Dirty Lying Belle

The buzzing sound of the city filled the air as everyone hurried on to either get home or complete an errand. Of course, others sort to relax and unwind as the day slowly ended. But not for Isabelle. Hers was just starting.

Living in Los Angeles and working in one of the most popular bars in the city, Friday night proved to be the most hectic and she couldn't be more grateful. She needed all the tips she could lay her hands on.

She leaned on the counter, eyeing the door for the next client that would walk in. She wanted to serve as many patrons tonight as possible. The money would help her grow her savings for her dear brother's treatment.

Thoughts of her brother almost made her lose her target, but she recuperated right as the door to the Solo Bar and Lounge opened and a group of well-dressed ladies trouped in. It immediately drew Isabelle to them. She left her position at the counter and took long strides towards the table they had occupied.

At only seventeen, Isabelle had a figure that turned heads wherever she went. Her pale blue eyes were impossible to ignore, and she knew exactly how to use them to her advantage.

"Hello, ladies!" Isabelle said with a huge smile on her face.

The ladies stopped talking amongst themselves and turned to stare at her. They were not outright angry at her for interrupting them, they just seemed indifferent.

"I am Isabelle, and I am your server for the night. What would you like to have?" She asked, using her sweetest voice.

It had worked for her every time she tried it, and this time wouldn't be different.

The three ladies loosened up a bit and smiled back at her.

"I'd like a bottle of white wine please, " the one closest to her said and Isabelle diligently wrote the order.

The other two stared at one another and waved their hands at the same time.

"We'll have the same thing," they said in unison.

Isabelle's smile grew even bigger. Surely they already liked her and the tip she would give would be huge. But then a small voice at the back of her mind reminded her of how much exactly she needed at that moment.

Landon needed more than some meagre tips to survive what he was going through in the hospital.

Her smile no longer came from her heart as she walked to the bar to get them their drink.

"Isa?"

Isabelle didn't have to turn around to see who it was. She knew from the way her name was called that it was her supervisor. She rolled her eyes and tried to keep her fake smile on her face as she finally turned around.

"Yes, ma'am?" Isabelle replied.

"Martha called. She said your brother had been feeling the pains again," her supervisor said and Isabelle felt her heart drop to her stomach.

God no! Not now - Isabelle thought as her heartbeat.

Where was she going to get the money for the operation?

The older woman moved closer to her and gave her a soft pat on the shoulder. "As soon as you finish with this table, you can go home and take care of him."

Isabelle didn't even have time to thank her uptight supervisor for the time off or the kind gesture. Her mind had gone to her fourteen-year-old brother.

She had left him with her neighbour Martha, so she could come to work. She needed to raise enough money for his heart surgery and so far; she hadn't been able to come up with anything.

Landon was all she had left in life. Her parents had died in an accident when she was barely ten years old and they left her to take care of her little brother. She had so many debts to pay already and no one would lend her anymore. Where could she get the money now?

Tears crawled in her eyes, but she had to be strong. She hadn't survived seven years on her own by crying. She sniffled her tears away and took the bottles of wine she had initially come to pick up at the bar. She would have to solve her problems, but first, she had a table to attend to.

Isabelle walked to the table where the three fancy ladies were still happily chatting and gently placed the bottles. She uncorked each of them and poured out the content unto glasses for them to enjoy.

"Enjoy your drink," she said with another bright smile despite the darkness she felt in her heart.

The ladies took their glasses and continued with their conversation like they hadn't even seen her. Isabelle took a few steps back and watched them. If only she could talk to them, maybe they would help her with a bit of funds.

No, she thought against it. If she begged the ladies for some money, her supervisor was going to be super angry at her. She couldn't afford to lose this job.

Isabelle was already giving up on the ladies when her ears tuned into their conversation and she couldn't stop herself from eavesdropping.

"The wealthiest man in New York is going to be there. Come with me. I can't do this alone, girls, please!" The first one said.

"Babes, we will love to come with you, but we can't!" Her friend said.

"But why do you speak for her?" The lady groaned.

The third lady chuckled softly and dropped her wineglass on the table.

"Belle, she is right. I have a date next week. I can't miss it for anything in the world!" She wiggled her brows, and they burst into laughter.

They seemed to have shared an internal joke that Isabelle didn't understand, but that didn't even interest her.

What was the place in New York where the wealthy would mingle?

"Look," the one they had called Belle, brought out a fancy golden card Isabelle was sure to cost a fortune to produce. "My father gave me this and insisted I should be there but... since you two naughty girls want to have fun without me, I have changed my mind," she said as she dramatically dropped the invitation card onto the floor.

Her friends broke out in laughter again, and this time Isabelle tuned them out. A perfect plan started playing in her head as she stared at the fancy card on the floor.

This card could solve all her problems.

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."

"Isabelle! Look at you!" Teja screamed as she hugged Isabelle at the train station.

