LOGINBELLE “You look… breathtaking,” he looked like he was struggling to find the right word as his eyes locked with mine.My cheeks burned under his gaze as I forced a small smile. “You don't look bad yourself.”He nodded. “I know, I always look my best,” he flashed me a grin, and I didn't miss his dimple. God! He looks so normal. For a second there, I almost forgot he was my boss. Kara cleared her throat, drawing our attention back to herself.“Aren't you running late?” She drew her eyebrows together, as she gave me that ‘I told you so’ look.“Yeah… I got distracted with the beauty in front of me that I almost forgot we have somewhere to be.”My heart skipped a beat at how smooth his words were, and I couldn't help but question if this was normal. I was used to a cold boss like Zalden. This felt so strange, I didn't even know how to react.Kara's head snapped to mine so quickly that I'm sure it hurt. “Did you hear that?” She mouthed, and I shook my head.“Let's go.”Kyle led the way o
BELLE“We have thirty minutes to get you what to wear,” Kara said, as she checked her wristwatch to keep track of time.“Is it too late to back down? Maybe he can find someone else to replace me.”Kara shot me a look. “Do you really believe he doesn't have anyone else?” She shook her head. “For someone as smart as you are, you are slow. This is either a test or just a man trying his luck,” she tutted.“And jumping to conclusions is what you do best,” I shook my head. “Why would he even be interested in me?”Kara snorted. “Time will tell.”Easy for her to say. My palms were already sweating and I don't even know if we can find something appealing within a short time.Kara made a quick stop in front of her favorite store and I shook my head before she could even speak.“No. You're not going to spend your hard-earned money on a dress just so I can attend this party.” I picked up my phone, looking for Kyle's number before I recalled we didn't share contact information earlier.Dammit. “R
BELLE I knew that face. I've seen it before on a magazine cover on the ‘Businessman of the year’ feature Kara shoved on my face once. I remember clearly how she was whining about how all these men were always unreachable, and now he was sitting right in front of me?I took a careful look at him and my eyes widened. Wasn't Zalden supposed to be the youngest thriving businessman in the country? He looked just as successful and maybe around his age, too. I didn't usually invest my time in business news, but I wouldn't miss it if he had a competitor.“Miss Belle?” His voice was smooth, laced with a hint of amusement as he studied my file before shifting his attention back to me.I blinked, realizing my mouth was open, and shut it quickly. “Y-yes sir.”A small smile tugged his lips as he batted his eyelashes at me. “Relax, you look like you've seen a ghost.”He sounded so warm and carefree, one would think we're old friends. I forced out a laugh that sounded like a choke and he grabbed
BELLE Jamie has finally been discharged. Relief washed over me like a tide, and I can't help the excitement that came with knowing no more visits to the hospital.“Mommy, can I go to the park now?” Jamie jumped on the bed in excitement.“Yes, sweetie,” I combed her hair with my fingers with a smile on my face. “You can go anywhere you want as long as you promise to be a good girl.”Jordan tutted at my words. “When does she ever behave?”The two turned it into an argument while I packed our bags. “I'm the oldest! Don't speak to me that way,” Jamie smacked her brother's head with a frown.“I'm the man!” Jordan countered back, and I shook my head from their endless fights.“Okay guys, it's time to go home.”“Yay!!!” Jamie jumped into her brother's arms, and they are good once again. “Careful Jamie,” I scolded. “You can't play rough unless you want to stay here for a few more days.”She pulled away from Jordan slowly and nodded with a pout. After thanking her doctor and all the nurses
ZALDEN “End the call,” I barked.He hadn't called me in months, and he's just going to sneak back as if nothing ever happened? No can do.“Zalden…”“Don't make me repeat myself,” my voice raised slightly as I shot Andrew a look. “End it. Now.”Andrew hesitated for a moment. “Are you sure you don't want to hear what he has to say?” I snatched the phone from his grasp but ended up hitting the green instead of red.“Zalden, you finally picked.”My father's voice resonated through the speaker, and a weird emotion sparked inside me. It wasn't anger. It was a sense of familiarity. Something I didn't realize how much I've missed until I heard it again.“I'll excuse you now,” Andrew mouthed as he took his leave.“Hello? Can you hear me?” He spoke again, and this time, I found his voice sickening.“What do you want?” I asked coldly. There was no way he'd be calling to check on me. The last time he called, it was to ask for my permission to visit the vacation house he gifted me on my eightee
ZALDEN Her body hit the floor with a loud thud, and the sound jolted me back to reality. Fuck.Her eyes widened in shock, and I felt a sharp shift in the pit of my stomach when her tear stained eye met with mine. What have I done? For a moment, I didn't see her. Didn't realize she was the one standing in front of me. All I could picture was my mother. The same eyes I swore I'd never forgive… those same eyes that abandoned me and never looked back.But this time, those eyes weren't filled with rejection. They were filled with terror. Like she was scared of me.I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and I…I ran my hands through my hair, too ashamed to comprehend what I had just done.“Belle…” my voice cracked as I reached a hand towards her.“Don't you dare!” She slapped my hands away, scrambling to her feet. My gaze fell on my handprint on her neck, and my stomach churned at the sight. It'd definitely leave a mark. “I'm sorry…” The words came out barely as a whisper, and he
AUTHOR'S POV Andrew waited a couple of minutes for Belle to come out of Zalden's office but when the minutes stretched into what seemed like forever, he became worried.Knowing Zalden's temper, he feared he might make things worse and decided to intervene.He pushed the door open without knocking,
BELLE The moment his lips crashed against mine, it felt like the world froze in place and the only sound I could hear was the frantic pounding of my heart.I stood still, a thousand thoughts scattering through my mind, but all I could focus on was the scent of him. Rich. Intoxicating.My hands wen
ZALDEN For a second, I thought I had misheard him, but the smug gleam in his eyes told me I hadn't. Give Belle to him? As what? My stomach churned at how ridiculous that sounded, and I couldn't believe I was having this conversation.“Belle is not for sale. And that applies to the rest of my emplo
BELLE This wasn't the first time Zalden would speak to me in such a nasty manner, yet it felt like I was punched in the gut all over again. I have seen and heard the other employees gossip about my fashion sense. I ignored everyone because while they were busy buying the latest designer, I was str







