Chapter 2 Little White Lies

• As soon as the ladies left, Isabelle rushed to pick up the fancy invitation card she had been eyeing for the past two hours. She squeezed the tip they had given her into her back pocket and clutched the card in her left hand as she moved the wine glasses and empty bottles away from the table.
• Her heart was beating fast as her mind played out what her subconscious was yet to accept as she walked.
• As soon as she got to her locker, Isabelle took out the fancy invitation card and checked its content. It was for a prestigious ball for the rich and it was strictly by invitation and she had it in her hands.
• Isabelle didn't know if it was luck or fate, but the name on the card read Belle Fairmont. She could easily be called the same and no one would know. Come to think of it, that lady also had dirty blonde hair just like hers. She really could make it work.
• She could become Belle Fairmont. She had to if she wanted to meet up with people who could help her and her sick brother.
• The prestigious ball was scheduled for the end of the month. And it was going to be in New York, she had to make plans to get there as fast as possible.
• Isabelle rushed out of the bar and went on home to set her plans in motion. She took a cab and as the vehicle moved through the bright streets of LA, she prayed in her heart for God to grant her brother more time. All she needed was time. This ball was going to be the jackpot for them both. She could feel it.
• The vehicle stopped in front of her apartment and she paid the driver his due fare before proceeding to the door. Rather than take the left which was the single room she shared with her brother, she went over to the door on the right side of the building.
• As she made to knock, the door creaked open and Martha smiled at her with relief.
• "Isabelle, I've been expecting you. How was work?" Martha asked in her comforting voice.
• "It was fine. How is Landon?" Isabelle asked with worry seeping out of her pores. She had refused to focus too long on his health condition until she got the money they needed but getting home, she couldn't help but feel the anxiety that was eating at her.
• "Oh, Isabelle," Martha said dropping her right hand on Isabelle's shoulder. "I don't mean to scare you but we need to get him hospitalised. Come with me," Martha said, pulling Isabelle into her house.
• "That's the problem, Martha!" Isabelle whispered as her problems clutched wickedly in her heart. She felt her heartache and for a moment she seemed to be in more pain than Landon himself. "I don't have any money right now. How can I help myself?" Tears were slowly starting to form on her face and she tried to change the topic fast so she could regain herself.
• "Did he eat something?" Isabelle asked instead? She had to be strong. She hadn't come this far by crying.
• "Oh, yes. He is currently sleeping. As soon as he wakes up, you need to take him to see a doctor at least," Martha said.
• They got to the room where Landon was sleeping. He had dirty blond hair, just like his sister but his skin was paler as he slept soundlessly on Martha's bed. The ache in Isabelle's heart intensified as she looked at her brother. Martha kept telling her to take him to the hospital, she forgot that Isabelle would need money for that. Maybe she thought Isabelle had some sort of savings, yet she had none.
• As her eyes roamed on her brother's sick body, her thoughts returned to the fancy invitation card.
• "I need to talk to you about something," she said to Martha in an urgent voice.
• Martha looked at her and raised a brow wondering what the seventeen years old wanted that was so urgent. She had known Isabelle for close to four years now and ever since Belle never asked her for anything.
• "Isabelle is something wrong?" Martha asked pulling her away from the bedroom.
• Isabelle took a deep breath and held her hands together. "Martha," she said as Martha directed her to the sofa.
• "I need to go to New York for a business deal and I want you to look after Landon for me." The lie was smooth between her lips and she felt zero regrets spitting them for she felt she had no other option. How could she mention to Martha that she wanted to go to New York to impersonate someone in a very huge event?
• Martha's raised brows were almost touching her hairline by now. "You have a business deal in NewYork city?" She repeated with uncertainty. "What sort of business are we talking about here?"
• "I got a modelling deal today and they want me to be in New York before month end." Isabelle surprised herself. She never thought the lies could flow out so seamlessly.
• Yet Martha still had that long worried and uncertain look on her face. "...and what about the school, don't you still have a few more months to go?"
• Isabelle felt no remorse about school. She had so many debts, going to complete her senior year in high-school had long gone off her bucket list.
• "Landon needs surgery and you know how many debts I am in. I can't let this opportunity pass me by. I promise to go back to school as soon as I get more stable or even get tutors but I really need to go for these," Isabelle lied again.
• Martha heaved a sigh. In her heart, she felt so much compassion for the teenager in front of her. She wanted to help in any way that she could and staying with Landon was the least she could do. Her job was remote and not demanding, so taking care of the fourteen years old wouldn't be demanding at all.
• "When will you be leaving?" Martha asked and Isabelle smiled.
• "Tomorrow morning."