Ryder’s pov.
It was another weekend, and I was engrossed in my work on the laptop when my phone suddenly rang. Seeing Bella's name on the screen brought a smile to my face. Despite being busy as a multi-million company owner and a leader in the mafia world, I always made time for Bella. She held a special place in my life.
Balancing my role as a mafia king and running a successful business often kept me occupied even on weekends. I had worked hard and dedicated myself to building my own mafia gang at a young age, ultimately earning the title of Mafia king. However, I still managed to find moments of enjoyment by hanging out with friends, going to clubs, and having casual encounters with women. I believed in living life to the fullest.
But this particular weekend, I had an important deal that required my attention, so I had chosen to stay home. Bella's call interrupted my work, and I answered, trying to maintain a businesslike tone.
"What's the matter, Bella?" I asked briskly while continuing to work on my laptop.
"You were supposed to pick me up, and I've been waiting for half an hour!" Bella's voice rang through the speaker, filled with frustration.
Oh shit! I completely forgot about our plans. I exclaimed to myself, realizing the mistake I had made due to being consumed by the important deal I was working on. This weekend was supposed to be Alex's bachelor party, and I had promised to take Bella with me. Attending the party without her was out of the question since Alex genuinely liked her and had specifically invited her. Bella wasn't your typical girly girl; she enjoyed hanging out with my friends and had a tomboyish nature.
Feeling remorseful, I quickly dialed Bella's number and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Bella. I completely forgot. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be there to pick you up."
Bella huffed in response, clearly frustrated, but I knew deep down that she would understand. She had always been forgiving, even when I made mistakes. Determined to make it up to her, I swiftly wrapped up my work, grabbed my car keys, and hurried out the door.
"I'm on my way. Just wait for me," I reassured her, rushing to get ready. I quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a blazer, wanting to look presentable for the occasion. Seeing Bella on the weekends had become a cherished ritual for me, and I couldn't wait to witness her infectious smile once again. She brought so much vibrancy and joy to my home with her laughter and sweet voice.
As I drove towards Bella's place, I couldn't help but reflect on our unique friendship. She was unlike any other girl I had ever met. She never demanded anything from me or threw tantrums. Our bond was pure and selfless, and I cherished every moment we spent together.
I missed the sparkle in her bright eyes, which lit up with childlike excitement whenever she spoke. She was like a little kid, and just thinking about her brought a smile to my face. There was no way I was going to attend Alex's party without her by my side.
I drove my car a bit faster, eager to reach her dormitory. As soon as I arrived, I hurriedly got out of the car and rushed inside the building. Bella was waiting outside her dorm room.
"Finally, you found the time to come," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"Alright, now that you're done teasing me, can we go?" I replied, slightly annoyed by her bratty behavior.
She didn't say anything, but instead walked past me towards the parking lot. We both got into our respective cars and headed towards the party venue. After a while, we arrived at the club where Alex was hosting the party.
"Hey, thanks for coming," Alex greeted me with a grin.
"Nice party, dude," I said, shaking his hand and giving him a congratulatory hug.
"Congratulations, Alex!" Bella chimed in.
Alex pulled her into a hug, expressing his gratitude. I possessively pulled Bella back towards me, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Alex shook his head, amused by our antics.
"Alright, let's head inside and enjoy the party," Alex invited us.
As we made our way towards a table, a striking girl approached me and jumped onto me.
"Hey, baby, remember me?" she chirped.
"Yeah?" I replied, feeling a bit confused as I didn't actually remember her.
"Are you looking forward to having some fun tonight?" she asked, tugging me towards a corner. I glanced at Bella, who gestured for me to go ahead.
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Anonymous pov.Bella sat alone at a table, ordering a soft drink for herself. Just then, a handsome stranger approached her and took a seat across from her.
"Hey there, gorgeous," he greeted with a smile.
"Hey!" Bella replied, returning the smile.
"Let me get you a drink," he offered, and Bella nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Ryder had managed to shake off a girl who had been persistent in trying to go home with him. However, he couldn't leave Bella alone after bringing her to the party. When he returned to the table where he had left her, he couldn't find her anywhere. Panic surged through him as he realized she was missing from the party.
Frantically, he searched for Bella in every corner of the venue, but she was nowhere to be found. Just as he was about to head outside to look for her, he spotted her sitting on the floor in a lobby near the restroom.
