Uncrowned Princess

5

Walking along the dimly lit street, Isabella muttered to herself. "I'll never go back there. And that coffee girl? She'll pay for this when I return."

She pulled out her phone and dialed Gabriel. After a few rings, he answered, "Good evening, Miss."

"Oh, Gabriel," Isabella sneered, tapping her foot impatiently on the sidewalk. "Why did it take you so long to answer?" Before he could respond, she continued, "Never mind. I need you to get me out of here. Now."

"I'm sorry, Miss, but you're-" Gabriel began cautiously.

"But? But?" Isabella's voice rose sharply. "Are you disobeying my orders?"

"Miss, I didn't-"

"No excuses! Get the driver and pick me up from this wasteland. Do you understand?"

Gabriel's voice was apologetic but firm. "I'm sorry, Miss. These are your father's and grandmother's orders, which I must obey. I'll inform them that you called. Have a good evening, Miss." The line went dead.

Isabella stared at her phone in disbelief, her mouth agape. "Did he just..." she began, then stomped her foot in frustration. "How dare he hang up on me! Idiots, all of them!"

She spun around, clutching her forehead, then placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head back. "I'll have him fired when I get back," she declared to the night sky.

Suddenly, a tall man bumped into her shoulder, causing her phone to clatter to the ground. Isabella whirled on him, her eyes flashing. "Watch where you're going, idiot!"

The man stopped and turned to face her, his expression a mix of annoyance and surprise. "Maybe if you weren't standing like a tree in the middle of the sidewalk, I wouldn't have, you fool," he retorted, his voice gruff but with a hint of amusement.

Isabella's face flushed crimson, a combination of anger and embarrassment. "Who's the real idiot here? The one who walks into a tree, apparently," she shot back, raising her eyebrows challengingly.

The man gave her a long, appraising look before shaking his head and walking away. Isabella rolled her eyes dramatically and bent to retrieve her phone, muttering "Jerk" under her breath as she watched his retreating figure.

Isabella raised herself, looking around. She gripped her arm tightly as she took in the unfamiliar environment. The small town was a stark contrast to the bustling cities she was accustomed to. Narrow streets wound between old buildings, their facades worn by time. Flickering streetlamps cast eerie shadows, creating an atmosphere of mystery and unease. The sidewalks were uneven, dotted with cracks where weeds stubbornly pushed through.

As Isabella began walking, she realized she had no idea where she was going. The darkness of night had settled in, draping the town in shadows that seemed to shift and move. She looked around frantically, hoping to find a familiar face or landmark, but everything was alien to her. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, she bit her lip anxiously, the stress of her situation finally sinking in.

The reality of her predicament hit her like a physical blow. She had wandered far from the hotel, and now there was no one coming for her. She was truly alone. Her grandmother had sent her away despite her pleas and apologies, and her father wouldn't even speak to her. The weight of abandonment pressed down on her, making each step feel heavier than the last.

Isabella hugged herself tightly as emotions surged within her like turbulent waves. She closed her eyes, feeling tears welling up - something she hadn't experienced in a long time, not since her mother had left, separating from her father and abandoning her. The memory of that pain mingled with her current distress, intensifying her anguish.