Love's Deadline

In the city of Eve Heights lived Bella, an infamous yet exceptionally talented young hairstylist. Her skills were unparalleled, and her mind was wholly focused on her business.

Bella owned a small salon and struggled to attract attention. In a city dominated by the wealthy, who preferred luxurious salons, Bella often felt invisible.

Despite her talent surpassing that of any high-end salon, she remained unnoticed. But everything was about to change.

"Come on, sleepyheads! Rise and shine! We've got a long day ahead of us," Bella exclaimed, rousing her sisters, Julian and Amelia from their slumber.

Amelia groaned, her voice barely audible, "I'm too tired to get up."

But Bella wasn't one to take no for an answer. She pulled Amelia's legs off the bed, making her giggle. "Okay, okay, I'm up!" Amelia said, giving in to Bella's infectious energy.

Julian trudged into the bathroom for her morning shower while Bella and Amelia playfully wrestled on the bed. But Bella knew they couldn't waste any more time. "Come on, Amelia, we've got work to do! No more dilly-dallying," she said, gently coaxing her out of bed.

With a smile, Amelia gave in and got ready for the day ahead. Excitement filled the air as they all prepared to go out. Bella's voice boomed through the house as she announced their plans to visit the salon. "Dad!" she yelled. "We're off to the salon!"

Maxwell emerged from the kitchen with plates in hand, questioning why they weren't having breakfast. "Don't worry Dad," Bella assured him. "We'll grab something when we get to the salon. There are a ton of customers to attend to today!"

Despite Maxwell's pleas, the girls were determined to stick to their plan. "I'll meet you all there then," he finally relented. With a nod, the girls breezed out the door, eager to start their day of shared joy and creativity.

As Bella and her sisters arrived at the salon, they were approached by Mr. Benson, their landlord. "Good morning, Mr. Benson," Bella greeted him while unlocking the shop. "You know your rent has almost expired, and I've increased the price," he said, with a raised eyebrow.

Bella and her sisters looked at him in surprise. "What?!" they exclaimed. "I don't understand, Mr. Benson. You increased the rent last time, and now you are doing it again?" Bella asked, her voice firm.

Mr. Benson scoffed and rolled his eyes dramatically. "So what? If you don't comply, you can look for someplace else," he said.

Bella didn't want to argue with him, so she agreed to pay the rent before the end of the month. "I understand, Mr. Benson, but give me some time, and I will pay you the money."

Mr. Benson smiled and sighed deeply. "Good, see you then," he replied as he walked away.

Julian frowned. "That man is so annoying and mean," she said in a low tone. "He deserves to be taught a lesson," Amelia added sharply.

Bella asked them to forget about it and focus on their work. "Let's all stay positive and give our customers the best service," she advised.

Her sisters nodded, and they went into the salon, determined to make the most of their day.

Imagine walking into a salon where every detail is perfectly placed, and the ambiance is so warm and friendly that you instantly feel at home. That's exactly how it feels to step into Bella's Beauty Salon.

Bella and her two sisters are the brains and talent behind the salon. They work tirelessly to make sure everything is set up and ready to go before the first customer walks in. Bella, in particular, takes care of everything, from the salon to her sisters' education.

As the day progresses, Bella starts to worry about the increased rent and how to pay it on time. But she knows she has to keep her worries to herself and focus on giving her customers the best experience they could ever imagine.

And boy, they do deliver!

As more customers walk in, Bella and her sisters gracefully move between them with precision, expertly wielding scissors and brushes to turn ordinary hair into a masterpiece.

But admist the hustle and bustle, their father Maxwell walks in. He's a funny man who loves to make people happy. He greets everyone with a smile and says, "Welcome to the salon that makes your dream hair come true. You can never get disappointed with Bella's Beauty Salon!"

Everyone laughed, and Bella gazed at him and smiled, "Dad, you are so funny!" She said, her brows furrowed, grateful for his support always. But then, Julian's phone rings, and it's obvious that she's not happy to receive the call.

"Why are you calling me, Andrew? Why can't you let me be for God's sake!" She exclaimed, drawing the customer's attention towards her.

