《Love鈥檔鈥橪ust》 Sex with a stranger ¡°Guys, what do think about a guy named Ben,¡± Belle asked as she looked at the man¡¯s bio on her phone. She just newly downloaded an app named sex mate, where she could meet a random person to hook up with. She was new in City S and was staying with her cousin and her roommate, who just discovered she was a virgin and suggested the app for hookups. It was Belle¡¯s choice to remain a virgin all this while, but now she didn¡¯t find it such a good choice anymore, especially since she knew her cousin wasn¡¯t. They both used to live with their grandma who believed strongly in abstinence till marriage but Belle was older now, and she knew she didn¡¯t want to be a virgin anymore In their small town, where she used to live alone with her grandma after her cousin left for the city, she knew many of the boys and men weren¡¯t keeping themselves so why did she have to? ¡°Ben what?¡± Brie, her cousin asked to apply lotion to her body even though she was about to go to sleep. ¡°Just Ben,¡± Belle replied. ¡°But you did read his bio, is he the kinda man you would wanna have sex with?¡± Cherry, Brie¡¯s roommate asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know, there isn¡¯t much on his profile.¡± ¡°There isn¡¯t much on your profile either, just pick any of them and fix a date.¡± Her cousin urged, getting into the big bed they all shared. ¡°And pick a date before Monday, you have to go to that media office, you applied for the internship, remember?¡± Cherry added. ¡°Alright alright, I¡¯ll pick Ben, he seems okay,¡± Belle said tapping the green button which meant ept. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep,¡± Brie announced yawning, while Cherry just sat there scrolling through her phone. ¡°How do I know he¡¯s online?¡± Belle asked again, referring the question to no one in particr. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I think there should be like a green dot or something,¡± Cherry suggested. ¡°I¡¯m not seeing it, I guess he isn¡¯t online,¡± Belle said almost disappointedly. She was hoping she could fix a date now with him because tomorrow she still had to send an email to the media house concerning her internship. Switching off her phone, she turned in bed trying to get a perfect sleeping position and before she slept she said good night to Cherry but then heard her phone¡¯s notification sound beep. Checking the phone, she saw that there was a notification from the Sex Mate app and it was a message from him. It was just a waving hand emoji. She didn¡¯t know what to reply since she was not the best to start a conversation. ¡°Ben.¡± She just typed. ¡°Belle Miller.¡± He texted back.¡±You do know that you don¡¯t have to use your full name on this app right?¡± He added. ¡°My first time here, you must be active on this app.¡± She texted again smiling, hoping it was a good joke. ¡°It¡¯s my first time actually, some things aren¡¯t hard to figure out,mon sense.¡± She read and didn¡¯t know what to reply. ¡°You do stay here in City S right?¡± He texted after she didn¡¯t text back. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Good.¡± She read his text not knowing what to reply again.¡± You are beautiful.¡± He let her know and was a little surprised when he didn¡¯t get a thanks from her. ¡°Let¡¯s fix a date.¡± She finally typed after a short while. ¡°Pick a ce.¡± He replied when he noticed she wanted to go straight to the point. ¡°I don¡¯t know anywhere here yet to be the one to pick a ce.¡± ¡°So you are not from here?¡± He asked and didn¡¯t get a reply from her. ¡°Cherry?¡± Bell whispered when she noticed Brie was already asleep. Cherry turned to her to know why she called.¡±He¡¯s asking me to pick a ce.¡± ¡°Like a hotel?¡± Cherry wanted to know. ¡°Like a hotel?¡± She ignored hisst question and replied directly ¡®Pick a ce.¡¯ ¡°Yes.¡± She saw his reply and nodded for Cherry. ¡°Pun,¡± Cherry whispered. ¡°Pun?¡± Belle had to ask. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a new hotel, should be okay.¡± ¡°Pun.¡± She texted him. ¡°Took quite a long time to think of a ce.¡± She didn¡¯t know what reply to give again. ¡°Is 7 O¡¯clock good for you?¡± He asked. ¡°7 O¡¯clock when?¡±From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Saturday.¡± ¡°Tomorrow, Okay. Goodnight.¡± She typed just because she was used to it but didn¡¯t wait for his reply. She kept her phone in the drawer next to the bed andy beside her cousin, trying to adjust to afortable position before sleeping. ¡°Are you done chatting with him?¡± Cherry asked looking up from her phone. ¡°Yeah, we fixed tomorrow, 7 pm.¡± . ¡°Okay, tomorrow you fill us in.¡±Cherry chuckled. ¡°Goodnight,¡± Belle said before finallyying her head on the pillow, thinking about what he would look like, and how it would work out. She hoped it went well tomorrow. SATURDAY EVENING ¡°Belle,e walk me to theundromat, please,¡± Brie begged as it was her turn this week to do theundry. ¡°Let her be, she needs to rest for tonight,¡± Cherry said. ¡°It¡¯s just first-time sex, it¡¯s not like she¡¯s going to a boxing game or something.¡± ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have told you guys about any of this.¡± Belle pped her forehead and the two girlsughed. ¡°Are youing with me?¡± Brie still asked. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s past six already, I should be getting ready.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry Belle, she had all day to take them.¡± Brie rolled her eyes at Cherry¡¯s statement. ***************** ¡°Sir, I shifted the meeting you asked me to cancel yesterday to today.¡± A woman walked into an office with a tablet in hand. ¡°When will it be?¡± The man she had just informed asked, looking up from theptop on his neatly arranged desk. ¡°In the next twenty-five minutes, sir.¡±She answered and he looked at his watch. ¡°7 pm?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Reschedule the meeting.¡± He said looking back at hisputer. ¡°But Sir, I already¡­¡± She stopped speaking when he looked at her, she knew how much he didn¡¯t like to repeat himself so she just walked away. Sex with a stranger 2 ¡°Cherry!¡± Belle called from the room. ¡°I¡¯m gonna borrow your lip gloss in front of the mirror table.¡± ¡°Oh it¡¯s not mine it¡¯s Brie¡¯s.¡± Belle put it in her purse and went to the living room, to ask Cherry how she looked but she didn¡¯t get to ask that before she got Cherry¡¯s remark about the outfit. ¡°What are you wearing?¡± Cherry asked sitting up from the couch. ¡°A dress?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°And leggings?¡± ¡°It looks cold outside.¡± ¡°The lip gloss, did you use it?¡± ¡°No? I put it in my bag just in case my lips get dry.¡± Belle answered and Cherry couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s start with the clothes.¡± She said going towards the room to pick something better for Belle to wear. Going through Belle¡¯s clothes, Cherry didn¡¯t find any of them worthy for the night. She had to take out one of her own dresses. ¡°Here, change into this.¡± ¡°Yours?¡¯ ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°It looks short.¡± Belle pointed out. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s why I gave it to you, you are about to getid.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure not getting there by seven,¡± Belle mumbled changing Into the dress Cherry picked. ¡°Has she left?¡± Brie came back, asking excitedly as she entered the room. ¡°She was about to, she was gonna wear a leggings with this.¡± Cherry passed the dress to her roommate. ¡°My grandma actually bought this.¡± Brieughed. ¡°We should go shopping, maybe next week Saturday, lots of her clothes are to my grandma¡¯s taste.¡± ¡°You are sure I should wear this?¡± Brie asked still feeling undecided about the dress¡¯s length. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not that short,¡± Cherry said making Brie turn to look at her cousin¡¯s sister. It had a thin sleeve, making the dress almost sleeveless. It was a blue dress, which stopped right above her knee. Brie gaped in surprise when she saw her. ¡°Oh my gosh, Belle! You look fabulous.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Belle asked still pulling down the dress. ¡°Did you tell her to wear a bra with it?¡± Brie asked Cherry. ¡°No, she needs to take it off,¡± Cherry said and Belle swallowed. ¡°My bra?¡± ¡°Yeah baby, take it off.¡± Cherry nodded. ¡°Fine.¡± Belle went back to the bathroom to take it off, while Brie and Cherry chatted on. ¡°If shees out, you do her makeup,¡± Cherry suggested. ¡°I still have to go back to theundry ce, I just came back to see how she looked.¡± ¡°You fucking had all day Brie, just help her, she¡¯s your cousin, and then you both can head out together.¡± ¡°Okay okay, but you have toe with, she doesn¡¯t know the hotel, someone has to show her.¡± After they had agreed, Belle was out again and Brie did light makeup on her. They soon left when they finished with Belle¡¯s dress-up. ¡°It¡¯s cold guys.¡± Belle shivered once they were outside. ¡°It¡¯s not that cold, just a little windy,¡± Cherry said about to lock the door to their apartment. ¡°Wait I¡¯ll get her a scarf to prevent the cold till she gets there.¡± Brie stopped her. Belle was about to inform them of howte she was but didn¡¯t say anything, seeing that Brie was getting a scarf for her. The cab stopped in front of the hotel¡¯s entrance, it had driven past the gate, so Belle didn¡¯t have to walk all the way. ¡°Alright, have a fun time.¡± Cherry wished her as she was about to get down. Brie had stopped at theundromat. Belle waved at the cab as it drove back. It was when she was about to enter the hotel that it urred to her that she had forgotten the scarf because now she felt cold again. Getting into the hotel, she was d at how warm it was inside. She walked up to the female receptionist standing at the reception table. ¡°Good evening ma¡¯am, how may I help you?¡± ¡°Uhm, I¡¯m here to meet uhm a Ben, a Mr. Ben.¡± She said hoping he already came. ¡°Just Ben?¡± ¡°Uhm, I believe that is what he must have entered his name as, look, I don¡¯t know, can you just help me check if there¡¯s a Ben on your list?¡± ¡°Let me check.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Belle watched the receptionist skim through the monitor In front of her. She noticed she had stopped clicking on the mouse. ¡°There is a Ben, you said you are to him?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°One minute.¡± Thedy requested to pick up the phone and ce a call, smiling reassuringly to Belle as her job required. ¡°Sir, so sorry to disturb you but I need to be sure, you said ady would show up by seven pm and there¡¯s someone here¡­.¡± Thedy stopped talking, she seemed to be listening to the person on the other side of the phone. ¡°What¡¯s your name ma¡¯am?¡± ¡°Belle. Belle Miller.¡± Belle replied. ¡°Yes sir.¡± The receptionist said to keep the phone. ¡± Sorry for wasting your time ma¡¯am, here¡¯s the room card.¡± She handed Belle one of the hotel cards smiling professionally.¡±Do enjoy your stay.¡± Belle nodded, taking the card, she walked towards the elevator looking at the card number. It read number twenty-six. When she got upstairs, she looked at the numbers on the many doors lined up. She reached the one with twenty-six and stopped, standing there, she drew in a long breath. About to open the door, an old cleaner passed by with her cleaning trolley, looking at her as she pushed it on. Belle began to imagine her grandmother¡¯s thoughts on what she was about to do. After convincing herself to carry on with her decision, she swiped the card and opened the door slowly and quietly. The room was dimly lit but she could see well. She walked in and closed the door behind her, still pulling down her dress. Looking around, the room was simple as it could be, there was a television on the wall and its remote control wasying on the table next to the bed. She couldn¡¯t depict what color the sheets were because of the room¡¯s lighting but it was either white or cream based on her guess. There were two mini sofas sitting opposite each other, she could see a man¡¯s coat neatly hung on the chair¡¯s arm, making it look like the chair was wearing the coat. She walked to it, touching it slowly, it felt smooth on her palm, while she caressed it. She bent over to smell it without removing it from the chair, it smelt good. Sex with a stranger 3 She bent over to smell it without removing it from the chair, it smelt good. It smelt like men¡¯s perfume. Ben walked out of the bathroom wiping his hands with the small towel provided by the hotel. There was someone else in the room. He wondered if it was her, he wondered if it was Belle. Standing there and watching her touch his suit jacket, which he had spread over the chair¡¯s arm, he thought she was sexy. Even with the sleeping lights, he thought she looked sexy in the dress she wore. When she bent over to smell his jacket, he could see her dress go up. He walked to the bedside and turned on the brighter light, she turned around immediately. ¡°Belle?¡± He asked in a low, deeply masculine voice. ¡°Yes. Ben, right?¡± She saw a man in a long-sleeved shirt. ¡°Yes.¡± He walked to her.¡±Fuck, you are beautiful.¡± He muttered even though she could hear him. He was amazed by her beauty, he admired how she made her hair into a fine ponytail and how he could see her clear shoulders, with no hair to cover them, just the thin strap of her dress. ¡°You are very pretty.¡± He said again, to her hearing. ¡°I know.¡± He chuckled at her reply and then let it turn into a smile. ¡°I guess you are used to suchpliments.¡± He said and she smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte, my friends thought I didn¡¯t look good enough in the dress I intended to wear.¡± ¡°Your friends know where you wereing to? and why?¡± ¡°Well¡­ they think I¡¯m going on a date.¡± She lied knowing how weird it sounded that they knew. ¡°They did a good job, I don¡¯t know what you intended to wear before this, but I¡¯m sure you would still look as beautiful.¡± She didn¡¯t say anything more, she just stood there fumbling with her fingers, trying to control her nervousness. He came closer to her. Standing directly in front of her, she noticed how much he was taller than her. ¡°Are we about to¡­.¡± She wanted to ask with her head down, she didn¡¯t want to ask that while looking at him but he lifted her jaw to face him. ¡°What?¡± He asked her, caressing her cheek with his left hand. ¡± ¡°You have blue eyes.¡± He noticed. She looked down to avoid his dark eyes, she wouldn¡¯t say so, but she found them scary. She just didn¡¯t know how much they were filled with hunger. ¡°Are you going to¡­¡± She was about to ask again but he cut her shut with his answer. ¡°No.¡± He said making her look back up at him with surprise. ¡°No?¡± He had this smirk when she asked, he went closer to her, leaned in like he was going to kiss her but ced his lips next to her ears, with both his hands on her slender neck, while he still yed with her cheeks.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°I don¡¯t make love. I fuck. I fuck hard.¡± He whispered in her ears with his maic voice, it sent shivers through her. He looked back at her to get a reaction from her. She licked her lips, she wiped off her lip gloss in the elevator, just because she wasn¡¯tfortable but now they were a little dry so she licked them but he found it seducing of her. He took her purse from her and kept it on the table in between the two sofas. He took off her earrings, walked over to the bedside table, and kept them beside his watch and a ring. Coming back to where she stood, he caressed her shoulder, with his hands slowly sliding down the thin strap holding her dress, it stopped at her elbow and he began to kiss her right arm, he got back to her shoulder and she stopped him. ¡°Are you married?¡± She asked worriedly. She was going against her grandmother breaking her virginity this way but she would never have sex with a married man or one in a rtionship. He chortled for a short while before stopping when he noticed she wasn¡¯t alsoughing. ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± He replied her smiling. ¡°The ring.¡± She was standing far from the table where the ring was and couldn¡¯t tell what kind of ring it was but she had to be sure ¡°My father¡¯s ring, mine now.¡± He stopped smiling. ¡± You don¡¯t know who I am, do you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t, you don¡¯t know who I am either, I¡¯m just being careful.¡± He smiled again. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with that.¡± He stated. He wasn¡¯t married, everyone in city S knew that but she didn¡¯t. Now he knew she wasn¡¯t from this City, because if she was, she would know who she was about to have a one-night stand with. All she knew was that his name was Ben and that he was twenty-nine years old, she didn¡¯t even know what he looked like before she came to the hotel. He expected her to be surprised when he turned the light on and when she saw who it was. ¡°Can I see it?¡± She requested. ¡°Really?¡± She nodded. He got the ring and showed it to her. She took it, looking at it now, it was obvious it wasn¡¯t a wedding ring. It had an inscription on it; B L. She gave it back to him. ¡°Can I fuck you now?¡± He asked standing as close as he was to her before with the tip of his nose touching her forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t use fuck, I¡¯d rather you call it sex.¡± She said, feeling his warm breath on her forehead. ¡°Why? It sounds too vulgar?¡± He asked again but she didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°You know, maybe I should make love to you.¡± He came to her right ear, kissing it. He heard her hum a little with pleasure. He caressed her cheekbone slowly with his thumb, tracing it down to her lips. He admired them as he yed with them using his thumb, he rubbed them slowly like he was putting lipstick on them. Making love to her He leaned in and touched her lips with his, not kissing her yet, he just caressed her lips with his, teasing her because she closed her eyes when he leaned in, ready for a kiss. He sucked on her upper lips first, feeling how soft they were, he enveloped both her lips now and he heard that ¡®mmnn¡¯ from her again, he loved it. She didn¡¯t return his kiss at first, she just let him y with her lips, she enjoyed it. she hadn¡¯t felt his tongue in her mouth yet, she wanted that, so she grabbed on to his neck, to kiss him back still with her eyes closed but he moved away from her a little, and she longed for those lips that just left hers. When she opened her eyes, he wasn¡¯t in front of her, he was behind her now. he kissed her neck and he got her soft moan again. He pulled on her dress¡¯s zipper at the back of the dress, exposing her bare back. with the tip of his nose, he caressed her naked shoulder, slowly moving to the nape of her neck. She tilted her head backwards when he began to ce wet kisses across her back and when he stopped at her waist, where he had unzipped to, he made her dress fall from her body. She stood there, nothing else on her body but hercy underwear surprised at herself for not been ashamed as naked as she was. he admired her body from behind, marveled at her perfectly curved waist, from her back to her round ass, which were evenly sized. ¡°belle.¡± he called her. she was about to turn to his voice but he stopped her. ¡°don¡¯t.¡± she obeyed, she wanted a good first time, so she was ready to do whatever he told her as long as he was going to sex her good. she had no doubt about it, he would sex her good, his touch was different, he made her nipples hard with just the touch of his fingertips, she didn¡¯t even know how he could do that. she had explored with her body quite a few times, she would let her exes do things to her body but was strict with the : no sex¡¯ thing, but this man, he had this touch, a touch that was messing with her senses. he wasn¡¯t even touching her breasts but she knew her nipples wanted his touch, they were getting harder and beginning to hurt. he kissed her shoulder, his hands still patrolling on her chest area. he ran his fingers across her chest going down to her navel, she was panting heavily now, she wanted him to touch her privates but he wasn¡¯t doing that, he was torturing her and he knew. ¡°belle?¡± he came in front of her. ¡°do you want me.¡± ¡°yes.¡± she nodded before answering. she had thought he didn¡¯t know what to do with her naked body but now she knew he was doing it purposefully when she saw the smirk on his face. ¡°why did you have to posses such a beautiful body belle?¡± he said and she looked at him, confused. ¡°i want to do things to you, to your body, i want to fuck you rough, but you¡­.¡± he paused and lifted her jaw to face him. ¡°you look too graceful for that.¡± he was no longer smiling, he was saying with seriousness. ¡°I¡¯m not sure you can take in all of me.¡± he looked into her eyes again. ¡°can you?¡± she didn¡¯t know what to answer, she didn¡¯t even know if she could or not, she had never been prated before. short of words, her breath sounded muffled. cherry had advised not to make it known on her profile that she was a virgin.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°many men don¡¯t like women who are inexperienced in bed.¡± she had said. ¡°you are not going to answer me, are you?¡± he slid two of his fingers into her panties. ¡°ahhh.¡± she moaned when he grazed her pussy lips with his hands. he took off his shirt and threw her to the bed. going on top of her, he kissed her neck rather roughly and when his lips touched her spiky nipples, she threw her head backward in pain and pleasure because he was grating her left nipple with his teeth while his hands squeezed on her right. kissing her torso, he put his pinky in her deep navel and she didn¡¯t know how but it made her ache down there wanting him to just do anything to her pussy. his lips stopped at her panties¡¯ waistline and he looked up to see her, loving the way she was moaning, he ced a wet kiss in between her legs and though she still had her panty on, she could feel his lips, it made her sit up to push his face away from her opened legs. y back down,¡± he ordered but she shook her head, she¡¯s never had a man¡¯s face in between her legs. even after standing nakedfortably in front of this man, she felt too hormonal right now to listen to him but Benrkson wasn¡¯t one to have his order disobeyed, not in the office and not in the bedroom. he swiftly came back up, making her rest her back against the pillows as he leaned in more and more till he was directly on top of her, pressing himself against her even with his weight supported by his own hands trapping her on the bed. he could feel her hard nipples poke his chest as she breathed heavily and slowly in his face because he was that close to her. ¡°what do you want?¡± he asked her in a quiet but still deep voice. she didn¡¯t say anything, she couldn¡¯t, not because she was scared even though she should be, considering how his dark eyes were staring directly at her, she just didn¡¯t know what to answer. ¡°you.¡± she managed to say. he smirked again and it was then she noticed the faint dimple present on his cheeks, he was a handsome man, she knew he knew it. ¡°If you want me, then do as I say?¡± he said, making it sound like a question. she nodded.¡±good.¡± she heard him repeat that word. just like he came up, he was back down, between her legs, he looked at her, he thought she looked a little scared of what he was about to do to her. ¡°I¡¯ll try to be gentle,¡± he said in a voice she found trustworthy. Making love to her 2 Just like he came up, he was back down, between her legs, he looked at her, he thought she looked a little scared about what he was about to do to her. ¡°I¡¯ll try to be gentle.¡± He said in a voice she found trustworthy. He tore off hercy underwear impatiently, just as soon as he said those words to her. After he had smelt it, satisfied he threw it to the side of the bed. ¡°Belle.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but call, getting more erect as he saw her exposed vagina. She justid there watching him eat her up with his eyes. He kissed it, making her moan with a slightly louder pitch this time, she sat up again, filled with a tingling sensation butid back down. She was trying her best to do as he said but it was hard as she could feel his warm breath down below. He kissed her there again, making her toes curl as she wriggled in bed. She couldn¡¯t take it anymore when he began sucking her pussy, it made her lose it as she moaned loudly now, she attempted pushing his head away but she was too weakened by pleasure to do so. ¡°You look so tight.¡± He said when he finally stopped. She tried to close her legs but his hands were there to stop her, he parted them wider than they were. She watched him about to put his face between her legs again and it made her squirm in bed even before he did. She felt his tongue on her clit, she rubbed her face with both her hands trying to curtail how satisfying it felt. ¡°Ohhh¡­ ahhh, mmmm.¡± She moaned loudly when he began thrusting her with his tongue. He stopped and he could hear her nting loudly. He climbed back on top of her, kissing her again from her pussy upwards, he stopped when he reached her breast, he had fucked women with bigger breasts but he liked how not so big hers were, he thought they fitted her perfect body. He kissed In between them and went for her neck but she pulled his face closer to hers, wanting a kiss and he gave it to her. Unlike the first time he kissed her, he was rough but she enjoyed how he possessed her lips and mouth as a whole. ¡°Make Love to me.¡± She pleaded when their lips separated, feeling she couldn¡¯t wait anymore. He had that smirk again. ¡°You want me to make love to you, huh?¡± He asked in her face and she nodded without thought. He got off her and left the bed, she wondered why he did that but it turned into nkness when he took off his trousers in front of her view. He wore no briefs, it was just his veiny erection facing her. ¡°Can you take in all of this?¡± He asked walking to his suit jacket spread out on one of the sofas. She swallowed, his manhood wasn¡¯t just veiny, it was thick and long. With his back turned while he took a condom from his suit pocket, she admired his small smooth ass. He began walking back to the bed and her eyes couldn¡¯t go off the snake below his waist which stood erect facing her as he approached. ¡°Can you?¡± He repeated his question, seriousness written over him. She nodded quickly, not knowing what she was opting for. He climbed back over her, she could feel his hardness scale over her thigh when he came closer to her face. ¡°I should warn you; once I start, I won¡¯t stop till I want to.¡± She nodded again. ¡°Good.¡± With her consent gotten, he tore open, one of the five condoms he held, after throwing the others on the other bedside table, she turned her head in that direction and looked at it before looking back at him just in time to see him professionally wear the condom on his dick. She swallowed again, her heart beating to her hearing, she was finally getting what she wanted. ¡°I¡¯m safe.¡± She thought she should inform him that she had no sexual disease when he had worn the condom. ¡°I know, I also am.¡± He smiled. ¡°We don¡¯t want to get you pregnant, do we?¡± She nodded again to his words. With one of his hands, he maintained his bnce over her and with the other he held his dick closer to her open core, rubbing it against her clit and watching her squirm as he teased her and when she least expected it, he thrust her with just the tip of it.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. She writhed beneath him with pleasure and excitement. He leaned in now that he was inside her, thrusting a little more, as he kissed her neck. She held the sheet which sheid on, trying to withhold the pain. He added more length inside her, liking how tight and wet she was, but she couldn¡¯t take it. ¡°Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!¡± It was her loudest moan yet. ¡°You seem so tight,¡± he whispered softly in her right ear, gently kissing it, but he noticed her sniffle. Some of the women he had been intimate with had cried too, and it had spurred him on to continue. He had only entered her halfway. ¡°Stop,¡± he heard her weakly say, and as he looked at her face, he saw tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she pleaded, cing her delicate hands on his broad chest in an attempt to push him away. ¡°It¡¯s too much. It hurts.¡± He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes, and suddenly it dawned on him. ¡°Are you¡­?¡± His excitement grew as he thought he had figured it out. ¡°Are you a virgin?¡± he asked, and she met his intense gaze with her teary eyes, blinking twice but without a response. ¡°You are,¡± he deduced, now understanding. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± he inquired, only eliciting another sniffle from her. Tenderly, he caressed her face, noticing the redness in her nose and lips. ¡°Where have you been?¡± Making love to her 3 ¡°You seem so tight,¡± he whispered softly in her right ear, gently kissing it, but he noticed her sniffle. Some of the women he had been intimate with had cried too, and it had spurred him on to continue. He had only entered her halfway. ¡°Stop,¡± he heard her weakly say, and as he looked at her face, he saw tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she pleaded, cing her delicate hands on his broad chest in an attempt to push him away. ¡°It¡¯s too much. It hurts.¡± He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes, and suddenly it dawned on him.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Are you¡­?¡± His excitement grew as he thought he had figured it out. ¡°Are you a virgin?¡± he asked, and she met his intense gaze with her teary eyes, blinking twice but without a response. ¡°You are,¡± he deduced, now understanding. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± he inquired, only eliciting another sniffle from her. Tenderly, he caressed her face, noticing the redness in her nose and lips. ¡°Where have you been?¡± ¡°Where have you been?¡± He pecked her gently on the lips. ¡°I can¡¯t stop now, if I pull out it will be more painful for you.¡± He let her know. ¡°Give me your hands.¡± She did. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he held her down tightly to the bed, looking into her eyes, he thrust fully, he watched her close her eyes in pain as she moaned to his delight; a painful but pleasure-filled moan. He felt her legs wrap around his waist as he prated her repeatedly now. She no longer felt as much pain, she was d he didn¡¯t stop when she asked him to. He didn¡¯t take his eyes off her face while he went in and out of her, he loved her every expression as she moaned. She bit her lips and he kissed her, he increased his pace, it triggered him to do so when she bit her lips. Pounding her, he felt one of her shoes which she never took off fall off because its heels grazed his waist right before it fell to the floor. He finally stopped, making Belle think he was done but he wasn¡¯t. Still panting and trying to breathe calmly, she saw him tear another of the condoms and put it on. He really meant what he had told her; he wasn¡¯t nning on stopping till he wanted to. She bit her lips again and he pulled her closer to himself, sliding into her pussy and kissing her. ¡°You sweet little¡­..¡± He whispered in her ears, kissing her shoulder and going slowly, she knew it wasn¡¯t long till he decided to start to ride her fast without pause. ¡°Do you n to use all?¡± She asked with her lips close to his ears, referring to the condomsying on the table. He just chuckled. ¡°I still have some in my jacket.¡± Her eyes widened at his answer because even though she was really enjoying this, she knew she would soon get tired of his wild pounding. ¡°What if I¡­.. mmmm¡­..¡± She moaned. ¡°What if I get tired?¡± She asked but he kissed her. ¡°Sssh.¡± He kissed her again. ***** Ben¡¯s rm went off, alerting him to the early hour of five AM. ncing to his right, he saw Belle peacefully asleep, a smile forming on his face as he reminisced about the night they shared. Admiring her natural beauty with her tousled hair, he couldn¡¯t deny his desire to have her in his bed once more. The nket on the bed seemed useless as only a small part of it covered her. Her back to her waist was exposed and half the nkety on the other side of the bed which he just got up from. Deciding it was time to prepare for the day, he showered and had his driver bring him fresh clothes. Once dressed, he couldn¡¯t help but gaze at Belle, still lost in slumber, and slipped on a ring he found on the bedside table. Aware of his uing meeting at six AM, he eagerly anticipated seeing her wake up, acknowledging her fatigue but also finding satisfaction in the passionate night they shared after a long time without physical intimacy. Approaching the right side of the bed where Belle¡¯s face was turned, Ben leaned down to ce a tender kiss on her neck, gently caressing her cheek. With this moment, he realized his desire to be intimate with her again, a deviation from his normal pattern of not pursuing multiple encounters. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of allowing anyone else to be with her; he wanted her exclusively for himself, as he had always been ustomed to getting what he desired. Checking his gold watch, he noticed it was already thirty-four minutes past five AM. As he made his way past the reception and toward the waiting car, the morning shift receptionist greeted him with a friendly ¡°Good morning, sir.¡± The driver promptly stepped out of the car with the intention of opening the doors to the backseat upon seeing Ben approach. ¡°Inform the hotel¡¯s manager to ensure that thedy has everything she needs before she leaves,¡± Ben instructed the driver before getting into the car, watching as the driver headed back inside to ry the message. Answering his phone, Ben heard his assistant¡¯s voice on the other end, reminding him about the uing meeting in forty-five minutes. ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m on my way,¡± he acknowledged before ending the call. Recalling the conversation, the driver informed Ben that he had delivered his message to the hotel¡¯s manager as he settled back into the driver¡¯s seat. Immersed in his thoughts, Ben¡¯s mind drifted back to Belle as he reviewed the digital files his assistant had recently sent to his tablet. ¡°Belle,¡± he murmured to himself, then smiled calmly at how a thought of her had just distracted him from the tablet. He was going to get her, he had to, unless he wouldn¡¯t be able to get his mind off her. Unable to walk Belleid back on the bed, feeling the softness of the sheets against her exhausted body. As her eyes fluttered open, she reached out to find her phone, a habit she had developed over time. However, much to her dismay, it wasn¡¯t where she usually left it. In a tired daze, Belle was about to drift back to sleep when the phone started ringing loudly, jolting her awake. Searching the room with bleary eyes, she realized the sound wasing from the mini table between the cream-colored sofas. Sighing in resignation, she knew she couldn¡¯t ignore it any longer and reluctantly made her way towards the phone, her legs feeling weak and shaky from thete night to morning¡¯s activities with Ben.. When she finally answered the call, she heard the concerned voice of her cousin Brie on the other end. ¡°Belle, are you okay?¡± Brie asked, her worry palpable. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just tired,¡± Belle replied, her naked body not bothering her as she paced back to the bed. Since there was no one else in the room, she wasn¡¯t too concerned. Brie¡¯s concern escted as she asked, ¡°Are you still at the hotel? You know that if you stay past 7pm, they¡¯ll charge you for another night, right?¡± Confusion filled Belle¡¯s voice as she replied, ¡°What? I thought I had more time. I just want to rx a bit longer before heading back home.¡± ¡°Do you know what time it is?¡± Brie asked gently. Feeling embarrassed, Belle sheepishly answered, ¡°No, probably 8am, I think?¡± Surprised by her response, Brie informed her, ¡°It¡¯s 5:30pm, Belle. I didn¡¯t want to disturb you, thinking you were spending more time with that guy, but I got worried and had to call.¡± Realizing that she had slept through the entire day, Belle could hardly believe it. ¡°I¡¯ll be home soon,¡± she muttered, abruptly ending the call. Looking around the room, Belle noticed that her clothes weren¡¯t scattered on the floor like before; they were neatly arranged on the sofa. Her earrings sat on the table, but she couldn¡¯t locate her underwear, which she distinctly remembered Ben tearing off impatientlyst night. Rubbing her face with her palms, she sank onto the bed, contemting the events of the day. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Quickly grabbing her robe, Belle hurriedly made her way to the door, hoping it wasn¡¯t housekeepinging to remind her of the check-out time. To her surprise, when she opened the door, she was met with a warm smile from a young woman in her mid-twenties. The woman had a friendly aura about her, making Belle instantly feel at ease. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Zara,¡± the woman introduced herself. ¡°I work at the hotel as a personal assistant. I just wanted to make sure everything is alright and if there¡¯s anything you need assistance with.¡± Relieved to have some help, Belle smiled gratefully at Zara. ¡°Oh, thank goodness you¡¯re here! Ipletely overslept and lost track of time. I need to check out of my room, but I¡¯m not even dressed yet.¡± Zara nodded understandingly. ¡°Not to worry, I can help you with that. Would you like me to bring you some fresh towels and toiletries while you get ready? We can also call down to extend your check-out time.¡± Belle felt a weight lifted off her shoulders as she epted Zara¡¯s offer. ¡°That would be wonderful, thank you so much! I feel so disoriented, it¡¯s been quite a day.¡± Zara smiled kindly. ¡°I can imagine. We all have those days sometimes. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here to help make things easier for you. Is there anything else I can assist you with? Perhaps arranging transportation or rmending local attractions?¡± Belle thought for a moment before speaking. ¡°Actually, I could use some help with transportation. I didn¡¯t n on staying out thiste, and now I¡¯m worried about getting back home safely. Do you have any rmendations or services that you could suggest?¡± ¡°Of course! We have taxi services that can pick you up directly from the hotel. I can arrange that for you and you won¡¯t have to pay.¡± Belle let out a sigh of relief. ¡°That would be amazing, thank you so much. I really appreciate your help.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure, Belle. I¡¯m here to assist and make your stay as pleasant as possible. Let me take care of these arrangements for you.¡± **** ¡°Hey, Belle!¡± Brie eximed, her eyes lighting up when she opened the door to their apartment and spotted Belle leaning against the wall. ¡°Is she back?¡± Cherry hurried over, filled with curiosity. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s back! Come on in,¡± Brie replied, taking Belle¡¯s bag from her. ¡°Oh wow¡­ Did you go shopping? You¡¯re wearing a new dress and ts,¡± Cherry observed, pointing out Belle¡¯s changed outfit. ¡°Give her some breathing room, Cherry,¡± Brie scolded gently, settling down next to Belle on the couch. ¡°Once you¡¯re rested, you have to tell us all about it.¡± Belle couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the yful banter between her two roommates. ¡°There¡¯s not much to tell, really.¡± ¡°What do you mean? How was it? Let¡¯s start with that,¡± Cherry quizzed, crossing her legs as she joined them on the couch. ¡°Yeah, did you enjoy your first time?¡± Brie added, clearly intrigued. ¡°Of course she enjoyed it, Brie. That¡¯s a silly question,¡± Cherry chimed in. Belle finally spoke up, rising to her feet and heading toward her room. ¡°It was good.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Cherry asked, taken aback by the unexpectedly brief response. ¡°I said it was good,¡± Belle reiterated, standing by the doorway of her room. ¡°Just good?¡± Brie pressed, hoping to delve deeper into Belle¡¯s experience. ¡°Yeah,¡± Belle nodded, realizing she didn¡¯t want to share the intimate details of her encounter with Ben. It was a private moment for her. ¡°Actually, it was very good.¡± She smiled, hoping to assure them that despite her simple answer, her first time was everything she had hoped for. Slumping onto her bed, still exhausted, Belle stared up at the ceiling lost in her thoughts. Reflecting on it now, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of disbelief at how she had nned to have sex with aplete stranger through an app. Even though Cherry insisted it was safe, as she had done it before, Belle couldn¡¯t shake off the uncertainty of not knowing what Ben looked like until she arrived at the hotel. While many profiles on the app had pictures, Ben¡¯s remained empty. Yet, there was something that had caught her attention, perhaps the simplicity of his profile, mirroring her own. She pondered over whether that was the reason she had been intrigued. After pondering her thoughts, Belle ultimately concluded that she didn¡¯t mind because she knew deep down that they would never cross paths again. Monday morning ¡°Belle!¡± Brie called out, holding up a phone. Belle turned towards the sound of her name, waiting for Brie to cross the road and reach her. Curious, she wondered why her cousin was calling her. ¡°You forgot your phone,¡± Brie finally reached Belle, heavily panting. ¡°Oh my goodness, thank you,¡± Belle said, taking the phone and sliding it into her purse. She had been in a rush when she left their apartment, almostte for her first day as an intern at the Crisp-tv media house. After receiving a reply to her emailst night, she had been informed that she needed to start work this morning. ¡°No thanks, you owe me one. I rushed through all those flights of stairs and across here, not just for a ¡®thanks¡¯,¡± Brie said, catching her breath. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Belle giggled. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. I just wanted to make sure I could reach you and see how your first day at work is going,¡± Brie said,ughing. ¡°My bus is here,¡± Belle waved at Brie. ¡°Good luck today!¡± Brie yelled, even though she knew her cousin might not hear her through the ss. ¡­ ¡°Excuse me?¡± Belle stopped a man passing by as she entered the building. ¡°Good morning, I¡¯m new here, and¡­¡± ¡°New?¡± the man interrupted. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m one of the new interns.¡± ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t be here. You should be on the first floor, helping the junior editors.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Yeah, wee,¡± the man replied before walking away. Belle hurriedly made her way to the elevator. When Belle arrived on the first floor, it was bustling with activity. ss cubicles separated the mini-offices of the junior editors, and she could easily spot the interns running around, fetching things like water, coffee, and papers for the editors. Taking a deep breath, she realized this wasn¡¯t quite what she had expected. She had hoped to assist with news printing or working on articles, not just running errands. ¡°You!¡± someone pointed at Belle, noticing she was standing idly. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yes,e here,¡± the person called, and Belle walked over. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I need you to take these stairs. Once you¡¯re upstairs, there are three doors leading to our senior editors¡¯ offices. Knock and walk into the second one. She needs an assistant right now.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m not an assistant, I¡¯m an intern, a new intern,¡± Belle rified. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯ll still be able to help her. Hurry up, she¡¯s waiting,¡± the person responded before walking away. Following the instructions, Belle hurried up the stairs and stood in front of the second office door. Gathering herposure, she knocked and heard a woman¡¯s voice inviting her in. ¡°Good morning,¡± Belle greeted as she entered. ¡°Finally, what took him so long to find me someone?¡± the woman eximed, finishing the water that was previously on her neatly arranged desk. The desk had just aptop and a few papers on it, suggesting that she had been working. ¡°Help me,¡± the woman smiled, handing Belle the stic cup. ¡°Should I get more water?¡± Belle asked. ¡°Oh no, no, no. Just keep it on the dispenser,¡± the woman replied. As Belle went to follow her instructions, she noticed a pile of papers on a smaller desk in the office, neatly arranged. ¡°What do I do now, Miss?¡± Belle asked politely. ¡°Mrs. Johnson, actually. But you could call me Laura,¡± the woman corrected her. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Johnson,¡± Belle apologized. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. It was an honest mistake,¡± Laura smiled. ¡°So, I¡¯m going to be needing your help more often than you think. We¡¯re going to need to set up an office here for you.¡± Belle looked around at the decently-sized office. ¡°I¡¯m just an intern,¡± Belle said, feeling the need to rify. ¡°Well, congrattions, honey. You¡¯ve just been promoted. From now on, you¡¯re my assistant, okay?¡± Laura said with a nod. ¡°Okay,¡± Belle nodded, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. ¡°We¡¯ll share this office. I just need you to go through some of these papers and¡­¡± Laura paused, more focused on Belle than she was before. ¡°Oh. My. God.¡± ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Belle asked, concerned, as her boss¡¯s expression changed. ¡°No, no problem. This is good news,¡± Laura replied, excitement filling her voice. ¡°Good news?¡± Belle inquired. ¡°Yes, finally,¡± Laura said, her excitement growing. ¡°Finally, what?¡± Laura¡¯s expression turned sour. ¡°I can¡¯t interview him in my condition.¡± ¡°Condition?¡± Belle questioned again. Her boss; Laura stood up from where she sat and saw that she was pregnant with a protruding stomach. She saw her go to the office bathroom and spit into the sink. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant and I sometimes feel like throwing up and it¡¯s okay for me to keep on working because my bathroom is just right there.¡± Laura pointed to the bathroom. ¡°But I can¡¯t go to the bathroom whenever I want if I¡¯m in the middle of an interview with Mr Larkson, can I?¡± ¡°Mr. Larkson? Who is that?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know who Mr Larkson is?¡± Laura asked, surprised.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°No?¡± ¡°Mr. Larkson is a well-known figure, both here in City S and on a global scale. He¡¯s a billionaire with a remarkable reputation,¡± Laura exined. Belle¡¯s eyes widened with understanding. ¡°Oh, THE Mr. Larkson! I¡¯ve heard about him, especially that he dislikes having his picture taken.¡± Laura nodded, clearly impressed. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s him. I¡¯ve been trying to arrange an interview with him for a long time, and now that he finally agreed, I find myself heavily pregnant.¡± Belle looked apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that, Laura. Is there any way you can send someone else to represent you? Given your condition, it might be challenging to handle the interview.¡± Laura¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°Belle, you just came up with a brilliant idea! I could indeed send someone to conduct the interview on my behalf. And luckily, you are here to help me with that.¡± A smile spread across Belle¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m d I could be of assistance, Laura.¡± She didn¡¯t understand what Laura meant by herst sentence till she spoke again. Laura continued typing on herptop, thinking through the logistics. ¡°Belle, have you ever conducted an interview before?¡± Belle felt a mix of surprise and excitement. ¡°Me? Conduct an interview? I haven¡¯t done it before, but I¡¯ve always imagined how I would handle such a situation in my head.¡± Laura looked at Belle, a glimmer of confidence and trust in her eyes. ¡°How would you like to interview Mr. Larkson?¡±, Meeting Ben Larkson ¡°How would you like to interview Mr Larkson.¡± This question made Belle¡¯s eyes widen in surprise. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yes, you.¡± ¡°You would actually trust me to do that, I just started today.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t really send anyone else, Mr. Larkson is a very scary person to deal with, I mean that¡¯s what people say, that¡¯s why I wanted to interview him to know if it¡¯s true but now I can¡¯t go and you seem quite fascinated to meet him, so yes, I have no other choice than to trust you right now.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even know my name.¡± Belleughed feelingfortable enough to say what she just said. ¡°You are¡­ Vera?¡± Laura said looking at the names of new interns on her monitor. ¡°No.¡± Belle giggled. ¡°ire?¡± ¡°No.¡± Belle shook her head. ¡°Then you have to be Belle because that¡¯s thest female name I can see here.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am, I¡¯m Belle, Belle Miller.¡± ¡°Okay Belle, get ready for your interview, you leave in the next thirty minutes.¡± ¡°Okay, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Laura, call me Laura.¡± ¡°Okay, Laura.¡± Belle smiled. ¡­.. ¡°Sir, you will be having an interview with Mrs. Johnson from Crisp-tv media house in the next two minutes.¡± A young woman who was nearly dressed in a grey-colored knee-length pencil skirt and white shirt walked into Ben¡¯s office. ¡°Mrs Johnson?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°I asked you to fix a time for her?¡± ¡°Yes sir, she was very persistent so you asked me to fix a time for her.¡± ¡°How much time do I have with her?¡± ¡°Fifteen minutes, sir.¡± ¡°I see, alright send her in when it¡¯s time.¡± ¡°Okay, sir.¡± She left closing the door. ¡°Mr. Larkson would see you now.¡± The woman informed Belle, who sat waiting nervously. She didn¡¯t want to disappoint her new boss who was very nice to her but after she heard how mean and nonchnt this Mr. Larkson could be, she wasn¡¯t sure she still wanted to meet him so bad. ¡°Okay.¡± She managed to feign a smile, maybe it might boost her confidence; she thought. With her palms sweaty and shaky, she tried to grip her files. Slowly opening the door the woman had directed her to, she walked in but when she tried to close it quietly not to make a noise, her files dropped and so did everything she was carrying. She looked up at the man seated in the middle of therge office, expecting a reaction but got none. She sighed in relief because his face was behind theptop and he looked busy too to notice her. Picking up her things she began walking to the desk, which he sat behind and she thought it felt like an eternity because of how spacious this office was. Ben finished what he was reading before giving his attention to the Mrs. Johnson he was expecting. Looking up from hisptop he saw a familiar face walking clumsily to his desk, wearing a shirt and a corporate trouser, with her papers scattered in her hands. Was she the Mrs Johnson? Did she lie about her name on the app? But she looked so innocent to do that. Belle Miller, he could remember her name from that night, it had been in his head all through Sunday. If she was the Mrs. Johnson, then she was married, did she really make up a name? But then again, she was a virgin, he was her first, so she probably was a new bride. With all this thought on his mind, he just sat there gazing at her in shock. Did she use him? Did she use him to get her one-night fling before beginning her married life? ¡®She was married.¡¯ It couldn¡¯t be, he wanted her again in his bed, he wanted this woman and she was married! He had asked someone to find out about her and was expecting a filed report of who Belle Miller was after he met with Mrs. Johnson. Belle got closer to his desk, finally easing her concentration on holding the papers in her hands firmly but the moment she faced the ¡®Mr. Larkson¡¯, everything on her hands fell again. Her heart beating fast, she didn¡¯t know if she was more scared of those dark eyes staring at her or more surprised to see Ben from Saturday night. He was looking at her like he wanted to pierce her with those eyes of his. He was angry right now or maybe it was just his ego hurt that she had lied. He wasn¡¯t showing his anger, but his eyes were betraying him because they were fiery to look at so Belle just looked down at the clean polished floor. It was when she realized she had drooped her things again so she bent and began to pick them all up quickly. Having picked up all the papers and arranged them, she went back down to pick up her pen and pencil. The pen had rolled to the other end of the table and was next to his foot, she stretched her arms to reach them but they weren¡¯t on the floor anymore, he was squatting down on the other side of the table giving it to her.From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Thanks.¡± She automatically said, collecting it swiftly from him and standing back up. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mrs Johnson.¡± He put out his hands for a handshake across the table. She looked up at his face, noticing how much more handsome he looked now in daylight. She thought his grey suit looked good on him, incredibly good. ¡°Ms Miller.¡± She took his hands which seemedrge as he shook her hands, her small hands.¡±Mrs Johnson couldn¡¯t be here, she asked me to interview in her ce.¡± Are you gay? ¡°Mrs Johnson couldn¡¯t be here, she asked me to do the interview in her ce.¡± Ben felt her warm hands touch his when she shook him. So, she wasn¡¯t Mrs Johnson, he had been overthinking everything just now. He looked at her face while shaking her hands, an unnoticeable smile of relief escaping him. He thought she still looked beautiful with her hair poured down. ¡°Please sit.¡± He ushered her, taking his own seat, his eyes never leaving her face the whole time. She swallowed before seating on one of the two chairs opposite to him. She took out one of the papers containing Mrs Johnson¡¯s questions for the interview and took out her pen. She was trying to control her breathing before doing any questioning. She had hoped not to ever see this man in front of her but here she was about to interview him. Who knew he was such an important person, she had slept with the much famous Mr Larkson, she couldn¡¯t believe it. He didn¡¯t look worried after having seen her in his office, what if she was one of those crazy girls who was here to ckmail him. She knew she would never do that but just what if? ¡°Ms Miller.¡± He caught her attention back to where she was. ¡°You do know you have just fifteen minutes with me.¡± He sounded professional. ¡°Yes.¡± She nodded, clearing her throat and licking her lips to prepare herself but she didn¡¯t know it got his attention when she did that. She was about to begin when she remembered she had not yet turn on her recorder. After she pressed the start button on the recorder, she decided to begin. ¡°You were adopted at age five into the Larkson family, is that true?¡± She read the first question exactly as they were written on the paper and made to tick the question but her pen ink wouldn¡¯t write. She looked up and met his eyes still on her, even though they weren¡¯t looking scary anymore she felt a little nervous under his look. Going for her pencil, it wasn¡¯t sharpened, she began to search her purse for her mobile pencil sharpener. ¡°Here.¡± He was holding a pencil from her table in front of her. ¡°Thanks.¡± She said again, taking the pointy pencil and ticking her asked question and looking back up at him waiting for an answer because he was now leaning in front of his desk closer to her. ¡°Age six, not five, I was adopted into the Larkson family at age six.¡± He answered. ¡°Uhm¡­ Was your name Ben, given to you by your adopted family or you were always named Ben.¡± ¡°I was given the name Ben after my adopted father; Benard Larkson.¡± ¡°Just Ben?¡± She asked but paused immediately. ¡°Sorry, that isn¡¯t on the paper, I just¡­.¡± ¡°Yes, just Ben.¡± He smiled at her. ¡°Okay. Are you gay?¡± She read but widened her eyes in surprise when she just realized what she had read out loud. She looked up and he was smiling mischievously. ¡°Could you repeat that question, I couldn¡¯t grab the first time.¡± He teased. ¡°Mrs Johnson wrote that, not me.¡± She exined. ¡°Ask the question again, would you Ms Miller?¡± He had this smirk, somewhat enjoying how her face turned pink when she asked him if he was gay. Belle took in a deep breath before asking again, not knowing he purposely wanted her to repeat the question.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°Are you gay?¡± She asked again, biting her lips in embarrassment. He smiled again before going ahead to pause her recorder. She expressed her surprise over what he just did by looking at him but he brought his face closer to hers, directly in front of her face. ¡°Am I gay?¡± He asked her and she could feel her heart beat hard against her chest, making her wonder how she couldn¡¯t hear it beat loudly. He was smiling, his face just few inches against hers just enough for her to breathe freely, he had caged her in the chair in which she sat by holding on to each of the chairs arms with both his hands. She didn¡¯t answer even when she knew the answer to his question. ¡°Belle, I want you to answer that. Am I a gay man?¡± He stopped smiling looking into her eyes, not allowing her look anywhere else but at his face. She slowly shook her head as a reply. ¡°No.¡± She muttered. ¡°Good.¡± She heard him say something he had repeatedly said when they were alone in that hotel room. He brought his face closer than before to her face, so close that he could feel her breath on his face. She closed her eyes when his lips were just a kiss away, but he didn¡¯t close his. He just studied how much she seem to be expecting a kiss from him. He chuckled and she opened her eyes to see him stand from his leaning position over the chair she sat. She watched him press the start button on the recorder the same way he had stopped it, with a smile on his effortlessly handsome face, he went back and took his seat behind the desk. ¡°No, Ms Miller, I am not gay.¡± He gave an answer for the recorder. She felt embarrassed about what just happened. Did she really expect a kiss from him. She looked at the paper in her hand, trying to escape the look he was still giving her. ¡°If it is so that you are not gay, why is it so hard to find a picture of you with females who aren¡¯t business partners and family members?¡± She managed to ask. ¡°Do you think that¡¯s enough reason to ssify a person as gay?¡± He began. ¡°I mean that is really offensive. I find that offensive. Even if I was gay, that would be offensive.¡± He stated, his smile was gone but he didn¡¯t have a frown either. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I asked that, Mr Larkson.¡± She looked up at him and met his still gaze but looked back down quickly. I鈥檒l call you ¡°You have be so rich and sessful at a young age, for a business man, would you give that to luck or hard work?¡± She asked. ¡°Hard work. I worked hard to get to where I am today.¡± He said with his voice full of confidence.From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°A lot of people work hard, everyday they try their very best but still they don¡¯t always get the reward for their hard work you know.¡± She told him. ¡°Is that supposed to be one of the questions?¡± ¡°Uhm no, sorry I deviated.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize, thinking about it now, you are right, not many people are rewarded for their hard work, I guess luck did y a role, maybe I¡¯m lucky enough to get the deserving reward for my hard work.¡± He smiled. ¡°You were adopted into a wealthy family, that luck begins there, don¡¯t you think?¡± Her confidence was growing, she felt progressive. ¡°Believe me, it is harder having to get what you want as an adopted child to a wealthy family. You sometimes have to prove that you can be more than just that adopted child.¡± Belle went on to ask him all the questions written on the paper and he answered them all, honestly, finding no reason to lie to the public, but she still had to be sure, so she began to go through the papers she brought with her while Ben watched her the whole time. He looked at the time on his watch and decided to stop her. ¡°You do know you have just two minutes left to be seated here with me?¡± She stopped what she was doing, she didn¡¯t even know. ¡°Leave Mrs Johnson¡¯s questions, talk to me.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± She asked. ¡°Talk to me, ask me anything you want to, your questions and not those written down.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She now understood him. ¡°Are you in any sort of rtionship whatsoever?¡± She asked after thinking for a short while. ¡°No.¡± He answered calmly. ¡°Are you a romantic?¡± This question he got made him chuckle, nobody usually asked him that, mostly because everyone who had been living in city S knew that. ¡°No.¡± He answered again. ¡°May I ask why?¡± She asked, disappointed at his reply but she didn¡¯t get an answer from him because his secretary had ced a knock and walked in almost immediately. It was the samedy who had showed her to his office. ¡°Excuse me sir but the representatives from our recent partnering group ofpanies are here for the meeting and are all waiting for your presence at the conference room.¡± ¡°I will be there now, wait for me.¡± He dismissed her before returning his attention to Belle. ¡°We have run out of time, Ms Miller. Sadly.¡± He stood up and she did same, picking up her belongings. ¡°It was really nice meeting you.¡± He put out his hands for a departing handshake but her gaze was cast on his face. He had to cough slightly to bring back her attention from his face to his hands which he still held out for her to shake. ¡°You too.¡± She took his hands and he smiled warmly, walking her to the door. Now outside the door, he closed the door behind them both. ¡°Your pencil.¡± She held up his office pencil which he had given her earlier. ¡°Keep it,¡± He stood opposite her. ¡°I¡¯ll call you.¡± He said and began In another direction, his secretary hurrying behind him. Belle stood there for a short while, hugging the papers she held, a smile decorated her face. In the taxi, on her way back to the media house, it urred to her that he didn¡¯t have her number but he said he was going to call her. How did he exactly n on doing that, was he going to somehow get her number like in those romance novels she usually read? She didn¡¯t know, she was going to find out how he got her number when he called. Belle was a romantic, a big time romantic at that, when he said he wasn¡¯t, it surprised her because she thought he looked too good not to be someone who believed in love like her. She was going to wait for that call, it didn¡¯t matter to her that he said he wasn¡¯t a romantic, he probably had not met the right person to shoe him what love felt like. She sighed, a smile still on her face, Mrs Johnson was going to be so happy, Ben had answered all of her questions. ¡­ ¡°you did ask him everything right?¡± Laura Johnson asked her excitedly when she came back to the media house. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all in the recorder.¡± ¡°Good, now I just have to make sure it¡¯s edited just alright before we publish it, this should be big for us. He never answers many of these questions in a public interview.¡± Belle just nodded to her every excited words, happy with how her day was going. ¡°Thanks for letting me interview Mr Larkson.¡± Belle still thought she had to appreciate her more. ¡­ ¡°Heyy girl, how was your first day?¡± Cherry asked when she opened the door for her toe in. ¡°Okay.¡± Belle answered not really ready to tell all that had happened today but she was still beaming with smile and heading to the couch, her legs were tired. ¡°Just okay?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Oh wow, I thought you would haveins, I mean my first day at drizzle wasn¡¯t owkayy.¡± Cherry said joining her to sit. ¡°Well, her¡¯s at a media house, you work at a bar Cherry, big difference.¡± Brie said from where she was at the kitchen. ¡°Brie? Are you making a sandwich?¡± Belle asked hungrily. ¡°Yup. Do you want me to make one for you?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Belle said. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Me too! make one for me also.¡± Cherry chirped in. Waiting The next day hade and Belle went to work, this time making sure herself, that she had her phone with her. She didn¡¯t want to miss Ben¡¯s call for any reason, so she also charged her phone to a hundred percent. As usual, she ran errands for Laura Johnson but was still grateful because it wasn¡¯t as hectic as working under those junior editors Once, Belle sat In her corner of her boss¡¯ office staring at her phone which Mrs Johnson found weird but didn¡¯t say a word, she was probably watching a video on silent, she thought. Time passed and it was six in the evening. Again like yesterday, it was time to leave the office and return home to her cousin and her roommate. He still hadn¡¯t called. Belle wasn¡¯t happy about that, she was hoping he would call her while she was at the office; at least Mrs Johnson would permit a phone call. She didn¡¯t want him to call when she was home with Brie and Cherry, then she would have to fill them in about everything and she wasn¡¯t really looking forward to that, besides she wanted to be sure where she stood with Ben, he had just Said he would call her, nothing more so she didn¡¯t want to assume anything after all he was the Ben Larkson, Billionaire Ben Larkson. At home she kept her phone In the pocket of her pyjamas, she was still waiting for his call. After they had finished the pizza that they ordered and everyone was preparing to go to bed, see felt a little moody, he still hasn¡¯t called. She couldn¡¯t keep her phone next to her when she was about to sleep, it needed to charge for tomorrow, but she increased the volume of her phone¡¯s ringtone. It was Wednesday now, she left for the office like yesterday, she still hadn¡¯t received a call, not from Ben, not from anyone even, she didn¡¯t have so many saved contacts to call her. She helped her boss, Mrs Johnson to edit a local story, ran her usual errands for the pregnant and demanding Mrs Johnson but she was okay with it, things would still be the same if she was working for the junior editors but they wouldn¡¯t be as nice as Mrs Johnson was, so she was okay with it. Thursday came and went and Belle began to doubt he would call, she got less excited about it, she didn¡¯t keep her phone In her pocket while at home anymore. ¡®What was I thinking?¡¯ She had trailed off in thoughts that Friday afternoon while she was holding out a file to Mrs Johnson. ¡®Did I really expect him to call me? He¡¯s Ben Larkson, everyone knows him and I¡¯m just Belle, an intern, I¡¯m not even a real editor yet.¡¯ ¡®He doesn¡¯t even have my number, what was I thinking? How on earth is he supposed to call me? I should have just stopped him that day and remind him to take my number.¡¯ She sighed. ¡°Belle?¡± Mrs Johnson called when she had asked for the file Belle was holding. ¡°Belle?!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Belle¡¯s attention returned to her.¡± Laura, I¡¯m so sorry, I was just¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, give it to me.¡± Mrs Johnson said taking the file from Belle. ¡°Here,¡± She gave her a set of papers. ¡± help me photocopy these papers then you have them Stapled okay?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Belle nodded and left for the photocopying machine. ¡­. When she got home, she saw both Brie and Cherry testing clothes and she knew they were nning to go somewhere. ¡°Woah, where are you guys nning to go?¡± She asked none of them in particr. ¡°You are finally back!¡± She heard Cherry. ¡°Come pick out something to wear, we are going clubbing.¡± Brie exined. ¡°Clubbing?¡± Belle asked again. ¡°Yesss, it¡¯s Friday.¡± Cherry again. ¡°Come on, check this out.¡± Brie tossed a yellow shiny dress at her. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I want to go.¡± Belle said shaking her head.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°Come on!!!¡± Cherry said dramatically. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Brie asked her. ¡± It¡¯s going to be so much fun, and It will take away your moodiness, I noticed you have been moody this past few days, I just didn¡¯t ask because I know how you like to figure some shit out yourself but trust me, if you go to the club it will really help.¡± ¡°Yeah, you get to dance yourself away.¡± Cherry added to Brie¡¯s words. ¡°Youing?¡± ¡°Alright.¡± She smiled and watched the both of them cheer. ¡°Yaayyy!¡± They chorused. ¡°It¡¯s time to parrrrtaaaayyyyy.¡± Cherry said dancing to no music. After thirty minutes of deciding what to wear they finally got ready, did their makeup and were ready to leave. Belle felt less gloomy really, they weren¡¯t even at the club yet but her cousin sister and Cherry did know how to put one in a good mood. They danced to the very loud music, drinks In their hands, except Belle, she wasn¡¯t going to drink tonight, she was not very friendly with alcohol. She knew if she drank, she would get drunk easily and she did not want that even if it was Saturday this next day and she did not have to go to the media house. ******** A/N Heyy, you reading, thanks for reading this far please don¡¯t stop, support me in any way that you can. Your reviews, yourments, your criticism, all of it, I would really appreciate them. I love you. Really I do, I don¡¯t know you but you are reading, so I love you. Stupid love 11:49 a. m,te Saturday morning and both Brie and Cherry were still sleeping like logs of woods. Belle was the one to drag them home early this morning. She was frankly still surprised at herself, how she got them home. They had gotten dead drunk at the club throughst night and this morning but luckily Belle was not drunk like them. She sat alone in front of the kitchen counter sipping some hot tea, her phone on the table. She wanted to search about Ben Larkson. ¡°Ben Larkson.