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Chapter 16
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One last dance Chapter 17
Christian's POVThe bruise on her neck was just too much to handle. It was as if something had tried strangling her to death.I considered suicide, maybe she wanted to hang herself. Was she tired of it all? Was I that suffocating that she wanted to end it all?But no, Belle was a strong woman. She once joked that nothing would make her kill herself. Her parents, the most important things in her life were dead and she was still standing strong. So no, it definitely wasn't suicide.Then what was it? I didn't know why I was annoyed at it. She stood there, shifting her head away from my touch, trying to make sure I don't see how much damage was done."Who did that to you, Belle?" I asked her again."It's nothing." She replied, taking the hat forcefully away from my hand and replacing it on her head."It definitely doesn't look like nothing." I replied."It's my business Christian, stay away from it." She answered and turned to walk far away from me and my family.I turned to look at Gabri
One last dance Chapter 18
Christian's POVMy eyes was wide with shock. I had expected her to say Belle really did it. It would have been easier to say Belle had lied to me or even a lover. Maybe a lover she had secretly brought on to the trip had a misunderstanding with her and wanted to kill her, anything would have sufficed, but not my father.Definitely not my father.He wasn't a monster. Yes, he was many other things but he wasn't violent enough to hold her up to the point it left that sort of mark on her neck."It's been very long I saw you this surprised, Christian." Gabrielle said studying my face.I turned to look at her and shook my head with disbelief."My father doesn't have any reason to do that to her." I replied."True," she nodded "but he did. I saw them in his study last night."I didn't know what came over me but I turned angrily and walked down to my father's room. Without knocking, I kicked open the door and he jerked upright."You did what?" I asked, going over to his side of the bed. My mo
One last dance Chapter 19
Belle's POVHe thightened his grip on my arm but I didn't flinch, only determined to stay and help him. My hand was against his back, patting with the intent of bringing his heartbeat and breath back to normal.He stared at me, with those beautiful eyes of his and instead of asking me to leave like he had done the previous time, I found him staring at my lips and leaning forward.Something spoke to me to move away from him and leave the room. To not further complicate our situation and relationship, but his eyes were more compelling than the voice in my head.When his lips touched mine, I didn't move, only felt. His grip on my arms softened as he deepened the kiss, his tongue doing the magic in my mouth.It was like a trance. I no longer controlled my mind. I only allowed him to lead while I followed.The kiss ended and I felt his eyes on me even though mine were still closed."The sleep disorder is not gone, Christian." I said immediately I regained my breath. It wasn't a question.
One last dance Chapter 20
Belle's POVThe danger in her eyes was enough for me to read the red signs. I took a step back from her even as she continued to pretend to smile at me. No one wanted to anger a woman who felt like she had been scorned, especially by a cheating husband.A lot was beginning to unfold about Christian's family even without asking questions and getting answers. They were way too forward to keep secrets among themselves no matter how much they tried to hide it.Lucy still looked at me with daggers in her eyes and I had to use the gown she gave to me to keep a good distance between us."What are you talking about Mrs Lucy? I don't have anything to do with your husband. He is my father in law for Gods sake." I said, trying to calm her down."Well, I don't believe you." She retorted, turning to make sure we were still alone before taking another step towards me. "Afterall you just appeared in my son's life again. Who knew what you had been doing before that.""I wasn't doing anything." I said
One last dance Chapter 21
Belle's POVChristian turned to the lady and patted her knees without an expression of remorse on his face."It's okay, Alex." He said and turned to look at me. "She's not that important."I stared at him in disbelief, words refusing to come out of my mouth. It was difficult trying to get the sight I had just met out of my head.This is what happens when you don't listen. If I hadn't come in, nothing would have been seen."You are not supposed to be in here, Belle." Christian said calmly to me. He wasn't angry that I had caught them, he wasn't even sorry that I had caught them.I turned immediately at his words and walked out of the room and straight into mine, not knowing how I felt about the situation I had just experienced.I quickly performed my nightly ritual of having my bath, washing my hair and cleaning my face, surprised that I wasn't over thinking the entire cheating scenario.Was it really cheating? Did we share real vows when we had signed the contract in the court? I trie
One last dance Chapter 22
Christian's POVGabrielle turned her face away from Belle to stare at me."What do you mean back?" She asked. I shook my head at her to signal that it was nothing and looked sternly at Belle, who kept arranging the fruits in the basket with a look of satisfaction on her face."Ignore her, Gabrielle. it's nothing serious." I said to calm her down."Oh, but it is." Belle said, nodding her head and making a face. "It is very serious. I've met him on two occasions now, the first was easier...""Belle!" I called angrily but she didn't pay any attention to my warning."But the second," she continued, "it was very difficult, I had to be the one to help him out of it.'Gabrielle opened her mouth in shock, her face filled with worry. Just as my sleeping problem was a nightmare for me, it was the same for my family. No one wanted to see that it has returned, because of the scare it had given them the last time. If Gabrielle could react like this, then my mother would be crushed.God, I hated pe
