Isabella met Alexander Montgomery, a billionaire who became interested in her. However, their strong relationship fell apart when a surprising truth came to light. Can they find the strength to let go of their feelings after learning a truth that could destroy their trust in each other? A tall man in a suit confidently swung open the doors to the spacious office where the Director of a renowned matchmaking agency for the wealthy worked. He was also one of the investors in the event, making it easy for him to request what he desired. With the two men following him, they opened the door without waiting for an invitation, but that didn't stop him and let his own enter the spacious room. "Make me a participant." he said, facing the man with his legs on the table. The man just smirked at the serious look he was showing. "What a sudden decision? Something caught your attention?" He asked with a smile. He sat down without saying anything and looked at her seriously. "Someone already caught my attention and I want to know her." The Director grinned widely and put his foot down on the table. It's been two years but he didn't think he would be so eager to meet someone he didn't know who he was and he wanted to get to know him because he looked serious. "Oh? Isn't this one of the girls -" "No, You're aware of how I remained indifferent towards my ex-wife for the past years. This isn't a game anymore. I genuinely want to be compatible with that woman." This is a serious and innocent joke. He tried to be serious but he couldn't because he didn't think that a man who met a woman would be this desperate. Different huh? "Okay." He stood up and reached for his laptop. He personally knows who got the man's attention and why the man is so desperate for a woman he just met. "What's her name?" He asked while looking for the files of the participants in the service. "I don't know." He raised his eyebrows. "You don't know? You didn't even ask his name?" "No, I forgot. Something came." He sighed. "Fine. Maybe her appearance? Describe it." He asked again. "She has long black hair, pale skin, small but pointed nose and green eyes." He raised his eyebrows again. He didn't know anyone with a green-eyed participant. Could this be a new participant? He didn't answer and looked through a file that was just starting to join the service. There weren't too many on the list so he knew he'd see his picture right away. He scrolled down until he reached a photo of a woman without make up so I can see her green eyes in the photo. He clicked her details but it didn't have much information and it looks like she attended the event you held the other day for the first time. He turned around his laptop so the man could see what was in the photo. "Is she that woman?" He pointed to the letter on the laptop. Even though the woman had no make-up and her posture was simple in the photo, he immediately recognized her. A smile appeared on his lips. "That's her. I want to be matched with her." "But you know the rules, you can't just request something like that." "Five million." It stopped at what he said. He narrowed his eyes and looked at her suspiciously. "The match maximum is 500k, you spend five million just to match her?" "That's right. I want to know her. If you're disapproving with the price, I'll mark it up. Name it." He said nothing. The person in front of him shook his head at what he was saying. "You're being desperate now. Huh?" He didn't answer and waited for what he would do next. Naturally, he would be taken back. They weren't discussing pesos; they were dealing in dollars. The maximum they mentioned was 500,000 pesos, whereas the 5 million he proposed was in dollars! "I'll send you the contract. Since you're late, you'll find the girl yourself. I don't have much information about her because it looks like she's new." He rose from his chair, his movements calculated and determined. "Alright, no problem. Just send over the contract, and I'll take care of it." He pivoted on his heel, ready to make his exit, but the words of the Director sliced through the air, stopping him in his tracks. "If you choose to become a part of her life, be prepared to stand your ground until the very end. Because, my friend, you might just find yourself regretting your decision." Those were the last words he heard before he left.
Chapter 1 work and studies
Chapter 1
I placed my phone inside my bag and proceeded to walk the familiar route leading to a renowned restaurant in town. It's 11 am and I have eight hours on my schedule today at work.
I recently started working here about three months ago. I had trouble finding a job at the beginning of the first semester of classes, so I took this opportunity.
With exams approaching, I'm focused on saving money to cover my exam expenses. It's crucial for me to balance work and studies during this time.
I entered the back side of the restaurant where the entrance of the employees can be seen. We can't enter the main area when we come from outside because we will also interfere with the customers coming in.
I took off my small bag and entered the locker inside the girls' room. There are two rooms here except for the kitchen door. After I put my things away, I went straight to the kitchen to check the on duties for today.
