Bella's Pov
"Miss it's time to wake up." A loud voice had me slowly prying my eyes open. The brightness of the room had me groaning and reaching for the pillow I was laying on. "Here." Someone said on the side of me right as a warm washcloth was gently rubbed against my face. The constant pat of the wash rag on my face became annoying pretty fast. "Can you go away, I'm not a child." I mumbled as I tried to swat the hand away. "No, the party will start soon, your father wants you downstairs before the guests arrive." The voice stated as they continued to wipe my face. "Party?" I asked as my brows scrunched up. The rag was pulled away allowing me to quickly open up my eyes. The middle aged woman that had invaded my space was now staring at me with a gentleness that had me tearing my eyes away from her face. "You fell asleep during the car ride here, so I'm guessing that you are a little disoriented." The maid said softly. I furrowed my brows as I turned back towards her and sat up slowly. "The car ride here?" I asked as I looked around the small hotel room that seemed to get less and less appealing the more I looked around. "Yes. Your father had to carry you upstairs." She stated softly. I narrowed my eyes as I slowly got off the bed. The last thing I truly remembered was struggling to put on the stupid dress that my father picked out. Everything else only came in bits and pieces, like it was a dream that I was slowly forgetting. I looked around the hotel room that looked nothing like the ones I had been to before. The walls looked to be changing colors due to most likely someone smoking or water damage. It smelled like lots of cleaning supplies telling me that my father most likely complained because it smelled strong. Like they splashed bleach everywhere. I looked at the bed and cringed. The burgundy flower printed blanket was dingy and made me feel itchy all over. I rubbed my arms and turned towards the news that was on the tv that could be no larger than 28 inches. I walked towards the dirty microwave and black fridge that I had seen out of the corner of my eye. The microwave looked to have brown stuff all over it and I could only question if it was even safe to use. “Did my father really bring me to a run down hotel?” I asked with annoyance. "Of, of course not." She rushed out. The small panic in here voice told me that he did and that we were probably no where near the party. Most likely running late because of me. I bent down and opened up the fridge. A small smile formed as I took in the fridge full of snacks and sodas. "I think I had one of these earlier." I sang as I grabbed one and opened it. I may not have remembered much of the car ride but I did vaguely remember a cherry soda. I took a big drink and instantly regretted it. The burn to my throat had me scrunching up my nose and making a sour face. I had to blink away the tears from how strong it was. "People on tv make drinking soda seem so much easier. This burns my throat." I croaked as I set it down and slowly stood back up. "There's a lot of acid in them." She stated as she stood straight with her hands crossed. I gave a simple nod because I could taste it.I couldn't fathom why my father would allow me to drink soda when he was strict when it came to my diet. Everything I ate was healthy and if not healthy it was made with the best ingredients in the world. I had never tried anything other than water or freshly squeezed juice. "Maybe we should get going." The maid said softly. "Good idea." I mumbled as I took an unsteady step towards her. "Here let me help you." Her arm was grabbing me and helping me walk to the door before I could tell her I didn't need any help. The feel of my bare feet sliding against something rough had me looking down. I stiffened as I took in the carpet that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. The chunks of dirt and stains told me that they were most likely forever stains. "Where are my shoes?" I asked lowly. "I think in the car." She stated softly. I stopped walking and slowly turned towards her. "Do you expect me to walk downstairs without them?" I asked lowly. She paused for a second and was quick to let me go without a warning. I stumbled forward landing on my hands and knees. A small whimper left me as I collapsed onto my bottom. My knees felt like someone had kicked them. I looked up at the door and cursed a few times. I would've been better off being left in the car then brought here. What was he thinking? I slowly worked to stand up but for some reason my balance was unsteady. The room seemed to sway every time I tried to stand up. As I went to use the bed to help me up a click sounded having me plop back down. I looked over and instantly stiffened as I looked up a pair of black suit pants. “Who are you?" I asked instantly. A small smirk formed on the handsome man or I could say boys face. He looked like he could be no more then 18 maybe 19. His features were sharp and had him looking like an evil king that would seduced and burn down the village of an unsuspecting queen. The boy said nothing and instead bent down in front of me. His greens eyes pierced into me forcing me to look towards the closet that looked to not be able to fit no more than two jackets in to. "Your father asked me to come and get you." He said in a low and memorizing voice. "And who are you?" I mumbled in annoyance.. "Lucas but you can call me your fiancé." He stated wryly. I instantly stiffened as I slowly looked back at him. A small smirk was now on his face and I could not help but stare as he grabbed my foot gently and put on my heel. "My fiancé?" I asked lowly as I watched him tie the ribbon perfectly up my smooth leg. I didn’t miss the way he purposely rubbed my leg after it was already rigged. "Yes your fiancé." He said as he gently set down my left foot and grabbed my right one gently. The way he was handling my legs delicately had me flustered. "You're back?" I mumbled as I tried to turn my attention away from his fingers that now seemed to be scorching hot. He was suppose to be out of the country, as far a way from me as possible. At least until school started. "Of course I'm back. I couldn't miss our engagement party, how would that look?" He asked wryly. I could only stare as my mind went blank and I paled. Our engagement party?Bella's Pov I could only sit in silence as I stared out the window in the back seat. Of course my father would make me sit in the back even though this car was most likely bought with my money. If not my money than the money my mother put in their join account. So technically it was still my money no matter how you looked at it. "I was actually worried you couldn't make it." My father sighed breaking the silence that I was enjoying. "As soon as my father heard you needed a new dress for Bella he rushed to the opportunity to help out." Lucas said with his deep voice that should not have caused butterflies to make me feel funny. I grabbed ahold of the sheer fabric willing my mouth to stay shut. I looked down at the black ball gown I was now wearing and signed internally. It was perfect and I hated them for this. They most likely knew I would love it and that’s why they chose it. "So how are you getting along at the company with Theodore?" My father asked completely changing the
Bella's Pov "We are here." My father stated after driving for a long time. My brows furrowed as I looked around. All I seen was what looked to be an abandoned hospital. The engagement party couldn't be here right? The building looked like it would fall apart at any second. It looked like it was haunted with its boarded up windows and bricks that looked like they would fall at any second. It looked like someone had went to knock it down but got a call right as the recking ball knocked into it. "Where are we?" I asked in disbelief as both my father and Lucas climbed out of the car. They couldn’t seriously believe that an engagement party would be perfect here? I grabbed the car door handle and tried to push it open but it didn’t budge. I looked down and pulled it towards me and pushed it again. My brows narrowed as the child proof lock prevented me from opening up the doors. I quickly tapped on the window like a caged animal earning a small smirk from Lucas. "Open the door.