Her body trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, trying to wipe them away. Seeing her in such distress pained Ryder deeply.
Logan's pov.As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh, sterile lights of the hospital room greeted me. Disoriented and weak, I blinked several times until the blurry figures around me came into focus. There was Mia, her eyes filled with worry and relief, and my family standing by her side, their faces etched with concern."Mia..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.Her eyes lit up with tears of joy as she took my hand in hers. "Thank goodness you're awake," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.My family wore expressions of both happiness and concern. My mother's eyes were red from crying, while my father's stern facade tried to hide his fear. It was then that I knew I had to be honest with them about how I felt."I can't go through with the marriage," I admitted, my voice stronger now. "I love Mia, and I can't marry someone else."My father's face turned stern, and he scolded me, "You're being impractical! You have responsibilities, and this is no time for childish whims!"Befor
Logan’s pov. Amidst the busy preparations for my upcoming wedding, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease in my heart. Mia's sudden resignation from my company had left me bewildered and bruised my ego. I had made it clear to her that our relationship would remain strictly professional, yet she chose to leave. "Why does it bother me so much?" I wondered aloud as I paced in my luxurious penthouse. Alex, who had been helping me with the wedding arrangements, noticed my distress. "Hey, man, what's bothering you? You should be on cloud nine with your marriage just around the corner," Alex said, concern evident in his voice. "I don't know, Alex. It's just that Mia's resignation hit me harder than I expected," I admitted with a sigh. "Even though I told myself I didn't care about her rejecting me, there's this nagging feeling inside me." "Why do you bother? It is not like you feel something for her, do you?" Alex inquired. "Remember, you have a stunning fiancée, a glamorous weddi
Alex's Pov. We all gathered at Ryder's wedding, witnessing the heartfelt exchange of vows between Ryder and Bella. Their hurried marriage brought back memories of my own wedding day, where I had first laid eyes on Sarah. But after she left, things took a painful turn. I tried countless times to meet her, to explain myself, but she refused to hear me out. Her parents, adamant in their disapproval, forbade me from entering their home. It was absurd – I was her husband, not some boyfriend they could simply cast aside. I pleaded with them, insisting that I had changed, that I wanted to be with her, but they turned a deaf ear. Unbeknownst to me, Ryder had invited Sarah to the wedding as well. My heart filled with both hope and trepidation, praying that she would show up so I could finally talk to her. And then, there she was, entering the venue in a stunning peach-colored gown. Something about her appearance was different, and it left me bewildered. Her face was radiant, and I couldn't he
Bella's pov. The sound of my phone jolted me awake from my slumber, disturbing the peaceful moment I had been sharing with Ryder. Gently, I disentangled myself from his embrace, aware that I was still unclothed, and hurriedly pulled the sheet to cover myself before answering the call. "Mum!" I greeted cheerfully, my heart still elated from Ryder's heartfelt confession of love. "Bella, what is going on?" Her voice carried a tone of anger. Confused by her question, I asked, "What do you mean, mum?" "You and Ryder are all over the news, and your father is furious," she complained. My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "What? I don't understand, mum. What's happening?" "Where are you right now, Bella?" Her concern was evident. "I am... I am..." I hesitated, unable to come up with a lie. "Are you with Ryder?" She guessed, and I fell silent, confirming her suspicion. "Why did you do this, Bella?" Her disappointment in me was palpable. Suddenly, the phone was snatched
Ryder's pov. My futile attempts to incite jealousy in Bella by meeting other girls left me feeling disheartened. No matter who I interacted with, she remained composed and collected, as if her emotions were impervious to my antics. Undeterred, I had to switch to plan B. I smirked as I thought about it because it was foolproof, and Ryder never failed to get what he wanted. "Bella, I have planned a vacation for us," I called her while she was in school. I smiled as I could imagine her eyes widened in surprise. "What? No, Ryder, I can't go on vacation, and, most of all, I have some assignments to complete," she replied, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Come on, Bella. Mum is persistent about my marriage, so it will be our last vacation together. I am sending my secretary. Give her your passport. We are going to Switzerland for a week. Just me and you. I want to spend some time with you alone," I insisted, hoping she would agree. "Abroad trip? You will get clicked by the media, a
Ryder's pov. At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos. I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form. "Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed. "Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date f