She excuses herself and goes outside to answer.

Bella pleads with the customer Julian was attending to for a few minutes of patience, and the customer nods, understanding the situation. It's clear that Bella and her family are not just running a salon but a place where everyone feels like family.

"Andrew, I'm done with all this! I just want to focus on my life right now, and you aren't helping matters." Julian said, with anger.

Andrew pleaded with Julian to listen to him but to no avail. Julian dropped the call and went back into the salon in a hurry.

Bella could sense that Julian was angry, she gave her a signal to calm down and focus on the work in front of her. Julian took a deep breath, attempting to regain her composure.

As the day neared its end and clients were settled, Bella approached Julian with concern, "Hey, what happened? You were all worked up earlier. Don't tell me it's because of that boy Andrew." Bella inquired.

Julian nodded, "He's asking me to forgive him and accept him back." She answered, her voice tense.

Bella laughed and sighed deeply, "He must be very stupid to think that you will go back to him after what he did to you, or are you considering it?" Bella asked, her eyes wide open.

Julian exhaled deeply and kept mute.

Bella shook her head, her eyes lit up with surprise, "Love is crazy, who has time for all that drama?" She asked, "I don't believe in love and won't fall for it either." Bella declared.

Bella stated that she's better off alone, with no heartbreak, and no drama. She admitted that she was okay, without any man in her life.

"I assure you, you will fall in love one day." Julian chuckled. "Never!" Bella exclaimed.

Amelia burst into the conversation, uninvited. "What are you guys arguing about seriously?" She asked, curious.

It was getting dark, and they all needed to go home, so Bella dismissed every conversation. "Enough with the questions, let's all go home." She said, putting some things in place.

Julian and Amelia adhered to what Bella said. Meanwhile, their Dad, Maxwell, secretly went to negotiate with Bella's landlord.

Maxwell strolled into the expansive car garage, where Mr. Benson was carefully examining the sleek lines of his newest car.

"Hello, Benson. A moment, please?" Maxwell's tone was amiable, yet resolute.

Mr. Benson's eyes flickered with irritation. 'What's he doing here again? Always pleading on behalf of his daughter' he thought, silently seething.

"I don't have all day, Maxwell. What is it?" Benson queried, his voice sharp and impatient.

"It's about the increased rent. Don't you think raising it to $30,000 a year is excessive?" Maxwell questioned, his unease evident.

Benson chuckled impishly as he wiped his hands clean. "Maxwell, I don't have time for negotiations. If you and your daughter can't pay the fixed price for that shop, you'll need to find somewhere else. I need an upfront payment or I will rent it out to someone who is willing to do so. He stated firmly.

Mr. Benson's reply was rude and somewhat arrogant, but Maxwell remained composed. He wasn't there to fight.

"Could you please reconsider your decision? And besides the previous rent hasn't expired, that's so unfair." Maxwell complained.

"The rent was raised last year, and now it's doubled. That's really too much," Maxwell retorted.

"You heard what I said, and I'm not changing it. Pay the fixed amount or leave," Mr. Benson reiterated.

Without another word, Mr. Benson walked past Maxwell and retreated into his building, leaving Maxwell standing there, feeling like a fool.

Mr. Benson's change in character surprised everyone. He had once been a kind and passionate man, but after divorcing his wife a year ago due to her infidelity, he was never the same.

For over five years, he had been Bella's landlord, but his sudden shift in attitude made things difficult for her.

Mr. Benson took out his frustration on everyone around him, and Bella was no exception. But how much longer could she tolerate his behavior?

Bella felt an overwhelming urgency to gather enough money to pay the shop rent. As her sisters slept soundly, she stayed up all night brainstorming ways to cover the bills. Frustration gnawed at her, knowing Amelia's college fees were overdue and she couldn't figure out how to manage everything.

Then, she came to a conclusion. She gently retrieved a small box from her locked drawer. Inside it was the money she had saved for a long time.

Despite her dedication, Bella had always dreamed of traveling the world. The money she had saved was meant for that adventure.

'I think that will have to wait.' she thought.

