6

_Bella Davis POV_

I stared up at the hospital building for a few minutes before walking in. My father was recently admitted here and I came to check up on him again.

"Hey, Bella." Mark, one of the doctors here who knows me greeted me, I smiled and waved at him. Almost everyone knew me here, I was here because of my father all the time. 

I jogged up the staircase, walking into his room just to find him sleeping, he slept a lot these days, he was too weak to stay awake, according to the doctor.

My father was diagnosed with heart disease a few years ago. And without money to treat it, his health condition has gotten worse.

"Hi, dad." I greet not expecting any reply.

He needed surgery done soon but we didn't have any money to pay for it. That's why I had to take Luke's offer.

After sitting beside him for a while, I stand up to leave.

"Bella? Is that you?"  He asks weakly and I turn to him, sitting once more. "Yes, Dad."

"How are you doing, my angel?" He asks, his voice barely audible.

"I'm fine Dad. I'll get the money for your surgery soon. I promise." My voice broke as a tear slid down my cheek.

His hands go up weakly to touch my face and he drops it, going back to sleep once more.

Cleaning the tears in my eyes, I stand quickly walking out of his room.

You'd be alright Dad. I'd make sure of it.

I was walking to the exit when I walked past Ava, both of us holding eye contact but she didn't stop. My eyes go to the pregnancy test report that was sticking out of her envelope. 

She went to get a pregnancy test done?

Luke had called me earlier and told me to be careful of them all. His family is planning something to expose us, and she is going to be planning along with them. 

I know the person I need to be wary of most is his stepmother and brother Henry. I just need to avoid them as much as I can.

I was pressing the door passcode when my phone rang, immediately I answered it when I saw the caller was Luke, my AirPods were connected to my phone already.

"Hey, what's up." I greet him as I finish punching in the code, the door swinging open.

"Bella, do not enter that house now. Veronica is there right now and she would do anything to expose you. If you are close by, turn around. Go somewhere else, go sightseeing today. Just come back after I tell you is safe." He rushes out and I look up to meet Veronica's eye, she is standing as if she is waiting for me, an evil smile on her face.

"I think that's too late already," I say looking at Veronica.

"Don't hang up. Keep me on the call." Luke says and I was more than happy to comply.

"Hello Mrs Tamer. How are you?" I greeted forcing a smile on my face as I slowly stepped into the house, looking around to see if Avery was home.

"Avery isn't home right now, he's at the office. And don't call me Mrs Tamer, call me Veronica." She says locking the door immediately I went into the house.

I gulp. Now where is that back door again? I need to find a way to escape.

"Just be calm and act natural. Don't act nervous or afraid. She feeds off both. And never give her your back, she might stab you." Luke says trying to keep me calm but that doesn't exactly work.

She won't stab me, right?

"You seem nervous." She says and I spin around to look at her. Clasping my hands in front of me.

"Who wouldn't be nervous when they are meeting their boyfriend's mother for the first time." I laugh nervously, my eyes darting around the room.

She stared at me for a moment like she was scrutinizing me. "But this isn't the first time we've met. This is the third." She points out sitting on the sofa.

"More reason to be nervous, isn't it? Given the conditions of our previous meeting." I go to sit at the exact moment Luke's voice comes from my AirPods.

"Don't sit unless she gives you permission to." 

I shut my eyes, cursing Luke as I slowly sat down on the sofa opposite hers.

Maybe a heads-up next time before I sit down would be preferred.

She watched me like she was seeing my soul. Her eyes scanned for any and every flaw she could find in me.

"I have to go do something now. Avery is on his way. No matter what. Don't admit anything." Luke says before the line goes dead. Great. I'm left alone to deal with her.

"How much are you being paid?" She asks and I look at her faking confusion.

"Excuse me?" 

That was very blunt of her though but it is time to put my acting skills to use.

"Don't play dumb with me. How much is Avery paying you to fake being his girlfriend? A million? Two? Three? Whatever the price, if you agree to do what I say, I'd double it." She put out, crossing her legs over and expecting me to take the bait.

Does she think Avery is the one paying me? So she isn't sure about it, she just wants me to take the bait.

Unfortunately for her, I won't be taking the bait.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I have no idea what you're talking about. Avery is my boyfriend and I love him. I wasn't paid to be with him, you can't buy love." I responded. 

I've always wanted to say a line like this after watching many romance movies.

"But you don't love him do you?" She asked me and I kept my eyes on my feet ignoring her question.

"What is going on here?" Avery asked.