¡± She searched and the many results immediately popped up. ¡°Current CEO of the Larks group ofpanies. Adopted only child tote Benard Larkson and Roselle Larkson.¡± The information on the first icon she had clicked on was brief. She tapped on the second icon expecting a broader information. ¡°Find out about multi Billionaire, Ben Larkson and don¡¯t forget to tell us your thoughts on thement below¡­.. Mr Ben Larkson named after histe father is the only son to Mr and Mrs Larkson. Born on October 30th 1993, he is 29 years old. He was adopted when he was still young, his age then is unsure of. He is single and not looking for love, as we all remember he had said so himself once in front of the live cameras at an online interview. This bachelor took over as head to the Larks group ofpanies at a young age of eighteen after his father passed away. Hope you enjoyed the short biography of Mr Larkson which we could put together. Don¡¯t forget to leave yourments and thoughts. To subscribe to this channel for other celebrity news and info, kindly click here¡­..¡± Belle scrolled down and there was no more news about him. She knew some of the things written here about him, they were some of the things she had asked him almost a week ago during the interview. One thing stuck to her mind In all that she just finished reading; he is single and not looking for love. She wondered to herself why she was waiting for his call, if he wasn¡¯t one who believed in love. She chuckled, sadly. He had told her himself during the interview, she should not have expected his call that much. She was so d now, that she had not yet said a word about him to her roommates, it would have been embarrassing not to receive a call from him after she said he would call. ********** Later that day. 8:27pm.From N?velDrama.Org. All three girls sat in their night wears in the couch together. They were all talking andughing loudly while they watched a romance soap opera, they usually watched by 8 O¡¯clock every day. ¡°How can she be that stupid not to notice that he is using her, I mean it¡¯s so fucking obvious!¡± Cherry said when the female lead of the show forgave the man she loved after he cheated on her. ¡°It¡¯s just a movie series Cherry, rx okay?¡± Brie saidughing. ¡°But you know they should not be acting bullshit like these, who in the fucking hell forgives someone after they cheat and lie and even abuse them?!¡± ¡°They will surely have a reason for acting it this way, maybe she will finally leave in the end, who knows?¡± Brie said stillughing, she found it funny unlike Cherry who was very pissed. ¡±Love can be pretty stupid sometimes.¡¯ Belle said. ¡°Stupid and messy, it¡¯s why I quit on love, it ain¡¯t worth it, you sacrifice your all and go all in but it only breaks you. I don¡¯t even know how people are willing to stay long enough in a rtionship to want to get married.¡± Cherry said. ¡°I n on finding love again someday,¡± Brie shrugged. ¡°not now though, when I¡¯m done building my career. What about you Belle?¡± Brie asked her. ¡°I don¡¯t know, if lovees to me, then I will surely hop on the ride.¡± She smiled. Belle¡¯s phone began to ring loudly, she looked around her and couldn¡¯t find it, Cherry and Brie also checked to know if it was where they sat because it sounded close by. ¡°It¡¯s on the kitchen counter.¡± Brie finally saw it and Belle rushed to it but it stopped ringing just before she could pick it up. She hissed in annoyance of not being able to reach her phone on time. She took it back with her to the couch and unlocked it to see who it was, calling her. The phone buzzed with vibration in her hands before it started to ring again. She immediately picked it. It was an unknown number, when she received the call, she kept quiet for the caller to say who him or her was but the person said nothing. ¡°Hello?¡± She decided to say. ¡°Belle.¡± She knew that voice. She could recognize the voice so easily, the deep sounding voice, it was him, it had to be him. The way he called her name, it sounded different to the ears. ¡°Excuse me.¡± She said standing up and leaving to the room. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you pick up the call the first time I called?¡± She heard him ask. ¡°The phone was far from where I was.¡± She answered trying to control her nervous breathing so he didn¡¯t hear it over the phone. ¡°Where are you?¡± He asked again. ¡°At home?¡± ¡°Good. Get dressed, put on something nice, I will send my driver toe up and get you.¡± ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡± She asked but he had cut the call.¡±Hello?¡± She tossed the phone on the bed and headed to the wardrobe to look for ¡®something nice ¡® to wear before his driver arrived. ******** A/N Heyy, you reading, thanks for reading this far please don¡¯t stop, support me in any way that you can. Your reviews, yourments, your criticism, all of it, I would really appreciate them. I love you. Really I do, I don¡¯t know you but you are reading, so I love you. The date 1 Searching through her clothes, she couldn¡¯t find anything she could call nice, at least not as nice as the one she wore the first time she met Ben. She began to consider asking Brie as she didn¡¯t seem to have a choice. Turning around and about to head to the living room, she got startled when she met Brie standing at the room door. ¡°Brie¡­.¡± She started, ¡°I need help.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± ¡°I need one of your dresses¡­¡± ¡°O.. my¡­ god,¡± Brie said in what didn¡¯t sound like an exmation. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Are you going out with him?¡± ¡°Who?¡± Belle asked even though it seemed to her that her friend already knew about Ben. ¡°The guy at the door who just came looking for you.¡± Belle smiled when she said that because now she knew that Brie actually didn¡¯t know and just thought she was going out with Ben¡¯s driver who was at the door to pick her up. ¡®He¡¯s at the door already!¡¯ Belle said to herself. ¡°No, I¡¯m not going on a date with him. Please Brie help me with a dress, please. ¡°But you¡¯re going with him? Where did you meet him, he doesn¡¯t look so nice.¡± Brie finally said her mind. She didn¡¯t want Belle to go out with the guy at the door, he looked all burly and had a scary scar on his face. She didn¡¯t know the man at the door was just Ben¡¯s driver and one of his security men. ¡°I met him at work,¡± Belle found herself lying, she had never even met the man at the door.¡±Another of our colleagues from our office is throwing a party, a birthday party and I actually forgot about it but he just called me now, it was his call I received in the living room, he reminded me about the party and so we are going together.¡± Belle cooked all of that up, there was no party and no office colleague, and she didn¡¯t even talk to anyone other than Mrs. Johnson at the media house unless she had to. ¡°Oh, how did you forget about a party?¡± Brieughed, believing the story her cousin¡¯s sister just told. ¡°Help me,e on.¡± Belle pleaded again. ¡°Alright.¡± Brie smiled while heading to the wardrobe, she was happy Belle wasn¡¯t going out with the man at the door. ¡°You think you can rock this?¡±Brie held up a ck dress in front of Belle. Looking at it, Belle could see its features, it had a long v-cut from its neckline. It wasn¡¯t sleeveless this time, it had aty long sleeve. ¡°I can.¡± Belle nodded vigorously, excited about Ben seeing her in it. ¡°Alright, you go put it on, remember it wasn¡¯t designed to be worn with a bra.¡± ¡°Yeah, all your dresses don¡¯t need a bra.¡± Belle said from the bathroom where she was already changing Into the dress.¡± how do I look?¡± She came back out. ¡°Sexy.¡± Brie said honestly, ¡°You look really good in it, Belle.¡± Brie smiled more making Belle feel confident. ¡°Thanks.¡± Belle picked her purse from the wardrobe and Brie watch her put the necessary things she needed before she almost rushed out. ¡°Where are you going?!¡± Brie stopped her. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Where are you going, you didn¡¯t put on make-up!¡± ¡°Oh yeah.¡± Belle pped her forehead before going to seat in front of the room¡¯s vanity and let her cousin¡¯s sister help her with the makeup.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°Please Belle, call me if you need anything okay?¡± Brie said, a little worried, she still didn¡¯t like that Belle was leaving with the man with the scar but if only she knew he was just Ben Larkson¡¯s driver. ¡°Of course, I will, that¡¯s if anything happens,¡± Belle reassured her before waving to both her and Cherry. The driver just started towards the stairs without saying a word. She followed him quietly too. He was in a suit but she could tell it wasn¡¯t of the same quality aspared to Ben¡¯s, which she had touched that day. They got downstairs and he helped her open the door at the building¡¯s entrance which exited the stairs. Getting to a ck car parked outside, she tried to see Ben before getting into the car just to be safe but it had tinted ss. when he opened the door to the right side of the car¡¯s backseat, she saw Ben smile at her and so she got in. He didn¡¯t say anything as the car started to drive and she kept on looking at him even though it was night and the car was dim, she could still see his handsome face. The car soon arrived at a restaurant where it stopped and the driver came down to open the door for Ben. After Ben got down, he was straightening his suit jacket when the driver was about to open Belle¡¯s side of the door but he still signaled him not to. Ben walked around the car to her side and opened the door. He put out his hands in front of her but she sat staring at his hands for a while before realizing he was offering to help her out of the car. She immediately took his hands and he helped her out of the car. She hoped she didn¡¯t look silly about what just happened, she just wasn¡¯t used to a man holding out his hands after opening the car for her. She wasn¡¯t even used to having the door opened for her, she just thought the door was locked and that was why she didn¡¯t step out of the car herself. Ben held her small hands in his as they walked inside the restaurant, his smile was gone since they got out of the car, he didn¡¯t smile that much when he was in public. The doorman bowed and greeted them as they entered the restaurant. Belle looked around and it was empty, she wondered why, she didn¡¯t know Ben had ordered for the whole ce to be booked, he didn¡¯t want anyone else sharing the restaurant that night. He pulled out a chair from the table they had both walked to, she smiled as she sat but he didn¡¯t smile back, it made her a little nervous. The date 2 He pulled out a chair from the table they had both walked to, she smiled as she sat but he didn¡¯t smile back, it made her a little nervous. Taking his own seat, a waitress came forward with a pen and a writing pad. ¡°Good day sir, ma¡¯am, I¡¯ll be the serving you both tonight, may I know what you would like the chef to make?¡± Thedy was keeping her best smile, she couldn¡¯t afford to make a mistake while serving Mr Larkson. Ben looked at Belle to make an order but Belle wasn¡¯t even sure she had had any of the dishes on the menu and besides she wasn¡¯t hungry, she already had dinner. ¡°You are not hungry?¡± He said his first words to her since the evening. She shook her head, d that he had asked that. ¡°Get us wine then.¡± He told the waitress who nodded before leaving. Belle saw the waitress go through a door and she also noticed that the men in suit who were there initially when they sat were gone, now it was just she and Ben. When she turned to him, she saw that his lips were curved upwards, he was smiling again and it calmed her down. ¡°You look¡­..¡± He stopped and looked at her exposed cleavage which was thanks to the v-cut on the dress. He cleared his throat and looked back at her face, her pretty face. ¡°You look beautiful, Belle, in every damn thing you wear.¡± He said in a husky voice, making her smile. ¡°Thanks.¡± She said in a somewhat shy but audible voice. He still kept his eyes on her. ¡°How did you even manage to get my number?¡± She asked, knowing she didn¡¯t give him her number in the first ce. ¡°I have my ways.¡± He had a confident smirk on. ¡°I almost thought you weren¡¯t going to call me.¡± She said looking at her fingers. The waitress came back with a bottle of sparkling wine and opened it carefully in front of them both. Originally, she should open it beforeing up to their table so she just had to serve it but this was Ben Larkson, she had to open it in his presence so he could see that nothing was added to the bottle. Sessfully opening the bottle, she poured into both of their wine sses still with a professional smile and after that bowed before leaving. ¡°I have been busy, too busy this past few days.¡± He gave his reason after the waitress left. She wasn¡¯t saying anything after him, so he had to ask; ¡°You are not going to have your wine?¡± He asked drinking a little from his ss. ¡°Is it alcoholic?¡± She asked and he thought she sounded so innocent. He found himself hungry for this innocent beauty in front of him. ¡°It has little alcohol in it.¡± ¡°Oh. I don¡¯t¡­.¡± She shook her head looking at the ss,¡±I don¡¯t take alcoholic drinks.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± ¡°No. I have had it before but that was a disaster, I mean I got drunk pretty quickly and my friends told me I was just all over the ce that night.¡± ¡°This won¡¯t make you that drunk, I don¡¯t think it can make you that drunk, it¡¯s just a ss, a half filled ss.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t¡­.. i can¡¯t¡­..¡± She was shaking her head again. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I don¡¯t want you drunk tonight.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Come with me, let¡¯s go.¡± He stood up and set out his right hand before her. ¡°Where?¡± She asked a question he didn¡¯t answer, so she just took his hand and followed him out of the restaurant. He led her to a car, a different car from the one they came in. The driver (not the burly driver that hade up to her apartment to pick her up) gave the car keys to him(Ben) and they got into the car. She didn¡¯t know where they were going, she didn¡¯t know where Ben was taking her but she didn¡¯t care, she just let him take her wherever he was taking her. He was driving through parts of the city she knew so she didn¡¯t find need to worry. He stopped at one of the big and known buildings in city A, it was a hotel; City A¡¯s biggest hotel. ¡°A hotel?¡± She muttered to herself but he heard her. A valet was there to take the keys from him as they both walked inside. He took her seemingly little hands in his as they passed through the reception. He was smiling the whole time, he knew everyone and anyone present as they walked through the reception to the elevator was probably wondering who she was, he knew no one had seen her with him before. Everyone in city A knew he wasn¡¯t generally adies¡¯ man; sure he attracted women, lots of women but he wasn¡¯t always seen around them so whenever he was seen with a woman, it was either his mother or a model who was paid to attend a party or any business event which required a plus one. He turned to observe her reaction when they were in the elevator, he noticed that she was a little unsettled and was trying to be calm hence; trusting him. ¡°Sir.¡± A man bowed when Ben walked out the elevator with Belle beside him. Ben didn¡¯t nod to his greetings, the man wasn¡¯t expecting him to. After leading the billionaire and the woman with him towards one of the only three rooms on that floor of the suite, he swiped a card over the door, bowing again before leaving.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. It was a private room in the ssy suite, it was meant for only people like Ben Larkson who could afford to stay there. Belle knew the moment she stepped out of the car with him that this was a ce for someone with ss, it wasn¡¯t in any way to bepared to the the one she chose to meet him for their first time meeting. A familiar night in a different hotel When Belle walked into the room, she began to wonder why it should be called a room because it wasn¡¯t if you asked her. It was spacious, more than spacious, she thought it was as big as the apartment she shared with Brie and Cherry. A king-size bed took the center of the room, she was sure she wouldn¡¯t have Brie¡¯s leg over her when she woke up if they shared the bed in this room back at their apartment. The room¡¯s general colour was bright, thanks to the gold-designed walls and the other interior designs which were also gold or white. Ben stood at the door after he had closed it, with his hands in his pocket, he admired her as she looked around amazed. He walked up to where she stood but she didn¡¯t hear him; he usually didn¡¯t make much noise when he walked. Circling his arms around her waist from behind, he heard her when she let out an almost quiet gasp. He smelt her hair slowly going from her neck to her right shoulder. She liked what he was doing. ¡°Belle.¡± He called her in that voice she had only ever heard him use thest time he was in a hotel room with her alone, it was his ¡®I want to eat you up¡¯ voice. He went in front of her, lifting her chin, he caressed her lips with his hands, remembering how soft they were when he first kissed them. Belle saw his Adam¡¯s apple go up and down as he swallowed, his eyes still on her lips. With both his hands, he pushed all of her hair backward, he wanted to see her neck, her beautiful slender neck. He put his right hand to the back of her neck and drew her in for a kiss, it was a short kiss that left her wanting his tongue to explore her mouth. He was looking into her eyes now, he doesn¡¯t know why but he found himself mesmerized every time he looked into them, maybe it was because they were blue, he didn¡¯t know. He brought his lips to hers again but didn¡¯t kiss her as she expected, instead, he said; ¡°I don¡¯t want you to ever wear such a revealing dress like this, unless you are with me, okay?¡± He didn¡¯t want any other man to want her the way he did right now after looking at her in what she was wearing. He swore he could see right through it. The dress was made more of design than any other cloth material used and it highlighted her curves so effortlessly, he could picture her naked by just looking at her when they were still at the restaurant, it was what made him drive her here, he wanted to fuck her again. He tried to control himself at the restaurant, just wanting to talk to her after dinner about what the real reason for not calling her soon was but all his mind was lost in her body. Belle nodded at first without thinking about what he just said to her but shook her head when her senses came back. His touch was making her nod without thinking. His hands were still at the back of her neck. ¡°It¡¯s not mine.¡± She said but regretted saying that after, both the dresses she wore when meeting him weren¡¯t hers and now that she was thinking of it, she was sure that wasn¡¯t something someone should know you for; borrowing dresses. ¡°Who¡¯s?¡±He asked, retrieving his hands and she felt worried that he was irritated. ¡°A¡­ a friend¡¯s.¡± She stammered. He suddenly had a smirk on, she couldn¡¯tprehend it.¡±I.. I live with her.¡± She added hoping it made her sound a little less absurd. ¡°A friend, you say¡­.,¡± his hands were back on her lips, ying with them.¡±You might have to get that friend of yours a new dress.¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°Huh?¡± She asked confused but saw him hold her dress at its v-cut design and with one pull he tore the dress off her. Belle stood naked again like the first night with him, nothing on her but her underwear but she had learned to befortable in her nakedness when standing before him. She saw Brie¡¯s dress on the floor and when she looked up, his eyes were devouring her body. ¡°Take it off.¡± She heard him order, she didn¡¯t need to be told what he wanted of her. She normally would never let anyone give her orders unless she worked under them but this man was going to reward her if she did as he said, so she obeyed. Sliding both of her fingers to the side of her panties, she pulled them down slowly and stepped out of them while he watched with a smile on his thin lips. ¡°Good.¡± He shortened the distance between them, giving her a peck on the lips before leading his lips to her right ear; ¡°I hope you are not tired,¡± she felt a shudder in her spine with his lips that close to her ear,¡± because I n to fuck you till morning.¡± She swallowed, she knew she would enjoy every bit of being fucked all through the night but what if it made her legs weak again like thest time. ¡°Stand here and wait.¡± He told her and she nodded. She watched him head to the bathroom, at least that was what she thought it was. She stood there like he said, biting her lower lips and waiting, in between her legs wanting to be touched by him. It was just a minute since he left but to her, it felt like forever, she wanted him. Was he teasing her like before? She started to ask herself. If he was, she wasn¡¯t sure she could handle herself anymore, she started to think of thest time he ate her pussy, and remembering its sensation made her tingle down there. She sighed after he didn¡¯t show up as quickly as she expected, she went over to the bed and sat still waiting and after another minute she decided to climb on the bed; lying down still naked. Thinking of her She sighed after he didn¡¯t show up as quickly as she expected, she went over to the bed and sat still waiting and after another minute she decided to climb on the bed; lying down still naked. Immediately shey down, Ben came back with just a towel on. He saw her on the bed rather than where he asked her to wait but he didn¡¯t mind because he thought she looked sexier than ever with the way sheid. ¡°I asked you to wait for me.¡± He said climbing on top of her to stop her from sitting up like she wanted to. ¡°I¡­.¡± ¡°Shhhh.¡± He massaged her lips with his right thumb.¡±You did something different from what you were told to do and now I¡¯m going to have to punish you.¡± He added in his still hoarse voice. ¡°Huh?¡± She panicked a little but he didn¡¯t look like he was about to hurt her. ¡°I¡¯m going to eat you now and you are not permitted to make a noise. If you do then I won¡¯t fuck you, do you understand?¡± She nodded without thinking, something she has been doingtely because of this man on top of her. She just nodded without knowing what she agreed with, all she knew was that she wanted him to ¡®eat her¡¯ as he said. ¡°Spread it.¡± He said when he got off her and stood at the base of the bed. Belle slowly opened her legs. ¡°Mhmm.¡± She threw her head back when she felt his hands down low. ¡°You are all wet and I haven¡¯t even started.¡± He smirks licking her juice off of his fingers. He ran his hand against her smooth thighs and opened her legs wider, how he liked to see them. Belle held the sheets tightly when his tongue started to drill her. She now knew she was crazy to think she could have his face in between her legs and not make a noise. ¡°Ahh¡­ ahh..¡± She bit her lips trying to do what she agreed to(not make a noise), the sheets crumbling, thanks to her hands. ¡°Ben¡­.¡± She finally called, she couldn¡¯t do it, ¡°Fuck!!!¡± Ben heard her curse in pleasure while he sucked her dry. He stopped eating her pussy and kiss her thigh and watched her run her hand through her hair, panting. ¡°What did I say?¡± He came up to her, caressing her cheeks. He knew she couldn¡¯t be quiet while he ate her, he knew exactly what he was doing. He needed to make her want him more than she did, he wants to make her his sex mate and this was how he nned to do it; prey into her innocent mind. ¡°I couldn¡¯t¡­¡± She said with a whisper-like voice, still panting.¡±I shouldn¡¯t have agreed to that¡­ Are you still going to¡­.¡± ¡°No.¡± He replied with a malicious smile, he could see the disturbed look that just took over her face. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t do as we agreed.¡± ¡°Ben, I am so aroused right now, just forget that?¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°You should go to sleep,¡± He kissed her cheeks lightly and got off the bed. ¡°¡­..¡± Belle was still unbelieving about him leaving her although she was naked and so she was speechless. She saw him walk into one of the doors in therge room and after some minutese back out with clothes on and that was when she knew he was really serious with what he said. ¡°Are you leaving?¡± She sat up to ask while watching him crosscheck his looks in the vanity. ¡°I have a meeting downstairs.¡± That was all he said. ¡°Now?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he looked at his watch.¡± I need to be there in the next two minutes.¡± ¡°So you came here for a meeting?¡± She asked again but he didn¡¯t answer immediately this time, he turned away from the mirror and faced her. ¡°You get some sleep, we will talk in the morning.¡± He said but before she could say any other thing, a knock came through the door. ¡°I have to go now, good night.¡± He came forward and leaned in, kissing her jawline. She watched the door close as he left. With a sad face, she brought her knee up to her jaw and sat like that for a short while, she was thinking. Did he just do that? Does he know how much I want him right now? Why did he even have me naked if he was going for a meeting? After some thought to herself, she decided to shower, maybe her wanting body would calm down. Heading to the bathroom, she wasn¡¯t surprised now at how spacy it was when she opened the door leading to it. Looking at the almost gigantic bathtub sitting there in the middle of the bathroom amidst the shower cubicle and other things, she changed her mind and wanted to bubble bath in it. ¡­.. Ben didn¡¯t really have a meeting, he was just meeting with one of his business partners but it wasn¡¯t for anything serious. He needed to think without Belle confusing his thoughts. He had told himself after days of thought that he wouldn¡¯t call her or try to have anything with her again but he ended up doing the opposite. He had brought her to one of the hotels he owned after taking her to dinner. He didn¡¯t want to have anything to do with any woman, it was a distraction for him. He usually just sleep with a woman whenever he wanted and then he was back to being the busy person he was but Belle¡­.. It was why he didn¡¯t call as he told her he would, for almost a week, he was trying to steer his mind off her but she was all he could think about. The more he tried to stop himself from wanting her, the more he desired her. He knew he didn¡¯t love her, he was sure he didn¡¯t, he didn¡¯t believe in love, it was her body driving him nuts. Sitting here with his business partner, he couldn¡¯t even keep up with listening to the man talk, he was thinking of her again. Don鈥檛 cover yourself from me He stepped out of the elevator to the room, he was going back to her after leaving her, he couldn¡¯t help it. When he walked in, he didn¡¯t see her asleep like he expected, he didn¡¯t even see her in the room. ¡°Belle?¡± He called but didn¡¯t get a response. He went to the bathroom, maybe she was there. He looked around when he got to the bathroom, he didn¡¯t see her at first after looking around but he decided to walk in further, and there she was, in the bathtub, asleep. He quickly bent and checked her pulse with fear and when he could feel her pulse, he sighed with relief, wondering what she was doing sleeping in the bathtub. Her whole body was immersed in the foamy water except for her head and some of her neck. Gently caressing her face, he smiled, she was beautiful, so beautiful to have him change his mind the way he was doing. ¡­.. Morning. Belle turned in the bed and she hugged a pillow tighter. She opened her eyes slowly after it just urred to her that she was in bed. For all she remembered, she was taking a bath in the tubst night after Ben left, she didn¡¯t know or remember how she got to the bed. When she opened her eyes, she saw Ben staring at her, she couldn¡¯t depict what was on his mind as his face looked expressionless. ¡°You are awake, how was your sleep?¡± ¡°Comfortable.¡± She said honestly, sitting up only to find out she was still naked as she wasst night. She turned to him, ¡°How did I get back to the bed, when did youe back to the room?¡± She asked, pulling the duvet on her side up to her chest. He smirked after she pulled the duvet over herself, it was an insidious smile appearing on his lips, he decided to ask her; ¡°Why did you do that?¡± He asked calmly. ¡°What?¡± She returned a question. ¡°Why did you cover yourself, I have seen you naked before.¡± He told her and waited for her reaction. She looked away but still held the duvet up to her chest.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°You didn¡¯t seem like you wanted to see me naked yesterday, don¡¯t act like you didn¡¯t find me less appealing.¡± She said with her lips pouted. ¡°Don¡¯t say that.¡± He said in a lower voice than earlier, almost sounding annoyed by what she just said. If only she knew how much he wanted to have her but was only trying to control himself, he didn¡¯t want to get addicted to her. ¡°How did your meeting go?¡± She asked after some seconds of silence, not knowing what else to ask. ¡°Forget about that. Tell me, why did you sleep in the tub, were you trying to drown yourself?¡± ¡°No?¡± Belle looked at him, he looked displeased after asking her that.¡±I just fell asleep in the tub, I can¡¯t try to kill myself, there¡¯s a lot I¡¯m yet to do with life.¡± ¡°Good. Nothing can happen to you, not now that I¡¯ve met you, I need you to be alive and healthy.¡± She heard him say beforeing closer to her and putting his hands over hers, which she still held the duvet with. ¡°Don¡¯t cover yourself from me, I want to see your body and its beauty every day, if you should know.¡± He whispered, lowering the duvet slowly and admiring her lips simultaneously and she let him do it. When the duvet waspletely off her, he held her chin to make her face him and he kissed her. It was a tongue kiss but the slowest tongue kiss Belle was sure she ever had. His tongue was ying with hers in her mouth but calmly. She closed her eyes and let him continue. She felt his hands trail over her torso and slowly caress her thigh while his lips were still making her moan. She knew where his hands were going, so she adjusted her hip position to give him more ess. Ben brushed two of his fingers first against her clit and it made her squirm. He could feel her wetness the moment he had his hands go in between her legs; his kisses were making her pussy milk and he loved it. His kiss became more intense, he was sucking her breath through her mouth as he slid his fingers into her. ¡°Ohhhh¡­ Ben.¡± She moaned after his lips left hers. He had stopped because he heard his phone ring. It was a low tone so Belle didn¡¯t hear it ring, besides that, she was all too engrossed in what Ben¡¯s hands were doing to her. With his right hand in his mouth, he licked her juice off his fingers and picked up the phone with his left. He didn¡¯t want to stop but he knew the call could be important as it was his private number. He didn¡¯t get business calls on this phone, it was just the few persons he gave the private number, family, and his assistant that could reach him through it. It was the same private number he used to call Bellest night. ¡°Ben? Are you stilling?¡± A voice came through, it was a woman. His phone to his left ear, he was back with his right fingers between Belle¡¯s legs. ¡°Shit, I forgot.¡± He told the person on the other side. ¡°You forgot? How could you? You have toe, I already told my fiance that you are going to grace the brunch party with your presence.¡± The woman said having no idea what he was doing with Belle. ¡°Rx, I will try to be there.¡± He said to the woman even though he knew he wasn¡¯t nning on leaving Belle, he still wanted to eat her out after fucking her with his fingers.¡±Ssshh, okay?¡± He whispered to Belle and she nodded, biting her lips. ¡°Promise me, Ben.¡± ¡°Jenna¡­.¡± He wanted to calm the woman down but she knew him well by now after growing up with him. She knew he was just trying to get her to rx about his absence at her nned brunch with her fiance. ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to hear anything, just promise me, Ben, are youing?¡± Ben sighed when she asked, he knew how much his cousin wanted him present at the brunch she nned and how much she wanted to introduce him to her fiance. Jenna鈥檚 call He knew how much she wanted to introduce him to her fiance. He didn¡¯t even know how to say no to her again after not being able to go to many of the things she had nned in the past just so he(Ben) could meet the man she wanted to marry. Jenna was the only close person he had in the Larkson family. Growing up, she was his best friend, and she still was but they just weren¡¯t as close as they used to be when they were younger. This was mainly due to how busy he had be after taking over the family business from his father but he still knew where he stood with her. She was older but he still felt the need to protect her, not just physically but emotionally and he had done that so well over the years that she wanted him to meet her boyfriend-turned-fiance who recently proposed to her. Ben has never met him but he knew that his cousin¡¯s sister¡¯s fiance was the son of one of the wealthy families in city S. Jenna wanted her cousin¡¯s brother to meet her man and talk to him, she wanted to know what Ben thought of the man she said yes to and to be sure she made the right choice by agreeing to marry him. ¡°I will be there.¡± Jenna finally heard what she has been wanting to hear him say since two days ago when she invited him to brunch with her fiance. ¡°Promise?¡± She asked just to be sure, she knew Ben never breaks his promises and so needed him to make her a promise. ¡°I promise, expect me there.¡± He said and ended the call impatiently, wanting to give his full attention to Belle again. ¡­. ¡°What am I going to wear?¡± Belle asked Ben sitting in one of the hotel¡¯s bathrobes. He just came out of the bathroom after his shower, his towel-dried hair still a little wet. There was a towel around his waist as he stepped into the dressing room. It was clear to Belle that he didn¡¯t have to worry about what to wear as there seemed to be pre-arranged clothes; suits mainly, in the dressing room. She didn¡¯t have to be told that the room was probably customized for him.From N?velDrama.Org. After they had sex, he let her know that he wasn¡¯t going to be able to spend the whole day with her like he wanted. He had asked his assistant to put all of his meetings and office-rted issues on hold for the day because he wanted to have his time with Belle but he had forgotten about his cousin¡¯s sister¡¯s brunch party. Now, he had to utilize his free day off work and visit her(Jenna), so he could finally meet her fiance whom she wouldn¡¯t stop telling his mother about. He asked Belle if she was willing to go with him and after confirming to her that it wasn¡¯t arge party but just one with Jenna¡¯s friends, she agreed. ¡°I have asked someone to get you something sexy.¡± He told Belle when he came back out of the dressing room with the towel still around his waist but lower. Belle¡¯s eyes quickly went from his well-built chest to the v-line where the towel was hanging from his waist, she knew what was underneath that towel; it just made her moan her throat out a moment ago before they both showered but here she was, wanting it again. ¡°Okay.¡± She just said after she swallowed, trying to take her eyes off him. Her thoughts suddenly went back to yesterday, he had torn Brie¡¯s dress right off her, what was she going to tell Brie? She started to worry about the matter?¡± He wanted to know, he didn¡¯t like the way she looked now; worried. ¡°Nothing,¡± She shook her head, ¡°it¡¯s just¡­.. the dress¡­. yesterday¡­ the dress you tire yesterday, it belongs to my friend and I don¡¯t even know what to tell her.¡± Belle finally said after bumbling with her words. Ben almost hissed when she said what she said because he thought there was an actual problem bothering her mind. He remembered when she told him yesterday about the dress belonging to a friend of hers. ¡°You looked like there was really a problem, Belle.¡± He came to her and lifted her face by her jaw and with a light chuckle, he said; ¡°You can go shopping with that friend of yourster and get her as many dresses as she wants.¡± Her dress arrived and when she went to get it from the door, she saw that it was his driver fromst night, the one with the scar. ¡°Thanks.¡± She told him before closing the door. She took it out and admired it for a while in Ben¡¯s absence, he was back in the dressing room. She immediately put it on and was about to zip it up from the back but her hands couldn¡¯t get to the zipper at the back of the dress. She ignored that and decided to take a look at herself in the vanity mirror. The vanity mirror couldn¡¯t reflect all of her image but it showed her how the dress fitted her slim curves. Doing that, she was almost lost at it when she heard Ben¡¯s voice. ¡°You look stunning.¡± He told her and she turned to his voice, giving him the front view of the beautiful dress. It was a knee-length ck dress with a one-handed strap on the right. Ben smiled knowing his driver took his words very seriously when he said to get something not too revealing but still sexy. He didn¡¯t want anyone; male or female, looking at Belle when they got to Jenna¡¯s party. Her body was his alone to adore. Evading the press He came up to her and put his hands on her shoulder and her breathing got heavier in expectation of whatever he wanted to do. She didn¡¯t know what was on his mind holding her like that but she knew that this man made her nipples crinkle as they got harder just by the sound of his voice. He turned her around to face the mirror and once again, she was looking at her reflection but this time with him standing behind her. He came closer to her, his arms around her waist from behind, he spoke with his lips directly next to her left ear. ¡°You, you are a beautiful woman Belle.¡± He told her something he was sure she knew and watched as a smile crept up her lips. Slowly, he went on to caress her open shoulder with the tip of his pointed nose, making her heart beat faster and her breathing heavier than it already was. He was inhaling her fragrance, he loved how she smelt. His arms got tighter the more he inhaled her perfume, he wanted no distance between them, there was an unusual sense offort she provided him whenever he was that close to her. All of a sudden, he stopped what he was doing, releasing her from his hold which she was enjoying, he was again trying to control himself from getting too close to her. With the tip of his fingers on her bare back, he pulled up her zipper, making the dress tighter as is its design and making her curve more noticeable. ¡­.. They both were in the elevator again like yesterday, alone and ready to leave the hotel¡¯s building when Ben kissed her. It was just a peck on the lips from him, he knew he might not be able to kiss her once they were out of the elevator and the public eyes were everywhere. The elevator door opened and he walked out taking her hands like yesterday while she couldn¡¯t get her eyes off him.From N?velDrama.Org. She couldn¡¯t help but smile at the graceful attitude he was disying. He was a different person In the bedroom, in the office, and now while he held her hand. He had an aura filled with authority that couldn¡¯t be disseminated. Belle thought he carried himself like a prince or a king rather, a proud king which he was. She smiled again. ¡°Sir.¡± Someone walked up to him. It was a man and he was dressed in full suit attire. He approached Ben and Belle like he had been hurrying to catch up. Ben stopped to listen to him, it was his head of security running after him. ¡°Sir, you can¡¯t leave through the front,¡± The man said, still trying to control how he was panting. Ben raised an eyebrow, not pleased by what he was saying. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Sir, the entrance is closed, and media persons are waiting out there, they got information that you were spending the night herest night and now the entrance is flooded with newsagents. I already spoke with the manager, he is doing his best not to let any of the reporters get into the building.¡± The moment the man said that Belle now understood why she had so many missed calls from Mrs. Johnson. She had seen the missed calls when she was about to leave the room with Ben but didn¡¯t bother to check it. ¡°I have somewhere to be,¡± Ben told the man that he couldn¡¯t stay in the hotel just to avoid unnecessary media. Besides that, he had to go to Jenna¡¯s brunch party. ¡°You could leave through the back, sir.¡± The man assured.¡±I have already prepared a car for you, no one will know it¡¯s you leaving.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Ben said before he and Belle went with the man. Belle looked through the window as the car drove past the hotel building¡¯s entrance. The man was right, no one actually knew they were in the car leaving, the sses on the car were all tinted. She marveled at the sight of the reporters standing and waiting outside the hotel for Ben. She began to ask herself; What if she didn¡¯t know Ben and he hade to the hotel with someone else or was even there alone? What if Mrs. Johnson had asked her toe wait like those other journalists out front of the hotel and she didn¡¯t know Ben just left in an unsuspecting car? What if she had to be under the sun waiting to ask Ben just one question which he might not even answer like many of these important people did? She knew that had to be the reason Mrs Johnson had called her repeatedly but in her defense (Belle), it was Sunday, and the media house she worked for had weekend employees. She enjoyed staying with Ben and being around him, not just for the luxury attached but Ben himself was one to make her do whatever he said. Here she was, going to a party with him and she didn¡¯t even know what the party was about but she agreed, she didn¡¯t mind as long as Ben was the one taking her there. She has already spent all morning with him and it was quarter past twelve. If Ben asked her to stay with him the whole day, she would say yes. She surely would. ¡°Is it always like this for you?¡± She asked Ben who was using his phone to text someone from her point of view. He was texting his driver not to wait for him at the entrance as he had already left the hotel. It was his head of security driving the car he rode in now. He looked up from his phone when he heard Belle¡¯s voice, with a keen look he asked; ¡°Hmmn?¡± He wasn¡¯t sure he heard her the first time, her voice was soft as always and he didn¡¯t have his attention on her when she asked the first time and so needed to hear her again. Arriving the party ¡°Is it always like this for you?¡± She asked, her voice more audible now than initially.¡±Do you always have to evade the press like this?¡± ¡°Sometimes.¡± He answered her question just before his phone began to ring in his hands, it was Jenna. He picked it up and put it to his ear. ¡°Are you really going toe?¡± Jenna¡¯s voice came through and he thought she sounded worried. ¡°I will.¡± ¡°Really?¡± She sounded like she already concluded he wouldn¡¯t be able toe. ¡°I will, Jenna.¡± ¡°When? When will that be? I can¡¯t have my friends waiting, it¡¯s almost one o¡¯clock, it¡¯s not even gonna be brunch anymore by then.¡± Sheined. ¡°Don¡¯t have them wait for me, you should start the party, I will join it when I get there.¡± ¡°Are you at the office?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Thank goodness, now I know you wille. Once you are at the office, you usually don¡¯t want to be disturbed.¡± She said making him chuckle. ¡°I will be there in thirty minutes or less, okay?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Jenna said before hanging up. Ben turned to Belle after his call, he caressed her face for a short while before looking out his own side of the window. He smiled, Belle was the reason he was goingte to Jenna¡¯s brunch party, he had decided to get dirty with her before preparing to leave the hotel. **** The car took a sharp turn and all Belle could see from there on were beautiful houses, if not to be called mansions. They were mansions actually, they all looked expensive right from their entrances, one could tell. Belle wondered how much it would cost to own a house around there. The car reeled into one of the houses after driving along the area for a short while. They were now at Jenna¡¯s house. Once the driver stopped the car, he came down and hurried over to open the door to where Ben sat. Ben stepped out, he had his shades on because of the increasing brightness of the blinding light from the sun. Belle opened the door herself this time before the driver could make it to her side to open it for her. She saw a man¡¯s hand in front of her while she was still making sure her dress was okay. it was Ben¡¯s hand in front of her, she looked up and met his handsome face. With a smile on her lips, she took his hand and they headed inside. Belle¡¯s neck almost went 360 as she looked around and admired the mansion they were about to walk into. ¡°Ben!!! you came.¡± Belle heard a woman call out loudly once they were inside the mansion. It was an excited Jenna. She ran to Ben and hugged him tight, the intensity of her hug almost making him stagger from his position. He let go of Belle¡¯s hand so he could hug Jenna back. Belle couldn¡¯t wait to find out who this woman was but she knew she had to be family, there was a resemnce. As Jenna hugged him, her face was behind his back and she saw Belle, she didn¡¯t notice her the first time she ran out to meet Ben and was more than shocked to see that he brought someone with him. She knew that her cousin usually had his assistant hire a top model for him to take to plus one party but she was shocked it wasn¡¯t because her brunch party didn¡¯t require a plus one (and he brought one) but because she was sure she has never seen Belle. She was a top model herself and knew many of the top models in city S and so whenever Ben was taking a top model to a party, she knew who it was, he was going toe with but not today. She began to think; maybe she was not a model, maybe he¡¯s had a change in his taste for women or maybe she was a model but not a ranking or well-known model. She stopped the hug and with a more enthusiastic look, she decided to ask in a whisper voice; ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me, you were bringing someone with you?¡±From N?velDrama.Org. He smiled, ¡°I didn¡¯t even know I was bringing her along, I honestly forgot about today and your brunch party. I had to ask her toe with me since I nned to spend the day with her.¡± He replied but not in the tone or volume of voice she asked, he didn¡¯t have any reason to whisper. ¡°O my god, is she special? You finally decided to settle for someone?¡± Jenna whispered again but Ben just chuckled lightly. ¡°Let me introduce you to her.¡± He just said and turned to Belle who had been too busy admiring around her to listen to them and their conversation. ¡°Belle,¡± he called her attention, ¡°meet Jenna.¡± He referred to Jenna with his right hand.¡±Jenna, this is Belle.¡± ¡°I¡¯m his cousin, not a girl in his life,¡± Jenna told her excitedly, putting out her hand for a handshake. ¡°I mean, I am a girl in his life but I¡¯m not someone to stand in your way with Ben, you know what I mean.¡± She added when Belle shook her hands. Ben shot her a look, he understood what she was insinuating to Belle. She was saying that she wasn¡¯t one of the many girls Ben had once in a while and therefore wasn¡¯t apetition for her(Belle). Belle just smiled more even though she didn¡¯t quite understand what Jenna just said and Ben was d she didn¡¯t. ¡°Please, the party¡¯s over here,¡± Jenna said and started towards where she just pointed and Ben followed with Belle by his side. She鈥檚 so lucky ¡°Please, the party¡¯s over here,¡± Jenna said and started towards where she just pointed and Ben followed with Belle by his side. ¡°O my god, it¡¯s Ben Larkson!¡± One of thedies there informed her friends the moment Ben walked towards where the little crowd was. He didn¡¯t mix with everyone, he stayed at a safe distance with Belle because although many of the guests present were elites, they were some who were willing to overstep their boundaries when it came to him(Ben). ¡°She really did convince him toe like she said she would.¡± Another person said as they all looked on, some with drinks in their hands. ¡°Who¡¯s that with him?¡± Whispered questions started to arise among the little crowd. ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s ady with him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s just a model he hired for today.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so, I¡¯ve not seen or heard of her before.¡± ¡°She might be an uing model, look at her skin, she has to be a model to have such clear skin.¡± ¡°And she¡¯s with Ben Larkson.¡± ¡°I know right, lucky her.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Yeah, she is sooo lucky.¡± ¡°Let me go get Jason, he is busy talking to one of my colleagues who I just introduced him to,¡± Jenna said leaving them for another part of the open space to go get her fiance. ¡°Aren¡¯t we going to sit and have some food with others?¡± Belle asked because she was hungry. ¡°No, I want to take you to lunch somewhere else.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m hungrryyyyy.¡± ¡°You can eat me.¡± He chuckled after saying that because she rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m really hungry Ben,¡± She pouted with her little lips which he found alluring.¡±How long are we going to be here before we go have lunch elsewhere like you just said?¡± ¡°Not too long, I just have to meet her fiance and we will leave immediately, okay?¡± He said with both his hands in his trouser pockets but didn¡¯t get a reply from her, instead, he saw that her lips became more protruded. She was pouting more, like a sulking child and it made him smile more. He looked up and was d to see Jenna walking back with someone behind her; it was her fiance, Jason. ¡°So Jason, I told you my brother was going to make it like he promised,¡± Jenna started when she returned to where Ben and Belle stood waiting. Ben narrowed his eyes at the man as Jenna continued talking; ¡°Ben, you finally get to meet my boyfriend-turned-fiance, Jason.¡± She smiled widely, really happy for Ben to be meeting him. ¡°Jason, Ben.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you, I almost thought I won¡¯t get to meet you till the day of our wedding.¡± Jason joked and brought out his hand for a handshake but Ben didn¡¯t take it, his hands remained in his trouser pockets where they were. Jason took his hands back after Ben didn¡¯t take it, it was obvious that Ben didn¡¯t find his joke funny at all because he wasn¡¯t even smiling and his facial expression was not helping in any way to determine what he was thinking, it just remained as cold as it got when he(Jason) returned with Jenna. He was previously nervous to meet Ben but now it was more than nervousness, it was fear. He had so much heard the things Ben was capable of. ¡°What about her, aren¡¯t you going to introduce me to her?¡± Jason asked with hopes of lightening up the atmosphere between the four of them. ¡°Oh yeah, this is Belle, Ben¡¯s¡­. uhm¡­.¡± It urred to Jenna that she didn¡¯t know what Belle was to Ben or what rtionship her cousin¡¯s brother had going on with the woman standing next to him. She looked at Ben for him to say who Belle was to him but Ben didn¡¯t say anything she wanted him to. ¡°She is with me and I don¡¯t think you need to be introduced to her,¡± Ben said and Belle just looked down, making a mental note to ask him where she stood with himter on, after they must have left here for the lunch he said they would have afterward. ¡°You do know what it is to be getting married to my Jenna right?¡± Ben asked in a non-friendly voice and Jason swallowed.¡±It¡¯s more than just being her boyfriend, it¡¯s not as easy, you are getting into something more serious, I hope you know that?¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Ben said a word Belle was familiar with.¡±You are going to take care of her like you would a precious egg if she everes to me with aint rting to you¡­.¡± Ben didn¡¯t have to finish his sentence for Jason to catch up on what he meant. Jason nodded slowly, trying to hide his fear for the man in front of him. ¡°If you hurt her, I will hurt you,¡± Ben said finally before taking out his hands in front of Jason now, requesting a handshake which he had earlier rejected. Jason shook hands with him and Ben gave him a stern look that he was sure he would remember whenever he had one of the little arguments he had with Jenna. ¡°d to have met you,¡± Ben said with a smile that was just as unfriendly as his tone of voice. ¡°You too.¡± Jason managed to say. ¡°Am I free to leave now?¡± Ben asked his cousin¡¯s sister and she smiled making Jason wonder how Ben was the closest to her in their whole extended family because she had mentioned many times about her personal rtionship with the dreaded Ben Larkson. ¡°Let me see you out,¡± Jenna said and left a kiss on her fiance¡¯s right cheek before walking away with Ben and Belle, finally he (Jason) could breathe a sigh of relief. Love is pain, love is stupid ¡°Thank you so much foring to meet him, Ben,¡± Jenna said when they were both about to get into the car they came in. Ben smiled, genuinely this time. ¡°Don¡¯t tell your mum about her,¡± Ben said to her. He didn¡¯t want her to converse with her mother, his aunt about Belle because then, his aunt would talk to his mother and she would want to delve into the matter and find out about Belle and what he had with her and most predictably beg him repeatedly and non-stop to start something serious with Belle and he couldn¡¯t do that. He didn¡¯t want any of that to happen and Jenna not telling her mum about Belle could stop all of that from happening. He knew and could see how excited Jenna was when he arrived with Belle, she probably assumed he had already started something serious with her and was only keeping it secret but that wasn¡¯t the case. When the car started to drive out of the yard, Belle decided to ask him what she had in mind before she forgot. ¡°Ben?¡± ¡°Hmmn.¡± ¡°Uhmmn¡­.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± He asked more concerned when she started to stutter. ¡°Where am I with you?¡± She finally got her mind out and his face as usual had no expression. He didn¡¯t want her to ask what she was asking because he didn¡¯t even know the answer to that. He was still trying to figure it out, he had never spent much time around a woman after he slept with her. He just wanted her around. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about that at the restaurant after you have had something to eat.¡± He just told her and like he expected she nodded inpliance. Now he had to think about what she just asked him, he had to ask himself that question she asked. Ben Larkson was not generally a fan of rtionships, he didn¡¯t see the need for people to be in love. He wondered what made people believe in love, love was impossible from his point of view. Love was just another word; a synonym to describe lust. He didn¡¯t believe in marriages, he didn¡¯t believe in love, but as much as he didn¡¯t believe in those things, he knew they were just his own beliefs and people were free to believe whatever they wanted to. The first time, his cousin Jenna had mentioned meeting Jason, he advised her not to do anything hasty with the thoughts of being in love. Jenna had been trying her whole adult life till present to convince Ben that love was real and they were different ways people fell in love; some happen gradually over time spent together and some happened at first sight but the defense of his stubborn nature to even attempt trying out love was expected of her one of those days when he said;This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Let¡¯s say I finally fall in love with someone and this person manages to make me not be against love anymore, I will try my utmost best to avoid this person and you know why?¡± She had responded to that by shaking her head. ¡°I will avoid that person because I want to save myself.¡± ¡°From what exactly, Ben?¡± She had asked him that day,ughing because she found it funny every time they were having that discussion and he was giving her a new reason why people shouldn¡¯t be or fall in love; if it was something real and not just lust. ¡°From the pain; love is pain, love is stupid, it makes people do stupid shit they most possibly never n on doing.¡± ¡°Ben, you can¡¯t judge love based on your parents¡¯ experience.¡± Jenna had told him, she always did try to remind him not to judge love from his adopted parents¡¯ rtionship. ¡°Not just them, my biological mother, it¡¯s the love she had for the man who biologically also, would be my father, whoever he is, that made her do something as stupid as get pregnant with me.¡± ¡°Ben¡­.¡± ¡°She got pregnant for the man she loved and decided to keep it even though she couldn¡¯t afford to take care of it, that¡¯s selfish, love is selfish.¡± ¡°If she had aborted that baby then you wouldn¡¯t be here, you wouldn¡¯t have been brought home by Uncle Ben, and you and I, would never have met, things happen for a reason, don¡¯t me it on love.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t change my mind, no one can, people shouldn¡¯t be allowed to practice love.¡± He remembered saying that day in his conversation with Jenna. Here he was, riding in the car with this woman, this beautiful woman seated next to him and he couldn¡¯t even define what he wanted with her. He would propose signing a contract with her to be his sex partner but no, he knew it wasn¡¯t just that, he didn¡¯t just want to have sex with her at this point, he wanted more, he wanted to be able to smell her whenever he wanted, kiss her deeply and roughly, fuck her like it was thest time he could fuck a woman. It surely wasn¡¯t just sex at that point. He didn¡¯tugh but it came funny to him that he was thinking of her like that, he usually didn¡¯t find a woman appealing after he has had sex with her but Belle had been on his mind since the first time they had sex at the newly opened hotel she chose. It was more funny to him because he knew he didn¡¯t love her, he couldn¡¯t; he didn¡¯t believe in love so he couldn¡¯t love her. This was just a mere attraction he had towards her because she was pretty without effort, that had to be the reason; he tried convincing himself. I don鈥檛 love you Both seated inside a different restaurant fromst night, Ben watched Belle devour the dish in front of her. He couldn¡¯t stop smiling because it had been so long since he sat with someone, a woman who was willing to be as free as Belle was as she ate the spaghetti she ordered. She didn¡¯t even remember he was there with her, the food was delicious and she was hungry, that was all she knew as she ate on. She sucked in a strand of spaghetti into her mouth even though her lips were pressed together. Some spaghetti sauce stained her lips when she did that so she reached for the table napkins at the middle of the set table and that was when she remembered Ben was sitting with her. Her right hand was on the napkins like she was frozen, she looked up slowly and he was smiling, that genuine smile that she had noticed was rare and scarce to the public. She became grateful that there was no one else sharing the part of the restaurant where they sat with them, it was a reserved spot. Her eyes were still on Ben, and she noticed that he hadn¡¯t even touched his. She was screaming at herself in her head right now, maybe she was supposed to wait for him so they could eat together. He ced his hand over hers before taking out one of the white napkins and leaning in closer to her side of the table, he started to wipe the sauce off her lips for her, taking his time like he was doing artwork. Belle just let him continue with it, she was very d she wasn¡¯t embarrassing him and there was no one else there with them. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She thought she should say when he was done. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he said still smiling, ¡°I enjoy watching you eat.¡± He told her his thought, honestly. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± ¡°Is it rted to what you asked in the car on our way here?¡± ¡°No, not really. We will talk about that after we are done here.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± He agreed to her asking her question. ¡°If you weren¡¯t in a situation where you had to take over from your father as the next head of yourpany, what would you be doing?¡± Ben smiled before he answered; ¡°I believe I would be building my ownpany.¡± ¡°What if you don¡¯t have a way to be in an office environment, what if building apany was not an option for you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a businessman, I would find a way.¡± He smiled confidently. ¡°What if there was no way, what then?¡± ¡°There will surely be a way, there are banks, that¡¯s one of the things banks are for, I could generate capital and start a project.¡± ¡°You make it sound so easy.¡± She said drinking from her ss of water. ¡°I won¡¯t lie, it isn¡¯t, I¡¯m just projecting possibilities of the situation you are talking of.¡± ¡°Well, let me rephrase that question,¡± Belle cleared her throat.¡±If you had to choose to be something else other than a businessman, what would that be?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± He wanted to know. ¡°I think¡­ I don¡¯t know but I think you would be a famous golf yer or something.¡± Sheughed. ¡°Golf, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± She nodded, notughing anymore but smiling.¡±You do like golf, right? I mean, you should, it¡¯s expected that you rich guys like to y golf.¡± ¡°It¡¯s expected, really? I do y golf but it¡¯s not a hobby, it¡¯s something I do when I need to be alone.¡± He said and watched her turn quiet for a short while, he could read through her actions. ¡°So what would you be?¡±From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°This isn¡¯t what you want to be discussing right now, is it?¡± He knew she wanted to talk about their rtionship. ¡°Well..¡± She trailed off, he was right. ¡°You want us to talk about what we are?¡± He asked her the very thing on her thoughts and she nodded. He smiled lightly before he said something else. ¡°Belle,¡± he called then cleared his throat, ¡°tell me, do you want me to bepletely honest with you?¡± He asked and looked her in the eye, he could see her state of worry through her charming blue eyes. ¡°Yes.¡± She gave her reply even though she wasn¡¯t sure of the position his honesty would leave her. Drawing in a deep breath, Ben stopped smiling, he was going to tell her his thoughts on what they had and what it was and try to do that without hurting her emotionally because he could see how happy she was around him. ¡°What will be your reaction if I told you that I¡¯m only attracted to you sexually?¡± Belle¡¯s throat hitched when he asked her that question. She didn¡¯t give a reply so he went on; ¡°You are beautiful Belle, very, very beautiful and I can¡¯t get my mind off you even when I try, many would mistake that for love but not me Belle because I know it¡¯s not love, it¡¯s not, I don¡¯t love you, I¡¯m just sexually attracted to you, if love is a true thing then I am in love with your body.¡± He said in what he thought was the simplest way he could exin his attraction to her. Belle just stared at him as he went on, she didn¡¯t believe he would actually say what he was saying. She had seen iting, she had read all about him and his dislike for the topic of love. She knew he would say what he just said before now. He had told her during her interview with him that he wasn¡¯t a romantic. Don鈥檛 fall in love with me ¡°You are beautiful Belle, very, very beautiful and I can¡¯t get my mind off you even when I try, many would mistake that for love but not me Belle because I know it¡¯s not love, it¡¯s not, I don¡¯t love you, I¡¯m just sexually attracted to you, if love is a true thing then I am in love with your body.¡± He said in what he thought was the simplest way he could exin his attraction to her. Belle just stared at him as he went on, she didn¡¯t believe he would actually say what he was saying. She had seen iting, she had read all about him and his dislike for the topic of love. She knew he would say what he just said before now. He had told her during her interview with him that he wasn¡¯t a romantic. ¡°Okay.¡± She just said and picked up her ss of water in front of her, taking a sip from it. ¡°Okay? Is that what you are going to say?¡± He had to admit, he was surprised at her response. ¡°Mhmmn.¡± She nodded, dropping the ss and looking at him. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°What do you want me to say?¡± She asked with a smile and it made him more surprised than he was.¡±I already know you don¡¯t believe in love, I read articles with topics of you and your love life and besides you told me yourself, you are not a romantic.¡± She smiled again. ¡°You read articles about my love life?¡± He couldn¡¯t get more surprised. ¡°It¡¯s not like it sounds, trust me, it was just an innocent research¡­.¡± ¡°A research?¡± He smirked. ¡°Stop that,¡± she covered her face andughed, ¡°will you please stop being a tease right now? I just went through some of the work files in my boss¡¯s old works closet and I saw the many articles that were previously made about you.¡± She exined. ¡°And they were no other subjects apart from my love life?¡± ¡°Okay fine, I purposely went through the articles concerning your love life, yes, I did.¡± She confessed and he didn¡¯t say anything more, he just had a light smile on his face looking at her. ¡°Do you want to continue what we have already started? Even after knowing that I have no n of falling in love with you.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± She didn¡¯t know what to reply. Of course, she wanted to continue what they had even after all he just said but she didn¡¯t want to look desperate, she knew he expected that she should be angry or sad when he said he didn¡¯t love her but no, she wasn¡¯t. Love was not a joke, that she knew and she didn¡¯t care if he didn¡¯t love her but she still wanted to spend time with him, she still wanted him to give her some pussy pounding. She had witnessed the surprise on his face when she didn¡¯t act dramatic after he said he didn¡¯t love her and wasn¡¯t willing to, that was because she really didn¡¯t care, she just wanted to be in his arms all night and feel his touch whenever she craved it. ¡°I will think about it.¡± She finally said something after some thought. ¡°How long will that take?¡± ¡°That depends.¡± She smiled. ¡°On what does your decision depend?¡± ¡°You.¡± ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yes. Make me want to continue the sexual rtionship that I have started with you, can you?¡± He scoffed after she said what her decision relied on. ¡°The question here should be, will I? Because I can, if that what¡¯s your decision depends on.¡± He had a cocky smile on. Belle wouldn¡¯t say but that was one thing making her want to say yes to what he was proposing, his confidence. He had every reason to be that confident when he said that he could make her want to continue their sexual rtionship, he knew how to please her in bed.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Okay, will you?¡± She asked, a little worried that he might say no but that worry died when she saw his charming smile light up his face. ¡°I surely will, somehow, I want you more after I spend a night with you.¡± He told her, not shy of his lust for her. ¡°You sound like I¡¯ve bewitched you.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Maybe you did.¡± He winked at her before getting up from his chair and moving to where she sat, opposite him. He held out his hands for her to take and she did, getting up. He put his arms around her and led his lips to her right ear before he whispered in his usual deep voice; ¡°Allow me to start now.¡± He told her. ¡°Hmmn?¡± She smiled, confused until she remembered that he was going to make her continue the lustful rtionship they had already started. ¡°Oh.¡± She said almost inaudibly when she remembered but he heard her. ¡°Let¡¯s get the dress I destroyed and we can do whatever you want afterward.¡± He told her again. ¡°Whatever I want?¡± ¡°Whatever you want and wherever you want to go, we¡¯ll go there, you and I.¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know many ces yet around this city but know some things I¡¯ve been wanting to do.¡± She smiled happily, holding his face with both of her palms but he took hold of her hands and made them stop touching his face. ¡°Belle.¡± He called her, looking into her eyes like he had be used to doing in the few times they had spent together. ¡°Mmnn.¡±She answered his call. ¡°Whatever I do with and for you theseing days, you have to promise me that you won¡¯t fall in love with me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I know you don¡¯t love me, I thought I already cleared that¡­.