Isa woke up the next day and she instantly knew that she will live a lonely life once again. She doesn't get it why she feels lonelier this time when she basically lived like this for the past years and she was okay. Isa kind of expected this the moment she opened her eyes, and she was not wrong. Debbie is no longer there. Gone like the ghost she once was in her life.
Her day started slow, she does not have enough strength to go on about her day. She does not have much to do either. Her store is now closed, and she is left in her house, packing her things. Isa does not even know where to move after this. Her tears instantly fell as she carefully stacks the box of her belongings. Her sister left most of her wardrobe too, as if left them there for a purpose.
A few hours had passed, and Isa's stomach started growling like crazy. She hasn't eaten anything since last night. She does not have an appetite, but this time she could force herself to grab some bite or else she would faint of hunger. Just in time, someone was knocking on her door. Isa stood up to open the door.
"Jack. What brought you here?" She asked her friend who came unannounced.
He went inside, bringing some food and coffee. Jack raised his hand and handed them to Isa. "I know you are hungry and my instinct is telling me that you need me here right now." He smiled at Isa. Something that Jack was not able to do for quite a long time now, considering how jolly he was.
Isa accepted the food from Jack. "Let's eat together." She said and placed the bags on the dining table. Jack agreed and made himself comfortable. His presence made things feel lighter for Isa, even if he does not hold all the answers, at least for now it is more than enough for Isa.
"I assume you know that my sister left us." She mumbled as her fork combs through her food.
Jack nodded, "Yes, I know. She asked me to look after you and give you this." He replied and opened his bag and looked for a brown envelope. He handed it to Isa and continued with his food.
"What is this?" Isa asked as she furrowed her eyebrows.
"Read it. Everything you need to know is there." He replied and sip on his cup of coffee.
Isa followed Jack's advised even if she would appreciate a little background for what was about to unfold in front of her. Her eyes glared reading the contract that her sister signed. It was a new management contract. A new company will handle her and the deal is big, more than she could ever dream of. It actually solves all of their problems.
One thing that does not make sense to her is why her sister had to go, if this contract solves everything. She opened her mouth about to ask Jack, but he handed her another note. "This one is from your sister." Jack said with a wink.
"Ugh, too much letter for this day. They must know I love reading, huh?" She humored herself as she prepared herself to read the letter her sister had left for her. Her heart sank reading how heartbroken she was and wanted a fresh start away from the limelight. Isa is sad that her sister chose to live far from her, but she completely respects her decision. She was glad though that their problems have been taken care of. Thanks to her for agreeing to stand up as the real Bella Moore. She initially thought it would be easy for her but now realizing about the clause in the contract that her live podcasts will now be done with video.
Being Bella now is not just for photos or set up for paparazzi moments, she is expected to do live shows. She looked at Jack with a worried look on her face. "How are we going to do this?"
Jack again smiled at her and pointed to her room. "She will not leave that thousand dollars' worth of wardrobe for nothing."
Isa had chills thinking how much Jack and her sister had planned about all this. "Tell me, those secret you two had… is it about this?" She urged Jack to spill the tea.
He bobbed his head, agreeing to Isa's conclusion. "She even thought of doing this for you, but the last few days have been really hard for her." Jack confessed.
"I feel so bad that I was not able to see how she was hurting. I could have helped her earlier." Isa said in a low voice. "I don't know how I can be that type of Bella. Can you help me?" Isa asked Jack.
Jack squeezed Isa's hand. "That's why I'm here." He showed Isa the notes in his phone. "Here is the list."
Isa looked at the long list of Jack. "We are going to do all of these?" She asked him with her eyes wide open. "This isn't a TV show. Why do we need to do all of these?" She muttered.
Jack laughed. "Who would believe you as the real Bella Moore?" He asked her back.
Isa looked at herself, wearing oversized sweatpants which she has used for a couple of days already. She finally gets back to her senses; the persona she created with her sister is definitely not fitting of her style.
