Alexander could not get Bella off his mind after that incident. 'She must be a new maid' he said to himself judging by the uniform she wore. He smiled to himself as he dressed up, remembering how she reacted to see him naked. She was Innocent and naive and he took an instant fancy to her. 'Having her to myself isn't bad' he thought as he stroked his beards while staring at his handsome face in the mirror. All he was imagining was sleeping with her. It would be a new adventure for him as he pictured her to be a virgin, considering the way she reacted on seeing him that morning. He had never slept with a virgin and he wondered what it would be like.
Bella stayed in her room for a better part of the morning. She did not mind Celia's query. The image of Alexander kept flashing in her Innocent mind. She wished she could rewind the hands of the clock and knock before entering the bathroom. She knew she could not face Alexander again. The door to the room opened and Christine entered.
"There you are!" She sounded relieved. "What are you doing here when there is work to be done?" She asked.
Bella sat up, "Is Celia looking for me?" Bella asked.
"She asked about you once" Christine shrugged and moved to sit with Bella on the bed. She noticed Bella's worried expression and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm not…" Bella stressed. She needed to tell someone, to at least lessen the burden in her heart.
"Something very horrible happened" Bella started.
"What happened?" Christine asked, very interested in knowing.
"I accidentally saw Alexander…." She took a little pause then continued with a whisper, "...naked".
Christine gasped immediately, with her hands over her mouth.
"How did it happen?" Christine asked, lowering her voice.
"It was an accident. Celia said he wasn't around and sent me to take over Anita's duty….and I assuming that he really wasn't home, I just opened the bathroom door without knocking and came face to face with him naked" Bella swallowed hard.
"Oh my gosh!" Christine exclaimed, "and what did he do?" She asked.
"I don't know…..I closed my eyes immediately and then I heard him coming towards me, so I ran away." Bella replied.
" I don't know what to say to you right now. This is so unimaginable. You saw Alexander naked" Christine scoffed, "I don't know…. this is…." She threw her hands in the air and brought them down.
"I'm screwed, I know" Bella said sorrowfully. "I don't know what he plans on doing to me. Am I going to lose my job?" She asked.
"Hey, let's be positive here, okay? He didn't say anything and he left the house still without uttering a word, so let's believe that he didn't see it as anything. I mean, I'm sure you're not the first lady to see him naked. He had more than enough naked time with lots of ladies" Christine said.
"Are you sure?" Bella was skeptical.
"Yes, I am. Just relax. You also need to return to your work 'cause Celia won't take this funny with you" Christine stood up.
"Alright" Bella followed suit.
Sluggishly, she walked out of the room behind Christine. Alexander was not home and probably will not be back that same day, that gave her a little relief.
Bella buried herself in her work to minimize the thoughts of Alexander coming into her mind. Her mind would want to wander off, getting lost in Alexander's strong physique but she would quickly shake it off. She can not have herself desiring his body.
Dinner came and Bella got another heart failing order. Alexander had ordered that his food be brought to him and Celia still choose Bella to carry out the task. Bella begged hard this time. She would faint should she meet Alexander that same day she had seen him naked. When Celia demanded for a reason why she didn't want to go, Bella had nothing reasonable to say. How could she open her mouth to tell Celia hope she had seen him naked that morning? She would just turn to their next object of gossip and might worsen the matter for herself.
"Take sir Alex's food to him. You do not want to get him angry this night" Celia said and walked out.
Bella stared at the food, her heart was beginning to fail her. Why her? She carried the food and slowly walked to Alexander's room. What was he going to do to her? Should she apologize to him again? How would she react? These were thoughts that filled her mind. She got to the door and stood for a while, her heart pounding. She hoped he was not in, so she would just drop the food and run out quickly. She took a deep breath and knocked. A strong voice came from within, "Come in".
Her heart skipped a beat. She slowly opened the door and walked in.
Alexander watched her keenly as she avoided his gaze.
"Good evening sir" she greeted softly. Alexander did not respond. He had a smirk on his face as he stood up from the bed.
"Place it on the table" he instructed.
Bella obeyed and placed it on the glass table in the centre of the room. She immediately turned to go.
"Wait" Alexander stopped her.
Bell stopped, her heartbeat increased. She kept her head facing the ground. She thought, she was in trouble. Alexander have not forgotten about the morning's incident. It could be that he specifically instructed his dinner be brought to him in his room knowing that she would be the one to serve him. Alexander got to where she was. He had gotten the opportunity he was waiting for since morning. The innocent pretty damsel was before him. That was his intention when he instructed his food be served him in his room. He was filled with excitement.
