Chapter 1
It’s a normal sight to see a man and a woman getting asked or forced to marry for the benefit of their family. Back in the days, if a certain household owed money, they’d look for a way to pay off the debt and this included selling off their daughters for marriage no matter how young they were which was absolutely disgusting. If the debt is paid off, your daughter can return but if she’s not, she stays with whoever she wants sold to until the debt is cleared. Change is inevitable, now they actually let the females become of the right age and tag it a contract marriage instead of using the word “selling off”.
Bella is just twenty five, small in size, about 170m tall. She has pretty brown eyes, full lips, full eyelashes that casts a shadow on the bridge of her nose whenever she closes her eyes. A pretty prominent nose, a nice jawline, she is gorgeous and it’s no surprise that she gets hit on countless times but neglects the attention.
She got married three years ago, when she was twenty two. Seated around the couch, with her family and her husband's family, discussing the purpose of their marriage.
“It’ll only be for five years, till our company is stable” Bella’s father said that night, his eyes pleading that Bella had to accept the request. Bella didn’t exactly plan on rejecting the offer because well, the man she was asked to marry was breathtakingly beautiful.
She’s seen a few men, but this one, the one she’s supposed to marry, was definitely a threat to the male population.
He had big, well toned muscles, a handsome face, deep green orbs and beautiful skin.
Bella couldn’t wish for anything else and when she said “Okay, I’ll get married to him”. She made sure she didn’t seem eager but at the same time, she knew she did almost sound too eager.
She has thought of different scenarios where she’d be standing near the man, on a red carpet and have their pictures taken. The perfect couple.
It made her happy to think about those types of things but who was she kidding? all she had thought, all the plans she had made were useless because none of it turned out how she wanted.
Now, three years later, she’s twenty five and has never been touched by her own husband.
Her husband, Gabriel requested that they use different rooms the first time she moved in with him. Bella didn’t understand why he wanted to do that but she understood and thought maybe he wanted privacy and to get used to living with someone else other than himself.
There were house helps of course, running around the huge house to make sure everything is perfect whenever Gabriel was throwing another one of his top many parties.
Even though it hurt to see her husband interacting with people she hadn’t met before and being completely neglected, she was still happy that things were going well for him.
The aspect of not being touched for three years was killing her, it’s been killing her and she doesn’t want to come off as desperate to his husband. They both shared vows in the altar, kissed as a way to seal their marriage. They said their vows, said they’d be together for richer and for poorer, for better for worse but it’s all nonsense, at least that’s what Bella thinks.
She has tried to give herself the pleasure she deserves by touching himself, using her numerous toys that she buys whenever she has a chance but none of them does it for her the way she wants. She knows it’d be so much better to have another person, touching her and making her feel good and that’s exactly what she desires but her husband—the man is just a no no. He’s a lost cause
At some point, Bella actually thought the man was gay or at least questioning his sexuality in different ways but he was none of those then why has he refused to make love to his own wife even after their wedding. Their wedding night was supposed to be the perfect night for them to have the sheets around them, enjoying the warmth of each other but that night, her husband left her to sleep in another room.
During their honeymoon, the man was preoccupied with work or purposely ignored Bella, so she cried herself to sleep that night.
Arranged marriages are the worst, sometimes. It works out well for others and the others, just get unlucky with it and Bella thinks she’s the exact type to get unlucky with marriage. Maybe if she had said ‘No’ to marrying Gabriel that night, maybe things would’ve turned out better but she knows her family were too broke to even take ‘No’ for an answer.
Has she tried seducing her husband? every damn time.
She’s been in three relationships and whenever she gets fed up and the whole thing isn’t exciting to her anymore, she walks away
She was selfish in the past and now she regrets it, the way she’s being treated by her husband reminds her so much about how she treated people she dated in the past. She wasn’t a novice when it comes to bed as well, she was a professional actually. She could give you however you wanted it and liked it as far as she was feeling good too, then it’s a win-win situation
Her mouth—God, her mouth is even more amazing because she’s been told by her usual past dates about how she sucks well, how her mouth is good and how well she uses his tongue to pleasure others.
