BELLATRIX.... "M-me?" I was bewildered, staring at the manager, my mouth agape. Her brows furrowed deeper. "Is there anyone else named Bellatrix Valdez in the finance department?" she asked distastefully, clearly not liking the attention I had gotten on my first day. Well, Manager Celine, unfortunately, you're not alone. "B-but I..." I stuttered, feeling helpless and remaining wordless; all eyes were on me. "Miss Valdez, your attitude toward President Dubov was quite disappointing to him and to the entire finance department. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to teach you fundamental civility." Her voice was tenacious. "Now, do not waste any of our time and go to his office." Pushing her glass away, she threw a warning glare at me and stormed into her office. The entire place was silent, with all eyes upon me. Sigh... What are you doing, Victor? I lowered my head and closed the file I was working on, preparing to see the president. "Do you think she'll be fired by the presid
VICTOR.... The taste of her freshness ignites the fire within me, yet I'm forced to control my flying desires. Even though all I want is to take her senselessly, I can't scare her away. Slowly, I drop kisses on her neck, feeling her quickening breath and soft moans. She does not resist my touch, which I believe is a fucking win. I suck on the bare skin of her neck; she shivers. "Victor..." My name tenderly rolls off her tongue. Oh, how I love her to scream my name, with me deeply buried in her. Her hands touch my chest. "Victor," she calls me again, but this time it is different. I look at her; our gazes meet. She bites down on her lower lip, making me groan inwardly. "Fuck..." I say, "I... I shall return to work," she murmurs. "Is it necessary?" I press my forehead against hers, reluctant to let her go. "I-it's our workplace; we can't..." she denies, yet does not move. I know I should control myself, but around her, I'm somehow losing it over time. She seems to have a strange h
VICTOR.... "We're here," I say, turning to Bella. Her gaze is fixed on the entrance of the Valdez Villa, blank and lost. Mathew opens the doors for us, and we step outside. She is trying her best to act calm, yet she is failing to maintain it. Slowly, I hold her hand, intertwining our fingers. She shudders at my touch and closes her eyes, her breaths moving unsteadily. "It's okay, Bellatrix. I'm right beside you," I murmur in her ear, which seems to relax her a bit before she exhales a deep breath and opens her eyes again. She looks up at me and slowly nods her head. We walk down the narrow road leading to the entrance; the villa seems to be in a festive mood, the main gate wide open with no trace of life there. As we approach the gate, hushed voices drift out from the villa. "They're happy," she mumbles, a flicker of woe in her tone, to which I have no reply. Her pain is unbearable and far exceeds mine. And she was right; not only her parents, but the entire villa was delighted
BELLATRIX.... "Bellatrix," Dad sighs. "Why don't we sit and talk it out?" He seems tired and hurt. It shatters my heart; all I want is to rush and hug him, hiding in his chest, just like I used to do in childhood. Dad always drops his work for me and picks me up in his arms. Those days are always so special to me. When Mom scolded me, I cried to him, and he coaxed me. Where is that father of mine? I really miss him a lot. "Yes, your father is right! L-let's talk!" Mom says; she sounds too desperate. Sigh... They'll haunt me if I fall weak now, and the man who keeps taking my side no matter what I choose— it would be an insult to him. I cannot do that. Perhaps breaking off our relationship wouldn't at least ruin my joyful memories with them. "There's nothing to talk about; my decision is final," I say calmly. "If you don't sign this contract, I'll reopen the case, and Florence will go to prison and face the consequences she deserves. It's very simple, Mom: either Florence or me,
VICTOR.... She screams, she cries, she struggles; she's trying to hide from some monsters tormenting her. "Pl-lease don't kill me!" I want to hide, but I don’t let her go and hold her tightly. "Bellatrix! It's me!" I said, trying to break through her nightmare. She struggles harder, but suddenly she freezes. She trembles, and slowly her eyes flutter open. Tears smear her beautiful face; she is a mess—her hair is disheveled, her eyes red and puffy, full of unknown fear. "Victor." Her voice is barely a whisper. "I-is it really y-ou?" she asks, as if she is trying to make sure of my presence. I am crouching in front of her; I cup her cheeks. "It's really me, little bird," I say gently. She stares at me, still frightened but not struggling anymore. Suddenly, a loud thunder shudders her again, and she leaps into my arms, screaming again, "Pl-lease please d-don't leave me! Don't let them take me away!" She cries out, clutching me. I hold her tight in my arms. "Shush, I'm here. No one
BELLATRIX.... I swallow hard, my gaze dropping down to his physique, mouth agape. I didn't realize he was hiding that masterpiece under his white shirt! Shirtless, he looks so different from usual; his muscles are lean and toned like supermodels, and his eight-pack abs are half covered in tattoos. At that moment, his image is no less than that of a rough gangster! "Like the view?" I gasp at his playful voice. Immediately pursing my lips tight, I look away, blinking before gulping hard. "I... uh—G-good morning," I stutter slightly. "Good morning," he replies gently. "Did you sleep well?" he asks, that playfulness replaced with concern. "Y-eah, I did," I mutter before looking up at him again. I bite my lips at his sexiness, feeling slightly dizzy. Suddenly, a realization crosses my mind. "Umm, wh-at are y-ou doing here?" Oh God, what was I even asking? Didn't I invite him to sleep with me last night? Well, I did not ask him to move around, though... naked. His brow raised, a fain