I looked up at the gathering of my workmates as if someone was checking the phone of one of our colleagues. I slowly approached and whispered in their direction, it was only right that they could hear me.
"What is that?" when they heard they were like ants that immediately moved after hearing my voice. They thought maybe it was our manager. I laughed because they immediately returned to their jobs.
"Babe, you surprised us" while holding her chest as if she was going to have a heart attack. It's like I'm possessed by a spirit and I'm laughing at their epic looks.
"You're right, Isabella. Laughter?" Ate Lily was sarcastic to me. Sister Lily was the first one I became close to here, she was also three years apart from me. He trained me on my first day and was also very kind.
But even though she is kind and cheerful, I don't know why the father of her child left her and found someone else. It's men.
I first wiped the tears from my eyes because of my laughter before facing them. "What are you doing? Is there another issue that has spread throughout the country? You're married again, aren't you?"
Janny answered that she is the same student as me but she is studying at a different school. We are also close.
"Because one, there are apps that have gone viral right now, so we were curious and tried to download them. They say there are so many handsome guys out there and the others are instant iPhones!" I'm not interested in that so I just answered my friend out of boredom.
"Is that so? I still thought that was money to earn," I said and went straight to the locker to get my uniform.
"Again? Don't you want to find a boyfriend? Oy, don't focus too much on studying, be happy just be happy in life okay?" I entered the nearby bathroom and put on my uniform. Janny followed me but he was outside.
"Let me borrow your phone," He said outside the door frowning at me. I put on liptint before I go out.
"Why? What nonsense are you going to do again?" I doubted him. He extended his hand in front of me.
"It's up to me, I'm just checking on something. Total, it's my break time. I'll return it later after your shift."
I didn't hesitate and gave him my phone, which he quickly took.
"Are you in a hurry?" I asked here but he didn't even answer me and just turned away suddenly. I just shrugged my shoulders and went straight to the main area.
I smiled at the customers entering the restaurant and greeted them with a warm greeting.
"Good day, Ma'am and Sir. Welcome to 'Noble Palette Brasserie.' This way, please."
I smiled and promised that I think the bride and groom are really rich because of their posture and clothes. The man didn't even look at me and just walked straight to the reservation area.
"Bella, the Manager called you. Sister Lily came home early because her son was rushed to the hospital." I gasped at what I heard but I didn't answer and quickly went to the office. If some of us are absent, I am the one who re-relieves because I can adapt to work faster even though our roles are different.
When I arrived, I heard that the Manager was angry with what he was talking to on the phone, so I waited for a while before knocking on the door of his office.
"Manager, are you calling me?" His forehead was wrinkled when he turned to me, and he hung up the phone.
"You do Salmonte's jobs first and you have to be good because we have a lot of reservations now big people. Don't be a fool." Although nervous, he nodded and bowed slightly.
"Alright, manager.. I'm leaving" his phone rang again so he sent me away with his hand before answering the call.
I'm nervous because sister Lily's role is different, she needs to be especially patient and usually the rich people here don't use the profession and just blurt out words.
My patience is not long yet. I just sighed before making my way to the main area. I didn't realize the time because the reservation was also full and I had work later at the bar. Today is the weekend, so I'm working full time at the restaurant I work at.
I carefully balanced the tray of champagne to deliver it to the group of rich people. I wouldn't have been the one to deliver it because I was serving a customer right now, but my male co-worker was struggling so I couldn't do anything and just did his job.
I cautiously made my way towards a gathering of exquisitely attired women, their refined poise and elegant dresses making me feel acutely aware of every move I made. In the middle of the group was a woman who seemed to exude grace and sophistication, her attire immaculate and her hair neatly tied. As I approached, he held out his hand to accept the glass of champagne from me as I walked away.
Nervously, I lifted the glass, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to match the graceful manner in which the other women sipped their drinks. But even before I could pass the glass to the woman, the softening fingers tried me. The breakable glass suddenly slipped from my hands.
Time seemed to slow down as the glass came down, and I felt the pain of my fingers caressing the woman's hand. The modest stem of the glass clattered to the floor, seeming like a cruel distraction from my simple act.