¡± ¡°No, listen to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°Whatever happens, don¡¯t fall in love with me, okay?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She nodded like she usually did, without thinking. ¡°I like the way you are now, uncaring that I don¡¯t love you, we are better like this. I hope itsts.¡± No strings attached ¡°I like the way you are now, uncaring that I don¡¯t love you, we are better like this. Let¡¯s just have sex whenever we want to but let¡¯s do so with no strings attached.¡± ¡°Okay, I get it, no strings attached,¡± Belle said again. She could listen to this man holding her, talk all day and agree with whatever he said. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s go shopping.¡± He held her and they headed out. They were still in the driving car, both in their own thoughts when Belle¡¯s phone started to vibrate in her purse. Ben looked at her to try and know why she wasn¡¯t picking up her phone as it rang on. He realized that her mind was lost, so he called her back; ¡°Belle.¡± ¡°Hmmn?¡± She turned to him sharply, disengaging from her far thoughts. ¡°Your phone seems to be ringing.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She open her purse to get the phone out but it had stopped ringing. She checked on her notification block and saw who it was, calling her. It was Brie, her own cousin who had called her for the twenty-seventh time. Belle¡¯s phone has been in silent mode sincest night when she was with Ben and now she was checking her phone, they were numerous calls that were made to her cell phone. Brie had called, Cherry had also called, and her boss; Mrs Johnson had called her too. She sighed putting the phone back in her purse. She would call Brieter on or maybe call Cherry, either of whom she called would most probably be around the other so she could reach them both with just one phone call. Immediately she put the phone in her purse, it started to vibrate again. Brie was calling again, she was worried about her cousin sister Belle. Who wouldn¡¯t be worried? Belle left their shared apartment sincest night in the name of going to a party and had not yet returned, it made Brie and Cherry but mostly Brie so very worried. It was more scary for Brie when she remembered that Belle had left the apartment with the burly man who had a scar. What if he has done something to her sister, Belle? All of that thought left Brie more unsettled and she couldn¡¯t help but worry and call Belle like a maniac. Belle picked up the phone, hoping she didn¡¯t make her(Brie) worry over nothing because she knew how Brie could overthink things in such a situation. She (Brie) had been calling her phone since she left the hotel but she didn¡¯t hear her phone vibrate while it was in her purse that whole time and if not for Ben, she most probably wouldn¡¯t have heard it ring this time again. ¡°Belle? Belle!¡± Brie called her name after she saw that Belle had picked up the call, she wanted to hear her(Belle) say something, anything, so she could know if she was okay or not. ¡°Brie¡­.¡± Belle wanted to tell her not to worry because she was actually okay but Brie cut her short. ¡°Belle? Are you okay? Where are you? Where has your phone been? Belle, I have been calling you for the past hour and you have not been picking up, did you lose your phone? Say something?¡± Belle sighed when Brie asked one question after another, she didn¡¯t even know where to begin to answer from. She began to rethink her decision; maybe she should have let them both know about Ben, then they won¡¯t be as worried as they were right now. ¡°I¡¯m okay, Brie.¡± She just said. ¡°You are okay? But where are you? Are you lost? Do you need me toe pick you up? Just tell me where you are and I wille get you.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not lost Brie, I¡¯m actually with a friend.¡± She said and turned to Ben, he had been looking at her all this while. ¡°A friend? You have a friend in city S? Is it him?¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The guy from yesterday¡­. the¡­ the one who came and picked you up?¡± ¡°No. No, not him.¡± ¡°Which friend is that then, are you sure you are okay?¡± ¡°Yes, Brie, I am okay, trust me, just don¡¯t worry about me, I will be back soon okay, please.¡± ¡°Did she finally answer her phone?¡± Belle could hear Cherry ask from the phone. ¡°Yes, she did. She says she is actually not lost and that she is okay.¡± Brie replied Cherry. ¡°So why hasn¡¯t she been taking her calls?!¡± ¡°She said it was on silent all that while we called.¡± She heard Brie exin what she said again to Cherry. Belle pped her head with a sigh, she knew Cherry would get mad for making them worry over nothing. ¡°Guys, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m Soo sorry I made you worry when there was no case for you to worry about.¡± She told them both, knowing it wasn¡¯t just Brie she was talking to now. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s fine, just get home safe okay?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Belle sighed with relief that they weren¡¯t mad but she heard Cherry. ¡°Hold up, hold up, hold up. Did you just tell her it¡¯s fine? Brie, do you know that if anything had happened to her, it would have been on you.¡± ¡°Cherry¡­.¡± Brie tried to stop her.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°You would have owed your grandma an exnation as to why¡­..¡± ¡°Hey Belle,e home sooner okay, Cherry¡¯s just going to go on with this if I don¡¯t hang up now,¡± Brie told Belle before hanging up the phone and ending the call. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ben thought he should ask her because she looked distressed about the call she just had. ¡°Yeah.¡± She nodded before putting her phone back in her purse. Taking her shopping ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ben thought he should ask her because she looked distressed about the call she just had. ¡°Yeah.¡± She nodded before putting her phone back in her purse. ¡°You are such a horrible liar if you should know.¡± He said and she looked up from her purse at him. He was right, she wasn¡¯t okay, she was worried and he could fish that out. ¡°You should have just said; I am not okay but I also don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± He said again before looking away from her.¡±You don¡¯t have to tell me what the problem is, I mean you are not obligated to, we are not a couple now, are we? Just let me know if I can help.¡± After that, the car became silent till they got to a boutique. As she was used to him doing since she met him, he got down first and came for her. His hand around her tiny waist, he walked into the boutique with her and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder what this man wanted. He had just told her earlier, back at the restaurant that he didn¡¯t love her and that he couldn¡¯t but here he was holding her like she was in something serious with him. She wondered what was stopping him from giving himself a chance at love when he could treat a woman right. She was only thinking about things this way because she didn¡¯t know about the scary side of Ben Larkson, the side which everyone dreaded. It wasn¡¯t usually published, how unforgiving and ruthless he could be when he wanted to be, the presspanies didn¡¯t dare do so, if they did that then they would be sued to theirst penny. Everyone feared Ben Larkson as much as they loved but here Belle was, thinking about how nice a man he was. Even the person he was closest to, his cousin sister; Jenna knew how dreadful he was but Belle didn¡¯t. ¡°Get anything and everything you want,¡± Ben let go of her when they were inside the boutique, putting both his hands in his trouser pockets. Belle looked around and she could see that the boutique was empty. It was a famous boutique known for their high prices but there was no one there, no one except the boutique¡¯s clerk and a man to show her around. She didn¡¯t know this, but Ben had texted an order, wanting the boutique empty before they arrived there, he didn¡¯t want her(Belle) sharing the boutique with anyone while she shopped. He stood next to her, watching her tour the ce with her eyes which still looked distressed, he didn¡¯t like to see her in that mood. ¡°Belle.¡± He called and she turned to him.¡±Help yourself with whatever you want.¡± He told her but she began to shake her head slowly. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what I want or what to get¡­¡± She said, her eyes viewing around the ce again. ¡°What do you mean,¡± His question was more of a statement because there was no way she had been looking at the different things arranged there and not know what to get. He expected her to be excited and to move around and go through the designer clothes and the pieces of jewelry present but she wasn¡¯t doing that. ¡°¡­..¡± Belle didn¡¯t know how to tell him. ¡°You don¡¯t want to get some things for yourself? At least get something for those friends of yours, you have mentioned them more than once.¡± He told her mad and watched her scratch her neck while looking downwards. ¡°They don¡¯t know about you,¡± She looked back up at him as she spoke, ¡°They don¡¯t know that you, Ben Larkson, are the person I met via that app, they don¡¯t know that I have been with you sincest night, I can¡¯t just go back to the apartment with new things like thest time when I had returned home in different clothing. What do I tell them, that I decided to go shopping and get them some things? I¡¯m sure I can¡¯t even afford anything here and you are asking me to get something for myself and for my friends.¡± She poured out some of the things she had in her thoughts. ¡°Is that what you have been thinking about?¡± He asked her, not looking bothered about all she just said. He thought she was worrying about unnecessary things. ¡°Belle,¡± he called her like he usually did, walking to shorten the little space between them.¡±You worry about unnecessary things, you know.¡± ¡°Unnecessary things? So, you would rather I let them know about you?¡± ¡°Let them know, tell them about me, that¡¯s not a problem, don¡¯t worry yourself with little things like this Belle, okay?¡± He held her face with his right hand, his left still in his pocket. He lifted her chin and made her look at him at close range as he admired her blue eyes. ¡°The only thing I want you worried about from now on is how swollen your pussy is going to be after every night with me, do you understand?¡± He told her in a voice that made her twitch in between her legs.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Massaging her lips from their upper part to their lower part, she closed her eyes, he let his hands fondle her slender neck, enjoying how his touch made her feel, he smiled. ¡°You,¡± She opened her eyes when he called to the man waiting at their service.¡±You,e here.¡± She saw the man walk over to them as Ben ordered. He now stood in front of them, with his head down. ¡°Tour her around the ce, rmend what you think would look good on her.¡± He told the man who nodded to his every word. Ben¡¯s hands were back to her face, stroking her smooth cheek with a smile. ¡°I will wait here while you shop, okay?¡± He lifted her chin so she could face him again and she nodded. ¡°Good.¡± Taking her shopping 2 ¡°Ma¡¯am, please try this.¡± The man who had been helping her took out one of the packaged dresses in a bag and showed it to her. ¡°My size?¡± She asked because she couldn¡¯t tell while it was still in the bag.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°I think so, ma¡¯am.¡± The man replied so she took it and went to the changing room to try it on. ¡°It is my size.¡± She confirmed as she walked out wearing the dress. It was a red short sleeveless dress and it entuated her toned shoulders and her slender neck. The man thought the dress was made specially for her considering how much it fitted her and matched her beauty. ¡°Are you taking it, should I add it to the list of things you want?¡± ¡°Yes, it looks great, I love it.¡± ¡°So, ma¡¯am, I think you should try this one next, it will certainly look good on you, just like the others did.¡± The man said, taking out another bag(packaged with a jumpsuit). ¡°No, that¡¯s enough. I don¡¯t want to try any more clothes, just these ones are okay, I think.¡± ¡°Just these?¡± Belle heard Ben and turned in the direction of his voice. He was standing there, his phone in his hands, he looked like he just got off a call. She wondered how long he had been there, watching her. ¡°I know, they are too much. He just won¡¯t stop getting more for me to try out.¡± She said pping her forehead and shaking her head afterward. ¡°Get as many things as you want Belle, don¡¯t worry about how much they are, if you want anything then you should get it.¡± ¡°Yeah, these are okay, I think they are okay really.¡± She said with a shrug. ¡°Your friends, did you get anything?¡± ¡°Yeah. We all wear the same sizes actually, so I got them some of the clothes that are their tastes.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± He came to where she stood, ¡°I just received a call from the office, something came up, it¡¯s important and I have to be there.¡± He informed her. ¡°Oh okay, I am done here, that¡¯s not an issue.¡± ¡°I really wanted to spend the whole day with you Belle,¡± he cupped her face with his palms, he couldn¡¯t get tired of admiring the young woman in front of him. ¡°Even if I want to, I can¡¯t have the whole day off sometimes, my attention is needed for some delicate matters.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± She smiled, really enjoying how he was gently stroking her cheekbones. ¡°I will drop you off before I head for the office and I will callter.¡± He said before leaning in and giving her a kiss on the lips, a light kiss. They went in the car when all that Belle shopped for were put in the car. It would be silent as they drove to Belle¡¯s if Ben didn¡¯t have to receive all the calls he was getting from the office. It made Belle think of her boss; Mrs Johnson. She hadn¡¯t called her back since she saw her missed call. Even if she could guess the reason Mrs Johnson, her boss had called her, she knew she still had to return the call to avoid any issues with the pregnant Mrs Johnson. She(Mrs Johnson) was the nicest person she hade across so far since she started at the media house and she didn¡¯t want that to change for any reason. Belle could recognize the simr buildings when the car started to approach where she lived. They were almost close to her apartment, just some buildings away. The car stopped after it had parked by the roadside next to the building where Belle¡¯s apartment was. Ben looked up from his phone which had been busy the whole drive. The driver had opened the door for her and she was about to get down when Ben held her hand to stop her from leaving so fast. She sat back down thinking he wanted to say something but his lips stole hers, giving her an unexpected kiss. ¡°Randy will take in your bags.¡± He said after he freed her lips, leaving her almost confused but she quickly realized that the driver was Randy. The man who had helped them get away from the press at the hotel was the Randy he just mentioned. Randy closed the car door and went for the boot so he could get her bags from the boutique. Carrying all the bags with both his hands, he followed Belle as she went up the stairs, leading the way while he tried his best not to drop any of the bags for fear that thedy wouldin to his boss and he would be done for. He didn¡¯t need to be told that she (Belle) was different from all the otherdies his boss had been with from time to time. He wasn¡¯t sure but he could assume that his boss really liked her much to be waiting patiently downstairs in the car while he helped her with her shopping bags even though he had to get to the office as soon as he possibly could. Belle stooped in front of a door when she got to the second floor. She pressed on the doorbell while he waited behind her. ¡°Belle!¡± It was Brie. She hugged her cousin¡¯s sister the moment she set her eyes on her.¡± You have no idea how d I am that you are actually okay like you said.¡± She said after releasing her from the hug. ¡°Who is he?¡± Belle asked when she finally noticed the man standing behind Belle with his hands full. ¡°I will exin after he gone, just let him through so he could drop these off, his boss needs to be somewhere and it¡¯s important.¡± I had a one night stand with Ben Larkson ¡°Who is he?¡± Brie asked when she finally noticed the man standing behind Belle with his hands full. ¡°I will exin after he is gone, just let him through so he could drop these off, his boss needs him to drive him somewhere and it¡¯s important.¡± ¡°His boss? Who is his boss?¡± ¡°Brie just make way so he could keep these then I will tell you everything.¡± ¡°Okay okay,¡± Brie said making way like Belle requested by opening the door wider and watching the man walk into their apartment. At least it wasn¡¯t the man with the scar, she wouldn¡¯t have let him in if it were him standing behind Belle. Randy didn¡¯t look scary at all to her. ¡°Where do I keep them, ma¡¯am?¡± Randy asked standing and waiting for her to let him know where to keep the bags. ¡°Uhmmm¡­. on the couch?¡± Belle said looking at Brie to know if that was okay. ¡°What are they?¡± Brie asked Belle. ¡°Clothes,¡± Belle replied and Brie nodded. ¡°Okay, keep them on the couch please,¡± Belle told Randy and he carefully put the bags down on the couch as slowly as he could so as not to displease Belle by any chance. ¡°Thanks,¡± Belle said when Randy was about to leave but he didn¡¯t say anything in return, he just hurried downstairs.From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay, what¡¯s happening here? What did I just miss?¡± It was Cherry asking, she just came out from their shared bedroom after hearing the noises being made in the living room. ¡°Who was the man who just left here? And Belle, where have you been?¡± Cherry asked Belle, putting stress on herst word. ¡°¡­..¡± Belle was about to say something but Cherry spoke again. ¡°O, my, god.¡± She said slowly, shocked at the bags she was seeing on their couch.¡±Are these all from Zamani Boutique?¡± She turned to Belle, who just smiled sheepishly. ¡°Wait, those are from Zamani? Like, they are really from Zamani boutique?¡± Brie went towards the couch where Cherry stood to check it out herself. ¡°See? They are from the famous Zamani boutique.¡± Cherry said as Brie looked on at the bags, speechless for a while. ¡°Belle?¡± She went to meet her cousin where she stood, ¡°How¡­? How did you¡­..?¡± Brie trailed off amidst her question, not knowing what to ask exactly but she wanted answers from Belle. ¡°Can we sit, so I can tell you both everything?¡± Belle said even though she wasn¡¯t really nning on telling them EVERYTHING. They all sat on the other empty part of the L-shaped couch. Cherry sat with her legs crossed but when Belle was about to speak, she asked her to wait and hurried to the kitchen and got some chips. ¡°Alright, tell us.¡± She said, sitting back down like she sat before. Belle drew in a deep breath before exhaling loudly, she was about to tell them about Ben and possibly all that had happened. ¡°So, you know that app that you rmended?¡± Belle asked Cherry and she nodded first but still felt the need to ask. ¡°Sex mate?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Belle smiled, getting excited to tell them now.¡±So, I met with the man that day and¡­. well¡­ we had sex, great sex.¡± She said making Brie go agape because she was usually shy when it came to talking about things rted to sex.¡±You won¡¯t believe who it was I had that one-night stand with.¡± ¡°Who? Do we know him? You seem pretty excited mentioning about him. ¡°Yes! Yes, you guys do know him, everyone in City S knows him. I didn¡¯t know him at first, I mean I did but I didn¡¯t know what he looked like currently because as you know, I¡¯m not one to fantasize over celebrity pictures like Cherry¡­.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Cherry said with her mouth full of chips. ¡°Just let her continue, will you?¡±Brieughed over what Belle said and how Cherry reacted to it. ¡°What do all you just said have to do with the Zamani products you brought home?¡± Cherry asked. ¡°Well, I happened to have had a one-night stand with Ben Larkson¡­..¡± ¡°What?¡± Brie was bewildered. ¡°The Ben Larkson? The billionaire Ben Larkson?¡± Cherry stopped chewing when Belle nodded. ¡°You had a one-night stand with Ben Larkson of City S?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Brie shook her head not willing to believe her cousin sister. ¡°I swear it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°But¡­..¡± Brie stood up, wanting to give reasons why what Belle said wasn¡¯t possible but she quickly realized that they were more reasons to believe her than not. ¡°Remember that Sunday she came back wearing something totally different from when she left? That was why.¡± Cherry gave one of the reasons Brie herself had in thought. ¡°Yeah and she is not even wearing the dress that I borrowed to her, she is wearing a designer dress,¡± Brie added. ¡°This¡­..¡± Cherry got up and held up one of the bags.¡±All of this, was it him?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Belle nodded again. ¡°Okay, this is¡­. how did you¡­.. what happened? How is he taking you shopping? How did he reach you after that night? I thought you didn¡¯t want to meet the man ever again after that night?¡± Cherry asked again. ¡°I thought so, initially but when I did my first interview in my boss¡¯s ce, I met him again and that was when I found out who he actually was.¡± ¡°O my god, you are so lucky.¡± Cherry squeaked happy for Belle. ¡°Lucky? Hold on Belle,¡± Brie was still confused about some aspect of the whole story.¡±Why is he taking you shopping, is he interested in you?¡± ¡°Well¡­ obviously,¡± Cherry answered before Belle could say anything. ¡°You forget that Ben Larkson is not one for rtionships,¡± Brie reminded her friend, Cherry. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true but you never know with these rich people, they are usually undecided about what they want,¡± Cherry said before turning to Belle. ¡°Belle, what is it, did he say he is interested?¡± She asked her. Their advice ¡°Belle, what is it, did he say he is interested?¡± She asked her. Belle went silent when she was asked that. This was why she didn¡¯t want to let them know about it in the first ce but she couldn¡¯t keep up with lying about her whereabouts and leaving them worried whenever she went with Ben. At least, now they would know she is with Ben and wouldn¡¯t get worried over anything, she was going to tell them about the unusual sex pact she was nning on embarking on with him. ¡°This is where it gets a little weird.¡± She told them, scratching the back of her neck.¡±He wants me to keep on sleeping with him¡­.¡± ¡°What?¡± They both chorused before she could exin the situation further. ¡°Just listen, he says he doesn¡¯t believe in love and therefore he doesn¡¯t n on starting anything serious with me but¡­.¡± She stopped when they were both giving her a non-acquiescent look, their arms folded across their chests. ¡°Come on, hear me out first,¡± She didn¡¯t like that they weren¡¯t all in on what she wanted to do with Ben. ¡°Alright, go on,¡± Brie said. ¡°He is not able to have something serious with me but we can still have sex, you know, just for fun, no strings attached. What do you guys think of it?¡±From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°So you are basically saying that he wants you to continue a sexual rtionship with him?¡± Cherry asked. ¡°Yeah?¡± Belle answered. ¡°So you are giving him your body, what is he giving you?¡± Cherry asked another question. ¡°His body too?¡± Belle replied with a shrug this time. ¡°You are kidding right?¡± ¡°What?¡± Belle wanted to know what Cherry thought the issue was with what she just replied. ¡°Did you agree to it yet? Because that¡¯s not enough if he wants to be sleeping with you, I mean; look at you, you are hot and pretty and somehow still naive and that¡¯s what he probably likes about you. He fucking rich Belle, if he wants to be fucking with you, you¡¯ve got to let him know that it¡¯se with a price.¡± Cherry stated what she had in mind. ¡°What? No. What are you saying, Cherry? My sister¡¯s not a prostitute, she¡¯s not selling her body to him.¡± Brie finally said after listening to them both. ¡°Getting some good money off him while fucking him doesn¡¯t make her a prostitute.¡± Cherry defended. ¡°Yes, it does,¡± Brie said to her before turning to face Belle; ¡°Don¡¯t do it, Belle, don¡¯t. He is just going to use you and probably add you to the list of girls he considers sex toys. Don¡¯t do it, for the money or for him, please don¡¯t, these rich people are crazy you know, just delete his number and forget about him¡­.¡± ¡°Forget about him? Can¡¯t you see what she brought home after he took her shopping? You want her to forget him? Really? Look at all of these, Brie.¡± ¡°Yeah, I know they are mouthwatering but this is risky on every level¡­.¡± ¡°But I just want to have fun with him, it¡¯s not for the money,¡± Belle reassured her cousin sister. Truly, she didn¡¯t care about his money, she could get used to the luxury associated with him but she could also do without it. All she wanted was him; his dick actually. She wanted that man who knew the right ces to touch her to get her wet between her legs, that was what she wanted. ¡°He is going to use you Belle, he is going to y with you. Trust me, you don¡¯t want to be having sex with this man repeatedly just for fun, you will get attached.¡± Brie told her because she knew how emotional she(Belle) was and how she couldn¡¯t deal with breakups. She was only scared for her. She knew how easily Belle got attached after spending time with that person on a personal level, she didn¡¯t want her to hurt herself. ¡°Even if he uses her, she gets to use him too.¡± Cherry again made her point, shrugging and looking at the confused Belle. Belle knew that Brie was only been caring and didn¡¯t want to directly oppose her advice but Ben¡­. he just knew how to fuck a woman good. She wondered if she could have someone else fuck her the way he did. She could get horny just thinking of him, so how could she just delete his number and forget the night they had yesterday. No, she couldn¡¯t. She knew she should, like Brie said but she wasn¡¯t sure she could. Belle sighed after hearing them both give their different opinions about her situation with Ben, she was undecided. She started towards the room, she needed time to think about it because now she wasn¡¯t so sure she wanted to continue with her initial decision. Neither of the two girls bothered to stop her, they knew they were a little too much with their shing pieces of advice so they let her some time alone. As soon as Cherry heard Belle close the room door, she went ahead to check the bags and the things in them. ¡°Come on Cherry, let¡¯s not¡­ let¡¯s not do that,¡± Brie told her when she saw her get out a pair of ck heels. ¡°Brie, this is thetest remake of Rose¨¦ shoes.¡± Cherry almost eximed in disbelief because she knew how much they cost. ¡°I¡¯m not sure she¡¯ll be happy to know we touched any of the things she came with,¡± Brie said again. ¡°It¡¯s Belle we are talking about here, she will definitely be cool with it. Look at these Brie, she¡¯s just so lucky, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Okay, let me see them.¡± Brie took the shoes from her and Cherry went on to the next bag. Goodnight mum Belle closed the door behind her and leaned against it, breathing in slowly before going to the vanity in the bedroom to take a look at herself after keeping the purse in her hand. She went to the bed to sit and take her heels off. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have told them.¡¯ She thought to herself. Now she had to rethink her already-made decision. She really wanted to do what Ben proposed but now that Brie said it, she thought her cousin¡¯s sister was right; What if Ben just wanted to use her? What if he only saw her as a sex toy just like Brie said and not as a sex partner that she wanted to agree to be? ¡°Urghh!¡± She groaned, falling back on the bed and dragging her body up to where the pillows were set. Loo She justid there, facing the ceiling still thinking when her phone rang in her purse, she rolled her eyes with a sigh because now she had to get up to go take her purse from the vanity stand. ¡°Hi, Mrs. Johnson.¡± Belle greeted when she picked up the call, she hoped her boss wasn¡¯t mad about her missing her call before now. ¡°Belle, are you okay?¡± She heard Mrs. Johnson ask, sounding really concerned. ¡°Yes, I am. I¡¯m so sorry I missed your call earlier¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, I just wanted to know you were okay, your sister called my phone, she said you had left home yesterday for a party that one of our employees h?¡± ¡°Yes, are you back home with her? If not, do give her a call, let her know you are safe, she sounded really worried when she called me.¡± ¡°I will, thanks for checking on me.¡± ¡°You are wee, I should check on you in circumstances like this, you are one of the best recruits we hired recently.¡± Belle smiled when she said that.¡±Alright, take care.¡± After her boss hung up, Belle went back to the living room and she saw Cherry walking around in one of the heels she had tested in the boutique. ¡°Belle,¡± Cherry got startled when she saw her.¡±I was only¡­..¡±She tried to exin to her but Belle wasn¡¯t even offended about them going through the bags. ¡°Brie, you called my boss?¡± ¡°Well, I found her number on the letter you submitted as part of your resum¨¦ and thought I should call her, she was the only person I could ask about the supposed party you mentioned. I was worried.¡± ¡°I understand. At least, now you know where I will be when I don¡¯te home.¡± Belle said, she had made her decision, she was going to continue what she had with Ben. ***** NIGHT. 1 1 : 3 9 pm. Ben sat in his office, his assistant standing in front of his desk. He was going through thest files he has to deal with for the day, only after that could he leave thepany. ¡°You have a soft copy version of these all set, right?¡± He asked his assistant and she nodded. ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Good. You can refile these hard copies, I have gone through them all.¡± He handed them over to her. His phone which was on his desk at that time started to ring so he picked it up and excused his assistant before deciding to answer the call. He smiled when he saw on the phone¡¯s screen that it was his mother. ¡°Mum.¡± He osted sweetly even though his voice still sounded cold. ¡°Ben, how are you?¡± She asked making him snort through his nostrils briefly. ¡°You do realize that it¡¯s almost midnight and you are calling your son to ask he is doing? Why are you calling, Mum?¡± He knew there was most likely a different reason his mother was calling thiste, she probably set up another date with one of her friend¡¯s daughters and wanted to tell him about it¡­. or did Jenna tell her about Belle. She couldn¡¯t hear him but he sighed inaudibly. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that Ben, okay? I called because I have missed you so much and you don¡¯t even want to evere around to see your father and me.¡± ¡°Mum¡­.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Don¡¯t deny it, Ben.¡± He heard his mum say again and he stopped making an effort to deny it. ¡°You know how busy I get.¡± ¡°No, you just don¡¯t want to see your father.¡± She said and he swung in his chair, smiling because he knew she was right. ¡°So you decided to call me thiste?¡± He tried to change the topic and was sessful with it. ¡°You are usually busy all the time I call, so I had to wait up thiste to be sure your assistant doesn¡¯t say you are in a meeting and can¡¯t have your calls.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t have to, you know well that I can always take your call, Mum.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to disturb your working hours.¡± ¡°Mum, did you call earlier?¡± He remembered that his assistant mentioned having a missed call when he was having the impromptu meeting earlier in the day. ¡°Yes but don¡¯t bother with that, when wille to visit your father and me?¡± ¡°Mum¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say you can¡¯te, just give me a date and I will have the cooks prepare your favorites.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± He knew he couldn¡¯t say no to her now so he kept quiet for a minute. ¡°Ben?¡± ¡°Mum.¡± ¡°When do you want me toe see you.¡± He asked her because he wasn¡¯t going over to the family mansion to see his parents but his mum. ¡°Tomorrow?¡± She said in an excited manner making him suspicious of her intention. ¡°Do you n on inviting someone you want me to meet and magically get interested in?¡± He chuckled as he asked her and heard herugh on her side of the call. ¡°No son, I just want to see you.¡± ¡°Okay. Tomorrow it is.¡± ¡°I love you.¡± He heard her say. He smiled because she was one of the few persons that could say that to him. ¡°Goodnight mum.¡± He replied before she cut the call. Late ¡°Goodnight mum.¡± He replied before she cut the call. Getting up from his office chair, he remembered he had told Belle he would call. Taking a look at his wristwatch, he saw that it was almost twelve, five minutes left till twelve.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. He dialed her number and waited while leaning in front of his office desk for her to pick up the call with his phone to his left ear. ¡°Ben.¡± He heard her low voice and a smile reappeared on his face. ¡°Why are you still awake?¡± He asked because he knew howte into the night it was. He wasn¡¯t even expecting her to pick up the phone and so nned to call her only once so as not to disturb her sleep. ¡°I was waiting for your call?¡± She bit her lips, still speaking in a low voice not to wake Brie or Cherry who were both beside her on their shared bed. ¡°What if I didn¡¯t call likest time?¡± ¡°I guess I will just assume you were too busy to call.¡± He heard her say in her bedroom voice, the voice she usually had when she made low moans to his touch. ¡°Why do you sound that way?¡± He swallowed. ¡°How do I sound?¡± She asked genuinely wanting to know at first but realized after he didn¡¯t reply anything.¡±Tell me?¡± She bit her lips, making her voice sound more seductive. ¡°Where are you right now?¡± He asked, his voice hoarse. ¡°Where else, I¡¯m at home, I¡¯m in bed actually.¡± ¡°I see. Do you have to go to work tomorrow?¡± He asked again even if he knew the answer to that question. ¡°Yes.¡± He heard her chuckle lightly. ¡°¡­..¡± He said nothing after that. He wanted to do things to her tonight, if possible, things that would leave her unable to go to work the next day. ¡°Why did you ask?¡± ¡°You know why.¡± He replied to her; he knew that she knew what she was doing to him. His assistant walked just after he said that a gentle knock preceding her entry into the office. ¡°Sir, I¡­.¡± She stopped when she saw that he was on a call. ¡°No, I don¡¯t, tell me.¡± He heard Belle say, taking his attention back from his assistant. ¡°It¡¯ste Belle, you should go to sleep, I don¡¯t want you tired tomorrow.¡± ¡°Why? You are awake too, aren¡¯t you?¡± She argued. When Ben didn¡¯t say anything more for some seconds, she decided to do as he suggested; ¡°Fine, good night.¡± She said and hung up after, she didn¡¯t want him to think of her as clingy so she did that even though she wanted to hear his voice more. ¡­¡­ MONDAY MORNING. Belle rushed into the building where she worked, she waste, she didn¡¯t know howte she was because she forgot to put on her wristwatch while preparing I¡¯m a hurry and couldn¡¯t stop to check on her phone but she knew she waste. She stopped when she got to Mrs. Johnson¡¯s office. She needed to think of a good reason to say why she waste, that was if her boss, Mrs. Johnson was already in the office. She prayed she wasn¡¯t. Taking a deep breath, she turned the doorknob slowly and entered the office. Looking in that direction first, she saw the woman¡¯s seat empty. With a sigh of relief, she ced her palm on her chest. She was d Mrs Johnson wasn¡¯t there yet, at least she didn¡¯t have to lie about why she wasing inte. She couldn¡¯t tell her about Ben because he was the reason she had stayed up thatte, she was waiting for him to call like he said he would and he did. ¡°Belle.¡± Her eyes widened when she heard her name, it was her boss, she closes her eyes tightly and opened them immediately. Biting his lips nervously, she turned around. ¡°Mrs. Johnson, good morning.¡± She greeted first with a smile, looking at the pregnant woman in front of her and trying to know if she(Mrs. Johnson) was justing but she didn¡¯t see her with her usual handbag so she knew she had been here since at the office and just left for a while or so. ¡°What happened, why areing now?¡± She heard her boss ask with a not-so-angry but displeased expression. ¡°Mrs. Johnson, I¡­. I¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t think of a lie fast enough so she resolved to what usually worked for her in cases like this.¡±I¡¯m really sorry now, trust me, I will try not to let it happen again.¡± Mrs. Johnson looked at her for a moment before walking past her to her seat. Belle¡¯s eyes followed her as she did that. She picked up some papers and joined them together before holding them up. ¡°Here, staple these papers and return them to me.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°And please be fast, I need them right now.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Belle said and kept her hanging purse on her desk before hurrying to get the staple from where she kept it thest time. ¡°Where is it, where is it, where is it?¡± Belle asked herself when she didn¡¯t see the stapler. She looked back at Laura who was waiting for the papers. ¡°What is it?¡± She asked Belle, seeing that the papers weren¡¯t getting stapled. ¡°I can¡¯t find it where Ist left it.¡± ¡°You are kidding me. You know what? Just go to Nathan and ask for his, hurry.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Belle said and hurried to the door but paused and looked back at Laura. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you going?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know who Nathan is,¡± Belle replied to her. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t? He uses the next office after mine, tell him you are my assistant and I want you to use his stapler.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Belle said again and went to do as she was told. Get in, let me drop you off Belle knocked on the office door she was directed to by Laura Johnson. She didn¡¯t hear a e in¡¯ like she expected so she knocked on the door again before she heard someone. ¡°The door is open.¡± She heard a man say so she opened the door slowly and cautiously in order not to piss whoever it was inside the office. When she walked in, she saw the man seated behind his desk, typing on hisptop without looking at the screen because he had his eyes on the paper which he seemed to be transferring Information from into theptop in front of him. ¡®He must the Nathan.¡¯ Belle thought he didn¡¯t look like she thought he would, he was younger than she thought because she expected him to share the same age range as Laura Johnson but the man in front of her looked like he was in histe twenties. She didn¡¯t say anything yet, not knowing if it was okay if she did because he didn¡¯t bother to look up to know who it was that just entered his office. ¡°Eric, did you get the things I asked you to?¡± He asked still not looking up, making Belle wonder who Eric was. ¡®Probably his assistant.¡¯ she thought to herself. ¡°Eric?¡± The man called after getting no response and looked up to meet Belle standing there, in front of his desk awkwardly. She was wearing high-waisted corporate blue jeans and a daisy-like colored crop jacket. It was one of the things she got from the boutique and it caught his attention for a while.From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Good day sir, I¡­. uhm¡­. Mrs. Johnson sent me, I assist her, I am her assistant, she asked me toe to staple these papers here.¡± Belle managed to put words together with the man stopping what he was previously doing and staring at her. She saw a light smile make its way to the edge of his lips before he looked back at hisptop. ¡°Help yourself.¡± He pointed to the stapler sitting on the left side of his desk, next to a calendar. She picked up the stapler and used it on the papers quickly. After that, she gently kept it back on the desk to avoid making a noise as she dropped it. ¡°Thanks.¡± She said turning to leave the office but he stopped her when she was about to use the door. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± He looked up again. ¡°Uhmm, Belle.¡± ¡°Belle.¡± He repeated with a nod then looked back at hisptop, continuing what he was doing so Belle left for Mrs Johnson¡¯s office. ¡­ EARLY EVENING. The day was over for Belle and most of the staff at the Crisp-tv media house so she stood in front of the building waiting for a cab to show up like she usually did. A car pulled up in front of where she stood, it wasn¡¯t a cab so she moved aside thinking the person might want to drop someone off and she was stopping the way but the car¡¯s window which was reflecting her image rolled down and she heard a voice she could recognize but couldn¡¯t tell who owned it. ¡°Belle.¡± The person called again after she pretended not to hear the first time so she bent her head to know if she could see who it was calling her. She met a smile she had witnessed that morning while working, it was Nathan and he was smiling at her. ¡°Get in, let me drop you off.¡± He offered but she started to shake her head with a light smile. ¡°Thanks but I could just take a cab home, that¡¯s why I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± She refused his offer but he wasn¡¯t nning on giving up so soon. ¡°I don¡¯t think a cab ising around soon, get in, I will drop you off wherever you want, okay?¡± ¡°Sir, there¡¯s no need for that, I don¡¯t want to difort you.¡± She found a pretty way to say ¡®I don¡¯t want to ride with you¡¯. ¡°It¡¯s Nathan, call me Nathan, and who says you will be diforting me if I give you a ride? Come on, get in let me drop you off.¡± He pressured but Belle wasn¡¯t willing to get in with him. ¡°Please?¡± She heard him plead and she made up her mind to agree to get into his car before his pleading got more embarrassing. With an inaudible sigh, she went to the other front seat of the car and got in, putting on the seat belt because she didn¡¯t know how well he drove. Nathan waited for her to settle after getting into the car before he started driving. The car was quiet for a short while unlike what Belle thought would happen immediately after she got into the car. She thought he would start to ask questions about her but he wasn¡¯t doing that. ¡°So how long have you been working with us?¡± Nathan asked and Belle looked out the window before rolling her eyes. ¡®Here we go.¡¯ She said to herself before giving him a reply. ¡°Just a week.¡± ¡°A week huh? That exins why I couldn¡¯t recognize you when you came into my office earlier. ¡°What mediapany did you previously work with?¡± ¡°Uhmm, none. Crisp-tv is my first.¡± ¡°Oh wow.¡± He turned to her with a warm smile before giving his attention back to the road. ¡°You must have presented a good cv to be working under Laura.¡± He said, waiting to hear what she¡¯d say. ¡°I guess so.¡± She just replied inly because she didn¡¯t find it necessary to go into details about how she got to be Laura Johnson¡¯s assistant. ¡°Where do you stay?¡± Nathan asked as soon as he got off the main road, shing a look at the beautifuldy seated in his car. ¡°You can just drop me off here at the junction, I can walk home from there.¡± ¡°Or I could just drop you at your house, I think that¡¯s better, I mean there¡¯s no point giving you a ride if you still get to walk home, is there?¡± Nathan didn¡¯t want to drop her off at the junction as she said. He felt like he knew why she wanted him to drop her off at the junction nearby; ¡°Let me guess, you don¡¯t want me to know where you live, am I right?¡± He asked her, pressing his lips tight afterward. Belle turned her eyes towards him, he was right; she didn¡¯t want him to know where she lived. Remembering ¡°Here we are.¡± Nathan stopped the car when they got to the junction. Belle quickly got down, it was an awkward moment for her throughout the drive and she was happy to get down. ¡°Thanks.¡± She smiled at him before closing the car door. Standing there, she watched him drive away and only after that, did she start towards her apartment building.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ***** Ben got down from the car after the driver opened the door for him. He was on a call, he was talking to his assistant, he was asking her to cancel his schedule for the next three hours because he almost forgot about his n of visiting his adopted mother. ¡°Wee sir.¡± ¡°Wee sir.¡± The workers and helpers at the Larkson mansion greeted as he made his way into the magnificent house he grew up in. He had stayed here till he was eighteen years old and it was legally possible to get a mansion of his own. Even though he had more than one mansion now, he didn¡¯t visit them regrly, just like he didn¡¯t visit home, it got lonely, too lonely for a young man his age even if he did bring homedies from time to time. Now, he just spent his nights in hotels or one of the ts in the apartment buildings he owned in city S. ¡°Ben, my son.¡± He heard his mother say as she elegantly made her way down the stairs. Ben thought she looked beautiful as always even if she was getting older. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.¡± She said again when she was close enough to give him a hug. Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged him tightly, a wide smile on her face. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too.¡± He said after she freed him of her hug. ¡°Your father will be so happy to see you here.¡± She told him making his smile fade. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°Come on son, don¡¯t be like that.¡± She begged. The one thing she couldn¡¯t have and wanted badly was for her son and husband to fix their rtionship. She didn¡¯t know why Ben was angry at his father and why he had left home as soon as he was of age to own a private property. Her husband, Ben senior, didn¡¯t help at all when it came to easing the tension that usually came up whenever his son came around. ¡°I will ask someone to let him know you are here.¡± She said still smiling, hoping to restore the smile that left her son¡¯s face the moment she mentioned his father.¡± And yes, I made all of your favourite dishes, you will love them.¡± ¡°What do you mean ¡®you made¡¯?¡± Ben asked concerned. ¡°Well, I decided to get into the kitchen and make some of tonight¡¯s dinner myself, for you. I just hope you are hungry.¡± She exined. ¡°Why did you do that? Don¡¯t we have people here for that?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t make all the dishes, just your favourites. I made them specially for you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like when you stress yourself over things like this mum and you know it.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t kill me if I do it once for you, will it?¡± ¡°No, it won¡¯t.¡± ¡°Exactly, so stopining. Come sit.¡± She pulled him to one of the fancy sofas decorating the open living room.¡±You are going to stay for the night right?¡± He heard his mother say and had no choice than to nod because he knew she was requesting rather than merely asking at this point and saying no would make her sad. All three of them, Ben, his mother and his father sat in the dining room. It was silent as they ate and Ben¡¯s mother didn¡¯t like it. ¡°Ben?¡± She called making both men look up from their dishes.¡±My son.¡± She added and Ben knew she was referring to him.¡±How do you like your meal?¡± ¡°It¡¯s delicious, as always.¡± He smiled at her. ¡°If youe back and live with us again, I¡¯ll cook for you everyday.¡± She said with hopes of her son seeing enough reason to return home. ¡°Then I will surely be overweight because I will be tempted to eat more than I should.¡± Ben joked and sheughed. ¡°I miss your presence here,¡± her smile turned a little dry. Ben didn¡¯t know what to say after that. He wanted to make her happy and did whatever she asked of him but returning to the Larkson mansion was something he couldn¡¯t do; for his good and the good of his mother. He was doing his best by sitting at the same table with his father but he was usually angry at his father. He knew something about his father that his mother didn¡¯t and for her emotional and mental well-being he had chosen to keep it to himself and make sure she didn¡¯t find out. It would break her, he knew how much his mother loved his father, that was why he had being keeping this secret for the past twenty three years of his life. He could never forgive his father for what he did, his father was the reason he didn¡¯t believe in love. His father had been cheating on his adopted mother even before he(Ben) was born. Ben knew that because he real mother was a stripper and a sex worker and his father had been cheating on his adopted mother with her. It was all nned by his father; his adoption as a child, he lied to Ben¡¯s adopted mother that he was helping a child from the orphanage but instead went ahead to bring back the child he had with another woman. Another woman who was Ben¡¯s real mother. Remembering 2 When Ben was still a young boy, he remembered he used to live with his biological mother. They were poor and she had to sell her body for money. He was so young but he could remember everything, he was a smart child and could put pieces together as they happened. His biological mother; Ann was a stripper before she ever got pregnant for his father, Benard Larkson. It was while she worked as a stripper that she met Ben¡¯s father. He liked her pole dance the first time he saw her performing and wanted her to give him a private striptease, that was how Ann got to meet him in person. Repeatedly dancing for this billionaire in little or no clothing at the private locations he picked, he paid her handsomely. After one of her performance for him, he asked her not to leave but rather stay the night with him and she agreed, she had nothing to lose, Benard Larkson was a handsome billionaire, she didn¡¯t mind spending a night with him so she agreed. From one night filled with pleasure, it turned to many. Benard Larkson, Ben¡¯s father, kept wanting more of her and she gave herself to him, willingly. He liked her cooperation to fulfil his every sexual desire and blessed her with money whenever she requested it. At that point, she was more than a stripper to him, she had be his mistress but to her it was more than that, she had fallen in love with this man. Their rtionship continued till she got pregnant. Ann got pregnant for Benard Larkson, she didn¡¯t want to tell him at first and avoided meeting with him but he showed up one day to the strip club where she worked. She had no choice than to tell him about the pregnancy. She knew he was married and was scared of his reaction but to her surprise he wanted her to keep the baby. He was going to take care of her and the baby; he said. Ann decided to do like he asked, believing him and putting all her trust in the man she hade to love. She carried the child for nine months and gave birth to a healthy child for Benard Larkson. A month after her son was born, she couldn¡¯t contact Benard Larkson. He had stoppeding to see her and the baby, he forgot about her and the child he promised to take care of. He even stopped paying for the apartment she lived in, she had gotten so used to depending on him and didn¡¯t have any other source of ie than the money she had saved. She went back to being poor, poorer than she was before she met Benard Larkson. Training her infant till he was able to walk, she decided to return to what she knew how to do best; she went back to stripping. It didn¡¯t bring her enough means to take care of herself and the child so she started to sleep with some of the men she stripped for. She prostituted for five years, doing her best to make ends meet, she raised her son with what she could afford. She often had to bring him with her to where she worked because she couldn¡¯t pay for someone to babysit, she rarely had enough to take care of his schooling. When Ben turned six, his father Benard Larkson returned into their lives. He wanted the six year old Ben, he wanted to adopt him. Ann initially nned to fight against it, she had raised her son all alone and now Benard Larkson wanted to take it from her. She didn¡¯t want to leave her son but after long thoughts and consideration, she realized she didn¡¯t stand a chance against her son¡¯s father, she didn¡¯t have a chance against Benard Larkson. Aside that, she also considered her son¡¯s future, she knew he had a better chance at life with his father¡¯s influence than with her and so she agreed. Benard Larkson took her son away from her. She was given a contract by Benard Larkson¡¯swyers, she had to sign and agree not to ever contact her son, she had to agree that from that day onwards, she no longer had a child, she had to forget that Ben existed. Years past and she often watched his interviews on television shows or news, she wanted to tell people that the man on the screen was her son but she couldn¡¯t, they would either assume she was crazy or not believe her. She thought she would never see him again, she thought he must have forgotten about her now that he was a grown man but he didn¡¯t. He came back to where he had spent his early childhood to look for her when he turned eighteen. As Ben sat at the dining table, he remembered everything his father had done; cheating on his adopted mother, neglecting the promise he made to his biological mother, making his childhood miserable. He couldn¡¯t forgive his father, for the damages caused and the ones yet to ur when his adopted mother ever got to find out that he(Ben) was actually his biological son from another woman and not really from an orphanage. It was this reason he treated her with care, he knew she didn¡¯t deserve what her husband did to her and that none of the things that had happened was her fault. He had always loved her since he was younger, she had been kind since the first day his father brought him back to the Larkson mansion and treated him like she would, her biological child. His adopted mother had repeatedly reached out to Jenna to ask her for help in resolving his resentment towards his father after seeing how close he was to her.From N?velDrama.Org. Remembering 3 His adopted mother had repeatedly reached out to Jenna to ask her for help in resolving his resentment towards his father after seeing how close he was to her. Ben exined to Jenna his reason for the kind of rtionship he had with his father, he made her promise not to ever tell his adopted mother. He knew the secret was safe with Jenna, he trusted her. ¡°He has been away from home since he became a legal adult, do you think your cooking is enough to bring him back?¡±Ben heard his father say, bringing him out of his thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that honey,¡± Mrs Larkson replied her husband. ¡°He is not a child, he would return only on his own terms as it seem. If you are to talk to him about something then ask him to get himself a woman.¡± Benard Larkson said and stood up from the table, going back upstairs. Ben didn¡¯t say anything, he just sat there and tried to control himself from getting angrier than he already was. He didn¡¯t care how much his fatherined about him not wanting to get married and have an heir, he was just so sure that he was never getting married. **** The next day. Belle stood outside the building of Crisp-tv media house waiting for a cab like she did everyday after work. She hoped Nathan didn¡¯t show up in his car like yesterday, she didn¡¯t like going home in his car yesterday. She had checked with his assistant; Eric, and he had said that his boss was very busy and wasn¡¯t leaving the office anytime soon so she was happy. Humming a tune in her head, a ck car pulled up in front of her. She stopped humming the song immediately. ¡®O my godddd! Nathan?¡¯ She thought to herself.¡¯How on earth did he leave his office so soon to meet me here?!¡¯ She asked herself, angry at his presence. She made up her mind to act like he wasn¡¯t there even if he called her name. She didn¡¯t want to ride with him, it was too awkward, he was too friendly and too friendly was suspicious to her. She saw the car window which was facing where she stood roll down slowly so she looked in another direction, ready to pretend he wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Belle.¡± She heard her name and was prepared to close her ears but it wasn¡¯t the voice she expected that she heard. ¡°Belle,¡± she heard him again. Ben, it wasn¡¯t Nathan but Ben¡¯s voice but he couldn¡¯t be here, she thought she was just imagining his voice but he called her again; ¡°Belle, can¡¯t you hear me.¡± He called this time with an autocratic voice. She knew for sure now that it wasn¡¯t Nathan. Looking through the car window, she met Ben¡¯s dark angry eyes, her heartbeat skipped for a moment. He was here, Ben was actually here but she didn¡¯t expect him to be in the car he was in. It looked like Nathan¡¯s and it wasn¡¯t a car she would expect him to drive in¡­. unless¡­. He was in that kind of car because he didn¡¯t want anyone to know it was him. How did she not think of that the moment she heard his voice? ¡°Ben?¡± She uttered, showing her surprise to him. ¡°Get in.¡± He ordered. Opening the car door, she got into the car. Ben didn¡¯t look at her, he just started to drive. ¡°How was your day?¡± He asked and she couldn¡¯t tell if he was angry at her or not for not recognizing it was him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought you were someone else.¡± She muttered gaining a nce from him. ¡°Someone else?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Just someone.¡± She said not wanting to go into details concerning Nathan. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± He asked her when he paused the car at a red light stop. He turned to her, noticing how she was resting her head against the window ss. He figured he had tampered with her mood. ¡°I¡¯m not, I had something to eat like an hour ago.¡± Belle replied in a sullen voice. Ben didn¡¯t like how she was feeling, he was in a bad mood when he left the office and hoped to relieve his anger the moment he set his eyes on her. He knew how at-peace he felt around her and he wanted that feelinging to pick her up from work but now he had ended up messing with her own mood. He ced his palm on her left cheek which faced where he sat in the driver¡¯s seat. Belle turned to him when he did that. She looked into his eyes, they weren¡¯t scary anymore, they didn¡¯t look angry like before. She felt his touch as he extended the four fingers after his thumb on her neck while still caressing her left cheek. She liked what he was doing, it felt good. He always knew where to touch her. ¡°Do you know what I want to do to you?¡± He asked in a different voice, she knew this voice of his, he wanted her. She didn¡¯t say anything so he went on to y with her lips using his thumb. ¡°What?¡± She asked though she thought she might already know.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°I want to fuck this pretty mouth of yours.¡± He said in a hoarse voice making her shoot a disapproving look at him. She started to shake her head, pushing his hand away from her lips. ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of BJ¡¯s¡± She looked back out the window. She has never liked the idea of blow jobs, having a man¡¯s dick in her mouth was something she has never considered, she didn¡¯t like it. ¡°You are not?¡± He asked calmly, curving his index finger and stroking her cheeks again. ¡°The light has turned green.¡± She informed him because she knew he wanted to convince her and she had made up her mind, she wasn¡¯t going to suck on any man¡¯s dick. ¡°There¡¯s no one behind us,¡± he smirked also knowing what she had in mind saying that. Belle turned around and saw that he was right, there was no car behind them.¡±I could fuck you right here and right now, you know?¡± He grinned after seeing her reaction to what he just said before starting to drive again. He thought she had an innocent mind. Do you want it? The car had be silent after Ben started to drive again. Still resting her head on the window ss, Belle noticed that the buildings by the road sides weren¡¯t the ones she usually saw on her way home. ¡°Where are we going?¡± She decided to ask. ¡°My apartment.¡± ¡°Your apartment?¡± She asked, not just because he was taking her to his apartment and didn¡¯t mention it earlier but because he said ¡®his apartment¡¯. ¡°You stay in an apartment?¡± ¡°Sometimes, yes.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quiet.¡± She heard him say.¡±I want to be with you alone, no disturbances.¡± He took a turn on the road and reeled into a block where all the buildings looked the same. ¡°Here?¡± She asked if the apartment was around. ¡°Yes.¡± He stopped the car in front of one of the simr buildings and got down. Belle was still looking around so she didn¡¯t see him walk over to her side. He opened the door with a smile. Belle got down from the car, still looking around. The environment was beautiful with the flower bushes lined up in equal distances across each house. It was a quiet ce unlike where she stayed with her cousin Brie and Cherry, that ce was only quiet at night. ¡°Come,¡± he took her hand and headed inside. ¡°Why does every house look the same?¡± Belle asked just out of cheer curiousness.¡±Is it government owned? The government usually build housing estates like these.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s mine.¡± She heard him say. ¡°This building?¡± She asked if he owned the building they just entered. They were about to get into an elevator, her shared apartment with Brie and Cherry didn¡¯t have an elevator. ¡°The whole ce,¡± he led her into the empty elevator and watched it¡¯s door close. ¡°The whole ce, like the whole uniform building?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± He looked at her wondering if she was surprised because he didn¡¯t expect her to be.¡±You are not surprised, are you?¡± He asked her. ¡°You are right, I shouldn¡¯t be surprised, I mean¡­ it¡¯s you, it¡¯s you; Ben Larkson, of course you can own this whole ce.¡± She said, chuckling at how unbelieving and skeptical she was just now. ¡°Do you like this ce?¡± He stood next to her with both his hands in his pocket while she clutched on to the strap of her handbag. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s beautiful.¡± She replied her honest thought. ¡°Do you want to live here?¡± Belle turned to him when he asked that. ¡°What are you asking?¡± ¡°Do you want to stay here? It¡¯s closer to your workce.¡± He told her before taking her hand, the elevator door had opened. ¡°With you?¡± She asked him as they walked out the elevator because he had earlier said he stayed in one of the apartments. ¡°No, just by yourself, I don¡¯t stay here much, I onlye here when I want to be alone.¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ but you are here with me, not alone.¡± She said and noticed a smile creep up his face. He didn¡¯t say anything more till they got to one of the spaced doors. Still holding her hand with his left hand, he took out a card from his pocket with his right hand. ¡°Ie here when I want to be alone Belle and only when I¡¯m in a sour mood, do I want to be alone.¡±He swiped the card over the door. ¡°So why am I here with you then?¡±From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°For some reason, I believe you will make me calm Belle. Your presence takes me to another world, I want to feel your skin against mine.¡± His every words that fell on Belle¡¯s ears gave her chills. She wasn¡¯t scared, it was a good kind of chill, one that came with excitement but also anxiousness. When they had both entered the apartment, Belle¡¯s eyes quickly swept around her. The ce was simple, there was a ss table situated in the middle of a group of three sofas in the living room where she stood. She looked left and there was a dining room with a simr ss table but it was higher to fit with the four tall dining chairs around it. She thought there must be a kitchen through the door she could see in the dining room. It was very noticable that Ben didn¡¯t stay here much like he said. The ce had no weing feeling. She heard Ben close the door and it brought her out of her thoughts. He walked past her and towards the right one of the two doors which adjoined the rooms to the living room. She didn¡¯t know if to go with him or not so she just stood there but after a while she went to the room. She didn¡¯t see him there but she saw his watch and ring arranged on the bedside table like the first time she met him in that hotel room. He walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist only, every other part of him wet. Belle bit her lips unconsciously the moment she set her eyes on him. His hair was wet but there wasn¡¯t a drop of water falling from the end of his dark hair. His broad torso, hairless as they were, also had some humidness. He came up to her and took her handbag from her, keeping it where he left his watch and ring. Her eyes were down to his towel when he came back to where she stood, so he said; ¡°Do you want it?¡± Belle looked up when he asked that, realizing that she had been staring directly at his dick which was noticable even behind the towel he had around his waist. ¡°Belle,¡± he called when she didn¡¯t give him an answer,¡±do you want it?¡± He asked her again and watched her nod slowly, he loved how shy she became in the bedroom. He shortened the distance between them, lifting her face by her chin to look into her eyes. A mischievous smirk took over his lips. ¡°Do you want me to fuck you?¡± He asked again, ying with her soft lips. Her first fellatio He shortened the distance between them, lifting her face by her chin to look into her eyes. A mischievous smirk took over his lips. ¡°Do you want me to fuck you?¡± He asked again, ying with her soft lips. Belle nodded slowly again, her knees were getting weak with his simple touch. ¡°Use your words Belle, do you want me to fuck you?¡± He extended his touch to her neck. ¡°Yes.¡± She breathed out. Ben went behind her and unhooked the silver chain she had on her neck. After that, he took her petal-designed earrings off, walking over to the bedside table and leaving them with the other things there. ¡°My hands should be the only thing around your neck when I fuck you Belle.¡± He told her in his hoarse voice, putting his palm against her throat, slowly tightening his grip. He heard her gasp when he did that but it only made him want to choke her more. ¡°Ben,¡± she uttered through her breath when she felt his right hand tighten around her throat. ¡°Ssshhh.¡± She heard him. ¡°I can¡¯t breathe¡­.¡± ¡°You can, you are just not used to this, rx your nerves.¡± He sounded so calm and she did like he said, she rxed her nerves and let him continue. He was right, she could breathe, she just haven¡¯t been choked before. She was starting to enjoy his big hands controlling her breath. She didn¡¯t know what this man did to her to make her do everything he said, maybe it was because he was a powerful man and she knew¡­ but even on the first night she met him, she let him tell her what to do, she didn¡¯t even know he was Ben Larkson then. She felt his grip loosen around her neck and realized she didn¡¯t want him to stop. ¡°Don¡¯t stop,¡± she told him but he only smirked. ¡°We will do that when I¡¯m ready to put you on a flight,¡± he said meaning that he would still choke her when he was ready to fuck her.¡±Do you know what I want to do to you now?¡± He started to caress her hair backwards. ¡°What?¡± She asked with excitement in her voice, she wanted to know what he wanted to do to her because he always did something that put her hormones on edge. ¡°I want to¡­.¡± His hands left her hair and went to her lips. With his thumb and index finger, he pinched her lower lips lightly. ¡°What? Tell me.¡± She asked really wanting to know now because she could see his Adam¡¯s apple go up and down as he spoke, he had desires that he wanted to tell her about but he wasn¡¯t talking. ¡°You are not a fan of BJ¡¯s,¡± He reminded her what she had said.¡±Is that because you¡¯ve never given one or you had a bad first experience?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never¡­. never given one.¡± ¡°Do you trust me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to do it.¡±From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Do you trust me Belle?¡± He asked her again. Belle didn¡¯t give a quick answer, she didn¡¯t know how to answer him because yes, she did trust him but she didn¡¯t want to try what he wanted. ¡°Belle?¡± He had that deep needing voice. ¡°I trust you.¡± She told him. ¡°Get on your knees.¡± It was an order. She looked up at him.¡±Do it.¡± After a quick sigh, she went on her knees slowly, putting one knee down before the other. He lifted her face by the chin, holding her jaw firmly and opening her mouth to be O-shaped. ¡°Good.¡± He said, loosening the towel around his waist and letting it fall to the ground. Belle¡¯s heart started to beat fast the moment she saw his manhood, she wanted it, yes, but not in her mouth, she wanted him to drill her pussy with it but she didn¡¯t know how she felt about having it in her mouth, she wasn¡¯t sure she could do it. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she said with her mouth still open,¡±Ben I¡¯m not sure I can¡­..¡± ¡°Ssshhh.