Bachelor Party

Ryder's pov.

It was another weekend, and I was engrossed in my work on the laptop when my phone suddenly rang. Seeing Bella's name on the screen brought a smile to my face. Despite being busy as a multi-million company owner and a leader in the mafia world, I always made time for Bella. She held a special place in my life.

Balancing my role as a mafia king and running a successful business often kept me occupied even on weekends. I had worked hard and dedicated myself to building my own mafia gang at a young age, ultimately earning the title of Mafia king. However, I still managed to find moments of enjoyment by hanging out with friends, going to clubs, and having casual encounters with women. I believed in living life to the fullest.

But this particular weekend, I had an important deal that required my attention, so I had chosen to stay home. Bella's call interrupted my work, and I answered, trying to maintain a businesslike tone.

"What's the matter, Bella?" I asked briskly while continuing to work on my laptop.

"You were supposed to pick me up, and I've been waiting for half an hour!" Bella's voice rang through the speaker, filled with frustration.

Oh shit! I completely forgot about our plans. I exclaimed to myself, realizing the mistake I had made due to being consumed by the important deal I was working on. This weekend was supposed to be Alex's bachelor party, and I had promised to take Bella with me. Attending the party without her was out of the question since Alex genuinely liked her and had specifically invited her. Bella wasn't your typical girly girl; she enjoyed hanging out with my friends and had a tomboyish nature.

Feeling remorseful, I quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, Bella. I completely forgot. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be there to pick you up."

Bella huffed in response, clearly frustrated, but I knew deep down that she would understand. She had always been forgiving, even when I made mistakes. Determined to make it up to her, I swiftly wrapped up my work, grabbed my car keys, and hurried out the door.

"I'm on my way. Just wait for me," I reassured her, rushing to get ready. I quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a blazer, wanting to look presentable for the occasion. Seeing Bella on the weekends had become a cherished ritual for me, and I couldn't wait to witness her infectious smile once again. She brought so much vibrancy and joy to my home with her laughter and sweet voice.

As I drove towards Bella's place, I couldn't help but reflect on our unique friendship. She was unlike any other girl I had ever met. She never demanded anything from me or threw tantrums. Our bond was pure and selfless, and I cherished every moment we spent together.

I missed the sparkle in her bright eyes, which lit up with childlike excitement whenever she spoke. She was like a little kid, and just thinking about her brought a smile to my face. There was no way I was going to attend Alex's party without her by my side.

I drove my car a bit faster, eager to reach her dormitory. As soon as I arrived, I hurriedly got out of the car and rushed inside the building. Bella was waiting outside her dorm room.

"Finally, you found the time to come," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, now that you're done teasing me, can we go?" I replied, slightly annoyed by her bratty behavior.

She didn't say anything, but instead walked past me towards the parking lot. We both got into our respective cars and headed towards the party venue. After a while, we arrived at the club where Alex was hosting the party.

"Hey, thanks for coming," Alex greeted me with a grin.

"Nice party, dude," I said, shaking his hand and giving him a congratulatory hug.

"Congratulations, Alex!" Bella chimed in.

Alex pulled her into a hug, expressing his gratitude. I possessively pulled Bella back towards me, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Alex shook his head, amused by our antics.

"Alright, let's head inside and enjoy the party," Alex invited us.

As we made our way towards a table, a striking girl approached me and jumped onto me.

"Hey, baby, remember me?" she chirped.

"Yeah?" I replied, feeling a bit confused as I didn't actually remember her.

"Are you looking forward to having some fun tonight?" she asked, tugging me towards a corner. I glanced at Bella, who gestured for me to go ahead.

_______________________

Author's pov.

Bella sat alone at a table, ordering a soft drink for herself. Just then, a handsome stranger approached her and took a seat across from her.

"Hey there, gorgeous," he greeted with a smile.

"Hey!" Bella replied, returning the smile.

"Let me get you a drink," he offered, and Bella nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Ryder had managed to shake off a girl who had been persistent in trying to go home with him. However, he couldn't leave Bella alone after bringing her to the party. When he returned to the table where he had left her, he couldn't find her anywhere. Panic surged through him as he realized she was missing from the party.

Frantically, he searched for Bella in every corner of the venue, but she was nowhere to be found. Just as he was about to head outside to look for her, he spotted her sitting on the floor in a lobby near the restroom.

Her body trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, trying to wipe them away and seeing her in such distress pained Ryder deeply.