5. Isabella

Chapter 5

Isabella

Arriving in New York is like moving through a dream. I feel as though I am underwater. Trying to take everything in but it’s so overwhelming.

I’m walking around in a daze - not believing that any of this is real.

I don’t know if it was the situation in general - but saying goodbye to Nico was harder than I expected it to be. But all of this is going to be a challenge. Perhaps my emotions are scrambled because of everything else - not him.

Nico rented me a gorgeous apartment in the city. It’s tiny - but perfect for me.

I didn’t expect him to do all of this. I thought he was going to get me a motel room for a few nights and I would need to use my trust fund money. But he covered a year’s rent in cash ahead of time, over and above all the other costs it took to get me here and he made sure there was no way to trace it back to me or himself.

I have plenty of own money - but I need to blend in which requires me to live way beneath my means. So, I can’t go around splurging and attracting attention to myself.

I also want to earn a monthly income. Partly to have the extra cash flow - but also to give myself something to do to stay busy.

My first week in New York is exciting, but frustrating.

I’ve decorated my apartment, and it feels like home. I am so happy there, in my space. I can’t believe how incredible it is to be so independent. Every day I wake up grateful.

I know - if I ever get involved with someone again they are going to have to be incredible. Someone who lifts me up and encourages me to grow. I will never put myself in a situation like I did with Marcus - never again. It was out of my control - the arranged marriage - but if I’d known what it would lead to, I would’ve done a lot more to get away earlier.

I’m loving my new found freedom. Everything is great - except for trying to find work.

I’ve been job hunting, but all I’ve got is an art degree and zero experience - and it’s not like people are leaping over mountains to hire people with art degrees.

I studied art because I love it. I didn’t think I would need to use it - I was going to be a trophy wife, living on my husband’s wealth.

I’ve hit dead end after dead end so this morning I’m meeting with an agency who says they can get me temp positions - mostly admin work - some of it working remotely from home. But at this point I will take almost anything. I am so desperate to settle in and have a routine.

The agency people are lovely.

They are friendly and make me feel relaxed and welcome.

After a thirty-minute interview the lady stands up and holds out her hand to shake mine. “Thank you for coming in, Isabella. So, you are going to start on this half day job on Monday. It’s not what you were hoping for, but I’ll put something else together while you work on this.”

She smiles radiantly and hands me a thin folder with my log in details to the remote personal assistant position.

“Thank you, Melany, I really appreciate this. It’s perfect.”

The weeks turn into a month, I continue to do a little bit of work here and there for different companies, filling time but not enjoying it. It doesn’t challenge me or fulfill me. And jumping around like this gives me no stability whatsoever.

I’m agitated, restless and moody as time moves on and I still haven’t found my feet.

I still love my apartment. I still love my freedom.

But I feel like a failure in some ways. I keep telling myself not to be so hard on myself. I’ve never done this before. I’ve never been out on my own like this.

But I’m struggling with my emotions and my body is tired.

My world flips upside down.

I have been in New York for almost two months when I find out I am pregnant. In all the chaos of moving I thought I had missed my period because of stress - but now I have morning sickness and my body is aching and after a visit to the doctor I came home and now I’m sitting in my apartment in complete shock.

Pregnant.

I don’t want to believe it.

I should tell someone.

I should tell Nico.

I know I can’t. The risk is too great. I have to do this alone to keep my baby and myself safe. I can’t do anything to lead Marcus to me - not after all the effort Nico put into making sure I was safe. Marcus would kill me and the baby - knowing it isn’t his.

I know that.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment.

I can do this.

My entire life is changing so dramatically but it’s still one hundred times better than it ever would’ve been with Marcus.

________________

A year later I catch a break.

I kept working those odd jobs during my pregnancy and for the first few months of Dante’s life. They were convenient jobs because I wanted to work flexible hours so that I could be there for my newborn - but now I have to push harder. I had to find something more stable, with higher income and better routine.

And my efforts to do better for my baby and myself have paid off.

I have an incredible job working at a new art gallery in town.

Darko Dakota Gallery.

It’s completely unique, featuring unnamed artists in the most beautiful bright space - I got really lucky to find this job.

As the curator of the gallery I am being challenged, pushed and fulfilled.

I love it.

“Bella, what did you think of that Jones guy’s work? Do you want it on display at the grand opening of the gallery?” My assistant asks, looking up from the clipboard he is holding and flicking his hair out of his eyes.

Killian is as elegant as ever. He has an ability to make any clothes appear to be high fashion and he loves art as much as I do.

“His work was fantastic. It’s definitely something new. I want him at the opening. I’ll email you the three pieces I liked most. I also really liked Pico. His work is great.”

“Really? Well, each to their own I guess.” Killian shrugs. “You’re the boss after all.” He grins at me.

“We will only meet the real boss on the night of the opening. He’s flying in for it.”

“Yes, I heard, it’s all very hushed though isn’t it.” He narrows his eyes, ready to discuss some conspiracy theory or other. He’s so dramatic.

There is a loud knock at the massive glass doors. Another delivery. Killian rushes over to open up for them.

I bite my lip. Trying to focus on what needs to be done still.

I am in charge of absolutely everything for the grand opening. I have to find new artists, the owner wants fresh, undiscovered pieces, and I have to plan the event - everything. It’s a massive task to take on. It’s daunting and exciting at the same time.

The challenge of it all is not the only thing I love about this place though - when they interviewed me and found out I was a single mom I worried it would be the thing that caused them to turn me down, but they’ve been nothing but supportive. They are so accommodating of my needs - they let me bring my baby into the gallery sometimes, they understand that occasionally I have to shift my time slots around, they are patient and helpful.

And the pay is ridiculously good.

This job is heaven sent.

When I first started it seemed too good to be true. I kept wondering what the catch was because there had to be something. Nothing is this good. But I haven’t found a catch yet.

It’s my first proper job - so maybe this is how it’s meant to be. Everyone I ever heard talking about work would bitch about how horrible it is, but I love my job.

Killian guides the delivery team over to the back area of the gallery and has them prop the additional art work, wrapped in layers and layers of protective material, up against the walls.

I need to decide where each piece will go. That reminds me I wanted to get the lighting specialist in this afternoon. And I need to confirm the selections I’ve made with the caterer and confirm that the DJ is committed. That’s not even half of it.

There is so much to do.

I grin, looking around the gallery. I’m so excited for all of this.

The opening is going to be incredible. I hope the gallery owner is impressed with what I put together. I wish I could’ve met him or spoken to him beforehand, but he insisted I had free-reign and I could do whatever I wanted. Talk about putting a lot of trust in someone you’ve only recently employed and haven’t even met.

But this job is the stability I need. I will make sure that the owner is more than happy. He’s going to be blown away when he gets here for the grand opening.