¡± He hushed her, stroking his rod in front of her with his other hand. ¡°Be a good girl for me, would you?¡± Belle swallowed as he brought it closer to her, using the red tip, he yed it on her lips, slowly caressing her upper lips first with it like it was lipstick. She let him do that, she enjoyed it. ¡°Oh Belle¡­.¡± She heard him groaned in a low voice.¡± I want to know what you sound like when you gag on me. Open your mouth.¡± He ordered and she did.¡±Wider Belle, open wide.¡± Slowly prating her mouth with the tip first, he went in deeper, taking his time and he heard her gag for the first time. He loved it so he put more of his dick in her mouth and heard her gag the more. He smiled with pleasure as he watched her face, it was her first time so he was trying to be gentle but he wasn¡¯t sure he could. He wanted to put all of his length through her mouth but he didn¡¯t know just how deep her throat was and how much she could take. ¡°Belle¡­.¡± He groaned again as he heard her gag repeatedly now. Almost all of him was inside her mouth, her face as she took him in could drive him crazy, he was surprised to see that she could take in all of his length. With one action, he pulled out and he heard her gasp for air. She started coughing soon after. Holding her neck, she wanted to get up but he stopped her. ¡°Don¡¯t, we are not done yet.¡± ¡°We are not?¡± He shook his head and began stroking her hair back. ¡°Wait here.¡± He told her before walking to the bedside table and pulling on one of the drawers. Still kneeling where she was, he returned to her with an stic hair tie. She wondered what he wanted to do with that till he pulled all of her hair upwards. Packing her hair into a ponytail, he smiled and held her face. ¡°You are so beautiful.¡± He had to praise her, she was beautiful. Her first fellatio 2 ¡°You are so beautiful.¡± He had to praise her, she was beautiful. Belle again was at a point of wonder, this man just made her do a fetio, something she swore she would never do. Maybe it was how he asked for it, he wasn¡¯t begging her to do it, he demanded it from her and she did it. She knew she enjoyed how he called her name the moment her lips touch his dick, she saw the pleasure that filled his eyes, she loved that she could make him feel like that. She grabbed on the erect and veiny dick in front of her, surprising both herself and Ben. She wanted to hear him call her name the way he did before now, she wanted that groan of satisfaction. ¡°What are you doing?¡± He had to ask because he knew she had never done that before. ¡°I want to do it myself.¡± A smirk took over his lips when she said that to his hearing. ¡°Can you?¡± ¡°Teach me.¡± She said In her low bedroom voice before using her tongue to trail a vein from near his balls to the tip of his dick. ¡°Belle¡­¡± She bit her lips with a smile when he lifted her face to face him after she did that.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Can I bite it?¡± ¡°No. Be careful.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She said and kissed his balls making him bite his lower lip. Still holding it with both hands, she also kissed the tip of his dick. ¡°Put it in your mouth Belle.¡± She heard him say, impatient to have his rod in her. Like he asked, she put it in her mouth slowly. Ben¡¯s eyes rolled to the back of his head and back, he loved how she put it in slowly, just the way he liked it. Grabbing her ponytail, he pulled her head back and forth, so he could control how he fucked her mouth. Belle started to gag again and it made him smile. ¡°Belle,¡± he stopped and pulled his dick from her mouth and again she was gasping for air. She looked up at him and could see the satisfaction on his face represented by his rare smile.¡±Belle, you are a good girl Belle, what do you want?¡± He asked her, rubbing her cheeks. Belle stood up and he didn¡¯t stop her this time. ¡°You.¡± She said and he chuckled. ¡°My body is yours Belle, what do you want me to get you, you deserve a gift.¡± Belle bit her lips as she thought, she didn¡¯t even know what she wanted him to gift her. When he asked what she wanted at first, she thought he wanted to know what she wanted in bed but now that he specified his question, she didn¡¯t know what to tell him. All her senses wanted at the moment was his touch, she wanted his lips to kiss all over her, she wanted him to shift her guts with his erection and that was why she simply said ¡®You¡¯ when he asked what she wanted. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Nothing? You can¡¯t think of anything you want?¡± ¡°Not now, no I can¡¯t.¡± She replied honestly, it left Ben quiet for a minute. She was so different from the many girls he has ever asked that same question: What do you want? He noticed that from the very first day they first met. When she interviewed him in his office and she realized that it was him she slept with that night, he expected she would make a fuss about it on social media but she didn¡¯t even after he didn¡¯t call her for a week after saying he would. ¡°You can think about itter then,¡± he kissed her,¡±Now, I¡¯ll fuck you, you want that?¡± Belle nodded. ¡°Take off your clothes,¡± Belle immediately freed herself from her dress. She knew he like to fuck herpletely naked. With her hands behind her back, she unhooked her bra while he watched. She stood waiting for him to tell her what to do after the bra fell to the ground. Ben went and stood behind her, cing a kiss on her bare shoulder and she tilted her neck to the right in reaction to his kiss. Streaming his nose along her neck, he held her chin with his right hand from behind and spoke with his lips next to her ears; ¡°You should know by now that when I ask you to take off your clothes, I mean all of it.¡± He said and pulled on the waist line of her panty, with one quick action, he tore it off her waist. Belle bit her lips though he didn¡¯t notice. She had decided not to take off her panty on purpose, she wanted him to do what he just did, she wanted him to tear it off her. ¡°Lie on the bed.¡± He pped the right cheek of her ass and heard her gasp in surprise to what he just did. Belle did as she was told, heading towards the bed in the middle of the room and about to lie down and spread her legs for him as usual but she heard him again; ¡°Not on your back Belle,¡± He said and sheid on her stomach waiting for him, maybe he wanted to eat her pussy first, she thought. Her eyes followed him as he came to the bedside table and took out some sachets, they were condoms. He knelt over her on the bed and pulled her up by the waist so her ass was directly touching his waist and with his teeth, he tore open one of the condoms and quickly put it on. Belle now knew why he asked her toy in her stomach, he wanted to fuck her that way. ¡°Mmmmnnn!¡± Holding on to a pillow with both hands, Belle hummed with a smile when Ben put all of his dick inside her with just one thrust. He wasn¡¯t been gentle this time and she loved it. He pulled on her ponytail as he thrusted her more and heard her moan. You鈥檙e not going home tonight Belle was still sleeping when her phone rang. With a jerk, she sat up on the bed and looked around. Ben wasn¡¯t in bed like she expected. Naked as she was, she dragged herself to the other side ont the left to get her phone which had stopped ringing from her hand purse. As soon as she got it out of her bag, it started to ring again. It was Brie. She answered the call. ¡°Belle, I just got back from work and you are not home, where are you, with Ben?¡± Belle¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Oh. Okay, will you being home tonight?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know yet.¡± Belle bit her lips as she answered. ¡°You don¡¯t know yet?¡± ¡°I will be back before Seven, probably.¡± ¡°Seven? Do you know what the time is?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, six? Six thirty?¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost eight pm.¡± Brie informed her. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°How don¡¯t you know that, where are you?¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Belle didn¡¯t reply, she didn¡¯t even know where she was but she knew Ben drove her here and he stayed at this ce once in a while. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m safe where I am okay?¡± ¡°Okay. Please be careful Belle.¡± ¡°I know, I will.¡± Belle said before hanging up the phone, still sitting on the bed with her legs hanging over the floor because of the height of the bedstand from the floor. The door opened and Ben walked in, a smile took over his lips when he saw that Belle was finally awake. She didn¡¯t hurry to put the duvet over her chest like thest time and that made his smile stay on his lips longer. ¡°You were really tired.¡± He stood in front of her with both his hands in the pocket of his sweatpant, that was the first time Belle was seeing him dressed in something other than a suit. She thought he also looked good in the top and sweatpant and wondered why he was always in a suit. ¡°Yeah, I was,¡± she bit her lips with a shy smile,¡±You made me tired and you don¡¯t even look tired yourself.¡± ¡°You must be hungry.¡± ¡°Why? You want us to go to a restaurant? I¡¯ll just eat when I get home.¡± She got down from the bed and was making her way to the bathroom but turned back to him to ask; ¡°What am I gonna wear?¡± ¡°You are not going home tonight.¡± He replied, his hands still in his pocket but his eyes solely on her body. ¡°Hmmn?¡± She asked because she thought he was requesting she stayed but he was in fact telling her what decision he had made. ¡°You are staying here with me tonight, you are not going home, Randy will get you something to wear before you leave tommorow.¡± ¡°Is he here?¡± She asked if Randy was maybe in the apartment. ¡°No. He wille tomorrow with things for you.¡± ¡°Is that why I can¡¯t leave tonight? He couldn¡¯t make it?¡± ¡°No. I want you here with me, that¡¯s why you can¡¯t leave.¡± He wanted her to know that he could easily have someone else get her the clothes she needed but that wasn¡¯t the case, he just wanted her to stay the night. ¡°Oh. I already told Brie that I would be back soon.¡± ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± ¡°My¡­ my sister.¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°You have a sister?¡± He asked because he had someone get a filed research and he was sure she was the only surviving child of her parents who were also dead. ¡°No, my cousin sister, I live with her since I moved here.¡± She exined. ¡°Here,¡± Ben had picked up her phone from where it sat on the bed and walked to her.¡±Call her, let her know you won¡¯t being tonight.¡± He gave her phone to her. ¡°I have to go to work tomorrow Ben.¡± She reminded him. ¡°I will drop you off, you can go from here.¡± He said and she took the phone from him. She had just dialed Brie¡¯s number when he pped her ass. ¡°Be quick to freshen up, so the food doesn¡¯t get cold, I think you¡¯ll enjoy it hot.¡± He said and was about to leave the room but Belle asked; ¡°You ordered food?¡± ¡°I cooked,¡± he winked at her before closing the door behind him as he left. ¡°Belle, you okay?¡± Brie asked surprised that she called so soon after they just talked some minutes ago. ¡°You¡¯ve got to stop asking that all the time Brie, what do you think? That I¡¯ve been kidnapped?¡± ¡°I just want to be sure you are okay.¡± Brie said, honestly. ¡°Well, I am.¡± ¡°So why did you call then?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t being tonight.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll just spend the night with Ben.¡± ¡°Oh okay, but you arefortable with him right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Belle nodded like Brie could see her actions over the phone. ¡°What are you asking Brie? Of course she¡¯sfortable with him, what do you think?¡± Belle could hear Cherry, she was also back from work. ¡°I mean¡­. do you feelfortable around him?¡± Brie asked worriedly. ¡°Yeah.¡± Brie nodded again. She did feelfortable around him even if she was still getting used to him pping her ass the way he just did before he left the room. She did like when he did that, he just did it unexpectedly. ¡°Okay then, goodnight.¡± She heard Brie. ¡°Goodnight Brie, goodnight Cherry.¡± She said because she knew Cherry could hear her. After throwing the phone to the bed, she went to the bathroom to have a bath, a hot bath, she needed it, she was a little sore from the rough sex she had with Ben. Making her favourite meal After her shower, she wore a bathrobe and checked around the wardrobe there to know if she could see anything to wear for the night because Ben didn¡¯t seem to bother about that. The wardrobe was full of clothes, she didn¡¯t expect that he would have clothes there since he didn¡¯t stay around often. Majority of the clothes hanged in the wardrobe were just suits jackets, suit jackets which had their matching trousers hanged next to them. They were mostly ck and grey suits, she could see only one blue suit there. Folded below the hanged suits were casuals like the outfit he wore. She took out one of the tops, they looked big enough for her to wear; she thought. She had to go to the tall mirror next to the wardrobe to check by holding the top over her chest. It was thigh length after she checked, good enough for her. She quickly put it on, remembering he mentioned that he had cooked. She didn¡¯t know he could cook, she wondered how he could cook when he had people to do that for him all the while growing up. She didn¡¯t even expect he would cook for her. ¡®He¡¯s cooking for us both, not just you belle.¡¯ She told herself as she left the room. When she closed the room door, she saw him standing by the counter, he had his phone held to his left ear, he was on a call. A smile painted his lips when he saw her in his top. It looked like a short gown on her and he liked how her pointy nipples were still visible because of how light the top¡¯s material was. Belle walked past him as his eyes followed her, she went on to take one of the seats at the dining table, waiting for him toe serve her. ¡®It must be good, the aroma is wonderful.¡¯ she thought to herself. Ben got off the call, turning in her direction immediately. He came to her and kissed her neck, making her smile. He got two dishes from the kitchen and came back to set one in front of her and the other in front of the opposite chair. After that, he returned to the kitchen and came back out with the pot of meal he had made, setting it at the middle of the table. ¡°I don¡¯t do this often, so tell me if it¡¯s good or not, okay?¡± He told her and she nodded with a happy smile. She was happy about the effort he was making to please her. He opened the pot and the aroma filled the air around them more, Belle looked into the pot frozen where she sat and could see it¡¯s content. It was spaghetti, he made spaghetti; her favourite meal. ¡°How did you know I like spaghetti?¡± She asked amazed. ¡°I have my ways.¡± He said and started to dish out the hot meal carefully. ¡°It¡¯s smells delicious.¡± She had to admit. ¡°I hope it tastes the same.¡± He replied her statement after he was done dishing out the spaghetti for them both and closing the pot. ¡°Time to dig in.¡± She picked up the fork and knife arranged in front of her and he stood watching her. He wanted to know what she thought about his meal.¡±Won¡¯t you sit?¡± She asked him when she was about to fork some of the pasta. She noticed he was still standing. Ben took his seat, still waiting patiently to hear her remark on what he made. He didn¡¯t cook often, he had to watch an online video, following it step by step to make the dish she was about to try. He never had to cook a meal for himself and by himself, they were always options but he wanted to make her happy tonight so he hoped she liked what he made. Whenever he did make something by himself, it was just a sandwich. but he was going out of his way for Belle. He watched her lift her fork to her lips, inhaling the aromaing from it with her eyes close. She finally put it in her mouth, chewing slowly. ¡°How is it?¡± He asked expectantly. Belle stopped chewing. The spice in it was just too much for a forkful. She looked up at him and saw how he was waiting for an answer and it was obvious to her that he had put in effort to make the dish. She started you chew again, she didn¡¯t want to make him feel bad so she continued chewing and when she tried to swallow, some of the spice started to make her cough. Ben quickly stood and poured some water into a ss, holding it next to her. Belle held his hand, drinking from the ss while he rubbed her back softly with his other free hand. She stopped her lips from the ss and ge kept it on the dining table. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± She nodded while trying to catch her breath.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°How was it?¡± He asked even if it was so obvious that it was bad. ¡°It was okay.¡± She said, still massaging her neck. ¡°It was okay?¡± He asked her because he knew that was a lie. ¡°I mean¡­. it¡¯s not that bad, it is better than the first spaghetti I ever made, when I was fourteen.¡± She tried topensate the dish with her words. ¡°You think.¡± He made her face him. ¡°Yeah,¡± she took another batch of the spaghetti in her fork,¡±It¡¯s okay.¡± She lied again, ready to take another spoon. ¡°Please don¡¯t eat that.¡± He took the fork from her and ced it back on the te.¡±It¡¯s was bad, you almost choked on it, you don¡¯t have to lie, I know, I am a horrible cook.¡± He told her. ¡°It¡¯s not very bad, it did smell nice.¡± She said trying to find something nice about the dish. ¡°No, you should know by now how terrible a liar you are.¡± He said and she pursed her lips for a second before talking again. ¡°I¡¯m just trying not to put your effort to waste.¡± She said honestly this time. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I was thinking, I know how bad my cooking is, I just wanted to make some home meal like my mum always does, it¡¯s supposed to show how much I appreciate your presence.¡± He said, referring to his adopted mother. She always made his favourite dishes whenever he visited the Larkson mansion. Your father is still alive? ¡°I¡¯ll order us something else to eat.¡± He said, packing away the dishes. ¡°Is it also gonna be spaghetti?¡± ¡°If you want.¡± ¡°Yay.¡± She said dramatically, earning a smile from him. The order came through after a little more than twenty minutes. Belle was the one to open the door and receive the food they ordered. Leaving it on the dining table, she went to the kitchen to let him know the food had arrived because he was cleaning up what remained from the horrible dish he made. She almost bumped into him because he was on his way out with two wine sses in his hands. He wanted them to have wine. ¡°Why do you have those sses?¡± She noticed them. ¡°We are going to have wine.¡± ¡°Wine? I can¡¯t have wine, I¡¯m not good with wine, I get drunk easily, I told you that.¡± She reminded him. ¡°Yes, I remember. It¡¯s why we are having a non alcoholic wine.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She said closing the kitchen door as he made his way through. They both sat at the dining table as they ate silently. Belle loved the wine they were having, it was grape wine. She finished her ss and he stood to pour her more, seeing how much she was enjoying it. He wanted to see her happy. Somehow, her happiness made him happy, he didn¡¯t know why but he felt at ease whenever he saw her smile and it made him happier if he was the one to make her smile. ¡°Do you know why I wanted you here with me?¡± He asked her and she shook her head but still went on to reply. ¡°Late night sex?¡± Her reply made him chuckle. ¡°No.¡± ¡°No?¡± She was surprised. ¡°No. I wanted you here because I know I¡¯ll have a reason to return to the office if you are not here. If you leave then I¡¯ll have to go back to the office, I want a reason to stay here and rx. That reason is you Belle.¡± He said every word that came to his thoughts directly the way they came. ¡°So I¡¯m your reason to getzy?¡± She asked jokingly and was happy when heughed. ¡°It¡¯s notziness, I just¡­ I want you around me always, if possible because somehow you manage to make me forget everything I don¡¯t want to think about. When you are here, I get to think about you and nothing else. I get to think about how beautiful you are,¡± she smiled when he said that,¡± how charming your voice can be, how sweet you are¡­.¡± He trailed off, drinking from his ss and looking at her. ¡°Where have you been? All my life, where have you been? I wish I had met you earlier in my life Belle.¡± He told her. He really did wish he had met her when he was younger, when he had not be who he was now, when he still believed in the universe giving one what they deserve, now he believed that one could only get what they fought to get. ¡°If we had met earlier, then I¡¯m pretty sure that I would have changed my mind about sleeping with you for the first time.¡± Sheughed.¡±Trust me, there would not have been a chance that we would both be sitting here, eating together.¡± ¡°You think?¡± He didn¡¯t believe what she just said, he was sure he would still have gotten her whether she approved to it or not. He always got what he wanted. ¡°I know.¡± Belle on her part was sure she wouldn¡¯t have given him a chance to even share a bed with her if they had met before now. Her old self wouldn¡¯t be willing to think about doing anything sex rted. After they were both done with eating, they retired to the bedroom. Belle waited for him to pull the duvet over them so she could rest on his arm. ¡°Are you asleep?¡± Belle asked as theyid in bed silently, she was asking because she couldn¡¯t sleep. ¡°I¡¯m awake.¡± He told her and she sat up. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep.¡± She told him. ¡°Do you have something on your mind?¡± He wanted to know, he often couldn¡¯t sleep when he had too many things to think about. ¡°Not really, I just can¡¯t seem to close my eyes and sleep.¡± ¡°Come.¡± He opened his arms and she climbed on him, resting her head on his chest. He started to stroke her hair gently. ¡°Why were you in a bad mood earlier?¡± She asked, enjoying what he was doing to her hair. ¡°I had to see my father yesterday.¡± ¡°Your father?¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°Mmnn.¡± He confirmed what he just said. ¡°Your father is still alive? I read on this article that¡­. you know, he waste and that was why you had to take over thepany at a young age.¡± ¡°It¡¯s an old article, he almost died, he went intoa for some years, I had to do what I had to do.¡± ¡°So he¡¯s still alive huh?¡± ¡°Yes, sadly.¡± Belle was shocked when Ben said that. What did he mean sadly, did he want his father dead? He didn¡¯t notice her surprise so he continued speaking.¡±I don¡¯t usually grant interviews concerning my biography so this people just publish what they want to and add some lies to be able to sell. I¡¯ve decided not to sew mediapanies anymore for that, when I do that, the city paint me as a heartless person for doing that.¡± Ben knew many of the people in city S feared him. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you heartless? I mean, you don¡¯t believe in love, you have to be heartless not to believe in love.¡± Ben chuckled at what she just said. ¡°When you put it like that then maybe I am heartless.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t seem to like your father.¡± She already noticed. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± He never hid the fact that he didn¡¯t like his father. ¡°Really?¡± Belle was more surprised than before after he confirmed that he didn¡¯t like his father. ¡°Yes, I had to visit home and I met with him after a long time and it ruined my night and also affected my office hours earlier today.¡± Why don鈥檛 you like your father? ¡°Yes, I had to visit home and I met with him after a long time and it ruined my night and also affected my office hours earlier today.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you¡­ why don¡¯t like your father, is it because he¡¯s your adopted father and not your biological dad?¡± Belle asked what she thought could be the reason but she didn¡¯t know it was deeper than that. Ben went silent for a while, he didn¡¯t want to remember why he hated his father. He definitely didn¡¯t want to let her know why, it was tooplicated for her to know about it. He couldn¡¯t tell her that the man the public thought as his adopted father was actually his biological father, he couldn¡¯t tell her that his father cheated on his wife with his biological mother and still went ahead to bring him back to be taken care of by the same woman with a lie of him(Ben) being an adopted child. When Ben didn¡¯t reply her question, she went on to tell him; ¡°I lost both my parents at an early age, when I was still in my mother¡¯s womb actually. I don¡¯t know what they sounded like, I never got to touch them or see them in person. My grandma said it was an ident on my parent¡¯s way to the hospital, my dad died immediately after the ident and my mum¡­. well, she died after she gave birth to me. I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to have parents or get to like them or not. All my life, it¡¯s just been my grandma and me, my cousin Brie dide by once in a while to visit.¡± Belle sighed, not really emotional with all she just said, she has never been emotional telling anyone this story and she didn¡¯t know why. Maybe it was because she never got to spend time with her parents and therefore didn¡¯t miss them like her grandma. Ben listened on as she told him about herte parents. He wasn¡¯t going to tell her that he already knew about it, he already knew about her parents and their tragic ident, he knew about her grandma and he knew about Brie. He knew everything pertaining to the womanying on his chest. He rubbed her hair more as she spoke. ¡°So there, my grandma and my cousin. They are the only ones I have as my family. Brie¡¯s dad died three years ago, so yeah, it¡¯s just me and her and my grandma and I love them much. Very much.¡± She went silent after herst two words. ¡°Get some sleep,¡± She heard Ben say, his hands still been gentle with her hair.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Okay.¡± She closed her eyes, hoping sleep woulde easy this time because she felt safer in his hands. After she had fallen asleep, Ben slowly turned in bed, making her lie directly on the bed. He stroke her cheeks and admired her beautiful face. He didn¡¯t answer herst question because he couldn¡¯t. He couldn¡¯t let her know why he despised his father, if he did then he was afraid that he would also tell her that he was the one who almost had his father killed. He wanted to end his father¡¯s life, the motive for that came after he found out that he(Ben¡¯s father) had gone to warn his biological mother not to ever see him again (not to ever see Ben again). Ben wanted to make it up to his biological mother for all the nasty things she had to return to doing just to take care of him. He was going to pardon that she had an illicit affair with his father even after knowing he was married, he knew how controlling his father could be and she was just a stripper then. He wanted to make her happy so lifted her from the wretch she was living in and got a house in her name but his father found out and went there to threaten her. When his father did that, it annoyed him so much that he decided to get him out of everyone¡¯s lives but he forgot how much his adopted mother lives this man. When his fatherid ina on the hospital bed, his adopted mother woulde see him everyday, she was sad the whole time and it made Ben regret his decision for the first time in his life. He didn¡¯t want her saddened the way she was then, he wanted her happy always, she loved and raised him and so he owed her that. It bemused him to find out that his biological mother also felt pity for his father when he was in the hospital. She had told him that she still loved his father but he didn¡¯t believe it, he couldn¡¯t, he didn¡¯t think there was a chance she could forgive him after all he had done so he considered her caring questions about his father¡¯s health back then as a form of mere sympathy. Ben went out the room and got a jug of water and ss, leaving it on the bedside table besides Belle side of the bed, he did that in case she became thirsty at night and needed to have some water. He wanted her to get everything she wanted at ease. His thought went back to when he asked what she wanted from him and she was undecisive about it. He chuckled lightly, he understood that she wasn¡¯t used to been asked that. He couldn¡¯t wait for her to give it a thought and let him know because he was willing to give her whatever she asked of him. She did what she had never done before for him so he wanted to give her whatever she wanted. He sighed andid back in bed, ncing at Belle one more time, he decided to close his eyes too. He needed rest. Late again MORNING. 7: 2 6 am. Belle pulled the duvet over her shoulder, hugging it as she slept on. She decided to stretch a little before going back to sleep. Spreading her arms out and yawning, she saw the time on the electronic clock on the wall, she had not noticed that yesterday. Widening her eyes in realization, she saw that it was already seven twenty seven in the morning. ¡°No no no no no.¡± She said getting out of bed angstful about her situation. She waste again and she knew it. Hurrying to the bathroom at first, she paused realizing that she didn¡¯t have anything to wear to work even if she showered quickly. ¡°Ben?!¡± She ran out the room and saw him sipping coffee and reading something on theptop in front of him. He was sitting at the dining table and he was dressed in his usual apparel, having everything on him but his suit jacket which hung on another of the dining chairs. He looked up from what he was reading when she called out his name. He thought something had happened so he asked; ¡°Are you okay? What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°I¡¯mte Ben, I amte again and it¡¯s your fault. Why didn¡¯t you wake me up?!¡± ¡°You looked like you needed more time to rest so I let you sleep on?¡± ¡°What?! Why would you do that? And how did you even get ready while I was sleeping? Why and how didn¡¯t I hear you?¡± ¡°Belle,¡± he called her, now seeing she was freaking out. ¡°I¡¯mte Ben, I amte,ter than thest time, I promised Mrs Johnson that this wouldn¡¯t happen again, I shouldn¡¯t have agreed to staying herest night, if I was at home, Brie would surely have woken me up and I won¡¯t have overslept.¡± ¡°Belle,¡± He called again, getting her to actually calm down for the first time since he saw her this morning.¡±You don¡¯t have to worry, I spoke to your boss, no one will chastise you for beingte, okay?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I spoke to your boss, you can rx, take your time in preparing for work and when you are done, you can let me know so I¡¯ll drop you off.¡± ¡°Wait¡­. what?¡± She asked again.¡±You talked to Mrs Johnson?¡± ¡°No, the editor in chief. Randy has brought some clothes for you, you can¡¯t decide which to wear for the day. I left them in the wardrobe.¡± He told her, leaving her standing still. ¡°How did You do that?¡± She asked knowing how difficult it was to contact the editor in chief of the Crisp-tv media house. ¡°I made a quick phone call,¡± he smiled after seeing the look on her face. She seemed not to know who she was standing in front of. **** Belle was quiet through out the drive to her workce. When Ben stopped the car at the entrance where he picked her up yesterday, he kissed her shortly. ¡°Take care of yourself.¡± He told her before she got down from the car. Belle smiled lightly as the car drove off. Immediately she turned to start her way towards the building, she heard her name from the one person she didn¡¯t want to hear it from. ¡°Belle?¡± It was Nathan. ¡°Good morning sir.¡± She greeted based in courtesy. ¡°Yeah, good morning. Are you justing now?¡± He asked, taking a look at his wristwatch. ¡°Uhmm¡­ I¡­ I uhm..¡± Belle didn¡¯t know what to tell him so she stammered with her words. Ben assured her that she wouldn¡¯t have to deal with any of these and that no one at the office would question her reason foring now¡­. unless Nathan was justing now too and didn¡¯t know not to ask why she waste.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. She was right, Nathan was justing at the same time with her but he had a good reason unlike her. He had gone to the branch office yesterday and that was why she didn¡¯t see him yesterday. ¡°Nevermind,¡± she heard him say.¡±I could just put in a word to Laura on your behalf.¡± He said, willing to help her out and not knowing there was no need for that as Ben had already taken care of that but Belle wasn¡¯t going to let him know about that so she just smiled to let him believe he was helping her by offering to talk to Mrs Johnson. She followed him into the building and was alone in the elevator in the awkward silence. Finally, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to her.¡± Nathan said, reassuring her that she wouldn¡¯t be getting in trouble as he was there to help ( so he thought). cing a knock on the door that lead to Laura Johnson¡¯s office, Nathan waited with Belle behind him. Mrs Johnson opened the door and cast a look on him before diverting the look to Belle. ¡°Nathan, how was your trip to the branch?¡± Belle heard Mrs Johnson ask, her usual friendly smile on her face. ¡°It was sessful.¡± Nathan replied her. ¡°Oh okay.¡± ¡°Uhm, Belle here iste and it¡¯s my fault¡­..¡± Nathan was ready to lie but Laura Johnson had already received a call from their superior, asking her to lease Belle off. ¡°Oh Belle? It¡¯s fine, I knew she was going toe inte today, she mentioned her reason to me yesterday.¡± Mrs Johnson told Nathan. ¡°Oh she did?¡± Nathan asked because Belle did let him know that Mrs Johnson already knew she was going to bete today. ¡°Yeah, she did.¡± Mrs Johnson lied again. ¡°Okay then.¡± Nathan said and left for his office after leaving a smile with Belle who only sighed. After Nathan left, Mrs Johnson went back into the office leaving the door open for Belle to alsoe in. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry I¡¯mte, Mrs Johnson.¡± Belle apologized because she knew her boss was just lying when she told Nathan that she was pre-informed by Belle about herteness. Weird day ¡°I¡¯m very sorry I¡¯mte, Mrs Johnson.¡± Belle apologized because she knew her boss was just lying when she told Nathan that she was pre-informed by Belle about herteness. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± She heard Mrs Johnson.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I know I said not to repeat myteness thest time and now¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not mad at you.¡± Mrs Johnson assured her, seeing how genuinely sorry Belle was. Whether Belle was genuinely sorry or not, Laura Johnson knew she couldn¡¯t be mad at her, not after receiving a call from her superior, she wasn¡¯t ready to loose her job. Besides, she knew Belle was a nice person but she had alsoe to know that she(Belle) was not just a simple girl working as her assistant, she was somehow in rtion with a big shot. After getting a call from her superior, Laura Johnson needed not to be told that Belle wasn¡¯t to be messed with. If she could have a superior call on her behalf, she surely had someone powerful behind her, that Laura Johnson was very sure of and she nned to keep up the good rtionship she had already developed with Belle. ¡°Well, why are you standing there like that? Take your seat at your desk.¡± Mrs Johnson told her. ¡°Is there nothing I need to do for you?¡± Belle asked and watched her boss shake her head with a light smile. ¡°No, there isn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes, I already had Eric from Nathan¡¯s office take care of some things for me since Nathan was not back yet.¡± ¡°Oh okay.¡± Belle knew Eric was Nathan¡¯s assistant. She took her seat at her desk, biting her lips because it was so obvious that Mrs Johnson was trying not to displease her and it felt weird. So weird. She was used to Mrs Johnson been very free with her but now it seemed like her boss was refraining from even talking to her like she was avoiding getting into trouble. Her phone rang loudly, getting Mrs Johnson to look up from herptop, Belle quickly picked the call so not to disturb her boss. ¡°Hello?¡± She held the phone up to her right ear. ¡°Belle,¡± It was Ben, he was calling to check up on her.¡±Did anyone say anything to you when you got there?¡± ¡°No.¡± She said in a low voice, still not wanting to disturb get boss with the call. ¡°Your boss; Mrs Johnson, did she scold you?¡± ¡°No, she wasn¡¯t even mad.¡± ¡°Good. Hope you can ease your worry now?¡± ¡°What did you do? She seems scared to even ask me to do anything.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not me, her boss might have been too strict with his warning about you.¡± ¡°Now it seems like she works for me or something, she¡¯s really not been herself right now.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Ben asked, he wanted to make her happy. ¡°I don¡¯t know, fix this if possible, I would rather she¡¯s mad about myteing than this.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She heard him. ¡®He better fix this.¡¯ She said in her mind after she got off the call with him. LATER THAT EVENING. It was almost time for Belle to leave the office and she couldn¡¯t wait, she has never been so eager to leave the media house. She loved her job but not today, nothing seemed right today, Mrs Johnson avoided sending her to do some tasks, she was still trying not to displease her. A knock came through the door and Belle hurried to get it before her boss asked her not to bother about it. When she opened the door, she was surprised at who she saw outside the door. It was Randy, Ben¡¯s driver. ¡°You?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but whisper, wondering what he was doing knocking at the door of Mrs Johnson¡¯s office. ¡°Good day ma¡¯am.¡± He greeted her. ¡°Sshh.¡± She asked him to lower his voice.¡±What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Mr Larkson is waiting downstairs, he asked me toe get you.¡± ¡°What?¡± She didn¡¯t want to believe what the man just said. ¡°Mr Larkson is downstairs waiting, he asked me toe¡­..¡± Randy was ready to repeat his words when Belle stopped him. ¡°I heard you the first time.¡± She did but was just surprised with what he just told her. Was Ben really downstairs.¡±Where is he?¡± ¡°In the car ma¡¯am.¡± Randy replied. ¡°Belle?¡± It was Mrs Johnson calling her to know who was knocking on the door just now. ¡°Yes Mrs Johnson.¡± ¡°Is that Eric with the prints I requested for?¡¯ ¡°Uhmm, no ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Who is it then?¡± Belle closed the door in Randy¡¯s face to tell a lie to her boss because she had to. ¡°It¡¯s a friend of mine, she knows where I work and came to return something I borrowed to her before now. Can I maybe go talk with her for some minutes?¡± ¡°Yeah, you can. Take as long as you want.¡± She heard Mrs Johnson. She honestly wasn¡¯t expecting a no from her with that request, at least not today. ¡°Thank you so much, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Yeah, take your time.¡± Belle went outside, careful to pass through the door in a way that Mrs Johnson couldn¡¯t tell who it actually was standing outside the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Belle said, leading the way to the elevator. She was going to talk some sense into Ben because he couldn¡¯t juste asking to meet her downstairs in her ce of work. He surely couldn¡¯t, she was going to let him know that. Randy hurried behind Belle as they went to the elevator. Waiting for it to open, Nathan stepped out. He smiled when he saw Belle. ¡°Do you work here?¡± He asked the person behind Belle. Randy didn¡¯t reply, he didn¡¯t have to, he was just here to get Belle like he was ordered by his boss. Is he your boyfriend ¡°Do you work here?¡± He asked the person behind Belle because he surely hadn¡¯t seen him there before. Randy didn¡¯t reply, he didn¡¯t have to, he was just here to get Belle like he was ordered by his boss.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°No sir, he doesn¡¯t,¡± Belle had to answer on his behalf.¡±He¡¯s here for me.¡± Belle said before getting into the elevator with Randy. Nathan didn¡¯t get a chance to ask anything else as Belle had already pressed the button to close the elevator door. When they got to the ground floor, they got out of the elevator and went straight towards the front. Outside now, Belle didn¡¯t know which car was Ben¡¯s because he often used different cars so she turned to Randy for help. ¡°This way ma¡¯am.¡± Randy crossed the road and Belle followed. ¡°Which?¡± Belle asked after they had crossed through to the other side and were opposite the Crisp-tv media house building. She was asking which of the cars was Ben¡¯s so she could talk to him quickly and return upstairs. ¡°All.¡± She heard Randy. ¡°All?¡± Belle saw that they were three ck cars of different make and sizes there, all parked after the other. She understood now that they were all Ben¡¯s but she wanted to know which he was waiting for her in, she couldn¡¯t tell, they all had tinted sses. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am, I drove this,¡± he went on to open the right door to the smallest car among the thee.¡±Mr Larkson¡¯s waiting I¡¯m this one.¡± Belle looked into the car and Ben was actually there, a smile on his face the moment he saw her. She didn¡¯t smile back, she was trying to feign anger for hising to her office. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there, get into the car.¡± He asked of her. ¡°No.¡± ¡°No?¡± ¡°Why did youe?¡± ¡°I wanted to see you.¡± ¡°You have my number, there¡¯s something called a video call.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t just want to see you, I want to kiss you, you tell me if I can do that via a video call.¡± ¡°Well¡­.¡± Belle didn¡¯t know what to reply now. ¡°Get in.¡± Hr told her. ¡°No, I told my boss that I¡¯ll be back in minutes, if I get in, I might spend more than minutes.¡± Benughed when she said that, she could see his not so noticable dimples when heughed lightly. ¡°It¡¯s almost time when you go home, I¡¯m sure your boss cam lease you off the thirty minutes left.¡± ¡°Oh, so you know I don¡¯t leave the office till thirty minutes, why did youe before that time then?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ben didn¡¯t want to tell her why just yet. He wanted to surprise her and that was why he came so early to pick her up but she was being stubborn about getting into the car. ¡°You know what? I¡¯m going back to Mrs Johnson, next time you n toe pick me up, give me a call.¡± She said and closed the car door to Randy¡¯s surprise. ¡®Did she just do that? And to his boss? She just mmed the door on Mr Larkson!¡¯ Randy couldn¡¯t believe what he just witnessed. Belle crossed the road on to the other side and into the building she went. Randy got into the driver¡¯s seat and turned to his boss; ¡°Sir, do I go get her?¡± He asked Ben who understood his question clearly. He wanted to know if he had Ben¡¯s permission to go bring Belle back to the car against her will this time but Ben didn¡¯t want that. ¡°No. We will wait till she¡¯s done.¡± ¡°Okay sir.¡± Randy said, not showing his surprise that Ben was going to let her go off with what she just did. His boss was really being different with her(Belle) and it was not the first time he was noticing. THIRTY MINUTES LATER After helping Mrs Johnson pack up some of the extended files they worked with for the day, Belle left the office since her boss wasn¡¯t leaving yet. She was now officially set to leave work. Getting out of the elevator and out the front door, she almost bumped into Nathan, she sighed indifferently because she was actually trying to avoid seeing him on her way out but now he was in front of her. ¡°Sorry.¡± She said and tried to still leave but he stopped her. ¡°Are you leaving already?¡± He asked her. ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Come on, call me Nathan.¡± He smiled. Belle didn¡¯t. ¡°I have to be somewhere right now, I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± She wanted to leave again but he stopped her, holding her back by her arm this time. Shocked by what he just did, she turned to him and he quickly let go of her. ¡°Let me get my jacket from my office, maybe I can drop you off where you ate headed to?¡± ¡°I have to go now, I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t wait.¡± She didn¡¯t want to ride with him. She felt obnoxious the first time she let him drop her off, she didn¡¯t want that happening again. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I can leave without the jacket,¡± he really wanted to get to know her more and the only way for that to happen was by giving her rides so he was ready to leave his jacket behind. Belle¡¯s eyes suddenly captured Ben¡¯s car still waiting. She smiled, a saving grace. She could get out of riding with Nathan by leaving with Ben. She thought he would have left out of anger after what she did just thirty minutes ago but he was still there, he was waiting for her. ¡°Someone¡¯s actually waiting for me.¡± She told Nathan and just like a prayer answered, Randy got down from the car that she knew Ben was in and he started towards her, crossing the road and walking to where she stood with Nathan. ¡°Him?¡± Nathan remembered seeing Randy earlier so he asked if he was the one waiting for her. ¡°Yes.¡± Belle said, nodding happily. ¡°Is he your boyfriend?¡± ¡°No.¡± Both Belle and Randy chorused. ¡°He is just a friend.¡± Belle rified that to Nathan. Almost a quickie When Belle was crossing the road with Randy again, she had a smile on her face. She was happy about not having to ride with Nathan but she was smiling also because she found it funny how fast Randy had replied ¡®no¡¯ to Nathan¡¯s question. ¡°Why did you say no so fast like that?¡± Belle askedughing because she found it funny but Randy didn¡¯t. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die.¡± She heard his reply and stoppedughing. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Mr Larkson will kill me if I ever call his woman my girlfriend.¡± He saidstly before opening the car door for her.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Randy knee he didn¡¯t there ept it when someone called Ben¡¯s woman his. He didn¡¯t think of ever doing it with the other women who he knew his boss had spent a night or so with and he wasn¡¯t going to y with his life by doing it with Belle, not after seeing how serious his boss was with her. Belle got in and Randy closed the door before heading to the front for the driver¡¯s seat. Ben was on his phone when she got into the car and didn¡¯t look up from it, he seemed to be reading something. Belle couldn¡¯t tell if he was angry or not, it was hard to tell. Randy didn¡¯t start the car too, he was waiting for his boss¡¯ order. ¡°Can I kiss you now?¡± Ben switched off his phone before asking her. He was sending instructions to his assistant at the office on what to do before he switched his phone off so she didn¡¯t have any reason to call. Belle didn¡¯t answer. She was still trying to read his facial expression to know if he was being sarcastic with his question but he was just asking a genuine question. He had told her that he didn¡¯t just want to see her, that he also wanted to kiss her and that was why he couldn¡¯t have had a video call with her but she still went back to work feigning anger, he thought she was really angry and now he wanted to know if she was okay with him kissing her so he asked. When Belle didn¡¯t give an answer quickly, he didn¡¯t wait for her answer anymore. He leaned in and imed her lips, it wasn¡¯t a tongue kiss, just a light but long kiss. It was different from his usual hungry kiss he usually gave he when he wanted to have sex, it was just a warm kiss. His lips left hers, leaving her in thought. She didn¡¯t know he could kiss like that, he was slow with his kiss just now and she loved it. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± He asked her after kissing her. ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t want to go to a restaurant.¡± ¡°You want something ordered like yesterday?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°No? What do you want?¡± He wanted to know. ¡°Let Randy take us to a grocery store, I want to go shopping for foodstuffs, then I¡¯ll make us something to eat.¡± ¡°You want to cook?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Belle nodded biting her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡± ¡°I know I don¡¯t have to but I want to.¡± ¡°Randy will do the shopping, you just tell him what to get when we get to the store.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Belle said excitedly. ¡°Randy?¡± Ben just said and Randy knew he was to drive now so he started the car. When the car had driven through a short distance Belle turned to the man seated next to her. ¡°Why did youe with more than just one car today?¡± She remembered to ask after seeing the other two cars following behind them. ¡°I went somewhere where I needed security with me today.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She just said and it was quiet again. Soon, Randy reeled the car in front of a store and the other two parked behind. Randy got out a mini writing pad and a pen from the front and handed it to her so she could write what she wanted him to get from the grocery store. After she had written what she wanted in form of a list, she gave the writing pad back to him. The moment Randy left the car, Ben pulled her face by the chin and brought her face closer to his. He gave her a hot kiss, it was different from the way he had kissed her just outside the Crisp-tv media house earlier. She kissed him back, giving him what he wanted and even though he was taking her breath away with his kiss she didn¡¯t want him to stop, no, she wanted more of him. Ben was trying to control himself from her but he couldn¡¯t, he thought he could but after he kissed her outside her workce, he realized that it wasn¡¯t possible. She had a way of making him lose control of himself whenever he was around her that he couldn¡¯t stop himself from wanting her. Belle climbed on top of him, their lips still pressed against each other¡¯s, Belle felt his hands caress her thighs all the way up to her ass. It was easy so because she was wearing a skirt. He pressed his index and middle finger simultaneously against her clit through her light underwear, massaging it. ¡°Ohhhhh.¡± She separated her lips from his, hugging his neck as she moaned in his ears while trying to breath. He stopped suddenly and she thought he did so because she moaned or because she stopped returning his kiss. ¡°Randy¡¯s back.¡± He told her and she got off him before Randy got into the car. ¡°Did you get everything on the list?¡± Ben asked him. ¡°Yes sir.¡± Randy replied, having no idea of what was happening in the car before he returned. Sparing a look at Ben when Randy started on the road again, Belle bit her lips because now she was hot inside and wanted Ben to do anything to her, anything at all to her body to calm her down. Buying her a house Ben had a smirk on when he noticed her biting her lips, he knew what he had done to her, he knew she wanted him badly. He went closer to her and put his hand on her exposed left thigh, rubbing on her soft skin and making her want him more by doing just that. She parted her thighs slowly, wanting him to touch in-between her legs. His smirk broadened, he just wanted to ease her by rubbing her left thigh but now that she had opened her legs, he was surely going to give her what she wanted. Letting his hand trail across her left thigh, he put his hand near her underwear and she readjusted her hips so he could have an easier ess to her pussy, she really wanted his touch there. He rubbed his index and middle finger against her clit but still through her underwear like he did before and saw her bite her lips harder as she tried not to make a noise with what he just did. He shifted her underwear slowly, making way for his fingers to touch her pussy directly. He rubbed her clit now with his fingers, nothing stopping his fingers from her bare pussy. ¡°Mmmmnn.¡± She bit her lips again after a moan almost escaped her. He inserted both fingers in her and she couldn¡¯t hold her voice in. ¡°Ohhh,¡± She threw her head backwards, her forehead touching the car¡¯s headrest as he started to thrust her with his fingers. ¡°Oh fuckkkk.¡± She moaned in a low voice, she was trying her best not to let Randy know what was going on behind him but he already knew. He knew what Ben was doing to the woman in the back of the car but he didn¡¯t dare look back, not just because he was driving and needed to focus on the road but because his ears were supposed to be shut unless Ben was ordering him to do something. Ben thrusted his finger into her more when he heard her moan with a curse word, he knew he was taking her to another ce because she didn¡¯t like to use curse words but her tongue was betraying her as he fucked her with his fingers.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Fuck Ben,¡± She sighed when he stopped, panting inaudibly. She saw Ben raise the fingers he just used in fucking her, they were both covered in her cum. He put the index finger first in his mouth, while she watched, his middle finger went into his mouth next. ¡°You Belle, you are so damn sweet, do you know?¡± He asked her but she didn¡¯t say anything, she just swallowed after having just catched her breath. ¡°Randy, do you think he knows?¡± She asked in a whisper but she heard Ben chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s his job to act like he doesn¡¯t know.¡± He assured her. Belle looked out the window and noticed that their car was passing by the Crisp-tv media house. ¡°Where are we going? To the apartment of yesterday?¡± She had to ask. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Where then?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± They were going where he wanted to surprise her. ¡°Oh.¡± She said and the car stopped immediately. She looked around and they were still around her workce. If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, it was just some walks away from the Crisp-tv media house. ¡°Here?¡± She asked when Ben opened the door her. She would be surprised if he said yes because he didn¡¯t stop here yesterday, rather he drove to the apartment where they spent the night. If this house she was looking at was his then he should have stopped here yesterday. ¡°Yes.¡± He took her hands and helped her get down from the car. ¡°You own this ce too? Why didn¡¯t we juste here yesterday?¡± She knew if she had woken upte in this house then she would not be aste as she was today, she would probably have reached the media house some minutes earlier. ¡°I didn¡¯t buy it till this morning.¡± ¡°Hold on, are you serious?¡± ¡°Yeah. Come, let¡¯s see inside.¡± He lead her into the house. Randy stood waiting by the door of the driver¡¯s side of the car. ¡°Wow.¡± Belle said the moment she stepped into the finely furnished house. It was more furnished than the apartment she had stayed with Benst night, it was way more furnished than the apartment she shared with Brie and Cherry. ¡°You like it?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s so splendid looking, I mean¡­. look at the walls and the chandelier, it¡¯s beautiful Ben. So you just buy beautiful houses like this one when you are bored or is buying houses a habit for you? Is it one of your hobbies?¡± She asked making Benugh because he thought she was joking. ¡°I hoped you¡¯d like the ce and dly you do. I bought it for you.¡± ¡°Hmmn?¡± Belle thought she didn¡¯t hear the exact words he just said and that she was just mishearing him but he repeated himself. ¡°I got this ce for you.¡± He said again, low-key loving the surprised look she had on right now. He smiled. ¡°Why?¡± He heard her ask and he lost his smile due to confusion. ¡°Why??¡± He didn¡¯t understand her question. ¡°Yeah, why did you buy me a house?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you like the ce?¡± He wanted to know what the issues was so he had to ask. ¡°I do but why are you buying me a house?¡± ¡°I thought you¡¯d be happy.¡± He really did. ¡°You thought that I¡¯d be happy, why? Just because you got me a house, what do you think? That I let you have sex with me for your money?¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Ben was shocked at what she just said. ¡°Tell me, is that what you think?!¡± She asked again after he didn¡¯t give her any reply. ¡°No.¡± He said honestly. ¡°Then what? What?!¡± She asked in a louder voice this time. Ben just stood opposite to her, both of his hands in his pockets now. He was looking back at her angry face, he didn¡¯t know what to say to her, he has never had someone yell at him like she was doing. He honestly thought he would make her happy by buying the house for her but it seemed she got a different reason umted in her head. Buying her a house 2 Tears started to form in Belle¡¯s eyes as she stood in front of Ben, he wasn¡¯t answering any of the questions she was asking. She wanted to know what he thought. She wanted to know if he thought she was only there for the money. Before he showed up and asked Randy toe pick her up from Mrs Johnson¡¯s office, she had talked to Brie. She told Brie that Ben wanted to know what she(Belle) would like to get from him. Brie then asked her something that made her think for some of the free time she had because Mrs Johnson wouldn¡¯t give her a task to do. Brie had asked her; ¡°He asked what you wanted? Was that during sex?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± She had told Brie. ¡°What does he think you are, a prostitute? He buys you things from clothes to things of your choice and then expects you to give your body to him whenever, he must think you are cheap.¡± Those words rang in her ears over and over again till Randy showed up. Now she was standing in this house with Ben and she was asking those same things that Brie asked. ¡°Do you think of me as a prostitute who¡¯s willing to give herself to you for money? Say something!¡± Ben just kept his eyes on her, he couldn¡¯t believe what she was asking him. He felt hurt with what she was asking, he has never had his feelings hurt by anyone but Belle was doing that to him. ¡°We talked about this, didn¡¯t we?¡± He started.¡±I told you how I wanted you to be my sex partner¡­.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m still thinking about that!¡± She cut him short. ¡°What are you angry about?¡± He asked to know. He didn¡¯t like the mood she was in at the moment, he didn¡¯t like the tears that were forming in her eyes, he could tell that she was the type to cry when she felt bad about a situation. ¡°I¡¯m angry because you probably think that by getting me this house I would agree to be your sex partner for a longer while, meanwhile all I want is to explore things with you, not for your money it anything.¡± She sniffed.¡±I just don¡¯t want you thinking of me as that girl who is willing to sell her body to you.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°I don¡¯t think of you in that way, I never have.¡±he told her the truth in a calm voice. ¡°So why did you get the house?¡± ¡°To make you happy. I saw how pissed you were about beingte this morning so I bought here, I thought you¡¯d be happy about it because it¡¯s just a stroll away from where you work.¡± Belle blinked to stop the tears in her eyes from falling but a year still escaped, falling down her right cheek. She quickly wiped it with the back of her palm. ¡°So you don¡¯t think I¡¯m a whore?¡± ¡°No. No, I don¡¯t think that.¡± ¡°Well¡­.¡± Belle trailed off while trying to wipe her tears dry. ¡°Hold on.¡± Ben came closer to her and wiped some of the tears from her eyes with his both his hands. After that, he pulled her in and hugged her. Belle put her arms around him and hugged back, tightly. ¡°I get pretty dramatic sometimes.¡± She confessed making him smile. ¡°I got to witness it.¡± Sheughed when he said that. ¡°If ever you did love love, would I be an option?¡± She asked and he thought about it quickly. ¡°Surely.¡± ¡°Really?¡± She didn¡¯t expect him to answer that question so she was surprised. ¡°Yes, you are smart, you are pretty, you make me happy.¡± He said and heard her chuckle loudly.¡±What?¡± He wanted to know why she wasughing. ¡°Nothing actually, it¡¯s just that¡­ well, for the first time a man is calling me smart before pretty. You noticed that I also have a brain aside my beauty.¡± She stopped hugging him and looked at him as she spoke. ¡°Oh. You are smart, very smart.¡± He knew. He had gone through her school records and they were brilliant so he knew. ¡°Do you want the house?¡± He asked. ¡°Am I just gonna live here or¡­.¡± ¡°It would be yours. You just have to sign the papers and it¡¯s yours.¡± He pointed to a file on the table in the living room. She had wondered why they were there when she came in initially. ¡°If I take it, it doesn¡¯t mean that I owe you anything right?¡± By anything she referred to her body ( and sex) and he nodded. ¡°Yes. I already paid for it and prepared the documents in your name, you just have to sign on it.¡± ¡°You already paid for it? What if I said I didn¡¯t want it, then what?¡± ¡°It would still be yours, you just won¡¯t be able to im it legally till you put down a signature.¡± ¡°Oh. Do I have to sign it now?¡± ¡°If you want.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a pen in my purse.¡± She said after looking through it, she thought she had one all this while.¡±I¡¯ll just use yours.¡± She took the one that was hanging on his shirt pocket and headed to where the papers were. He followed her. ¡°Here?¡± She asked when she was done reading through the first part, she saw where it was written; buyers signature but still wanted to be sure she was to sign there since she wasn¡¯t the one paying for it. ¡°Yes.¡± Ben came and sat next to her. After she signed he helped her turn to the next page and she signed where necessary.¡±It¡¯s officially yours now Belle. I¡¯ll have one of mywyers keep a double of it for safety, you can keep the other. ¡°Okay. Thanks.¡± Stay away from him Belle went around the bungalow, checking the room¡¯s out. It had three rooms and a master bedroom and a well equipped kitchen. After going round the rooms, she returned to the kitchen and saw Randy leaving the groceries he had gotten earlier from the store. Ben was leaning against the wall, with both his hands in his trouser pockets. He saw her and asked; ¡°How do you like the rooms?¡± ¡°They are perfect.¡± He smiled when she said that. Walking up to her, he stroke her cheeks, Belle had noticed that he enjoyed doing that. ¡°Thanks.¡± She hugged him making his smile expand on his lips. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Now to show you how spaghetti should taste like.¡± She teased him as she went to the open kitchen. Ben walked behind her and stood by the counter, watching her as she started watching the vegetables. He decided to help out. After washing his hands in the second sink, he took out one of the knives from the wooden knife block that sat at the edge of the countertop. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Belle asked when she saw him with the knife. ¡°I can¡¯t cook but I can help out.¡± He picked up a tomato from the ss bowl she had put them in after washing. cing it on the chopping board, he diced it while she watched. ¡°What? You just want to show me you can dice vegetables quickly?¡± Belle thought he was being a show-off with how he just cut the tomatoes. He smiled at what she just said,ing to her and separating her lips by pulling on her lower lip, he put a dice of the cut tomato in her mouth and kisses her afterwards. It was a short kiss. He took up the ss bowl having the remaining uncut tomatoes andughed at how she expected the kiss to be longer. ¡°Don¡¯t do that,¡± she started to chew what he put in her mouth,¡±don¡¯t kiss me if you¡¯re not gonna do it properly.¡± She pouted after chewing. ¡°We have lot of time after now for that. Aren¡¯t you hungry anymore? You know I can¡¯t do anything to you on an empty stomach. You might just pass out.¡± Heughed. ¡°Well¡­.¡± She bit her lips, taking the carrots she just washed over to him. She knew he was right. He fucked her like the world was ending and it was thest time he ever had to be with her so he really couldn¡¯t do anything to her on an empty stomach, he liked her strong and ready whenever they had sex. ¡°Belle?¡± Ben just remembered something he had to ask her. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°Who was that you were talking with before Randy came to you?¡± ¡°Who?¡± Belle wasn¡¯t fully attentive at first but was now. ¡°The man you were speaking with, does he work with you?¡± ¡°Oh. No, he doesn¡¯t. I mean¡­. he does work with me but not with me, he¡¯s a senior editor like Mrs Johnson. He¡¯s practically my boss too, I just don¡¯t assist him, I assist Mrs Johnson.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°So he has no business with you?¡± ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t say that. He could ask me to do things for him, things I do for Mrs Johnson but that would be if Eric is not avable for some reason.¡± ¡°Who is Eric?¡± Ben asked. ¡°His assistant. Eric is Nathan¡¯s assistant.¡± ¡°Nathan, is that his name? The man you were speaking with outside the building?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Belle nodded. ¡°You call him Nathan? You said he¡¯s your boss, why don¡¯t you call him Mr Nathan like you do to Mrs Johnson?¡± ¡°To be honest, I really don¡¯t know, I guess it¡¯s easier to just call him Nathan besides he says I could call him that and not Sir.¡± ¡°He said that, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Do you like Nathan?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Belle turned to meet brag inquiring eyes which had been staring at her while she stirred the pot. ¡°Do you like him?¡± ¡°Eww. No.¡± A calm smile washed over Ben¡¯s lips with her reply. ¡°Do you know he likes you?¡± ¡°What?¡± Belle had to turn again from what she was doing. ¡°You seem not to know how pretty you are Belle. Nathan has interest in you.¡± Ben told her what he had noticed. He could tell when he saw Nathan hold her from leaving earlier, it was why he has Randy go there. ¡°No way he likes me, I mean¡­. he can¡¯t, it¡¯s not allowed, you can¡¯t have anything going on in the office environment.¡± ¡°He can¡¯t but he does. I¡¯m happy you don¡¯t like him too,¡± Ben told her words like they came to his thought but what he wasn¡¯t telling her at that moment was that Nathan would have had to be painted out of the picture if she did like him too. Ben didn¡¯t know what it was but he couldn¡¯t let go of this woman in the kitchen with him. She had somehow wrapped him down to wanting to please her. Even when he thought he was in control, he wasn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t love her but he wasn¡¯t going to let someone else steal her from him. If that happened, he wasn¡¯t sure how he could cope so he couldn¡¯t let that happen. Belle was his now, whether he loved her or not, he believed that she belonged to him. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t. He¡¯s somewhat too intrusive, he wants to know everything. It¡¯s why I don¡¯t wanna ride home with him, he just asks questions about everything.¡± ¡°Stay away from him.¡± Ben didn¡¯t want to take any chances. ¡°Like it¡¯s possible,¡± Belle scoffed and got a look from Ben.¡±I work in an office next to his, he coulde there anytime.¡± Stay away from her Nathan hadter gone back to his office to get his jacket after Belle left with Randy. He was about to get into the elevator on the top floor when he heard Laura Johnson. ¡°Don¡¯t close the doors!¡± She increased her pace to the elevator since she couldn¡¯t run. Nathan waited for her and only when she got into the elevator did he push the button to close the door. It was silent inside the elevator for a while till Mrs Johnson said; ¡°I see the way you look at my assistant.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Nathan was going to deny it but Mrs Johnson wasn¡¯t asking him at this point, she was simply stating what she had been observing. ¡°You do remember that having or starting a rtionship other than friendship is not allowed in thispany right?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Nathan assured her. ¡°Good for you. At least, now you have more than just one reason to avoid her.¡± ¡°More than one reason?¡± ¡°She¡¯s probably in a rtionship with someone of high status, stay away from her.¡± Laura Johnson warned. She wasn¡¯t saying Ill of Belle, she was only pointing out to her colleague why he should not have an interest in her. She was just trying to help him be on a safer side.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Nathan had a shortugh after listening to all Mrs Johnson just said like he didn¡¯t believe her but the fact was that he did. He knew she was saying the truth, even before Laura Johnson noticed he already knew. Starting from the first time he saw Belle in his office, the clothes she wore told it all. She was wearing designer clothes to work, Nathan immediately knew she had someone powerful behind her. Many others probably thought the clothes she wore were fake designer clothes but Nathan could tell they weren¡¯t. The only thing he didn¡¯t believe from Mrs Johnson was that Belle was in a rtionship with someone of high status, he couldn¡¯t believe it. There was no way she was sleeping with someone powerful and yet she would still decide to continue working as an assistant. His own thought on it was that she was the daughter of someone rich and powerful and although he had researched, he couldn¡¯t find her as one of the daughters of the affluential families in city S, he just assumed that she was not from here. He had found out after going through the CV she had submitted that she wasn¡¯t from city S so he believed his theory was right; she was probably the daughter of a rich family from where she came from and was only here to gain experience by working as an assistant. It was this reason he was overly nice to her. He wanted to get close to her and if possible, make her fall in love with him but she was giving him a tough time with that. She wasn¡¯t even letting him a chance to get close to her. ¡°So you don¡¯t believe me?