Bella's nervousness was very obvious to Alexander. It aroused him the more. Bella on the other hand was very oblivious of what was going on in her master's mind. To her, she thought the summary of all that would happen was that she would be fired. She wanted to apologize but the fear in her heart seized her tongue and she could only apologize in mind. Alexander stretched his hands and lifted her face up. Bella was shocked at the gesture but she kept still. 'What is he about to do?' she asked herself. Alexander moved his hands slowly and softly to the side of her face and ran it down to her chin. That stroke sent a lot of sensations to Bella, but she kept still, hoping that it would end there. It did not. Alexander continued, taking his hands to down to her smooth neck. Bella shifted a little. Alexander continued, this time, his hand moved down her neck and to her chest and then he brought it to her breasts. Bella could not contain it anymore. She gave Alexander a resounding slap. He
Bella walked slowly to the kitchen where she was called. 'What was the worst that could happen?' she asked herself, 'they'll fire me' she continued in her mind, 'it's not going to be the end of the world for me'. She stopped as she had gotten to the kitchen door. She placed her hand on the door knob, took a deep breath and opened it. She walked to where Celia was, waiting. Celia wasted no time in delivering the information she had for her."There's a new change in your activities from this morning" Celia started and Bella raised an eyebrow. She was expecting an immediate sack from work but that was not what Celia seemed to be indicating.Celia continued, "Sir Alex has specifically ordered that you be given the duties of his personal maid"Bella's heart skipped a beat. "What?" She raised her voice slightly. "Why?" She asked."He didn't say. He gave the order and has requested to see you immediately in his room" Celia replied and stared at the obviously perplexed Bella."I advise you do
It was 4am and Bella was already up and in the kitchen. She could not sleep well because of hunger and at that moment she was having her missed meals the previous day, alone in the kitchen. She saw herself eating like a maniac but what did she care? That was probably going to be the only opportunity she had to eat that day and she intended to eat very well. Who knew what Alexander had in store for her that day? After eating to her heart's content, she set off to prepare for the day after which she would start with Alexander's breakfast.Just as she had predicted, Alexander came home by some minutes past five am and she had already set the table in his room for his breakfast. Alexander just walked passed her without a word to the table and started with his food. Bella watched him for a while. He looked like he had just exhausted himself with ladies the previous night. His hair was ruffled, as well as his shirt. He rushed the food like it was his last meal on Earth, grunting with every
The news of Madame Claudia's return put the entire servants in a state of trepidation. Celia was the most disturbed and agitated about her return. She had to make sure, without an iota of mistake that everything in the house was in place. The driver had gone hours ahead of time to wait for Madame Claudia at the airport to avoid any silly excuse that would make him arrive late, and risk him being fired by her. Celia kept shouting, giving orders and walking round the entire house to make sure there was no error else Madame Claudia would have her head. Bella was the only servant exempted as she had to deal with Alexander's excessive needs and demands. She had gone out thrice that morning to get Alexander the perfect kind of pizza. First he had asked for a cheese pizza then changed his mind to wanting a pepperoni pizza after Bella had gone and returned the first time. When she came back with the pepperoni pizza, he said that he wanted chicken pizza instead and Bella set out again. She wa
After a moment of rest from her journey, Madame Claudia found herself with her son in the garden. She knew that the only place Alexander would be in the house if not in his room was the garden. She gave him a warm hug which Alexander reciprocated. He had missed his mother. They both sat down."I thought you would come outside to welcome me, Alex" Claudia started."I just wanted an alone time for a while and I know that Dad and Sophia would be there to welcome you" Alexander replied."But they are not you. I would have loved it if my son was there" Claudia said."Do you want to make this an issue now, mum?" Alexander asked, knowing his perfectionist mother."No, son" Claudia quickly defended. "I'm not and I won't" she smiled at him, "I'm so happy to see you son. It's been a month" "I missed you too mum" Alexander said and leaned on her. "Dad is too hot headed and I just avoided him as much as I could"Madame Claudia place her comforting hand on Alexander's face, "Just bear with him. H
Alexander's frustration increased from that night and Bella was the only one in the house receiving it's repercussions. Her work load from Alexander doubled. If she was stressed before, she was now double stressed. She barely had time for her meals. She just worked round the clock like a robot. She would go to bed late in the midnight and force herself up very early in the morning to tend to Alexander's needs. Bella only complained in her heart but did not have the chance to talk to Alexander. He would just give his orders and leave immediately before Bella would be able to reply. Bella saw the frustration in him. She had accidentally stumbled upon their heated conversation during dinner that night and overheard everything. Then, she understood the reason she had seen him so hurt in the garden earlier. She was surprised to hear that Alexander had a brother who was dead. She had thought to herself that Alexander would have been so close to his brother for his early demise to have suc