***
"My dear, this is one is something permanent. You can't undo it and let it go once you get tired of it." Jack reminded Isa, knowing what she did before. "Also, refining your actions would do as a great favor. You can't fool your listeners with a dual personality." He added.
After eating, Jack took Isa to a salon to get her hair treated and colored it deep copper. Her nails were done and painted nude. She was supposed to transform into a classy and sassy woman. Although the idea is similar to her sister's style, the two decided to deviate a little. The sophistication of the new Bella is more than that of Debbie's. This will show more of the mysterious side of her.
Debbie advised Isa in the letter to maintain the mystery even with the new management that would handle her. Isa thought it would be better for her since she does not intend to get close to anyone while living her life as Bella.
The stylist swiveled Isa's chair and showed her to Jack. "Here she is." She said with a big smile on her face. "Absolutely gorgeous, Ms. Bella." The stylist was proud of the subtle transformation she did that gave this aura to Bella. Jack is a friend of the stylist, and they paid her handsomely to keep this transformation as a secret.
Jack and Isa went to the mall to buy more clothes, that are at Bella's style. Debbie left her credit card to Jack. She specifically instructed him to use this card to take care of the make over fees for Bella. This is the last thing she could do for Isa since she will leave this huge task to her, alone. "Girl, from now on, I will call you Bella. You should be accustomed to being called that name." He smirked at Isa.
"Hmm, yeah, sure. I could get use some of that." Bella answered in a tone she would usually use in her podcasts. She modulated her voice though it still sounds natural for her. They plan on finally showing the full shots of Bella in all of her cropped photos in her social media handles. This might give her sister a little breathing room.
"Girl, I hope you don't mind me staying at your place tonight." Jack told Bella his intention as they walked back to her apartment.
"Sure. What do you have in mind?" Bella could not help but ask. She could not follow Jack's purpose. Yes, they are carrying quite a lot of bags, but not to the point that he would opt for a sleepover.
"Girl, you really should read your contract more." He sneered at his friend for missing important points in her contract. "I know you are smart. What the heck is happening to you?" He was frustrated. Jack felt like Debbie would be disappointed with him. "I am your designated fairy godmother, so listen to my advice, girl!" He added.
Bella scratched her head as she was clueless about what Jack was ranting about. "Okay, okay, chill. I will check on it, when we get back home." She said to calm the annoyed friend of hers.
"Hmm, you should pack all your things, but remember to bring the most important ones only; we don't want the new management to know too much about you. We will get a storage unit for your other things." Jack told Bella their plan. He also pointed out to Bella's newly painted nails. "Besides, we don't want to chip those pretty ones." He chuckled, looking at his own ridiculously clean nails.
Finally, it dawned on Bella. "Wait. Do you mean they will give me my own house?" Her voice was much higher this time.
Jack stared back at her, "That reaction is not so Bella, dear." He reminded her of fine tuning her actions.
Bella closed her mouth and repeated her question in a more calm tone. "Do you mean, they will provide a housing benefit for me?"
Jack nodded his head. "They will also pay you, but you have to make sure to finish your one year contract or else the house and everything else will not be turned over to you as your own." He said the other terms.
Bella stopped walking and took a deep breath. "I'm so fucked up. How many clauses have I not read properly? The terms Jack said sounded alien to her. "Will you be working with me?" She asked, as she was scared to embark on it alone.
"No." Jack was quick to answer her. "It was also written in the contract that they will provide the team for your program." He said with a disappointed tone. "Don't worry about me. I have other gigs, just don't forget to update me about anything. You are not a prisoner, remember that!" He reminded Bella to get out if the situation turns dangerous for her.
A few steps away from her apartment, the unsightly broken window caught her eye. "Do you think they are connected with that creepy Cayden? Or are they behind this foreclosure and the other stuff?" Bella can't sit still with the possibility.
"I'm sure they want you so bad to be under their company they are willing to go to that length." He was brave with his words. "That's why I am reminding you. Be careful. Trust no one."