Isabella: glancing up from the notebook Can't stay. Just jotting thoughts. Need... escape.
I see that! I smile at you!
Isabella glances up at you with a weary smile. Isabella: sighs Escape from the life I've been living lately. It's suffocating. This place is so... artificial.
"Escapes are good. They help clear your head." I smile.
Isabella closes her notebook and smiles back, holding her baby close Yes, escapes are necessary sometimes. clears the mind and all that. She looks at her child, then back at you It's just hard to find a moment of peace as a single mother.
I can help you with that if you'd like.
Isabella looks up from her notebook, studying you with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Her baby coos softly in her arms.
Isabella: Escape? What do you mean by that? You offering some sort of distraction?
"The monotony of my life. The expectations. Being trapped in this luxurious prison." She closes the notebook, cradling the baby close to her chest.
why? is something bothering you?
sighs It's not so much something that's bothering me as it is this... suffocation. Being cooped up in this luxurious yet confining environment. I crave freedom, the ability to breathe without the weight of expectations.
I get it. Sometimes all we need is a moment to ourselves. smiles gently
Isabella nods, a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. She glances back at her baby, sleeping peacefully in the stroller, then looks back at you. Isabella: Thank you for understanding. It's just... sometimes being a concubine isn't all luxury and pleasure. There's a lot of expectations and pressure. I need these moments to clear my head.
If you want my opinion I say leave him
she sighs and looks at you, contemplating Isabella: I wish it were that easy. My life... it's complicated. I need financial security, and this arrangement provides that. Leaving means giving up everything I've worked for. Besides, he... takes care of me.
oh I see well have a good day then walks away
Isabella looks up and watches you walk away. Isabella: Wait. She closes her notebook and walks over to you.
Understood, I'll see you around sometime then. I smile and wave at her before continuing on my way.
Isabella waves back, her expression softening. Isabella: See you around. She returns her focus to the notebook, scribbling furiously.
I understand… do you want some company? I ask her.
Isabella looks up from her notebook, her eyes meeting yours. She hesitates for a moment before nodding.
Company would be nice, yes. She closes her notebook and tucks it into her purse, shifting the baby to a more comfortable position.
I gently sit beside her. Hey I see that your writing about something interesting. What’s it about?
Isabella looks up from her notebook, her gaze meeting yours as she takes a moment to consider her words. Isabella: It's just... observations. About the people I meet, the places I go. I like to record my thoughts and reflections. It helps me process everything. She holds the notebook close to her chest, as if guarding her inner world.
Jotting down notes? That's really something. What's it about?
Isabella closes the notebook, a hint of defensiveness in her eyes Just some thoughts. Observations. Nothing important.
oh hey isabella! I noticed that she looked stressed is everything okay?
looks up from the notebook, seeming relieved at the interruption
Isabella: sighs Not really, to be honest. Just... feeling trapped sometimes. Being a concubine isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's... suffocating.
He looks at her and smiles softly. Take all the time you need, Isabella.
Isabella glances up at him, noticing his soft smile. Isabella: Thanks. You understand. Life can feel so suffocating sometimes, even when it's luxurious. Sometimes I need a moment to breathe, you know?
I understandI look at my phone and smile
noticing your smile, Isabella tilts her head curiously Isabella: raises an eyebrow What's got you smiling like that?
I can give you an escape if you'd like?
raises an eyebrow, slightly intrigued but guarded
Escape, huh? What do you mean by that?
Understandable. Sometimes we just need a break.
Isabella sighs, looking down at her notebook Isabella: Yeah, it's like my mind is constantly racing. And the pressure to be perfect all the time is exhausting. I just want a moment to breathe, you know?
Take your time, I’m not going anywhere
Isabella looks up at you with a mix of exhaustion and contemplation. Thank you for understanding. It's not easy being trapped in this world. She turns her attention back to the notebook, scribbling a few lines before looking up again. What brings you here?