Alexander spent the night on the lonley road and for the first time, he did have quite a peaceful sleep though it was not for long. It was as though his late brother, Andre had heard his cries and decided to give him a night break. When he opened his eyes, it was already dawn. He brought out his phone and checked the time. It was six-thirty in the morning. He rubbed his face with his hands and suddenly remembered Bella in the hospital. He started his car and turned around, heading for the hospital. When he got there he inquired of Bella and was told that she was still unconscious and nothing could be made out of her condition yet. He sat down on the chair beside her in the hospital. The beeping sound of the heart monitor machine filled the room. Alexander just stared at the unconscious beauty. A lot of things were attached to her body, drip, blood and others he did not know what they were. He thought back and realized that he had really hurt the young lady and for his own selfish de
For the three days Bella spent recovering in the hospital, she had seen a different Alexander Grande. He was always around to bring her food, fruits and everything else she needed. They did not talk much. He would only go to the hospital with whatever he had brought for her, ask her about her body and then go back home with an assurance of returning to check up on her later.Bella was stunned to see this version of Alexander. He was not hostile or mean. This new Alexander was nice, loving, caring and sweet. The perfect kind of man every woman would pray to have in her life. Sometimes she would say to herself that he was not the real Alexander. It could be that he was his lookalike. Being around this different man began to gradually mellow the hatred she had in her heart for him. She should have been angry that he was the reason she almost lost her life but she found herself grateful to he was caring enough to be by her side till she recovers.She watched him that evening before she wo
It was time. Everything was set according to their plans. Amor's army-trained men had scouted the location with the help of that same tiny, undetectable drone and the men were able to locate important spots and entry into the building.The building was a fancy bungalow situated somewhere along the borders of the city, quite far from the main town. The surrounding was deserted and only few abandoned and half demolished buildings were in sight. Alexander drove there with the evidence and alone as Sophia had demanded and was allowed in through the gate by Sophia's armed men. He was directed on where to part his convertible, which he did and them came down. The armed men searched him thoroughly to be sure he wasn't with any arms, wires of any sort, or cameras and then, they escorted him into the house and led him past the empty room, which was supposed to be the living room, through a corridor and into another room, where Sophia and her father were seated on two dinning chairs at the rou
The room was silent. It had been that way for about three hours. Everyone was present in Bella's living room waiting for Sophia's call. Jeremy has been gone for more than twelve hours and with no where to start, they were earnestly waiting for the kidnapper to call and place their demands."Why won't she call already?" Bella was angry and getting frustrated. She just paced round the living room."I sware, if anything happens to me son, I'll hunt Sophia down" She cursed angrily."Darling, relax" Amor spoke to her from the sofa where she sat. "That woman will not hurt Jeremy since she wants to get Invicta. Maybe she is trying to make a full proof plan before calling. Let's wait for her call""That's what I am waiting for" Bella said and continued pacing."Why don't you sir down?" Amor asked her"I'm okay this way" Bella replied.Time was gradually passing by and Sophia had not still called. Alexander was seriously holding in his anger. A glance at him and one could see his bloody eyes a
Sophia and her father made the plans for Jeremy's abduction that night before Sophia returned home. According to their plan, they would spend the next day, monitoring every move Bella and her son would make and then the day after, Jeremy would be successfully abducted. This was for them to be very sure before launching any attack and endangering themselves. Sophia said nothing to Alexander after she returned home that night. Alexander also ignored her presence. Things seemed to be drawing to the end. Alexander could see a life without the troubles of Sophia and her father drawing near and Sophia could see the whole of Invicta becoming hers. Two antagonizing plans of which only one can emerge victorious. Alexander held onto the faith that good will always triumph over evil and he strongly believed so.Alexander was thinking, as he laid on the bed. He had not told his parents about what was going on and he knew that he had to tell them. The problem was how to tell them without Sophia's