Isabelle had said goodbye to her brother and Martha in Los Angeles as early as she could that day and after a tiring journey, she was now with her cousin Teja.

"Last time I saw you... you were looking like some peanut!" Teja exclaimed with excitement. "...now girl, you look amazing!"

"Enough with the compliment Teja, we need to get straight to work. Did you get my mail?" Isabelle said, getting straight to the point. She had messaged her cousin about the ball and her plans to attend with a fake identity. She couldn't completely lie to Teja but she wasn't entirely truthful either.

Teja clasped her hands dramatically, "Oh my dear, cousin, I am so excited about this but! We need to get home and talk in private. That ball is the most talked about even in this city and everyone wants information on it. Come let's go home," Teja said pulling Isabelle playfully by the arm.

Isabelle carried just a single pack back that contained the most important piece of card, the invitation and a few essentials. She came here to act like a girl from a very rich background and none of her poor-looking clothes fit that description. She only had a single change of clothes for the first night, Teja would sort out the rest.

Teja hailed a taxi as they got out of the subway and they headed to her place.

"How is Landon, now?" Teja asked as the vehicle soared through the busy streets.

"He is surviving," was Isabelle's simple reply as she tried not to think too much into it.

Teja understood her lack of words. She knew her little cousin's brother wasn't fairing well at all. She couldn't help with finances for she was barely struggling herself. When Isabelle had opened up to her about the ball, Teja couldn't refuse. It was finally an opportunity for her to help out the only family she had.

"Everything will be fine. I am certain of it," Teja said squeezing Isabelle's fingers gently.

The taxi came to a stop in front of a one-storey building that was a boutique -a high fashion boutique. The front of covered with transparent glass, so Isabelle could see the several beautiful dresses being displayed from within. This was the reason why her cousin Teja was the first to come to her mind as she considered the plan. She could be transformed into a princess with all those dresses.

Teja paid the taxi driver his fare and she walked to the building. Teja worked as a sales attendant at the shop for two years now. The owner, a very calm and simple woman, had offered Teja one of the storerooms above the boutique. Teja had in turn transformed the little space into some kind of accommodation.

"Now that we are here, I am dying to k ow how you got so lucky! Who did you say gave you the card again?" Teja asked as they settled unto the bed.

Isabelle had no reason to lie to Teja but she couldn't help herself. The lies just left her mouth expertly. "I met this really cool lady at my workplace the other day. She and I sort of became friends you know... she gave it to me."

"Do you know how many girls will kill to be in your shoes right now?!" Teja screeched in excitement. "We have to make sure you look so good, no one would doubt you! From now on you will be that lady!" Teja declared.

Isabelle only smiled at her cousin's declaration. She had told her a different story from what had actually happened. She told her that, the lady begged her to represent her at the event and when Isabelle returned, she would pay her for the service.

"You know what, let's go check out the dresses, we don't have much time!" Teja suddenly said springing off the small bed. Isabelle giggled at her excitement but followed her back down.

There were still a few days to the event but they needed to get ready. Teja made Isabelle try out a couple of dresses but they both settled for a strapless royal blue dress that pooled at Isabelle's ankles.

"You will truly be the belle of the night!" Teja exclaimed as her eyes gleamed with excitement.

The day of the ball finally came and Isabelle truly looked like she was going to be the belle of the night. Her dirty blond hair was styled richly by Teja and her make up lightly done to enhance her features. The blue of her eyes stood out as she slipped into the dress. They hugged her curves, making her seem like an older woman. By the time, Teja was done, Isabelle was truly looking the part.

"Good evening, I am Belle Fairmont of LA," Isabelle said confidently to the mirror and Teja clicked her fingers in approval.

The limousine Teja had rented for her arrived and she walked Isabelle to it. If Isabelle didn't get dressed in front of her, even she would have thought her cousin was from a very wealthy family indeed. The plan was surely going to be a success.

Isabelle could feel her heart racing as the vehicle neared the event place. She could see the spotlights dancing from the distance and her adrenaline pumped through her veins. She was doing this for her brother, she had to be strong.

The limousine came to a halt and Isabelle took a deep breath. She stepped down like she had seen so many celebrities do on red-carpet events on the television. This wasn't a red-carpet event but the guards at the gate had started scrutinising her from the moment she stepped out of the hired vehicle.

"Your unique identification code miss," the tall guy asked with a single flex of his muscle.

"Fairmont twenty-nine," she said with a small smile despite the rush of blood that was going through her brain. She couldn't even breathe properly anymore as she held on to her breathing in fear.

"Welcome, Miss Fairmont," the guard finally said as he opened the door for her to step in.

Isabelle could now breathe easily as she took slow strides into the ballroom. The hall was already filled and the party had already started. She felt eyes on her and turned to the side to see who it was, she had come here to find someone rich and kind enough to help her and she shall do whatever it took for her to get that one person.

Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes met with cold brown ones that stared back at her with an intensity that made her heart jolt with excitement.

Who was this man?