If only her husband can just let her—maybe take him in her mouth, maybe he’ll change his mind and touch her.
Well, she’s tried seducing him again and again.
The first night she tried was three months after they got married.
Her husband had just returned from work and she was already waiting in the living room wearing her husband’s shirt and nothing underneath. It was silly, the way she purposely dropped her phone and bent down to pick it up, flashing her favorite red butt plug that was pushed carefully into her and her husband just—the man walked away.
It was embarrassing of course but she didn’t give up.
The very time she tried was two months after the former embarrassing incident. They were having breakfast and she dropped her fork, while bending down to pick up her fork, the pornstar in her suddenly had the urge to suck her husband’s cock and she crawled further under the table, close enough to reach her husband’s dick and her husband, got up and walked away, again.
“Am I not desirable enough?” Bella had asked herself that night, finishing the rest of her food with anger before heading to bed.
The last time she tried was after two years, when they were in the third year of their marriage.
It was around 2am in the morning when Bella woke up after having a wet dream about her husband. She took a quick shower, touched herself off but it wasn’t enough. She cleaned up too, planned to use a vibrator and after she left the bathroom, she had an idea.
One she should’ve ignored.
She dressed up in a small gray booty shorts and a big shirt and headed towards her husband’s room and when she got there, she pushed the door open quietly and walked in. Staring at her man, shirtless and lying peacefully on his bed
She crawled into the bed, turning to the side of her husband, so he was spooning her and when she felt the hardness that she’s been longing for for so long, she pressed her ass into it.
A small moan left her mouth that night at the small contact and she did it again, dragging her ass up and down her husband’s cock, feeling it getting bigger and she pressed further till her husband’s hand on her waist held her still.
“Get out.”
That was all her husband said and Bella left his room that night and she’s never been in his room since then.
She wasn’t going to pine over some man when she’s being desired by tons.
But she was lying, fooling herself because she kept desiring her husband.
So who was Gabriel? Gabriel was a wealthy billionaire, sexiest amongst his ton but his flaws? They were so many that his wife, Bella, included the fact that he didn’t crave her sexually or touched her as one of his flaws, the worst of them.
Arthur’s POV Their normal routine was eating breakfast together, they don’t even exchange words besides greeting each other and then Gabriel leaves for work and Bella leaves afterwards.They come home and they eat dinner together and they go to bed, separately.The only time they got to talk more than five words to each other was when their family called for a small dinner party. They have to act like they’re the perfect couple but after each night, it goes back to normal.Bella couldn’t take it anymore.She knew Gabriel was working in his study and she went to meet him, to talk to him but after seeing the man in just small shorts that were inching closer towards his thick thighs and his black tank top hugging his body, she lost it.She shuts the door, stepping closer to her husband and then gets on top of him, basically straddling him.The man is surprised because Bella has never come into his study. She’s straddling the man and she grabs her husband’s free hands, dropping it on her
Arthur’s POVGabriel isn’t exactly wrong. Bella knows how much he does for her family and so she always tries her best not to provoke Gabriel so his family doesn’t end up suffering alongside her.“When I ask a question, I need you to be vocal. I’m gonna ask you again, I hope you know that your soul belongs to me and your life is in my hands?”“Yes, I know that and I'm sorry for staying out without telling you. I—I won’t o do it again:” Bella says, her tears finally falling on her face and she stares at her husband’s eyes, searching for sympathy but it’s just an icy cold look she gets.
