The smile that she forced to put on her face dropped.This wasn’t even the first time this happened to her in this lifetime. All she wanted was something secured and instead, what she got were two marriages with foundation built on anything but love. It was a bitter truth to swallow that it was easier to let Jack go, but with Nikolai, it was a different story.Belle had a disinterested look on her face, with eyes locked on Evelyn. Her hand was itching the mouth that had the same shade of lipstick on Nikolai’s collar. Every wife who felt wronged would love to take matter into their own hands and Belle is no different. Just not right now.“Isobelle.” Nikolai was surprised. If he’s really cheating, he’d easily pass as a great actor. No sign of guilt or remorse there. “Liam, you’re here.”“We wanted to surprise you.”“Yes. We brought food, Daddy.” The clueless child repeated.For Liam’s sake, Belle puts on her happy mask again, even
“What do you mean?” “Are you interested now?” “With you? No way.” It was the first time that Belle saw Leo laugh sincerely. What she said was indeed stupid, so, who is she to blame him… but really? Leo laughing? “Do you think I’m flirting with you?” “Gosh, I hope not.” She flinched as she carelessly sipped the hot coffee and got her tongue burnt. “What if I am?” She proudly showed her ring on her hand. “You know I’m married. You know who I’m married to. Even if I don’t have the kindest first impression of you, I hope that you are not that kind of ass.” Leo started to drink his coffee. Because he was silent for once, Belle had the chance to examine him. He could easily pass as a model. His well-defined curls even looked cooler when wet. His almond-shaped eyes and thin lips suited his pale skin. “Let me know if you’re done checking me out.” Belle was in disbelief. She had to place the coffee back on the table, fearing that she might cause a scene and throw it to the
“I’m already yours.” “How true could that be?” she asked, unable to brush away the memory of him rejecting her. What he said was one of the sweetest words she had ever heard and she will have it engraved in her heart forever. But then, these sweet words are as memorable as hurtful actions. “Sometimes… I feel like you are, and then the next day, you aren’t anymore.” Her voice was barely audible, but with Nikolai’s face so close to her, he heard every word that she said. “I can feel it, Nikolai. You are haunted by the past that I know, but couldn’t remember.” “I’m ready to put the past behind and move on. I’ve moved on.” “Maybe this is a good thing that you’re here.” Belle pointed at the extra chair in front of the vanity mirror. “We can’t have this conversation over and over again. I need clear lines.” Slightly distracted from the glimpse of Nikolai’s chest from the unbuttoned part of his shirt
The corner of Belle's lips. She enjoyed the anticipation as Nikolai was unbuttoning his shirt.Trying to look oblivious to his presence, Belle faced her reflection in front of the mirror. Nikolai was standing near, all attention on her.“Do you mind if I sleep here tonight?”“I need to shower.” She stood up. “And you… you can do whatever you want.” The cold water from the shower touched her skin. Her hand wandered around her body, making sure every part of her was clean. She could feel her hand beating from her chest. She squeezed one of her breasts lightly, wishing it was Nikolai's hand instead of hers.Nikolai walked in and she was not the least surprised. She was expecting his presence. If anything, she wished he had done it sooner.Her entire body was drenched in water. Belle squinted her eyes to see Nikolai’s nakedness. He was stroking his length while admiring her from a distance.‘What is taking him so long to come here?’ She sighed.Belle continued to fondle her breasts. Lett
Nikolai opened his mouth but before he could say a word, she stopped him by covering his lips with hers.“Don't say a word,” Belle pleaded. She could already feel him hardening while he was still inside her. “If you want to tell me something, don't say it yet. Let's not ruin this moment.”She has no idea what his response could be. To be honest, she'd rather not have a clue. If he tells her she loves him, she would end up not believing him. If he tells her otherwise, it would only hurt him. There was no need to rush things. Her confession was not even a question that needs an answer. It felt like the right moment to say it, and so she did with no expectations.Nikolai must have gotten the clue. Switching their positions with him kneeling in front of her, he spread her leg wide as she obliged.“I'm yours, Isobelle.” He entered her slowly. He looked at his hardness slowly disappearing as he buried himself inside of her. “All yours.”
