Chapter five

Bella’s POV

As soon as Leo left me in my room, Mrs Williams came to my room to clean up the mess. I asked her to give me my pajamas before she left.

For a good five minutes, I struggled with the zipper on my dress. I wiggled my arms out and tried to shift the back of the dress to the front. With that tactic successful, I slowly removed the dress, tossing it to the floor. I slipped on the baggy pajama shirt, abandoning the black shorts.

With that done, I drowned in a deep slumber, forgetting to wipe the makeup off my face.

“Mommy!” I heard Dylan call, “Mom, wake up!” he shook my shoulders.

“Jeez, I’m up, I’m up,” I grumbled.

“Mom, get up!” he said again.

“I said I’m up!” I snapped in annoyance. His face fell and excitement drained from his face. “I’m sorry,” I said, pulling him into a hug, “Can you forgive mommy?”

He nodded and looked at me. “Mom, please get ready. You said my party was today, and it’s eleven already.” He whined.

“Oh, my gosh!” I faked a gasp. “I forgot to organize it. I’m so sorry!”

“You forgot?” he echoed. “How could you forget so easily mom,” he said in tears running out.

Soon after he left, Leo came in, shaking his head. “I knew you were stone hearted, but it’s your son’s birthday. You should have remembered.”

I looked at him skeptically.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, ignoring the comment, my voice coming out harsher than intended.

“We need to talk about this.” He stated, his blue eyes boring into mine.

“There is nothing to talk about!” I declared, “I already told you I’m not getting married to you!”

With that, he remained silent, and although I barely knew the man, it seemed as if he was self conflicted about the issue.

“We are getting married,” he started, glaring at me when I tried to cut him off, “and I know it’s not the most conventional relationship but it’s inevitable. We should at least try to get to know one another before we make any drastic decision.”

“Are you done?” I asked, and he merely nodded. “Then take me to the bathroom!” I ordered.

“What?” he asked in disbelief.

“Carry me to the bathroom,” I repeated with more clarity, “I need to get ready for my son’s birthday party, but I can’t walk, so I need you to—”

“I get it.” He chuckled, cutting me off.

He carried me bridal style into the bathroom, gently placing me in the bathtub. “Get me a towel and some undies.”

He disappeared from the bathroom and came back with only a towel in hand. “What about the—” I started with a cheeky grin, but he cut me off.

“I’m not touching your underwear.” He said, gritting his teeth.

“If that’s what you want, but let me remind you, when I’m getting out of here, you’ll be the one to carry me.” I shrugged.

He groaned and sighed in defeat, “Where do you keep your…”

“Third drawer from the top at your right.” I shouted after him. I sat there smiling in victory. I got him wrapped around my tiny finger.

“Here,” he said, throwing the underwear in my face.

“Thanks!” I chirped as he left the bathroom.

Placing my underwear aside, I stripped my clothes off, tossing them to the floor. Bathing was not a simple task. I barely washed my legs, I just splashed them with water using the hand shower. I carefully rinsed my body in a position where I could not hurt my feet.

Once I was done, I put on the clean underwear before shouting Leo’s name. Once he reached the door, I said, “You forgot to give me a towel, bring me one.”

“Why can’t your maid do all this?” he growled.

“It’s her day off,” I replied. “Now hurry, we’re getting late!”

He came in with his back facing me and tossed me the towel. I quickly covered my body before ordering him to take me back to my room. He easily complied. I kept wondering how or why he was agreeing to my outrageous demands.

“Leo!” I called after him as he was heading for the door. “I need you to get me my clothes.”

“Listen!” he yelled, “I’m not your slave alright? So don’t you order me around!”

With that, he stormed off, leaving me to groan loudly. I just bathed, with so much difficulty, and I really did not want to crawl to my closet getting myself dirty again.

“Dylan!” I called, and he replied with a faint ‘yes!’, “Can you please come to my room?”

“Mom, I’m here,” he announced.

“I’m sorry for what I said.” I said, rubbing his hair, feeling bad for the way I spoke to him.

“It’s okay mommy,” he replied with a slight grin, “Dad explained to me you hurt yourself. Does it hurt?”

“It’s a little sore so mommy can’t walk properly. Please get mommy a green off shoulder dress from the closet?”

“Uhmm… sure,” he answered hesitantly, disappearing into my closet. He came back with about five green dresses and I let out a small laugh. “I didn’t know which one…” he mumbled.

“It’s fine. You did a great job, but before you go, can you pass me my lotion and makeup kit from the vanity?”

He nodded and silently went to retrieve the named items.

“You should get ready too,” I informed, “We’re going out, and mommy has a surprise for you! I know you thought I forgot but I will never forget my superman’s special day!”

“Really!” he exclaimed with glee.

“Is dad coming with?” he asked with a spark in his eyes.

“Um… sure.” I answered before he left the room.

I looked at the dresses laid out on my bed and went with the striped off shoulder with two slits that were on either sides of my dress which reached my ankles.

I quickly got dressed and applied the minimal amount of makeup on my face, keeping my look natural.

After getting ready, I called Glenn to check on the preparations.

“Glenn, tell me, how are the preparations?” I asked, skipping the greetings.

“Everything is going as planned,” she said in a high-pitched voice.

“Did you send the invites?”

“Yes,” she answered confidently.

“Where is the venue?” I asked.

“Victory Gardens,” she stated, but then added, “it is very classy and sophisticated but also a fun place for kids.”

“I just asked for the venue, not what the place is like.” I said into the phone.

“S-sorry,” she stuttered.

“You have a son, right?” I asked absentmindedly.

“Yes… he’s nine years old.” She hesitated.

“I didn’t ask for his age,” I stated. “He can come too, if you’d like.”

“Okay…” she whispered.

“Anyway, call me when the guests arrive and send me a picture of how it all looks.” With that, I cut the phone, not waiting for a reply.

After a few minutes, my phone vibrated, showing the images.

I beamed at the beautiful decor and screamed out Leo’s name.

“You don’t have to scream my name like that,” he shrieked, stumbling into my room.

“I’m ready!” I chirped absentmindedly.

“So...?” he pressed in his deep Spanish accent.

Hot!

Where did that come from? I shook my head to clear the thought.

“You need to carry me to the car because it hurts too much to walk,” I pouted.

He let out a frustrated groan, making his way towards me. I looked at him as he carried me all the way to his car, my mind puzzled. Who was Leo Mendoza and how did he end up in my life?