Arthur’s POV Her mind is bargaining with herself , coming up with possible explanations because there’s absolutely no way any of this is happening, it can’t even be countered as a coincidence. Bella turns away from the man, suddenly so self conscious and she tries to ignore the nauseous feeling in her stomach. “Baby, are you okay?” Gabriel asks and she wants to roll her eyes at him so bad. She would’ve died after hearing the name of endearment but she preferred to hear it from someone else, the man from last night and the man who was now sitting beside the other guys, directly facing her. She tries to avoid his eyes at all cost, doesn’t bother engaging in conversations and she knows the man keeps looking at her but she dares not meet his eyes. She feels dizzy from being so anxious, what if the man says something to Gabriel . Oh God. She can’t breathe properly either and she doesn’t know if it’s the right time to excuse herself and walk back to her room, shut her and pray she ge
Arthur’s POV Bella stares at her phone even though it’s 2am and her phone finally starts ringing and the sound startled her but there’s a smile on her face when she sees ‘Mason’ on the screen.She picks up, chewing her lip and holding back her smiles.“That was fast, were you waiting for my call?”Bella can hear the amusement in the man’s tone.“I just happened to be with my phone.”“Sure, I believe you. How are you?”“I’m fine, I guess, I'm just anxious. What about you?”“I’m okay, what’s making you anxious?”Bella sighs at the question, cuddles closer to a pillow.“What I’m doing, with you. It’s- Ughmm- it’s wrong.”“Don’t overthink it and I won't do whatever you’re not okay with. Gabriel won’t find out either, I promise.” Mason says and Bella can hear the sincerity in her voice and she believes him.“Okay.”Bella stays silent because she’s awkward this way and she doesn't know what else to say."Saint?""Mhmm?""You looked so pretty today by the way."Their conversation afterwards
Author’s PovBella turns back at the door, giving the poor wooden door a dirty look and if it was a living thing, it would've shied away from the look Bella was giving it.Bella doesn't waste time dressing up because the last thing she wanted was getting scolded for being late.Twenty minutes later, She was dressed a black satin shirt dress that exposed her cleavage a bit and didn’t exactly hug her figure as she didn’t want Gabriel to think she put in effort to look good for him. She completed the look with black heels.Her outfit fit like a second skin and she couldn't be more appreciative to God for making her all-round beautiful.Gabriel was already outside, leaning on his car and waiting and if they didn't have such an odd relationship, Bella would've felt like those female lead characters who are stepping out of their house while their Prince Charming is leaning on his car, patiently waiting for her.And then, their eyes will be on their female leads, raking over their body and n
Arthur’s POV Bella is back on her seat. Mason had something to discuss with Gabriel and they moved to a quiet corner to talk about it but she didn't miss the looks she was getting from Mason.She couldn't help it, she was smiling because she liked the way Mason was looking at her then at her plate of untouched steak. She starts eating anyways, regaining back her appetite only because she wants to do something too, for Mason.*"I'm coming over tomorrow. I don't need too much stuff since I'm only staying at your place for a week." Mason tells Gabriel and the man nods, his eyes stopping at Bella who's now eating.Mason followed the trail of Gabriel’s eyes and smirked when he could see Gabriel watching Bella."What did you say to her in the bathroom? She’s suddenly eating." Gabriel inquired with his eyes never leaving Bella who's now drinking her water, a pout visible on her rosy lips."She was crying and then I asked him why, she said it was nothing and she was overreacting. I asked if
Arthur’s POV She wants to focus on anything else and not at the two men standing in front of her husband's home office, saying things she can't hear.She looks at them again and Gabriel's hand is around Destiny’s waist, caressing it."I have a nice and small waist too, good enough to hold." Bella mumbles to herself, she's pathetic at this point. She drops the cup in the sink, reaching for the can of orange juice in the fridge and drinking directly from the can. She stops drinking to look at the two figures again and this time, her eyes are wide when she sees them kissing.It's not a rough kiss but—but they're kissing like lovers. Bella swallows when Gabriel meets her eyes, she doesn't stop kissing the woman in front of him who's now exploring Gabriel's chest with her smaller hands and Bella wants nothing more than to be in her position.She finally gives up and takes her orange juice outside to take a walk and maybe water the gardens to take her mind off what she saw.She feels hot
