The Architect's Flaw

Alexander

I had built my life the way I built my business: systematically, without sentiment, with every variable accounted for. Bella Anderson was a variable I had dramatically miscalculated.

I didn't see it coming. It was so hard to find all my hard work in ruins. She was my only solution. I had to put things together to make sure I saved my reputation.

At midnight, my thoughts raced drastically without any end. I was uptight about having her around, and yet she had an irreplaceable value to being my wife.

She was virtuous; this alone made my business partners see me differently. A man of respect and a man of his word.

They always whispered, “Just look at his beautiful wife."

It was always a proud moment for me. I was pleased and happy each time I heard comments like that or anything similar.

Across my desk was a window which showed Bella's window too. I was taken aback when I saw her light was on across the corridor.

I grabbed my pen and forced my head down. I tried to focus on the documents that were right in front of me. I had to focus. I struggled and continued jerking my head up and down.

I didn't want to notice she was awake. I signed a couple of more files than I usually would have signed in less than thirty minutes.

It was information that gave me adrenaline to work harder than I usually would have.

My end goal in six months was to have public stability which would neutralize the scandal of the broken engagement. I wanted it to shoot my investor confidence and give me freedom to live life on my own terms.

I set everything right and I realized that I had to upgrade my status. This was where the clean plan got ruined.

She ruined it to the extent that I never saw coming.

I sat and I realized how helpless I had been when Bella was always around. I wanted her to be there because there was some kind of energy I always received.

Damn shit.

My mind bugged me the moment I told her she was extraordinary after the gala.

No. No. I didn't have to do that. It was uncalled for, unnecessary. Everything that was going to be confusing the energy and also sabotage my plans.

There was no need for the comment. I felt hollow at that point and I couldn't entertain how I randomly behaved when I saw she was tense from all the pretence I asked her to do.

I felt horrible and it looked like I was part of the pretence too. I lied with her and I tagged along any random thing she did. It didn't matter if it was real or not. I just accustomed my second brain, which obviously didn't exist to flow with her.

It was the least good thing I could do at that time.

After spending hours with files, I put them together and I grabbed the car keys. Deep down I was still attached to something I had no idea about.

It couldn't have been just her. She has a whole lot of things to work on. It could probably be just her name and the memories of those few weeks before I asked her to be my wife.

Oh, to be a billionaire’s wife.

I drove out with no purpose and I found myself at the front of Valerie's building. I grabbed the steering and I punched it an uncalled number of times till I get the heat of paint hands.

I took in deep breaths to help me feel much better, before slumming on the steering wheel.

I felt helpless with my face still buried on the car’s steering. I was there for six minutes.

When I lifted my head and I looked out, I firmly grabbed the wheel again and I took off without any second thoughts.

I had no idea what I would have told her. I had no idea if it was necessary. I knew I didn't have to be there. It was a random decision that would not bring a beautiful outcome.

My phone started buzzing as I rode myself back home.

“What's going on, Alex? You have not given me any feedback," Ethan's voice was cold and unsettling.

I let out a deep breath and I grabbed the steering more firmly,” Everything we planned is going on as usual. It's running smoothly," I added.

“You make me so worried about everything when you don't give feedback. Driving back there would begin to look off," he analyzed with a bland tone.

"It's going to be good,” I pressed on to make him believe me.

I saw that he was always asking about the arrangement and he did it without realizing that I saw he didn't ask directly about Bella. It felt like he didn't kike what I was planning to with her, but he still couldn't come out about it.

Those subtle actions were narrowly stored in my head. I had so many unanswered questions.

I remembered the night at the club. The clubhouse party was never so lit like it was that day; her laughter, her muse and her vibe. It matched everything I was looking for.

I knew it was her. That vibe continued sailing all along. I lost the retail, but I remembered the clear echo of her laughter before I could even get her name.

Could she be the same woman I married? Bella? Could it be?

When I got back home, I grabbed my other things from the car with string tightness in my chest. My phone literally rang up and I saw a message from my Private investigator.

Confirmed. Your wife visited the Midtown OB clinic on Tuesday. She had an appointment at 11a.m which lasted for 47 minutes.

Attached photo:

I stared at the attachment for a long time. I refused to know what it was. I stormed into the mansion and quickly grabbed myself a bottle of whiskey. I ran one down before sitting down.

How?