Isabella's P.o.v

Sometimes when a door closes and another opens, it can bring a lot of surprises along. Sure, it's normal to be nervous about whatever is to come but at the same time, it's time to take stock of what you are looking for behind and then look ahead.

No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again. Getting over a painful experience is just like crossing monkey bars but you have to let go at some point and you know, have a new start.

"I really can't believe you are leaving." My best friend, Sophia whined sadly hugging me again and again.

Today probably happens to be the last time we'll ever see each other. I felt sad too. Losing a childhood bestie is great pain and the thought alone was enough to cause a lump in my throat.

My mother and I live together alone in Texas. She has been struggling for the past seventeen years to cater for us both and has been involved in doing all sorts of menial jobs just in order to feed us, can't even count how many times she works in a day.

As for my father, he had divorced my mother when I was still a kid. He claimed she was bad luck and ever since his departure, no one had seen or heard of his whereabouts.

Well it was painful losing a father at the age of six, albeit there were several rumors that he remarried but my mother doesn't seem to care or bother about it. I don't really give a damn either. As far as I am concerned, he is a pain in the neck to both my mother and I and all he ever did was drink, cause troubles and leave the family a bad name. His departure was all for the best. 

After been able to successfully take care of me for years, my mother finally lost her job leaving me no other choice than to live with my aunt, Vivian Freya, her twin sister.

Now Vivian is not just a rich woman married to a wealthy family of course, she's a model, a fashionista and even the managing director of a very huge company, I heard it's their families company though. 

All the way from NYC, she came here to pick me up as planned and has promised to take good care of me and cater for my education. I was really excited and happy looking forward to this great day of starting a new beginning, except I wished I didn't have to leave my mother and best friend behind.

I told Sophia a few days ago after mother broke the news. I knew she was heart broken and downhearted when she heard the news, but being the typical bestie I have always known her to be, of course she agreed and even kept assuring me that it was all a good idea and I shouldn't lose a good opportunity like that.

'Not only am I making things easier for my mum, but I'm also getting a better opportunity of being a business woman just like my aunt.' She'd always say. And yeah, it has always been my dream of owning a company.

"Sophie, now you are making me regret I ever agreed to this. I thought you said it was a good idea." I groaned, pulling away from the hug. Ever since I told her, this is literally the first time she would react like this. She had been pretending all along so I could make the 'right choice' according to her.

"I know. It's just...this is happening so fast." She stuttered.

"I am so going to miss you a lot teddy bear." She pouted hugging me for the umpeenth time.

I hugged her back this time but nevertheless, it didn't last long. And yes, teddy bear is her nickname for me because apparently, to her, I look exactly like her lost teddy bear, Betty.

"Girls! Hurry up! You are going to miss your flight Bella!" Mother called out from the porch.

I was already done with my luggage, thanks to Sophia and trust me, you don't want to know the stress we passed through just to grab 'a few things'.

"Coming mother!" I exclaimed, shouting as we both rushed down the stairs, dragging the suitcase along with us.

After stepping into the pouch, I hugged my mother for like the millionth time today and did the same with my best friend who just looked like she was going to cry any minute. Well we both started crying.

"Goodbye Sophia!" I said

"Bye Bella. And just before you leave, I brought you this." Typical Sophie said before handling over to me her make up kit and whispering....

"You are really going to need this."

In response, I gave her a quizzing look. I mean she knew me already. I am extremely terrible at the use of make up, yeah, I suck at it. Don't get me wrong, if I had the chance to learn, why not, I would be glad. But right now, oh c'mon.

"What, why...

"Just go go go, you are running late." A nice way to end a conversation. She waved sadly at me and I did the same.

Losing a crazy friend like her at a time like this was really painful for me bear, and the thought of how boring my life would be without her farce; but, I had no other choice. I am doing this for my mum, and possibly, for her too.

"Isabella!" My aunt called out  impatiently, gesturing me to get into the waiting yellow Taxi.

"Coming aunt!" I shouted back just loud enough for her to hear and hugged my mother once again before heading towards the car.

"Goodbye Bella."

"Bye mother!"

"Don't forget to call me when you get there."

"I will."

"Don't get into any trouble you hear me."

"Of course."

"Remember to read your books daily."

"Of course I will."

"Don't forget to...

"Mum?.."

"Sorry! Goodbye sweetie, love you!"

"Love you more!" And just as soon as we bade each other, the car drove off immediately while I kept waving and waving till I could see no single sign of them.

Goodbye Hometown. Goodbye Texas. Farewell.

* * * * * *

I woke up rubbing my sleepy eyes and turned to find my aunt beside me, still pressing her phone, as usual. I literally rolled my eyes at this and sat uprightly. I mean ever since we got to the plane which by the way frightened me a bit judging from the fact that this was my first time entering an airplane, she has been on that same phone.

"Attention! Ladies and gentlemen, the plane will land in New York in the next five minutes." The attendant suddenly announced and instantly I felt a rush of shivers run down my spine. I don't know why I was scared but I was.