¡± Laura Johnson asked after heughed. ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± He lied about not believing Belle was somehow rted to wealth. ¡°It¡¯s your choice Nathan, don¡¯t say i didn¡¯t warn you.¡± The elevator stopped and the door opened. Laura Johnson said that to him before she left for the main entrance of the building. Now walking to his car alone, Nathan thought of it again. At first he just wanted to make her fall for him because if she was of a rich background then he wouldn¡¯t have to work here anymore, he could use her but after that day in the car with her, he knew making her fall for him was going to be a very hard thing to do. For some reason, he genuinely wanted to know her more after that day. She had this charming smile that made him rethink the initial reason he started being nice to her. He knew now that although he still was going to be nice and all caring to her for her wealth, he also wanted to be around her. She was pretty, prettier than the girls he had dated previously, her eyes were the most attractive to him. He wanted to hold her so close and look into them, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to adore her genuinely while he yed her; he thought. If she let him, he would want to sleep with her but that was not his ulterior motive, no, he wanted her for her financial worth, he could get a sex worker for a night if ever he wanted sex so badly but if Belle let him, then there was nothing stopping him from sleeping with her too. At this point, he wasn¡¯t even going to care about thepany policy of no office romance. ¡°Fuck their policy, fuck this ce.¡± He said to himself as he left the building. He was going to think of more ways to try and woo Belle Miller as he drove home, he had to try harder to get her to fall for him. If she really was of a rich family background then she could change his life. Leave Ben Belle knocked on the door when she got upstairs to her cousin¡¯s apartment. Brie hugged her immediately she opened the door. ¡°Is it Belle?!!¡± Cherry asked from where she was, in the kitchen. She couldn¡¯t see the door from there. ¡°Yeah, it is.¡± Brie let her know as she came back inside with her cousin sister. ¡°Oh my goodness,¡± Cherry sounded dramatic.¡±She is in a totally different outfit today again.¡± She sipped from the ss of juice in her hands which she had gone to get from the kitchen. Belle ignored what she said and was heading to the room, she didn¡¯t n to tell either Brie or Cherry about the house Ben got for her. She knew they would have different opinions about it and wasn¡¯t ready for any of that. Cherry would surely be happy and congrattory about it but Brie on the other hand would probably be unhappy that she did not heed to her(Brie¡¯s) advice about not epting things from Ben. Belle knew that Brie was looking out for her as her family and she appreciated that but she believed Ben when he assured her that he didn¡¯t think of her as just a whore he could buy with his money. When she got to the room, she justid down, she was tired. She took out her phone to give Ben a call, he asked her to do so the moment she got there; he had to leave after they ate lunch together, something came up. ¡°Belle,¡± Brie walked in, stopping her from making the call. ¡°Yeah?¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°Can we talk?* ¡°We are already talking¡­.¡± Belle shrugged. ¡°You know what I mean.¡± ¡°Is it going to be about Ben?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Urrgh, Brieeee.¡± ¡°I know, I know, you arepletely over him, it¡¯s expected, he is rich; he¡¯s handsome but Belle, what you are doing with him, it¡¯s meaningless, he is going to leave you when he feels like he doesn¡¯t want you anymore and you are going to get hurt.¡± ¡°You sound like you have been in such a position before,¡± Belle said and paused immediately, realizing how she sounded just now, it sounded like she was boasting about Ben. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way Brie.¡± She exined. ¡°I know you didn¡¯t¡­. to tell you the truth; yes, I have being in that position before.¡± ¡°Hmnnn?¡± Belle asked because she didn¡¯t believe her at first. ¡°Yes, I have. He is not verrrryy wealthy like Ben Larkson is but he is rich. You know the CEO of Sylve Inc?¡± ¡°The architecturalpany?¡± Belle knew Sylve Inc, she was sure they were part of the pages on the Crisp-tv media house¡¯s magazine this week. ¡°Yeah. I once dated him, Carl Lumre; he was nice at first and then it all went sour. He was a serial cheater and a proud one at that, you know what he used to say to me? He would say; I am Carl Lumre and I can do whatever the fuck I want. This man swore he loved me¡­.¡± ¡°Brie, hold on. Ben¡¯s not Carl Lumre, and we are not dating, I know he doesn¡¯t love me and I¡¯m okay with that, at least he isn¡¯t lying about his feelings, that¡¯s one of the reasons I agreed to his proposal, he is straightforward with what he wants from me.¡± ¡°Do you hear yourself? I¡¯m trying to let you know just how hard it is to be close to this men with powerful names, they are¡­ I don¡¯t know how to describe it but I just want to advise you, leave Ben.¡± ¡°Brie¡­..¡± Belle wanted to speak but her cousin cut her words short. ¡°I know, I can¡¯t tell you what to do, it¡¯s only an advice; leave Ben, you might not be able to handle all thates with being around him. I¡¯m sorry if it seems like I¡¯m trying to tell you what to do, I just don¡¯t want you to get hurt, emotionally and otherwise but the choice is yours.¡± Brie smiled after, she hoped her sister would take her advice. ¡°I can handle it, Ben¡¯s okay.¡± She heard Belle defend Ben like she had known him since forever. With nothing else to say to her, Brie stood up from where she sat on the bed next to Belle, sighing at Belle¡¯s decision yet again to continue with Ben. About to leave the room, Brie smiled again to her, to assure her that she had only good in mind giving her those advices. As soon as Brie left, Belle ced a call to Ben to call him like she wanted to earlier. The phone rang through but Ben didn¡¯t pick. Belle didn¡¯t worry about it. ¡®He is probably busy.¡¯ She told herself because he always received her call on the first ring. Ben鈥檚 call 1 2 : 1 0 a m After she talked with her sister, Belle had a shower and decided to go to sleep, she was tired for some reason even if she didn¡¯t do anything much with her day. Still sleeping, her phone rang, waking her up. She checked under the pillow where she now always kept it before she went to sleep every night. Turning to face the ceiling and sleepily taking the call without checking the name she heard a voice that made her smile; ¡°Belle,¡± It was Ben. ¡°Yeahhh.¡± She smiled more as she heard him call her name like he always did. ¡°Were you asleep?¡± He asked when he noticed her voice seemed to be lower than usual like she just woke up from sleep. ¡°What do you think?¡± She pushed all the hair that was disturbing her face backwards, lying back down afterwards. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I woke you up,¡± he started after checking his gold watch and seeing howte it was. He didn¡¯t know it was past 12am when he decided to call her and It was obvious to him now that he had just woken her up. ¡°I just felt like I needed to hear your voice to be able to fall asleep myself. I guess that makes me selfish.¡± Belle snorted to hisst sentence. ¡°Where are you? At a hotel or in one of the apartments you stay at?¡± ¡°I¡¯m at the office, I just got off thest meeting from yesterday.¡± She heard him sigh deeply like he was tired. She remembered why he had to leave yesterday after they had lunch at the house he bought her, he had an urgent situation at the office that needed his attention. It was why she came back to Brie and Cherry.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°You sound really tired.¡± She pointed out. ¡°I am. Where are you, I want toe pick you up, I want to wake up by your side when the sun rises.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± Belle thought he was just saying that and didn¡¯t mean it so she chuckled after a moment of brief silence. She then covered her mouth with her hands so she didn¡¯t wake Brie or Cherry but she realized they weren¡¯t in bed with her. ¡°Belle?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± She sat up, still wondering why the two weren¡¯t sleeping by her side. ¡°Can Ie pick you up? Where are you, with your sister?¡± ¡°What are you saying?¡± She had to ask after he repeated his questions again.¡±You can¡¯t, don¡¯te to pick me up.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°You know why. If youe get me and I spend the rest of the night with you, I will be so tired that I¡¯ll sleep tillte. I don¡¯t want to go to workte again.¡± Belleined. She couldn¡¯t see him but a calm smile appeared on Ben¡¯s face when she said that. ¡°I can take care of that for you¡­.¡± ¡°No. No Ben. I don¡¯t want Mrs Johnson having to be scared of me for the rest of the day after you take care of things for me.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± She heard him say inly. ¡°Alright?¡± ¡°Mhmnn.¡± He was giving his sort of replies where she found it hard to depict his mood or expression. ¡°Are you mad?¡± She opted to ask and heard him snort over the phone. ¡°No.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re not? After I said no?¡± She wanted him to be angry that she wouldn¡¯t spend the night with him but he just told her that he wasn¡¯t. Her thoughts went back to what Brie said. ¡®He¡¯s not angry, does it mean he has options to rece me with?¡¯ She asked herself in her thoughts. ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± He repeated calmly, making her worried. ¡°Why are you not angry?¡± ¡°Because I understand your point. You are right, If I pick you up, you are surely going to make it to workte again. Trust me, I n to fuck you till the moon sleeps and sunes, so you will surely bete, you made the right choice saying no.¡± He exined. ¡°Oh.¡± She bit her lips, reying hisst sentence in her head.¡±Till the moon sleeps?¡± She asked, giggling naughtily. ¡°Yes.¡± He replied knowing there was a smile on her face at the moment. ¡°And till the sunes?¡± ¡°Night till morning Belle.¡± His voice got more hoarse as he thought of her face while moaning to his thrusts now. ¡°Are you trying to seduce me?¡± She asked him, giggling again. Ben chortled at her question. ¡°You know I can do that, I¡¯ll fuck you all night.¡± ¡°You are trying to make me change my mind, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her lower lip got redder as she bit it more, knowing he could really do what he was saying, he had done it before. ¡°Not really. I am just telling you what would have happened tonight.¡± ¡°It¡¯s already morning,¡± she corrected him.¡±And besides, I thought you just epted to being tired?¡± ¡°Not when you are involved. I cannot be too tired for you.¡± Belle wringed her toes when he said that, trying to keep calm because he was making her want him just over the phone. ¡°Get some rest Ben.¡± She wanted to stop the call before she changed her mind about himing to get her. ¡°You want to end the call, you are scared you will end up changing your mind?¡± He told her exactly what her reason for saying what she just said was. ¡®How does he know that?!!!¡¯ She thought to herself. ¡°No?¡± She lied but heard his chortle. He knew she just lied. ¡°Goodnight,¡± he said to free her. ¡°Goodnight Ben.¡± Ben hung up when he heard her her wish him back. ¡°O my goodness Belle.¡± She whispered to herself when he ended the call with her. This man was making her feel different, he was making her do things she wouldn¡¯t do for anyone. She hated phonecallsing in when she was sleeping or about to sleep or even when she was resting and needed a time to herself. It was why she got irritated when Nathan called earlier but she just spoke for prolonged minutes with Ben after it was past twelve in the morning. He disturbed her sleep and she was okay with it. Walking to work Belle got off the bed and headed outside the bedroom, she had to check for Brie and Cherry. She didn¡¯t see them when Ben¡¯s call woke her up. Opening the door and walking to the living room, she saw them both sitting side by side on the couch with their eyes glued to the TV. Cherry turned in her direction when she heard Belle footsteps as she approached where they sat. ¡°Belle,e sit, the series is finally about to end.¡± Cherry urged from where she sat with a cushion pillow over her crossed legs. ¡°You guys stayed up to watch it?¡± Belle was actually surprised. She knew about the series, they had started it together; all three of them. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s thest part.¡± Brie made space for her cousin sister to sit and join in finishing the show. *** MORNING ¡°Belle? Belle?¡± Brie shook her cousin sister by the shoulder, trying to wake her up. ¡°Whatttttt?¡± Belle covered her head with a pillow, she didn¡¯t want to get out of bed. ¡°Get up Belle.¡± Brie shook her again but she grumbled with a sleepy voice; ¡°Leave me alone Brie.¡± ¡°Leave you alone and let you go to workte?¡± ¡°Late?!¡± Belle sat up immediately, her eyes widened with sudden shock. She looked under the pillows for her phone and checked to see what the time said.¡±No no no no no no no, no, I can¡¯t bete again.¡± Belle had her face in her palms after seeing that it was past seven am. She should have known better than staying up for one more hour with Brie and Cherry earlier in the morning¡­. but they said it was almost at thest episode and that was why she stayed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t anyone wake me up?¡± Belle sighed still moody about waking upte. She jumped out of the bed. ¡°I have been trying to wake you up for the past ten minutes, what do you mean?¡± Brie defended. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s been trying to wake you up.¡± Cherry added. ¡°Oh god,¡± Belle sighed again. Both her sister and Cherry were dressed and ready to leave.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Belle was used to getting an eight hour sleep before she arrived city S, it was hard for her to wake up if she didn¡¯t get as much as the amount of sleep she was used to. ¡°What about the rm we set?¡± Belle just remembered. She heard Cherry scoff while putting on makeup in front of the vanity mirror in their room. ¡°We just woke up like thirty minutes ago and had to rush through our clothes, I didn¡¯t even hear the rm ring.¡± Cherry scoffed again after she spoke. ¡°Should we wait for you to shower and dress up?¡± Brie asked trying to make her cousin feel better because she knew she yed a role in why she woke upte but Cherry saw things from a different angle. ¡°Wait?¡± She turned to the sisters.¡±We can¡¯t wait for her Brie and you know that, we get to our workce a minutete and we are fired, no we can¡¯t wait, I¡¯m sorry Belle but if you go shower now you could probably make it.¡± ¡°Yeah, Cherry¡¯s right.¡± Brie nodded. ¡°It¡¯s thirty minutes before the official time I¡¯m expected to be at work, I can¡¯t make it.¡± Belle said while shaking her head. ¡°Twenty nine minutes left now.¡± Cherry reminded as she put on her wristwatch. ¡°Come on, go shower.¡± Brie urged and Belle immediately rushed to the bathroom. After being motivated by Cherry¡¯s words, Belle showered as quickly as she could. when she got out of the bathroom, she noticed that they were gone, they couldn¡¯t wait for her, she understood. Taking out an already matched outfit of hers from the wardrobe, Belle¡¯s dressed up and made her hair into a ponytail because she couldn¡¯t start with treating her hair to any other style. She grabbed her purse and headed out, locking the doors and skipping through the stairs on her way downstairs. When the bus stopped at the junction where she needed to take a cab to the media house, Belle stood there, tapping her legs impatiently and waiting for a cab but none seemed to being, at least not anytime soon, she thought. ¡®I can walk it out, it¡¯s not very far.¡¯ An idea came to her, she wanted to go on foot rather than waiting for a cab to show up. She checked the time being disyed on her phone¡¯s screen because she didn¡¯t wear a watch, she saw that she still had two minutes before she could be ssified as being officiallyte. After a loud and determined sigh, she started towards her work ce on foot, she had never been happier that she was on ts. Walking at a fast pace, Belle took another look at the time on her phone, one minute had passed since she started on foot and she wasn¡¯t even close yet. She started to jog to increase her pace but she stopped after a short distance. She didn¡¯t think she could make it, besides she couldn¡¯t go to work sweating, it was why she opted to jog rather than run in the first ce. Bending over and resting her hands on her knees for support, she tried to catch her breath, she couldn¡¯t remember thest time she jogged, it had been a while. Standing from her bent position, she inhaled deeply and licked her lips as she exhaled. She had given up. ¡®I will just walk the rest of the distance,¡¯ she decided and started to walk like she nned initially. ¡°Belle?¡± She heard her name from a voice she hoped not to belong to who she thought it was. She knew it was Nathan and wanted to act like she couldn¡¯t hear him and just walk on. Nathan who had slowed his car down and called to her when he saw her wondering why she didn¡¯t answer. He thought she might have earbuds in her ears and that was why she couldn¡¯t hear so he parked the car and got out to meet her. Belle, I鈥檓 hungry for you ¡°Belle?¡± Nathan caught up with her and tapped her shoulder as he called her for the second time. Belle knew she had no other choice than to stop.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Sir!¡± She acted surprised to see him like she didn¡¯t hear him call when he was still in the car. ¡°Come on, I told you before, call me Nathan.¡± He smiled.¡±You are walking to work now? Do you do this everyday?¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t see any cab to take so I had to walk.¡± She exined. ¡°All the way to the media house? Do you know how far it is from here? I mean it¡¯s not very far but it¡¯s not something you should trek through. Come get in, let¡¯s go together in my car.¡± ¡°I think I can just go on foot, I already started.¡± Belle told him because she knew very much how she would rather go on foot and bete than drive with him. ¡°No you can¡¯t, I mean you shouldn¡¯t, damsels like you shouldn¡¯t have to go through such trouble,e on, let¡¯s go in my car.¡± Belle sighed when he said that. He was smiling while trying to help her and she didn¡¯t want to say no again because it will be obvious that she didn¡¯t like him and was displeased with his presence everytime. Without another word she walked back to his car, opened the door to the front seat and got in. Nathan followed behind. ¡°I forgot to say earlier but you look stunning today.¡± Heplimented her with a smile that she didn¡¯t find soothing. ¡°Thanks.¡± She faked a smile back. When they were almost getting to the media house, they drove past Belle¡¯s new house, she turned her neck to give it a quick look before it went out of sight and they stopped at the media house¡¯s entrance. ¡°Thank you for the ride.¡± She got down once the car stopped without waiting to hear a ¡®you are wee¡¯ from Nathan. ***** Later that evening, Belle had just gathered all her belongings, it was almost time to leave the office so she was getting ready. A knock came on the door and she looked up from what she was arranging. She left what she was doing and quickly headed for the door, she didn¡¯t want to take any chances with Mrs Johnson getting up to answer the door herself. She was still being careful with Belle like yesterday and only sent her on easy errands and tasks. When Belle opened the door, she saw Randy, Ben¡¯s driver. He was standing with both his hands behind him. ¡°Good day ma¡¯am.¡± He greeted first. ¡°Is he here?¡± Belle asked excitedly but not loudly. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± Randy confirmed, wondering why she would asked that because there was no way he would b here if Ben wasn¡¯t. Belle went back in to get her handbag but paused after she saw the time on Mrs Johnson¡¯s table clock, she still had three minutes before she could leave. ¡°Who was it at the door?¡± Laura Johnson asked when she saw her assistant standing and looking at the time on her desk. ¡°My friend.¡± ¡°You can leave if you want to.¡± Mrs Johnson permitted her, seeing the way she looked impatient to leave. ¡°Thank you.¡± Belle said with sincere appreciation and hurried to the door. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± She told Randy and they started for the elevator. Belle crossed the road before Randy as she was the first of both to leave the building. She got into the car and saw Ben on his phone. Taking it away from him, she climbed over him and sat on his thighs, giving him a long wey kiss which he returned with his left arm around her waist and the other behind her neck to pull her closer than she already was. Randy didn¡¯t get into the car when he crossed through the road to where the car was, he felt like he knew what was happening happening inside the car, he didn¡¯t want to disrupt whatever they were doing to avoid angering his boss so he stood by the car and waited. ¡°How was your day?¡± Ben asked her the moment their lips parted. ¡°Not bad. Yours?¡± ¡°Usual.¡± He said with a smile, he liked how happy she was on seeing him.¡±Are you hungry?¡± ¡°No.¡± Belle shook her head before she answered. ¡°Well, I am.¡± She heard him. ¡°Oh. You didn¡¯t have lunch yet?¡± ¡°No Belle, I¡¯m hungry for you.¡± He grinned, lining her lips with his thumb slowly. ¡°In that case, your dish is served.¡± Belle leaned and kissed him again. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. ¡°Hold on.¡± Ben separated their lips and rolled down the car¡¯s window ss. ¡°Randy!¡± ¡°Sir.¡± Randy immediately turned to his bosses call. ¡°Why are you standing there? Come drive the car.¡± Ben ordered and Randy bowed. ¡°Yes sir, I¡¯m sorry sir.¡± After apologizing, Randy got into the driver¡¯s seat and started the car, doing his very best to avoid looking behind him. Not one else touches you but me ¡°Brie, I¡¯m leaving!¡± Belle stood at their apartment¡¯s door ready to leave for work the next morning. Cherry had gone to work earlier than them both that day. ¡°Wait for me please, let¡¯s take the bus together okay?¡± Brie begged while taking out a pair of ck ts from the shoe rack in their shared bedroom. ¡°Alright, hurry up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Brie panted, slipping her feet into the ts and hurrying to the door to meet Belle. After locking the door, they both made for the stairs leading downstairs with Belle leading. Brie was texting a coworker quickly when she bumped into Belle at the stairs¡¯ entrance. ¡°Why did you stop?¡± Brie asked and poked her head outside to see for herself and saw a man standing outside. She remembered seeing him once. It was the guy who had brought Belle¡¯s shopped clothes upstairs the other day; it was Randy. ¡°Good morning ma¡¯am.¡± Randy smiled politely. After saying his greeting, he opened the door of the left side of the car parked behind him. ¡°Did Ben ask you toe?¡± Belle asked, she didn¡¯t know Ben was in the car, she knew he usually was very busy on early mornings like this. ¡°Mr Larkson¡¯s in the car ma¡¯am.¡± He informed her. ¡°He is?¡± Belle bent over and looked into the car to be sure.¡± Ben,¡± she uttered in pure surprise, it made him smile when he saw the look on her face. ¡°Come in, I wanted to see you before I went to the office.¡± ¡°I was going to take the bus with my sister¡­.¡± ¡°One of the other cars can drop her off. Get in.¡± She bit her lips for a second then took her head back out from the car to tell Brie. ¡°Brie¡­..¡± ¡°I understand, I can just take the bus alone.¡± Brie cut her short before she could even say anything. ¡°No, let one of his drivers take you directly to work, okay?¡± ¡°Oh okay.¡± Brie nodded.¡±Everyone¡¯s surely finding out about you and him with this convoy parked here.¡± Brie added in a whisper voice when she was about to go with the driver to take her to her workce. ¡°How was your night?¡± Ben asked when Belle was finally in the car with him and after Randy had closed the car door. ¡°Tired.¡± Belle giggled with a reply, they had one of the best sex yet, yesterday at her new house and she slept through the night, tired from it. With a simple smileing from him, he opened his arms for her toe closer and she did. Resting her head against his chest, he caressed her left cheekbone; this was what he wanteding here, he wanted to smell her as he felt her closeness. He wouldn¡¯t admit but after she left the new house he got her yesterday, he realized that he didn¡¯t want her to leave but he couldn¡¯t stop her. She had to go to work today, she couldn¡¯t stay with him, she wouldn¡¯t. Belle had him thinking about herst thing before he slept yesterday night. He thought about Nathan too, he didn¡¯t want to lose Belle. In the light of those thoughts, he decided to convince her to sign a contract with him, he needed to secure that she was his. During all his years in the office, he didn¡¯t trust anyone when it came to issues involving thepanies under his name, not even his friends. It was business-wise to have one¡¯s signature before starting a project or anything rted so it had Ben used to that distrusting attitude. He didn¡¯t trust people easily but he trusted Belle, for some reason he did, he didn¡¯t even know why. It wasn¡¯t just because he was sleeping with her, he has had sex with other women too but it didn¡¯t make him trust them but somehow he trusted Belle. He trusted Belle but he didn¡¯t trust Nathan, since the first time he noticed him around Belle, he knew he was a problem. It was why he wanted Belle to sign a contract, he wanted to be the only man legally allowed to have anything with her. ¡°Belle?¡± He called in his usual deep voice, she didn¡¯t sit up, still having her head rested on his chest, she smiled when she heard him call her name. ¡°I was thinking¡­..¡± Ben started but stopped when it urred to him that she might not like the idea. ¡°Go on, I¡¯m listening.¡± Belle sat up this time to face him because he stopped talking. ¡°Belle, I¡­.¡± ¡°What is it ?¡± ¡°I want to be the only one who gets to make you moan the way you do.¡± He finally said it and got an expected reaction from her. She didn¡¯t say anything after him, she just stared quite nkly at him for some seconds before resting her head on his chest again, without a word still. ¡°Say something.¡± He urged. ¡°What you want; it¡¯s already happening, isn¡¯t it? You were my first.¡± ¡°I want you to sign a contract Belle, I want to make it legal, no one else touches you, no one but me.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Belle went speechless after hisst sentence. What did this man really want? ¡°You won¡¯t let anyone else get as close to you as I do. You won¡¯t have sex with anyone else Belle, just me. Will you sign it?¡± Belle sat up from his chest again, she stared at h shortly. Opening her mouth to say something but no words came initially. ¡°What if I sign this contract like you want and then I sleep with someone else?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± He sounded definitive. There was a seriousness in his voice.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°But just what if¡­.¡± ¡°Belle.¡± He stopped her words. ¡°I don¡¯t want to sign such.¡± She let him know. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°What do you mean, why not? What do you even want?¡± Belle had to ask. ¡°To be the only one allowed to touch you.¡± He knew what he wanted. ¡°You are already getting that, I don¡¯t have to sign a contract besides you don¡¯t love me.¡± Moving Out ¡°You are already getting that, I don¡¯t have to sign a contract besides you don¡¯t love me, do you?¡± After herst two words, Belle felt like she shouldn¡¯t have asked that. The car stopped suddenly, they were now in front of the Crisp-tv media house. Belle sat on his thighs still, with no words and no action, just sheer silence. ¡°I will think about it, Ben.¡± She said oddly before picking up her purse and leaving the car. Nathan was just about to walk into the building when he saw her alight from an expensive car parked right outside the office; he couldn¡¯t tell if the other cars parked behind it were escort cars or not because they also looked pretty expensive. He wasn¡¯t generally into cars but he knew this one Belle came down from was a new model. He hid when she was about to enter the building, he was still too shocked to talk to her. She seemed to be more affluent than he thought. ¡®Maybe I should heed Laura¡¯s advice, maybe I should stay away from Belle.¡¯ He began to think after remembering Laura Johnson¡¯s advice the other day. He started to believe she was right about her assumptions and he was wrong, maybe Belle wasn¡¯t from a rich family but seeing someone powerful, a politician maybe. He took the stairs, not willing to wait for the elevator after Belle took it. Throughout office hours, Nathan did his possible best to avoid her.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Belle on her part spent every free time she had to think about what Ben wanted her to do; surely, she had no ns to sleep with anyone else but she didn¡¯t want to sign a contract either. She made up her mind; she was going to refuse his idea. LATE EVENING Belle stepped out of the elevator while checking what time it was on her wristwatch. She stopped when she left the building, she was looking around at the cars parked along the roadside to know if she could identify any of Ben¡¯s cars he had frequentlye to pick her up with. Not marking any of the cars as Ben¡¯s, Belle decided to hail a cab to go home. ¡®Maybe he¡¯s too busy today,¡¯ she thought. When the cab drove past the house Ben gifted her, she asked the driver to drop her off there. Searching her purse for the house keys as she approached the front porch of the house, she almost believed she didn¡¯t have the keys in that particr purse but it fell out from the open purse. Alone in the modern bungalow, she looked around like it was the first time she was there. The quietness made her consider telling both Brie and Cherry about the house because now she wanted to stay in it. She needed toe home to somewhere as quiet as this. She loved her cousin¡¯s sister but sometimes she didn¡¯t want her around; sometimes she wanted to be alone, no Brie and no Cherry. ***** Belle went home and started to pack some of her clothes in one of her luggage. Cherry came into the room randomly and saw Belle folding clothes with some of them scattered on the bed but she didn¡¯t bother to find out what was going on, she just made a rough assumption that Belle was just re-arranging her wardrobe. It was different when Brie walked into the room. She saw Belle packing and she had to ask. ¡°Okay¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± Belle asked making Belle pause from what she was doing. ¡°Finally, you are back,¡± Belle started because she had been waiting for Brie to return from work but for some reason, she didn¡¯t return home at the same time as Cherry. ¡°I¡¯m moving out,¡± Belle broke it to her in the simplest way she could. ¡°You are moving out? Where to? Did you find another apartment? Why am I just knowing? When are you leaving, tomorrow? Don¡¯t you have to go to work tomorrow?¡± Brie asked a chain of questions, some of which Belle couldn¡¯t grab. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m moving out, tonight.¡± Belle gave answers to the questions she could process. ¡°Tonight? Why tonight? Are you mad at me or something? Is this about my advice with you and Mr. Larkson?¡± ¡°No. No, no, no.¡± Belle put stress on her not to let her sister know that she was not angry with her. ¡°Then why are you leaving? And so soon? It¡¯s like you trying to run away from me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not running away from you, it¡¯s just¡­.¡± Belle paused her words to give her decision onest thought.¡±Ben got me a house,¡± Belle got an expected look from her cousin the moment those words left her lips. ¡°He got you a house?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s just a small bungalow, it¡¯s close to where I work, that¡¯s why he got it,¡± Belle exined hoping Brie didn¡¯t judge the gift from Ben. She made sure to mention that it was just a bungalow so it didn¡¯t seem like Ben was doing too much for her( Belle). ¡°So that¡¯s why you are leaving? Are you gonna be staying with him? Why is he buying you a house, he hasn¡¯t even been with you for up to a month?¡± Brie began to criticize. ¡°He is a billionaire, Brie, he has the money to spend on her, that¡¯s why.¡± They both heard Cherry.¡±Just to be clear here, I wasn¡¯t eavesdropping or anything, I just happened to be here during your conversation.¡± The room went silent for a very short while until Cherry spoke again. ¡°Are you taking this with you?¡± Cherry came to the bed and pick up a jumpsuit from where ity on the bed together with some of Belle¡¯s other clothes.¡±I thought you said I could have it?¡± ¡°Have it if you want it.¡± Belle just said and resumed folding the clothes. She looked up once in a while at Brie who didn¡¯t seem happy with her decision. Overthinking ¡°Heyy Belle,¡± Cherry came back from keeping the jumpsuit she just acquired from Belle. ¡°Yeah?¡± Belle answered inattentively, still deciding which clothes to take and which not to. ¡°What about the red stiletto heels, the one with the¡­..¡± Cherry was about to ask for another of Belle¡¯s belongings when Brie stopped her. ¡°Really Cherry? Is that all you care about right now? Do you even care about where she moving to?¡± ¡°What? She already said it, she moving into a house Ben Larkson got her, there is nothing to worry about. You need to rx a bit on this, let her live her best life if she can, I mean you did so when you were still with the Lumre family¡¯s only heir, you had your fun right? Let her have hers.¡± ¡°Let her have hers and get hurt in the end?¡± ¡°Come on Brie, not every man in city S is like Carl Lumre; I usually won¡¯t say this because I have had bad experiences with men but it¡¯s true, not all men are the same. Ben¡¯s probably different¡­..¡± Belle sighed as she heard Brie and Cherry exchange views, this was the exact reason she didn¡¯t want to let them know about the house. She closed the luggage box and picked it up before heading out. Brie noticed and went after her, leaving Cherry alone in the room. ¡°Belle?¡± Belle stopped when Brie called her name. Standing and waiting for Brie to approach where she stood in the living room, she got an unexpected hug from her. It was a warm hug. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯m overreacting, I¡¯m just trying to protect you from something I¡¯ve been through before but I guess Cherry¡¯s right, not all men are the same. Ben¡¯s not Carl.¡± Brie sighed with a shrug after releasing Belle from her hug. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I understand,¡± Belle replied with a sincere smile. She really appreciated Brie¡¯s effort to help her. *** Back at her bungalow, Belle locked the entrance door as soon as she got there. Getting to the master¡¯s bedroom, the first thing she did was kick her shoes to a corner and take off her clothes, after that she sat in the tub in the master¡¯s bedroom, her phone on a t tab extending right from the wall. She was expecting a call from Ben, he didn¡¯te to pick her up today so she thought he might call to give her a reason.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Time passed as she flipped through chapters of a romance book, enjoying the warm bubbles against her immersed skin. She reached for her phone after a while to check what the time said because she still had not gotten a call from Ben. She folded the page where she stopped reading so she could easily open itter on. Getting out of the bath, she dried her body, taking her time as if she had nothing more to do for the night apart from eating and then sleeping afterward. Putting on a bathrobe after wiping her skin dry, she picked up her phone and book and headed to the kitchen to eat. Continuing her romance novel as she ate, she still had her phone within arm¡¯s reach Incase Ben¡¯s call came but it didn¡¯t. She started to wonder if he was mad about what she said that morning and how she reacted. She made up her mind to call him and maybe apologize, that was if he was angry about that morning. Sitting on the bed, she dialed his contact, watching and hearing it ring without him picking up. Disappointed, she tried again, cing another call. It rang through and he still did not pick up. Deciding it would be thest, she called him one more time but he didn¡¯t pick up like the previous times. Frustrated, she switched off her phone and undressed from the bathrobe. Laying naked in bed, she pulled up the thick nket over herself, covering herself from her toes up to her neck. Shey there, curled up underneath the warm nket, thinking about Ben. She knew now that she was expecting too much when she thought he would call to say why he didn¡¯t pick her up. ¡®Maybe she should listen to Brie and stop what she was doing with Ben before it gotte¡¯ she began to think. ¡®But I knew what I was getting into,¡¯ she thought again. ¡®¡­ he did say he couldn¡¯t love me, he only wanted me sexually and I gave him a go-ahead so I shouldn¡¯t feel bad if he doesn¡¯t call, I shouldn¡¯t feel bad if he doesn¡¯te to pick me up.¡¯ she repeated to herself these exact thoughts. No one had ever kept her up thinking about them like Ben was doing. She knew she was going astray from what she nned initially when she continued her sexual adventures with him. She had nned not to get attached no matter what, she was just going to have a good time with him every time and that would be it¡­.. but here she was, thinking about him and trying to calcte if he was angry at her or not. She soon fell asleep. Kidnapped The first thing Belle did after she woke up was fo check her phone. She wanted to know if Ben had called while she was asleep but there weren¡¯t any missed call(s) on her phone. Taking her phone with her to the bathroom likest night(just Incase he called)she showered and got ready for work. She stood in front of her new ce and smiled when she could easily see the Crisp-tv media house¡¯s building from there, that was how close it was. She smiled at herself again, satisfied with her decision to stay at her ce, now she could walk leisurely to her workce. On her way there, her phone rang and she answered immediately thinking it was Ben but it was just Brie checking up on her. A mini bus suddenly pulled up by the roadside while she was on the phone with Brie. She didn¡¯t give her attention to it, thinking they had some other reason for stopping their vehicle there but someone took her phone from her hands forcefully, throwing it to the floor. She turned to react but a masculine hand covered her mouth before she could say anything and while she struggled to release herself of the man holding her, someone else injected her with a syringe. It took less than a minute for the soporific tranquilizer to take effect on her. She felt her eyelids be heavy and heavier till she couldn¡¯t keep her eyes open anymore. ¡°She¡¯s out.¡± The man holding her said to his other fellow and they put her in the bus and it drove away. ¡°Belle?¡± Brie called from the other side of the phone after she stopped hearing her sister¡¯s voice but no response came. ****** EVENING ¡°I have called her phone severally times since this morning but she hasn¡¯t received any of the calls, I even called the office where she works at and I was told that she never came to work today, please can you assign someone, anyone to do something about it, nothing can happen to her.¡± Brie pleaded with an officer behind a counter at the police station but he gave the same reply he gave her an hour ago. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Miss but we cannot file an official missing report till the person has been missing for twenty four hours.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?! Do you know all that could happen within this twenty four hours you just mentioned, please at least just¡­..¡± ¡°Miss, I am still going to tell you what I have said before. A missing report cannot be filed unles¡­¡± ¡°Can you stop saying that to me! What do you people even do around here if you can¡¯t help me find my sister?!¡± ¡°Heyy Brie, you¡¯ve gotta calm down.¡± It was Cherry. ¡°Calm down? Really?! Belle is fucking missing and you want me to calm down? What if something happens to her? O my god, what if¡­..¡± The worst thoughts wereing to Brie¡¯s head. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the Crisp-tv media house, we could ask for her there then return here afterwards, okay?¡± Cherry was trying her best to help out; she had never been in such a situation and so didn¡¯t know what to do. ¡°I already called her boss, she says Belle never came to the office today.¡± Brie said with a sniff. ¡°Well¡­.¡± Cherry was afraid she was running out of ces to search for Belle till it hit her.¡±What about the new ce she moved to, the one Ben got her.¡± Cherry mentioned, she expected Brie to dry her teary eyes and be happy about the idea she just brought up to search for Belle but Brie gave her a sharp look to her surprise. ¡°We don¡¯t know where that is!¡± Brie snapped at her friend.¡±She didn¡¯t say where exactly the house is. I was afraid of this, I was trying to get some information out of her but no, you didn¡¯t think that was necessary.¡¯She moving into a house Ben Larkson got her, there nothing to worry about. You need to rx a bit on this, let her live her best life¡¯, isn¡¯t that what you said?¡± Brie quoted some of Cherry¡¯s exact words. Cherry went quiet for a while, feeling guilty now that Brie pointed out that she had a fault in why they didn¡¯t know Belle¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°She did mention it was close to her workce right?¡± Cherry remembered something else that Belle said that night. ¡°Yeahhhh.¡± Brie¡¯s eyes lightened with a little hope.¡±Yeahhh, she said that.¡± ¡°So let¡¯s go to her workce? I mean we could walk around to check for the houses there and¡­.¡± ¡°There are no many houses there, let¡¯s do that. We could knock on the doors to ask if anyone saw her and maybe check around to find something¡­.. at least till the police is ready to help out.¡± Brie calcted things to do. Cherry was d she remembered when Belle said the house was near her workce, at least she could shake off a little of the guilt she felt by searching around there with Brie. ***** They had boarded a cab to the Crisp-tv media house. When they got there, they parted ways and went in opposite directions from the media house, both having pictures of Belle to show when they asked anyone for her. Brie was on her path, stopping whoever she met to ask for her cousin sister. She was doing this when she saw a young boy of about seven years old holding a phone and a purse. She nned to just ask if he had seen Belle because she was asking whoever she met; old or young but when she got closer to him, she saw that he had Belle¡¯s phone. ¡°Heyy, where did you get that?¡± She came up to him, startling him and making him drop the phone. ¡°I just saw it on the floor right now, I promise I didn¡¯t have it since.¡± He said in defense for why he had ady¡¯s purse with him. He gave the purse to her, picking up the phone which he had dropped and giving it to her also.¡±Please don¡¯t tell my mum?¡± He pleaded.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Where did you see this?¡± She asked about the purse only at first.¡±And this too?¡± She held up the phone to his face.¡±Where did you see them both?¡± ¡°There?¡± He pointed to a distance not so far from where they both stood.¡±Please don¡¯t say anything to my mum? I¡¯m very sorry, I won¡¯t pick up something that¡¯s not mine next time, I promise.¡± ¡°You just saw it there? Did you see who dropped it?¡± She wanted to know if he had by any chance seen her sister. ¡°No. They were justying on the floor.¡± He answered another of her questions, hoping she wouldn¡¯t mention any of this to his mother.¡±Are you going to report me to my mum?¡± ¡°What? I don¡¯t even know your mum¡­. just go, go home.¡± She told him and he ran off happily; he wasn¡¯t going to get into trouble. Kidnapped 2 When the boy left, Brie looked at Belle¡¯s phone now in her possession. The screen of the phone cracked to her observation. ¡°She decided to call Cherry toe to where she was because now there was a higher chance of finding out anything about Belle¡¯s disappearance on the side. ***** Belle opened her eyes slowly. She couldn¡¯t see quite well, her vision was blurred but she could hear some noises. She closed her eyes after a while; her head was aching and her arms were hurting. She knew from the moment she regained her consciousness that her hands were strongly tied up behind her back as shey. She knew she was on a bed, a soft bed at that, not veryfortable but it was a bed one could sleep in. She wasying on her side so some of her hair was in her face and it contributed to why she couldn¡¯t see clearly when she attempted to open her eyes. She would try to free herself of the clothing used to tie her hands behind her back but she was too weak for that. ¡°I think she¡¯s awake.¡± She heard someone say. ¡°Get her some food then.¡± ¡°What do I get her?¡± ¡°Anything, as long as she eats something, the boss says she can¡¯t go hungry.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± After that, she heard nothing more but footsteps and doors opening and closing. She started to wonder who this boss of theirs was and why he wanted her kidnapped. For the first time since this person kidnapped her and brought her here, fear gripped her. She heard the doors open and close again, she guessed the person who left was back. She was right because he walked to her and squatted near the bed to talk to her. ¡°Get up, it¡¯s time to eat.¡± She heard him say but made no movement; she couldn¡¯t, she was too weak to ¡®get up¡¯. ¡°She¡¯s been stubborn.¡± The man reported to the one who asked him to get Belle some food. ¡°She¡¯s not. She can¡¯t move unless you untie her hands.¡± It was the first man, he had a thicker voice that could differentiate him from the man squatting by the bed Belley. With one action, Belle was pulled up from her position. She drew in some air when her hair wasn¡¯t covering her face anymore, opening her eyes to see who it was. She was disappointed to see that the man had a mask on; she was nning on having a good look at his face so she could describe him to the police when she somehow escaped where she was. Kneeling on the bed against her will, she felt the cloth around her wrist loosen. Just like he made her kneel, he made her sit on the bed, dragging a bedside stool towards her and setting a takeaway in front of her. ¡°Eat.¡± His order was simple. Belle stared at the food nkly for a bit. She could tell it was noodles contained in the takeaway dish. ¡®There¡¯s a takeaway restaurant nearby,¡¯ she calcted to herself. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? Eat.¡± The man said in an angry tone this time. It wasn¡¯t hard for Belle to detect that he was an impatient person. She looked up at him, his mask covered just the areas around his eyes and nose but not his lips. Even with the mask on, she still got scared just by looking him in the eye; his eyes weren¡¯t weing to look at. She pushed the stool away from her, rejecting the food and waiting for a reaction but got none. He seemed to not want to hurt her. He drew the stool back to where she sat on the bed. ¡°Eat. Now.¡± He was getting on the edge of his patience as he forced those two words through his teeth. Belle didn¡¯t want to eat what he gave to her, for all she knew there was probably something to sedate her like they did when they kidnapped her on her way to work, and if not that, probably something harmful. She sat in a different position, facing away from the stool where the food was. ¡°Tiger, she won¡¯t eat. Do I force it all down her throat?¡± She heard him ask the one with the thicker voice. She immediately turned her neck to where Tiger sat by the corner of the room, she turned right in time to see the wicked smile that took over his also masked face. ¡°Leave her be. She would eat when she¡¯s hungry.¡± His smile was brief. She turned back to the man in front of her to meet his scary eyes. He was looking at her like he wanted to do what he threatened to do; shove the whole of the food down her throat. He walked away from her, going to Tiger and whispering in his ears. After some whispered discussions with Tiger, he left. ¡°Are you not hungry or have you just been stubborn like he thinks?¡± Tiger asked her when they were alone in the room. She didn¡¯t answer, all that was on her mind were thoughts on how to escape there. She didn¡¯t hear him leave the chair he sat on till he was right next to her. He grabbed her jaw with his gloved hands and brought his face to hers, his smoky breath in her face. ¡°When I ask questions, I expect answers, am I clear?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Y-Yes.¡± Belle managed to say through her hurting jaw. ¡°Are you not hungry or you are just being a stubborn little brat.¡±He repeated his question from earlier, not letting go of her jaw. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Belle said with tears forming in her eyes, his hands wear tight on her jaw. ¡°You are not hungry huh?¡± He finally left let jaw. Belle immediately massage the ce his hands had just left, trying her best to hold in her tears and just sniffing instead. ¡°Let me inform you if you don¡¯t eat this,¡± he pointed to the takeaway still on the stool.¡±You aren¡¯t getting any other food so you better eat, for your good.¡± He cracked his knuckles before walking away from her, leaving the room and locking the door after him. Kidnapped 3 As soon as Tiger left the room and Belle heard him lock the door, she got up with sudden inspiration and determination to find a way to escape. She looked around the room, and it was then she noticed that there wasn¡¯t a window there. It was just the bed and its thin sheet, two wooden chairs where Tiger and the other man had sat before now, a short bedside stool for which the food was kept for her, and the scarf used to tie her hands. Her determination died just as quickly as it came after she saw that there was nothing to make a n with. ¡®Of course, they knew I would try to escape.¡¯ She thought to herself with a sorrowful sigh. Sitting back on the bed, she remembered when the man who brought her food threatened to force all of it down her throat, a pervy thought dominating her mind. It made her rewind to moments when she was alone with Ben and he would say things like that. No doubt, she enjoyed it whenever Ben says he would shove himself down her throat but it was a different feeling with this kidnapper of hers, his was more threatening than colloquial. She started to wonder if Ben knew she had been kidnapped and what his reaction would be. She also thought about her sister, Brie, and how she was dealing with her disappearance, she knew how much of a worrier Brie was and how much she must be worrying about her. Still lost in her thoughts, she heard the door unlock. Someone walked in, it wasn¡¯t one of the masked men, it was a woman and she didn¡¯t bother covering her face like the men. She was holding a backpack to Belle¡¯s notice. As soon as the woman walked into the room, the door was closed and locked again. Belle stared at the woman, trying to determine what she was there for; she didn¡¯t look like she was also kidnapped like her. The woman who was in her early thirties, came to the bed and threw the backpack near to where Belle sat. ¡°There are clothes for you in there,¡± the woman started, walking away from the bed as she continued. Belle¡¯s eyes followed her. ¡°There¡¯s a bathroom here for you,¡± the woman pointed to a wall, confusing Belle. ¡°That¡¯s a wall,¡± Belle muttered. ¡°It¡¯s a bathroom.¡± The woman insisted, her voice indifferent as she gently pushed against the wall she had earlier pointed to and it opened to Belle¡¯s very surprise. It was a bathroom like the woman said, it was just designed to camouge a wall. ¡°Is there anything else you think you might need for tonight?¡± The woman asked Belle, her face almost expressionless. ¡°Why was I brought here?¡± Belle got up from where she sat and went to the woman with a pleading face. ¡°I have no idea, my job is just to take care of you all the while you are here.¡± ¡°Can you help me out of here? Please, I can¡¯t stay here, I can¡¯t. Please just help me, you look like a nice person¡­.¡± Belle started to beg her, but the woman didn¡¯t seem to be touched by any of Belle¡¯s pleas. As Belle kept on begging, she looked up to the left top corner of the room and then back at Belle. ¡°You are going to get me in trouble, if you keep saying the things you are saying.¡± The woman said, her tone of voice still the same as it has been since she walked into the room. ¡°Okay look, I¡¯ll pay you. I¡¯ll pay you if you help me get out of here, and I won¡¯t mention you to the cops, I swear I won¡¯t, just agree to help me and¡­.¡± The door to the room opened suddenly. Belle turned to see one of the masked men walking toward both her and the woman. When the man got close enough, she could tell that it wasn¡¯t Tiger; Tiger was taller. He grabbed the woman roughly by the arm and Belle heard her gasp in pain. ¡°What is your work here?¡± He asked her in a voice that made Belle want to shrivel at the mere sound of it. ¡°Crow, you are hurting me¡­¡± The woman attempted to free herself of his painful hold but it seemed impossible. ¡°You were supposed to give her the clothes and leave!¡± Crow fumed. ¡°That¡¯s what I was doing.¡± The woman defended. ¡°Crow.¡± It was Tiger. He stood at the door, a stick of cigar in-between his index and middle finger. Crow turned when Tiger called him. No other words left Tiger¡¯s lips but Crow understood what he wanted from him. He let go of the woman, letting her fall when he let go of her. With a threatening but quick look, he left the room, walking past Tiger. Belle watched the woman get up from the floor and leave after Crow. Now it was just Tiger standing at the door with his eyes on her as he drew in smoke from the cigarette. Belle looked at the ground through his intense and warning stare, looking back up after a while and his eyes were still on her. He pressed the end of his cigarette against the wall and Belle saw the ashes slowly swift through the air to the floor. He left after that, locking the doors like before. Belle breathed out in relief after he left. She had noticed that Tiger seemed to be the boss of Crow and Crow, the boss of the woman who just brought her clothes.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g She picked up the backpack which the woman had said would have clothes in them. Opening it, she took out its content. There was a night trouser in the bag, an apanying top, and a nylon with bathing materials in it. She dropped it all on the bed, sitting next to them, fear growing in her again. She didn¡¯t know why she was brought here, who ordered her kidnap, or what the person had in mind, having her kidnapped. Thinking over and again, she couldn¡¯t remember having offended anyone since her arrival to City S; she couldn¡¯t figure out why anyone would want her kidnapped. How did this even happen?! The next morning. Brie got out of the cab and hurried into the police station without waiting for Cherry. She was made to wait for hours before an officialint could be made about Belle¡¯s disappearance. She could barely get any sleep through the night as her worry over Belle grew more with every passing minute. ¡°It¡¯s past twenty-four hours now, can you help me find my sister?¡± Brie went up to the policeman who had attended to her yesterday. ¡°Good morning,¡± the man decided to greet her since she didn¡¯t do it first.¡±I already mentioned your case to Detective Harper, he will be here shortly to talk with you on how to start an investigation. You can have a seat over there and wait.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Brie nodded and went to sit where was directed to. Cherry came in after settling the cab driver and met her friend sitting on a long bench with two other persons. She joined her and asked if the police were willing to help now. ¡°Yeah. He said he referred the case to a certain detective Harper; asked me to wait here.¡± ¡°Oh okay. Let me talk to our supervisor at work. I¡¯ll let him know about Belle and find out if he can permit us a day off.¡± Brie just nodded to Cherry¡¯s words and watched her leave to make the call. ¡°Ms. Miller?¡± Brie heard a man ask and she stood up with urgency. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡± ¡°Okay,e with me.¡± Brie did as she was told, following the man to his office. **** Belle opened her eyes slowly, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was still in the clothes she was kidnapped in, she had fallen asleep on the bed without even changing into the clothes that were brought to herst night. She heard the door unlock, and when she turned, she saw the woman fromst night walk in with the door shut as soon as she was inside. ¡°Your clothes for today.¡± The woman came with a new bag. She threw it on the bed and it caught her attention that Belle hadn¡¯t changed into the one she brought the previous night. She went and picked it up, ready to leave as quickly as she came but Belle stopped her at the door. ¡°I¡­¡± Belle was about to try and convince her to help her out like she didst night but the woman wouldn¡¯t let her say a word. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear whatever you are going to say, you are gonna put into trouble. I can¡¯t have Crow treat me like he did yesterday because of you. ¡°He isn¡¯t here, right? Can you just listen to me¡­¡± ¡°He isn¡¯t here but he can see and hear us.¡± The woman informed her. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I have to go,¡± the woman turned to the door but Belle stopped her again. ¡°What do you mean he can see and hear us?¡± Belle inquired and let her eyes follow the woman¡¯s when she looked up at the left top corner of the room. There was a camera there. Belle immediately swallowed after seeing it; now she understood why Crow had appeared so suddenlyst night while she pleaded with this woman in front of her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I got you into trouble,¡± Belle was sorry. The woman just nodded before knocking twice on the door. Someone unlocked the door from outside, letting it open slightly so the woman could leave through it. When she left, Belle looked up at the camera. She had not noticed it earlier. She knew now that it was pointless trying to escape because they were watching her. ***** Brie had spoken to the detective and was about to leave the police station with Cherry after he convinced her that he would do his best to find out what he can with the information she provided. Belle¡¯s phone started to vibrate in her purse. She had brought it to the police station in case it was needed to solve her disappearance case. Taking it out, she answered the phone to know who it was and if the person knew about Belle¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°Belle,¡± she heard a man call in a deep voice. She didn¡¯t say anything even if she could guess just who it was.¡±Where are you, I¡¯lle get you.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Brie said sarcastically.¡±You don¡¯t even know that she is missing, you know I was right in trying to get her to stop seeing you. What kind of man are you, huh? You don¡¯t even care about¡­..¡± ¡°Belle is missing?¡± Ben¡¯s voice rang through the speakers on Belle¡¯s phone. ¡°Yeah, she is, and I have been trying to find her since yesterday and you are just finding out? You are the¡­..¡± Brie was going to me him for her sister¡¯s disappearance but he had cut the call. ****Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°What do you mean she was kidnapped on her way to work? How is that possible?! Weren¡¯t their people passing by?! How did this even happen?!¡± Ben threw angry questions at the man hired on his order to trace Belle¡¯s disappearance. ¡°No sir. There wasn¡¯t a single person on that road the day she was kidnapped, thanks to them; whoever these people are¡­¡± He traced off and looked at theputer in front of him before continuing.¡±This was a premeditated n, the timing tells it. She must have been under surveince for some days if not weeks. I think someone knows you¡¯ve been with hertely and this person is not happy about that.¡± The man exined his hypothesis. ¡°This person most likely knows you wouldn¡¯t be with her the time she was kidnapped. It is possible that they knew she would be alone at the time, walking to work and they saw the perfect opportunity to kidnap her.¡± ¡°I want to know who this is, and why this person dared to think of abducting my Belle. He or she needs to suffer.¡± The man looked up at Ben when he said that because he could swear he would never expect to hear him refer to a woman as his. Having worked with him before now, he knew Ben¡¯s attitude towards rtionships and couldn¡¯t help but be surprised by his concern for Belle. He felt sorry for whoever it was who had a hand in Belle¡¯s kidnap because Ben wasn¡¯t making an empty threat when he said he or she would pay for their actions. She passed out Belle was asleep on the bed again when someone shook her roughly. She woke up immediately and met Crow¡¯s threatening eyes, it made her heart skip and she immediately sat up. When Crow saw that she was awake, he set a new takeaway dish on the stool, squatting right next to the bed and looking her in the eyes to scare her more. ¡°Eat. This won¡¯t be likest night, if you don¡¯t eat, I¡¯d make you. The boss says you need to be okay while you are here, and I have to follow that order. Don¡¯t make mee back here and force you to eat, it won¡¯t be fun.¡± He used simple words to make his threats to her. He wouldn¡¯t care if she ate or not but they had been given orders by the person who paid them to kidnap her; One of those orders was to make sure she was fed and treated right so he had to do just that. Not waiting for a word from Belle, he left the room. Belle closed her eyes, a little bit of sleepiness still there. She was hungry but she didn¡¯t want to eat what they were giving to her. ¡®Why would the person who wants me kidnapped care that I am fed.¡¯ She asked herself. For all she knew, that wasn¡¯t how a kidnap was supposed to be unless they were trying to poison her, and if not that then probably another reason. She had made up her mind, she wasn¡¯t going to eat even if she was starving. She had not eaten since the day now that she was brought here, she hoped help came soon. She hoped somehow the police found her. She hoped Ben found her, somehow. She fell back to the bed, closing her eyes tiredly, and feeling dizzy. She sat up after some seconds, she was hungry, very hungry. One more stare at the takeaway on the stool, she sighed and went for it. Crow was sitting in front of a screen in another room, watching Belle as she picked up the food. ¡°Did she agree to eat something yet?¡± Tiger came in and sat on a free chair, taking off his mask as he asked. ¡°She¡¯s about to eat the sd I got her.¡± Crow clicked on the mouse on the desktop to zoom in on Belle in the room. They saw her unwrap the packaged dish containing the sd but were surprised to see her keep it back on the stool. She walked to the left part of the room where the camera was located and started to wave at it. ¡°Hello? Whoever is watching right now, if you can hear me, I don¡¯t like to eat sd.¡± She said, a bit loudly, hoping they could hear her. A smile crept up Tiger¡¯s face when he heard her. He found it funny that she thought she had options to pick what she wanted to eat. ¡°Hello?¡± She started to wave again.¡±I know someone is watching¡­ Crow? somebody? Anybody?¡± Crow¡¯s brows arched when he heard her call him by his name. ¡°Her audacity,¡± Crow mentioned. ¡°You don¡¯t me her, she¡¯s sleeping with a man who is feared by more than half of the poption in city S and across. She most likely is used to getting whatever she wants at the tip of her fingers.¡± Tigermented, a smile still on his lips. ¡°Send Mev to find out what she wants to eat,¡± Tiger instructed afterward. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Crow didn¡¯t want to believe that Tiger was going to get her what she wanted to eat.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°You know how much I hate to repeat myself.¡± Tiger¡¯s smile disappeared when he said this. Crow didn¡¯t need to be told now that his superior wasn¡¯t joking with what he instructed him to do. Without wasting any more time, Crow stood from where he sat, leaving the room to do as he was told. As soon as he left, Tiger took over his seat which was directly in front of the wide screen disying all corners of the room where Belle was left. Rubbing his chin, he watched her stand there, looking weak and tired. He clicked on the mouse to zoom into her. Staring at the screen more fervently, he couldn¡¯t stop watching her, she was beautiful. Within his private thoughts, he knew he wanted to be more than just an abductor to Belle. He wished he didn¡¯t meet her this way, he wished he wasn¡¯t hired to keep her here, then he would make a move to get her. It was more conflicting to him when he found out that his boss wanted her kidnapped because she was too close to Ben rkson. It was almost impossible to have an eye for a woman the dreadful Ben Larkson was seeing. He knew he didn¡¯t dare. Belle felt her eyelids get heavy and heavier, her vision getting blurry with every second that quickly passed. She felt dizzy, her legs felt too weak to keep her standing. Mev, the woman who had been bringing clothes to her, walked in to do what Crow had just asked her to do; to find out what Belle wanted to eat. As soon as she walked in and the door closed behind her, she saw Belle drop to the ground. ¡°Shit.¡± Tiger cursed under his breath and stood from where he sat in the control room, picking up his mask before going to Belle. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened, I didn¡¯t do anything to her, I just walked in and she slumped to the ground almost immediately.¡± Mev started to exin the moment Tiger walked into the room. She knew how well he was paid for Belle¡¯s kidnap and was present when their boss dished out instructions to him. One of those instructions was to make sure nothing happened to Belle while she was held here so she had to exin that she didn¡¯t fault why Belle fainted. ¡°Get out,¡± He didn¡¯t want to listen to her now. Picking Belle up from the ground, heid her on the bed, arranging her head on the pillow. ¡°Get some water,¡± He ordered Mev and she quickly left to get some. ¡°What happened?¡± It was Crow. ¡°She passed out.¡± ¡°Fuck.¡± Crow rubbed his hair after he cursed. ¡°I got the water,¡± Mev came back in with a bottle of water. Tiger took it and sprinkled some of it on Belle¡¯s face, and watched her blink her eyes as she sat back up. Attempted rape Night. Belle was asleep again since when she fainted earlier. She finally had something to eat but still felt weak after she woke up then. With her eyes still shut and her entire body weak, she could feel someone¡¯s touch against her skin. It felt like the person had gloves on because she could feel the leather against her skin as well. The person caressed her thighs, going further to the upper part in-between her legs. With a jolt, she opened her eyes and met a masked face. She couldn¡¯t tell who it was at an initial nce but she also didn¡¯t care who it was, all she cared for at that moment was for the person to get off her. She almost assumed it was Mev trying to change her clothes but then it urred to her that it couldn¡¯t be Mev; this person wasn¡¯t trying to change her clothes, this person was trying to do something else. ¡°What are you¡­ what are you doing?¡± Her first question left her lips but the person said nothing. She felt the person¡¯s gloved hands run across her thighs again before parting her legs roughly. At that point, she needed not to be told what the person was trying to do with her. ¡°What are you doing? Who are you?! Stop it! Help!!¡± She decided to scream but his big hands covered her small mouth. ¡°Shut the fuck up.¡± She heard himmand in a whisper. She could tell whose rough voice it was even if she had just been here for a day. It was Crow¡¯s voice. Fear enveloped her, he was trying to rape her. She tried pushing him off her but she was too weak to lift her hands over a prolonged time. Beads of sweat started to form over her forehead. She heard his belt as it loosened, making her feel more pressured to push him off her. With her teeth, she bit his hands hard, biting through the light leather and managing to inflict pain on his palms. ¡°Fuck,¡± He cursed and took away his hands from her mouth. ¡°Helpppp!!!¡± She yelled again when she got a chance to, but he covered her mouth again. ¡°Shut up.