Bella's Pov "Remember to smile." Lucas stated lowly as we walked into the dimly light ball room. "How can I forget." I dead panned through my forced smile that I knew didn’t look every convincing. He looked at me and narrowed his eyes as he stared at my face. "That doesn't look like a smile. It looks like you are in pain." He dead panned. "It's hard to smile sincerely when my fiancé and father have threatened me and kidnapped my mother." I spit out through gritted teeth. I was not an actress nor was I a masochist. I would most likely be locked away in my room forever after this because all I felt towards Lucas and my father was disgust, they were repulsive and I couldn't pretend. I refused to marry him no matter how good looking he was. "Fair enough." He mumbled as he pulled me by my waist. His grip was tight, I didn’t even have to try to walk away to know that I wouldn’t be going anywhere unless he gave me permission or I caused a scene. In normal circumstances I would have
Bella's Pov "You." I started to say but was stopped short as I was guided towards the group of girls that were chatting away. Lucas seemed unbothered that he had to drag me by the shoulders due to my unwillingness. “What are you doing.” I demanded through clenched teeth right as we got in front of the group of girls. The girl with a green dress and orange crinkly hair paused what she was saying and turned towards us. A small smile formed as she looked at Lucas and than me.“What brings the two of you over here?” She asked sounding more pleased than curious. I could see the sparkle in her eyes as she stared at us. It was almost the equivalent to a child who was just given a huge bowl of ice cream. "Hello ladies I wanted to introduce you to my beautiful fiancée bella." Lucas stated with confidence that I didn’t have. I would’ve rather been anywhere else but here right now and we both knew it. "Hello Bella. It's nice to finally meet you." The girl with the orange said as she star
Bella's Pov (present time) I paled as the memory that I had forgotten about all them years ago clouded my mind. How had I forgotten that I had told my uncle everything that my mother had taught me? I had thought that the argument with my father was what caused my mother to disappear but now I had realized that my father always knew. My uncle had most likely told him right away. He didn't want me to run the company. He wanted me to grow up living a care free life not learning to run a business. It made no sense. My father allowed my mother to teach me everything I needed to know about the company. Why? Why did he not act when I was younger? Did he think that I would end up hating her? Did he think that I would never want to run the company? That had to be the reason. He thought that I would want to live a different life style. Unfortunately for him he was wrong. My mother was able to finally convince me that I was meant to be in power. I was the true heiress of the company an
Bella's PovI felt like I needed air. Lucas was relentless and all I could do is gasp every time he released my lips for a second. He leaned more into me and pushed me onto the marble floor. The coldness helped wake me up a little but not enough to be able to fight his lips that were quick to take ahold of mine again. His right hand went to leg and rubbed up it causing the fabric to scrunch up. A click sounded followed by a flash that was blinding. Multiple clicks and flashes had me closing my eyes. Lucas didn't seem to mind but I did. I tried to turn to see what was causing the bright light but was stopped by Lucas turning my head the other way and latching down on my neck with his lips. "Wait." I cried as I tried to gather my bearings. Dozens of clicks sounded as Lucas sucks down hard. "Lucas we, I, stop." I cried. I thought he would keep going but to my relief he gently released my neck and pulled back. I blinked a little as I slowly got onto my elbows. Another click and
Bella's Pov "Sweet heart do you feel any better?" My father asked as I sat down at the dining room table.” It would be a lie if I said that I felt better because I felt like I was dying and I hated it. My legs were still sore and my neck had a purple bruise on it that now stung because I had tried to scrub it off. I had no memory of the night before and it took all day just to finally get rid of my migraine. I only had it in me to give a forced smile as I grabbed the silver spoon next to my bowl of soup. I didn't have the energy to speak nor did I want to. I didn’t even want to come downstairs. If it wasn’t for me needing to eat I would’ve stayed locked away in my room. I grabbed a little bit of the steaming hot broth and brought it to my lips. The chicken seemed to be lightly seasoned and gave a little relieve to my throat that was still sore. "So tomorrow we are going to be having a press conference. I'll need you to wake up early." My father stated nonchalantly. My brows
Bella's Pov "Why do I need a microphone?" I asked with my now raspy voice. A good nights rest did not help cure my sore throat nor did all the soup I was given. It only got worse and I had my uncle to blame for this. "It's just standard procedure." My fathers assistant said as she pushed the wires down my dress. I narrowed my eyes because I didn't believe that my father would put a microphone on me unless he planned on forcing me to talk. "Mr. Connery will be doing all the talking. You have nothing to worry about." She stated with what I could only assume was a lie. I pressed my lips together as I stood perfectly still. My father was most likely hoping that I wouldn't be prepared. Fortunately he would be highly disappointed because I was born prepared. My mother had raised me to be in situations like this, so I wasn’t worried. His assistant smoothed down my white floral dress and spun me around. I narrowed my eyes at her instantly. "Enough." I snapped when she started