Arthur's POVIt's Saturday and that meant one thing, both Bella and Gabriel weren't going to work, and usually Bella would be happy to stay home, but after seeing her husband with another woman last night, she dreaded seeing him this morning.She couldn't stay in her room forever, so she went downstairs. Hair a little wet from her shower, and she's just in brown slacks and a nude singlet.Cute.She doesn't see Gabriel in the dining room like always. He's always the first one to wake up, and Bella smiles bitterly.He's probably still asleep after whatever he did with Destiny—the woman's name makes Bella click her tongue in irritation.But that doesn't mean she doesn't tag Destiny as being lucky, waking up next to Gabriel and getting greeted in a sleepy groggy voice must feel really nice.Bella really needs to stop thinking so much about it, or she'll keep ripping the bandage off old wounds.The head housekeeper, Caroline, sees her approaching the kitchen, and she smiles sadly at her.S
Bella steps closer to the door, her head dropped forward as she peeks inside the bathroom to see Gabriel's standing figure. Gabriel has his head thrown back, washing his scalp, scrubbing gently with his fingers, the foam on his head slowly disappearing.Bella swallows, her eyes tracing down Gabriel's back and stops on the curve where his butt stops. Blood rushes to Bella's cheeks and her stomach swirls with something like heat. She gawks at her husband's butt, one she's never seen since they got married. His thighs, the way they're so firm, huge and strong. His thighs are two of Bella's combined and the thought makes Bella shut her eyes briefly to inhale the smell of Gabriel's apple body wash.She wants Gabriel to turn around so she can look at the other stuff she badly wants to see. Gabriel's body proportion is insane, his body is gorgeous, everything Bella ever fantasized about, and she wants to touch.The heavens must be on Bella's side because Gabriel turns
Bella steps closer to the door, her head dropped forward as she peeks inside the bathroom to see Gabriel's standing figure. Gabriel has his head thrown back, washing his scalp, scrubbing gently with his fingers, the foam on his head slowly disappearing.Bella swallows, her eyes tracing down Gabriel's back and stops on the curve where his butt stops. Blood rushes to Bella's cheeks and her stomach swirls with something like heat. She gawks at her husband's butt, one she's never seen since they got married. His thighs, the way they're so firm, huge and strong. His thighs are two of Bella's combined and the thought makes Bella shut her eyes briefly to inhale the smell of Gabriel's apple body wash.She wants Gabriel to turn around so she can look at the other stuff she badly wants to see. Gabriel's body proportion is insane, his body is gorgeous, everything Bella ever fantasized about, and she wants to touch.The heavens must be on Bella's side because Gabriel turns
**—MY HUSBAND'S FRIEND—**Bella shuffles off Mason's lap, her head collides with the roof of the car and she doesn't have the time to let the pain settle in before dashing out of the car.She stares at her phone with wide eyes, contemplating on what to do.Mason steps out of the car, standing in front of her, aching to calm the younger down because it looks like she’d start hyperventilating soon."What is wrong with me? He said I should be back before ten and it's almost midnight.""Bella, calm down.""No no, please don't touch me." Bella says, slapping Mason's hands away.Okay?Mason winces at those words but manages to hide his expression."I'll take a cab home.""What? No, why would I let you do that when I can drive you home? Bella, I'm driving you home.""You keep forgetting that you're staying at our place! What do you think is gonna happen when we walk in together?""I'll park a few blocks away and you can go in. I'll come in later.""We both smell like alcohol. Mason, please—j
Arthur’s POV Bella walks out of the elevator and stops in her tracks when she sees Gabriel, who was also making his way into the elevator.Bella's grin instantly disappears, replaced with a frown.She walks into the elevator, knowing it's best not to step out, so she stays back as the elevator door shuts close."Where are you heading to?" Gabriel asks, typing away on his phone."Nowhere, I was heading home. Why are you here? You only come if you have a meeting with the book company, and you always tell me before you come. Do you need something?" The pitch of Bella's voice raises with every question, and for a moment, Gabriel looks like he might slap her quiet. But as always, the threat of violence is left hanging in the air, unfulfilled."Do I have to call you every time whenever I'm coming to my own building? I'm the landlord."Bella fidgets with her jacket and nods."Sorry." "It's almost seven, we'll have dinner together."'Oh God, please...no'Bella wants to say that, she really w
