Belle's POV
My heart was beating heavily in my chest but I tried my best to show composure. I was about to make a very big decision, one that would change my life for the next six or eight months, so I needed all the composure I could gather.
Christian didn't say a word to acknowledge what I had said. He only leaned forward, enough to allow me take in his wonderful scent, and used the key card to open the door.I didn't realize I had closed my eyes when he leaned in and immediately opened them to inspect the opened room. I walked slowly into the large suite, taking in the view of the beautiful room. Christian walked over to release the curtains and turn on the remaining lights, as if he needed a certain kind of caution around me.When he was done with what I figured out to be his hotel ritual, he offered me a seat which I took. Then he sat opposite me, a serious look on his face."Yes Belle." he said.I raised the folder up and went into business immediately, since he didn't want to exchange any pleasantries."This contract" I started. "How binding is it?""It was drafted by my lawyer. Everything you read is exactly what is going to happen. You can have a lawyer review it if you wish." He replied.I shook my head. There was no need for that.I had thought about his proposition carefully the previous night. Marrying him wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, as long as I will be saving my parent's house."What if you will need to do more before getting the company? Does it mean the contract clause will increase?" I asked."I don't understand." He replied. "Elaborate please.""You said your father wants to know that you can take care of the business and personal family and that was the reason for the little clause in the inheritance. What if we divorce and he takes it back since you haven't fulfilled it?" I asked him."If you agree we will be registering the marriage first thing tomorrow and then fly to Arizona later in the day. I will clock 33 in two months time and that is when I will be taking over the company. Eight or nine more months is enough to show that I can take care of a family. After that, you leave and every other thing will be taken care of by me."I nodded satisfied that I wouldn't have to carry on with the nonsense shenanigan for more than the stipulated time."And I'll be getting the documents of the settled loan and ownership of my house after that?" I asked just to be sure."You'll be getting every necessary document after that. Including the divorce certificates if you wanted."I turned my eyes sharply at him, demanding an elaboration on what he meant."I mean, you might need to brag to your friends that you were once a Martin. It's a very big deal don't you think?" He asked.I wanted to hit him, badly. But on the other hand, I realized I deserved everything I was getting from him. I mean, what was I expecting? If I were in his shoes, I would be angry too but at least, I would have asked for a reason why he did what he did and not treat him like he were trash.I didn't say more to him or ask any other questions, I had been treated like a fool for quite enough time. I angrily took out the paper from the folder on the table. I signalled for a pen which he gave to me and with his eyes heavily on me, I signed the papers.Yes, I signed the papers and I couldn't believe i did.I stared at the red lipstick on my lips in front of the mirror as I prepared for the dinner Christian had organised for his family to meet me. I couldn't help but recall the threats I had received from his parents the day I left him. They would be very angry and surprised to see me back in his life and I was trying my best to prepare for their wrath.Our marriage and move had happened in the twinkle of an eye. This was the fastest marriage I had ever seen, in fact we needed to be in the book of record breakers. Bernard had been my only guest at the wedding. He had tried everything in his power to stop me from making such a reckless decision but my parent's house was worth it. We were talking about just six months, I should be able to live with that.My phone rang and I immediately answered."Are you ready?" Christian asked over the phone without offering any form of greeting."In few minutes time." I said and he hung up immediately.Rude.I thought to myself while going back to the business of dressing up. After my makeup, I found the dress Christian had sent to my room and inspected it with my hand. It was a beautiful blue dress, one I was sure to look mouthwatering in."He still has taste" I said out aloud.Of course he would have taste. He was a handsome man and God knows how many women he must have gotten dresses and shoes for.I shrugged off my thoughts, remembering that I was nothing special and did my job of looking perfect for the dinner. I walked over to the table and picked up the engagement and wedding ring Christian had purchased. He hadn't forgotten to put on his so I should not forget mine. I