BELLATRIX.... The entire office was in a festive mood, and the trip to Mount Valkyro Villa was a dream for all, a place barely reached by ordinary people. Spending two free days there seemed to open the gates of heaven for them. However, the crazy speculation among employees heightened the curiosity about the president. Soon, the question of whether the president would join them on the trip became a topic of debate. By the day, people were divided into two groups: one saying he would join, which was mostly women, and the other saying he wouldn't. Even among them, some were discussing whether his wife would accompany him or not! The employees created a forum for a $100 bet; whoever wins, the losing team will give the winning team members $100 each. I, on the other hand, was also thinking about Victor, but my thoughts were running a little wild, recalling images from this morning. Well, he was so... delicious to look at! How was it my fault? "Bella?" A voice interrupted my thoughts
BELLATRIX.... I blink. "Well... okay." I agree, of course. And hearing Assistant Luis, why do I feel that this isn't a coincidence anymore? A few gasps and murmurs ring in my ears, which I ignore gracefully. Those smirking faces from a while earlier turn gloomy. After it was decided, we all got our key cards, and Luis and Mathew escorted me to my room. Suddenly, they didn't turn to the rooms and walked straight into the private quarters. I clearly remembered this area because Dad had booked our rooms here! "Isn't this the private area?" I ask, feeling a little nervous. "Yes, ma'am," Luis replied. "The president has arranged a room for you in the private quarters." What? I gasp inwardly. "President Dubov did not want you to stay in an ordinary quarter," he added. Ordinary quarter? I feel dizzy. "Any room in Mount Valkyro is expensive; though the rooms given to other employees are far less than ordinary quarters, still... Isn't it going to make others suspicious if they find out
ONE YEAR LATER.... BELLATRIX.... I stood in the bathroom, my body shivering, and drops of tears rolling down my cheeks... No, I'm not hurt; I'm emotional, and this feeling... It's beyond any joy and fear I could ever feel. I stared at the two pink lines on the pregnancy kit. Yes, I'm pregnant again. I sobbed loudly, and suddenly the door of the bathroom swung open, revealing my anxious husband, who was waiting outside. He rushed inside. "Wh-what is it?" He was worried and nervous too. I felt so weak and sat on the toilet seat, showing him the kit. One glance at it, and he froze. Slowly, he bent down beside me, watching the kit. He looked up at me, his eyes teary... "Is it a yes?" I nodded. "Y-es." I choked on my tears, smiling and crying at the same time. As soon as I confirmed my pregnancy to him, he dropped his head on my thigh and started crying. It was the same emotion for him. "We are... pregnant," he spoke between his tears, and I nodded. I hugged his head as we shed t
BELLATRIX.... I inhaled a deep breath before stepping inside the funeral home. I had avoided this topic after Victor informed me about her death two days ago. However, I came today for her funeral.Why? Well, I don't even know myself.I felt nothing for her anymore. The tie I had with her was brutally severed. Still, I wanted to see her, which was pretty surprising for me too.As usual, Victor accompanied me.Stepping inside, I walked toward her coffin. I saw her daughter, Florence, was there too, with police officers guarding her.The mother and daughter had both been sentenced to fourteen years of imprisonment.Seeing me, she tried hard to rush to me, but the officers did not let her. She glared at me hatefully. I knew that if she got a chance now, she would kill me. Well, unfortunate for her, I am not available for that.She was dragged away by the officers as I ignored her and looked at Rebecca's coffin. Her face was pale and slightly bluish. There was no charm on her face anymor
VICTOR.... Life wasn't the same after the truth was revealed. My always-smiling little bird isn't the same anymore... She smiles, but the pure charm she had is no longer in her.It's been a couple of months since all the miseries, cruel truths, and heartbreaks, and Bella was the one hurt the most during that time, which changed her a lot.After returning home and seeing her mother that day, she only asked me two things: 1. To give Lucia's mother a standard life.She did not want that lady to suffer because of what her daughter did. Her mother did not know about Lucia's crime, and when she learned, she cried and asked for forgiveness again and again. She did not ask to free her daughter, though. Perhaps she too realized the severity of her daughter's actions.And 2. Bella demanded to keep Florence and Rebecca separate and never let them know about each other. She wanted Rebecca to suffer, which I obliged gladly. After that day, she did not speak about them, nor about her biological m