I'm in New York City. The city I have always dreamed of all my life. It felt really amazing.

In no time after the plane landed, we all got down from the plane with our bags and luggage, well about Vivian....

"Welcome back Mrs Freya, the car is just over there." A bald man, probably her chauffeur said. He looked like a man in his 50's, maybe. Anyway, I'm pretty sure he helped her with her luggage and so on, well I wish him good luck and hope he survives the torture.

We followed the chauffeur to where he had parked the car and by the time I spotted it, I couldn't help but open my mouth out wide. It was a limousine for goodness sake. Believe me, I froze at a spot just at the amusing scene right in front of me.

"Miss, are you coming?" I realized I had been standing on one spot, gawking heavily at the limo with my mouth still agape like an idiot. 

"I ...err, of course I am." I managed to say.

He opened the door for me to enter and I did. 'A limo, I'm in a freaking Limo. Oh my God I can't wait to tell Mom and Sophia about this.' Those were the words that rang inside my empty brain as we left the airport.

I squealed mentally and honestly, if I were to choose between my house and a Limo, I would rather choose a limo, oh why? It's... beautifully magnificent, if that's even a word. Maybe coming here was a good choice after all.

I looked out through the window to get a better view of the city.

The buildings were so astonishingly tall and eye-catching. These buildings encompass the most distinctive architecture I have ever seen in my lifetime. I think to myself, there are so many buildings here I find it hard to believe that man is capable of putting them up, but on the other hand alsond knocking them down. The buildings look like they had been plunged from God's hands and landed in one spot, where else but in New York City.

As we made our way down the city street, I felt overwhelmed by the people walking and talking in scores of different languages. People with looks that I have never seen before. People that look somewhat bizarre to me. Everyone is different in their own way of style. This big place called "New York" is the capital of all the new fashions and old fads. Just like I read in an article about new York, guess it wasn't lying. Now I see why my aunt is called a Fashionista, well everyone in New York is.

I wandered my eyes back to Vivian and yes, she was still on her phone. I simply went back to enjoying the view of the city.

I suddenly felt this surge of happiness and excitement run through my spine, but at the same time, I felt a bit worried about my mother. How will she cope without me?

After a long drive of about one hour or maybe more than that, the car suddenly came to an halt. I sat up and looked out the window again. 

The car was packed in front of a very beautiful Mansion. Truth to be told, I have never seen one before. I closed my eyes and rubbed it twice to be sure of what I was seeing. Damn it was a freaking huge Mansion. How could one family possibly live in here. I tried comparing my little house to it and damn it was incomparable.

I continued gawking at the large building in awe. In front of the building is a very beautiful garden with a flowing fountain that was also carved into figures of mermaids or dolphins maybe. The light within the house started to glow beautifully making it seem like I was in a fairytale or something.

The chauffeur opened the door slightly helping me get down from the car. I felt like a princess. A princess in a fairytale land.

After stepping into the pouch, without even ringing the doorbell twice, the front door opened slightly, revealing an elderly young lady in uniform.

She looked like she was still in her thirties perhaps. Not very pretty though but are smiles were and her figure could make even the arrogant and cold guys submit to her. She looked quite charming in her uniform and it made me wonder how she'd look like in casuals. Her mood suddenly lit up mine making it look like we were somehow__ connected.

"It's nice to have you back Mrs Freya." She chanted cheerfully, and this time, my aunt finally looked up from her phone to stare at her.

"Thank you, be careful with my luggage, I don't want you repeating the same mistake you made the other time." She blurted out immediately and walked into the house looking back at her phone again. 

Nodding her head in response, the housekeeper faced me with forced smile since my aunt had destroyed her mood earlier.

"Hello Miss, you can call me Maria. I'm guessing you are Mrs Freya's little niece. It's nice to finally meet you." She said and I couldn't help but smile a little. Someone actually felt glad to finally meet me, I know that's weird of me but don't judge me okay.

"Please come in." She ushered me into the mansion and I followed in excitement.

I opened my mouth out wide for like the millionth time today. I haven't seen heaven before but this might as well look like it. And yes, this certainly has to be a dream.

Maria led me into a huge living room where my aunt was already sitting in.

"Let me help you with that Miss!" She offered but I declined immediately. I couldn't simply let an elderly woman carry my bags for me. 

Still staring at the very beautiful house, studying it surroundings and weird portraits I must say, I suddenly heard some noise from footsteps coming behind me. I turned around only to find two young girls most likely of my own age line coming down the stair case at the same time.

"Hey mum!"

"Hi mum!"

The girls chanted simultaneously, turning to meet their mother. The looks on their faces didn't look like a happy one, just blank. My aunt greeted them back but her whole concentration on her phone as usual, not actually minding their presence. The relationship between them felt absurd in my own perspective but I simply shrugged since it's my first time meeting them anyway.

Still standing on one spot staring at all of them in amusement, one of the girls eyes finally landed on me. After shooting me an awkward stare for awhile, she also tapped her other sister who also turned to glare at me.

"Who's she?"