"What?! I have a bad feeling about this Bella, maybe you should resign, there's still other jobs out there you can do," I told Kara everything that happened, and as expected, she wants me to resign from my job. I can't blame her though, there's something about Dominic that I can't just understand. "I don't know about that. You saw me applying for a lot of job, and this is the only company who hired me." [Ding!] I looked at my phone to see who texted me and saw his name appear on the screen. "Who's that?" she asked, and I showed her my phone and it made her frown even more. "He said we have a business meeting to attend to outside of the city," "And he's bringing you with him?" "Well, yeah, that is part of my job description," I said, and I honestly cannot make up Kara's face anymore. Even a talented artist would have a hard time drawing the look on her face. "Absolutely not! He's creepy, Bella. I heard rumors about him being a total psycho, and also that yesterday h
"Did you not bring anything with you?" Dominic looked at me from head to toe. We were in the parking lot and I just got back from my apartment to fetch some clothes for the night. He said that the business meeting will be conducted at a resort since that's where the client wants to meet with us. "I got it all in here," I turned on my back to show him the backpack that I brought with me. "Is that all?" He asked again, as if he wasn't content with my answer. "Ummm...yeah," I replied and he just shrugged his shoulders and opened the passenger door. "Get in," he said, and I smiled shyly as I glanced at him and hopped in his car. He got in on the driver seat and didn't waste another second and immediately drove off. "You should have brought swim wear with you since we're going to the beach," he said, and I looked at him, with a frown on my face. "Aren't we going there for a meeting?" "Naturally, but we won't spend the whole day there for the meeting, you can rel
We entered the room and it was cozy and spacious. But I think what I love the most is the terrace which shows the perfect view of the beach and night sky. "This is beautiful," I mumbled as I admired the moon that's shining brightly in the sky. The cold breeze coming from the ocean passed through my body and it was such a delighting experience that I haven't felt for years. Was it eight or nine years ago the last time that I saw the ocean? "It's cold out here," Dominic wrapped hus suit over my shoulders like those in romantic movies and it gave me the chills. "Thank you," I said my thanks and made space for him as he leaned his body on the edge, taking a deep breathe. I stared at him, and I suddenly saw creases in his forehead as he opened his eyes abruptly and looked at me with his ocean blue eyes. The depths of those orbs speak for him. No matter how much he tries to appear normal in front of me, I can tell by just a glance of those blue eyes that he's tired. But what i
I didn't get any sleep at all. I was awake the whole time, waiting for him to appear, but he didn't. I checked my phone and it was already 6:49. The meeting is scheduled at eight so I have to get up and fix myself. However, I'm not so sure anymore if I should continue this. After hearing everything last night, I'm apprehensive if I should still trust him. ... After half an hour of debating I just went through with it and took a bath. This is the last time, when we get back, I'm resigning. [Click!] My eyes darted to the door and Dominic was standing there, he was smiling as if nothing had happened. "Hey there, are you ready? Sorry if I didn't come back last night. The friend I mentioned, Michaelson, he offered me another room that was available so I stayed there." He said. "Oh, I see..." I said, evading his prying gaze. "If you're ready then let's go," he said and we walked together to the cafe where he'll meet the investor. ... There were many people since
Her face ashen when she heard what I asked. Is this some sort of a taboo topic?"How do you know Cassandra?" she asked. "Dominic wasn't himself last night. He kept screaming her name and that he..." I paused, hesitating to say what he said last night."What? That he killed her?" She said with a glimpse of sadness in her eyes. She closed her eyes momentarily, her brows stretched together, and when she opened her eyes again she inhaled deeply before looking at me with a tranquil look."I don't know why he told you about her. But knowing him, I'm sure he won't open up to someone unless he trusts that person. So I hope whatever I say you'll keep it to yourself,"I clenched my fist, not knowing why she's being so cautious, "Of course, I promise,""Hmmm..." Her facial expression cracked a bit."Is there something wrong?" "No, it's just...that word—promise, I've always hated that word, but anyway, here it goes,"She moved closer to me, her lips curling upwards as she starte
We returned to the city a few hours after, and he wanted to drive me home, but I insisted on taking a cab. He also didn't press on it and respected my decision. ... "Hey, you're back, how did it go?" Kara asked me while she sat on top of her bed wearing a mud mask on her face. I just grunted at her as response and jumped on my bed, wanting to take a deep and peaceful sleep. "Wow, not good, huh?" I feel the bed sink, as she hopped on my bed. "Tell me what happened," she turned me over making me face her. "Nooo!!! I don't want to talk about it," I grabbed a pillow and covered my face with it. Wanting to drown and just end all this problems and humiliation. "Hey! Stop that," she slapped my shoulder and I hissed in pain, sitting up abruptly. "Why are you hitting me?!" "And why are you being a baby?!" She yelled back. I pouted, not wanting to respond to her, so I just buried head back to my sheets. "Fine, suit yourself, if you decide tou want to tell me then...well