BELLATRIX.... The revelation was hard, yet nothing is harder than losing a child. Perhaps because I have digested the shock of losing my child, I did not react harshly toward the unsaid truth.This taught me one truth, though. Now I know why my father used to be the one caring for me. Now I know why he wanted to see me on his deathbed and not Florence, because I was his biological daughter. I do not justify his actions, though; I never will..."Baby, we are here," Victor said to me, breaking my thoughts.I turned to him in a daze. "Huh?""We have reached here," he said again.I looked out of the car window. We are at the same investigation center. Our chauffeur opened the door, and we stepped out of the car."They are here?" I asked as my husband held my hand."Hmm. They have been brought for investigation..." He turned to me. "Are you sure you want to see them?" I squeezed his hand, locking our gazes. "Don't worry, I am fine... My mother taught me to face the hardest phases of life
BELLATRIX.... Is he joking? That's the first line that came into my head. I sharply looked at his face; there was no trace of humor there; instead, worry and fear lingered on his features.My heart twisted strangely... That means he did not lie.When I said nothing, he touched my face. "Baby, calm down. What I am about to tell you won't be easy."I swallowed hard. At this point, I am numb, but I want to know. "O-kay..." I replied breathlessly."Bella, Mrs. Valdez is not your biological mother. She did not give birth to you. But... Mr. Valdez is your biological father," he said, dropping another bomb over my head.My mouth agape, my gaze blankly watched him.He sighed, caressing my neck. "It does not end here, Bella. There are many more. Do you want me to continue? Or do you want to see for yourself?" He gestured at the file. I once glanced at it and gulped hard again. The idea of my life being imprinted in that file did not please me; in fact, it was scarier. I shook my head, "No, y
BELLATRIX.... "The person who wanted to kill you is your mother."As soon as those words left her tongue, I fell backward. The door of the room swung open at the same time as I heard hasty footsteps getting closer to me, and before I realized it, I was caught back in a pair of strong and familiar arms.I stared at her, dumbfounded. When she said that, I would never have imagined 'the person' she referred to; she did not lie. I would have never envisioned this, even in my nightmares!"What?" I asked, breathless."I did not lie," she muttered, hugging her knees. "She and her daughter threatened me that if I failed to kill you, they would hurt my mother... And now, I have failed," she sobbed.I don't know whether I should be happy about the fact that she told me or go into shock again; I have no fucking idea.I was in a daze when I was pulled back by my husband. He had already picked me up in his arms and started walking out, muttering, "I shouldn't have let you in here alone. Fuck!"Wa
BELLATRIX.... I look up at my husband, to whom I could not look since yesterday. How can I even look at him after breaking his dream like that? I have failed him, failed myself, and most importantly, I have failed as a mother.I could not protect my child. I trusted the wrong person, and now... my heart clenches at the reminder of that moment. Exactly right here, it happened.Victor stared at me; his beautiful green eyes held many emotions."Will you take me?" I ask again, hoping that he'll take me to her. Though I am not sure if she is alive or not.He raised his hand and touched my cheeks, slowly caressing them with his thumb. "Of course, whatever you wish."He took me out, and we sat in our car. Lucia was kept in an interrogation cell with high security. Of course, Victor used his power here, and none can blame him for that. She's the killer of our unborn baby. However, surprisingly, she is still alive but beaten very badly. She was arrested and sent to the interrogation room, wi
VICTOR.... "Open your mouth." Stella held a slice of apple in front of Bella's mouth. Slowly, without a word, she took the slice and chewed on it.I was watching her, standing on the other side of the hospital room. I was on a call, yet my focus was on my wife.Twenty-four hours had passed since she came out of that nightmare, still in a daze but much better than before. However, after she woke up and cried, she did not speak in the last twenty-four hours, as if she had lost her voice.Doctors said that it's due to the aftershock, but soon she would be fine. The main danger is gone; it's now upon her adaptability. We must be patient and give her enough time to adjust.Feeling frustrated, I turned around and left the room. It's hard to see her this way; I just can't.I walked out into the huge garden of the hospital, where the patients were walking, some maybe talking with their family members. I chose a quiet place and sat on a bench.I rubbed my face. I am not quite sure how to hand
BELLATRIX.... "Mommy." I heard a baby voice ringing in my ear. I looked around; where is she? I don't see anyone. "Mommy, don't you see me?" Her voice was soft. "No, where are you?" I shouted. "Mommy, please, come to me." She said again as I started running nowhere. "Where are you?" I screamed. Suddenly, I found myself on the stairs. In front of me was... "Lucia!" Her eyes were evil. She stepped toward me. "I'm sorry," she said, and then pushed me. "No!" My voice echoed in the hollow. My eyes flew open, and a heavy breath escaped me as I was greeted by a pure white ceiling. Wh-where am I? Am I stuck in nowhere? Am I dead? I was confused. I looked around. Everything around me was either white or off-white. There was a monitor beside the bed, beeping continuously, and a wire attached to the back of my hand. It took me a while to realize my surroundings. I am in the hospital. I look around again; I am alone in the room. How did I end up here? I tried to recall, and some vag