The Arrangement

Chapter 8

Isabella
"Carino you need to look after yourself more, so you won't end up sick all the time." My mum says concerned, on the phone.

Since the incident in front of Ms Romano, four days ago, I went down with a cold. My entire body aches and I can barely function, so I called Victoria and she suggested I stay home for the next week or so, until I recover. I wanted to ignore that and go in but I knew I wouldn't be able to hack it, so I listened to her and stayed home.

I'm currently laying in bed and Emily is sitting criss crossed next to me. Every time I'm unwell in any kind of way, I get coddled and babied by my mum and Em. Well at least since...

"That's what I've been telling her Mrs Fernandez, but she just doesn't listen." Em says and I roll my eyes at her.

"Mami it's just a cold, I'll be fine. I've had my meds and I'm off on sick leave so please stop worrying." I reassure her.

After ending the call with my mum, Em and I lay down in comfortable silence. I told her not to since she'll get a cold too but according to her, that's a reason to miss classes which she doesn't mind. As much as she is an academic overachiever, she's incredibly lazy.

"So... Ms Romano huh?" She teases as she wiggles her eyebrows.

"Em stopp! There's nothing there ok, she was just helping me out that's all. Plus there could never be anything there with her or any other woman. I'm straight, you know that. Just because you're gay doesn't mean I am."

Since I told Emily about Ms Romano wanting me to shadow her and also how she comforted me, she's been teasing me about it. It's annoying to say the least.

My furry little friend Oreo, walks into the room and jumps onto the bed. "Hey baby, come here my little snuggle buddy." I cuddle him in my arms but instantly start sneezing away.

"Yep I think he's better off with me till you get better." Emily says as she takes him away from me.

"Em! Not fair give me my babyy." I whine.

"Hah you wish." She gets up with Oreo and walks out the room.

Just then my phone pings with notifications before it starts ringing. I pick it up from my bedside and Victoria's beautiful face and name covers my screen. I answer it and put it on speaker.

"Darling what's your apartment number?" She asks right away.

"Hello to you too Victoria and it's number 702, why do you ask?." I answer before sneezing twice.

"See Ále I told you I was right, ok thanks sweetie." She cuts the call without even answering my question. What even was that?

Just a few seconds later the doorbell rings and there's three consecutive knocks on the door. Thank gosh Em is here so I don't have to get up and answer it.

Emily goes to open the door. "Victoria, Alessandra? Well I definitely wasn't expecting you both. Come in!" Em says energetically.

Oh shoot what the hell are they doing here? I literally look like crap, how am I even going to face them?

"Emily! Darling it's so good to see you." Victoria says as I hear them all walk into the living room.

"Where's Isabella?" Victoria asks.

I hear their conversation since my bedroom door is open and my room isn't that far. Before I can shut my door or forbid them from seeing my crappy state, I hear Em guiding them to my room. Ughh.

Emily, Victoria and Alessandra all walk into my room. Victoria is in a red pencil dress with black heels and Alessandra is in a navy pantsuit that fits her so well with black heels. Me on the other hand, I'm in Pyjama shorts, a white tank top, that too braless and my fuzzy socks.