3

ISABELLA HERNANDEZ

A wave of dread washed over me, and I sank to the floor.

My heart seething with hatred!

I hate him! I hate him so much!

And I regretted ever loving a man like him!

After everything I had done for him, this is what I get in return?- I thought, clenching my hand into a tight fist with tears still streaming down my cheeks.

"No, I refused to shed tears for a man like him" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head. Instead, I wiped away my tears and sprang up from the floor, grabbed my phone from the bed and dialed my best friend, Kayla's number.

Kayla has been my closest friend since kindergarten. We grow up and do everything together. We are more like sisters than friends. Although her parents also live here in New York, they reside in a different house whilst Kayla lives alone. However, ever since I got married to Lucas, he's forcefully made me limit my closeness with Kayla.

According to him, he doesn't want anyone coming in between us. He wanted us to keep our privacy, which I blindly agreed with him because of the love I have for him.

"Hi, my love!" Her voice laced with excitement as soon as she answered the call.

I cleared my throat properly before speaking. "Kayla, I need a favor from you" I said, going straight to the point.

Her tone was slightly laced with worry, and I could bet that she just furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Hey, is everything okay?" She asked, her voice low and worried.

"Yes, everything is fine. I just needed to meet with Don Xander. Can you arrange it?"

Her cousin, Alexander Blackwood, is a notorious Mafia leader. Popularly known as Don Xander. He's the most powerful and feared Mafia in the country-not only here but the whole world. Everyone knows how ruthless and cunning he is, though, he was known for his tendency to sleep around with different girls and, whatever he set his mind to, he get it.

I had met him once, and that was when I attended Kayla's parents' birthday party. Though he didn't stay long, during those few minutes before he left, he kept staring at me as if I'm some kind of meal he was about to have.

"Alex?" She asked, her voice again laced with surprise.

I nodded, forgetting that she couldn't see me. I wished I could share my pain with her, but I can't. It would only worry her. At the same time, she's my only hope for meeting her brother, as she's his favorite sister and he would do anything for her.

Two weeks ago, Lucas had signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Citigroup, a company owned by Don Xander. But now, I want to sabotage it. I wanted Lucas to feel how I felt. Everything he owned, I wanted it to crumble right before his eyes.

Losing this deal means his company would crumble, and that's exactly what I wanted. If he could betray me without hesitation, I would be more than ready to destroy him too.

"Yes, Kayla, could you please arrange a meeting with him, urgently?" I asked again, desperately.

After a few seconds of silence, I heard her say, "Sure, I can do it- I mean, I will do it."

I exhaled a sigh of relief and thanked her. "Thanks, Kayla."

"But, are you sure you're okay, Isabella? You sound distant and... down"

"I'm fine, Kayla. I just have a little cold" I lied, forcing a casual tone and hiding my true emotions.

I thought she would press further, but she didn't.

"I will call you after I speak with him" she said, and then disconnect the call.

I clutched my phone tightly to my chest, desperately praying to God that I get this appointment with him.

A few minutes later, my phone began to ring, and I answered instantly after seeing Kayla's name on the screen.

"Hey, Bella, Xander has agreed to meet you tonight!" She exclaimed.

"But, there's a condition" she added, cautiously. "He wants to meet over dinner. Is that okay with you?"

"What?!" I muttered, surprise washing over me.

"You can't do that, right? I mean, your husband won't-"

"No!" I exclaimed, my voice firm. "I mean, I will do it." I was just... surprised. I thought it would take weeks or maybe months to meet him" I said, breathlessly.

"I know, right?" She laughed. "But I'm his favorite girl, after all. He will do anything for me. Besides, he seems eager to meet you too."

"Does he know me?" I asked, confused.

"He still remembers you, Bella" she answered. "I need to run now. Talk to you later. Bye" she said, disconnecting the call.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I dropped the phone, before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

•

I sat across from the famous, dangerous Don Xander in a dimly lit restaurant. He was leaning at the edge of the table, his eyes fixed intently on me.

It'd been more than five minutes already and none of us had uttered a word to each other. Instead, I decided to just go straight to the point.

I took a deep breath, my voice barely above a whisper. "Don Xander..." I began, gently.

He raised his glass, sipping his drink without breaking eye contact with me. His gaze was piercing, yet unreadable. "Go on" he said, his voice low and even.