Although she had intended to use part of it to settle Amelia's outstanding college fees, she never anticipated the sudden pressure of the shop rent.

Mr. Benson insisted on an upfront payment or threatened to rent the shop to someone else.

"I suppose my closeness to his wife is why he's taking it all out on me," Bella mused.

Bella counted the money in the box and found a total of thirty-six thousand dollars. It was enough to take care of her immediate problems.

She carefully placed the money back into the box and finally went to bed, her worries eased.

As the first rays of dawn illuminated her room, Bella was suddenly awoken by the joyful chorus of her two sisters and her father. They exclaimed in unison, "Happy birthday, Bella!" Their voices echoed in the quiet morning.

Although surprised, Bella jolted awake, with a wide grin spreading across her face. She realized it was her birthday and felt delighted. "Is it my birthday?" she asked, overwhelmed with surprise and excitement.

"How could I have so much on my mind that I forgot my own birthday? That's absurd." Bella thought.

"Happy birthday, sis!" Julian and Amelia shouted.

Maxwell chuckled, "And guess what, we have some gifts for you." He said as they presented some wrapped gifts to her.

"This is for you my dear," Maxwell gracefully presented a wrapped parcel to Bella.

Bella's laughter tinkled like crystal as she delicately unfurled the package. "Awwww...... a gift card! Thank you so much, Dad," she expressed.

"And now, my turn," Julian interjected. Bella was enveloped in an atmosphere of affection, her smile radiant. Julian bestowed upon her a set of high-quality salon tools, while Amelia bestowed upon her a ticket to an exclusive salon workshop.

Unexpected gifts and boundless love filled the air.

Bella's birthday was simply perfect, surrounded by her adoring family.

Bella was excited and grateful for her family's love. "I love you guys so much, thank you," she uttered.

"Julian, Amelia, we will be going out tonight! Bills on me." She revealed with excitement.

"Really?" Amelia exclaimed, ecstatic. She started contemplating what outfit to wear immediately.

Julian gently urged Amelia to calm down. "It's just a night out," she reassured her. "Take it easy. There's still time to sort your outfit."

They guided Bella to the dining table, her eyes covered with a blindfold.

Upon reaching their destination, Julian gently removed the blindfold. "Surprise!" they shouted in unison.

Before her stood a beautifully designed, creamy birthday cake. Bella was astonished, her eyes lighting up with delight.

"Wow! You guys are amazing! How did you guys manage to put up all this without me noticing it?" Eyes sparkling with genuine happiness.

They all chuckled, "Hope you love it," Julian asked, with sincere smiles. "Of course! I love it," Bella exclaimed.

Maxwell was thrilled to see his girls so united and happy. Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks as he said, "I want you girls to always love and support each other, no matter what happens."

They all turned to him, noticing his tears, they stood up and hugged him in unison. "Dad, we promise to keep supporting and caring for each other, no matter what life throws at us. We'll always be united," Bella said, holding back her tears.

"Yes, Dad, you can count on us," Julian and Amelia said, smiling.

Bella suggested they stop the emotional drama. "Hey, everyone, cheer up! It's my birthday, remember?" She giggled.

Bella cut the cake, and the celebration continued. As night approached, Bella and her sisters got ready for their girl's night out.

"Come on, Laura, put on something sexy. Who knows, you might fall in love with someone tonight," Amelia said, giggling with unrestrained joy.

Bella scoffed, "Love is not my thing, seriously. I'm only in love with my two sweet sisters and Dad," she said with a broad smile and sparkling eyes.

Julian smiled and told Bella that she would fall in love someday, and there was nothing she couldn't do about it. "I promise you," Julian added.

Bella shook her head and sighed deeply. "Are you guys ready? Let's go party!"

They left the house, and their dad, Maxwell, pleaded with them to be careful. "Don't worry too much, Dad. We'll be fine," Bella said as they left for the club.

Bella confidently strutted into the club, her stunning dress catching the neon lights of the dance floor. Her sisters, Julian and Amelia, trailed behind, turning heads with their dazzling smiles. The air was buzzing with excitement as they weaved through the pulsating beats, creating a trio of elegance that left a trail of admiration in their wake.