Amor's men were able to crack the accounts and they sent all the findings to Amor. It was during the weekend get together for the family, with Christine that Amor revealed the findings. The Michaels were in fact, the dangerous drug cartel terrorising the country. That was how they were able to sustain their dead empire. Bella was shocked and immediately forwarded the message to Alexander.*****The Grandes were having dinner when Alexander's phone chimed and he picked up his phone to read the message Bella had sent him. Sophia had her suspicious eyes on him. With the shocked expression that lasted on his face for a split second, Sophia knew that he was up to something. That message definitely had something to do with her. She was sensitive to remove her gaze from Alexander the very moment he wanted to look at her, just after he had finished reading the message. That gesture confirmed her suspicion. Alexander had something against her and she was immediately anxious. The paperwork was
Bella was stunned by what she was hearing. Her mother was plagued with cervical cancer and was near her death. Tears rolled down her eyes. Bella was no longer sure if she still hated her mother or was pained that she was suffering in sickness and would soon die."How?" Bella managed asked."I don't know....I think it's a punishment for my wrongs" Amor said.Bella felt very bad. That moment she dropped all her anger and hatred and stood up to sit beside her mother. She gave her a long hug in tears before releasing her."I forgive you mother" Bella said."Thank you sweetheart" Amor said, touching Bella cheek lovingly.After enjoying that affectionate moment, Bella spoke;"I'm sure there's a way to cure this.....this cancer thing. It's just money and I can borrow money from someone....." She quickly looked at her father, then back to her mother, "We'll take you to India, where I hear that they are good in medicine. You'll be fine mother, you won't die" "Hey!" Amor called softly, "I've t
Alexander was relaxing in his favourite place, the garden, with some refreshments. The evening was cool and enticing. As he relaxed, he thought of Bella once again, the times they had spent in the garden. It was very beautiful, every moment he had spent with her. He would have her again, he assured himself and took a bite of his snacks.His phone rang and he answered it;"Hey Duke, what do you have for me?" he asked the caller."Nothing much Alex. These accounts you sent me are very very tight. I can't crack them. I've been trying but all seems futile." Duke replied over the phone.That was not the news Alexander wanted to hear."But there's something you can do, definitely" Alexander pleaded"I really need these accounts to be cracked. It's very urgent and very important for me. Surely you must have a way....I.....I'm ready to pay to get it done." Alexander added."Alright Alex. I'll have it sent to a guy I know....and let's see if he can get through it" Duke replied him."Thanks a l
Alexander had a lot of work to do. Sophia's secret is to be unravelled. He needed to trace the source of the monthly inflow of profit for the businesses, which were previously under the Michaels empire, and he was going to do it secretly. Sophia would not be able to perceive what was going on, till the day she would be fully exposed.Sophia, on the other hand, was thinking about the perfect kidnap plan for Madame Claudia. It was as though Madame Claudia knew and had doubled her security since the merger was signed. It made matters more difficult for Sophia, but not impossible for her. Sophia had made all the necessary arrangements and with full faith, she was assured that the bodyguards of Claudia would be helpless when her own men would attack. All she was waiting for was the papers of attorney and then, she would have Claudia abducted and then get Alexander to give her all of Invicta. ******Alexander had gone to the restaurant that noon with the hope that he would find Bella closi
Bella's business plan was done and after making the necessary corrections, Gerald sent Bella the full amount she needed to start her restaurant. Gerald did not stop there, he also accompanied her in sourcing for a good building at a good location. They had already been to five different shops that evening and were seated at a cafe to relax and then make a decision."Who knew that shops cost this much" Bella complained with a slight frown on her face as she was staring at the paper containing the quotation for the cost of five different shops."It's very costly because we're buying it" Gerald smiled."Still, it's expensive" Bella said.The waiter dropped their orders, two cups of warm coffee and two plates of doughnuts on the table and left.Gerald drank from his cup of warm coffee and took a doughnut in his hand."So, which one are you picking?" he asked and bite out of his doughnut."I'm drawn to two choices. The one at Skyler's street and the last one we saw" Bella said."I prefer
It was somewhere in town, at an open air street food stand, Bella and Alexander sat down to talk Two plates of spicy beef kebabs and two milkshakes were before them.Alexander started off by repeating in details, what he had told her before, about Sophia's threat on her and her father's life to get him to marry her. "I didn't know that Sophia did something like that." Bella said."She did. Now you know why I had to leave with her." Alexander said.Bella drew in a deep breath and released it slowly."I'm sorry for thinking that you had used me and dumped me. " Bella said with remorse."All these years, I had hated you. I regretted ever knowing you. I cursed you, Alex" Tears formed in Bella's eyes as she spoke."I know. And I understand why you had felt that way. I had left without a trace and it's natural to think that. I would have thought and reacted the same as you did." Alexander said.They were silent for a while."So how has these five years been for you?" Bella asked him."Not