The sound of breaking glass was an abrupt intrusion, silencing nearby conversations and drawing the attention of the gathered guests.
I could hear the heavy breathing of the people around me and I felt the weight of their eyes in my direction. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I spent trying to find the right words to apologize.
The woman's expression, a delicate mixture of surprise and mild annoyance, was etched into my memory. Her fingers delicately touched her wrist where my touch had grazed her, and her gaze shifted from the broken glass to me. In that moment, I felt like a bumbling intruder in a world of grace and sophistication.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't mean to. I- I'll just get a new one," I stuttered apologizing to the woman while picking up the bruises on the floor.
"Oh dear, it seems they've let anyone serve here these days," she remarked loudly, enough for nearby customers to hear.
The comment hit me like a blow. I had worked hard to secure this job, and the last thing I needed was humiliation from a customer. I continued cleaning up, trying to maintain my professionalism despite the shame burning in my chest.
She continued to taunt. "Perhaps you should stick to something more suited to your skill set. Bussing tables at a fast-food joint, perhaps?" I can't help but look at the people around me.
The other customers exchanged glances, some smirking in agreement with the woman's words. My heart sank, and I bit my lip to hold back tears. I knew that I couldn't let the woman's words get to me, but the humiliation was too much to bear.
I want to run and cry but I don't want to embarrass my friends. My eyes were fixed on the man I was working with but he didn't even help me and went straight into the kitchen area. Fortunately, Janny came to me and apologized to the people present because I had become silent, maybe because I was swallowed by shame.
Later that evening, I was finishing my shift, the owner of the Restaurant Mr. Davis requested my presence in his office. Nervous but hopeful, I entered to find the woman sitting beside him, wearing a triumphant smirk.
"Isabella," Mr. Devis began, his tone grave, "I've received some complaints about your performance tonight. It seems there were concerns about your ability to handle the clientele's needs."
My heart sank when I realized what was happening. The woman mocking had led to formal complaints that were now putting my job in jeopardy.
"I'm sorry," I stammered apologetically.
"I understand if you're disappointed in me."
He sighed, his expression pained. "I appreciate your efforts, Isabella, but in this industry, customer satisfaction is paramount. I'm afraid we'll have to let you go."
Tears welled up in my eyes as the reality of my situation hit me. I had worked so hard to prove myself but the woman's cruel mockery had sealed my fate.
I was just walking down the road and didn't know where to go. Even though I was only in that job for two months, I was happy because I earned enough money to pay for what I needed in school. I didn't realize the tears that were about to fall from my eyes, so I immediately wiped them away.
The only thing I don't understand is why they see the wrong more immediately. Out of the thousands of beautiful things I do, they only noticed one. Maybe this is the nature of the world. I know I'm wrong but it's too much. That woman humiliated me, if I was brave I might have been able to fix it but I'm not that kind of person. I'm afraid to fight because I don't want to ruin my reputation just because of immature people like them.
I stopped the car to go home to my apartment. I still have work later at the bar and besides, my best friends will be visiting because they are going to celebrate the birthday of her cousin's boyfriend. He really wants me not to work first, but it's not possible. We have an exam coming up and I have to pay for the first exam this semester.
I feel like I have no rest for days now. I didn't get tired right away, but with what happened today, I felt like I was carrying heavy cement.
I opened my phone and scrolled through my social media accounts. I also received several messages from my colleagues at the restaurant, especially Ate Lily, who definitely regrets being absent.
I didn't open it and quickly logged out. Nothing will happen if I talk to them now. Yes and I am disappointed but that is also my fault. I just want to not think about anything and rest before leaving to go to the bar later.
I hurried into the bar where I will be working tonight. I was still panting at the entrance. The uniform I was wearing was also tangled. While I was drawing air, I ran my palm over the tangled part of my clothes at the same time to make the tangle less.
I was tired of the alarm clock earlier because I didn't even hear it go off so I slept well. It's also my fault because I slept even though I knew there was still work at night.
