“Good morning, Madam. What would you like for breakfast?”
Having a cook and an army of maids was unnecessary. They are even wearing uniforms that are quite fashionable. She couldn't help but feel out of place.“Please call me Belle. I'll only have bread and I can prepare that myself. Thank you.”“No need for that, Madam Belle. I will do it for you.”She opens her mouth, ready to clarify things here in this mansion, but Nikolai beats her to it.“Two french toast and two cups of coffee. A teaspoon of sugar and creamer. Thank you, Dania.” He went straight to the table, not even granting Belle a glimpse. “You're making them more uncomfortable if you prepare the food yourself. Let them do their job, Isobelle.”He still hasn't changed. He's still acting cold towards her after their conversation. Gone was the kind and considerate Nikolai. Something inside him snapped and now, he wouldn't even meet her eyes when he talks to her.Tonight wasn't so bad after all. Having low expectations from the very beginning paved the way for a tolerable evening. She didn't expect she'd make best friends. The goal was to simply not make an enemy.“I believe we have already met.”She recognized the woman. She met her before at Liam's party.“I'm sorry I didn't recognize you before, Adeline.”The lady was all glitters and smile with those pearly white teeth.“I'm sure you had your reason, Katherine Isobelle. Whatever that may be.” She responded, with her smile not disappearing. “I'm glad you came back. Finally. After all those unexplainable years.”“Mother.” Nikolai stopped her. If he didn't speak, Belle might have forgotten that Nikolai's just by her side. “We talked about this already… about not making a scene.”“I'm not making a scene, son. I'm merely voicing out my opinions and observations in a very calm and disciplined manner.”One thing she learned
There's something endearing and frightening about being naked in front of someone. It feels like surrendering. Giving him the upper-hand leaving her with nothing but a sheer piece of vulnerability. She didn't mind. This is something that she was willing to do.Under the scrutiny of Nikolai's gaze, she didn't back down at the staring contest. In fact, if he wouldn't kiss him first, she'd do it herself.Nikolai sighed and looked away. Continuing to look away, he gets a robe.“Is this something you needed to check off your checklist? Is this how low you think of me and our marriage?” He handed her the robe. “Cover yourself up. Please.”“What are you saying, Nikolai? You said you play husband and wife. Well, here we are. What kind of married couple doesn't sleep with each other?”“The kind that stays married even if one of them wants a divorce. You would be surprised how many married couples don't get to have a happily ever after, Isobelle. We'd simply be another non-significant addition
“Looking for a gift for your son?”Belle nodded at him. Liam really liked the gift that Maxwell had picked for him before. And right now, she could really use a friend.“This time, I'm buying for two boys.”“Oh, I didn't know you had two kids!”She didn't deny it because it was true. She has two kids. Even if she isn't the biological mom of Elias, he sees that child as hers.It pains her to think that Elias probably misses Belle so much right now. He wanted to visit Elias so badly but Jack brought him on a trip, a long vacation and they haven’t come back yet.“Do you really help every customer like this? Your manager must be very proud.”Maxwell laughed at her comment. “I try to be as hands on as possible. This may simply be a passion project, but it's a very rewarding one.”“One of your passion projects? You mean… you own this place?” She's so surprised that she whispered the last part.“I’m not sure if I told you that last time but, yeah. I do.” Maxwell had that look of pride on his
Belle had no plans entertaining any other suitors. Even after what Nikolai did and how unconventional their marriage feels like now.“Are you going to tell him?” She asked Jessica. Her personal assistant slash bodyguard was awfully quiet during the ride.“I believe nothing eventful happened today.” Jessica nonchalantly looked at the window. Belle can already tell. She may be acting cold, but she’s on her side.First day together and they are already bonding. She’ll take this as a good sign.“Do you think that guy still likes me?”Jessica looked around the car except at Belle's location. “Yes.” She said while clearing her throat. “It was quite obvious with the way he looked at you. Especially when you said goodbye.”It was exactly why she said goodbye. She went there because she wanted to talk to a friend. She could really use one right now. Someone who can understand her, or be there for her. There was this teeny-tiny hope before in her heart for that person to be Nikolai. It seems l
“Did you cook this food?”She couldn't consider herself a great cook considering that the best that she could do with her ability are two techniques: frying and reheating. After Nikolai asked her that question, she was suddenly wondering if recipes of food she can ‘possibly’ cook have gone together with her memory.“You're kidding, right?” She prayed silently in her head. Hopefully, no expectations ruined.But she could finally breathe when Nikolai’s smile showed despite his restraints. “Yes. When we lived in New Zealand, we always had takeouts.”“You scared me! I thought part of my amnesia is forgetting those recipes I never learned to cook.”Contrary to her worries, there was a warm smile on Nikolai’s face. It was simply contagious. That’s the thing with Nikolai. She couldn’t be firm with her decision to be anything but lovers with him. He smiles at her one time and she goes weak in the knees.Belle looked away and st
They ate their dinner in silence and said good night. Nothing uneventful, but it was meaningful.It was the first time that Belle felt they were a married couple. She didn't feel the need to impress Nikolai or the need to do something to get a reaction.“I'll go now.” She excused herself, but Nikolai followed.“Did Liam meet Bonnie?”“Yes,” she answered. “Bonnie gave Liam all these toys and chocolates. First day here and she's spoiling the kid already.”Nikolai smiled. “I'm glad they saw each other again. I have always planned to invite Bonnie before.”“They're having a great time. I'm having a great time too.”“I'm glad to hear that.”It was the first time for her to wish that the way to their rooms was longer. This calm conversation with Nikolai talking about little things seemed mundane but precious.It was too much to ask for now, she guessed.“Good night.” She said when she reached her room.Nikolai returned her smile. “Good night.”***“Where do you want to go today?”“Oh, no, n
Because of her lack of memory, Belle had to learn to rely on her instincts. She wasn't always right, but something inside her tells her that this Evelyn woman cannot be trusted.She was acting timid, but confident enough to show herself inside the house. The least he could do was knock at the door. These security people should have also informed her.“Okay. She's gone. You can stop shooting those laser eyes.” Bonnie held her back.She lost track of time, observing until the woman was out of sight. “I'm not shooting laser eyes.”“Shooting daggers then? Either way, you were staring to kill, Belle.” Her friend started teasing her. “I don't blame you, don't worry. I was having my little observatory moment here as well.”She tried to be subtle and not quick to judge. Mission failed for both, apparently. Stopping the ‘I’m not the least bothered by that woman’, her forehead furrowed in all these negative emotions, she couldn't quite figure out what direction was heading to.“I don't like her
It was like one of those moments when you go to class, feeling like you did all the preparation for an exam, only to be asked a single question you have not studied. Belle got the right gears, just not the answer to this question. And just her luck, Nikolai doesn’t seem to know the answer either. Now, they are stuck in a situation with a curious child, waiting for a response. “When is she coming, Mommy?” Her already wide eyes widened even more. “Uhm, who’s… coming, Liam?” “My baby sister.” Her body lost the strength to stand still having a sudden dizzy spell from Liam’s continuous attack. The innocence and curiosity in his face didn’t help, either. If anything, it only made her feel worse. Out of the blue, Nikolai started laughing. He kissed Liam’s head before putting him down. “Go take a bath then, we’ll have breakfast together.” It worked like a magic spell. Liam ran away for h