"Tonight is going to be amazing!" Amelia exclaimed, dancing to the rhythm of the music. "Let's have some fun, girls!" Bella shouted.

The three of them were laughing and dancing when Bella excused herself to get drinks for herself and her sisters. As she approached the bar with a smile, she ordered soft drinks for the three of them.

While she waited for the drinks, a boy nearby tried to strike up a conversation.

"Hi, can I have a word with you?" He said, but Bella said 'No'! Asking him to let her be, but the guy smiled. Bella ignored his attempts and walked away.

When the boy followed her, she firmly told him that she was not interested and to find someone else. However, he persisted and started touching her, which made Bella furious. She quickly put an end to it by slapping him.

Amelia and Julian rushed over to prevent the situation from turning into a serious fight. Bella made it clear that she didn't want him near her again, and he was eventually dragged out of the club by security.

Bella went to the wine bar, followed by her sisters. She ordered another drink and expressed her frustration. "That guy is lucky I didn't give him a piece of my mind!" she said in a firm tone.

"That guy was cute though, if only he had come for me." Amelia piqued. Bella looked at her and smiled, "Naughty girl!"

Her sisters advised her to let it go and enjoy her birthday celebration. "We're here to have fun, Bella," Julian said, trying to calm her down.

Bella took a deep breath and looked at her sisters. "You're right. Let's have a good time and forget about that guy," she said, relaxing a bit.

Bella and her sisters were completely exhausted when they took a cab from the club and arrived home. As they entered the house, they chattered about their experience, making fun of all that had happened. Their father Maxwell was lying on the couch in the sitting room, curious to know about their night out.

"Hope you guys had fun," Maxwell asked, to which they all chuckled.

Bella, concerned about her father not sleeping, asked why he was still awake. Maxwell replied that he couldn't bring himself to sleep when his daughters were still out there.

Amelia, with a raised eyebrow, firmly told Maxwell that they were not kids anymore and he should not worry too much about them.

Maxwell was happy that his daughters were home safe and sound, but Bella and her sisters were assertive in letting him know that they were responsible adults who could take care of themselves.

After a memorable night together, Bella suggested that they get some sleep. She had a special client coming to the Salon the next day.

As at 5:30 AM Bella had already woken up and was getting ready to head to the salon. She took money from the box, planning to settle her landlord that day as well.

Bella was the kind of woman who handled situations in her own way. Smart, strong, and unstoppable, she was not easily swayed.

Her hard work and skills were gaining more recognition, and to her surprise, she received a call from a popular star in town, Jenny Hilson.

Jenny Hilson promised to patronize Bella and set a date. Bella was thrilled and couldn't wait to offer her services to the famous Jenny Hilson.

"Seriously, do I have to be your personal alarm clock every day?" Bella sighed, rolling her eyes dramatically at her sisters still snoring away.

With an exaggerated huff, she yelled, "Wake up, girls, come on!" while wrestling into her jeans, nearly losing her balance in the process.

Bella's loud voice echoed through the room, jolting Amelia and Julian awake. They yawned and stretched their arms like reluctant cats.

"Oh, it's morning already? I want to sleep some more. I can't even feel my feet," Amelia mumbled, flopping back onto the bed like a starfish.

"Bella, you're almost done getting ready and now you're waking us up? That's not fair," Julian whined, rubbing her eyes and making a pouty baby face.

Julian and Amelia were often dramatic, often acting like spoiled children. Yet, Bella, as the big sister, was always there to guide them with unwavering patience.

They were exhilarated but drained after their lively night at the club.

"You all seem to have forgotten who's coming to the salon today," Bella remarked, her eyebrows knitting together.

Amelia's eyes widened in realization. "Jenny Hilson! That's right, Jenny Hilson. She's my absolute favorite," she exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

"I need to shower!" she exclaimed, swiftly riding from the bed.

Amelia was always the fun- loving one, and Jenny Hilson was her idol. The thought of Jenny visiting their salon was a dream come true for her. She couldn't miss that day for anything.