slipped both in the fourth finger of my left hand, the engagement ring going in first and the wedding ring on top. The pendant on the engagement ring glittered in the light and i nodded my head. I definitely looked like the wife of a rich man.I walked out of the room and out of the house refusing to feed my curiosity of looking into Christian's room. I got into the car and Antonio; the driver allocated to me, put the car on motion."Good evening Antonio." I said and the surprised man in his early thirties looked at the rearview mirror to me."Good evening Madam" he replied."How far is the family house? I asked."Not very far Ma'am, we will arrive shortly." He replied and I nodded my head."It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" I asked and he offered me an awkward smile. I really needed to stop. Antonio wasn't the reason for my nerves, I shouldn't punish him with a baseless conversation.We drove in silence till we got to the estate. I closed my eyes as the memory I had of running away in the rain flashed at me.I informed Christian that I was outside the mansion and in few seconds, he was there to get me. He casted a look of approval at my appearance and took my hands."You know how they are." He started. "You don't need to say anything about the contract, I will do the talking. Just behave like someone in love with me." He said.I nodded as we walked inside."My father will try to be stern, my mother nosy and as for Gabrielle, she'll show hatred for you, because... you know why" He said and I took a deep breath.Of course, everyone was definitely still the same.We walked through the hallway and the chattering of the pack got closer. When we got to the dinning room, Christian cleared his throat."Can I have your attention everyone?" He called. "The news I have is here."Everyone turned to the door. Alexander, Lucy, Gabrielle and Michael; Gabrielle's father."This is Belle, you should remember her." He said, hands still holding mine tightly."She's my wife." He added.Belle's POVThe look on their faces was priceless. I saw different expressions in them. His father was annoyed, his mother disgusted. As for Gabrielle, hers was expressionless but I knew she wouldn't have flowers to give to me."Belle?" Lucy called. "Belle?" Your ex-girlfriend who abandoned you on your sick bed? She's your wife?" She asked, eyes wide in shock. I wasn't surprised at her attitude, but the way she spoke about me abandoning Christian, as if they had nothing to do with it was disgusting.Christian didn't reply. He only nodded his head. He was a man of very few words who wasn't swayed easily by baseless talks.I didn't speak either. He had commanded me not to. They didn't need to know that being his wife also sounded ridiculous to me, because unlike him, weddings were sacred to me."You got married in St Louis?" His father asked sternly, cutting me stern looks while addressing his only son."You got married without any of your family members present? How could you do that?"
Belle's POV.I used my right palm to massage myself after the realization of the slap had hit me. I stared at her, wondering why she had done that."You came back?" Lucy asked, anger in her voice. "You had the effontery to come back after the warning we gave to you?" She asked again.I couldn't respond to her questions. I tasted blood in my mouth due to the slap and didn't want to suffer another one."With your parents dying, do you suddenly think you have nothing to lose? We warned you to stay away, didn't we?" She asked me."I did." I replied softly and calmly. "I left him and I stayed away""Then what the hell are you doing here? Claiming to be married to my son?" She asked and when there was no response, continued to talk."He never mentioned you. For the past four years, after he got tired of searching for you, he stopped mentioning you. He was fine and healed of you, so tell me why the hell you are back? When did this so called relationship begin that it even led to a secret mar
Belle's POVI continued to look at Gabrielle as she stood at the door, a basket of fruits in her hands. I didn't know if telling her to come in would sit well with her, after all, this was her cousin's house. She must have been here thousands of times."Gabrielle." I called again but she only rolled her eyes at me and entered into the house."I forgot Christian was married." She started but turned around suddenly to look at me. "Oh but it is quite easy to forget, isn't it?"I sighed. The last thing I wanted after receiving Christian's wrath this morning was another drama."Make yourself comfortable, Gabrielle." I said to her and was about to walk out when she called."You haven't even apologized. To me. For walking out and allowing me to deal with whatever it was Christian was going through alone. You walked out and now you're back as if nothing happened." She said shaking her head and going back to the business of arranging the fruits she got inside the fridge.I watched what she was
