(Bella)Yet again, there's an unavoidable meeting with Brenco in a few minutes, and my mind tells me that Dean wouldn't miss it for anything, not when he's been trying to reach out.Showing up for this meeting is he's only way out. ***I grip my tablet a little tighter, an attempt to keep myself grounded, I take a deep breath, wearing a polite smile before sliding the doorknob of the conference room.I step in confidently, my stride firm and fluid. I walk over to my chair, and a pair of eyes follows me, it's unmistakably Dean's.I take my seat, and shortly after, the meeting began.Calvin has a warm smile on his face as he proceeds. "Good morning everyone," he began confidently, his voice firm.He goes ahead to acknowledge everyone's collective efforts and then moving forward, he discussed the progress of the ongoing project so far, the new changes he's proposing, of course with Dean's approval.All the while, Dean's piercing gaze doesn't go unnoticed as I could literally feel his eye
(Bella)"Bella, Bella, Bella please wait!" Calvin calls after me as soon as the elevator slows to a stop. A little angry, I ignore him, walking straight into my office but he doesn't back down, he follows me in.I'm not cool with what he did earlier, and I don't have to pretend that I am. I need him to know.As soon as we're both inside the office, I turn to face him, my frustration building inside me. "What was that for?" I blurted out, my voice a little tight.There, I've said it.But as much as I'm not okay with what Calvin did, my whole body screams at me to not drag this, I should be thankful he swooned in to help but then the look on Dean's face when Calvin claimed we're together, it's stuck in my head, refusing to go away.I shouldn't care, like hell I shouldn't.Calvin sighs deeply, he looks away briefly and then back at me. "I just had—," he trails off, his eyes darting on me. "I know you want to handle this on your own but I just had to step in, Bella."My expression falters
(Dean)I watch as Calvin walks up with a subtle smirk, wrapping his hand possessively around Bella's waist, my eyes lingers on the contact, my heart ramps.And even worse, he outrightly said they're together, that he's the twins father.Bella didn't counter that, my heart's racing as I try to process it, I mean she has every right to move on with someone else. I'd suspected they're together but hearing him say it to my face makes my stomach twist.I can't handle Bella being with someone else, I really can't. We're still married. And I definitely can't take seeing her raise our kids with another man, it'd kill me.Wait, I pause.The twins, they're mine. Puzzled, I tilt my head thoughtfully remembering Calvin's claims.I let out a slow breath. He's obviously lying, but how could he lie about something as big as that?My thoughts spirals.Did he adopt my kids as his?I clench my fist beside me, the mere thought of it makes my stomach churn.But if he did, they'd be living together, righ
(Bella)I glance at my wristwatch, turning to Anne. "Please get them down for dinner, Calvin should be here any moment from now," I say as we set the dining table.Anne sets the plates down and wipe her hands clean. "Alright," she mutter before stepping out of the living room to follow instructions."Good evening, mommy." Jasmine greeted cheerfully as they walk up to the dining table but I noticed Javier was looking gloomy even after he greeted.A smile creeps up my face. "Evening babies. I made lasagna, you like it right?" I beamed, my eyes flickering with warmth as they approached."Yay!" Jasmine squealed, her eyes widening in excitement, but Javier remained silent as he stared at the floor.I noticed he's been quiet since yesterday, and when he eventually talks, he mostly speaks to Jasmine.Initially, I didn't read much meaning into it but now, hearing I made Lasagna without any hint of excitement confirms my suspicion.Javier could have Lasagna anytime any day, it's one of his best
(Bella)I squint. What the hell is he doing here, and at this time?I frown, I'm not doing this with him. I reach to slam the door shut."Bella, please don't —," Dean says hastily, stepping a foot in, it wedge between the door, causing me to stop halfway to avoid hurting him.I throw a sharp gaze his way, my anger simmering. "So you think you can just show up here just because you own the building?" I snap, my voice dripping with barely contained anger.He shakes his head, taking a step backward. "No, Bella. That's not it, I just needed to talk to you, I tried but you just wouldn't let me," he explains, his voice low and strained. "Just five minutes, please,"I'm angry at him, too furious but there's just something about the calmness in his voice that softens my heart slightly, he looks so desperate, almost broken and a part of me tells me I wouldn't dodge this forever.But even at that I hesitate, eyeing him warily."Please," he mutters again, his eyes are pleading, looking for some k
(Dean)I look at them, and I can't help but smile even though Bella's words still had me forlorn. There's a warm glint in their eyes that tugs at my heart, so innocent, so pure. It just manages to push the sadness away, leaving me unexpectedly warm inside.It's fascinating in a way that's hard to explain.Quickly they come running up to me with a big smile even before Bella could utter a word.I know she isn't taking this so well, I understand but I honestly didn't mean for any of this to happen.My little princess stares at me with little wonder, while Javier clings to my hand. "Did mommy tell you?" She blurted out, looking between Bella and I.I don't miss the excitement in her voice, and Javier nods, pinning his eyes on me.Confused, I take a quick glance at Bella, and she rolls her eyes, instinctively folding her fingers into her palm.She only does that when she's nervous, maybe it's not something she'd want me to know.Mirroring my hesitation, Javier asked. "You'll be our frien