“Woah.” Belle was about to open her car when Jessica appeared out of nowhere.“I’ll drive you, Miss.”‘I forgot about you,’ she thought. That sounded rude in her head so, she settled with not letting her intrusive thoughts win and kept her silence.“You’re still…” she stalled as she thought of a better way to ask if this woman is still working. She has not seen her for a couple of days and Belle genuinely thought that she lost her job because being her personal assistant, bodyguard, or whatever she was supposed to be was a waste of money. “You’re still working. I see.”Jessica gracefully extended her arm, guiding, or rather directing Belle to go the other way and ride the passenger’s seat.“You’re seriously coming with me?”“For me to do my job, miss, I would have to stay near you. Close proximity at all times.”That was true, and that was also too much. There was really no point in having an assistant when she’s only starting her job. It’s not even a job that requires security, for g
Now that Jessica mentioned about Nikolai’s father, it has dawned on him that she has never seen that man before. He knew about him, but even at the party, he has never shown his face.Oliver Laurent. Aside from his name and the openly known fact that he owns an empire of business, specifically in Aeronotics and Energy, there was little to know about him.“What-”“Don’t ask questions about him or even try to know. He’s a very private man and he would much prefer to remain to be that way,” Jessica warned her. “Just trust me, Belle. And don’t worry. I won’t be coming with you to work. I’ll stay in a close distance, but far enough so I wouldn’t be seen. I just have to see your co-worker’s faces… for security purpose.”No one poses a threat in her current workplace. She has seen and talked to everyone. Well, there’s Leo who, compared to everyone, has the most potential to be a villain. Even he doesn’t seem to be that dangerous.Or is he? He’s not so sure anymore.As expected, she was early
Belle was drinking her second cup of coffee as the sound of lively music played loudly in the background. She was trying her best not to fall asleep and asked Nikolai in person the same question he asked on the phone.She won’t be kept in secret this time. She hated that. Like sometimes, they are taking advantage of the fact that she can’t remember most of her life.She won’t be able to do what Nikolai was asking for, anyway. Avoid the person she was expected to work closely with? It would be easier to resign and walk away. An option that she does not even consider.Finally, she heard the sound of the door opening. She lowered the volume of the pop music she wasn’t even paying attention to.“You’re here.” She smiled at Nikolai.The dark circles under his eyes were a cry for sleep. Nikolai sighed upon seeing Belle. “Why are you still awake?" She felt a slight wrench in her chest. “I thought we could talk, but it’s okay. You seem
BELLE“This has become a weird tradition.” Nikolai commented after placing the can of beer on his table. “You’re based somewhere in Europe. Why would you come home for a day like this?”“You know the only thing that’s weird here? Your wife is drinking a 1995 vintage red wine while we gulp these cans of cheap beer.”Belle, as Leo mentioned, was enjoying his glass of wine. Sure, the wine tastes good. It has a rich aroma and a hint of caramel when she tastes, but that wasn’t it. She had tasted all kinds of expensive and delicious food from all over the world, but food only tastes better when with good company.Like she is right now.“Don’t you go there and blame me, Leo. I’m not the one who came here with a bag full of beer when we literally have a wine cellar in the house. And you,” she pointed at Nikolai. “Don’t you dare complain about a headache tomorrow.”Today is Oliver Laurent’s death anniversary. It has been a year since all
“Why would you even do that, Nick?” There was no hint of the posh and polished Adeline. As soon as she heard the news, she came rushing to Nikolai and Belle’s home, obviously distraught. Her hair hasn’t been combed, there was not a hint of make-up on her face. Both Nikolai and Belle looked at each other, knowing there was nothing that they could do. Even if it pained him, he accepted every slap from his mom. “You killed your father! I can’t believe my own son killed his own father!” She was hysterical. “Ma’am-” Nikolai shook his head at Belle who was attempting to stop Adeline’s slaps on Nikolai’s chest. “I’m fine, Isobelle. Please find, Liam. I’ll just talk to Mom.” “But.” “Isobelle,” he gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay.” Even when hesitant, Belle walked out and left Nikolai with his mom. Adeline’s screams were replaced with sobs. Growing up, Nikolai knew he didn’t have a family like the others. Both Adeline and Oliver weren't the most expressive people. He simply thou
Nikolai’s name is being dragged all over social media. The world has billions of issues, and one of his advisors initially advised him to lay-low and observe, hoping that people would spare them little to no attention.Boy, was he wrong.“Don’t open the internet and don’t read your messages.” Belle told him as soon as he held his phone to check his schedule for the day.“I couldn’t go on with my day without doing that, Isobelle. You know that.” He was reminded with a gentle tone. “I know you're worried about me, but I’m tougher than you think. Don’t worry.”“I know you are, but people who don’t know you are judging you and are doing everything so they could twist the story and fit it to their narratives.” She held her breath as she spoke in frustration. “I can’t wait for them to be proven wrong.”“I need you to relax and take a breather. You should be the one staying away from any news.” Nikolai holds her close. His lips touch the side of her hair. Unlike the previous days, he’s more