Christian's POVI was still holding her against the wall, my lips now inches away from hers. I wasn't going to kiss her. I only wanted to torment her more. I wanted her to want it so badly and then I'd step away."Answer me Belle." I said one more time. "Have you witnessed what an animal is capable of?" I asked.She didn't say anything. She just stared at my eyes, breathing heavily. Her heart was pounding. I knew it because I couid feel it on her wrist. Whatever her heart was pounding for, I didn't seem to understand.Was she scared? Nervous? Or just wanted me to kiss her."Let go of me." She shrugged off my hold after a while and I released her. She took four steady breathe-ins and outs as I watched for her reaction."You have changed so much Christian." She said, her eyes huge with anger and nerves and I nodded my head in agreement. She could think whatever she wanted about me. I didn't care.Her hair was parked roughly on her head and she looked like someone who had been thoroughly
Christian's POVConfusion clouded my mind as I stared into the face of Bernard; Belle's childhood friend and bestfriend, wondering what the hell he was doing in my house.He stood up from his seat immediately I entered and had a weird expression on his face. He always annoyed me with that look, as if he was better than everyone else.I was mad that I had wasted my beloved time to find out that the supposed man in my house was only Bernard."Hello Christian." He said to acknowledge me.He was used to saying just few words to me. Even at the court, when Belle and I had signed the marriage forms, 'Hello Christian' had been the only thing he had said to me throughout the entire time."Hello Bernard." I said in return and turned to talk to Belle."You didn't tell me we were expecting a visitor." I said trying my best not to sound angry at her. She didn't need to know I was pissed off."I didn't know he was coming either." She replied. "He only called when he was at the airport and I gave h
Belle's POVI stood at the doorway staring at him. His noise had brought me out of my room and seeing how he struggled on the bed when I came in, got me scared."How long have you been standing there for?" He asked again, still breathing heavily."Christian I...""Get out!" He said.I was dumbfounded, I sincerely hoped in my heart that what I had seen had not been one of his sleep disorders."Allow me....." I started walking into the room but halted on my heels when I caught the look on his face."Out!" He shouted. "Get out Belle!" I turned at the order and walked out of the room.I didn't know why I had walked into his room. He had explained and marked our territories. I wasn't supposed to go in there.I sat at the dinning, tapping my foot on the ground. He had been very rude and arrogant towards me from the beginning of the contract but I still found a way to worry about his well being in my heart.He stormed into the dining room moments later and walked straight to me. The expressi
Bella's POVHis lips was soft and the kiss felt like magic. Although I was angry with him for kissing me without my permission, it felt good to have his lips on mine. I thought I remembered what it felt like to kiss him, but I didn't. This was a whole new experience.He didn't deepen the kiss. He only held it for a while, probably to get the attention of the public before withdrawing.He looked at me, his expression quite difficult to read."That is how to act like a newly wedded couple, Belle." He said.Turning away from his gaze, I placed by chin on his shoulder and allowed him to continue to sway me to the rhythm of the music. A lot of pictures were taken of us as others in attendance stared, wondering who I was dancing with Christian Martin."You shouldn't do that Christian." I said, keeping my voice low. "You had no right to do that""Don't get ahead of yourself. It was just a kiss. One to show that we are together, nothing more." He reminded me.The music ended and everyone sat
Christian's POV.I didn't know which was worse, seeing the information displayed on the screen or watching Belle's face filled with disbelief. I didn't know how the rumour had come about because the only thing I had done throughout that party was introduce Belle as my wife to almost everyone I had come across with.And what in God's name did they mean by a new mistress? I turned to look at Belle and she sat back down on her chair."Mistress?" She exclaimed quietly. "A new mistress?" Her voice was usually calm and I found myself wanting to explain things to her."Calm down, Belle." I said to her. "It's just a rumour. People say what they think will make waves. Besides it's an entertainment news not something serious.""They called me your mistress." She exclaimed again, oblivious to my prior explanations and I sighed."You shouldn't be surprised at that Belle." Gabrielle started. "For someone as popular as Christian, those are the kind of things you should expect expecially since you g