Someone knocked on her door late in the evening. The lights on her room were still and he must have figured out that she was still awake.
They have never slept in the same room since the confrontation. It was hard enough for her to stay in the same house and eat breakfast at the same table as Nikolai. All this she did for Liam.Belle unlocked the door, and Nikolai was standing outside. She would always avoid looking in his eyes and this is the first time she's seen the stress reflect on his face.“Can we talk now?” He gently said. It was the first time he asked.“Okay.”Instead of letting him in, she took a step outside and led the way to the nearest lounge area. Her room was a mess. Aside from that, it would be safer to talk somewhere far away from a bed where ‘talking’ can be translated into something else.“Let's talk here.” Belle took a seat and signaled Nikolai to sit, too. She's much more calm now than she was days before.“Is that why you are here?”Belle nodded.Everything she needed and more was in Houston… but how can she stay silent and live in peace knowing that someone who wants her dead was breathing the same air? There was no turning back after knowing this.Before they get her, she should get them first. “I need to do something here.”“What do you mean?” Bonnie asked, but gasped soon after. “This is about the accident, isn't it?”“It wasn't an accident, Bon. Someone tried and failed to kill me.”“I was already suspecting it.” Bonnie worriedly held Belle's hand. “I knew even back then that something was off with your letter.”The letter. Right. The one that she was forced to write. Every letter she wrote was like digging into her own skin.It was the time Liam needed her the most. Why would she leave suddenly?It was an easy conclusion that maybe things went too much for her and she left. Wors
“Finally, we're alone!” Belle gushed after Stella closed the door in her own house.It was a little unfair to see her live a rather good life in her two-storey mansion. Living this glamorous life, she doesn't deserve it.“What are you doing here, Belle?”“Of course you would ask that. What am I doing here when I'm supposed to be buried six feet under, you mean?” She raised an eyebrow. “I don't know what you mean.”“You know exactly what I mean.”Stella wanted her gone. She couldn't stomach the fact that even when Belle wants nothing to do with Nikolai, he would still choose to be with him.Theirs was a complicated history of rejection and love.“You were pretending to be another person all this time.”Belle scoffed in disbelief. If there was a glass of water near her, she'd throw it ruthlessly right in front of Stella's face. Like those scenes in the movie. “I wasn't pretending, Stella. You almost kill
The silence was so loud, Belle could already read what was running in Nikolai's head.She was wearing the same clothes; she had the same haircut. She was the same woman who left, but something must have changed.Even Belle could feel it. It was hard to point out exactly what it could be.“I've been gone for a while and now that I'm back… really back, you won't say anything?” She raised an eyebrow.“Isobelle…”‘Isobelle.’ He really had to call her differently.If only Nikolai called her like anyone else. If only he hadn't made her feel a bit special. If only she didn't fall for his charm, it wouldn't be this way.She blamed herself alone for falling in love with him, but it was him who would always look at her longingly.If only he looked the other way, they wouldn't be standing this close to one another. With all the problems and complications that surround them.“I rushed here with all that emotions, some scripted movie-type of script to ask you questions and now that I'm here-” yet
“I thought you wanted a break.” “I do.” Belle held her breath to prevent heaving a deep sigh. “I still want to, but I'm busy right now with work.” “Just a weekend?” Of course, she had the weekend off. Sadly for her case, rest from work doesn't automatically mean a rest for her mind. Her head was all over the place after Leo told her to be careful. She is taking his advice, but it was almost to the point of being obnoxious. “I know about how you'd constantly contact Emily.” “Of course she told you.” She isn't their boss, after all. In the end, every employee in the company and their house has to promise their full loyalty to Nikolai. “I asked her not to tell you because I don't want you to think there's a need to worry.” “Exactly why she told me. She's getting worried about you, too.” “I don't want Liam to be in danger.” “Of course. I'll make sure of that as well.” “So, are you ready for this vacation?” She needed a breather, and so did Nikolai. “Are we finally going to th
“Because I love you, Isobelle.”This wasn’t the first time she heard Nikolai say it. Her dream was filled with romance and sweet gestures. Most especially, of declaration of love. The thought of Nikolai saying those words lived in her dreams and, for the longest of time, she allowed to have that sense of delusion. It was her own way of coming to terms with knowing she might never get the chance to hear him say it in person.She has waited all her life to hear Nikolai say those words and now that he did; she didn’t expect that her initial reaction would be… doubt.“It’s okay, Nikolai. I already believe you are trying to do your best for this family. I told you. That’s already enough for me.”“Isobelle, this isn’t just a spur of the moment. I’m saying this because it is really what I feel. I love-”“Please don’t tell me lies. I already believed everything you have been saying, and that was too much at stake already. So, that’s enough for me
Belle smiled at the few staff who recognized her. She tried not to grab anyone’s attention. Okay, maybe a little. She may have kept her silence, but she has been possessed with her flair for the dramatic. She wore the perfect black dress, hugging her curves perfectly, and dark red lipstick like a typical movie villain. She contemplated adding sunglasses but thought nah, that would be too much.She knew coming here at the law firm would be a hot issue in the making. People love to gossip as what can be observed with every eye trying to follow her every move subtly. She hasn’t left the area, but they are already whispering. For the first time after a long time, she didn’t care. It was nice to feel liberated even in this last stage of her short-lived marriage. It was a marriage that made whispering feel like screaming.Ah, there they are. She thought, spotting the conference room with glass windows. Perfect. She opened the glass door with a wide grin, showing her perfect set of white te
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Laurent.” Belle wasn’t nervous… or at least, this is what she kept telling herself while earlier, she was looking at the mirror, combing her hair. Even after changing her mind for what felt like the hundredth time, she is still unsure if she chose the right dress. Heck, she was even nervous thinking about what type of makeup look she would be wearing today. There was no need for her to please the parents. Her actions, however, say otherwise. It was hard to show a sweet smile, but she managed just fine. On the inside, there was an uneasy feeling, an internal chaos she wouldn’t like to admit was happening. Their presence made her almost forget that Nikolai was in the same room. It was surprising to see Oliver Laurent smile. Nikolai has consistently described him as a strict father growing up, giving her the image of a grumpy old man. Adeline’s fake smile was easy to spot, on the other hand. It was a contrast to the intense stare Belle couldn’t help but no
This was a mistake, a huge one.In her head is a long list of all the actions she was starting to regret. On top of that list was meeting Nikolai. Nothing should be added. Enough stupid actions. Belle no longer cared if she packed her things messily in her suitcase; some were even scattered on the floor, but she was ready to squeeze everything into her luggage. The need to go home and forget what happened today was stronger than having well-arranged luggage.It has only been days, and she missed her child terribly already. They were never separated for this long, and she couldn't believe she left for something that turned out to be not worth it. Clearly, that would be Nikolai.She could have kept silent. Shut her mouth and just signed those damn divorce papers without slapping it on his face. It would hurt, and she'd spend some nights crying but at least, she could still have that peace she could never have now.After making sure nothing important was left behind, Belle clumsily close