1 Hatching a wicked plan

Jezebel was looking at nowhere. She was surrounded by her well-trimmed colorful garden that was full of sunshine. It was a beautiful day, but she was unhappy. She couldn't forget the divorce. She wasn't content with what the magistrates apportioned to her. Truth was, she felt insulted being set aside by Tatin, and choosing Isabella instead of her. She had to do something about how she felt. She would talk to Tatin. No. She would befriend Isabella. Like they say, keep your friends close, your enemies, closer. She looked at herself in the mirror. "How could you spurn somebody like her?" She was telling herself. "Somebody beautiful and smart. I'll show you who I am." Then, she called on the telephone. Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned like Jezebel.

xxxxx

In the other world.

"How's work?" Aaron just sat on the breakfast table. He was asking Josh and Suzy who were now a part of his newly formed company, the Lee enterprises.

Isabella fried egg and pulled the bread from the toaster.

"I like my supervisor Mary Lyn. She is strict, but I like her." Josh said.

"She's good, I can assure you." Aaron said.

"What do you mean good, dad?" Suzy interrupted.

"She can deliver," Aaron succinctly replied

"What do you mean?" Isabella interrupted; she was grinding the coffee.

"The job, I mean," Aaron said.

"She's been with the company for thirty years."

Aaron put Josh in operations while Suzy was in planning.

"What about you Suzy?" Isabella asked.

"I'm learning, mom." Suzy said.

"What have you learned?"

"That I have to be good with the people around me so I can deliver my job."

Aaron and Isabella chuckled.

"How I wish I am young," Isabella said.

Aaron looked at her, "You are young, but don't tell me you still want to drag yourself to work every day. I can't allow that.

"Hmm…"

Aaron stood up, hugged her, and gave her a kiss. He cuddled her like they were newly married couple again, "Did you enjoy our anniversary?" He was whispering in her ears. Isabella was looking at him. She was trying to tell him that their children were around.

"Hmm… are you trying to suggest something?" She was smiling.

"Hmm.. no sweetie."

Josh and Suzy were looking at their mom and dad with a cheeky grin.

"Why don't you two go out on a date?" Suzy suggested.

Isabella was still in Aaron's arms; then, he let go of her. "I have to go check baby Michael upstairs."

"And I have to go, work, too," Aaron was a good sport. They were both smiling as Aaron, Josh, and Suzy stood up to leave.

The gate rang as they stood up. When they opened the door, a strange woman was in front. They were puzzled.

She looked like she was in her seventies or eighties—big eyes, a nose hawk-like and fleshy, a mouth full—her skin sagged. She wore a red robe that she seemed like a character in a movie.

Isabella was in the stairs when she heard the ring. Aaron, Josh, and Suzy were utterly bewildered by her seeming peculiarity.

"Can I have a little food?" Her voice was squeaky.

Aaron was caught off-guard. He couldn't imagine how she managed to get through a heavily guarded village and how on earth was she abandoned by her family and relatives that she had to beg like this. He couldn't believe there were people like her, and in this village.

Suzy gave her a ready bill.

"I am sorry, but we have to go."

"Thank you, thank you, sir. This is more than enough."

The woman left.

Then, David drove the three of them off to work. Aaron looked around to check where the woman went, but he couldn't find her.

xxxxxx

Back in her world, Jezebel was looking through her crystal lens eyes. Seeing Isabella very happy in her future world with her family made her more furious. "I will destroy your future," she pledged to herself.