Without wasting a second, she dashed into the bathroom.

Despite their exhaustion from the previous night's events, Julian and Amelia couldn't resist the allure of a visit to Bella's salon. After all, the chance to be in the same room as Jenny Hilson, the epitome of glamour and grace, was an opportunity no one could pass up.

Capturing Jenny Hilson's attention was no simple feat. A renowned makeup enthusiast, fashion icon, and movie star, she commanded the admiration of all. Bella, the salon's owner, had always dreamt of being Jenny's personal makeup artist.

She felt a deep kinship with the star, believing they shared a unique bond and kindred spirits in their love for beauty and style.

Bella encountered Jenny at Majestic Meadows, the biggest mall in town. Despite the crowd, Jenny's entrance didn't go unnoticed. Fans, including Bella, immediately recognized her.

The crowd began to acknowledge Jenny as the celebrity she was. Calling her name and cheering as she walked in, waving at everyone who caught her eye.

"Oh my God, look, it's Jenny Hilson," Bella exclaimed, nudging her sister Amelia.

"Wow, it's really her. She's so pretty!" Amelia remarked, turning to get a better look.

'She's so cool and beautiful, I just love her personality,' Bella thought, admiring Jenny.

Jenny walked through the mall, accompanied by three bodyguards and her personal assistant. However, an unexpected incident awaited her.

A nine-year-old girl, shopping with her mother, became ecstatic when she spotted Jenny.

Giggling with excitement, the girl couldn't contain herself. She dashed towards Jenny Hilson, clutching a bottle of juice.

Jenny saw the little girl approaching and opened her arms, smiling warmly.

In her eagerness, the girl didn't realize the juice bottle was open. As she hugged Jenny, the juice spilled all over Jenny's dress.

"Whoa!" Jenny exclaimed, raising her hands.

The bodyguards moved to intervene, but Jenny stopped them.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean for this to happen. I was just so excited to see you," the little girl apologized, her voice trembling.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It's alright. Everyone spills things sometimes," Jenny reassured her, ensuring the girl didn't feel bad.

Onlookers admired Jenny's composure and kindness, touched by how gracefully she handled the situation.

The girl's mother hurried over to apologize, but Jenny brushed it off, heading to the restroom to clean up.

Bella, who witnessed the scene, admired Jenny Hilson's humility and discipline even more.

Seeing an opportunity, Bella decided to try and talk to Jenny.

As Jenny made her way to the restroom, Bella followed, hoping for a chance to speak with her.

"Bella, what do you think you're doing?" Amelia asked, grabbing Bella's hand.

"Going to meet Jenny, of course," Bella replied, turning to her sister.

"Are you crazy? She has her bodyguards with her. How do you plan to get past them?" Amelia asked, concerned.

"Leave that to me," Bella said confidently as she headed toward the restroom. As she approached the entrance, she encountered Jenny's bodyguards.

Bella approached them, requesting permission to speak with Jenny Hilson. The bodyguards refused, insisting she leave.

They clearly wanted to avoid any more drama.

Undeterred, Bella stood her ground and refused to walk away.

"Miss, you need to leave now," one of the bodyguards demanded.

Amid the commotion, Jenny Hilson emerged from the restroom. "What's going on here?" she asked.

"This young lady wants to speak with you," one of the bodyguards explained, turning to Jenny.

Bella exhaled deeply, hoping for a positive response from Jenny Hilson.

"Hi, ma'am. I'm sorry to bother you. I'm a huge fan," Bella interjected with a nervous smile.

Jenny gestured for her bodyguards to step aside and approached Bella.

"How may I help you?" she asked firmly.

For a moment, Bella was at a loss for words. Her role model was standing right in front of her. She was stunned.

'I hope this works,' Bella thought.

Summoning her courage, Bella managed to engage Jenny in conversation and introduced herself, seizing the opportunity she had hoped for.

"My name is Bella Maxwell, and I'm a professional makeup artist," Bella introduced herself.

"Really? That's nice. And besides, you are very pretty," Jenny remarked with a slight smile.

They discovered they had several things in common, which made it easy for them to get along.