¡± He shed his intimidating eyes at her; the only thing she could see in thepletely dark room. ¡°Please don¡¯t, I beg you,¡± She resorted to begging when he took his hand off her lips again to get a pillow on the other side of the bed. ¡°If you won¡¯t shut the fuck up, I will have to make you,¡± He said but before Belle could understand that sentence, he put the pillow over her face. Belle gripped his shirt when he did that because she couldn¡¯t breathe properly; her breath had been cut short. She started to hit his chest with her frail hands, trying to make him take the pillow off her face so she could breathe. He didn¡¯t stop, he just held the pillow over her face with his left hand and tried to continue what he had in mind with the right while she kicked the air beneath him, grasping for air. He pulled on the shorts Mev had made her change into, pulling them down from her waist slowly as she still struggled to breathe with every passing second. Belle was getting weaker and weaker, she didn¡¯t even care that he was almost getting her naked, all she wanted was to breathe at that point. Her hands fell from his chest; tired of struggling andcking the strength to push him off her. She wished he would just get the pillow off of her face but she couldn¡¯t even plead with him, she couldn¡¯t talk and she couldn¡¯t breathe. ¡°Crow! What the hell?! Get the fuck off her!¡± She heard the door open suddenly like it was being busted open. As much as she could tell it was Tiger yelling at Crow to get off of her, she couldn¡¯t see him. She felt the force on the pillow over her face lighten. She would take it off her face but she was almost numbed. ¡°I said get off her!¡± She heard Tiger¡¯s voice again and it seemed to have be nearer to her hearing. Someone raised the pillow from her face, and with a quick flicker of her eyes, she could see Mev. She drew in breath once the pillow was not over her face anymore. ¡°Hey, can you hear me?¡± She asked Belle but saw Belle close her eyes slowly. ¡°Tiger, she¡¯s passing out again.¡± Mev¡¯s voice was thest Belle heard before she zonked out.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Mev immediately took the light nket and put it over Belle¡¯s legs when she saw that her eyes had shut, covering from her waist to her toes. ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you Crow? What the fuck did you think you were doing trying to force yourself on her like that, huh? You almost killed her! You almost fucking killed her! Are you out of your fucking mind now?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Crow said nothing, he didn¡¯t feel remorseful about what he just tried to do to Belle and wasn¡¯t about to me himself either, he thought it her fault for being too sexy to make him lose his control. ¡°You were there when the client said nothing can happen to her while she¡¯s here and you just tried to rape her? What the actual fuck is wrong with you?¡± Tiger was upset about what Crow did, he was a well-paid serial abductor but he would never go low as to rape a woman. Crow walked out when he didn¡¯t want to hear any of Tiger¡¯s castigation. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare walk out on me!¡± Tiger followed him, leaving Belle to Mev¡¯s care. I mean you, Ben As usual, Belle opened her eyes to see herself in the same bed, her head hurting more than before. Memories ofst night suddenly came to her and she grabbed the nket which was already over her, closer to her chest. She felt the least safe now than when she was first brought to this ce. Tears started to form in her eyes as she wondered about her fate. She began to worry that she might never be found and rescued, she thought of her cousin¡¯s sister, she thought of Ben, and unpredictably, she also thought of Mrs Johnson. She thought more of Ben, was he thinking of her? Was he worried about her disappearance? Was he making any effort to look for her? The room¡¯s door opened and both Mev and Tiger walked in. Mev had a small bag with her like she always did whenever she came to check up on Belle, while Tiger had a stick of cigarettes in-between his index and middle finger. Belle fidgeted with pre-existing fear the moment they both walked in. Tiger noticed it. ¡°Rx, he¡¯s gone.¡± She heard him, and wondered, was he speaking of Crow? ¡°Some clothes for you,¡± Mev dropped the bag on the bed, next to where Belley.¡±What do want to eat?¡± Belle didn¡¯t reply to Mev¡¯s question, making Mev turn to Tiger with her eyes asking what to do next. ¡°Leave,¡± Tiger ordered Mev, she nced at Belle once more before leaving, closing the door as she left. He strolled to the part of the bed where shey and sat by her. Belle moved farther from him when he sat. ¡°Crow¡¯s gone, I made him leave, you have nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°I have nothing to worry about? I¡¯ve been abducted by you and I don¡¯t even know why. I don¡¯t know what you n to do with me, and you say I have nothing to worry about?¡± She didn¡¯t know where she got the voice to speak. ¡°Please, let me go?¡± Tears formed in her eyes.¡±Please.¡± He stood from where he sat the moment she started pleading with him. He didn¡¯t want to give her any false hope of leaving because she wasn¡¯t, the person who hired her didn¡¯t even have a definite time fixed for her staying here. ***** ¡°Tell me you¡¯ve found something so far,¡± Ben asked a man walking in, even before the man could sit. ¡°I have, sir.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°I essed the security cameras on the street, the day Ms Miller was kidnapped, it wasn¡¯t easy because the police were in possession of the only copy, her sister had filed a mission person¡¯s report.¡± ¡°Any information from the cameras?¡± Ben asked again, impatient with him. He already knew that Brie filed a case and had a lot of friends helping to find Belle so he didn¡¯t need to be re-informed about any of that. ¡°Yes.¡± The man set hisptop on Ben¡¯s office desk, turning it to face Ben when a video started ying. Ben leaned in to have a closer look at the video. He saw Belle walking with her phone to her ear when a minibus stopped by the road; he watched how she was been forced into the car, and his eyes red with anger as he tapped on the table. ¡°I watched this video repeatedly, and I was able to detect a slight mistake of one of the kidnappers. Now, this video ys at a slower rate.¡± The man slowed the ying rate of the footage and Ben could detect what the man was talking about. The man who had covered Belle¡¯s mouth, did so while she struggled to get free of his grip. During her struggle, she lifted the sleeve of his shirt a little; Ben paused the video when that happened. ¡°Tiger.¡± Now, he knew. ¡°Yes sir, his tattoo betrayed him here.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill him.¡± The man seated opposite Ben knew how true those words were. ¡°Uhm sir, as I mentioned earlier, the police also have this footage but they might not have noticed what we have. I mean, they have heard of Tiger but never caught him; they know what he looks like but most likely don¡¯t know about his tattoo¡­. they might not be going to this Ms. Miller¡¯s rescue anytime soon, and¡­.¡± ¡°They don¡¯t have to, I¡¯ll do so myself.¡± Ben inhaled some air, he finally had a trace of where and how to find Belle. ¡°I¡¯ll keep doing what I can to get Tiger¡¯s exact location. I¡¯ll let you know when I do that, sir.¡± With that, the man left Ben¡¯s office. As soon as she left, Ben¡¯s assistant walked in after an inaudible knock. ¡°Sir, there¡¯s ady here to see you, do I let her in?¡± ¡°Did she fix an appointment, do I have a meeting with her?¡± ¡°Uhm, no sir.¡± ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Ms. C¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Ben¡¯s assistant turned her neck when she heard the woman. ¡°Sir, I told her not toe in till after I was sure that you wanted to see her. Do I call security?¡± His assistant exined, when the woman stood there, now with a smile. ¡°Leave,¡± Ben told his assistant. ¡°Yes sir.¡± She did as she was ordered. As she left, she got a threatening look from the woman who had been waiting to see Ben. ¡°What are you doing here, Alex?¡± Ben¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t pleasant when he asked but she smiled anyway. ¡°I came to see you,¡± She walked towards his desk where he sat. It wasn¡¯t hard for her to notice that he wasn¡¯t in that much of a good mood. ¡°Is Jenna okay?¡± Ben could only think there was probably something about Jenna because that would be the only reason he would permit her presence. ¡°Oh, Jenna is great, surely.¡± Alex shrugged now that she was closer to where he sat. She kept her purse on one of the chairs opposite where he sat behind the desk, slowly walking around the table to get to him. She ced her hand on his shoulder from behind him, bending over and whispering in his left ear. ¡°I miss you, Ben.¡± Alex ¡°I miss you, Ben.¡± ¡°So you are not here because of Jenna?¡± He wanted to be sure. ¡°No, I¡¯m here for you. I came here to see you.¡± ¡°Get out.¡± His order was sudden. She snickered in reaction. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Leave my office, Alex.¡± His voice was calm, but he generally wasn¡¯t and didn¡¯t want her there. ¡°Don¡¯t you miss me?¡± ¡°Alex, leave.¡± She stood there, her hands still on his shoulder, she took in a deep breath trying to control her anger. She knew she couldn¡¯t be angry at him. ¡°I thought you¡¯ve been away from women all this while because you needed a break, and that¡¯s why I stoppeding around but then you are seen with this girl¡­.¡± Ben raised his eyes to look at her when she said ¡®this girl¡¯. ¡°You know about her?¡± ¡°Of course I do, I was at the hotel that day. You would never hold me in public but the way you held her hands that day¡­.¡± Alex trailed with jealousy in her voice. ¡°Alex?¡± He stood now, taking her hands off him.¡±Do you have a hand in her kidnap? Was this your doing?¡± ¡°No!¡± She quickly defended.¡±I didn¡¯t even know she was missing.¡± ¡°If I find out, that you did this..¡± He didn¡¯t have toplete his sentence for her to know what he meant. ¡°I know I get jealous sometimes but I will never do something like that. You know me, right? I¡¯m Jenna¡¯s best friend.¡± ¡°Leave my office,¡± he ordered again, and this time she obeyed. She didn¡¯t want to be around him any longer, not now that he was suspicious of her. Alex was Jenna¡¯s best friend. She knew Ben since she was younger and always painted a picture of them being together since they were still teenagers. She always did everything possible to be close to him, including asking Jenna to help her out but Jenna would always warn her to stay away from Ben. ¡°He¡¯s never going to be the man you want, Alex.¡± Jenna would always say. ¡°I know but I can make him¡­.¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t. Get your mind off him, we are grown now, if he ever for once wanted to take you seriously, he would.¡± Jenna knew how intolerant Ben was when it was anything to do with her best friend, Alex. She would help Alex try to win Ben¡¯s heart when they were still in their teenage ages but now that they were sensible adults, she had been advising her to give up the thought of being together with Ben because she knew it couldn¡¯t happen. **** Belle sat with her knees up, she rested her head on her knees as she stared at nothing in particr. She didn¡¯t know what to think about anymore so she just sat with a lost mind. The door opened, it was Tiger again. He came and sat on the bed like before. ¡°I thought about what you said,¡± he started.¡±You want to leave here?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± He got Belle¡¯s full attention. ¡°I could free you tomorrow,¡± A grateful smile brushed her lips when he said that.¡±¡­ but you have to do something to earn your freedom.¡± Belle¡¯s smile depreciated. Tiger didn¡¯t know why but she was making him say something he had never said to any of the victims of his work. He could understand Crow¡¯s loss of control to try and rape her, and as much as he would never force himself on a woman, he wanted to trade her freedom for her freedom. It was stupid, he knew but he was ready to return the money he was paid to the person who ordered her kidnap; it was the most hical thing he was going to do since he started abducting people. ¡°You satisfy me, and I¡¯ll let you go.¡± He told her and watched her move a little farther from where he sat, creating more distance between them. ¡°Think about it, you have from now till 9 pm to decide. Be wise, I might change my mind.¡± He stood and left just like he came. Tears flowed from Belle¡¯s eyes the moment the door closed and she heard the lock turn. Her hopes were on edge when he said he would let her go but then he mentioned his condition. She wiped her tears, anger recing sadness, she hissed. She couldn¡¯t even think of it like he advised, she wasn¡¯t going to consider it¡­. but she had to get away from there. Wiping some tears off her face again, she decided to ask Mev for help again when she came with food or clothes for her. Later, 7 pm. Mev walked in after the door opened, making Belle jump off the bed to meet her because she had been expecting her. She was about to go straight to the point and ask Mev for help as she nned but saw that Tiger was still at the door so she paused till he left.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Look, help me, please.¡± Belle didn¡¯t waste any time when he left after shutting the door with Mev inside. She started to plead in a low voice. ¡°I¡¯m just here to give you your clothes, which you don¡¯t always change into¡­¡± Mev sighed when she saw the bag she brought earlier still on the bed; Belle hadn¡¯t changed into new clothes. ¡°Forget about the clothes, help me get out of here, is it money you want? I¡¯ll pay you, just¡­¡± ¡°You are trying to get me into trouble again.¡± She heard Mev. ¡°No. I¡¯m just desperate. You don¡¯t have to do anything to implicate yourself, tell me how to escape here, I promise I won¡¯t go to the police¡­¡± Mev snorted. ¡°What would you like to eat?¡¯ Mev went on with her routine, ignoring all that Belle said. ¡°Please?¡± Belle wouldn¡¯t stop. She looked up at the camera and lowered her voice more.¡±I¡¯m not safe here, one of them even tried to rape me, and now Tiger, that¡¯s his name right? Do you know what he said? He says he could let me go, but only if I satisfy him. I don¡¯t trust him, he could do anything.¡± ¡°Tiger said that?¡± Mev didn¡¯t hide her surprise. ¡°Yes, and I know that even if I say no to him, he might still try to do what Crow did¡­¡± ¡°No, Tiger would never do that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care what he can and cannot do, I just want to leave this ce. Please help me.¡± Mev saw the tears forming in Belle¡¯s eyes and felt more pity for her than she did before. ¡°I can¡¯t help you. It¡¯s all in Tiger¡¯s hands, he¡¯s in charge, I¡¯m sorry.¡± She shrugged as she told Belle, looking away because she couldn¡¯t face her while she declined to help her. ¡°I don¡¯t deserve this,¡± Belle covered her face with both her palms and started to sob. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Mev said again. They both stopped when they heard the door unlock, it opened afterward. It was time for Mev to leave again. Leaving a pitiful nce at Belle, she left and the door was locked again. Belle stared at the wall nkly for some seconds before returning to the bed. Now, she didn¡¯t know what to do. She decided to check the clothes which Mev had brought earlier, she wanted to wear something that covered her body just in case Tiger tried to force himself on her tonight. Luckily, there was a jean trouser in the bag. She smiled dryly, happy to find it there. While she changed in the bathroom, she remembered when Tiger mentioned that she had till 9 pm, she wondered what time it was as she couldn¡¯t tell. There was no clock or any time-telling device in the room; there weren¡¯t any windows either so she couldn¡¯t predict by the presence of the sun, whether night or day. Rescued Belle couldn¡¯t close her eyes since Mev left. There was fear in her mind. She was expecting Tiger toe so she could decline his offer and was also prepared if he tried anything with her. It was dark in the room now, the lights were turned off from somewhere else other than the room. It made her clutch one of the pillows tight. She could hear her breathing in the quiet room, heavy as they were. She blinked now and then to stop the tears that wouldn¡¯t stop forming in her tired eyes. She heard a familiar sound, the unlocking of the door. Her breathing got heavier than they already were. She saw a male figure walk in, and rather than sitting up to face him as she nned in her head, sheid still, closing her eyes and hoping he would just walk back out. She still had her eyes closed when she felt a gloved hand touch her face, her heart skipped. The hand caressed her cheeks first and then her lips, slowly parting them. Ben, that was the first thought that came to her because he did that to her whenever they were together; he loved to y with her lips and it felt like she could smell his cologne. ¡®It isn¡¯t Ben, it¡¯s Tiger.¡± She told herself before pushing the hand away from her face anding down from the bed through the other side. The door was unusually left open after he came in, so she went for it, running to leave through it but she was stopped. The man grabbed her by the waist and pinned her to the wall. She tried to push him with all the strength she had but he didn¡¯t let her make that effort. His hands went around her neck, pushing her head to the right and whispering in her left ear. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± She stopped struggling. ¡°Ben?¡± She rxed for the first time in days. He took his hand off her neck and she immediately brought her face to his, trying to see his face in the dark room. She could smell him more precisely now, her adrenaline rush had reduced so quickly after hearing his voice. ¡°Ben.¡± She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly, sobbing as she inhaled more of him. They both turned to the door when they heard someone¡¯s footsteps. The person stopped walking after reaching the open door, they could see the shadow of this person. ¡°Don¡¯t move from here, no matter what,¡± Ben told her and got a nod from her.¡±Close your eyes.¡± He added that he didn¡¯t want her to witness what he might have to do. Belle was hesitant at first, confusion written on her face but she decided to trust him and do like he said. The lights came on and Tiger walked in, his eyes first went to the bed before turning in Ben and Belle¡¯s direction. With quick action, Ben charged at him before he could do so.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Belle heard a thud, like someone was been mmed against the wall but she shut her eyes tighter, shaking with new grown fear as she tried to control her nervousness. ¡°Arrgh!¡± She heard Tiger grunt in pain. She opened her eyes to see. Tiger was holding an edgy knife directly in front of Ben¡¯s face but he couldn¡¯t get it close to his skin because Ben held his wrist to stop him. There was also blooding from Tiger¡¯s right ear. Belle gasped and covered her mouth with both her hands making Ben turn to her. She immediately shut her eyes again. As soon as she shut her eyes again, she heard what sounded like a body being plunked to the ground. After that, it became quiet in the room, and the only thing should hear was her heavy breathing. A hand touched her face and she gasped in fear, opening her eyes simultaneously to see Ben. She hugged him, standing on her toes to be able to put her arms around his neck. While still hugging him with her head on his shoulder, her eyes caught Tigerying on the floor, looking lifeless. ¡°Is he okay?¡± She found herself asking and was unsure why. She separated their hug. ¡°He¡¯s alive. I want the police toe and find him this way. I need him to mention the name of the person that paid him to capture you.¡± ¡°The police?¡± ¡°Yes, they will be here soon. Come, let me take you home.¡± He took her hand and left the room. For the first time since she was brought there against her will, she saw outside the walls of the room she was forced to stay in. They walked through a long narrow hallway which was dimly lit by a yellow glow from a night light before they finally got to a door. Ben led her through, and she could see another door not so far away; it was open too. Finally, she was leaving this ce. She couldn¡¯t believe that there wasn¡¯t any other person around except Tiger and Mev. ¡®Mev, where is she?¡¯ She also thought but then shrugged it off, she didn¡¯t mind much to know where she was, all she wanted was to be taken away from there. She wanted to hug Brie, she missed her. She also missed Cherry. She wanted to go to sleep without being scared of what would happen to her while she slept. When they got outside, Belle couldn¡¯t see the car parked there; the only bulb lighting the whole ce was flickery and didn¡¯t help one to see much of the surroundings but Ben led her to the car. ¡°You came with a driver?¡± She expressed her surprise when she saw someone standing in front of the car. The person opened the door for her and Ben helped her get in. Meanwhile, Mev saw them when they were exiting the room but she hid; she didn¡¯t try to stop Ben from leaving with Belle. She hadn¡¯t mentioned to Belle earlier but she was also a victim of Tiger. She was kidnapped once for a ransom but her family couldn¡¯t afford to pay so Tiger made her work with him. Seeing Ben and Belle leave, she didn¡¯t think twice about utilizing the opportunity to also escape. She waited for the car to drive out because she didn¡¯t want Ben to know there was someone else; she couldn¡¯t face him. As soon as they left, she started to run, not knowing where she was headed but at least she could finally be free. * Don鈥檛 go The driver had driven them to one of Ben¡¯s apartments where he casually visited. Belle had fallen asleep while resting in his arms as they drove there so when it was time to get down from the car, Ben had to carry her in. The driver who had followed Ben up the elevator to get the door opened it and Ben carried her in. She didn¡¯t even know she was being carried by him till the driver closed the door a little bit loudly, and she opened her eyes slowly. Ben¡¯s face was the first thing her eyes met, and she smiled. Ben noticed she was awake when he wanted toy her down on the bed. ¡°Are you going to leave?¡± She asked with her sleepy eyes aimed at his. ¡°No. No, I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°I feel dirty, Ben¡± She pouted, holding on to his neck and not letting go.¡±I NEED to immerse my body in some warm water.¡± ¡°Okay, you can do that when you wake up tomorrow.¡± Ben tried toy her down again because he thought she was just sleep-talking but she wouldn¡¯t let go. ¡°You are not listening to me, Ben. I want to feel some warm water against my skin, I want to¡­.¡± She trailed off, shutting her still sleepy eyes for some seconds and re-opening them. ¡°You want a warm bath?¡± Ben was ready to give her whatever she wanted, he just thought she looked too exhausted to want to do anything. ¡°Yessss.¡± She stressed her reply, shutting her eyes again. ¡°Alright, but you have to let me keep you on the bed so I can go fix the tub for you. Okay?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t want you to leave.¡± She shook her head, opening her eyes as she did so. ¡°Belle, how about I go fix you a warm bath like you want, and you take off your clothes, okay?¡± ¡°No. Don¡¯t go.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t. I¡¯m just going to the bathroom.¡± ¡°Okay. Take me with you.¡± She earned a surprised look from Ben when she said that. ¡°I¡¯m scared that if you leave¡­.¡± She was about to exin. ¡°Nothing will happen to you, Belle. No one cane here to hurt you. No one, not while I¡¯m here with you.¡± He smiled reassuringly at her, understanding her fear. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I let this happen to you in the first ce.¡± His smile died slowly when he apologized. ¡°You know what? We could both go to the bathroom.¡± After saying thosest words, he saw a faint smile paint her lips. With her arms still around his neck, he carried her toward the bathroom like a baby. When he got to the bathroom, he kept her on the countertop to the vanity, luckily she agreed to be left there. Closing and opening her eyes repeatedly, she watched him prepare a bath for her. ¡°Your bath is ready now,¡± he carried her down from the counter but she stood scratching the back of her neck. ¡°Won¡¯t you take off my clothes, or do I get in the bath with them?¡± She pursed her lips, almost unconsciously. Ben sighed, he knew she was not herself at the moment. Taking her clothes off her wasn¡¯t something he nned on doing, he didn¡¯t want to be triggered to do anything with her, not today. After staring at her for a while, he smiled. ¡®I can control myself,¡¯ he said to himself before going closer to her than he already was. She raised both her hands for him to take the top she was wearing off her, and he did. Her pointy breasts stared at him, making him swallow. He had forgotten how bad he was at controlling himself when it was Belle. ¡°Fuck,¡± he just muttered. To avoid the temptation directly in front of him, he looked away to clear his head for some good seconds before looking back at her. He pulled the jean trouser down from her waist to her ankles after unzipping it. Belle stepped out of the trouser without being told.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Carry me to the tub?¡± She blinked as she requested. The tub was just two steps away from where they both stood but she wanted to be carried by him, she wanted to breathe in his smell, she missed that. ¡°Here we go,¡± He swept her off the floor and towards the tub. Watching the bubbly water cover most of her when he put her in the tub, he squatted behind her, a smile on his face. She closed her eyes once she felt the warm water, she had longed to get in a bath for days now. She finally felt safe enough to befortable in a bath with her eyes closed the way she was doing. It felt better when she felt Ben¡¯s hands on her shoulder, he was giving her a massage. She found herself smiling with pleasure. ¡°You like this?¡± She heard him ask in her right ear. ¡°Mhmm.¡± She answered. She soon fell asleep in the tub, not able to battle the heaviness of her eyelids. Ben got a towel before getting her out of the tub, he didn¡¯t mind getting himself wet in the process. After drying her body delicately with the towel, he took her back to the bed,ying her gently so she didn¡¯t wake up again but she opened her eyes when he was putting the nket over her. ¡°I¡¯m thirsty, Ben.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get you some water,¡± he made to leave but heard her. ¡°No, don¡¯t go.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just going to get water.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She looked at both sides of the bed and when she confirmed that there wasn¡¯t a jug of water sitting on either of the bedside tables, she sighed. ¡°It will be less than a minute, I¡¯ll be back,¡± Ben assured her before leaving the room. *** Ben came into the room where Belle was resting now; he had left to get her some water as she asked but he met her asleep when he returned. Keeping the ss of water on one of the bedside tables, he sat by the bed, staring at her for a long time. He stopped and sighed; she didn¡¯t deserve to be kidnapped. He couldn¡¯t shake off the guilty feeling of knowing she was most likely kidnapped because of him. He knew that the person who ordered her kidnapped, either did so to get to him or did so because of jealousy, and if that was the case, he strongly suspected Alex. It had to be Alex, he was undoubted about it because for one to contract Tiger to do a job, that person had to be financially ready, and besides that, she had the motive. He knew that there were other persons in his life with motives to want to hurt Belle to get to him but no one knew he was having anything with Belle, at least not the persons he would suspect. His thoughts were disrupted when Belle suddenly sat up, breathing heavily with fear written all over her. ¡°Belle?¡± He went closer to her and hugged her to calm her down. She hugged him back, feeling safe to know that he was there. ¡°Water,¡± She muttered, she was still thirsty like before she slept. ¡°Here,¡± Ben got the ss from the table and held it to her lips so she could drink from it. When she had had some, he returned the ss to the table. ¡°Don¡¯t go, stay with me.¡± Belle held his arm, her plea reflecting in her blue eyes. ¡°I wasn¡¯t nning to,¡± he smiled at her as he rearranged the pillows. ¡°Come,¡± he said when hey on the bed with his arms open for her. Belle quickly went on top of him, resting her head against his chest. She didn¡¯t think he would know how much she liked toy on his chest. Now that she was on top of him, she felt the safest. He pulled the nket over them both, caressing her hair and bareback afterward and trying to help her go back to sleep. Belle鈥檚 safe Morning. Cherry was asleep when she heard her friend sobbing. She rubbed her eyes and sat up to see Brie¡¯s face streaming with tears. ¡°Oh Brie, not again,¡± she hugged her to try andfort her. Brie had been crying a lot since Belle went missing and had Cherry cry with her sometimes too. ¡°It¡¯s been days, the police are still not saying anything about her, no one knows where she is¡­. what am I going to tell my grandma? She doesn¡¯t even know yet, I was supposed to look out for Brie but now she¡¯s been missing and no one is calling with any information about where she might be.¡± Brie started to weep more loudly than before; she had been muffling her sobs because she didn¡¯t want to wake Cherry up but now she had someone to cry her heart out to. ¡°She will be okay,¡± Cherry said even if she was beginning to lose hope in those words of hers, it was just an attempt to calm her friend down again. ¡°I hope so¡­¡± Brie sniffed and wiped some of her tears away. ***** Almost noon. Brie was at the Crisp-tv media house, she wanted to know if anyone had any information to give. It was always the same answers whenever she came, no one knew Belle enough to have any helpful information, but Brie didn¡¯t want to give up. It was thest free day she had to ask questions and gather any information she could get; the supervisor at her job had given her two days off to get herself together and return to work. Mrs. Johnson had been helping her to draw attention to Belle¡¯s disappearance. She printed little flyers and handed them out to all of her colleagues and juniors at the office, including Nathan. She also added Belle¡¯s description and a picture to any of the papers she reviewed before sending them out for publication. Brie was on her way to Mrs. Johnson¡¯s office when her phone rang. She continued walking while trying to get it out of her bag. When she got to the door of Mrs. Johnson¡¯s office, she stopped to take the call before meeting her. It was an unknown number but she picked anyway. She had been giving out her phone number to people, just in case they found anything helpful so they could call her to let her know. ¡°Hello?¡± She asked, expecting the person to go straight to the point because she didn¡¯t have time to lose. ¡°Brie, it¡¯s me,¡± she heard a voice she has been yearning to hear. ¡°O my gosh! Belle?!!!¡± She screamed with joy.¡±Belle! Where are you? Are you okay?¡± She was so worried that she had to ask.¡±Tell me where you are, and I¡¯ll call Detective Harper right away.¡± She added that it urred to her that Belle might be using her captive¡¯s phone to call for help. ¡°I¡¯m okay, Brie.¡± She heard Belle say. ¡°You are okay? Are you sure? Are you being forced to say this?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m okay. I am. I¡¯m so sorry I didn¡¯t call you first thing after I was out of there, I was too drained and too tired, I forgot to call you.¡± ¡°Out of where? Where are you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t where I am but I¡¯m with Ben.¡± ¡°Ben? You are with Ben? Have you been with Ben this whole time?¡± ¡°No, I was¡­ Brie, you know what? I wille over soon, and then we would talk about it. I¡¯ll tell you everything, okay?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Brie went speechless, she didn¡¯t know what to say or how to react even so she just stood where she was, her phone to her ears but not saying anything. ¡°Brie?¡± Belle called when she didn¡¯t hear her sister saying anything more. ¡°Yeah? Okay, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at my ce. You sure you are okay?¡± Brie decided to ask again. ¡°I am. I¡¯m okay.¡± ¡°Brie? Why didn¡¯t youe in? Have you just been standing out here?¡± It was Laura Johnson. ¡°You won¡¯t believe who just called me,¡± Brie said with a tone of voice right in-between happiness and surprise. ¡°Who? Did someone have any information to give?¡± ¡°Better.¡± ¡°The detective in charge of her case finally told you how far he¡¯s gone with his investigation?¡± ¡°No. Belle¡­ Belle just called,¡± she smiled, some tears forming in her eyes. Mrs. Johnson didn¡¯t hide her surprise. ¡°She called? What did she say? Is she okay?¡± Mrs Johnson asked full of concern. ¡°She said she was, and she did sound okay, I¡¯m just bewildered,¡± Brie replied honestly. ¡°Me too, but I¡¯m mostly d that she¡¯s okay.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. *** Jenna was with her best friend when she got a text from her cousin¡¯s brother, Ben. Alex saw her smile and had to ask what was making her smile. ¡°Belle¡¯s safe. Ben just texted me that she¡¯s okay.¡± Jenna shared the good news but was too engrossed in genuine happiness to notice Alex¡¯s face turn sour. ¡°Belle, is that her name?¡± ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m so d she¡¯s been found, finally, Ben¡¯s good mood would be restored.¡± Jenna was so happy. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, it¡¯s not like her disappearance affected his mood or anything, Ben¡¯s just a man who doesn¡¯t like to smile,¡± Alex said, trying to make herself feel better. ¡°C¡¯mon, I know he doesn¡¯t like to smile but I am his sister and I know when he¡¯s not in a good mood; Lately? Ben has been unhappy, that I know.¡± ¡°Well¡­ maybe that¡¯s true, I was at his office the other day and he wasn¡¯t very friendly but still, you can¡¯t attribute his bad mood to her disappearance.¡± ¡°You were at his office? Why?¡± ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Alex trailed, she didn¡¯t expect that her friend would catch that. ¡°Why did you go to see him, Alex? You didn¡¯t even tell me.¡± ¡°I just wanted to say hi to him¡­ there¡¯s nothing wrong with that, is there?¡± Alex defended. It鈥檚 his fault ¡°Did you call her yet?¡± Ben asked Belle as she left the room to join him in the living room. He wanted to know if she had called Brie because she kept on repeating that she needed to call her sister to notify her of her safety. ¡°Yes, I have to go see her, she sounded really worried,¡± Belle said to him, intending to really leave at that particr moment. ¡°Now?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°No,¡± Ben said with finality in his voice. ¡°No?¡± ¡°You need to get some more rest, that¡¯s after we get back. I¡¯m taking you out so we can have breakfast, after that you get some good rest.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Your sister can see youter, we will have breakfast and you get some rest like I said. I already asked my doctor toe see that you are alright.¡± ¡°She¡¯s sounded so worried,¡± Belle insisted.¡±I wanna go see her, I can have breakfast at her ce.¡± She saidstly before it turned quiet between them both. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll take you there.¡± He epted her decision, picking up his suit jacket and holding the door for her to go through after he opened it. **** Nathan was at Brie¡¯s apartment. Mrs Johnson had mentioned that Belle had been found and was okay so he decided to see for himself. He checked her files and got the address she submitted while applying for the internship. ¡°So you haven¡¯t seen her yet?¡± He asked Brie after she exined over again that she only got a phone call from Belle and hadn¡¯t yet seen her. ¡°Yes,¡± Brie sighed. ¡°What¡­ what did she say? Will shee here? Did you let the police know that she called? Do they need to find her?¡± ¡°She said she¡¯s fine and doesn¡¯t need finding. I¡¯m sorry, who did you say you were again?¡± Brie had to ask seeing the way he sounded concerned about Belle.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Nathan. My name¡¯s Nathan, I also work at the Crisp-tv media house.¡± ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s how you know her, huh?¡± ¡°Yes. Please have my number, if she gets here, ce a call to me m so I see her?¡± ¡°Uhm, I don¡¯t know you.¡± ¡°I know, I know but just have my number, please, I¡¯m just worried about her too,¡± He convinced Brie ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get my pho¡­¡± ¡°I already wrote it down here,¡¯ He stopped her from going inside, afraid that she would close the door and note back out because he could tell that she was wary of him. ¡°Okay,¡± she took the paper from him. ¡°Please call me,¡± He added a reminder. ¡°Yeah,¡± Brie said before closing the door. Nathan walked down the stairs like he came up, got into his car, and started the car to drive off. It was at that same time that Ben¡¯s car was arriving. Belle wasn¡¯t looking out the window for anything in particr but her eyes caught Nathan in his car as he drove off. Ben stopped the car at the spot Nathan just drove out from. Belle looked over and Ben when he opened the car door for him, he seemed not to have also seen Nathan; Thankfully. She started up the stairs and when she was midway gone, she turned back, a little shocked. ¡°Are youing with me?¡± She asked Ben after she heard him behind her. He nodded. ¡°Wow,¡± She found herself chuckling. She knew he didn¡¯t like the ce; she had noticed the way he usually squint his eyes whenever they came to her like he didn¡¯t want her living in such a ce. He didn¡¯t think they would ever have toe back there after he got her a new house but here they were, she had toe show her sister that she was okay. Belle knocked on the apartment¡¯s door after ringing the bell beside it, maybe it was spoilt and hadn¡¯t been fixed. After knocking for a while, the door finally opened with Brie came out, she looked angry. ¡°What do you want?! I told you she¡¯s not here already, didn¡¯t I?!¡± She yelled in irritation but suddenly realized it wasn¡¯t Nathan, it was Belle. ¡°Belle?¡± Her angered look turned into one of bewilderment. She became dumbfounded, scrutinizing Belle from her head to her shoes to be sure it was her. ¡°Belle, you¡¯re okay,¡± She finally said something else before hugging her sister. ¡°You ARE okay, thank goodness. I was so worried ever since you disappeared, I couldn¡¯t do anything but fear for you and your well-being,¡± She continued, still hugging Belle tight. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what I would tell our Nana if anything had happened to you.¡± Brie sniffed, trying not to cry as she had already done a lot of crying all through Belle¡¯s disappearance. With her head on Belle¡¯s shoulder, she saw Ben. She hadn¡¯t noticed him standing there all this while. ¡°You!¡± She separated herself from the hug. ¡°You¡­¡± She said again angrily, she didn¡¯t know what to say to him but she knew she was angry with his presence. ¡°Brie,¡± Belle called her to get her to stop ring her teary eyes at Ben. ¡°It¡¯s his fault,¡± Brie snapped. ¡°Brie,¡± Belle tried again but to no avail. ¡°He¡¯s the one who convinced you to ept a house from him and then boom! You get kidnapped, right outside the house he got you!¡± ¡°Brie, you are gonna make the neighborse out of their apartments.¡± ¡°And then he called your phone like he didn¡¯t know you¡¯ve been kidnapped.¡± Brie didn¡¯t want to listen to Brie, she had been holding in quite a lot on her mind but now she wanted to pour it all out on Ben. ¡°Brie, can we go inside first? We could talk about this inside,¡± Belle told her sister, giving Ben an apologetic look. ¡°Look at you standing there with your hands in your pockets, like I¡¯m spitting rubbish but you know I¡¯m right. You have a hand in this!¡± ¡°Brie!¡± Belle couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Childhood days ¡°Brie!¡± Belle couldn¡¯t take it anymore.¡±Can you please stop? Please, just stop all of these usations, okay? You are saying it¡¯s his fault, ming him for all of this, do you know who saved me? Huh? It was him, he found me and he got me out of there.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because he probably knew where to find you all along,¡± Brie felt so sure. ¡°Okay, now you are just saying this because you have an issue with him.¡± Belle shook her head. ¡°No, I know what I¡¯m saying¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not his fault Brie, it¡¯s not. The fact that he gifted me a house and I was kidnapped around there doesn¡¯t make it his fault. Can we please just go inside and be happy that I¡¯m safe instead of using him?¡± Brie looked away after all her sister just said, she still believed her intuitions were right. ¡°Please, Brie?¡± Belle held her arm, making Brie look at her for a while. ¡°Okay,¡± She shrugged with her arms folded against her chest.¡±Is heing in too?¡± She whispered to Belle. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Oh. We are still gonna talk about this right?¡± ¡°Yeah, we will. Later, that is.¡± ¡°Okay then,¡± Brie said and lead the way inside after she gave Ben a brief re. Ben just sighed, he¡¯s eyes met Belle¡¯s as she came to where he stood. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about Brie.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± He smiled, soothing Belle¡¯s mind even though she still worried that Brie might make up another scene inside the apartment. **** ¡°I¡¯m sorry about my sister earlier,¡± Belle apologized again when they were both in the car and about to drive out from where the car was parked. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d suspect me too if this happened to my sister,¡± he tried to justify Brie¡¯s actions.¡±She cares about you a whole lot¡­ like it¡¯s her job to do so,¡± Ben chortled after he added. ¡°Well, she¡¯s always kinda had that responsibility of taking care of me. She used toe over to babysit me sometimes when we were younger. This one time, I made her so angry when I ran off with a friend, she had to spend the whole afternoon looking for me; she swore she would never babysit me again after she found me but my grandma had a way of bribing her,¡± Belleughed shortly as she remembered. She turned to Ben and saw a smile on his lips. ¡°You never talk about your childhood,¡± she started but got no reply from him as she expected.¡±Tell me about your childhood days, funny things you did, anything?¡± She smiled while she requested, she wanted to know more about him but he barely talked about himself. He took his eyes off the road for a second to nce at her, he saw how excited she seemed to want to know about his childhood. Not saying anything but just looking back at the road as he drove on, he wished he could tell her but his childhood wasn¡¯t very fun, he hated it. Everything surrounding his childhood wasn¡¯t worth anyone¡¯s ears, he thought. He hated the whole situation surrounding his childhood, from his birth till when he ran away from the mansion for some months after he turned eighteen. He sighed and nced at her again, trying to think of something happy in his childhood. ¡°Once, I was beaten up like a thief when I tried to defend my birth mother, I was five. I don¡¯t remember what conversation she was having with these men but I saw them try to abuse her, so I picked up a short nk and hit one of them with it, then they beat the crap out of me,¡± heughed at thest part he just mentioned but when he turned to Belle, she wasn¡¯tughing as he expected. ¡°Was that¡­¡± He wanted to ask if his story was inappropriate but Belle stopped his words with her own questions. ¡°Your birth mother? Do you know who your birth mother is? I thought you grew up in an orphanage before you¡­ you know, got adopted.¡± ¡®Shit,¡¯ Ben cursed inwardly, he shouldn¡¯t have told that story. At least, he didn¡¯t mention the part where heter found those men and made them pay horribly, that would have scared her out of hisfort.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Forget about that,¡± he just said; an attempt to put her off it, but she had other questions. ¡°Is she alive? You just said you were five when this happened, and you got adopted at age six, what happened to her?¡± Ben stopped the car at a red light, sighed Loudoun, and then turned to her. ¡°Am I asking too many questions?¡± She asked rhetorically because she knew the answer to that question. ¡°We are going to the doctor now, I was going to have hime over but since we are already on the road, might as well visit the hospital.¡± He diverted the topic. ¡°I have to meet with someone after that, so I¡¯ll drop you off at your ce.¡± ¡°What? Where? The house?¡± ¡°Yes, your house.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t wanna go there, Ben.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± he told her but she started to shake her head slowly. ¡°No, I¡¯m not going there.¡± ¡°Tiger¡¯s in prison, you have nothing to worry abou¡­¡± ¡°He wasn¡¯t alone till a day before you came for me, there was another guy, uhm, Crow! Yes! That¡¯s what he was called, what if hees back?¡± ¡°He won¡¯t, I assure you that.¡± ¡°How can you be so sure? These people are dangerous. You know, that Crow actually tried to¡­¡± She paused.¡±¡­ And Tiger too, told me that I would have to satisfy him before he could let me go.¡± Tears formed in her eyes as she spoke, she didn¡¯t notice Ben contract his fist when she exined what Tiger and his mate did to her. ¡°I¡¯ll have Randy and some others stay at the house with you. Is that okay?¡± He asked her, caressing her cheeks and wiping the drop of tear that had escaped her left eye. ¡°I guess so.¡± She rubbed her eyes as she nodded.¡±The light¡¯s turned green,¡± she noticed and informed him. ¡°Come here,¡± he drew her closer and ced a kiss on her forehead before he resumed driving. Jenna鈥檚 visit ¡°Good day, sir,¡± A policeman saluted Ben as he walked into the station. He was escorted to an interrogation room where Tiger was being questioned. The moment Ben stepped into the room, Tiger wanted to stand and approach him but an officer made him sit back down. His eyes were challenging Ben but he could do nothing as he was being held to the chair by chains. A proud smile took over Ben¡¯s lips when he saw how badly Tiger wanted to get at him. He was smiling because he knew he had ended his streak of invisibility from the police. Ben had worked with him before and knew where to find him after he discovered that he was the one in charge of Belle¡¯s kidnap. Tiger¡¯s biggest mistake was agreeing to kidnap Belle because now he was in jail after being able to sessfully evade the police for almost a decade; he was in jail, thanks to Ben. ¡°Did he talk yet?¡± Ben threw the question to all the officers in the room, his hands in his pocket as he tried to remain calm after remembering what Belle had told him about Tiger. ¡°Not yet, seems like the person who paid him to do this paid really well.¡± One of the officers who walked in with him responded. ¡°No,¡± Ben disagreed, earning a surprised look from the men in the room with him. ¡°He usually doesn¡¯t disclose the name of his clients no matter what, it¡¯s not money keeping his mouth shut, he is just been ethical,¡± Ben decided to exin the reason for his disagreement,ughing shortly after his words. ¡°I need to know who asked him to kidnap her, do whatever you can to get a name out of his mouth. And when I say WHATEVER, I mean WHATEVER.¡± Ben made his order clear. He didn¡¯t mind whatever they did to Tiger as long as he got what he wanted, this was motivated when he remembered Brie¡¯s usations, he needed to make that person pay. ¡°Yes sir.¡± The man who had answered his question earlier nodded to his words. ¡°She says he also worked with Crow on this job, find him, I want him here with Tiger, she doesn¡¯t feel safe that he is still out there,¡± Ben added anothermand. ¡°Okay, sir.¡± No more words to say to the officers, Ben looked at Tiger for a short while before deciding to go closer to him. ¡°This has to be the biggest mistake you¡¯ve ever made, epting the deal from whoever it was who wanted her kidnapped.¡± Tiger¡¯s eyes got redder when Ben spitted those words to his face and he could do nothing. ¡°You better help yourself and give them the name I want, it¡¯s either you or this person you are trying to protect, be wise.¡± With thesest words, Ben left the interrogation room. **** Belle came out from her room and was about to go into the kitchen when she almost bumped into a burly man. ¡°I¡¯m sorry ma¡¯am,¡± he apologized even if it wasn¡¯t his fault. He did not want to provoke her because provoking her was provoking his boss and risking his job as well as his life. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s fine,¡± she told him. She had forgotten that they were around the house with her. She tried to get a pie she had baked out of the oven but it felt too hot to her even though she was wearing a mitten over her fingers. ¡°Heyy, can you help me out?¡± She called the man. He came and took a towel from the counter before she could take off the mittens and hand them over to him, taking out the pie still in its baking pan and setting it on the board she had prepared. ¡°Oh,¡± she said when she saw that he had already gotten it out.¡±Thanks,¡± she smiled and he just nodded and return to where he stood before. Randy walked into the house from where he was outside, about to go knock in Belle¡¯s room when he saw her in the kitchen. ¡°Ma¡¯am, there¡¯s someone here to see you,¡± He informed and before she could ask who it was, someone walked into the house. It was ady, Belle wasn¡¯t sure she really knew her but she was sure she had seen her before.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Belle, I was so d when Ben told me you were okay.¡± Belle heard the woman and looked on confused. Randy excused himself and returned outside without waiting for her to ask who thedy was but thedy noticed her confusion and decided to introduce herself. ¡°It¡¯s me Jenna, Ben¡¯s sister, you apanied him to my brunch party. Remember?¡± Jenna smiled at her as she exined. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± Belleughed shortly. Now she understood why Randy let her in. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t recognize you faster.¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s fine. This is Alex, my very good friend.¡± Jenna introduced her friend to Belle. ¡°Hi,¡± Belle just said to her. Alex faked a smile. ¡°Alex, this is Belle.¡± ¡°Nice to finally meet you,¡± Alex kept up the fake smile. ¡®Is this her? So he¡¯s actually fucking her? Since when did he like girls like her? I can¡¯t believe this is her, she looked a little better at the hotel that day I saw her. Urghh.¡¯ Alex thought in her mind while she retained her smile on the outside. ¡°Ben must really care about you, he has Randy staying here with you.¡± Alex pointed out, making Jenna turn to her with a ¡®not now¡¯ look. ¡°Oh, you can bake?¡± Jenna decided to change the topic when she noticed the pie sitting on the table. ¡°Yeah.¡± Belle just nodded.¡±Good timing, you guys can join me.¡± She added. Jenna鈥檚 visit 2 ¡°Hey, would you like to have some?¡± Belle asked the burly man who had been standing there as she had her pie with Jenna and Alex. ¡°Thanks,¡± he shook his head, not epting her offer. ¡°It tastes really nice, have some,¡± Jenna took the te with the cut pie in it from Belle and handed it over to him, not letting him refuse this time. ¡°Here¡¯s a fork,¡± Belle gave the fork to Jenna who passed it to him. ¡°You can sit,¡± Jenna told him after he forked some of the apple pie into his mouth while standing. ¡°I should give some to those outside too,¡± Belle said to no one in particr before putting cutting some pieces for the men protecting outside the house. ¡°Randy?¡± She called when she opened the front door. ¡°You two cane have some pie, that¡¯s if you want to¡­?¡± ¡°Thanks, ma¡¯am but we¡­¡± Randy wanted to refuse but the other man with him outside cut him. ¡°I would love some pie,¡± he smiled. ¡°Come on in,¡± Belle made way for him to go through. ¡°What about you, Randy? Won¡¯t you like a te?¡± ¡°No ma¡¯am, I¡¯m good. Thanks.¡± He smiled while rejecting. ¡°Okay,¡± she just said and closed the door, returning inside. When she joined Jenna and Alex, she saw that the man from outside had already been given a te, he sat next to the burly one as they ate. Randy was still outside, going through his phone when he saw Ben¡¯s car pull up in front of the house. He immediately put his phone in his pocket and stood upright. ¡°Sir,¡± he greeted Ben when he got down from the car. ¡°Is she alright?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± He didn¡¯t need to be reminded who the ¡®She¡¯ was. ¡°Where are the others?¡± ¡°Uhmm, they are inside,¡± Randy replied without going into details about what they were doing inside, that was their problem to face. ¡°Is my sister here?¡± Ben asked when he saw Jenna¡¯s car. ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Randy sighed with relief when Ben opened the door to go in, d that he didn¡¯t ept Belle¡¯s offer. He knew it wouldn¡¯t have been funny if Ben returned and they were all inside, with no one outside the ce. Ben opened the door to see the two men seated on one of the sofa¡¯s in the living room, having pie. They both stood up with demanded apologies written all over them, they didn¡¯t expect Ben would just walk in so soon. Ben was irritated to see them sitting like that instead of doing what he had them there for but seeing Alex also seated in the living room got more of his attention. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± His question carried a tone that wanted immediate answers. ¡°She¡¯s a friend of Jenna¡¯s, ¡°Belle answered when Alex didn¡¯t. ¡°She came with me to see how Belle¡¯s doing,¡± Jenna returned from the kitchen, making Ben turn his angry eyes to her. He pulled her to the side to talk to her privately, away from Belle¡¯s ears. ¡°What were you thinking bringing Alex here?¡± He questioned her. ¡°I just wanted toe see Belle but she said she wanted toe with¡­¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°And you agreed to that?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Jenna didn¡¯t know what to say under Ben¡¯s angry eyes.¡±Alex has changed, you know.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit if she¡¯s changed or not, I don¡¯t want her familiar with Belle. Don¡¯t ever repeat this.¡± He told his sister before returning to the living room. The men had left for outside, they didn¡¯t need to be told not to remain in the living room by the time Ben returned. Alex stood and walked slowly to Ben. With a smile on her face, she ced her hands on his chest, caressing his smooth suit jacket but he quickly held them, stopping her from doing anything more. Belle just watched on, she didn¡¯t expect that Alex could touch him like that but she didn¡¯t give much thought to it. ¡°Get out of here.¡± Four words from Ben and she turned back to look at Belle and then at Ben again. ¡°She¡¯s nothingpared to me,¡± she whispered to Ben before walking out the front door. ¡°Take care of yourself, Belle,¡± Jenna told her with a smile before also heading for the door. When she left, the ce became quiet again. ¡°You came and you chased everybody way.¡± Belle pouted after seeing the way both Alex and Jenna left. He went to her and squatted opposite to where she sat, in between her legs. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to protect you,¡± he told her. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s why Randy and those other guys are here, right? You didn¡¯t need to ask Alex to leave.¡± She still pursed her lips as she spoke. ¡°You won¡¯t understand but Alex shouldn¡¯t be around you, I don¡¯t trust her.¡± ¡°Why? She¡¯s Jenna¡¯s best friend, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean I can trust her. She¡¯s not someone I want you around, okay?¡± He rubbed on her thighs as he spoke. ¡°Okay,¡± she just nodded. **** ¡°Why does he hate me?¡± Alex asked Jenna who was driving, some crocodile tears in her eyes. ¡°He doesn¡¯t hate you,¡± Jenna told her. ¡°He does. Didn¡¯t you see how he asked me to leave? So rudely. It¡¯s like I¡¯m some kind of dangerous criminal who shouldn¡¯t be let into any ce he is.¡± ¡°Come on, Alex. Maybe he just had a bad meeting or something beforeing there.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. He hates me. He hates me even after I changed for him.¡± ¡°Okay, let¡¯s be clear here, you didn¡¯t change for HIM, you changed because you realized your self-worth and¡­¡± ¡°Bullshit,¡± Alex cut her short.¡±You and I know I changed for him, I even gave him the space he wanted, and yearster, he¡¯s with her.¡± ¡°With her,¡± Jenna repeated her friend¡¯s words with a snort through her nostrils.¡±He¡¯s not with her, you know how he is, he never takes anyone seriously so get your mind off her. He¡¯s not yours or anyone¡¯s.¡± Jenna hated to say but what she was saying seemed to be the real truth to her. She knew her brother so well to know that he wasn¡¯t ¡®with her¡¯. ¡°You think? Can¡¯t you see all he¡¯s doing for her? He pampers her so much¡­¡± ¡°He just asked Randy and some other securities of his to stay around there and protect her, what else are you referring to as ¡®pamper¡¯?¡± ¡°Well, he got her that house¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me right now, Alex. You own a mansion.¡± ¡°He would never gift me a house, or anything at all.¡± Alex made her point, making Jenna shake her head in disbelief at what her friend was saying. She thought Alex was over Ben but now she knew she wasn¡¯t. ¡°And also ..¡± Alex wanted to tell her other things she knew Ben had been doing but she didn¡¯t want her best friend to know that she had been watching Belle¡¯s every move so she paused her words. ¡°Also?¡± Jenna asked to know what she wanted to say. ¡°Nevermind,¡± Alex blinked her fake fears away. Untitled ¡°Here,¡± Ben joined Belle in bed, handing her a packaged box. ¡°What is this?¡± She asked while looking at the box, trying to figure it out by herself. ¡°A new phone, I asked Randy to get it the moment I remembered. Open it and let me know if you like it or not.¡± She nodded and started to open the box, and that was when she saw that it was a well-known phone brand. ¡°Ben, this is¡­¡± She was lost for words. ¡°Do you like it?¡± ¡°Yes, this is thetest product out by thispany, it¡¯s expensive¡­¡± She gave reasons with her reply, showing how much she appreciated it. ¡°I¡¯m d you like it.¡± He was. The room went silent for some minutes as he watched her read the pieces of information written on the packet of the phone. She paused and looked up from what she was doing; she just remembered something she wanted to ask him. ¡°Ben, that day¡­ the day before I was taken, I called you repeatedly and you didn¡¯t take your calls, why didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°You called?¡± ¡°Yes, I thought you were mad at me; I thought maybe you didn¡¯t like what I said during our conversation that morning you dropped me off at my workce and that was why you weren¡¯t taking my calls¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t get any call from you.¡± ¡°But I called you¡­¡± Belle argued then paused to try and remember because for all she knew she could not be remembering right. After some seconds of quick thinking, she affirmed she was right.¡±I did, I called you Ben, not once and not twice, I called before I went to bed, I did.¡± ¡°I would always take your call and if I can¡¯t, I would have my assistant take it to let you know that I can¡¯t talk. Do you think I¡¯m lying when I say that I didn¡¯t get a call from you?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m not saying that¡­¡± She shook her head.¡±You know what, let¡¯s forget that. It¡¯s in the past.¡± She didn¡¯t want to drag it out. **** Later, that night. Belle was asleep but Ben wasn¡¯t. He sat on the bed beside where shey. He was going through his phone to see if he got a call from her that day. He didn¡¯t remember getting any call from her but she sounded so convincing when she repeated that she had called on that day. After going through his call log, he didn¡¯t see a missed call from her but he saw some deleted calls. He immediately texted Randy, he needed him to check on his phone¡¯s security to know if it had been breached. **** Morning. Belle turned in bed, clutching onto a pillow when she did so but opened her eyes slightly when she saw Ben standing in front of the mirror, arranging his tie. She sat up and watched him for a while and she noticed that he was struggling with the tie. She smiled before getting out of bed and going to him. Standing on the tip of her toes, she lifted his shirt¡¯s bent cor before going in front of him. A smile reflected on his lips the moment he saw her face. ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to knot a tie?¡± She asked, muffling herughter and knowing the answer to the question she just asked. She ced her hand over his and helped in knotting the ck tie around his neck. ¡°Are youughing at me?¡± He didn¡¯t join her inughing like she expected but was enjoying the beauty she possessed.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°No,¡± she shook her head and tried to keep a serious face but burst into renewedughter after some seconds.¡±I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s funny. I can¡¯t believe you tried knotting a tie with the cor bent.¡± She exined why she couldn¡¯t stopughing as she arranged his cor now. ¡°All done, see for yourself,¡± she said when she was finished and tried to move away from his view so he could take a look at his reflection in the mirror but he grabbed her waist and brought her back. ¡°Who says you are done?¡± He ced her back against the mirror and trapped her with his hands. Herughter stopped when he did that, a different hormone taking over her body. She bit her lips. ¡°Were you going to leave without letting me know?¡± She asked him. ¡°No,¡± he brought his face closer to hers.¡±I nned to wake you up with a kiss but since you are already awake, we can do more than that.¡± He kissed her. It was a kiss filled with desire. He didn¡¯t know how much he missed her lips till now. Lifting her, she circled her legs around his waist as he kissed her more deeply. She thought he was about to take her to bed but he didn¡¯t. He still had her back pressed against the mirror as he traced his hands up her smooth thighs, all the way to her ass. A ringtone broke the moment. It was Ben¡¯s phone in his pocket. He let it ring through the first time without picking it but it rang again. ¡°It might be important.¡± Belle had to stop him when she had the chance to. If she let him continue, he might get too deep with her to stop and she noticed he was all set to leave before she woke up; he probably had somewhere important to be. ¡°It can wait,¡± Ben let the phone ring through without picking up again. ¡°Ohhhh,¡± Belle moaned when his lips found her neck. She was getting too excited by him to even convince him to take his call. The phone started with a buzz before it started to ring again. ¡°Take it, three times sounds important,¡± She said amidst her shaky, pleasure-filled voice. Ben didn¡¯t want to till she called his name. ¡°Ben, take it.¡± He stopped just when he was about to take his lips on an adventure trip all over her body. Bringing his lips back to her face, she caressed his jaw with her small hands as she saw that he hated to stop. Let go of me, I don鈥檛 want to look at you! Still holding her well against the wall, Ben took his phone out. The caller better be either his mother or Jenna, and it better be something urgent, or else the person would give him good reasons why he or she was having his phone disturbed that way. He looked at the screen to see who it was, it was his assistant, unfortunately for her. ¡°Good morning sir, I¡¯m just calling to remind you of the scheduled meeting you will be having with the representatives of the Dana corporation this morning.¡± Belle heard a female voice inform Ben of a meeting. ¡°Cancel it,¡± Ben said, about to end the call after but heard his assistant again. ¡°Uhm, sir¡­ they are already here and waiting for you,¡± ¡°Do what I asked you to.¡± He ended the call. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Belle had to ask him. ¡°¡­¡± She didn¡¯t let him answer before asking a new question. ¡°I heard your assistant say that people are waiting for you and you just canceled? Is this because of me?¡± ¡°Who else?¡± He kissed her after herst question. He usually never acted so hical when it came to issues concerning hispany but it was Belle¡­ he knew he could have her when he returned from his meeting but he wanted her now so he did what he did. ¡°You¡­,¡± Belle was about to say something else when his phone rang again. Belle saw the expression on his face change, he wasn¡¯t happy about being disturbed at that moment, it was so obvious. He wanted to switch off the phone but saw that it wasn¡¯t his assistant calling back, it was Randy. To Belle¡¯s surprise, he picked up, letting go of her and moving to the balcony; she didn¡¯t even know that there was a balcony there. She wondered who he was speaking with, not to want her to hear because he didn¡¯t mind taking the call from his assistant in her presence. She went back to the bed and picked up the new phone, unlocking it and going through it, she saw a text from Mrs Johnson. ¡®Belle, it¡¯s Laura, Brie sent me your new contact yesterday so I thought I should reach out. Let me know when you are returning to work and/or if you n on returning to work or not.¡¯ Belle read the message slowly, wanting to type back but not knowing what to reply. Surely, she wanted to return to work but she was scared. She knew Tiger was in police custody but not Crow, what if he came looking for her? He did know where she stayed and worked to have abducted her on her way to work that day. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Ben returned and had to ask when he saw her staring at her phone, looking indecisive about something. She didn¡¯t give an immediate answer so he took the phone from her and saw for himself. ¡°Call her, let her know you won¡¯t be returning.¡± He told Belle after he read Laura Johnson¡¯s message.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What? No.¡± Belle opposed the decision he just made. ¡°What do you mean no?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to decide, I don¡¯t want you working there anymore.¡± He said with finality in his voice. Unlike Belle, he wasn¡¯t scared that Crow coulde after her, no, that wasn¡¯t the reason for his decision, he knew he could protect her from him. He made that decision because he had been looking for ways to keep her away from Nathan and an opportunity just presented itself. ¡°I still want to work there,¡± she opposed again.¡±It¡¯s just that I¡¯m worried Crow mighte for me.¡± She sighed, raising her eyes to look up at him from where she sat. ¡°Did the police say anything yet, about finding Crow?¡± She thought she should ask when Ben didn¡¯t say anything after her. ¡°Why do you still want to work there, tell me?¡± He ignored her question, wanting to know. ¡°I¡¯ve just started to build a career there and¡­¡± ¡°What career? You are just an intern.¡± She heard him when he cut her short and those words hurt her. ¡°I n to also be an editor someday, you know.¡± She got off the bed and made to walk out but he held her back, effortlessly pulling her to himself. She struggled, she didn¡¯t want to be held by him, not now, she was pissed by what he said and didn¡¯t even want to look at him. Her struggle was useless because it made no difference, he held her tight and she couldn¡¯t move an inch away from him. Seeing that it was hard to walk away from him, she turned her face in another direction to show him that she didn¡¯t want to look at him; she was annoyed. She had turned her face left but the moment she did that, Ben¡¯s strong hands gripped her jaw and brought her face back to his against her will. She started to shake her head. ¡°Let¡¯s go of me, I don¡¯t want to look at you!¡± She busted into tears when he did that. Ben looked at her teary face briefly, no expression to tell he didn¡¯t like those tears on her face so he pulled her closer even if she still struggled against it. He hugged her. ¡°Is it what I said? I¡¯m sorry.¡± She heard him apologize with his lips so close to her ears as he hugged her tight. Her tears stopped. She couldn¡¯t exin it but his hug calmed her down in seconds. Maybe it was the effect of his torso pressed against hers or maybe it was just the closeness she felt when he hugged her and she could smell his cologne. Or maybe it was his words; the apology. She dried her tears on his shoulder, rubbing her face against his shirt. Ben felt her warm tears wet his shirt but he didn¡¯t mind, he started to rub on her back, slowly and calmly. Belle lifted her face from his left shoulder, looking at him with hershes still wet from her tears. Ben thought her eyes were more charming now with her longshes looking thicker than they usually were because of her tears and her blue eyes looking ssy. She kissed him, she felt horny. She wouldn¡¯t say but she was d now that he had cancelled that meeting. Why did you do it? Ben was apanied by some of the same officers who followed him to the interrogation room thest time he was at the station. The door was opened and Ben went in first, a smile hanging on his lips the moment he saw someone else other than Tiger in the room. ¡°You found him,¡± Ben remarked, turning back to the officers, his smile still there. ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy but it was your order after all.