The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella) novel Chapter 20

“What is going on?” Isabelle asked when Jacob didn’t offer any explanation about the sudden change in their means of transport. “Whose car is this?”

Jacob shifted in his seat to look at her. “Since it’s your first day at work, I wanted to do something special for you. So I hired this car to pick you up.”

Isabelle didn’t know what to say at first. Of course, the only way he could pick her up with such an expensive car was if he rented one. But why would he go to such an extent? They weren’t a real couple. Still, it warmed her heart that he wanted to do something special for her on her first day at work.

“Thanks,” she told him. “It’s a nice ride.”

It was better than nice. It was the kind of car only the very wealthy drove—and she knew that meant the renting fee had to be quite high. While it was nice that he thought to do this for her, she couldn’t ignore the financial implication. She was out of cash and he was making money on a part-time job.

They couldn’t afford to splurge on unnecessary luxuries–no matter how much she loved the idea of how shocked Naomi must have been when the car showed up.

“I’m glad you like it,” he told her.

“But you shouldn’t spend so much money on something like this,” she said. “Since we are cash-strapped at the moment.”

“Of course,” Jacob agreed. “I just wanted to do something to celebrate your new job.”

It was interesting to listen to Isabelle being all practical about their finances. He had never had to think twice before spending his money–he always had enough to buy whatever he wanted.

Her reaction to his story about hiring the car told him one thing–this was probably not her first time running out of cash. It was as if she was used to it, and knew how to use money sparingly until her next payday. It wasn’t a skill he would have expected a wealthy heiress to have. And once again, he couldn’t help but think that maybe her money issues were tied to the fight with her family.

***

The next morning, Isabelle took the bus to work. The company was far away from where they lived, and by the time she got to the company, she felt exhausted. It was the complete opposite of the previous evening on the way home.

Riding the Maybach had been pleasant and comfortable, and she had felt completely relaxed by the time they got home. She thought back to the experience fondly and wished she could enjoy such a relaxing ride after a long day at work. But she could only wish–neither she nor Jacob had the money to travel like that daily.

The bus ride wouldn’t be so tiring if their house was near the company, but that was something else she couldn’t do anything about at the moment. Moving closer to the city would cost a lot of money, and she couldn’t afford that at the moment. So she would have to make do with the bus and the subway for now.

When she got to the company, she found out that the department director, Mr Grayson, wanted to meet her. Mr Grayson supervised all the designers in her department and made important decisions concerning projects.

When she walked into his office, he stood up from his desk and came around to shake her hand. “Good morning, Ms Cruz. Welcome to the Larson Group. How are you liking it so far?”

Isabelle gave him her hand in greeting and a smile. “Thank you, sir. I’m settling in well, thanks.”