"Thank you so much, ma'am. I must say, you are even prettier," Bella replied.

'I like her; she's so cool and beautiful,' Jenny thought, staring at Bella.

"Please, ma'am, if you would allow me, I would like to give you an outstanding makeup for free," Bella proposed.

'An outstanding makeup? Seriously?' Jenny thought, scoffing internally.

"Do you know what? Jenny Hilson smiled confidently and added, "Leave your business card, and I'll come by over the weekend."

'She's very kind, but I really want to do it for free. Why doesn't she realize that? Bella thought.

"Ma'am, I really mean it. Bella insisted, "You are my role model, and I would love to do this for you, please."

"You want to showcase your talent on my face for free?" Jenny asked, raising her eyebrow.

Bella nodded enthusiastically. "Alright, Bella. Saturday. Jenny promised, "I'll be at your salon this Saturday."

Bella felt as if she were soaring, her eyes lit with amusement.

Her smile widened as she gently handed Jenny her business card. She was bursting with excitement on the inside, but she attempted to remain calm.

Nonetheless, she was clearly amused.

"Many thanks, Ma'am. "I'll be expecting you," Bella said gently.

"No, thank you, Bella," Jenny said with a smirk as she walked away with her bodyguards and PA.

Her personal assistant did not approve of the suggestion. She couldn't fathom a celebrity like Jenny Hilson going to a modest beauty salon. She thought Jenny was reducing her expectations.

"Are you sure about this, Ma'am?" the PA inquired, strolling closely to Jenny. "Of course, Lizzy.

Jenny said forcefully, "The girl is so nice, and patronizing her isn't a big deal to me." Jenny honored her promise and did not let her PA talk her out of it.

As Bella eagerly awaited the weekend, that memory replayed itself in her mind. It was finally here.

It might be a game changer for her. Who knows?

Bella and her sisters were ready to go to the salon, all looking nice, but Amelia's was a little too much.

She wore her nicest outfit, as if she were going to a party. Of course, a celebrity was coming by the salon today and she obviously wanted to blend in.

Bella almost laughed as she looked at Amelia, but she swallowed it. She didn't want Amelia to feel mocked. Amelia was an emotional individual. When Julian wanted to talk about Amelia's clothing, Bella motioned for her to stop.

"Dad! We're heading out!" Bella exclaimed as she emerged from the room with her sisters.

Maxwell, the caring father that he was, was already on the verge of serving breakfast to his daughters.

"Come on, girls! You need to eat something before you leave," he insisted, stepping out of the kitchen with plates of food in his hands, wearing an apron.

"You can't always leave the house without breakfast, claiming you're running late," he retorted, placing the plates on the table.

"No, Dad, that's not it. I told you about Jenny Hilson, who is coming to the salon today. She promised to be there by 10:00 a.m., and it's already 8:50," Bella whined, glancing at her wristwatch.

Maxwell had heard too many excuses from Bella for skipping meals and wasn't ready to let it happen again. No matter who was coming to the salon, they weren't more important to him than his daughters.

"No way!"

"I know you want to have everything prepared before she arrives, but you still have time to eat something. Come on," Maxwell pressed. "It's not a big deal."

Maxwell had little to offer his daughters. He lost his job two months after losing his wife, as the emotional toll was too great.

It was disheartening, but fate blessed him with a daughter like Bella, who was talented, smart, and diligent. Despite her challenges, she managed to provide for the family, with her two sisters supporting her every step of the way.

With boundless love and care for his girls, Maxwell devoted himself to being their nanny.

"Self-proclaimed nanny, actually."

His daughters always saw him as the best dad in the world.

With no room for further arguments, Bella and her sisters sat down to have their breakfast.

"That's more like it," Maxwell remarked with a playful glint in his eye.

As they lounged in their seats to eat, Amelia, the talkative couldn't help but gush about the previous night's events. "Last night was so cool, I loved every minute of it!" she said with a laugh.

Julian chimed in, giggling, "Especially when Bella slapped that guy in the face!"

Their dad overheard their conversation from the living room and looked up from his newspaper. "What was that, Julian?" he asked.