Tammy was holding Wayneâs credit card. Isabella knew that every time she used the card, Wayne would receive a message from the bank.
âDonât you have any money of your own?â Frowning, Isabella asked.
âWhy would I? My father wonât freeze my credit card!â Tammy said confidently.
Shaking her head, Isabella said, âGirl, youâre so naive. When youâre older, youâll realize that your father wonât freeze your card, but your mother will.â
âSo, what should | do? Should | go to the bank and take out some cash Isabella sipped her wine and then shook her head. âJust give me all the cash you have.â
After looking in every pocket on her clothes, Tammy took out some change. The sum was less than a hundred dollars.
In embarrassment, she uttered, âI only took two hundred dollars when | left home. | should have brought along more money.â
Isabella placed the cash in her pocket. âThank you. Iâll tell you when | run out of money.â
Tammy laughed. âDo | have your financial resources? Does that mean |
can boss you around now that Iâm your boss in a way?â
âShut up, Tammy,â Isabella said, rolling her eyes.
âIâve already helped you out. So, you should do me a favor in return, 537 Itâs A Deal Then right?â
âWhat favor?â Puzzled, Isabella asked.
Tammy handed her phone to Isabella. At that time, Isabella was sipping her cocktail. She almost spit out her drink when she saw the live feed on the phone screen. âIs that you on the screen?â She asked in astonishment.
âYep! Itâs me,â Tammy said, c g her head proudly.
âDo your parents know about this?â
âCertainly not! | would never tell them about this!â
âAre you insane? Why the hell do you want to be a live streamer? Do you have any idea how much effort your mom and dad have made so that you could live a low-profile life? If your parents find out about this, they will destroy this social platform,â
Isabella said loudly. âYou should delete these videos before many people know who you are. Where is the delete button?â
Isabella asked, her voice trembling.
âNo! You canât delete it,â Tammy said anxiously, grabbing her phone, â| have over 8,000 loyal followers. | play games when Iâm live streaming, and my audiences give me rewards. Itâs not much, but itâs all Iâve earned through my own efforts. And |
occasionally read bedtime stories to them.â
âMy God! If your mother found out, she would be so mad. Will you stop doing that?â Isabella exclaimed, surprised.
âWhy are you so agitated? Itâs not like Iâm breaking any laws!â
Having been there before, Isabella knew that going against a teenager would only backfire. Then she sighed helplessly, âHow do you want me to help you?â
âIn a few days, there will be a live contest, and | need you to find 537 me. Isnât the guy in the convenience store a college student? Can you persuade him to ask his classmates to vote for me?â
âAnd you want to participate in a contest?â Isabella was even more taken aback.
Tammy asked with widened eyes, âYou donât want to help me? with me, Isabella!â
Isabella was shocked. She paused for a moment before saying, âOK, | can help you. But Iâm going to lay down some ground rules for you.â
âFirst and foremost, you are not permitted to reveal any personal information about yourself to the public, including your school, relatives, or friends.â
âSecond, you canât skip classes anymore. You can be a live streamer, but not at the expense of your studies.â
Tammy said, â| have previously skipped class before. This is not why | failed the tests. Relax! No one will find out about it even if |
skip classes.â
âYouâve got to be kidding me! Iâm calling your mother right now, Tammy!â
âNo! Please donât tell my mother!â Tammy said in a panic.
Hearing her pleading, Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. âOK. | havenât come up with a third rule yet. But youâd better not get into any trouble.â
They said goodbye in front of the bar after finishing their drinks. As Isabella had to return to work at the convenience store, she told Tammy to 537 Itâs A Deal Then text her when she arrived at the hotel. She didnât until she saw Tammy get into acab.
Anthonyâs face lit up when he saw Isabella return. âI thought you werenât coming back,â he said.
âWhy?â Isabella asked as she fastened her apron.
âNothing. Where is your sister?â Anthony looked behind her, but there was no one there.
âShe returned to her hotel. | caught up with her just now.â
âSo... Are you going to stay here?â Anthony asked after a brief pause.
âHow long are you planning on staying?â
â| donât know,â Isabella had no idea how long she would be in the city, so that was all she could say. She couldnât go anywhere else but here. And she didnât feel like going anywhere until she figured out the thing between her and Jasper.
â| heard her call you Isabella,â Antony said, looking at her.
Isabella paused for a moment before nodding. To her surprise, Anthony didnât say anything else. âWhatâs wrong?â she asked, looking up at him.
â| wanted to return this to you. You must need it more than | do,â Anthony said, pulling the necklace from his bag behind him.
âYou didnât sell it?â Isabella asked, surprised.
Anthony shook his head.
âMy name is Isabella Thomas,â Isabella said, clutching the necklace tightly. âIsabella? Thatâs a beautiful name. And what do you want me to call you from now on?â
â| still want you to call me Chelsea. | told you my name because | trust you, but | have no plans to continue using it.â
Anthony froze for a moment before breaking into a smile. âOK, Iâll still call you Chelsea,â he said.
When she saw Anthonyâs smile, Isabella felt a pang of guilt inside. She wasnât sure if she was using him by doing so. But she was aware that, aside from Anthony, she didnât appear to have anyone she could rely on at the moment.