A New Beginning
After a good night's sleep, Isabella Sheffield opened her eyes and quickly realized Alexander Cole's figure was no longer in the room. A glance at the clock startled her—it was already 7:20 a.m. Panic surged through her. She had set an alarm, so how could she have overslept on such an important day?
Flinging the covers aside, she ran her fingers through her messy hair and dashed to the bathroom. The urgency in her movements left no time for second-guessing or nerves. Today marked the beginning of her training at Stellar Entertainment—a chance she couldn't afford to squander.
When she finally hurried downstairs, Isabella was greeted by the aroma of breakfast and the sight of Alexander sitting at the dining table, eating gracefully. For a moment, she froze. Could he have prepared this? The idea seemed far-fetched.
"Are you just going to stand there and stare, or do you plan to eat? You don't want to be late, do you?" Alexander's calm voice broke her thoughts.
Startled, Isabella rushed to the table. "Oh, right! I can't be late on my first day," she mumbled, grabbing a piece of toast and hastily gulping down some juice.
As she finished eating, Alexander stood. "I'll take you to Stellar Entertainment."
His offer caught her off guard. Initially, she wanted to refuse—it felt strange relying on him—but considering the time, she nodded. Finding a cab this early would be challenging, and she didn't want to risk it.
---
The car ride to the company was quiet. Alexander was engrossed in reviewing some documents on his laptop, while Isabella stared out the window. Watching the scenery blur past, she reflected on how drastically her life had changed in just a few days. Somehow, she was already growing accustomed to Alexander's presence.
"Did you bring everything? Stellar's trainees undergo a month of isolation training. You won't be able to return home during that time," Alexander said suddenly, his eyes briefly leaving the screen to glance at her.
Snapped out of her thoughts, Isabella nodded. She had packed meticulously the night before to ensure she wouldn't forget anything. Still, she couldn't help but be surprised by his attention to detail.
Satisfied with her response, Alexander returned to his work. The silence resumed, but it wasn't entirely uncomfortable.
Sitting in the driver's seat, Liam Anderson watched the exchange through the rearview mirror. A knowing smirk tugged at his lips. Alexander wasn't one to show much interest in others, yet his subtle attempts to engage Isabella were glaringly obvious. Unfortunately for him, she seemed blissfully unaware.
"Mr. Anderson, please stop the car here," Isabella suddenly said, her voice breaking the quiet.
Liam glanced at her in surprise but complied, pulling over near the entrance to Stellar Entertainment.
Alexander looked up, puzzled. "Why here? We're not at the front entrance yet."
Isabella hesitated, then smiled. "It's fine. I'd rather walk the rest of the way. Thank you for the ride."
Before he could respond, she stepped out, retrieved her bag from the trunk, and waved goodbye. Without waiting for his reaction, she turned and walked briskly toward the building.
Alexander watched her retreating figure through the window, a faint frown on his face. He knew why she had chosen to get off early. In an industry rife with rumors, she didn't want anyone to think she had connections or was receiving special treatment.
"She's quite independent, isn't she?" Liam commented with a chuckle.
Alexander sighed, rubbing his temples. "Back to the office."
Though he didn't push the issue, he couldn't help but admire her determination. Still, he intended to keep an eye on her progress. After all, she was his wife, and whether she realized it or not, her success mattered to him.
---
As Isabella approached Stellar Entertainment's building, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. This was her dream, the culmination of years of effort. Yet, as she entered the training room, she was immediately reminded of the challenges ahead.
"Cutting it close, aren't we, Isabella?"
The voice belonged to Rachel Stewart, who stood surrounded by a group of aspiring trainees. Dressed in a tube-top dress despite the chilly February weather, she looked effortlessly glamorous. Isabella couldn't help but shiver just looking at her.
Without sparing Rachel a second glance, Isabella walked past her and set her belongings down. She had no interest in petty confrontations, especially on her first day.
Among the other trainees, many faces were familiar from the selection process. Initially, over a hundred hopefuls had vied for a spot at Stellar Entertainment, but only the top eleven remained. Each had proven their talent and determination, though their backgrounds varied greatly.
Rachel, for example, was not only beautiful and talented but also had the unwavering support of Ethan McMillan. Her relationship with him gave her a significant edge, making her a formidable competitor.
Isabella was acutely aware of the whispers and glances directed her way. Some envied her for making it this far, while others doubted her capabilities. She ignored them all, focusing instead on the task ahead.
As the trainees gathered for their orientation, the room buzzed with nervous energy. The next month would be grueling, with long hours of training and limited contact with the outside world. For Isabella, it was an opportunity to prove herself—not just to others, but to herself.
She was ready to embrace the challenge, no matter what it took.
---
Back in his office, Alexander stared out the window, his thoughts drifting to Isabella. He had no doubt she would excel. Her resilience and determination were qualities he greatly admired, even if he didn't say so aloud.
"Mr. Cole, the board meeting is about to start," Liam reminded him.
Alexander nodded, pushing thoughts of Isabella to the back of his mind—for now.