¡± One of the officers insinuated that they knew he wouldn¡¯t be pleased if Crow wasn¡¯t found. ¡°Crow,¡± Ben called when he turned back to the two men chained to the same table. His smile didn¡¯t disappear, not that he was generally happy to see Crow there too but he enjoyed the fear he saw on Crow¡¯s face when he entered. He knew Crow was not as prideful and courageous as Tiger was. ¡°You know why you are here right?¡± Ben went closer to the table and took a seat opposite them. ¡°Tiger was fully in charge of the operation, not me.¡± Crow thought he should inform Ben about that. Tiger gave him an angry stare when he said that he didn¡¯t care, he was more scared of Ben than he was of Tiger. ¡°I know.¡± Ben did.¡±That¡¯s not why you are here,¡± Ben smile more maliciously. ¡°I want to talk to him alone,¡± Ben announced to the officers and his request was quickly met. Pretty soon, he was sitting with just Crow, no officer in sight, and Tiger absent. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Mr Larkson, I didn¡¯t know she was¡­¡± Crow wanted to help himself before Ben got angrier with him but his apology seemed to irritate Ben. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±Ben¡¯s smile faded with that one word ofmand.¡±You lie, if you say that you didn¡¯t know.¡± Crow swallowed saliva, it was more dreadful to be alone with Ben now that his smile was gone.¡±You¡¯ve worked for me before, did you forget? For all I know, before you carry out a n, you do your research. You knew who you were messing with.¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Crow¡¯s skin pores poured out more sweat with his every breath. He knew Belle probably told Ben about what he wanted to do with her. ¡°Why did you do it?¡± Ben asked simply. ¡°Tiger also had an eye for her, it wasn¡¯t just me I swear.¡± ¡°Not the answer to my question.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what I was thinking that day, I was high and I did what I did blindly¡­¡± Crow joined words to exin his actions the night he tried to rape Belle. ¡°You lie again.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr Larkson I¡­¡± ¡°Just one thing would keep you alive now. Answer my next question without thinking through a lie.¡± Ben smiled wickedly because as much as he wanted an answer for what he was about to ask, he also wanted to kill the man in front of him in a slow, painful manner. He saw Crow nod agreeably. ¡°Good. I want to know. Who¡¯s order was it ?¡± His question was simple. Crow blinked the moment he heard that question. ¡°I don¡¯t know who but I know it¡¯s a woman, she paid really well. I know because Tiger didn¡¯t want to do it at first but she double the amount he had demanded.¡± ¡°What¡¯s her name,¡± Ben wanted to be sure of the name he had in mind. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I swear, I never saw her.¡± ¡°So you want me to believe that for the first time since you started under Tiger, you don¡¯t know the name of a client? Is that what you are saying?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, if I did, I would tell you Mr Larkson. I swear on my mother¡¯s grave that I don¡¯t know who she is¡­ but she asked us not to hurt her. We had to feed her every day and made sure she was okay. I don¡¯t think she had intentions to hurt her, maybe she wanted her away from you. It may be someone close to you.¡± Crow said with hopes of being helpful to avoid Ben¡¯s wrath but Ben already knew that; he knew it was someone who was somehow close. Ben stood up all of a sudden and left the room. **** Later that night. Ben was on the bed reviewing some documents on hisptop. Belle was sleeping beside him, she had fallen asleep before he returned so he just pecked her on the cheeks when he saw her sleeping. His phone vibrated but before it could ring out, he picked up the call. The call onlysted some seconds, after that, he immediately returned to theptop but not to work, the caller had just sent him something. He opened the file, it was a video. ¡°This would automatically delete after its first view.¡± Some words at the beginning of the video read. ¡°What did you tell him?¡± It was Tiger asking Crow in the cell. He didn¡¯t know a camera had been activated there. ¡°Everything he wanted to know.¡± Crow sat far away from him, for his safety. ¡°You told him about her?¡± ¡°Look man, I don¡¯t know about you, but I don¡¯t want to die yet. You know how deadly it is to y with him.¡± ¡°Son of a bitch.¡± Tiger cursed at him, indirectly calling him weak for having said anything. ¡°It¡¯s not like I know much, you never let me be around whenever shees to talk. I don¡¯t even know what she looked like and I¡¯m d about that.¡± Crow confessed but got that angry stare from Tiger again. ¡°He¡¯s unforgiving, he isn¡¯t going to spare your life whether you give him what he wants or not. You tried to eat from the same ce he eats,¡± Tiger chuckled before continuing.¡±He¡¯s is still going to kill you, but that¡¯s if I don¡¯t do it first in here.¡± Tiger¡¯s threat got Crow worried. He saw an officer passing by and went to the cell door. ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve got to get me out of here, he is making threats, I don¡¯t trust my safety here.¡± He called out to the officer but wasn¡¯t given any attention. He turned back to see a smirk on Tiger¡¯s face. Returning to work The video stopped and it was automatically deleted. Ben picked up his phone and made a call. ¡°Why did you send that?¡± Ben asked, his voice showing annoyance, he thought either of them, Tiger or Crow finally gave him the name he wanted. ¡°He wasn¡¯t lying with what he told you, he really doesn¡¯t know.¡± The person was referring to Crow. Ben sighed inaudibly. ¡°Put him in a separate cell, he has earned it. I want to be the one to brutify him, not Tiger.¡± He said in a low voice before ending the call. He closed theptop and left it by the bedside table, sitting back on the bed to think when he felt Belle¡¯s touch. It was her hands first, she rubbed on his bare shoulder slowly before, kissing his ears. He smiled. Her hands went fr his shoulders to his chest, and she yed her hands across his skin, caressing him inch by inch. Her hands were about to go to his belt area when he held them. Pulling her from beside him to on top of him, he heard her giggle. His hands recognizably circled her small waist, it was when he noticed what she was wearing for the first time since he returned. She was wearing sexy,ty lingerie. She smiled when she saw that he had noticed despite the dark of the night. ¡°I thought I should get ready for tonight but I fell asleep,¡± she confessed. ¡°Hold on.¡± She heard him say. A little surprised, she did like he asked getting off of him and kneeling on the bed while he stood up. She was surprised when he turned on the lights. Flickering her eyes in reaction to the suddenly bright light, she didn¡¯t know when he grabbed her up like she was weightless, making her stand on the bed. He stood a little far away from the bed to admire her, his eyes doing what she wanted his lips to do; go all over her body. She heard him snort. ¡°Fuck, Belle, you are just too beautiful.¡± His words made her smile as she bit her lips.¡±You are just¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t find words. He went back to her, and with one pull, he shredded most of the clothing off her, letting the others slide down off her. He put his hand around her neck to get her back on the bed, going over her with no wasted second, his lips imed hers. ¡°Mmn.¡± He heard one of the sounds he enjoyed hearing from her. She ced her hands behind his neck while he kissed her, running her fingers through his hair from time to time but he didn¡¯t want that today. He didn¡¯t want her touchy hands over him so he took both her hand and pinned them over her head, holding them with one hand of his and caressing her with the other. His lips left hers ad started from her neck down her torso, trailing kisses in between her breasts. He put his tongue over her left nipple, kneading her right breast with his free hand before squeezing on its pointed nipple and hearing her sigh with pleasure; he couldn¡¯t get any better sound than whenever she was satisfied by every action he made on her body. **** Morning. Ben was arranging his suit jacket as he looked at himself in the mirror. He looked over at Belle who was applying lotion on her body in front of the vanity. ¡°Are you going to knot a tie? Do Ie to help you?¡± Sheughed when she asked that but he only smiled. ¡°Laugh again and I will bend you over that table and fuck you till your legs feel too numb to be able to walk through the door.¡± He told her and saw her bite her lips naughtily, it was like what he just said was exactly what she wanted to hear. ¡°Do you n to go somewhere?¡± It came to his mind to ask her when he saw that she had an outfit set on the bed. ¡°Uhm, yes. I already gave my reply to Mrs. Johnson, I told her I¡¯ll be resuming today.¡± Her response made him surprised. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me.¡± He put his hands in his pockets. ¡°I nned to tell youst night but then we¡­¡± She trailed off before looking up to meet his unwavering eyes set on her. He walked up to where she sat, holding her face in his right hand. ¡°You really want to go back there, huh?¡± It was a rhetorical question. She nodded.¡±Alright, get dressed, I¡¯ll drop you off.¡±He told her then pinched her cheeks lightly. **** When Ben¡¯s car stopped right in front of the Crisp-tv media house, he saw a smile paint her lips, Belle was really happy to return to this ce. She arranged her purse and was about to open the car door but found out that it had been locked. She turned to Ben to ask him why he wouldn¡¯t unlock it but the moment she moved her head in his direction, his lips caught hers. It was a short kiss, unusual for him.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. He smiled after the kiss and unlocked the doors so she could leave. She almost rolled her eyes because she knew that was his way of showing his support for her. Belle tapped her feet while in the elevator going up to Mrs Johnson¡¯s office. She felt a little nervous like it was her first daying here. The elevator door opened and Mrs Johnson was standing right there to her surprise, she had hoped to do a preparatory inhtion before going into the office to meet her but she was right in front of her. ¡°Belle,¡± Laura smiled widely and hugged her tight.¡±O my god, you are here and safe; I thought you wouldn¡¯t wannae back here.¡± She heard the pregnant woman, her bulge was a little bigger than before. ¡°I¡¯m so d to see you too,¡± She was. Nathan wasing out of his office when he saw her. He stopped talking to his assistant, Eric, handing him the papers he had with him before approaching both Belle and Mrs Johnson. Returning to work 2 Belle was surprised when Nathan suddenly hugged her. She found it sudden because she wasn¡¯t expecting he would hug her; they weren¡¯t that close. His hug felt tighter than Mrs. Johnson¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯ve missed seeing you every day here,¡± he whispered to her before relieving her of his hug. Belle just smiled even if she wasn¡¯t at all pleased by his hug. What he just did was so weird to her and even Eric noticed it. ¡°Ehem!¡± It was a fake cough from Mrs. Johnson to remind Nathan of her advice. She smiled when he looked at her.¡±I was on my way downstairs, I¡¯m almostte for my meeting with my gynecologist.¡± She announced to no one in particr.¡±You could help arrange those prints on my desk before I return,¡± She spoke to Belle this time who just nodded. She didn¡¯t want to begin sending Belle on errands minutes after she just resumed but she wanted to keep her busy to avoid Nathan. After that, she left Belle standing with Nathan as she got into the elevator. Nathan was happy she just left, he could talk to Belle now. Belle sensed that he wanted to take a chance and talk to her so she nned to go on to Mrs Johnson¡¯s office before he could do so but he held her arm. She reflexively cast her eyes on his hands holding her before looking at him. He let go of her when she did that. ¡°I want to talk to you.¡± He voiced his very predictable intention. ¡°Mrs. Johnson asked me to¡­¡± Belle had just the right excuse; Mrs Johnson¡¯s errand. ¡°She won¡¯t be back till after an hour or so, I just need some minutes with you. Please.¡± Belle opened her mouth to give another excuse but couldn¡¯t think of one fast enough so she just stood there and gave him a chance. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°I uhm,¡± Nathan paused. He really didn¡¯t expect that she would let him a chance so he hadn¡¯t prepared all he had to say to her. He couldn¡¯t exin it but ever since the news of her disappearance got to him, he had been troubled. He didn¡¯t know how worried he was about her safety till she was kidnapped. During this time, he thought about her a lot, a lot to find himself seemingly in love with her. At first, all he wanted was to y with her and use her for her money but now, he felt like he wanted more than that. Surely, if he had a chance, he nned to still use her to get rich but he found himself putting aside that objective for something more; HER. He wanted to ask her out but didn¡¯t know how so he found his tongue tied even though she just gave him a chance to talk. ¡°Can we go to coffee after work? I have something serious to tell you.¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°You can tell me now,¡± Belle shrugged as she suggested. ¡°No, we need to sit over this, it¡¯s somewhat important.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Belle wanted to say no. ¡°Please,¡± she heard him. Looking at him, she saw sincerity for the first time since she met him. ¡°Alright, but I don¡¯t like coffee.¡± She smiled. ¡°We can go to dinner then.¡± He returned the smile. ¡°No.¡± She didn¡¯t want it to be like a date.¡±It¡¯s just for us to talk, right?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°We could still go to the coffee ce.¡± She smiled a little dryly and started in the direction of Laura¡¯s office. ****** Ben was sitting at the head of the table in a conference room. He was at the meeting he had cancelled yesterday because of Belle. He was watching a member of thepany requesting a partnership pitch their idea to him. While he watched thedy exin the chart on a board standing beside her, his mind went to Belle. He suddenly remembered what she looked like bare naked, a smile cornered his lips. He tried to shake off the distraction and focus on what thedy was saying but it proved hard a thing to do. Her voice was in his head; her low voice calling his name with every slow thrust he made inside her. He swallowed, running his fingers through his hair to return his attention to the meeting. After the meeting was over and he was in his office, he took out his phone to call her. Belle was still arranging the prints when her phone started to ring. She had some papers in both of her because there were surprisingly more plenty than she thought she had to sort out and arrange. The phone was on her desk while she stood in front of Mrs. Johnson¡¯s so she couldn¡¯t reach it on time before it stopped ringing. She was still unlocking her phone to know who it was calling her when Ben¡¯s second call came in, she picked up at its first ring. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you pick up the first time?¡± Came his question. She sighed. ¡°Because I¡¯m busy and had to drop what I was doing to get to my phone.¡± ¡°I want toe get you, right now.¡± She heard him say. She would think he was just joking but he was rather specific with when he wanted toe pick her up. ¡°Are you joking?¡± ¡°Do I sound like I am?¡± She knew he wasn¡¯t joking but just asked to be sure. ¡°Ben, I¡¯m at work!¡± She eximed in a whisper, finding the need to whisper when she called his name. ¡°Fuck it, I want you right now.¡± She heard him, he sounded like he meant what he said. ¡°I¡¯ll get you the post of a senior editor, you won¡¯t have to work under her anymore. You could rece her if you want¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Belle told him when she realized the ¡®her¡¯ he meant was Mrs Johnson. She knew he could do what he just said; give her Laura Johnson¡¯s post as senior editor but she didn¡¯t want that. ¡°What do you want?¡± She heard a question he had once asked her before.¡±Say what you want, I want toe get you. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve done to me but you are in my head, I can¡¯t keep focus without having dirty thoughts about you.¡± Prevailing Urges ¡°Tell me what you want, I want toe get you. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve done to me but you are in my head, I can¡¯t keep focus without having dirty thoughts about you.¡± ¡°Ben, I don¡¯t want anything, at least not in exchange for youing here.¡± ¡°I want to push you down on this table and spread your legs so I can get that beautiful view of you¡­¡± ¡°Ben¡­¡± She tried to stop him. ¡°Then I will eat you till youe on my face, your tasty, tasty juice, I want to suck all of them.¡± When he said that, Belle felt a slight tingle in between her legs, she knew she wanted that but not now. ¡°Ben, I can¡¯t have you turning me on with your words, I¡¯m at the office. Can¡¯t it wait tillter today?¡± She referred to it after work. ¡°At this point, I¡¯m not asking you, I¡¯ming to get you.¡± He let her know. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You better be out front of that building by the time I get there because if not, I¡¯lle up to you. If you won¡¯t stille with me then I take you forcefully.¡± ¡°No, Ben¡­¡± She wanted to stop him but heard him say finally; ¡°And I¡¯m going to fuck that ¡®no¡¯ word out of your vocabry.¡± He ended the call. When he did, he had Belle just standing there with her phone to her chest while her heartbeat increased its pace.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. She didn¡¯t even know if to be excited or not, because she knew she would surely enjoy whatever he was going to do to her but then, she was at work, she couldn¡¯t just leave midway through the day. It had only been four hours since she arrived. She looked at the time on her phone¡¯s screen, it was past noon. She sighed again. She was thinking of going with him when he came because it would be lunch break by 12:30, but she knew how he was. He wasn¡¯t a quick fucker. Whenever he fucked her, he did so till he was satisfied and had her also satisfied; there was no way he would let her return fifteen minutes after she left during the lunch break. She sighed again, that option was off the list. Still trying to think of what to do, the door to the office suddenly opened. It was her boss. It was then she remembered she wasn¡¯t even done with what she was tasked with. When Mrs. Johnson walked in, she saw only half of the papers sorted. She looked in Belle¡¯s direction. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Mrs Johnson, I was doing what you asked till I received a call.¡± Belle quickly apologized for her work not beingpleted. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Laura told her. She really didn¡¯t expect Belle to finish with it before she returned, it was quite a lot. She just wanted to keep her busy with Nathan. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry,¡± Belle went again. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you can continue with it.¡± Laura smiled at her before going behind her desk and taking a seat. While Belle arranged the papers, she frequently stole nces at Mrs. Johnson working on herputer, also checking the time on the table clock. She stopped checking the time for a while and when she did again, she saw that it was 12:31 pm, she panicked; she didn¡¯t want Bening all the way up to ¡®get her¡¯ as he said. She couldn¡¯t even imagine themotion he would cause with his presence. Quickly rounding up the little of what remained of the papers, she got up and straightened her skirt before going to Mrs. Johnson¡¯s table. ¡°I¡¯m done now, I¡¯ll take my break.¡± She told her boss and got a nod from her. Without wasting more time, she hurried to the elevator, d it was vacant when she got there. She nned to get talk some sense into him when she saw him, because she was very sure it wasn¡¯t him making such shitty decisions, it had to be his urges prevailing. When she got outside, she looked around to try and recognize his car but didn¡¯t see any of the ones she had seen him drive or be driven in. A car slowly pulled up in front of her. She didn¡¯t need to be told who it was because it wasn¡¯t one of the lower-type cars he came with to pick her up just to hide his identity, it was a visibly expensive car. The car window opened and she heard him; ¡°Get in.¡± His voice at that instant was maic and authoritative but she liked the way he sounded, she just wasn¡¯t ready to leave halfway through her work time. ¡°Ben, this is not¡­¡± She hadn¡¯t begun talking when he unlocked the doors and came down from his car. Promptly, she looked around to see if anyone was around to notice his presence but the few persons standing at the direct entrance of the building were too busy to identify who he was. He grabbed her wrist and took her to the other side of the car and opened the door before repeating himself, something he usually didn¡¯t enjoy doing. ¡°Get in.¡± ¡°Ben, I can¡¯t just leave and¡­¡± Her words were cut short when he lifted her off her feet and put her in the car himself. Strapping the seatbelt across her torso, he closed the door and returned to the driver¡¯s side. Belle¡¯s tongue became tied as she fell wordless. She didn¡¯t even have her purse with her, or her phone, all of that was back at Mrs. Johnson¡¯s office. She looked at him and couldn¡¯t see the hunger in him, her eyes went down and she saw the bulge in his trouser, she swallowed. ¡°That¡¯s what you do to me, even in your absence.¡± He told her when he noticed where her eyes were. She bit her lips, excitement recing her worry feeling. She was wondering why he had her in a seatbelt but that wonder stopped when he increased the car speed. Won鈥檛 Someone see? Ben finally stopped the car when they got to a big house. Ben didn¡¯t find it big because he owned quite a number of mansions in city S but Belle did; her eyes were marveled by what she saw. She was still looking around when Ben opened her door. He unhooked her seatbelt and helped her out of the car. ¡°Where is this?¡± She asked. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± He took her right hand in his.¡±Come.¡± He led her into the house. Belle expected that there would be sheets over the sofas in the house because it was obvious he didn¡¯t stay there much but she was wrong when she walked in. The ce was neat and looked new. It looked so new that she had to ask him. ¡°Is this a new ce you got?¡± ¡°Yes. Beautiful, isn¡¯t it?¡± He smiled as they went up the stairs with him leading her. ¡°It is.¡± She had to admit. The interior decor was mostly dark colors, but the ce still looked bright because most of the walls were ss made. Ben took her to a room. When they got inside, he let go of her hands, walking away from her to look at her from head to toe. A smile edged his lips for what he was about to do to her. He went to one of the cupboards holding finely designed artifacts and got out a handcuff. He came back to her and put all of her hair backward behind her ears, stroking her cheeks slowly afterward. He then began to undress her, slowly sliding off the arm of her dress after unzipping it. Belle wanted to step out of it but she heard him. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± It made her wonder why he was taking his time today, she had anticipated that he was so much in the mood, he would fuck her in the car. She stood there with her dress at her feet and her bra lying next to it. He didn¡¯t take off her panty, as she thought that would be off her next, instead, he went behind her and held all of her hair into a rough ponytail. ¡°What are the cuffs for?¡± Belle asked when he put one of the cuffs¡¯ rings around her left wrist, ready to do the same to the other. ¡°Sshh. No words from you till I say so.¡± He told her before pressing her down to the bed. Belle heard a click sound, he had just joined the cuffs to a holder at the head of the bed. It was all in one swift action. She tried pulling her hands but they were held firmly by the cuffs. She saw Ben smile again when she quit trying to free herself. He sat by the bedside and trailed the tip of his fingers across her skin, starting from her navel to in between her breasts then he pinched her right nipple with his middle and index finger like he was holding a cigarette. Belle bit her lips and did a little squirm when he did that, wanting him to do more than that but as always he was just teasing her. Her body was still very sensitive to his touch and he liked that. He chortled before getting up to take off his clothes. Belle watched him impatiently get all of his clothes off him and just like she knew, he wore no briefs. Butt naked, he walked to the wide French window which was covered with two long curtains, and pulled them apart from each other. Light immediately imed the whole space in the room. Belle wanted to sit up and cover herself when he did that but her hands weren¡¯t in her control at the moment. He chortled again when he saw her reaction. ¡°I want to adore your body in bright light while I fuck you today.¡± She heard him say as he walked back to the bed majestically, his erection pointing at her. ¡°Won¡¯t someone see¡­.?¡± ¡°What did I tell you?¡± He cut her short and reminded her of his words: ¡®No words from her till he said so.¡¯ ¡°No words from me till you say so,¡± She answered even if she still wanted to point out that they could be seen with the curtains wide open but it seemed to her that Ben didn¡¯t care. ¡°Good.¡± She heard him. He climbed over her on the bed and before she could calcte want he wanted to do, he turned her over, making her face the pillows. After that, he pulled on her waist, bringing her ass up to his hips and her face to the pillows but she repositioned her head toy on its side so she could breathe. With her fingers, she held on to the chain holding the cuffs to the head of the bed, she was bracing herself to receive him. She would hold on to the sheets but her hands were above her head. He pulled on her panty and tore it off, she smiled. He didn¡¯t see her smile but he had discovered how much she enjoyed what he just did. She got something different than expected when she felt his warm breath down below as he parted her ass cheeks. With a good view of her pussy in his face like he wanted, he massaged her clit with his middle finger and heard her. ¡°Ohhh.¡± ¡°Do you like that?¡± He asked her even if he knew she did. He saw her nod so he said: ¡°Good.¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g He continued, making his tongue do the massaging now, his face in between her thighs. He heard the chain clink as she tugged on to it because of the pleasure. He nned to eat her till she came on his face. Panic At the Crisp-tv media house. Mrs. Johnson had just returned from her lunch break downstairs. She opened her office door and went straight to have her seat behind her desk without checking if Belle was there or not. ¡°Belle? Please get me those¡­¡± She paused in her words when she noticed that Belle wasn¡¯t seated by her corner in the office. She sighed, shaking her head afterward. She just thought that Belle was in the building, maybe with Nathan but she wasn¡¯t nning to call and ask her, if not she would know that her phone was also there in the office. ***** Ben was done eating his new favorite meal; Belle¡¯s pussy. She was still breathing heavily because of his eating her out, but Ben was just about to start mainly. She heard him tear a condom to put on and wondered briefly if he always had some with him wherever he went. Her thoughts were disrupted by his sudden thrust. She felt him inside her and a loud gasp escaped her lips. Just like he thrusted without warning, he went fast, in and out of her. It was new for Belle because he usually went slow before going faster but she liked it nevertheless; that was proven by her uncontrolled moans. The more he slid in and out with her, the louder her moan got. She felt embarrassed about her loud moaning and tried to shut herself up by hiding her face in the pillows but Ben wouldn¡¯t allow that, he wanted to hear every noise she was going to make while he fucked her, he enjoyed it. Twirling her ponytail around his left palm, he pulled on her hair to get her face out of the pillows. ¡°Oh,¡± he heard her. Satisfied, he thrust harder into her, her ass pping against his lower torso and hips. It sounded like music in his ears, the mixed sound of it all, her moans, the pping sound of their bodies, and the clink made every time her body shook and the cuff glided against the holder. He wanted to fuck her so hard, he wouldn¡¯t get thoughts about her when he returned to the office. He couldn¡¯t handle having his mind messed up with her in his head; he had never had any woman making him this horny just by mere thoughts of her. He pulled out of her and heard Belle resume her heavy breathing uninterrupted by the moans she made but that wouldn¡¯tst long. He tore open a new condom and put it on. With both his hands gripping her waist this time, and a jerk of his hips, he thrust again, deeper, and she heard her mutter. ¡°Oh, Ben.¡± It was like a low cry. He smiled. ¡°Take it like a good girl you are.¡± He told her, sliding out, pping her right ass, and sliding back in. He saw her fingers grip the chain holding the cuffs as she nodded. ***** Evening. Crisp-tv media house. It was almost time for office hours to be over at the ce Belle worked, just four minutes more. Mrs Johnson was packing her bags, ready to leave but she had grown worried over Belle with passing time. She wouldn¡¯t mind if Belle was spending time with Nathan, Belle was a grown woman after all but she couldn¡¯t help but worry about how bad it was for her to be with Nathan. She thought Belle had been with Nathan all day and didn¡¯t bother to say anything about it because of thest incident of Belle¡¯steing but now she had to worry. She would usually leave her office by now since it was just minutes left till the official closing time but she wanted to wait till Belle came to get her purse, then she would have a word with her. She was almost done packing when she heard a knock. ¡°Come in,¡± she said, expecting her assistant to walk through the door but it was Nathan. She screened him for some seconds, wondering if Belle wasing behind him and if he was here to exin himself but Belle wasn¡¯t with him so she had to ask. ¡°Where is she?¡± She asked Nathan. ¡°Hmmn?¡± He had a confused face. ¡°Belle, hasn¡¯t she been with you? In your office maybe?¡± Mrs Johnson¡¯s question became clearer but it only made Nathan more confused. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± He questioned back because he wasing to his colleague¡¯s office to pick Belle up so they could go by the coffee ce as she agreed earlier. ¡°I thought she has been with you since the lunch break?¡± ¡°No.¡± Nathan¡¯s answer scared Laura Johnson.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°O, my god.¡± She panicked for Belle. ¡°What?¡± Nathan still had a confused face. ¡°She left for her break and hasn¡¯t returned since then, since her purse was still here, I thought maybe she was with you and didn¡¯t want to¡­¡± She paused in her words. ¡°I should call her.¡± She said and took out her phone, dialing Belle¡¯s number but only grew more scared when she heard her phone ringing in her purse. ¡°Her phone¡¯s here.¡± Mrs. Johnson panicked more. ¡°Heyy, rx.¡± Nathan knew it wasn¡¯t safe for her to panic.¡±Please take a deep breath.¡± He urged her and saw her nod, breathing in and out slowly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry much, she¡¯s fine, okay?¡± Nathan assured the pregnant woman even if he wasn¡¯t sure of his words. He got a nod from her again. ¡°Is your husbanding to pick you up or do I drive you to your ce?¡± He asked after. He would look for Belle after he was sure Mrs. Johnson was home and okay. ¡°He said he would, probably waiting downstairs for me,¡± she replied. ¡°Okay. Come, I¡¯ll help you downstairs.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m good.¡± Laura Johnson stood up and picked up her bag. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± She nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry much about Belle, she should be in the building.¡± Mrs Johnson nodded. Ben, I鈥檓 in love with you When Laura Johnson got into her husband¡¯s car and he started to drive, she was still worried and decided to ce a call to Belle¡¯s sister, Brie. Meanwhile, Nathan stood for some good seconds after Mrs Johnson left. He was trying to guess her whereabouts. He knew she didn¡¯t talk much with many of the people who worked here so she most likely wasn¡¯t with anyone in their cubicle. He scratched his head, more worried than Mrs Johnson now after he ask her not to be worried. He was also disappointed because he nned to tell her how he felt but it seemed to him that today wasn¡¯t just his day. ****** ¡°Brie, can I borrow your¡­¡± Cherry stopped when she saw that her friend had a long face.¡±What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Belle¡¯s missing again.¡± ¡°O my god, how? When?¡± Cherry asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know, you remember her boss? Mrs Johnson, the one who helped out with putting the news that she was missing before, she just called, she said that Belle hadn¡¯t returned since she went for a break and that her phone and purse are still at her office,¡± Brie¡¯s voice was full of fear. ¡°But she didn¡¯t say she is MISSING, did she?¡± Cherry pointed out. ¡°Where else would she be, to not return to the office after her break till now, if she isn¡¯t missing? What if they took her again?¡± ¡°Hey, calm down, now you¡¯re just been pessimistic about this,¡± Cherry didn¡¯t want to see her all bummed out like that so she tried to calm her mind, not really believing that Belle was missing again. ¡°Did you just say I¡¯m been pessimistic? It¡¯s my sister we are talking about here.¡± Brie shot at her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to use that word, I just didn¡¯t know which other word to use. For all we know, she could be with him.¡± Cherry defended. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You know, him, Mr money himself.¡± Cherry made her point. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you right now, is that what you really think?¡± ¡°Come on Brie, you know what I¡¯m saying is very much possible. I get it, you¡¯re worried but you have to calcte sometimes. Belle is grown like we are, you get me. She can take care of herself.¡± Cherry¡¯s words had Brie thinking till she added; ¡°Remember that one time that hot guy wanted me to serve him alone at the bar?¡± Cherry chuckled. ¡°Not now, Cherry.¡± Brie stopped her because she was still trying to think deeply about what she said. ***** Ben walked over to the head of the bed and unhooked the cuffs from Belle, he watched her copse to the bed the moment her hands were freed. He smiled before leaning in to move some of her hair which had fallen out of her ponytail off her face. She looked at him as her chest went up and down slowly as she still breathed heavily. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll take you to the shower.¡± He picked her up like she was weightless, carrying her like a baby. She didn¡¯t even bother to hold on to his shoulders while he carried her, she felt too weak for that. Ben changed how he carried her when he got to the shower, he made her rest on his chest and she wrap her legs around his waist naturally. Ben turned on the shower and the fast drops fell on their bodies. He untied her hair and started to run his hand through it as the water made it thicker. She still had her face resting against his chest. He was beginning to like that she enjoyed doing that. ¡°Belle,¡± he called and she lifted her face to his in response.¡±What do you want?¡± He asked her.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Belle recognized that question, he usually asked that when he was in an overly good mood. Without an immediate answer, she rested her head back on his chest, but put her arms around his neck this time, sliding her skin against his just to get her lips to his ears. ¡°You.¡± She whispered. She couldn¡¯t talk any louder, even her voice was weak, she had lost it.¡±I want you, Ben, not your body but you.¡± She replied and it got silent between them for some moments. ¡°Anything but that,¡± she finally heard him. ¡°You asked what I wanted right? I want your love.¡± She confessed. She knew she was in love with him but didn¡¯t want to say it ever since because he told her before, not to fall in love with him but she couldn¡¯t save herself. Spending time with him, sexing with him, and seeing him almost every day, she was getting more attached to him. ¡°I can¡¯t love you, Belle and you know that.¡± ¡°You can,¡± she lifted her face again to look into his eyes but the water wouldn¡¯t let her so she rested her head against his chest against his chest again.¡±What¡¯s stopping you, if not yourself and your beliefs?¡± He turned off the shower and took her to the wide vanity counter in the bathroom without saying anything else. He pulled on the towel hanging there and started to wipe her dry, standing in between her thighs as he did so. ¡°Ben, I¡¯m in love with you,¡± she said and he stopped with a sigh. ¡°I asked you not to fall in love with me.¡± He reminded her, his voice colder than usual. ¡°Well, guess what, I¡¯m human and I can¡¯t control how I feel.¡± She said in a low voice and pouted afterward. ¡°I¡¯m also human, and I¡¯m not in love with you.¡± His words were in but they felt so heavy when they fell on Belle¡¯s ears. ¡°¡­¡± Belle said nothing afterward, she didn¡¯t know what to say. He didn¡¯t look at her face to catch her reaction to what he just said. He started to dry her hair, and she sighed deeply. He was acting like he just said something so pleasant. After he was done drying her, he picked up another dry towel for himself. Love is hurtful Just like he carried her to the bathroom, he took her back to the bed, pulling the nket over her. ¡°Are you leaving?¡± She asked. ¡°No.¡± He said and joined her in bed, pulling the nket over himself too. When they had bothid separately for a while, Belle turned to him and decided to ask her thoughts. ¡°Why don¡¯t you believe in love?¡± Ben heard her disrupt the silence. ¡°Go to sleep, Belle, I know you are tired.¡± He didn¡¯t look at her while he said this so she went closer to him on the bed andid her head on his chest. He started to caress her hair. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you Belle,¡± she heard him say after his caressing hands went from her hair to her arm. ¡°Who says I would get hurt?¡± She asked. ¡°Love is hurtful.¡± He told her. ¡°Maybe, but it is also a beautiful thing you know.¡± ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡± He disagreed.¡±Let us not talk about this.¡± He added. ¡°You have never even tried enjoying love and you have already concluded that¡­¡± Belle wanted to say something more. ¡°Please?¡± He pleaded and she stopped.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Okay.¡± Now she justid quiet, thinking to herself, she then thought about what usually told her before she fell asleep. ***** Morning. Belle was still asleep when she felt lip kisses on her left shoulder and neck. She turned grumpily, but the kisses continued on her right shoulder. It was Ben trying to wake her up but she was so sleepy, he started to rethink his decision. He just didn¡¯t want her waking upte again, she was always displeased whenever she did. He decided to kiss her on the lips now. ¡°Mmmn,¡± he heard her react to his kiss. She kissed him back but didn¡¯t open her eyes. He separated their lips to chuckle briefly before he kissed her again. This time, the kiss was deeper. Belle put her fingers behind his neck to pull him closer during the kiss but he took hold of her hands and pinned them against the bed as he stood by where shey on the bed. She opened her eyes this time. The first thing her eyes met was his face. He smiled when he saw that she was finally awake. She yawned shortly and stretched after that, Ben waited and watched. ¡°Good morning,¡± she said when she was done stretching.¡± ¡°You kiss back even when you are asleep? We should do that more often,¡± she smiled when he said to her. ¡°You have two hours till you have to leave for work, so you can eat and take your time, that¡¯s if I am calcting right.¡± He added but he just reminded her of two things. She just remembered how she left work yesterday, and that she was also hungry. ¡°I will make you some eggs,¡± she heard him again and sat up. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t,¡± She reminded him, worried because of thest time he cooked for her. ¡°I can¡¯t make spaghetti but I can make eggs.¡± He assured her.¡±Get ready ande downstairs.¡± She decided to trust him and just nodded. She didn¡¯t want to mention that she was worried about how he pulled her out of work yesterday, else, he would ¡®take care of it¡¯ and Mrs. Johnson would agree to everything she did with fear, she didn¡¯t want that. After she brushed and had her bath, she checked the wardrobe, surprisingly they were corporate trousers for her to wear and shirts her size; she assumed Ben had prepared that beforehand. She checked the matching colours before dressing up and making her hair into a neat bun. She went down the stairs, slowly and quietly, and could see him in the open kitchen, he was drying his hands with a towel. He heard her approach the kitchen even as quietly as she walked. ¡°Pretty as always,¡± Heplimented. She just smiled widely before taking a seat on one of the tall stools set in front of the kitchen counter. Ben put a dish in front of her after she had taken a seat. She looked at it for a while, it was presented just fine and it smelt so nice, his spaghetti also smelt wonderful so she couldn¡¯t give a final judgment of it till she had a taste of it. ¡°It¡¯s not bad, I promise.¡± He told her and picked up the fork in the dish, forking some of it into his mouth to eat. She saw him chew it without spitting it out so when he forked some again and brought it to her lips, she opened her mouth to it. She started off chewing some of the scrambled eggs slowly but when she saw that it was actually good, she chewed normally. After she was done, she opened her mouth again for him to fork some more into her mouth and he smiled, happy to feed her. It was just him feeding her, watching her eat, and adoring him the whole time till she asked. ¡°Won¡¯t you eat any?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really hungry.¡± ¡°Oh. Well, aren¡¯t you going to get ready?¡± He looked at the digital walk clock hanging up then looked back at her. ¡°You are right, I should get ready.¡± She heard him and picked up the fork to continue where he stopped. ¡°Do you want more?¡± He asked her, he wanted to know if to cook her some more eggs before he left for the room. Belle just shook her head, she had some food in her mouth and could not talk. He smiled at her one more time before going up the stairs and to the room. Belle¡¯s eyes followed him as she chewed till she could not see him anymore. Her fault Crisp-tv media house. Ben just dropped her off. The elevator door was about to close after she got in when Nathan hurried to her. She sighed, wishing the door hadn¡¯t been closing slowly. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked her while they went up in the elevator together. Belle thought he was asking the obvious because she knew she didn¡¯t look like she was in trouble. She just nodded. Nathan wondered quietly, if she didn¡¯t remember they were supposed to go to a coffee ce yesterday, he didn¡¯t want to remind her, for fear that he might sound stupid so he just sighed inwardly.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Mrs. Johnson was worried yesterday when you didn¡¯t return.¡± He thought he should tell her. ¡°I¡¯ll exin to her when I get to the office.¡± She smiled. ¡°She isn¡¯t there¡­¡± ¡°Oh, she mighteter today then.¡± Belle cut him short, trying to not have a conversation with him. ¡°No, she won¡¯t. She gave birth early this morning, went intobour yesterday.¡± Nathan informed her. ¡°O my gosh, really?¡± She smiled happily. ¡°Yeah, a beautiful baby girl.¡± ¡°Oh wow.¡± ¡°She won¡¯t be active here at the office for the next 3-4 months, thepany would grant her maternity leave.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Belle didn¡¯t think of that. ¡°She would be working from home when she can.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle went speechless. She wanted to ask if she still had toe to the office now that Mrs Johnson wouldn¡¯t be around but Nathan answered before she could ask. ¡°The chief editor would ask for you when he gets information that you¡¯re now here, he would talk with you.¡± ¡°Oh okay.¡± It went quiet between them again. The elevator door opened and Belle was ready to leave but he stopped her. ¡°Uhm, we couldn¡¯t go for coffee yesterday, what about today?¡± He couldn¡¯t help himself. He now didn¡¯t mind if he sounded stupid or desperate because he was desperate for her attention. ¡°¡­¡± Belle wasn¡¯t fast enough in bringing up an excuse, she was just remembering that she agreed to go talk with him yesterday. ¡°We could visit Laura and her baby at the hospital together, then we could talk after that, what do you say?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Belle nodded with a faint smile, she agreed just because she felt guilty for forgetting about him yesterday. She got to Mrs. Johnson¡¯s office and opened the door. Her purse was still where she left it. She took out her phone and when she unlocked it, she saw her boss¡¯s missed call. She didn¡¯t need to be told that what she did yesterday was very hical. She would be surprised if Mrs. Johnson wasn¡¯t mad at her. She was still thinking about yesterday when she heard a knock. Assuming that it was just Nathan, she ignored the knock but it came again, the person was persistent. Belle went to the door and when she opened it, she saw her cousin sister standing there with Cherry behind her. ¡°Brie?¡± Belle was wondering what she was doing there. ¡°Look, she is here and isn¡¯t missing. What did I tell you yesterday? Now, you can see for yourself that she isn¡¯t missing.¡± Belle heard Cherry tell Brie. ¡°What happened yesterday? You had your boss worried and me also, I was so scared when I got a call from her and heard that you hadn¡¯t returned to this ce since noon yesterday.¡± Brie decided to ask her sister, ignoring all that Cherry just said. ¡°She called you?¡± Belle didn¡¯t know Mrs. Johnson was that worried. She felt bad for keeping her worried as much as to call Brie. ¡°Yeah, she did. She was really scared of you. Where did you go anyways? She said you left your phone and purse here, where did you go?¡± ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Belle licked her lips, thinking of what to say. She didn¡¯t want to tell them that she left them all worried because she went to have a good time with Ben. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? She probably got tired of going on errands here and decided to take a longer break.¡± They both heard Cherry.¡±If it were me having something with Ben Larkson, I wouldn¡¯t bother working at all, I mean¡­¡± ¡°Cherry!¡± Belle had to stop her when she mentioned Ben¡¯s name. ¡°What?¡± Cherry wanted to know what she said wrong. ¡°O my god, can you try not saying his name when we are here?¡±Belle begged her. ¡°Oh.¡± Cherry pursed her lips.¡±Sorry.¡± ¡°Hold on a minute,¡± Brie just remembered something Cherry said yesterday.¡±Belle, where were you with him yesterday?¡± ¡°Come inside,¡± Belle opened the door to Mrs. Johnson¡¯s office wider to let them in. She locked the door after. ¡°This whole time you had your boss worried, this whole time you had me worried, where are you with him?¡± ¡°It was important.¡± Belle shrugged. ¡°I was right!¡± Cherry announced. ¡°Not now, Cherry.¡± Brie turned to her, a little angry.¡±Do you realize that Mrs. Johnson had to go to the hospital yesterday just because of you?¡± She asked Belle. ¡°What?¡± Belle didn¡¯t know.¡±I was just informed of her delivery¡­¡± ¡°Do you know what caused her to go intobor? You.¡± Brie told her and she swallowed. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± Belle¡¯s mouth suddenly felt heavy to speak. ¡°Come on, Brie, don¡¯t make her feel so guilty. Her boss is safe now, isn¡¯t she?¡± Cherry spoke. ¡°I have to let her know, she has to feel guilty because whenever this man¡¯s involved, she just seems to lose her senses,¡± Brie admitted. Belle went quiet. ¡°I already told you to end this¡­ whatever it is, you have with Mr. Larkson, you wouldn¡¯t listen. At this point, I¡¯m not even sure I would care if anything ever happened to you anymore because somehow, he is gonna be involved. It¡¯s like he is the only one you care abouttely, no one else, and nothing else matters to you, just him.¡± Brie told her angrily, and then she opened the locked door and left. ¡°Brie!¡± Cherry tried to stop her but was fruitless in that effort.¡±Don¡¯t mind all she just said, she¡¯s just angry and didn¡¯t have enough sleepst night, okay?¡± Cherry told Belle before going after her friend. Crying When both her sister and friend left, Belle sat in her corner and cried. She thought about what Brie said to her before leaving, then she remembered confessing her feelings to Ben and his response. She would be angry at Ben but he had told her from the beginning that he couldn¡¯t love her and she was okay with it till recently. She found herself wanting to hear him call her sweeter names, she wanted him to get her flowers, she wanted him to show the world that he was in love with her but that was not going to happen and she knew. After crying, she wiped her tears. Maybe she needed a break from him, she needed to space herself from him because for all she knew, this could be a mere infatuation she felt towards him and nothing more, it had to be. She asked herself how possible it was to develop feelings for someone who you know would never love you back, and so she decided that it was just infatuation. She would stop spending the night with him, maybe return to her sister¡¯s apartment. If it was Infatuation, staying away from him and avoiding seeing him every day would make it disappear. A knock came and she made sure her eyes didn¡¯t look like they were crying just moments ago before she answered the door. She saw a woman with a formal dress standing at the door when she opened it. ¡°Are you Ms Miller?¡± The woman asked. ¡°Uhm, yeah?¡± ¡°Mr Kidridge would like to see you I¡¯m his office.¡± She informed her. ¡°Okay. Now?¡± Belle asked, she knew Mr Kidridge was the editor in chief. ¡°Yes, now.¡± The woman nodded and left. Belle went back to her purse and look in the mirror to be sure her eyes weren¡¯t red from her crying, then she arranged her hair and clothes before going to see him, she didn¡¯t want to make a bad impression the first time she was meeting him. Two knocks to his office and she heard a e in¡¯. She walked into the office and saw the MR KIDRIDGE. He wasn¡¯t as old as she always imagined. ¡°You¡¯re Ms Miller, Laura¡¯s assistant?¡± He asked immediately she entered. Belle nodded. ¡°Sit,¡± he told her and went back to typing on hisptop. Belle sat there awkwardly for a minute till he was done with hisptop, he then closed it and gave his attention to her. ¡°You must know by now that your boss had given birth, true?¡± Belle nodded.¡±She won¡¯t be active here for the next two to three months so you¡¯ll be switched to a new editor till she returns.¡± He paused and expected a reaction from her but got none so he continued.¡±You¡¯ll work with Editor Khan till Laura returns, he is also a senior editor. If you want you can speak to him now or tomorrow but either way, you continue your internship with him tommorow, we good?¡± He asked her and got a nod again. ¡°My assistant will show his office to you now. Have a good day.¡± He wished her and finally heard her say something since she entered his office. ¡°Okay sir.¡± After she was showed to the editor¡¯s office, Belle returned to Mrs Johnson¡¯s. Sitting without doing anything for some minutes, she sighed. The man looked friendly, so it should be okay working with him for the next few months.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. She then started to pack some of her office properties, ready to move them to her new spot. While she was packing, she saw a torn sheet of paper, it was an article about Ben written by Laura Johnson. She had torn that page off of an old news magazine she found in Mrs Johnson¡¯s office when she first got here. She started to read it again and got to the part where it was written in italics; ¡°I am not one for love.¡±- to all the singledies who dream of Mr Larkson. A tear left her eyes before she could stop it. It wet the sheet she held but she still put it in the carton box and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands. *** Time had passed and it was almost evening. Belle had been less busy the whole day and had been waiting for the office hours to end so when it was time, she picked up her purse, ready to leave but when she opened the door, she almost bumped into Nathan. He had timed his activities for the whole day waiting for office hours to be over so he could go to her. He didn¡¯t want her to leave the office without him. ¡°We are still going to see Laura right?¡± Belle heard him. She had forgotten again about what she agreed to. ¡°Yeah.¡± She just said. While she drove with Nathan to the hospital, she decided to text Ben so he didn¡¯t bothering to pick her up or even send someone. She didn¡¯t call because she wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk to him. ¡°Don¡¯t cone pick me up today.¡± She texted and got a call from him after some seconds. It got Nathan¡¯s attention when her ringtone disturbed the quietness in the car. Belle picked the call and put the phone to her ears despite not wanting to speak to him. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you would see my text so soon.¡± She told Ben over the phone. ¡°Are you going to see your sister?¡± He asked her, wanting to know why he shouldn¡¯te get her after work because he was already on his way to the Crisp-tv media house. ¡°No.¡± Her reply was simple and he noticed how she didn¡¯t add an exnation as usual. ¡± What¡¯s the matter? Are you okay? Did anyone say or do anything to you?¡± He got worried. ¡°I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m just going to see Mrs. Johnson and her baby at the hospital.¡± ¡°I could have taken you there.¡± Belle heard him and sighed, she didn¡¯t want to tell him she was going there with Nathan so she just went mute. ¡°Belle?¡± Ben called her name when he didn¡¯t hear her for some seconds. ¡°I think I will go to my sister¡¯s after seeing Mrs. Johnson,¡± she told him, having nothing else in mind. ¡°I¡¯m gonna cut the call now,¡± Belle added before hanging up. She sighed after. ¡°You okay?¡± She heard Nathan ask and almost screamed at him but didn¡¯t. ¡°Yeah,¡± she just said with a false smile. It鈥檚 complicated They got to the hospital but were told that Mrs. Johnson had already been permitted by the doctor to leave. Nathan knew this before now but needed a good reason earlier to spend time with Belle. ¡°I guess I will just call her to congratte her,¡± Belle said to herself, disappointed that she couldn¡¯t see her do that in person, and also apologize. ¡°What did you want to talk about?¡± She decided to ask Nathan when they got back to his car. She felt like it had lingered too long. ¡°Oh, that¡­ we should go somewhere, maybe a restaurant, are you hungry?¡± He asked her, expecting a yes and he got it. ¡°Yeah, I am.¡± Belle nodded, she had nothing to lose having some food with him. Nathan had never been happier since he started having feelings for her. He quickly started the car and drove them to a nice restaurant. They were both ushered to a table by the window so they went and took their seats. They were given a menu card to pick a dish from. ¡°I will have this,¡± Belle showed the waiter what she wanted while Nathan was still deciding what he wanted; ¡°I will have what she¡¯s having.¡± He smiled, returning the card to the waiter. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in some minutes.¡± The waiter smiled politely and left. They were then alone. ¡°So¡­?¡± Belle trailed off to indicate to Nathan that he could tell her what he had been wanting to. ¡°I think we should wait till the food arrives,¡± he smiled a little nervously. ¡°What if it takes forever, most of these restaurants are quite annoying, you know.¡± She scoffed. ¡°Not this ce, I wouldn¡¯t take you to just anywhere.¡± He smiled again and it became silent between them again. ¡°You look so beautiful today,¡± he thought he should praise her. ¡°And I look so horrible on other days?¡± She countered hispliment. ¡°No.¡± He was quick to say.¡±That was supposed to be apliment. You always look beautiful, you are beauty itself.¡± He had to admit as he stared at her pretty face. ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll try not to be rude next time.¡± She smiled genuinely for the first time around him. ¡°Herees our food,¡± he said making her turn her neck to see the waiter approaching them with a tray in hand, holding their dishes. ¡°Well, that was quick.¡± Sheughed softly when the waiter ce a dish in front of her. ¡°Like I said, I won¡¯t take you to just anywhere, this ce is nice,¡± Nathan told her. ¡°Enjoy your meal,¡± The waiter smiled before leaving. ¡°Spaghetti,¡± Nathan muttered as he looked at the dish in front of him. ¡°What? Don¡¯t you enjoy spaghetti?¡± Belle asked when she looked up to see him staring at the dish. ¡°I do. It¡¯s my favorite meal actually, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t like to eat it when it¡¯s made by anyone else apart from myself.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your favorite meal huh, funny surprise.¡± Belleughed. ¡°Wait till you eat one I make.¡± She boasted. ¡°You can probably make every other meal better than I can but surely not spaghetti.¡± He smiled while he spoke. Belle didn¡¯t notice how good his smile looked on him till now. ¡°What are you saying? I loveee spaghetti, and after my grandma¡¯s, my spaghetti is the best. No arguments.¡± ¡°Maybe I could taste your spaghetti sometime,¡± she heard him reply to her. ¡°What happened to ¡®I don¡¯t like to eat spaghetti when it¡¯s made by anyone else¡¯?¡± Belle reminded him of what he just told her. ¡°You are not anyone else, I would eat anything made by you.¡± He said honestly. Belle had no words after that. She picked up her fork and decided to try the spaghetti. ¡°Mmmm. It¡¯s good, try it.¡± She urged him. He also picked up the fork and had some of the spaghetti. Belle stopped eating to get his remark about the food. ¡°Not bad.¡± She heard him. ¡°Not bad?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had better. You know what? I¡¯ll tell you, mine tastes better.¡± He bragged and saw her smile as she shook her head. ¡°This is actually good, you just don¡¯t wanna admit it because you¡¯ve built such a high standard for your taste in spaghetti.¡± She told him. ¡°Maybe,¡± he confessed.¡±Tell me, what¡¯s your taste in men? And what standard does one have to attain to ask you to¡­¡± ¡°Are you asking for a friend?¡± She decided to y around a little; she knew he liked her. ¡°Uhm, maybe?¡± ¡°It¡¯s either a yes or a no, Mr Nathan.¡± She told him and took a sip from the ss of water in front of her. ¡°I¡¯m not asking for a friend.¡± He paused and took in a silent deep breath.¡±Do you have a boyfriend?¡± He asked. ¡°¡­¡± Belle wanted to say no immediately but then her thoughts went to Ben, but he wasn¡¯t her boyfriend, he was just a man she was sexing with. She sighed. ¡°You do, don¡¯t you?¡± Nathan thought he should ept his fate when she didn¡¯t give an immediate answer.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯splicated,¡± he heard her say before forking some spaghetti into her mouth. He watched her chew it slowly and thought she was pretty in everything she did. ¡°Howplicated?¡± He wanted to know if he had a chance. ¡°Not very, but trust me, it isplicated.¡± She sighed and took another sip of water after chewing. ¡°It¡¯s either a yes or a no, Ms Miller.¡± Belle heard him and looked up from her meal.¡±Do you have a boyfriend?¡± He asked but watched Belle purse her lips and just look back at him. ¡°Let me rephrase that question, are you in a rtionship?¡± He really wanted an answer but Belle wasn¡¯t saying anything. ¡°¡­ It¡¯s¡­¡± She wanted to repeat to him that it wasplicated but changed her mind. She sighed loudly.¡±No, no I¡¯m not in a rtionship.¡± He smiled, happy. ¡°I have a chance then?¡± He risked his short-lived happiness with a question. ¡°No.¡± She told him inly and saw his smile fade.¡±I¡¯m sorry,¡± she added.¡±I¡¯m not just looking forward to getting into a rtionship.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± A word managed to escape his lips. Where are you coming from? While they drove out of the restaurant driveway, Belle had her quiet time to think because Nathan had been silent since her reply back at the restaurant. She thought about Ben and thenpared him to Nathan. ¡®Nathan isn¡¯t so a bad person,¡¯ she started to think. Spending time with him today made her reconsider avoiding him all the time before. Meanwhile, Ben was the kind of man she never saw herself falling in love with. She had heard of him previously while still living in her small town with her grandma but never thought she would meet him one day. It was funny to her, how she met him. She just wanted a one-time affair but now she was in love with him. ¡°Do I drop you off at the junction here? Or can I take you home?¡± Nathan¡¯s question broke her thoughts. ¡°Take me home, I¡¯ll direct you there,¡± she replied to him. She didn¡¯t want to walk all the way to Brie¡¯s apartment so she didn¡¯t mind if he knew where she stayed now. ¡°There won¡¯t be a need for that.¡± ¡°Hmmn?¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I know the way to your ce,¡± His words surprised her. ¡°You do?¡± ¡°While you were still missing, I went over there to help out with finding you, Laura, and I actually.¡± He informed her. ¡°Oh.¡± She just said. She didn¡¯t know he also helped out.¡±Thank you then.¡± She thought should appreciate him for his efforts. ¡°It¡¯s not like I found you, don¡¯t thank me,¡± his words took her mind back to Ben, he was the one who found her. ¡°Speaking of that, do you mind telling me about how you escaped? Did you escape or was it the police? Your sister, Brie, mentioned how unresponsive the police were so I¡¯m assuming you escaped. How did you do it?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t. It was the police, they rescued me.¡± Belle lied, she didn¡¯t want to say Ben¡¯s name.¡±¡­ and I don¡¯t want to talk about it, it¡¯s not a good memory for me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry I brought it up.¡± He apologized.¡±Here we are,¡± he announced to her when they got to Brie¡¯s ce. ¡°Thanks for today.¡± She smiled at him before getting out of the car. She watched him smile back before he drove off. She pursed her lips for some seconds; she didn¡¯t know he cared that much about her. She started up the stairs that led to Brie¡¯s apartment but stopped midway to ask herself a question. Was she ready to face Brie after earlier? She sighed and turned back around, going back down the stairs and standing in front of the building to hail a taxi, she was going to visit her house; the house Ben gifted her. *** Belle stood in front of the door to her house, searching for the keys in her purse. She always had it in whatever purse she carried. Turning the locks on the door, she pushed it slowly, trying to put the keys back in her purse afterward. She closed the door behind her and turned on the lights, her being almost left her in shock of who she saw sitting in the living room. ¡°Ben?¡± She called, her hands on her chest as she tried to catch back her lost breath. He didn¡¯t say anything, he just sat on the sofa with his thighs apart. Belle saw a look in his eyes that she hadst experienced when she interviewed him that Monday morning. Her heart skipped, and unknown fear engulfed her. It was more scary for her that he had a drink in hand, she had never seen him drinking. ¡°Where are youing from?¡± He asked her before drinking up the wine in the tumbler and keeping it on the ss-top stool loudly. The noise it made had her shake up from her still position. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t know you would be here, I was hoping to be alone when I came here, need to clear my head a little.¡± ¡°Not the answer to my question, but what is it you want to clear your head from? Me?¡± She heard him ask and realized he sounded a little dull. ¡°Are you drunk?¡± She asked him. She still stood by the door. ¡°I¡¯m not. I wanted to be but it seems so hard. Tell me, did you n toe clear your head from me?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Her answer would be yes because she did want to clear her head of him but she figured out telling him that now wasn¡¯t a good idea. ¡°Belle!¡± His suddenly sharp voice cut her off her thoughts. She looked at him.¡±What did you two talk about?¡± His voice returned to being dull. ¡°You two?¡± Belle asked him and heard him when he let out a loud chuckle. ¡°I saw the way he made youugh, he must be so funny to charm you to have a date with him.¡± She heard him say with gritted teeth and wondered if he knew she had lunch with Nathan. She also wondered how he knew, so she asked; ¡°How did you know?¡± His mysterious smile made her worry. ¡°You said you were going to see Mrs Johnson.¡± He reminded her. ¡°We were, we found out that she had been dismissed by the doct¡­¡± ¡°And so you decided to have a date with him?¡±His seemingly angry question cut her words short. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a da¡­¡± ¡°What was it then?¡± He cut her short again. ¡°We just had some food together, no big deal. Why are you asking all these?¡± ¡°I asked you to stay away from him.¡± Ben got up from where he sat so suddenly, she found herself moving some steps backwards. ¡°You don¡¯t get to tell me who to stay away from or who to rte with, you don¡¯t even have a right to be acting the way you are now, we are not in a rtionship, are we?¡± She said her mind to him but realizedte, that she shouldn¡¯t have. You can鈥檛 give me your love ¡°You don¡¯t get to tell me who to stay away from or who to rte with, you don¡¯t even have a right to be acting the way you are now, we are not in a rtionship, are we?¡± She said her mind to him but realizedte, that she shouldn¡¯t have. He came to where she stood and had her against the wall. Her breathing got faster because of the way he eyes got scarier. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± His words were calm, unlike what she expected. ¡°¡­.¡± She said nothing, no words were willing to leave her mouth. ¡°I should let you know that I don¡¯t like to share what¡¯s mine, Belle, and you? You are mine. Whether we are in a rtionship or not, you are mine and no one else¡¯s. I won¡¯t tolerate anyone trying to have with you what I do if that ever happens,¡± he paused and scoffed, ¡°that person is going to pay, Belle.¡± Belle swallowed, trying to ingest his every word. ¡°If anyone ever does as much as touching you the way I do, that person will pay with his life. Do you understand?¡± He looked her in the eyes as he asked. Belle nodded slowly. ¡°Good.¡± She heard him.¡±It¡¯s your choice, I won¡¯t tell you who to stay away from or be around, but if you ever let anyone as close to you as this,¡± he took both her hands and lifted them above her head, pinning them to the wall, and then bringing his face to hers, so close she could smell the alcohol in his breath.¡±I won¡¯t spare that person.¡± He said and went on to kiss her pulsing neck. Belle heaved a breath of pleasure. He was doing to her what she told herself she would stop him from doing. He was making her lose her senses with just a kiss on the neck. Ben kissed beneath her lips next, seeing her lips quiver with anticipation to be touched by his. ¡°Would you rather I lie to you?¡± He asked her before sucking on her lower lips.¡±Would you rather I lie about loving you?¡± He asked and kissed her again. Belle didn¡¯t answer any of his questions, she couldn¡¯t, he wasn¡¯t even letting her think properly. From her lips, he went down back to her neck. Holding both her hands now with just his left, he used his right hand to unzip her trouser. When it fell, he slid his fingers into her panty, it had Belle roll her eyes to the back of her head in anticipated pleasure, she knew what his hands could do whenever they went down there. ¡°Belle,¡± he called her name like he always did, he was enjoying the face she had on at that moment, he knew he was making her forget where she was with just his hands. He suddenly stopped finger-fucking her. Belle looked at him with her eyes full of questions but he just let go of her hands which he held to the wall. Belle was still looking at him astonished, with her mouth agape at how he suddenly left her when she was almost about to cum on his fingers. Her mind almost went crazy; he just put her on a high edge and left her hanging. She saw him return to where he sat when she first walked in. He poured himself a new ss and gulped it all at a go, then he sat rxed, resting his back on the sofa and looking back at her still shocked face. After a moment of just quiet breaths between them, it urred to Belle that he was punishing her for spending time with Nathan. She inhaled a good amount of air and exhaled slowly after. She suddenly had the courage to tell him that she was also not happy. She was going to tell him all she had spent most of her day thinking about. ¡°It¡¯s good you stopped,¡± she started and bent to pick her fallen trouser back up. Zipping it, she continued.