It is such a shame that there is no way to choose who we want as our parents.In the eyes of the public and everyone that surrounded him, Nikolai won the genetic lottery, as well as life in general. Born with distinct features and undeniably good-looking, he already got a head start in life. Not to mention the amount of money he grew up with and everything that he would inherit.He was set for a lifetime. Even better, his children and grandchildren, can choose not to work and could still survive.It’s the fairytale dream of almost everyone.But as he shared a table with the half-brother his father tried to kill, talking about all the times their father tried to ruin their lives, he couldn’t help but ask a question. ‘Is this still worth it?’.He took another sip of the beer. Like Leo, they share a comfortable silence, pondering about the life that they separately had.“Thank you,” Nikolai blurted out. Unlike the previous conversations they had, he didn’t have to force the words out of
The only safe and discreet place that he could think of was in the house where they used to live. Nikolai couldn’t let anyone know he was meeting Leo. For both their sake. He didn’t have to wait so long because, when he arrived, Leo’s motorcycle was already parked outside. ‘That hard-headed boy,’ he thought. He particularly told him not to use a motorcycle, but he wasn’t listening at all. “Didn’t I tell you to not use your motorcycle?” “Didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t?” He answered in the same tone, in the same manner. Therefore Belle thinks there’s a resemblance between the two of them. It starts at the physical appearance, but it doesn’t end there. For example, like how the two of them talked and how, at the moment, Leo was returning the same glare he was showing. “Do you really hate me that much?” Blood connect and separate them. Every time he would see Leo in the same gathering, he tried his best to push him away. In Nikolai’s point of view, Leo’s existence was a miracle t
“I'm going to talk to Juliette today.”“Are you going to accept her offer?” Belle kept her eyes straight on the breakfast that was prepared for them. Even if she had a little appetite that morning, she wanted to do something else other than be immersed in whatever Nikolai has to say. “Of course you are going to.”“I'm not.”Breaking her plan, Belle glanced at Nikolai. “You're not going to?”“No.” Even if he doesn't say it, that hopeless look gives away what he's thinking. “But don't worry. I'll try to find a way.”“Good morning, Daddy.” Liam kissed Nikolai's cheek and then Belle's. “Good morning, Mommy.”“Why are you not dressed yet? You're going to school now, aren't you?”“Yes… but,” He kept trying to get food from his spoon and failed all the time. “Maybe not today, Mommy.”“Liam, is there anything wrong? Why are you not going to school today? Are you not feeling well?” Belle touched his forehead to check for fever or any kind of illness. Liam seems fine, but the kid is obviously b
NIKOLAI “What did you say?” Nikolai was furious when he heard what Leo had to say. “Are you accusing my father of being a murderer?” It was as clear as crystal that Oliver Laurent was far from a perfect human. He may not be the kindest person, but he’s Nikolai’s father. He had his own ways of protecting what he has. Nothing will ever change the fact that he is Nikolai’s father. “I don’t want to talk about this over the phone. If you want to hear more, you should be the one to contact me. I told myself before and I’m reminding myself again that I will not get involved with your family or whatever that dysfunctional set-up you have.” “How dare you?” Leo can’t go around pushing people away when in the first place, it was he who contacted him first. “And you’re really saying that even when you’re the one who called me? If you’re wishing me bad luck, I don’t think there’s any need for that.” “Believe me,” he said. “I don’t want to do this either. I wouldn’t do this if I’m not worried a
NIKOLAINikolai observed Belle while she turned her back on her. They are sleeping on the same bed, but their mind seems to be anywhere but the present. He knows he’s asking so much of his wife. It was a very ridiculous offer that he wished he didn’t have to even say.It isn’t the best strategy, but right now, Nikolai thinks that the best he could do for his family is minimize the possible negative impacts. If he agrees to marry Juliette, he’d still have his family while quickly repairing the effects on their business.Investors are backing out one by one. Some already say that it’s a breach of contract. It’s a ticking time bomb. The longer he waits, the lesser the chance that they’d still be able to fix the problem.Belle’s breathing isn’t even anymore. She pretends to quietly sleep, but Nikolai knows that she’s as awake as he is.“I’m sorry.” He uttered out of the blue. “I’ll understand whatever decision you’ll take. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll totally respect it. You have every
“We can just talk here. I told you. I'd say yes immediately if there's anything I can do.” Belle was desperate to help Nikolai. “You know I'm not that attached to the business before. I only felt forced to take over because no one else would. I had to give up practicing law and continue to run this business.” “Are you saying that you don't want to be involved with this?” “No.” His eyes were on the ground. Belle can feel the weight on his shoulders with those deep breaths. “Even if I'd want to, there's no way out of this. My face is on every article about the company. Backing out now is a cowardly move that would confirm what people are already saying about me. That I'm a ruthless and corrupt business person.” “You know you are not that kind of person.” “I know, but no matter what I’d do, they won’t believe me, Isobelle. It’s so easy to spread information these days. People won’t even bother verifying if it’s true or not.” Nikolai is right. You can defend yourself and use ev