(Ashley)"You're unbelievable, Ashley!" Evelyn rants as we step into the house but I paid her no mind, walking in and replaying everything in my head."So the real reason you asked we step out this night is to stalk Dean?" She spat, her voice rising slightly in a pitch.I clench my fist beside me, stopping abruptly. Believe me, Evelyn is getting on my last nerves, I just can't wait for Kendra to get back, jezz!I turn, fixing her with a hard look. "So?" I spat, clearly triggered.She crosses her arms, her jaw set in a way that tells me she isn't leaving this alone. "You shouldn't have done that, it's wrong!" She replies, her gaze softening and then she takes a few step forward. "Look, Ashley. It's not too late to stop, you have to—,"I cut her off sharply. "Never!" I blurted out, my eyes blazing with anger. "I will never leave Dean for that bitch, he's mine and I won't let anyone get in my way," I say sternly, my voice loud and clear.Evelyn chuckles, her eyes slowly meeting mine. "He
(Dean)As I drove home, I can't help but replay everything in my head.The pain I saw in Bella's eyes as she shut the door in my face, the way she looked at me, it's stuck in my head, like an imprint refusing to go.The deafening silence after she shut the door, it just feels like she's shutting me out of her life completely.Why did I ever let her go?That feeling when something's within reach but yet out of grasp.I feel even worse knowing I have a family I'm not part of, it leaves me feeling so empty.I don't know if there's anything I say or do that'd change anything but I do know that I'm never giving up on her, my family.I take a deep breath, my mind spirals.Ethan was right. I didn't handle things well, I should've fought for what we had. I shouldn't have let anger get the better part of me.If l hadn't, we'd still be together, raising our kids like we've always wanted.I deeply regret everything.I grip the steering, beating myself up mentally.The fear and the guilt of what
(Bella)The awkward silence lasted till Calvin was out of sight. I turn to look at Rihanna and she looks a little sad, her eyes pinned in the direction Calvin had taken.I clear my throat, snapping Rihanna back to reality. "Is everything okay?" I say, my eyebrows lifting in question.She forced a smile. "Oh, it's nothing," she waves it off. "How have you been, Bella. It's been such a long time," she says, her eyes lightening up again.There, she's being too obvious about changing gears but that's okay. I understand awkward moments better than most.I exhaled, offering a smile as warm as hers. "I've been great actually. It's so nice to see you," I say earnestly."Yeah," she mutters, her gaze softening. "We should catch up sometime," she says and I nod."Yeah, we should,"We talked a little more before she excused herself to join her date.As I watch her leave, I couldn't help but think about earlier, what was that?There's definitely something, it can't be nothing.Calvin looks like he
(Bella)I knew I wanted Dean, I wanted him so badly. Even now my body still tingles from his touch. I just realize how much I've missed him.That kiss, his gaze that makes me weak to my knees, it all reminded me that I was starving.I could feel the wave of heat washing over me when my eyes strayed to his crotch, I just couldn't help it, my mind instantly projected him naked, and his cock buried deep inside me, what those gorgeous hands of his could do to me.But then, I shook my head, inwardly scolding my lewd thoughts.My walls had crumbled to dust when Dean said he has and will always love me.Strangely I didn't doubt his love, I had looked into his eyes, searching for even the barest traces of lies but I found none.I see the way he looks at me and that itself tells me more than I need to know.A part of me wanted to tell him that I never stopped loving him. But I restrained myself from doing so. I'll put it down to being cautious, and yet my whole body screams at me to admit that
(Dean)I watch tears slip down the side of her face and now I feel like the biggest asshole in existence for making her cry.I see the doubt in her eyes and it fucking kills me, I know it's going to take a while before she'll fully trust me again.I'm willing to do anything, anything at all to get her to trust me again.But then, she pulls her hands free from mine and looks at me, her eyes a teary mess. "You don't get it, Dean. Ashley is crazy, she's dangerous, she'll try to hurt me, her threats were real, and your mother? She's unhinged. I" she pointed out and pause, as if remembering something. And then she looks at me. "Judy knew I had your kids long before you figured it out, she wanted to pay me out, to leave my kids to you and Ashley, she thinks the worst of me," her voice cracks, barely above a whisper and then she lowers her head.My eyes widens as I try to take in what I've just heard.My fist clench and unclench at my side.Ashley threatened her? And mother knew the kids we