Arthur's POV Both adults manage to curb their flaming hormones by not messing each other up against the bar's wall but they walk towards Mason's car, where it's parked at a quiet spot and Bella's back collides with the car.She winces at the pain and Mason is about to apologize for pushing her too hard against the wall before Bella grabs his chest so Mason is hovering over her, pressing her lips hard on Mason's and they're kissing rather messily.Bella briefly remembers their first kiss, when Mason practically took her breath away with the roughness of his mouth, his intense kissing and she feels it now, how good it feels to be roughed up.Mason slips his tongue inside, sucking on the younger's and Bella's body is heating up, legs trying to clench together to stop her from seeking friction where she wants it best.Her fingers find Mason's hair and she first admires the softness, her tongue never quitting the urge to fight for dominance, to be in control but she knows too well that Mas
Arthur’s POV Mason parks near a bar Bella hasn't been to, adding visiting the bar alone to her to-do list. They both make their way into the bar after showing their ID cards. Mason drops his hand on Bella's back to guide her to the empty seats in front of the bar where the bartender is mixing drinks for some group of people. Bella sits on the stool carefully, with Mason on the one beside her, staring at the drink choices. Mason asked. "Do you have any idea what you want to drink?" "No, not really. I'll go with whatever seems okay to you." "Okay." The bartender turns to them, looking Bella up and down for a minute with a flimsy smile before his eyes stop on Mason who's intently watching with an almost obvious scowl. Bella doesn't hear the conversation between Mason and the bartender, she's scrolling through her messages and subtly checking the time. She still has an hour before she heads back home. The last thing she wants is to get on Gabriel's bad side for today. He hasn't sc
Arthur’s POV It's Monday morning and Bella has to rush to work. She doesn't even get to see Gabriel or Mason or even have breakfast but she does stop by at the cafe near her office to grab a cup of coffee. Steam clouds are rising from the dark liquid, Bella waits for it to get colder because she doesn't want to burn her tongue no matter how desperate she wants to chug the caffeine and stay awake. She doesn't own the building she works at. It belongs to Gabriel and the man had the conscience to let Bella start her cosmetics business in the building. She steps into the elevator and more workers rush in, greeting her as well and she greets back with a small smile. Her eyes stuck on the elevator door as it started moving. She doesn't recognize these workers so she figured they worked for the paper company downstairs that she shared the building with. One woman suddenly starts gushing. "I heard they'll be a society event soon and I'm so hyped. The men that always attend are all bachel
Arthur's POV Bella's hands slip past Mason's shorts and stop. She looks up at Mason, who gives her a small smile, encouraging her to go on. Mason hasn't stopped squeezing and touching her neck, making Bella even more aroused than she already is. Bella boldly dips her hand lower, warmth clouding her hands as her knuckles graze Mason's stiff cock. The effect of Bella's thumb grazing Mason's length has his grip on her neck tensing. Their eyes meet again, and this time, Mason doesn't have that softness in his eyes; it's replaced with dark, sweet, and longing desire. Bella finally grabs his cock, her palm barely covering the whole length, and her mouth waters at the thickness. Her finger finds a vein that runs from the base of Mason's cock, and she trails her fingers along it, following it to where it stops below the head of Mason's tip. Her eyes never leave Mason's; she wants to see the effect she has on him. Mason twitches in Bella's fluttering grip as she squeezes his length. Bella
Arthur’s POV It's Sunday evening and it's the official first day of Mason staying at Salvatore home. Bella refused to discard her parents' name and answer Gabriel's instead; at least, they let her keep her parent's name even though they didn't know they were throwing her in the lion's den. The name 'Salvatore' has gone places. The family name, as heavy as it sounds on the tongues of peasants, it's a name that reflects the blood that runs through the bearer's name. Before you set foot into Gabriel Salvatore's home, you'd get scanned because let's be honest, a lot of people hate the rich ones and would do anything to get their hands on them and be the last ones to take their dying breaths away. The gate of Gabriel's mansion has the initials of his name carved into the gate like she's someone born of royalty. It's a magnificent look to the mansion. Once you successfully step into the compound, you're attacked with pure beauty. The fountain in the center of the huge compound doesn't