Deal?

Bella's POV 

"Oh, that." He said, his face resolving to normal when the memory clicked. Reluctantly, he dragged his feet to the restroom with an expression that showed his mind still lingered on it. A wave of anger swept his face again. "You know you were so unromantic back there. Your husband calls you babe and you can't even blush. You just stood there so rigid like a rock that the attendant almost doubted we were a couple".

I gasped in sarcasm, "Oh really! Was I that rigid?" I asked feigning sadness that I had disappointed him. "So sorry, babe; maybe next time I will blush and squeak like a rat to make your acting rich."

He snorted and paused at the restroom entrance. "Acting?", he asked, turning to face me.

"Mmh hmm" I nodded my head with wide eyes.  

He shrugged his shoulders and sighed heavily. "I...." He made to speak but stared at me instead, searching for the right words. I raised my brows, yes go on. "Fine!" The words gushed out forcefully from his mouth, from so much restrain to say otherwise. "That was me acting, I accept. But please can you just stop yours already?".

My face squeezed like a foul smell had crossed my nose, and I shook my head, unable to phantom what he meant. "And....what do you mean by that?" 

He looked frustrated and ran a hand through his hair, with the other resting firmly on his waist. "This whole thing you're doing. Just tell me you're acting too and we'll be even".

"Oh!" I loosened my face like I was about to say what he was expecting, mimicking the temptation that went forth before the fire burned. "Do you mean the divorce?" I asked, softly.

He bobbled his head hastily, impatient to hear my reply in the affirmative. "Well, I don't even need to hear it from you", he chimed in quickly, with an air of nonchalance, slipping back perfectly into his arrogant self, probably sensing he had let his guard down and appeared too eager. 

"That thing on your finger says it all," He added proudly with a wide smile on his lips while his eyes hovered over my fingers.

Lifting my hand, my eyes met with the only thing that sat pretty and undisturbed on my finger. The only thing that made my decision appear as a joke to him. 

"That's right. You can't even take my fucking ring off your finger". He chuckled softly, enjoying the moment. 

My hands gripped the side of my dress, angry I gave him the luxury to think I still loved him and couldn't let go of his damn ring.

"You claim you love me; I know it is not easy for you to just walk away from me, right?" A smile of mockery tugged his lips.

Claim?

My heart felt like a jagged blade had made its way through, but I managed to remain composed on the surface. So my love for him all these years was just me claiming to? What a prank! That was the old Bella anyway, naive and stupid. 

"That was in the past, Alex. There is no love left for you here". I drawled in defense. Lifting my hand again, I stared at the ring with indifference, "And for this, thank you for reminding me, I was going to trash it once you signed the divorce papers. So sign it already". My hands found the perfect free gown for the night, and I headed to change in the restroom, away from his prying eyes.

He smiled satisfactorily like he was impressed. As I made to brush past him, he whispered with a low voice, "That's why I can't let you go because you're interesting. Get ready to wait till eternity with me, cos I'm not signing those divorce papers". 

I stood frozen in place and looked anywhere else, but not at him. Finally looking at him, I couldn't hide the anger that spread across my face, painting it crimson. 

"That's a joke right?", I asked, more like a warning, but what I got was a broad smile from him. He was enjoying this!

He covered the distance between us till I felt his breath fanning my ears, "I'm so serious as hell.", he whispered, inhaling my scent with pleasure. "Come to think of it, you still owe me....wife. How can I be so foolish to let you go away just like that?".

I turned instantly, unbelief gnawing at me. But I wasn't prepared for how close his face was to mine, so I rebuffed in disgust, almost stumbling. 

He didn't even bother to aid me, he simply snickered. "Be careful there. I still need you in good shape."

I exhaled harshly. Furious. "I don't owe you a dine, so what —"

"Let's make a deal" He cut me off, his face lightening up with mischief. I could smell it.

"You know I've thought so hard about it," he began. "These years you've been all about cooking, apron...." He twisted his face as if the very thought was dirty. "Cleaning....and that's too boring for me. Let's spice it up a little don't you think?". He winked, accessing my frame like I had suddenly turned to a treasured art in the gallery. But I was in no mood for his fooling around and my face screamed impatience.

"Alright, here is the deal", he probbed his head up, his face smoothing with seriousness. "I'll give you one year to give me a child. I need an heir. And I'm giving you one year to do that. Just one year Bella." 

The weight of his words, invaded my mind like the eruption of a volcano. Silence stood like a third guest in the room, I could literally hear my own breath. And he paused, allowing it hang heavier than ever, because he knew what that meant. A heir?

"And I promise.....", he continued, his voice calmer, even more convincing that he earned my full attention effortlessly. "I promise to sign the divorce papers and agree to all your terms once the child is born. Just a year, Bella. Or on the other hand, you can go ahead and force me into signing the divorce papers. I bet you will wait till eternity. So try all you want and let's see how many more years it takes you to make me sign the papers. It's your choice now". 

A smirk plucked up his face as he brushed past me. The smell of triumph was unmistakable around him and he began whistling merrily, his hands playing soft notes on an invisible piano in the air and his legs dancing to its rhythm. 

"One year against eternity," He sang, more like a scornful song, as he disappeared into the restroom.

The color in my face drained, leaving no traces. I felt trapped. That was a deal from the pit of hell! Either of them was a nemesis. 

The first one....oh please, I can't even imagine him touching me, or worse still, making love to me multiple times before I take in. Although once upon a time, I craved his touch, right now, it was my worst nightmare. 

And the second...

I know Alex too well, and I'm sure he is going to do all he can to frustrate all my efforts and still leave the papers unsigned. What do I do then? 

My eyes remained glued to the restroom door as if in vain hope, he would walk right through it and say it was all a joke. My shoulders fell downcast, my breath irregular. "You asshole!".