Chapter Fifty-nine

First day at her job. She hasn’t even officially started yet, and one of the most important secrets that she would like to keep a secret is already known. Belle was too stunned to react to this random stranger she didn't recognize.

“Do we know each other?”

“I know you.”

“I don’t know you,” Belle replied. She wanted to sound convincing and not the least bothered. Even to her own ears, she didn’t sound like it. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, but she didn’t want to experience the possible effects of the other employee knowing that she’s married to Nikolai.

The guy simply nodded. Belle doesn’t know if she should be relieved that he didn’t look interested. Even then, what’s the point of the conversation they are having? He could have simply pretended he doesn’t know her and he doesn’t care. Yet, he stirred the pot with unclear intentions.

“You don’t have to worry. I usually mind my own business. It was simply… interesting. Finding you here when you can be somewhere else, but as I said, I