Chapter 3

Her eyes widened, and she momentarily forgot about packing when Hannah dropped the juicy gossip about her new boss. “Ethan’s engaged?!” She gaped at the phone screen again. She doesn't normally read trashy tabloids, but she couldn't help scanning through the article, starting with the full-page photograph of Ethan’s fiancee.

She looked tall, beautiful and classy, Isabella admitted. She briskly read the star gossip out loud. “Here’s the scoop, hot off the presses! Insider sources tell us Ethan Grayson and the famous Madelyn Jason, pictured above are officially engaged and tying the knot this summer! Family and friends close to the couple say they've been enjoying their time together as the ‘it’ couple of the business world, attending many galas, parties together. And now it’s high time they tie the knot and settle down to start their own family. We reach out to the happy couple, but they declined our request for an interview. Maybe they're still preparing their official announcement, but until then... you can read all about it here at The Star!”

Hannah gazed at her, feeling sorry for her. “Isabella, are you okay?” She asked her softly. Isabella shook her head out of the reverie. “What? I told you we weren't a thing. Just another reason to focus on the job and not on the gorgeous, yet arrogant boss.”

Hannah raised a brow at her as she grinned like a Cheshire Cat. Isabella shrugged it off, pretending like it didn't bother her. “You have to confront him, Isabella.”

Isabella turned her gaze to her older sister, “over what? This all but confirms nothing happened. Let’s just focus on packing.” Hannah heaved a sigh as she gripped on Isabella’s shoulder, “look, sweetie I know you’re hurting inside. Just take a deep breath, relax and we will deal with him, okay?” Isabella chuckled softly as she shrugged off Hannah’s hands off her shoulders. She starts aggressively wrapping fragile items in bubble paper, telling herself it’s fine and she doesn't need to care, despite the fact that her heart says otherwise.

A week has passed, Isabella has finally settled down in her new apartment. After having her breakfast, she stepped of the apartment to head to work. On her way to hail a cab, she encountered with Hannah walking in a hurry together with her son. “Hannah? What are you doing here?” She looked at Hannah to her two year old nephew, mason. “I need a tiny little favour from you. Sophia is running late and I can’t go to work with mason because you know how my work is, I'm afraid he’d get out of my sight and get himself hurt. Can you please take him to work with you, I promise Sophia will come get him in an hour.”

“What? What makes you think I can go with him? My boss would kill me if he sees mason. One of his rules; no family members allowed to visit, especially kids. I can't... I can't.” Isabella ambled down the streets as Hannah followed her. “Please baby sis, you’ve gotta help me. Where else do you want me to take him, huh?”

“A day care,” she responded and walked away. “But, I'll be late. I'm already late. Please just help me.” She grabbed Isabella by her arm, making her to halt. Isabelle stared at her for a short while before taking a deep breath. “One hour, just one hour.” Hannah beamed as she handed mason’s baby bag to her.

They hailed a cab and headed straight to Grayson Enterprises. They stepped into the company as she lowered her gaze, avoiding her coworkers gazes. She checked in before she hurriedly stepped into her office together with mason. She sighed, sitting down on her office chair and starting with her work. The receptionist came in afterwards and presented Isabella’s work for the day as she glanced at mason munching off a chocolate bar.

“He’s cute right?” Isabella spoke, getting the receptionist’s attention from mason. She briskly turned her gaze to Isabella before she beamed and nodded her head to Isabella. “You have a beautiful kid.” Isabella nodded as she smiled.

After the receptionist left, Isabella started her work for the day. From time to time, she take a glimpse at mason to see what he was up to. She glanced at her wrist watch to check the time. It was already past the time Hannah told her. She heaved a sigh, trying to dial Hannah’s number when her text came in.

‘Before you say anything. I'm so sorry. Sophia got stuck in traffic but she's almost there.’ -Hannah

‘Urgh she better hurry up before my boss shows up.’ -Isabella.

‘Yes sure. So I know you said to drop it, but here are the deets on Ethan’s fiancee. Madelyn Jason, 32, daughter of ANOTHER billionaire entrepreneur.’ -Hannah.

‘Hannah, I can't deal with this right now.’ -Isabella.

‘Sure you don't wanna know there’s no confirmation about the engagement? From her or Ethan?’ -Hannah.

‘Okay, what does that mean?’ -Isabella.

‘You tell me, you actually know the man. OMG or ask your coworkers! I bet they know all about the juicy gossip.’ -Hannah.

“Goodbye Hannah. And call Sophia again.” -Isabella.

Even though her phone continues to buzz repeatedly from Hannah’s torrent of texts, she puts it away and turned her attention to mason. He rubbed his eyes tiredly as he started drowsing off. “Hey mason, you're sleepy?” He stared at her with his sleepy eyes. She thinks fast, feeling a tantrum coming on... she looked around her office and looked at herself as the thought came up. She removed her blazer.

She spread it on the long waiting chair and laid him there. Soon, he dozed off. She heaved a sigh adjusting her skirt. Maybe it would give her some time to go grab a coffee. Smiling, she headed towards the door and stepped out, gently closing the door.