CHAPTER 5: UNDER THE SKIN

A few months went by. Bruce and Belle were in a lot of classes together. Even though Bruce is four years older than she is, because of her smartness she ended up with him in some of his classes. She find that he bothers her in almost every class. Rather it was putting gum on her seat, taking her book, or stealing her pencil, he did whatever he could to bother her. 

Belle, however, chooses to ignore him. She wasn't going to let his bullying bother her. She was just going to avoid him for as long as she could. She won’t let him distract her. 

In their previous life, Belle didn't remember him doing any of this at all. He didn't even try to get her attention. But why is he so different in this life?

"Tomorrow is the competition," said Mr. Broom.

Belle snapped out from thinking of her past. 

"I want you all to do your best,” continued Mr. Broom. 

Everyone nodded their heads.

Bruce couldn't help but keep getting distracted by Bella's beautiful appearance. He finds it very entertaining as he keeps bothering her. For no apparent reason he finds that irritating her was rather fun. 

Bruce have far noticed her from day one. And he was becoming attractive to her more and more every single day. Even though she tried to hide her appearance in her overalls and big clothes, he could clearly still see her beauty. He wonders why she was not trying to win his attention like every other women does. Is she trying to play hard to get with him? Either way, after this competition he will focus on her and win her affection.

"Now, for the test results, I wanted to say someone among the class have scored over a hundred percent,” said Mr. Broom. 

"What!" exclaimed the class.

Everyone turned to look at Bruce. 

Bruce smirks handsomely.

"Nope. It's not Bruce, our campus top student."

Bruce frowned at Mr. Broom’s words. 

"What!" everyone in the classroom was echoing everywhere.

"It's our freshman, Belle Li," said Mr. Broom.

Bruce eyes widened at Belle.

Everyone gasped in amazement.

Bruce stared at her as he was shocked that the one who beat him was none other than his nemesis's granddaughter Belle Li. He clenches his fist tightly together in his pocket.

"Congratulations, Ms. Li," said Mr. Broom.

"Thank you," said Belle.

"We got lots of talents this year. I am excited to see how the competition will be like in the next few months. Class dismiss."

Belle was the last to leave the classroom. When she was about to pass the hallway, she was grabbed by the arm and shoved to the wall.

"What-" gasped Belle. 

"So, you're rather a smart one," said Bruce, his eyes was glaring at her.

Belle had seen those eyes so many times in her past life that she wasn't surprised by them. Instead, she sighed in annoyance with him and pushed him away.

Bruce, however, was not determined to let her go. He grabbed her arm and pushed her back to the wall.

"Ahh," screeched Belle.

Bruce smirked at her.

"What do you want?" questioned Belle. 

Bruce cupped her face and said, "You're starting to get under my skin, beautiful Belle."

Belle stared at him in confusion. She's been avoiding him in every corner. She doesn't dress up to capture his attention or talk to him. So, why is he bothering her?

"What's wrong? Am I that handsome?" chuckled Bruce.

Belle frowned and said, “You wish.”

Bruce frowned at her words. 

“Tell me, do you not find me attractive at all?”

Belle thought to herself that this man is of course dashing in every way. He is by far one of the most handsome she have ever seen in her life. He is attractive. Deviously desirable in everyway, but he is a devil. And as a devil he have evil intetion. She does not dare mess around with him. Thus, she didn’t say anything to him.

“Fine," said Bruce, stroking her chin. "If you won't answer me, how about I tell you what I think about you."

Belle remain quiet at his words. 

"I find you, beautiful Belle. And very very attractive.” He was continues to touch her flawless skin. His thumb went to her lips and she slightly parted her lips. "You're quite a beauty, I might say. One that is a deadly to my soul." 

Belle let out a small giggle and said, "Let go." She was trying to pull his hand away but couldn't as he held firm to her. 

"No."

"Why?"

"Because-" Bruce wanted to tell her that he felt attracted to her. He wanted to be close to her, smell her, intake her scent, hold her against his body, whisper sweet words to her as they make love on the bed. Instead, he said, "I'm going to make you lose to me."

Belle scoffed and said, "In your dreams." She pushed him away.

“You will be dreaming about me.”

Belle turned her head around and smiled at him.

Bruce gasped at her beautiful smile.

Belle replied with her lips curling at the corner of her mouth, “Never.” She continued on walking away and didn’t turn back to look at him. “Damn this man. Why can’t he just leave me alone. How I hate him. How I despise seeing him,” she whispers to herself. 

Bruce was surprised she didn't feel threatened by him. He looked at her as her hair sways behind her back. "How could a woman be so beautiful like her exist in this world," he thought. He watched as she disappeared from his sight.

“Bruce,” said Wayne.

“Yes?” said Bruce.

“Who were you talking to?”

“No one.”

“Oh, I thought I heard you talking to a woman.”

“No. It was no woman.”

“Oh, for sure I thought you were talking to Belle.”

Bruce sighs and said, “What do you want?”

“Want to go eat?”

“Sure.”

“You’re paying?” asked Wayne.

Bruce chuckled and said, “Sure.”

“Want to eat chicken or noodles?”

“Either or, doesn’t matter.”

“How about chicken.”

“Fine by me.”

“Then after that what do you want to do?”

“What do you want to do?”

“Want to go to the bar?”

“Sure, why not. Let’s go have fun.”

“Yeah, let’s go find some nice college girls,” chuckled Wayne. 

“Yes, let’s,” said Bruce, smiling. 

“I’m ready for some good humping tonight,” said Wayne.

Bruce laughed loudly.