Chapter 58
Pearl let out a scream as she tumbled into the sewer, smacking her head on the wall and blacking out. When she came to, the sewer cover was shut tight.
"This place reeks. Is anyone out there? Help me! Somebody?" Pearl pinched her nose, gagging at the stench and the sludge covering her.
She fumbled for her phone to call for help, but there was no signal down here.
With no other choice, Pearl glanced up at the opening she fell through, gritted her teeth, and started climbing the ladder.
"Just my luck. How the hell was the manhole open? Must be those lazy sewer workers again. City pays them, and this is what we get? When I get out, heads are gonna roll!" Pearl finally reached the top, but no matter how hard she pushed, the cover wouldn't budge.
"What the hell? Is anyone up there? Help me!" Pearl yelled, not knowing that a car was parked right on top of the manhole.
Inside the car, a man pulled out his phone and texted Michael: [Mission accomplished.]
Meanwhile, Michael and Isabella had just finished dinner. He glanced at the message and turned off his phone.
"I'll handle the dishes," Michael said, pocketing his phone and grabbing the dirty plates.
"I can do it," Isabella said, following him into the kitchen.
But as Michael carried the plates, he spilled some soup on the floor. Isabella slipped on it and fell backward.
"Watch out!" Michael caught her by the waist, stopping her fall.
Startled, Isabella straightened up but ended up in Michael's arms. Feeling his warmth and the scent of his cologne, Isabella blushed and looked up into his eyes. Michael held her close, feeling a spark ignite inside him.
"You've done enough today. Let me take care of the dishes," Isabella whispered softly.
"I'm not tired. In fact, I feel like doing a lot more," Michael said, leaning in to kiss her.
Isabella froze for a second, then wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back passionately.
Their lips moved together, tongues dancing. The heat between them rose, and their desires awakened. The dishes in the sink were forgotten.
Suddenly, Michael lifted Isabella, placing her on the countertop. Now at eye level, they gazed into each other's eyes, desire burning bright.
"No one's gonna bother us tonight, right?" Michael asked, his breath heavy, eyes intense.
Isabella nodded and kissed him again.
Michael peeled off his shirt, showing off his chiseled upper body. His muscles were like something out of a fitness magazine.
Isabella's fingers traced the hard lines of his back, her desire growing with every touch. She tilted her head back, offering her neck for Michael's kisses.
Just as Michael started unbuttoning her shirt, revealing her shoulders, Isabella's phone rang out of nowhere. The sudden ringtone made them both jump.
Michael shot a glare at the phone while Isabella answered it, clearly annoyed.
"Why hasn't my dinner been delivered yet? Are you trying to starve me, your employer?" John joked on the other end.
"John, you jerk! That witch Bianca wants to throw me in jail, and you have the nerve to ask about dinner? Tell Mason I quit! And guess what? I'm in bed with a man! Call me again, and next time, I'll burn more than just your leg hair!" Isabella snapped and hung up.
John's face darkened as he stared at his phone.
"Isabella, that damn woman dares to sleep with another man!" he yelled, smashing his phone against the wall.
In the hospital room with him was Bianca, looking none too pleased.
"John, why do you care so much about Isabella? Do you still like her? I can hear the jealousy in your voice," Bianca said, narrowing her eyes.
John took a deep breath. "Don't worry, Bianca. I'm not mad because of that. I just think she should do her job. But she delayed my dinner to sleep with a man; she deserves to be fired."
"Alright, if Isabella won't cook for you, tell me what you want, and I'll get it," Bianca said, smiling sweetly.
John rattled off some food, and Bianca wheeled out of the room. As soon as she was out of sight, her smile turned sinister.
'Don't think I don't know you're jealous, John. Even though Isabella called off the engagement, you still can't forget her! She deserves to pay!' Bianca thought, plotting her next move.
While waiting for the food at the restaurant, Bianca had John's bodyguard bring her a laptop. She plugged in a USB drive filled with Isabella's cosmetic design drafts, each one a masterpiece.
"No one takes John from me. This time, I'll teach you a lesson!" Bianca muttered, a cold smile on her lips as she submitted all of Isabella's work to a cosmetics design competition under her own name.