"So where are you taking me for lunch?" I asked him. "There's a fancy restaurant outside, if you agree, I would like to take you there," he said. I shrugged my shoulders and he quickly grabbed my hand and this guy dragged me from the second floor all the way to the parking lot as if we we're in a freaking running contest. ... "We could have taken the elevator you know!" I glared at him when we areached his car. I was so out of breathe and this prick just laughed at my condition. "At least we got a good exercise out of it," he said, and I'm sure my face is like a tomato right now by how furious I am. "Please step inside, princess," he gestured as he opened the passenger door. Even though I'm angry at him, I'm still true to my words. So I'll go to lunch with him, and after this, I'll make sure I don't see him ever again. ... He took me to a restaurant that was a five minute drive from the mall. It was an elegant looking restaurant, a michellin holder in fact. So I'
“Wow, Isabella, you eat a lot, huh?” I closed my eyes, hearing another annoying remark from Fiona. The whole time we’ve been eating she has done nothing but say veiled mean things about me. That I eat a lot, that I have poor manners, that I don’t have any etiquette. Can’t she just leave me alone for five seconds? I suddenly felt a strong call of nature. I stood up quickly, “I have to use the restroom,” I said, leaving hurriedly. I rushed to the cubicle and did my business. After I was done, I washed my hands and prepared to go back. And the moment I got out, I feel like my soul left my body when I saw Dominic standing by the door, looking at me with an unreadable expression. “Dominic, what are you doing here? This is the ladies,” I asked, but he didn’t answer. He just stared at me. “Dominic?” “Is he really you’re boyfriend?” He asked in a chilly tone. “Um, yeah,” I said. He walked towards me slowly, “Liar” he uttered. “When we were at the resort you told me me you
Breakfast was quiet. Hayden and I sat across from each other, sharing a normal meal like we always did. He had cooked bacon and eggs, and I made toast. The smell of coffee lingered in the air, wrapping the kitchen in its warm aroma. It felt normal, but even if you’re an outsider you could easily tell with one glance that something was wrong. I couldn’t shake the tension tightening around my chest. We didn’t talk about the news.We didn’t talk about Cedric. We just…stopped talking. I’ve always known that growth with your partner is tough, but I didn’t thought it would be to this extent. Probably because I’ve been too accustomed to Hayden being the one who did all the protecting, and now…I have to step up, to support him in all the turmoils he’s facing.I kept looking up from my plate, watching Hayden’s face carefully. He looked calm as he ate his breakfast. Should I ask him?My fingers trembled slightly as I buttered my toast. Then—out of nowhere. The front door slammed open.I jump
The drive back from Cedric’s place felt like walking through fog. I declined his offer when he said he’d drive me back and called myself a cab. My body was in the car, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. Every word he said played on loop in my head—about Cassie, about Hayden, about what supposedly happened. About how Cedric claimed Hayden was the reason she was gone.And worst of all, he sounded like he believed it with every inch of his being. I leaned against the window, staring blankly at the passing streetlights. Should I ask Hayden? Should I tell him what Cedric told me? What if it wasn’t true? What if it was?By the time we reached my place, I hadn’t made a decision. I thanked the cab driver before getting out. The moment I stepped inside the house, I felt something strange. The lights were dim, the television was left on in the living room, and toys were everywhere. A little red truck sat sideways on the armrest of the couch. A stuffed bunny lay on the floor as if Blake
“I tried to keep the family together, but it wasn’t enough. Our parents blamed each other. Eventually, they separated. Fiona... she drifted too. I could never get her back. Not until recently.""You talked to her?" I asked quietly.He nodded. "Yes. She seems happy now. Genuinely happy."There was a small, sad smile on his face before he looked back toward the hallway. "You probably have a lot of questions, don’t you?"I hesitated, but the moment had come. "I do," I admitted. "Why do you dislike Dominic and Hayden so much?"For a moment, his eyes dimmed. He didn’t speak. Instead, he turned and started walking up the stairs. I followed. Not because I trusted him fully, but because I could tell he wasn’t trying to hurt me. I was starting to understand his pain.He opened a room at the end of the hallway, and as soon as I stepped in, I felt it. The scent was faint, but it was there—a mix of lavender and old books. Cedric walked to a tall cabinet and opened it, pulling out an old photo al