Carlo spotted me from behind the bar. He flashed me a warm smile, his familiar face a comforting sight in the midst of my slightly frazzled state. He beckoned me over with a wave of his hand, a silent invitation that I gratefully accepted.
"Isabella, it's alright. Don't worry about being late. Just catch your breath and start your shift when you're ready."
"Thank you. I got stuck in traffic, and then my alarm didn't go off." I said as I caught my breath. As I got closer, I could feel how my heart rate was slowly returning to normal,
"These things happen. Take your time." Carlo said before leaving the bar. Maybe it needs to be done because every time I go to the Bar it leaves and never comes back.
Throughout the evening, I behaved very carefully in the bar that my companions were afraid of. I guess I'm traumatized because I haven't told Carlo what happened earlier. I don't want to share either because it's embarrassing for him.
Later that day, after my shift, I decided to meet up with my best friend, Shane. That has been waiting for my shift to end. When I arrived, I noticed Shane sitting at a table with a group of people I don't recognize. As I approach, my best friend spots me and waves me over.
"Isabella, come join us!" He got up and approached me. Out of curiosity, I began to question her.
"Hey, Shane! Who are all these people?"
"Oh, this is my cousin, Mike and some of his friends. We bumped into each other, and I thought it would be fun to hang out together. Well, it's my cousin's boyfriend's birthday, so why not right?"
I smile and greet everyone, finding myself quickly warming up to Shena's cousin and his friends.
"So, Isabella, what course did you take? Your best friend always mentions you to me. You just need to be tarpaulined so that everyone knows." They laughed at what Shena's cousin said, causing my best friend's cheeks to turn red. I think he is too proud of me.
"Shut up.. I'm just proud of my best friend. I want to adopt him but he doesn't want to." This short answer made me wince.
"So what, Isabella.. so I can shift to your course," said his cousin's friend, whose name as far as I know is Michael, jokingly. It has little earrings in the ears and you can tell it really appeals too.
"I'm taking a degree of Bachelor law and I'm in my third year." I promise. I couldn't help but notice their eyes amazed at what I said.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 1 work and studies
14/11/2023
Chapter 2 the offer
14/11/2023
Chapter 3 The designs of the venue
14/11/2023
Chapter 4 the dean's office
14/11/2023
Chapter 5 revelation Matched
14/11/2023
Chapter 6 the Top Entrepreneur
14/11/2023
Chapter 7 played my feelings
14/11/2023
Chapter 8 Our Contract
14/11/2023
Chapter 9 get jealous
14/11/2023
Chapter 10 Ex-wife
14/11/2023
Chapter 11 the apartment
22/02/2024
Chapter 12 celebrate love
22/02/2024
Chapter 13 flirty and seductive
22/02/2024
Chapter 14 just playing games
22/02/2024
Chapter 15 His promise
22/02/2024
Chapter 16 my heart pounding
22/02/2024
Chapter 17 her blockmates
22/02/2024
Chapter 18 happening between us
22/02/2024
Chapter 19 Model in famous
22/02/2024
Chapter 20 His Ex-wife
22/02/2024
Chapter 21 My Future Husband
22/02/2024
Chapter 22 The Classroom
22/02/2024
Chapter 23 the amusement park
22/02/2024
Chapter 24 matching partners
22/02/2024
Chapter 25 the traditional
22/02/2024
Chapter 26 My Girlfriend
22/02/2024
Chapter 27 The first meeting
22/02/2024
Chapter 28 Kissing me
22/02/2024
Chapter 29 The CEO
22/02/2024
Chapter 30 Taking revenge
22/02/2024
Chapter 31 My partner
22/02/2024
Chapter 32 Our Conversation
24/02/2024
Chapter 33 house near the University
24/02/2024
Chapter 34 our Exclusive customer
24/02/2024
Chapter 35 He pretended to be hurt
24/02/2024
Chapter 36 Her lovers
24/02/2024
Chapter 37 my flirty cousin's
24/02/2024
Chapter 38 the garden of the house
24/02/2024
Chapter 39 the pain in my heart
27/02/2024
Chapter 40 ex-husband's coldness
27/02/2024
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