One last dance Chapter 23
Christian's POV"What do you mean she's about to cause a scene?" I asked, moving away from the door so that nobody could hear me."I saw her at your father's office and managed to bring her here, but she's screaming, sir." She said and after a brief pause, added. "I think she's drunk too."Shit. "Tell security to keep her there, I'm on my way."I said and hung up the phone. "Where are you headed?" My father asked as I took a step. "I told you I wanted to talk to you.""Not now, dad." I said. "I have something to do."I walked away and hurriedly got to my office. Louisa sat at her desk when I entered and stood immediately she saw me walk in."Where is she?" I asked herShe pointed at my office. "Inside. She's calm now sir, I managed to talk to her."When I got in, my mother was seated on the chair, her hands covering her face and her feet tapping the ground."Mum?" I called as I walked to her. She turned to look at me before standing up to her full height."Christian!" She said"Why ar
One last dance Chapter 24
Belle's POVOur plane landed at St Louis Airport and we waited while our bags were been cleared. Christian and I had tried to live in peace during the last few days. I made sure not to mention his cheating behavior the other day and stayed away from any sensitive topic that could bring out the arguments from us.The last few days had been good and I wished it would continue to be so throughout the course of our marriage."We are done." He called to me. "Let's go."I nodded and walked out of the lobby with him. Outside the Airport, his bodyguards, the ones who had brought his note and card to me the first time we met again stood by the car, waiting for us.They took my bags immediately and acknowledged Christian with a bow."Thank you Peter." Christian said to them as we got inside the car. "What's the situation like?" He asked."The preparations for the opening are already on ground. Just a few wrap ups and everything will be completed." Peter said.Christian nodded his head, turning
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One last dance Chapter 70
Belle's POVI woke up to find Christian staring at me with a smile on his face. After the intense love making last night, he sure did look intent. And so was I. There was no happiness in the world compared to what I was feeling right now. In few weeks time, I will be walking down the aisle as Christian's wife. Official wife this time around. We were going to have a real wedding. The thought of having a wedding alone made me fulfilled."Good morning Sleepy head." He said, kissing my forehead and I snuggled closer to him, to get a scent of his fresh morning breath."Were you even able to sleep Mr Martin?" I asked him, wishing the day would just halt for a while and that we didn't have to go on with our daily responsibilities. I wouldn't mind being in bed with him all day, in fact that was what I desperately wanted.He smiled. "Who sleeps when there is a beautiful woman lying in his arm. There's no sleep for such men." He replied, the beautiful smile still playing on the corner of his li
One last dance Chapter 69
Christian's POV"Mr Martin?"I turned my chair away from the window to find Louisa standing by my office, her bag hung on her arm. She had a worried look on her face that was too hard to miss, even with my thoughts and feelings all over the place.She felt sorry for me, I almost laughed at the situation. She had seen me at my best, worse and worst throughout these few days and I knew I had a lot to apologize to her for."Is it time to leave already?" I asked her and she nodded, pointing at the clock hanging on the wall. "It's been time to leave an hour ago, sir." She replied.I nodded my head and offered her a weak smile. She must have waited to make sure I left before she did, but it's an hour past her closing time. I had to let her get back to her life outside the walls of the company. "Time travels faster these days." I said and she smiled at me. "Go on then, I want to see David before I leave. He said he is around the building now.""Do you want me to wait...''"No, Louisa. I hav
One last dance Chapter 68
Belle's POVThe days got tougher after the separation. It's been a week and some days since Christian and I decided to call it quits. I sat with Bernard in his flower shop, arranging and trying to make myself useful. His wary eyes were always on me, wanting to make sure that I was fine and wasn't thinking too much about the situation.I was glad to be back, especially back to my parent's house where I didn't need to worry about it being taken away anymore. It was all thanks to Christian and the contract marriage which was supposed to last for six months and more, but was later cut to three because of all the craziness. Getting married to a wealthy man for just three months and getting a house out of it would be considered a success I should think.But why wasn't I feeling successful? Why did it feel like someone had a hold on my heart and any mistake or move from me would require it being crushed to pieces."You know after the settlement, you won't need to do all these." Bernard said
One last dance Chapter 67
