

"When did you say you were coming?"

"After two days. Do you miss me?"

"No!"

I ended the call.