Chapter 5

“What the fuck was that? “ Isabella shouted him as soon as they entered the Bentley. “Have you gone crazy?” You didn’t even ask me for my opinion and pulled the stunt, now everyone in Santa Monica will know about it.”

Alex knew it was coming so he was already prepared for it. “Bella, I like you and besides Neely has been pestering me to pursue you and you know I am really busy to date anyone and you have been with me for so many years.  I couldn’t think of anyone else I would like to get married to.”

“How long had you been planning all this Alex?” Bella looked at him with anger and was suspicious about the way he was behaving.

He looked at her guiltily and said. “Mom had called me that day after you went to Marina Del Rey and you know the way she pesters me to get married. She said she has already found a girl for me and guess who is that woman?”  He said sarcastically. When Isabella remained quiet he said. “The Mayor’s daughter  Liz Ferman. Bella you know I don’t like that woman she has been pestering me for a long time, I am not interested in her. “

Isabella who was listening to his outburst felt really helpless for him. Yes knew all about that spoilt lady she had been visiting their office numerous times to attract his attention but Alex never gave her heed. The only reason why he entertained her was that she was the mayor's daughter. He had just grabbed his foothold in Santa Monica and did not want to cause any trouble with the mayor.

Alex’s mother was very dominating and Alex and Nelly could never refute her. She had raised them alone after his father passed away when he was ten. So Isabella could understand Alex’s feeling he did not want to go against his mother. His mother was his weakness.

“Bella I am sorry for forcing you to agree at the jewelry store but I was helpless. I better get married to you than to some strange woman full of make-up and sinister character. I did a lot of thinking. Let’s just stay engaged and see if it works out and only when you accept me completely will we get married. And besides aren’t people pestering you too. This will give you a sense of security and no one will approach you with bad intentions, what do you say?”

Isabella was listening to him and wondering, in a way Alex is right, She will get definitely get a sense of security now that she is wearing his ring and it will stop people from gossiping about her marital status. Her aunt will also be happy as she had always liked Alex.  And the most important thing, she will get rid of Adam Black. Thinking of him she sighed with relief.

“Alright Alex, l agree but promise me you won’t pester me till I am ready?”

“I promise Bella, You are my best friend. How can I lie to you? I will wait till you are ready, then only we will take the next step. Oh, by the way, Neely will be joining us for dinner, to celebrate our engagement, I hope you don’t mind.”

“She knows, You cunning fox. you had planned everything.” Bella asked with surprise.

“Yes because she is your friend too, so I had to get her consent before I proposed to you.” Alex grinned.

After some time they reached their favorite restaurant and when they entered Neely was waving her hand towards them gesturing them to come and join her. Bella looked at her and wondered, I haven’t seen her for a week and the color of her hair tuned into yellow. She was greatly amused. Alex saw her smile and looked at his sister with dissatisfaction.

As soon as they reached her Neely looked curiously at both of them and asked hesitantly. “ So……………………… aren’t you going to tell me what happened.”

Isabella knew what a curious cat she was and showed her the ring. Neely shrieked with surprise.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAA……………….congratulations you guys, I am so happy for both of you.”

The way Neely screamed she gathered a lot of attention and not far away in a VIP box there was a man looking at them with interest.

“Neely stop screaming, let’s sit and order food to celebrate. “ Alex looked really embarrassed. Her sister had a habit of getting unwanted attention. And when did you color your hair Yellow? jeez………seriously it looks terrible.”

“I like it, so I don’t care about others opinion,” Neely said it with air, and Bella couldn’t help but laugh.

Bella loved Neely as she had been beside her since the time she came and joined Alex’s company. She was a local designer and loved to experiment with color, just like the ways she was, very cheerful and full of energy.

“I have already informed mom. She will be coming next week to give you her blessing. She is very happy and told me that she  knew it was going to happen.” Neely informed them.

Isabella was really feeling helpless but she had already chosen her path, so she consoled herself saying that everything will turn up for good so let it be the way it is.

Soon their food arrived accompanied by wine. They talked and ate their dinner and Isabella forgot the count of her wine as Neely was busy talking and telling them her lame jokes.

After some time she felt a little tipsy and hot. She decided to go to the bathroom and splash some water on her face to compose herself. She excused herself and walked towards the end of the corridor.

Just as she was about to go inside a hand pulled her and grabbed her inside the men’s toilet. She was scared and tried to scream but the man had already found her mouth and was kissing her aggressively.

Isabella knew immediately, who it was and tried to push him away.

But his kiss became more aggressive and she felt helpless because of the amount of wine she had drunk she felt a little tipsy. He was holding her very tightly. He pushed her against the door. She struggled.

“Don’t move, you really don’t want your fiancé to know about your wild fantasy, do you? His hot body pressed on her and his hands were restlessly moving on her skin.

Isabella saw his eyes. His desires were not concealed.

“What do you want?” She asked desperately when he stopped kissing her.

“So you actually got engaged to Alex huh………” he said sarcastically when he lifted her hand and saw the ring on her finger.

“yes, do you mind letting me go now. Now that you know we are engaged don’t covet me as I am going to get married to Alex soon.”  Bella said.

“Marrying Alex would be your biggest mistake, Isabella.”

Isabella felt a jolt of pain in her heart and thought did Adam just called her a gold digger? But she laughed at his stupidity and said. “I will marry Alex, whether you like it or not. And no it would never be a mistake.”

“No Isabella you will not because Alex is a very charming man but he can never control you, you are a wild cat who needs to be tamed by me. You look very naïve and simple but I know you are wild from the inside, full of passion.  You can never settle down with Alex. What you need is me.” As he spoke his hands were moving around her body suggestively.

“You know nothing about me and Alex, Adam Black,” Isabella said with gritted teeth, she was trying to control her anger suppressing the urge to kill him. In one day Adam Back had succeeded in destroying her usual calm aura.