"Please, I need your help"

I poured out my heart to him, telling him everything and not leaving a single part out of it. "Please, Don Xander, I will be grateful if you could grant me just this one wish" I begged desperately, my voice cracking at the end, even though I tried so hard to stay strong.

He tilted his head to one side and smirked. "I can do that for you" he said, and my eyes beamed with happiness immediately.

"But..." He trailed off, swirling his drink in his hand. "What do I get in return for helping you? After all, it's all about give and take."

My jaw dropped instantly. His playboy attitude playing in my head. "I... I can't... I mean, I'm sorry Don Xander, but I'm not the type of girl who sleeps around with men. If it's okay with you, I can work for you instead" I suggested.

He waved his index finger, shaking his head. "No, Bella" he said in a low, husky voice. Then, he rose from his seat and walked towards me, his movement graceful and deliberate.

I shivered, still seated as he crouched beside me. He leaned closer to my face and I tilted my head to look at him in the eyes.

"If I will help you..." he whispered, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. "You must give me something in return."

"What do you want?" I asked in a low voice.

His eyes gleamed with intensity. "I want you, Isabella" he whispered, his lips grazing my ear.

I jerked back, shocked by his request. "Don Xander!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling.

He stepped back, his hands slipping into his pockets, his expression cold. "I'm going to help you destroy your husband. His company will crumble as you want, and he will crawl back, begging you. "But...." His lips curled up into a dangerous smirk. "You'll sign a contract with me, agreeing to be my wife for a year... and bear my heir. I'm going to pay you $20 million. I will give you a mansion and a car too" he said, grabbing an envelope from the table and handing it to me.

I stared at him, bewildered. He had the contract ready?

What have I gotten myself into? I only wanted his help to crush Lucas, not to become his surrogate!

"Sign it now, and we're good to go" he ordered, as if it was the simplest thing to do.

I stared at him, then glanced back at the papers, my mind racing. Yes, I know I am desperate, but becoming a surrogate mother out of the blue?

It's not what I want.

Before I could make a decision, he snatched the papers from the table and said, "it's okay if you can't do it. I will find someone else to-"

"No!" I exclaimed, grasping his wrist firmly. Our eyes locked and I pleaded with him. "I... I will... sign it" I stuttered, swallowing hard.

Right now, I am desperate. And if marrying him and carrying his child would bring Lucas down, I am willing to do it. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, or I'm not thinking straight, but I really don't care.

I was too blinded by my revenge on him, and without any hesitation, I grabbed the pen and hurriedly signed the papers.

"Get your things ready before tomorrow morning. My men will come and pick you" he said coldly.

He took the papers and walked away, leaving me alone, staring blankly into the space.

What have I just gotten myself into?- I thought, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.

I finally headed outside and got into my car. I ignited the engine and drove out of the restaurant, still lost in thought.

I arrived back home on time, I pulled into the compound and parked my car. A heavy sigh escaped my lips before I stepped out.

But before I could take a step, someone grasped my wrist, slamming my body against the car door roughly. My eyes widened in shock and fear.

Just as I was about to scream, my gaze landed on Lucas and my fear turned to anger.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice cold.

But my question only fueled his rage. His face twisted in fury.

"I should be the one asking you that!" He spat. "What do you think you're doing? How dare you do this to me?"

Seeing the furious look on his face, I realized Don Xander must have already made his move against him.

I tried to push him away, but he slammed me against the car roughly, making me wince in pain.

Never did his face show any concern. They only blazed anger, and a pang of disappointment washed over me.

"Don't tell me you used your friend's influence to get back at me?" He spat, his voice venomous.

I let out a mocking laugh, my expression scornful. "So, you ran here after realizing your precious company was slipping through your fingers? Tell me, Lucas, how does it feel to lose something you've worked so hard to build? Especially when you know it's because of someone you trusted?"

"Shut your mouth, Isabella!" He hissed, pinning me tighter against the car. His teeth clenched in rage as he asked, "How dare you try to ruin me by using my company, despite knowing how important it is to me?"

He chocked me roughly on the neck, making it hard for me to breathe. Tears streamed down my cheeks as my body trembled with fear. I struggled to remove his hand, but his grip only tightened more.

Just as I thought I would pass out, a familiar voice growled, "GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY WIFE!!!"