I stepped out of the restaurant, feeling drained. The meeting had gone well, but my energy was completely spent. All I wanted was to go home, take off these heels, and maybe sleep for a week. I pulled out my phone and started tapping on the cab app, already thinking of what presents I should take home with me for Blake. But my actions halted when I saw him.I wore a confused look as I approached him, as he leaned against the door of his car. His black car gleamed under the afternoon sun, parked just a few meters away from the restaurant's exit. The moment he saw me looking, his face lit up. He pushed off the car and made his way toward me."Perfect timing," he said with a smile. “I was getting bored. Hop in, I’ll drive you back."I opened my mouth, ready to decline, but before I could say a word, he raised a hand and said, "I know you have questions. A lot of them. And I’m willing to answer all of them."That made me pause. I studied him carefully, unsure of what game he was playing
I was already running a bit behind schedule when I rushed out of the house, tossing my bag into the passenger seat and starting the car. Today’s meeting wasn’t in the city, but somewhere a little more private. Aleo Country Club, a good thirty-minute drive from here.The roads were quiet the deeper I drove. Fewer cars, fewer houses, just long stretches of trees and grasslands. It wasn’t creepy, not really. Just… serene. I even opened my windows to catch the fresh breeze of the morning air.I was halfway there when the car gave a weird jolt. I frowned and tapped the gas, but nothing. “Uhh…what now?” Another jolt. Then the engine sputtered like it was choking. And then — silence.“Seriously?” I muttered, hitting the steering wheel lightly. I tried the ignition again. It coughed, clicked, then died.“Great, just another one of my bad days.” I pulled over to the side, looking around trying to find someone that could help me. However, there was nothing but empty fields and trees. Not even
Later that evening, I parked in front of the house and immediately heard chaos bursting from the living room.I opened the door, and a squeal echoed through the space.Hayden was running after Blake, who was waving a sock triumphantly above his head, giggling like a madman. “Give it back, you little thief!” Hayden laughed, nearly tripping over the coffee table.Blake was fast for someone his size, ducking under furniture, tossing pillows to block Hayden’s path. I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh.When I travelled my gaze around the room, in the cone row my eyes, I saw two people standing across the room, standing near the doorway were Uncle Nathaniel and Auntie Elena. Elena spotted me instantly, her face lighting up.“Oh, sweetie, there you are!” she chirped, bustling over to me in her high heels as if they were sneakers. “Are you okay? You look rather tired. Is Hayden treating you right? If he’s not, just say the word, and I’ll set him straight!”I laughed as she cupped my fac
The early morning light slipped through the cracks of the curtains, painting faint gold lines across the bed. I stirred awake, groggily opening my eyes, my body still heavy with sleep. Slowly, I turned to my side and found Hayden beside me, sleeping peacefully, a soft snore escaping his lips.A small, sad smile tugged at my mouth. I brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss against his temple. He didn’t move, he just let out a deeper sigh before settling again.I slipped out of bed quietly, grabbing my purse and phone before heading out.One of the things Kara had found, one of the things that really got me worried, was that Hayden had regularly visited a mental health clinic years ago. Right after Cassie’s death. The timing wasn’t a coincidence. It couldn’t be. Whether it was guilt, grief, or something worse, I needed to know what demons he was fighting. That’s why I’m going to that clinic to find the details I need. My car rumbled softly
Hayden and I walked in silence toward the parking lot. My hand was still in his, but it felt like there was a glass wall between us.Just as we reached the car, I stopped abruptly, pulling my hand away from his. Hayden immediately turned to me, confusion flashing across his face."Bella? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and careful.I didn’t answer right away. I kept my eyes on him, gathering every stray thought running wild in my head. Finally, I found my voice."I’ve been trying to understand everything," I muttered. "You said before that you couldn’t tell me what was bothering you, and I respected that. I really did." I took a step closer to him, needing him to see how much I meant it. "But now... maybe you can at least give me assurance. That what happened inside there—with that Cedric—isn’t something I should be worried about."Hayden’s eyes dropped to the ground. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking every bit as tired as I felt."Nothing will happen," he sa
My body tensed slightly, the air growing a little too heavy, and I didn’t know why. Something just didn’t feel right.Cedric turned to me with a glint in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. I thought this guy was simple, but I guess in this room full of people, the word “simple” wouldn’t sound right after all. “So, Isabella,” he began, his tone light but I could sense he was just pretending. “Are you Hayden’s girlfriend?”The question caught me off guard. My lips parted, but the words didn’t immediately come out.Cedric continued before I could even respond, “You know, my sister and Hayden have a long history.”I blinked at him. “Fiona and Hayden are close?” I asked, trying to steady my voice, even though my chest felt like it was tightening.Cedric chuckled softly, tilted his head, then glanced at Dominic. “Not Dominic, Cassie,” he clarified, enunciating the name clearly. My heart stopped.He turned back to me, still smiling. “I mean, the three of you did have a long history toget