Christian's POVThe doorbell of the house rang and I walked out of the house to open the door to see my mother and Gabrielle standing with a basket of fruits in their hands. It's been a week since Belle left and I have hardly done anything for myself apart from going to work. I lived like a work maniac and who else but my mother and cousin to take notice of it.They stood there, staring puppy eyed at me and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to pity me. My wife didn't die. Yes, she left me but she's alive, hale, happy and hearty."Finally decided to be part of the family again?" I said to Gabrielle as I led them into the dinning room where my home laptop and some papers were placed on the table."I won't pick a fight with you." Gabrielle replied, opening the cabinet and exclaiming at the uneaten fruits inside."Do you eat, Christian?" She asked, turning to look at me."I eat?" I replied and shrugged my shoulders. "Why do you ask that?""I don't know, it's obvious you don't eat. No
One last dance Chapter 66
Belle's POVI sat looking at the mirror while preparing for Christian's celebratory dinner. Two weeks ago, we had discovered his uncle had been the architect of the news and Alexander had stripped him off his position, sending him to head the lower branch in South Arizona. Today, Christian was named chairman and we were to celebrate. But I didn't feel that celebratory urge in me as I realized it was all going to be over soon. The fake marriage, the lies, they will all be over soon. I heard a light tap on my door and rose to see Christian leaning in, dressed in his suit and looking ravishing. We've not really spoken much to eachother for the last two weeks but the environment seemed tense. Something was definitely bothering him that he didn't want to share with me or anybody for that matter. He was not in good terms with his parents for whatever the reason and Gabrielle had refused to come back to the city because of shame. Hopefully, she attends the dinner tonight."Are you ready?" C
One last dance Chapter 65
Christian's POVI just couldn't describe my thoughts process when I looked at his face. He stood there, looking surprised at all of us and probably wondering why we were all staring at him. I couldn't believe he could do that to us which was the major reason I couldn't take a step towards him, or even talk to him. I had vowed to punch the offender on the cheeks but couldn't bring myself to.He was the most supportive person in the world and I desperately needed to know why he did that. Why he went all the way to even throw his own sister under the bus. My mother was dumbfounded as she stared at him and so was my father. None of us said anything, none of us moved an inch and the situation became more ridiculous and suffocating.Gabrielle walked to him immediately without any cue and looked straight into his eyes."It was you?" She asked him and he sighed. He knew what she was talking about and didn't even try to hide his shame."You found out." He said. It wasn't a question because the
One last dance Chapter 64
Christian's POVShe was quiet for a moment as if she wanted to change her mind. But I knew her. Since she was on the phone already, she wasn't going to just leave me hanging. And I knew she wouldn't also keep something that important from me."Tell me, Brie." I said to her, holding my breath and wishing she wasn't going to say something ridiculous, something that would make me begin to hate Belle again when my heart was falling madly in love with her. It would only complicate my feelings and right now, I couldn't deal with anymore complicated feelings. She of all people should know that."It was your parents." She said calmly. "Uncle Alexander and Aunt Lucy threatened her to." Then she stopped, giving me a moment to take it all in, before continuing. "With the life of her parents."The ache I felt in my chest was nothing compared to having my arm cut off from me. No, they wouldn't do that to me. They were aware of how much I loved Belle then and even mourned with me while I looked for
One last dance Chapter 63
Christian's POVI took three breaths in front of the company, before stepping out of my car. Belle had advised to me to stop hiding and with more than three days gone, it was indeed time to stop hiding. There were reporters, all right and they all crowded me on my way into the office. My bodyguards tried their best to keep them off but I waved them."Mr Martin, there has been a whole lot of rumors about you for a while now, can you say something quick about that?" One of the female reporters asked."Mr Martin, is the sleep disorder real?" Still a female."Your mother has also had her share of the rumour, what can you say about that?"I halted at their questions and adjusted my suit."The disorder is true." I replied, wishing that this was the best thing to do. The shot sounds increased and I knew I was in deep trouble. "But that was five years ago. It happened and I was cured of it, now I don't have it anymore. Everyother thing you've heard, is false."I concluded and made my way into
One last dance Chapter 62
Christian's POV"What in the world!" My father exclaimed, shocked to the bones. If we were not in a pretty deep situation, I would have laughed at him, but we were and nothing was damn funny.Angry at what my mother had just done, he tried to take few steps towards, her but my uncle stopped him immediately."I wouldn't do that if I were you." He said and my father turned to look at him. I didn't know whatever he saw in my uncle's eyes, but he stopped and waited.My mother was still wrecking havoc when the maid brought her drugs. Quickly, I put it into a syringe and gave my uncle while I distracted my mother."He's here now, mum." I said to her. "Drop it and come with me."She shook her head vigorously, not in the slightest mood of stopping her actions. Thankfully, her attention was purely focused on us and wasn't aware when my uncle took the bottle from behind and injected the syringe on her arm. She stopped immediately and collapsed into his arms. I was surprised at how quickly the d