(Bella)I flip over for what feels like the hundredth time, unable to sleep, my mind just won't stop racing, Dean's sad eyes haunted my mind.Frustrated, I throw off the covers and drag myself out of bed, wearing no more than red silk nightgown.I head to the kitchen to grab myself a bottle of water and go through my emails later, hoping it'd help quiet my mind, somehow. But not before checking in on Javier and Jasmine.With a bottle of water and a clean glass in hand, I move to the kitchen island and sat down. But just as I take the first gulp, I hear a knock on the door.I squint, checking the time on my phone. Who could possibly be knocking on my door, and at this time?It's a few minutes past 9PM, not too late but I don't usually have anyone over at this time.I place the glass back down and shuffle to the door. When I opened the door, I'm startled to see Dean standing there, ashen-faced.I didn't expect he'd be here, especially when I got his text earlier saying he had a late nig
(Bella)I could feel Dean's eyes on me the entire day and even as I join Calvin in speaking to a few guests, his gaze was still on me.I refused to meet his eyes, focusing my mind on anywhere but him. And then finally he walks up to Calvin and I, alongside his assistant, Humphrey."Dean," Calvin turns to meet him, shifting his attention from a guest to him, a soft smile in place, My heart raced with Dean's closeness but I didn't dare look at him.Well, not until he mutters. "I'll have to take my leave now, I have an urgent matter that needs my attention," he says but there's an edge in his voice and instinctively my eyes landed on his blue ones.I see an unmistakable glint of sadness in his eyes as it flickers between Calvin and I."Oh, that's fine, Dean." Calvin says calmly, extending his hands.Dean looks at the hand Calvin was offering and hesitantly he takes it, returning a tiny smile and then he turns but not without giving us both a once over.My stomach is tied up in a knot as I
(Bella)I haven't been able to get Dean, the kiss out of my head, from one lewd thought to another and it pretty much unsettles me.I'd like to think I've been ignoring him quite well and I'm sure he knows.I must be a terrible person because I didn't even ask if he was okay now, if Doctor Raven said anything that'd be of concern.I should ask but the urge to stay away from him was greater. And the next day we slipped into our co-parenting roles, and I try to keep away from him.I see his efforts into getting us to talk though, I feel his scorching gaze but I paid no mind, making sure there's no situation that'll leave us alone in one setting.Of what use will opening up to Dean or accepting my feelings for him be? It'll rile Judy and Ashley up, and then what?I can't risk it.They might be quiet now, staying off my back but I know it's only a matter of time.If they see I'm not here for Dean, and that I only have my kid's best interest at heart, maybe they'll finally let me be.Speak
(Dean)I turn to Rihanna, who's been watching me silently from across my desk. She finally speaks up. "So, not only are you avoiding your mom but the entire family?" Rihanna says, raising an eyebrow.I give her a look. "Don't be dramatic," I reply, shaking my head.She feigns a frown. "But that's what it looks like, you don't take your calls, and you barely return them,"I clear my throat and throw her a glare. "Well, it wasn't that bad, until you started bringing mother up, you know the rules, Rihanna and yet you choose not to abide by it," I tell her outrightly.Yeah, and not to mention that I know she's here to lecture me.She shrugs and lets out an exasperated sigh. "I know, and it's not like I have too much of a choice here, I have a sulking mother at home, and Judy came by the house yesterday, visibly sobbing. I've never in my entire existence seen Judy cry, I almost thought she's untouchable,""Don't be deceived by their stunts," I huffed, I know not to take whatever mother and
(Dean)I shouldn't. But she closes her eyes, and my mouth is on hers. My tongue entered her with ease, tangling with hers.The thrill of our tongues meeting races through my body. I fist her hair and drag her in more, she opens her mouth to me, and I'm flooded with need.The taste of her, the feel of her, the need, it's intoxicating, overwhelming.My mouth opens, and the kiss grows more intense, her body melts into mine and for a moment everything ceased to exist, just us, just this.God, I've missed her, this. Why did l ever let her go?But just then, her eyes slowly opens, and she pulls away quickly, breaking the moment.She tensed and looked away, she bites her lower lips, as if realizing what we've done. I see something flicker through her eyes, leaving me all confused.Does she regret kissing me back?She stands up quickly, and grabs her car keys, her nervousness seeping from miles away. "You should have Doctor Raven come in the morning for a proper checkup,"Thrown off, I blink.
(Bella)I still couldn't stop thinking about what Derrick said, perhaps I was slacking off, getting too comfortable around Dean.My head is just so messed up right now. It feels like Dean has plaqued my senses, and no matter how hard I try to turn off my thoughts, it keeps drifting back to him.I find everything he does intriguing, perhaps a little too much.But I can't let myself fall any deeper than I already am, and I also need to work through this feeling that has stirred up since we got close again, I can't let it linger on.It's quite risky, especially when I'm trying to protect myself from what it will all bring.That's it, I sigh.I need to guard my heart, by all means.******So, I try to keep my distance, only speak when spoken to, and I also tried not to get excited by Dean's presence.I avoid any awkward situations, I leave the room right when he walks in, and lastly I avoided eye contact.I wasn't unkind though, I just tried not to be too friendly, that way I might focus