¡±You know, I was thinking throughout today¡­¡± She paused again to renew her courage to look him in the eye as she spoke.¡±Maybe I¡¯m letting myself get too addicted to you.¡± She confessed. ¡°I can¡¯t have my heart hurt whenever I¡¯m with you and have to remember that I will most likely never know what your love feels like.¡± Ben didn¡¯t sit up to listen to her go on like she thought, he just sat and looked at her with a cold face; it encouraged her to get to the end of all she nned to say. ¡°You can¡¯t give me your love, I know that and havee to ept it, so I¡¯ve decided to give myself some time away from you, in that way, maybe my love for you can die off.¡± She concluded and waited for his reaction but his face was still as cold as before. When he saw that she was done talking, he sat up and poured himself another drink, took a sip from the ss tumbler, and looked her in the eyes before he spoke. ¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡± Belle heard him say with his voice so calm like all she just said to him was useless.¡±You are not going to give yourself time away from me, I won¡¯t let you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not asking for your permission, I¡¯m just letting you know what I n on doing.¡± Belle didn¡¯t know where her courage was building from but she thrived on it. ¡°You will not.¡± She heard him again.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°That¡¯s not for you to decide. I already told you, you don¡¯t get to tell me what to do or how I¡­¡± ¡°Where is all thising from?¡± His voice reverberated over hers and stopped her from talking. ¡°From a lot of deep thinking,¡± Belle answered and got a sharp look from him. ¡°You are not taking a break from me,¡± he finished the wine in the ss and kept it loudly on the table in front of him. ¡°And what if I decide that I don¡¯t want to see you anymore? Maybe I should do that because if my love is not going to be reciprocated then what we are doing is just¡­¡± ¡°I told you what I wanted from you, and you agreed to it.¡± He cut her words short again. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t.¡± Belle folded her hands as she opposed. I鈥檓 done, Ben ¡°No, I didn¡¯t.¡± Belle folded her hands as she opposed.¡±I told you that I would think about it and I did today. I¡¯m done, Ben.¡± She heard herself say something she didn¡¯t n on saying. At first, she just wanted a break from him but she just told him that she was ¡®done¡¯. As herst three words resounded in her ears, she saw a reaction from him for the first time since she started talking. It was a smile, a scary one. ¡°No, you are not.¡± He told her and came to her. She tried to control her breathing when he came back in front of her. ¡°It¡¯s my body, I get to decide when I don¡¯t want¡­¡± ¡°Your body belongs to me, Belle.¡± He grabbed her by the waist and made the little space between the vanish. Belle gasped when he suddenly pulled her by the waist. Her breathing could not be controlled now when he brought his lips to her right ear. She heard his maic voice tell her; ¡°Think again about your decision, Belle, but this time know that stopping what we have already started is not an option.¡± He said and let go of her. He wasn¡¯t going to let her stop him from herself. This was why he wanted her to sign a contract back then, he pre-calcted that this could happen. She turned to see him walk out the front door after he left her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she didn¡¯t know how to feel. ***** ¡°Now you see that I was right, don¡¯t you?¡± Brie told Belle as they sat on the same bed. Belle had just told her all that had happened with her and Ben; Brie was the only one she could return to talk to. ¡°Come on Brie, you really are going to say that right now?¡± They both heard Cherry and turned to see her. They didn¡¯t know she had been listening all the while. ¡°I warned her about him, she didn¡¯t listen and now he is threatening to hurt others because of her.¡± Brie shook her head as she spoke.¡±I know what to do,¡± she made Belle look at her with wonder at what she had in mind. ¡°Avoid him, don¡¯t take his calls, just forget about him, he would forget about you too. That¡¯s how they are, if you stop caring, they also wouldn¡¯t bother.¡± Cherry hissed at Brie¡¯s idea after listening with interest. ¡°Do you realize that Ben isn¡¯t your ex? He isn¡¯t Carl, the fact that Carl forgot about you when you tried to cut him off to have him apologize doesn¡¯t mean Ben would also do the same.¡± Cherry made her point. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know what to tell you Belle, but if you ask me, I would say you continue with what you already started with him, after all you do enjoy him, plus he is willing to spend on you and take care of you financially¡­ just continue, stay if he wants you to stay,¡± Cherry told Belle this time. ¡°What are you saying, Cherry?¡± Brie looked at her with disapproval.¡±Don¡¯t continue, Belle, this is the perfect time to escape from him.¡± ¡°Escape from him? It¡¯s not like he is a monster.¡± Belle had to mention. ¡°I didn¡¯t say he is, but being with someone like him has a lot of mental and emotional stress attached to it. Belle, just listen to me this time okay? Do this for your good.¡± ¡°The way he said those words of his, he meant it, I could tell. What if your n doesn¡¯t work?¡± Belle sighed and looked again at her sister. ¡°It would,¡± Brie assured her, meanwhile, Cherry stood there with her hands folded and a face to show that she thought Brie¡¯s n was useless. ****** The next morning. Belle came down the cab that just stopped in front of the Crisp-tv media house. She put her palms over her face, trying to shake off the worry she had on her mind. ¡°Belle?¡± She turned and it was Nathan. ¡°Good morning,¡± she just greeted. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think so.¡± ¡°You think so?¡± He raised a brow as he questioned.¡±Do you want to talk about what¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m good. Thanks.¡± She just shook her head and started towards the entrance of the building, ready to start her first day with her new boss.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. **** Ben sat in his office, typing roughly on the keyboard beneath his fingers. He wasn¡¯t livid with rage but rather it was a feeling he couldn¡¯t describe. He had never felt such and didn¡¯t know how to deal with it. He normally tortured someone he thought deserving of it, whenever he was furious but this wasn¡¯t that. He couldn¡¯t even exin what he felt after yesterday with Belle. He wanted to be angry at her but he couldn¡¯t be. He hated that she went out tote lunch with Nathan and wanted to punish her but it was ¡®her¡¯, it was Belle, and he couldn¡¯t harm her. He couldn¡¯t imagine his free time without her around. When she said she was done yesterday, it triggered a part of him to smile because there was no way she was. He wouldn¡¯t allow that. His assistant¡¯s heels made quiet noises as she approached his desk. She had a file in hand. ¡°Sir, I made the marketers¡¯ reviews into a summarized file like you requested.¡± She said and kept the file on his desk as quietly as she could because he didn¡¯t look up from what he was typing after she spoke. She stood in front of him for some seconds to know if he would say something but he said nothing, so she turned to leave but he stopped her. ¡°As you leave, cancel all my meetings for today¡­ and I don¡¯t want any disturbances.¡± He gave orders, still without looking up from what he was typing. ¡°Okay, sir.¡± She continued walking but stopped again at the door to ask him; ¡°Sir, what about the appointments you have? You have a scheduled appointment with nine different¡­¡± Her tongue stopped working when he finally looked up. Far as she was, she could see how dark his eyes were. She immediately knew she should stop talking and just leave. Do you love her? A few minutester, his assistant returned to his office but he didn¡¯t stop what he was doing before she walked back in. ¡°Sir, I know you asked me to cancel all your appointments but I just went through it again and you nned to see¡­¡± Ben stopped typing and set his eyes on her like before, making her keep shut suddenly. ¡°You seem to be tired of your jobtely.¡± He told her but she shook her head in disagreement. She wasn¡¯t tired of her job, she just had to tell him something important. Jenna was here to see him so she wanted to know if to tell her that Mr Larkson didn¡¯t want to be disturbed. Thest time she told Jenna that he was too busy to see her, he wasn¡¯t happy about it. ¡°I just want to let you know that¡­¡± Jenna walked in before the assistant could mention her name. ¡°You were taking so long, I had to let myself in.¡± She told the assistant then came to sit on one of the chairs opposite Ben. ¡°Leave,¡± Ben told his assistant and watched her walk out the door hurriedly.¡±You didn¡¯t let me know you would being here.¡± He gave his attention to Jenna, closing hisptop. ¡°I decided to take proper protocol and fix an appointment with you,¡± she told him with a smile before setting her purse down on his desk.¡±Are you okay?¡± She decided to ask when she noticed that he hadn¡¯t smiled since she walked in. ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± he replied honestly, as always. ¡°Thepany?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Jenna expressed her surprise, amazed to find out that it wasn¡¯t thepany issues making his mood sour. Her mind immediately went to someone.¡±Belle?¡± She asked and heard him sigh. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What happened? Is she okay?¡± Jenna became scared for her because thest time Ben was this worried over her, she was missing. ¡°She is.¡± ¡°What then?¡± Jenna asked but didn¡¯t get an immediate response, she just heard him sigh again. ¡°I can¡¯t just get her out of my mind sincest night,¡± he tapped on his desk lightly as he started to speak.¡±I try to imagine what it would be like if she leaves, and I can¡¯t because somehow, I¡¯ve woven her into my life so tightly that I don¡¯t want her to leave.¡± ¡°Leave? Was there a rtionship? Were you¡­?¡± ¡°No.¡± He answered her questions before she could ask them all. ¡°You said ¡®leave¡¯, I thought you meant she was leaving the secret rtionship you both had.¡± ¡°There wasn¡¯t a secret rtionship. It was supposed to be a sexual adventure with her, nothing more, but now she says she is done, ¡®done¡¯, I can¡¯t let that be.¡± ¡°Ben, you don¡¯t just expect that things would go on between you both and no one would catch feelings.¡± ¡°We talked about it, I told her what I wanted from her.¡± He made sure to mention. ¡°Did she agree to it?¡± This question had him silent for some seconds. ¡°Not verbally, but she didn¡¯t object to all we¡¯ve been doing.¡± ¡°Of course, she didn¡¯t object, it¡¯s you; girls are crazy for you. She¡¯s probably gotten over your charm and doesn¡¯t want to¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Jenna.¡± ¡°What don¡¯t I understand? She has the right to stop whatever you two were having.¡± ¡°I know she does but¡­¡± He paused his words and slouched on his office chair, sighing simultaneously.¡±I don¡¯t want her to.¡± Jenna watched him confess. It was the first time she was seeing her cousin brother this down for a woman. ¡°Why?¡± Jenna asked him. ¡®Why?¡¯ Ben reyed her one-word question in his head. Why did he not want to let Belle go? He didn¡¯t know, but he knew he wanted her more than he had ever wanted any other woman in the past. ¡°Do you love her?¡± Jenna asked again but saw his eyes squint with a silent no. ¡°It¡¯s not love, Jenna. Not everything is about love.¡± She heard him say conceitedly; she knew before now that his pride wouldn¡¯t even let him a chance to consider that he was in love. ¡°So you don¡¯t love her?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°What then do you want from her? Just sex? Did you really think she would permit that till whenever you wanted?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just sex, Jenna, her body? Her body is¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear any of that,¡± Jenna stopped him before he could describe how beautiful he thought her body was. ¡°I don¡¯t think another would be able to pleasure me like she. She can¡¯t leave.¡± ¡°What if she wants to? It¡¯s not like you could stop her.¡± ¡°I can, and I will.¡± He told his sister. He would stop her, he nned to. **** Late evening. Belle left the office of her new boss, sighing as she could finally leave. Unlike Mrs. Johnson, editor Khan liked to work overtime. She stood outside the building, hoping it hadn¡¯t be toote for a taxi to show up. Standing there while tapping her feet, she remembered that she hadn¡¯t gotten a call or text from Ben. She knew he wasn¡¯t a texter but she expected he would want to know how she was doing sincest night. ¡®Why would he do that? Get your mind off it, he doesn¡¯t love you, he has told you that himself.¡¯ Her inner self cautioned her thoughts. She sighed. Brie was right, he didn¡¯t care. He wasn¡¯t even giving her a call to ignore to show that she wanted to avoid him. A car pulled up in front of her. She wanted it to be Ben but knew it wasn¡¯t him. It was Nathan¡¯s car. She saw him get out of the driver¡¯s side and go round the car to get to where she stood so he could open the door for her. Belle hesitated for a moment before sitting in the car. ¡°I have been waiting so I could drop you off,¡± she heard him say as soon as he started to drive. Her previously tired eyes turned surprised. Dumbfounded, she said nothing. ¡°How was today with Khan?¡± She heard himself and knew now, that he just wanted to have a conversation with her. ¡°Stressful.¡± She admitted. ¡°He¡¯s quite a workaholic,¡± Nathan smiled.¡±Do you want me to talk to him, to cut you off some stress?¡± ¡°No. Please don¡¯t do that.¡± She didn¡¯t want what happened with Mrs Johnson repeated. It went quiet again after her words. Nathan got to the front of Brie¡¯s apartment building and stopped the car. ¡°Thanks,¡± Belle made sure to say before alighting from his car. She got his smile in response. She walked towards the entrance and stopped when it felt like she just saw a familiar sight. Taking a few steps back, she turned her neck and saw that she was right, Ben was there. It had to be him because there was no other reason why there would be new-looking cars parked on a street like hers. He probably came with a convoy. She smiled, involuntarily. It was an automatic smile, just thinking of him and knowing that he came but her smile stopped. She wondered what he was doing here at Brie¡¯s ce because he knew where she worked and what time she was officially allowed to leave work so he could havee to get her there not here. She immediately started up the stairs. The door to Brie¡¯s apartment was locked, but it didn¡¯t surprise her much, she knew both Brie and Cherry weren¡¯t back from work yet. She took out the keys and tried opening the door but her hands were shaky. She paused and took in a deep breath, before attempting to put the key through the keyhole again and seeded.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g She threw open the door and saw Ben sitting there, in the living room, on the couch, his legs crossed and his eyes fixed on her like he was expecting her to walk in that exact moment. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± She asked him like she wasn¡¯t happy to see him. She didn¡¯t bother to ask how he got in. ¡°I came to see you,¡± he stood from where he sat and started quiet steps towards her. He came to her and stroked her left cheek with his index finger.¡±You look tired, should we postpone this conversation?¡± He asked. ¡°There would be no conversation, I don¡¯t want to talk to you, or see you. You should¡­ to should leave.¡± She said in a low voice, avoiding looking at his face as she spoke. Ben chuckled rather loudly. ¡°We are talking then,¡± She heard him. Before she could think of words to say to him, she felt a light grasp on her waist. He took her to one of the kitchen stools in front of the L-shaped counter and made her sit. ¡°Tell me, why did you result to your decision?¡± He also sat on one of the stools there ¡°I thought about it.¡± ¡°And did you rethink it like I asked you to?¡± ¡°Yes, my decision is still the same.¡± Her reply had him quiet for a second. ¡°Can you tell if your decisions are being influenced?¡± He asked her. ¡°My sister had nothing to do with my decision.¡± ¡°What do you want? I am willing to do anything to change your mind.¡± She heard him ask. She didn¡¯t know that he was trying to get her to change her mind without having to do the other things he had in mind. ¡°Nothing.¡± Her answer hurt hisposure. It was more hurtful to witness how quick her reply was, she wasn¡¯t opting for a change of mind. He inhaled air, trying to hide a livid reflection of his anger which had disappeared as soon as it came. ¡°Would you rather I lie about loving you? Because I am more than willing to do that to have you change your mind.¡± ¡°Does it have to be a lie? Can¡¯t you try giving me your heart?¡± Belle asked him in a shaky, quiet voice, tears in her eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t, there, that¡¯s why I made that decision.¡± ¡°Belle¡­,¡± He ced his hands on her right thigh, rubbing her soft skin to try and stop her tears. He got off his stool and went on to wipe the tears welling up in her eyes with his fingers. ¡°I just want you to feel the same thing I feel for you, can you really not do that? I just want you to get me flowers, and call me yours¡­ in front of people¡­ you know, show me to the world.¡± ¡°If I do all of that, would you change your mind?¡± He cupped her cheeks with his palms. ¡°¡­.¡± She just blinked without an answer. ¡°I already told you, you are mine. If I get you flowers, would that change your decision?¡± My queen Brie was still getting out of the cab while Cherry checked for cash in her purse to pay the cab driver. Brie shoved some disturbing hair behind her ears after she got out. On doing that, her eyes spotted Belle getting into a car whose door was been held by Ben. ¡°No,¡± she muttered and pped her forehead. ¡°What?¡± Cherry asked after settling the driver. Brie didn¡¯t reply. She just sighed and went towards the entrance to their apartment. Cherry looked around her to depict what tampered with Brie¡¯s mood. It was then she saw the ck cars driving out in uniform, now she knew. ¡°Brie?!¡± She called and went after her friend. ****** Belle nced at Ben asionally as he drove. He had asked the driver to hand the keys over to him, and his convoys weren¡¯t apanying him anymore. They got to a flower shop. Ben parked the car by the side and came down to open the door for her. There were some people leaving the shop and some standing inside so she was surprised that he was getting the door for her. ¡®Isn¡¯t he bothered that he would be recognized?¡¯ she asked herself in thoughts when he opened the door. ¡°What are you doing, Ben?¡± She had to ask him. She didn¡¯t know he was taking her to a flower shop when he stole her from her sister¡¯s apartment. ¡°You want flowers, we will get flowers.¡± She heard him reply to her. ¡°Ben, this isn¡¯t what I meant.¡± She told him again but he didn¡¯t listen. She felt his hands take hers to lead her inside. Belle bit her lips nervously. They were several persons at the shop and the probability that no one would recognize him was twenty out of a hundred. Still holding her hands, they walked into the shop; Belle noticed a young boy turn his head to look at them after they passed by him. Belle looked down, trying to hide her face. When she told him that she wanted him to show her to the world, she didn¡¯t expect that he would actually do it, so soon. She wanted to bury herself at that moment. He took her to the rose section. ¡°You like white roses but you love the pink ones more, so we will get both.¡± He told her and turned to a staff which had been sent to attend to him after the store manager realized it was him; Ben Larkson. Belle was amazed to find out that he knew what type of flowers she liked, and how much she adored pink roses. The florist which he talked with, returned with a bouquet of white and pink roses. Ben took them from him and put them in Belle¡¯s hands. He went on to kiss her on the forehead, then on the lips, not caring for the few many eyes that were now on them. ¡°What else do you want?¡± He whispered to her after.¡±I cannot give you the love you want but I am willing to do any other thing you want, just say it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle stood speechless, with astonishment written all over her. ¡°Belle, do you know that since I met you, I haven¡¯t been attracted to any other woman? It¡¯s like my body was always meant to interact with yours. I don¡¯t want you to stop what we have already started.¡± He cupped her face in his hands. He didn¡¯t want to have to take other actions to make her change her mind so he decided to take this alternative of pleading with her. ¡°I know I like to dominate your body, but it¡¯s funny how much you dominate my mind, Belle.¡± He told her the truth. ¡°I will give you anything you want.¡± He thought he should add. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything from you, I just¡­¡± She stopped and sighed, then looked at his face once more. He rubbed her cheeks and pecked her lips again. ¡°First, you have to promise that you won¡¯t overreact whenever I talk to Nathan.¡± He raised a brow when she mentioned Nathan. ¡°Belle¡­¡± ¡°You said you¡¯d do anything I want, right? This is what I want. Will you do it?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t expect me not to react when I know what he wants from you.¡± ¡°I already turned him down, I don¡¯t connect with him, you do not worry.¡± ¡°Did he ask you out?¡± Ben didn¡¯t know that till she mentioned it. ¡°Not directly, he asked if I had someone serious¡­ I didn¡¯t even know what to say, I don¡¯t know what to say if any other person asks me that same question, because there¡¯s you, but I don¡¯t know if you¡­ if you are serious.¡± She sighed after exining.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g He didn¡¯t say anything after her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that people are going to figure out that it¡¯s really you, and not their assumption? They are already staring.¡± ¡°I want them to. Come,¡± He took her hands to head back outside. Their eyes were still on them as they went towards his car. Belle heaved a light sigh of relief when she sat in the car and Ben closed the door after her. He joined her in the car and started on the road. ¡°I¡¯m hungry,¡± She disclosed to him. ¡°Where do you want to go?¡± He turned his eyes to her briefly before returning them to the road. ¡°No, not to a restaurant. I just want to eat some junk, maybe pizza, and fries while Iy with you in bed.¡± He stopped the car at a stop sign to look at her fully this time. ¡°¡­ then we can cuddle after¡­¡± Shepleted and got an unexpected smile from him. ¡°Anything my princess wants.¡± ¡°I¡¯m no one¡¯s princess, I¡¯m a queen.¡± She pouted and heard himugh. ¡°Okay, my queen.¡± Nathan鈥檚 visit Belle was sitting in between Ben¡¯s thighs on the bed as she stuffed her face with some fries like she wanted. He yed with her hair gently as she ate on but that was disrupted when her phone started to ring. She threw the duvet off her, to check for the phone when she heard it. Ben handed it to her from behind. She sighed and shook her head, not believing she had been searching aimlessly for it all the while. The thankful smile that formed on her lips after Ben gave the phone to her disappeared when she saw the name of the person calling on her phone¡¯s screen. It was Brie. She decided to pick it up even if she was not ready to speak to her. ¡°Heyy,¡± Belle just said. ¡°Where are you?¡± She heard Brie almost immediately. ¡°Uhm¡­¡± ¡°You are with him, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I had a rethink and¡­¡± ¡°O my god, Belle.¡± She heard Brie say frustratingly.¡±What¡¯s the point of deciding to stay away from him if you are still going to change your mind?!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle kept mute, not knowing what to say and concluding that being silent was the best at the moment. ¡°You know what? I¡¯m tired, Belle. I¡¯m tired of trying to look out for you. Cherry is right, you are an adult like I am, fully able to make your decisions, I have no say. Goodnight. See you whenever you decide toe around.¡± Brie cut the call as soon as she was done speaking, not even letting a word escape from Belle. Belle rubbed the back of her neck slowly, before stretching her arm to keep the phone on the bedside drawer. ¡°Your sister?¡± Ben asked her. ¡°No.¡± She lied and resumed eating her fries, sitting backzily in between his legs again, but Ben knew she just lied but he knew and understood her reason. ¡°I have to be at an annual event next week Tuesday,¡± he informed her.¡±It is a charity event, there will be an after-party.¡± Belle just listened quietly. ¡°It is you plus one event, I am expected to be there with an invited partner. I would usually have my assistant hire a model to go with but I want you to be my plus one this year.¡± Hepleted and watched Belle sit up to look at him. ¡°Are there going to be media persons or is it a private event?¡± She asked. ¡°The media would be there, surely.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t go then.¡± She concluded. ¡°You have to,¡± he brought her closer to himself on the bed and extended his fingers to the back of her neck, caressing her cheek with his thumb. ¡°I do not want people to see me with you.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that one of the things you said you wanted?¡± ¡°Yes, but what will you tell the media about me? What if a question is thrown at you? What if someone asks; who is thedy with you? Are you going to tell them that I am just ady you are sleeping with?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t usually give answers to such questions.¡± ¡°Okay, but my pictures are gonna be taken, and most likely published. They will dig to find out who I am, this is the media we are talking about.¡± She shook her head.¡±I won¡¯t go with you, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°You will. If you want, you can add a customized mask to your outfit for that day. I really want you toe with me. We would travel there on Monday morning.¡± ¡°Hold on,¡± Belle licked her lips, ¡°Travel? What do you mean travel?¡± ¡°The event will be held in city N, not here. We will have to travel there.¡± ¡°Ben, what are you saying? Travel? Do you forget I have to go to work? I can¡¯t just travel whenever I want, maybe you can, you are you, you are the boss of yourpany, and you get to do what you want but I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that, I will take care of it.¡± ¡°No. Thest time you took care of ¡®it¡¯, it wasn¡¯t so good between Mrs. Johnson and me. I¡¯m trying to have a clean sheet with this new boss of mine.¡± She heard h chuckle lightly after she spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, that won¡¯t happen this time. You just get prepared to travel on Monday morning, I wille pick you up.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle bit her lips.¡±What was that you said about a costume?¡± Her mind went back to that. Ben smiled, happy to exin that to her. **** Next day. Belle was busy arranging some files like editor Khan requested when she remembered that she nned to take an excuse for her travel. She did not want Ben to ¡®take care of it¡¯, so she was hoping her boss would approve her leave so Ben did not have to. ¡°Uhm, sir?¡± She called and had him look at her. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I was uhm, I was hoping I could get your approval to take some days off next week, I have to be somewhere important and¡­¡± ¡°Oh that, Mr Kidridge already talked to me about it.¡± She heard her boss. ¡°Hmmn?¡± She asked because even though the name sounded familiar, she couldn¡¯t properly recall who Mr Kidridge was. ¡°Mr. Kidridge, the chief editor.¡± Her new boss helped her out. ¡°Oh.¡± She just said.¡±He talked to you about it?¡± ¡°Yes, he says you have to leave for some days next week. Finish that up.¡± He replied, leaving her shocked till it hit her, Ben already took care of it, like he said he would. An uncalcted smile unknowingly tugged the corners of her lips. She then shook her head with a light chuckle before continuing with what she was asked to do. **** After work. Nathan¡¯s car stopped right in front of where Belle stood but she wasn¡¯t surprised today. He came down from the car and was about toe hold the door for her but she opened it herself before he could get to her. ¡°I can get into a car myself,¡± she told him but he only grinned and return to the driver¡¯s side of the car. ¡°I won¡¯t be going too far, you can drop me off after a short distance from here.¡± She told him when he started to drive. ¡°Are you visiting someone?¡± He asked her. ¡°No, I will be staying at my house rather than at my sister¡¯s.¡± She said and then remembered Brie¡¯s disappointed voicest night. She bit her lips and let out a sigh before looking out the window. ¡°Here.¡± She suddenly said, making him hit his breaks also suddenly. After he stopped the car, he looked at the house his car was parked in front of, then back at her. ¡°You stay here?¡± He asked in an unbelieving voice because he knew what the house was worth, he had once done a research publication on it. ¡°Yeah,¡± Belle nodded, getting ready to step out of his car but he held her arm, making her turn to him. ¡°Really?¡± He asked her again.¡±This is your house?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she shrugged and freed herself of his hold, getting out of the car after.¡±Thanks.¡± She didn¡¯t forget to say. Nathan sat watching, his mouth open in tant awe as she walked towards the entrance of the house and actually went in. He thought she was joking at first but now, he knew she wasn¡¯t. He sat back in thought. ¡®I was right,¡¯ he said to himself.¡¯I was right, she is of a rich background.¡¯ His opportunistic thoughts were back. He was thinking back to using her like he nned in the beginning before he fell for her. ¡®Nothing wrong if I benefit from being in love with her.¡¯ he said to himself again to put off his guilty feeling. ¡®I have to work harder now at making her fall for me.¡¯ he set a goal for himself. **** Later that night. Belle was in Ben¡¯s arms as they were about to sleep. He stroked her hair repeatedly, enjoying the softness of her skin and how warm it felt; she was his pill for calm after a long day. ¡°I will be out of city S for a day or two but I¡¯ll be back on time to pick you up on Monday next week.¡± He told her after remembering he had to. ¡°Why?¡± She separated their cuddle to face him. ¡°Work.¡± He stated simply and heard her sigh. ¡°It would be unusual without you here,¡± she pouted and leaned back in to continue the snuggle. ¡°How many days to be exact?¡± She asked after some quiet in the room. ¡°Two at most,¡± he replied and it went silent again. Belle dragged her body upon him, cing her hips over his waist while hugging him as theyy still. **** After work, the next day. Belle walked into her housezily, dragging her feet on the ground as she walked slowly. She was dog-tired and went to the nearest sofa in the living room, slouching on it. She yawned after. Her phone rang so she picked it up without checking to see who it was calling but she heard just the voice she wanted to hear; Ben¡¯s. ¡°How was your day?¡± He asked her. ¡°Tiring. It¡¯s like he enjoys nothing else but working, he doesn¡¯t even stop to take a break.¡± Ben chuckled at her exnatory reply. ¡°Do you want a new boss?¡± ¡°No,¡± she shook her head even if he was not there to see her do so.¡±How was your day?¡± She returned his question. ¡°Stressful, as expected, just that ites in a different environment.¡± She heard him but couldn¡¯t listen fully as there was a knock on her door. She calcted walking all the way to the door and sighed tiredly before dragging herself to answer it. ¡°Ben, please call me back in some minutes, is that possible?¡± ¡°Yes. Are fifteen minutes okay?¡± He asked. ¡°Yes,¡± she confirmed before opening the door.¡±Nathan?¡± She called in surprise at who she saw standing outside her door. ¡°You forgot this,¡± he held out her purse I¡¯m front of her. ¡°Oh,¡± she took it.¡±Thanks, and sorry if it was any trouble,¡± she smiled, ready to close the door but he stopped her. ¡°Uhm, I actually nned on making this my first visit to your ce.¡± He gave one of his charming smiles but Belle was too distracted by fatigue to be pleased by it.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Today? Now?¡± She asked because no way he could be serious. ¡°Yes, hope that is fine by you?¡± He smiled again and made his way inside without giving her a chance to answer.¡±Wow, this ce is pretty splendid.¡± Heplimented before going ahead to take his seat. Belle saw him seat and just sighed, cursing inwardly but covering it up with a smile before closing the door. ¡°What would you like to have? Water?¡± ¡°Maybe something more. Do you have wine?¡± His reply almost made her sigh out loud but she just nodded. ¡°Yes, non-alcoholic, I don¡¯t drink. Do I get that?¡± ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± She saw him nod and headed to the kitchen. She soon returned with a ss in hand and an opened wine in the other. Belle set it on the table in front of him with a fake smile still. ¡°What about you?¡± She heard him after she sat. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°What about you, won¡¯t you be joining me? I mean, I can¡¯t drink alone¡­¡± He trailed off, hoping she would do like he nned and she did. Belle decided to return to the kitchen to get a ss for herself; drinking a non-alcoholic wine with him had no harm. When she went to the kitchen, Nathan quickly got out a parcel from his pocket. He opened it and added some of its powdered content into the bottle of wine, then shook it to mix. Clouded by lust Belle returned with a new ss. Setting it on the table, she joined him on the sofa but gave him some safe distance. ¡°Let me do that,¡± he offered to pour some wine for her before doing so for himself. He saw her lift the ss to her lips and waited patiently for her to have the wine. His hands felt mmy as nervous guilt took over him. Belle gulped all of her ss content in one drink. She reached for the bottle to pour herself another ss, she had no trouble finishing the whole bottle alone since she knew it was non-alcoholic; she didn¡¯t know he had added something to it. ¡°Isn¡¯t that too much?¡± He asked when she filled the ss more than he did the first time, more guilt taking over him. ¡°Nah, I actually need this. I didn¡¯t know how much I needed it till you suggested it, thank you.¡± She smiled and gulped half of her ss again.¡±Won¡¯t you have yours?¡± She saw that he hadn¡¯t drunk any from his ss so she asked. Nathan drank half too from his ss, so she didn¡¯t get suspicious. He saw her finish her ss and went for the bottle again. He decided to stop her, his guilt had grown enough to let him stop her from taking any more of the wine. He reached for the bottle before she could and didn¡¯t let her pour herself another one. ¡°Why?¡± Belle asked him, sounding a little drunk. ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± he held the bottle up from her. ¡°But I want more¡­¡± She stretched her arms to reach for it. ¡°No.¡± He lifted it higher. He knew what he added to the bottle, and even if he wanted to make her unconsciously desire him, he knew too much wasn¡¯t good for her. He had added some sildenafil citrate to the bottle to get her hormones on edge. He wanted to get intimate with her; ording to his presumption, that would make her have second thoughts about giving him a chance. He believed that if she got in bed with him once, she would want to have him again. Belle climbed on top of him to try and get the bottle of wine but his long arms were still out of reach. Nathan didn¡¯t know how to feel when she came on top of him, he wondered if the drug was already working. ¡°Give it to me,¡± she pleaded in a low, alluring voice that almost messed with his senses. He had never heard her sound like that. ¡°You have had a little too much,¡± he told her, bringing his face to her, her slightly parted lips were calling his. ¡°It¡¯s my bottle of wine, and it¡¯s my house, I can have more whenever I want.¡± She hissed then became aware of his steadily approaching lips.¡±What are you doing?¡± She asked. ¡°Your lips¡­ they are just too attractive,¡± Nathan replied, despite the lump he felt in his throat. He nned to wait a little longer to be sure the drug had started to take effect on her but he just couldn¡¯t resist it anymore after she sat on his thighs. He kissed her, ready to face whatever reaction he got from her, good or not.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Belle felt his lips wet hers the moment they touched hers, a sudden surge of warmth taking over her body. He touched her tongue with his, making her want to push him away but she found herself not doing so for some reason. He returned the bottle to the table. After that, his hands circled her waist while she still sat on him and she discovered she was okay with him doing that; she didn¡¯t know why but she wanted him to touch other parts of her body too; she wanted him to touch her the way Ben did. She could feel a kind of wave in between her legs, her clit had suddenly be erect and needed to be touched. He was still kissing her while she felt all of this. ¡°Mmmn.¡± She let out a slight moan when their lips separated. He saw that the drugs were working on her now, so he used his chance well. He kissed her again, getting up from the chair while still holding her by the waist. His guilt had be clouded by lust. Belle wrapped her legs around his waist as he lifted her. He let his hands stroll to her ass, grabbing them as a way of holding her now. He just went to a random door and pushed it open. Laying her down on the bed, he went on top of her. Belle tugged on his shirt trying to take it off him as quickly as possible, she just wanted to feel him inside her at that moment. She felt like she would lose her mind if he didn¡¯t thrust her right away. She breathed heavily with need as she watched him put on a condom. Meanwhile, in the living room, her phone began to ring but she wasn¡¯t there to take it. It rang twice then it stopped. Ben assumed she had fallen asleep, he observed how tired she sounded the first time he called so he called only twice. Belle ran her hands all over Nathan¡¯s back and shoulders as he slid in and out of her slowly. They both could hear each other¡¯s pleasure-filled exhtions. As most of their clothes were off them, she wished he would do more to her body than just prate her¡­ but at least, her body had calmed down a littlepared to before when she felt like she could lose it. Her body didn¡¯t feel so aggravated with the need to be touched everywhere anymore. ******* Saturday Morning. Belle wanted to turn in her bed but felt an arm over her torso. She froze, her eyes meeting the ceiling first thing as they opened. She slowly turned her head left to see who it wasying on the bed with her. She saw Nathan and panicked. Immediately getting his hands off her body, she came off the bed, holding her face in her palms wondering what happened. Some of it started toe to her, she remembered drinking with him and then sitting on hisp to get the bottle from him and after that all she could remember was him sexing her. She stood at a spot and watched him sleep on, still covered barely by the nket, and the sheets scattered. She closed her eyes in disappointment, running her hands through her messy hair. ¡®What did you do Belle!¡¯ Her inner self screamed at her.¡¯This is one of the stupidest things you¡¯ve ever done, you don¡¯t even remember most of it!¡¯ She hurried to the bathroom and immediately turned on the shower, letting its drop fall on her hair and all through her body. She squatted while still in the shower cubicle, and started to sob. She knew she made a stupid mistake sleeping with him. She didn¡¯t know he had drugged her and that was why she lost control of herselfst night. All she could do at the moment was me herself for all that happened. She believed that she was the one who seduced himst night and couldn¡¯t understand why she did so. She was still sobbing when she remembered Ben¡¯s words.¡± If anyone ever does as much as touching you the way I do, that person will pay with his life.¡± Her tears stopped as she worried for Nathan now. She became scared. What would Ben do if he found out? She didn¡¯t want to believe that he could actually do what he threatened. Stopping the shower, she walked towards the long horizontal mirror spread out above many cabs and took a look at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were pink from all the crying. She tried to steady herself while seeing her reflection in the mirror ss. She was making a decision. She would make sure Ben didn¡¯t find out about this; she didn¡¯t want to find out if he could really do as he threatened. She couldn¡¯t prevent the situation, so now she had to fix it. She would act like nothing happenedst night, and try to keep things usual. Despite thinking it was her fault, she couldn¡¯t believe she did what she did but then it has already happened. She was now going to cover up for a night she didn¡¯t even enjoy much. He didn¡¯t know how to please her as Ben did. He just wore a condom and began fucking her inly, he didn¡¯t care to kiss all over her like Ben usually did, he didn¡¯t eat her pussy and make her eyes roll back like Ben did, they just has in sex. She sighed, rubbing her face onest time before going ahead to dry herself. When she was done, she wore a bathrobe and walked out of the bathroom, she met him awake. He sat on the bed and tried to rub off the sleep in his eyes with his hands while she watched silently. He finally caught her presence and stopped what he was doing. A grave silence took over as he didn¡¯t know what to say. He hadn¡¯t nned this all out properly, he should have thought of what to say but the truth was that he didn¡¯t expect the n to work at all. Belle saw that he had no words and decided to speak. She cleared her throat before she spoke. ¡°Last night, I uhm, I know what I did wasn¡¯t very right and this whole situation is just a little messed up but we can make it less messy.¡± She stopped and swallowed saliva, her throat seemed to be getting dryer as she spoke. ¡°We can just forget this ever happened, hmmm?¡± She looked at him for confirmation to know if he got what she just said. ¡°Forget?¡± She heard him, and her heart immediately feared that he wouldn¡¯t agree to what she just said and it could end up bad for him. Nathan saw that she was ming herself forst night and decided to take advantage. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s forget anything happened between usst night, okay? You leave here and we never, ever talk about this. Hmmn?¡± She prayed deep down that he would just nod in agreement and everything would be fixed so easily. ¡°You want us to forgetst night? Why? It was beautiful, wasn¡¯t it?¡± She closed her eyes in prescribed angst. He was saying the very thing she didn¡¯t want to hear from him. ¡°Nathan, no.¡± She went in.¡±It wasn¡¯t, okay? It wasn¡¯t beautiful, it was a mistake, I somehow lost myself and that happened but we should forget about it because it means nothing.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she heard him and let her head hang backward in frustration.¡±I can¡¯t just forget, and even if I could, I don¡¯t want to. Yesterday was the first time I actually enjoyed having sex with someone in a long while and you want me to just forget.¡± ¡°Nathan, please can you just¡­¡± She hung her words, sighing with mixed feelings of sadness and annoyance. She wished he knew that forgetting was the best thing to do to keep him safe. ¡°It¡¯s fine, we can forget if that¡¯s what you want, anything to make you happy but I want you to know I enjoyedst night a lot.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just what I want, it¡¯s for¡­¡± She paused when she realized he had just agreed to forget about it. She nned to tell him it was for your safety. ¡°I hope this wouldn¡¯t make you avoid me like before,¡± she heard him and it reminded her that she would see him at work also so she rubbed on her face. Shameless Seduction Ben was just done with an early meeting. He stepped out of the elevator that led to his private suite. Opening the door to his room, he took off his suit jacket and wore it on the arm of the mini sofa present in the room. He was taking off his wristwatch when he saw the shadow of a person behind the light curtains on therge balcony. He walked over there and uncovered the curtains that were used to prevent too much bright light. He saw Alex. She smiled widely when he pulled on the curtains. ¡°Ben,¡± she uttered to his annoyance. ¡°Who let her in here?¡± Ben questioned after he had called for Randy and the other heads of security and they stood in a spread-out line. ¡°I did,¡± Randy spoke up and got an immediate ¡®on whose permission¡¯ look from Ben. ¡°She came here with your sister, sir, so I let them both in,¡± Randy exined, hoping he didn¡¯t get punished for it. ¡°Is Jenna here?¡± He turned his look to Alex and she nodded slowly.¡±Where is she now? Where did she go?¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°She liked this ce so she went shopping,¡± Alex answered. ¡°Leave.¡± Hemanded and the few men started to leave one by one. They all left till Alex and Ben were the only two in the room again.¡±When I said leave, I meant you too.¡± ¡°You want me to leave? I came here to see you.¡± She argued. Ben looked away with disgust. He made a mental note to speak to Jenna, not to bring Alex with whenever she wanted to see him. ¡°Ben, don¡¯t look away from me like that.¡± She pleaded and went in front of him.¡±Don¡¯t you want to see what I prepared for you?¡± She tried caressing his face but he held her hands by the wrist to stop her. ¡°Leave, Alex.¡± He told her again, going to sit on the bed. He would ask someone toe throw her out but he knew that wouldn¡¯t sit well with Jenna. ¡°You don¡¯t want to take a look?¡± She asked him while unbuttoning the long coat jacket she wore. He didn¡¯t look up from taking off his shoes while she spoke, he only looked at her when she turned the lock on the door. At that moment, Alex bought a quick opportunity to show him what she wanted to. She took off the jacket and let it fall to the ground, exposing what she was wearing beneath it all along. Ben¡¯s eyes fell on her body, she was wearing a strappy outfit that barely covered many parts of her body. One of the red straps was fitted to cover both her nipples, and that was being held by a joining strap to her neck to hold it up. His eyes slowly evaluated her body from her neck to her feet. The straps were also covering the parts below her waist but very barely, he could see the v-shape of her vulva. She slowly did a spin when she assumed that he was okay with what she just did. Ben got a back view of her, her fleshy big ass wasn¡¯t covered at all. ¡°Don¡¯t you miss this?¡± She asked him, biting her lips in anticipation of what he could do to her if she sessfully seduced him. Ben said nothing. She just saw him stand from the bed and walk to her slowly. She smiled, she was progressing with her n. He put his hands on her shoulder and caressed her arm a little, then he made her move backward till her back was against the finely painted wall. Alex bit her lips harder but then looked at his eyes, they weren¡¯t hungry like she expected. She had been in bed with him once, she knew what his eyes looked like when he was in the mood to be with a woman. He lifted her hands above her head, holding them both with just one of his, then using the other to grip her jaw. A fearful gasp escaped her. He brought his face closer to hers, so close anyone who walked in would assume that he nned to kiss her but he was disgusted by her actions. ¡°This is the most pathetic you have ever been since I¡¯ve known you, Alex.¡± He told her to her face.¡±Shameless of you to try and seduce me, what did you think? That I would get turned on by this?¡± He let his eyes degrade her body and outfit all together but somehow Alex found herself enjoying it. He let go of her. Alex saw him return to where he sat before but he had already taken off his shoes so this time when he sat, he just looked at her as she stood there. ¡°Get on your knees,¡± she heard him. A little confused by that order of his, she did as he said. She wondered where he was going with it because he just told her to her face that her seduction n had failed woefully but now he was asking her to get on her knees. When she was down on both knees, she saw him gesture to her toe to him using his index finger to call her forward. She decided to do as he said. She crawled to him, on both hands and knees, and saw a smilee to his lips. It was a degradative smile. He stood again and went to her before she could get to him. With a lightugh, he shook his head and walked away from her towards the door leading to the bathroom, leaving her to freeze there in shock at his actions. He just walked out of her after asking her to crawl to him. She shamefully stood from her knees. No one else was there to witness what just happened but she still felt like the shame could bury her alive. ***** Monday morning. Belle had the whole weekend to get over what happened between her and Nathan. She had packed her bags for the travel and just sat alone in her room, thinking of how chaotic it might get if Ben found out. No matter how much she tried to forget it, it came ringing in her head when she wasn¡¯t busy doing something, and the thoughts she had scared her sometimes. She was still in thought when she saw the door to her room open. It was Ben. A big smile was on his face but she couldn¡¯t reciprocate it. Ben noticed that and came to sit next to her on the bed. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He lifted her face by the chin. She didn¡¯t say anything but stare at him for some seconds then she hugged him. She did that to take some guilt off her. Ben started to stroke her hair softly after she hugged him. ¡°Did someone do or say anything?¡± He asked again but got no answer so he sighed, he didn¡¯t like when she got moody like that. That day, after he called and she didn¡¯t pick up, he sent instructions to one of his securities toe check on the house. It was reported back to him that she was safe so he assumed that she had fallen asleep but the report wasn¡¯tpletely authentic. The man who hade to check on her saw Nathan¡¯s car, and instead of reporting as he saw, he decided to say that she was okay, just because he was toozy to dig more; he knew his boss would demand to know whose car it was outside the ce if he had mentioned. ¡°Are we going now?¡± Ben finally heard some words from Belle as she separated their hug. ¡°Yes.¡± **** In the private jet. Ben watched Belle as she slept on the bed. She was acting unusual and he noticed. He had expected that she would be awake to ask a lot of questions like she usually did but she was asleep. He sat by her and caressed her hair while trying to figure out what the problem was because there had to be a reason she was being unusual. ***** City N. The ne hadnded and they had lodged in a hotel. Belle had be more lively since they arrived because she knew they would be going to a boutique for her to choose a dress for the event. While they drove to the boutique, she glued her eyes to the car¡¯s window, admiring all the beautiful things she could see in the new city she was in. They got to the boutique and she thought the outside decor looked fancy enough to tell what kind of clothes they had. ¡°Wee sir, wee ma¡¯am.¡± One of the workers greeted them as the door was held open for them to pass through. Ben held her hands as they went in. Belle thought it would be likest time where they just selected from the array of clothes but they were led to a separate room. ¡°Mr. Larkson,¡± A woman in her early thirties smiled warmly when they walked in.¡±Wee, please you can sit here.¡± She ushered to a sofa present. Belle wanted to join Ben in sitting but heard the woman say: ¡°Not you.¡± so she stood. ¡°Pleasee with me,¡± the woman opened an adjoining door. When Belle walked through the door, her jaw dropped in awe at the beautiful dresses that hung around. She thought it was like a secret ce for selected dresses and she was right. ¡°You can look around, let me know which you would like to try. Meanwhile, I will try to suggest some too,¡± the woman smiled at her and went on to do as she proposed. Belle¡¯s eyes immediately spotted a silky ck dress. It was an off-shoulder dress from what she could see and she loved such dresses. ¡°I like that one,¡± she went over to where it was hung. ¡°This?¡± The woman came to where she was, ¡°You¡¯ve got good eyes, this would fit you so well. Try it on?¡± The woman unhooked the dress from where it hung and handed it to her. ¡°Okay,¡± Belle took it before heading to change behind a changing curtain. Coming out after some minutes, she heard the woman gasp. ¡°O my gosh, this looks so beautiful on you, it¡¯s like I made it for you specifically.¡± Belle heard her praise and went to look in the mirror to see for herself. She smiled naturally the moment she saw how it looked on her. It had a split high up her right thigh to her waist, exposing her slender legs. She turned around to see how low the v-cut at the back of the dress was and saw that it stopped at her lower back, almost at her waist. It made her sigh. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The woman had to ask when she heard her sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t think Ben¡¯s going to be okay with me wearing this.¡± She pouted sadly.¡±It¡¯s kinda exposing too much.¡± ¡°Too much? It¡¯s just your back and your cleavage and your thighs¡­ okay, maybe it is showing a little too much but it¡¯s okay to unt your beauty, I mean, the dress enhances your hips and all.¡± ¡°I know, it¡¯s just¡­ Ben doesn¡¯t want me showing too much.¡± ¡°Are you sure? From what I know, Mr. Larkson would love you walking by him in this. You know what? Let¡¯s not just conclude,e on, let¡¯s show him, he would be dazed, you will see.¡± The woman opened the door for Belle to walk out. When Belle stepped out, she couldn¡¯t see Ben where she expected him to be seated. She scratched her head in confusion. ¡°Maybe he is outside, I will request him here, hold on.¡± She heard the woman and before she could say anything in response, the woman had left. Once again, she had a chance to look at herself in the mirror present there. She really loved the dress but she remembered when Ben asked her not to wear anything too revealing. D-Day She was still staring at her reflection when the door behind her opened. She turned to see Ben walk in. She thought the woman would return with him but she didn¡¯t. Ben¡¯s eyes fell on Belle first thing as he walked in. His lips curved upwards with admiration. He approached her even though he thought she was acting unusual still. ¡°Wow,¡± his one word surprised her. ¡°You like the dress?¡± She thought she should ask. ¡°You look stunning, it looks magnificent on you.¡± He told her and circled his hands around her waist to pull her closer to himself. ¡°So you don¡¯t have a problem if I want to wear it to the event?¡± ¡°No,¡± he snorted, ¡°If it¡¯s what you want to wear, why would I have a problem with it? Hmmn?¡± He leaned in and kissed her exposed neck then her shoulder.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t be pleased by it,¡± she tilted her head to the left when she felt his lips against her skin.¡±Thest time, you said not to wear anything too revealing.¡± ¡°If I am not by your side,¡± hepleted something she had been omitting all the while.¡±If anyone looks at you tomorrow, they lose their eyes.¡±his words reverberated in her ears. It made her remember Nathan and that mistake of a night. Fear filled her heart immediately. Ben noticed she suddenly got tensed and realized maybe he shouldn¡¯t have said that, maybe it frightened her when he said things like that. He stopped with his kisses and cupped her small face. ¡°Is there something you might want to tell me?¡± He asked. It couldn¡¯t just be what he said tensing her up like that, there was something disturbing her mind. Belle shook her head at his question. ¡°Do you want to go back and get some rest?¡± He asked again, stroking her cheek with his index finger. He watched her nod. ******* Tuesday. 7:47 pm. Ben was in a car quietly as it drove to the beauty ce to pick up Belle for the event. The moment Belle walked out in her dress, he became dazed. At the moment, it wasn¡¯t just her dress but everything about her look for tonight. Her hair had been held into a ball behind with just two strands in front. Her makeup was perfect and even though she was wearing a mask over her eyes, Ben could only imagine her without it. He came down from the car and went to her. The first thing he did was take off the mask so he could look into her pretty blue eyes. Belle expected him topliment how she looked but the man in front of her was too lost in her eyes to even say a word. She saw a proud smile wash up his lips. He was happy to be taking her as his plus one tonight. ¡°You look¡­ you look absolutely incredible.¡± She smiled when he finally praised but then he continued, ¡°You know Belle, I¡¯ve seen quite a lot of beautiful women in my lifetime but your beauty, seems new to me every single time I look at you. It¡¯s like you do nothing but get more beautiful; your prettiness is ever refreshing.¡± He chuckled after.¡±You are just the pure definition of beauty itself.¡± Belle bit her lips as she smiled more. At first, she thought he wouldn¡¯tpliment her but he just did more than that. She was very sure her cheeks were reddened with little embarrassment because some of the makeup artists were there to witness him say all of that. When they were back in one of the cats leading to the event. She ced her palm around her neck area, trying to reach for her chain ne because she was starting to feel nervous but she wasn¡¯t wearing it. ¡°Oh no,¡± Ben heard her gasp. ¡°What is the matter?¡± ¡°I forgot my chain pendant at the beauty ce, they took it off me while they were busy.¡± She pursed her lips.¡± I thought they nned to rece it but I think they forgot, they just had me on these,¡± she jingled her long, ssy earrings. Ben just smiled. ¡°You don¡¯t need a ne for this event.¡± He informed her. ¡°I don¡¯t?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t. It¡¯s a charity event. Pieces of pieces of jewelry and other valuables will be disyed before the after-party. That¡¯s where the money for charity will be generated from. Guests present gets to bid for the pieces of jewelry they find interesting.¡± ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know that. I thought it was just going to be a party.¡± She said andughed at herself afterward for not knowing. Ben only smiled more. ¡°I will get you the most beautiful ne tonight.¡± He let her know.¡±And it will enhance your glow tonight at the party.¡± It got silent afterwards, with Belle looking out the window at the beautiful night view of the city and Ben looking at her beautiful self with pure admiration. They arrived at the party soon. As the night sky twinkled with a thousand stars, Belle found herself surrounded by the glitz and mour of a charity g. She stood at Ben¡¯s right-hand side as he held her by the waist proudly. They were making their way inside through the red carpet and her breathing got edgy because of nervousness. It was the first time she was present at such an event and also her first to witness the amount of paparazzi focused on them since they arrived. They were ushered kindly to a two persons table in arge hall. She saw many other elites seated there too and she thought they all looked wellposed in their beautiful outfits. ¡®They must be used to this,¡¯ she told herself and took in a deep breath, trying to enjoy the moment. ****** The event had begun sooner than she expected. She saw different jewelry brought up to the stage and different persons from the crowd of elites bid over it till the highest bidder had the lead. She suddenly became pressed. ¡°Ben?¡± She called out in a whisper and immediately got his attention.¡±Do you think I can visit a restroom here? I suddenly have to pee.¡± Ben called the attention of a female usher and soon enough, Belle was led to the restroom. When she was done and was sanitizing her hands after, she saw a familiar face putting on lipgloss in the bathroom. ¡°Hi,¡± Belle approached her with a friendly smile, ¡°Alex right?¡± Alex turned to her with a dry smile. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s you.¡± Alex recognized her voice even if she wore a mask. ¡°Belle,¡± Belle thought to help her out by saying her name. ¡°I remember your name,¡± Alex told her. ¡°Oh. I¡¯m surprised to meet you here,¡± Belle said honestly, she was happy to see a face she knew after not knowing anyone the whole time that had passed. ¡°You are surprised? Really? I should be the one saying that not you. You know, people like you only get to be at ces like this when they whore around but people like me? This is what we do for fun.¡± Belle¡¯s feeling of sentiment diminished after she heard Alex. Her smile faded, she was only trying to be nice and didn¡¯t expect that from Alex. ¡°Let me inform you, this¡­ this little thing you have going on with Ben, he is going to get tired of you, and then he would toss you out of his schedule, you hear me?¡± Belle felt deep cuts with Alex¡¯s words, it was like a meaner sermoning from her sister Brie, through Alex. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what made him go for you, I still wonder what made him pick you and where he picked you from. The Ben I know isn¡¯t pleased by girls like you. He likes models, he likes ssy models, high-ss women, that¡¯s what he likes not this,¡± Alex went ahead to point at Belle like an object when she said ¡®this¡¯. ¡°And he doesn¡¯t just fuck any model, he goes for models with perfect figures like myself, not you. I don¡¯t know if you bewitched him or whatever did you do to have him all over you but I know Ben, and you are not his type, trust me.¡± After Alex was done saying the hurtful things to her, she put her lipgloss in her purse and looked in the mirror onest time before leaving. Belle leaned on the vanity counter for support and tried to breathe in slowly. Tears began to form in her eyes so she took off the mask. She was still trying to deal with the guilt of that night with Nathan and now Alex¡¯s words were going to shatter her. She quickly grabbed a disposable towel from the towel rail there to wipe her tears and possibly stopped more from falling down her cheeks. She couldn¡¯t even begin toprehend all that Alex just said to her. She decided to stop her tears by all means, using the towel to dab her teary eyes gently to avoid ruining her makeup but thankfully they were waterproof. Meanwhile, Ben began to wonder why she hadn¡¯t returned since she left. He was about to text Randy to check around for her when he saw her return. She took the seat next to him and tried to keep a straight face but he noticed something was wrong. ¡°Belle?¡± He leaned in closer to her.¡±Are you okay?¡± She turned her eyes to him when he asked and he saw that hershes were wet with tears.¡±Were you crying all this while in the restroom?¡± He asked again but didn¡¯t want to believe so. ¡°No,¡± she finally spoke back.¡±Look, I¡¯m fine okay?¡± she wanted to look back at the stage but he held her chin to stop her. ¡°You have been acting rather strange for quite a while now and I won¡¯t lie to you, I¡¯m beginning to worry over it.¡± He told her the truth, ¡°Tell me what¡¯s on your mind, let me take care of it for you. You shouldn¡¯t have to worry about anything when you are with me, Belle.¡± He told her but she said nothing still, just a batter of her longshes. ¡°I¡¯m fine really, Ben, trust me.¡± She tried to sound convincing but it didn¡¯t work for Ben. He only sighed because now he knew he would have to find out by himself, what was disturbing her so much. ¡°Okay. I trust you, if you say there¡¯s nothing to worry about then there really isn¡¯t ¡± He acted like he was on board with her. He proceeded to kiss her forehead. Alex was watching them from behind and it almost made her scream when she saw what he just did. Her silenced anger was followed by deep heavy breathing but she soon smiled. She just got a text that she had been expecting, the information in that text message was the main reason why she decided to grace the invitation to this event, not for anything else. Her friend, Jenna didn¡¯t see the need to attend but she didn¡¯t try convincing her much toe with because she knew she would work more efficiently without her friend present. Her smile got more intense; that smile was fueled by her anger toward Belle. She was going to have fun when she fulfilled the n she had in mind at the after-party of the event. She couldn¡¯t wait to get Belle out of the way and get back to what never existed between Ben and herself. Her malicious smile lingered on. Finding out A new piece of jewelry was brought to the stage and unveiled. It was a diamond piece. All thedies in the room had their eyes on it immediately its covering cloth was taken off it. Ben turned his eyes to catch Belle also staring at it; he finally found something that she liked or so he assumed¡­ but she had to like it, everyone in the room had their eyes on it. He smiled lightly before asking: ¡°Do you like it?¡± Belle grinned a little shyly. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s beautiful.¡± She replied with a shrug. ¡°I will get it for you.¡± He saw her eyes light up with unhidden excitement when he told her. ¡°But what if someone makes a higher bid?¡± She asked but heard him snicker. He didn¡¯t say anything afterward, he just took her right hand in his and rubbed on it slowly and gently. ¡°Twenty million!¡± The auctioneer announced the first amount received as entered for him to see. Ben snickered and Belle noticed it. ¡°Forty million!¡± a new amount was announced in a few seconds. ¡°Fifty!¡± ¡°Fifty-eight!¡± ¡°Ny million!¡± Belle looked at Ben worriedly. She wondered how much he would have to input in his transmitter after seeing the amount in millions these elites were typing in. Alex decided to see how much Ben liked Belle so she typed in a much bigger amount for the jewelry even if she knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to have it because Ben would top it to get the ne for Belle. ¡°A hundred and fifty million!¡± The auctioneer announced the biggest amount mentioned yet, for the night. ¡®I guess I¡¯m not the only one who likes this ne¡¯Belle sighed to herself after she heard the amounts in millions increase. She was no longer surprised at how much these people were willing to spend since she started to spend time with Ben. The auctioneer let a few minutes pass by and when he saw that no higher figures wereing in, he decided to speak. ¡°No higher bid?! This item is going to the highest bidder in the room, Ms. Koller!¡± He announced Alex¡¯s surname.¡±Going, going anddd gon¡­¡± ¡°¡­ Hold on, something just came in!¡± The auctioneer paused his previous words.¡±Three hundred million! Three hundred million!¡± Gasps filled the room, followed by muttered chatters, everyone present knew it was Ben Larkson. Alex rolled her eyes, unlike everyone else in the room, she knew that would happen. Ben usually wouldn¡¯t care about the ne, but Belle was with him tonight so she expected it. Belle had been distracted by the auctioneer¡¯s presentation that she didn¡¯t see Ben type in the amount but when it was announced, she immediately turned her look to him. ¡°Any higher amount?!¡± The auctioneer questioned again even if he didn¡¯t expect anyone to bid higher but he got one to his surprise. ¡°Three hundred and fifty milli¡­¡± ¡°Five hundred million!¡± The auctioneer hadn¡¯t finished announcing the challenging amount when he received a new one from Ben. ¡°Ben, what are you doing?¡± Belle whispered to him. Her only reply was his hand caressing her slit-exposed thigh apanied by a light smile. ¡°Five hundred million, going, going, anddd gone!¡± The auctioneer sealed. A proud smile painted Ben¡¯s lips. **** It was time for the after-party of the charity event. Everyone had been redirected to a different hall which was more conducive for a party. They were still tables to sit around but a space was made in the middle of the hall to act as the stage for any couple who wanted to dance. As the different couples entered the new hall, they took their respective seats as they were referred to. Alex had entered before Ben and Belle so she had a front-row view to see them when they walked in. She fumed secretly when she saw the expensive diamond piece around Belle¡¯s neck as it reflected some of the night light used to decorate the ce. Ushers were walking around holding different kinds of wine for anyone who wanted; they just had to recognize which wine it was they wanted and call the waiters. Meanwhile, soft music was ying in the background and some of the couples had graced the middle stage to dance. Alex¡¯s partner for the night whispered to her: ¡°Do you want to dance?¡± He asked her but only got a disgusted look from her that screamed ¡®No, I don¡¯t want to dance stupid. I only came here with you to watch Ben.¡¯ Alex didn¡¯t want to dance, not at all, she wasn¡¯t in the mood for it. She was seated where she could see both Ben and Belle and she saw him whisper in her ears every now and then, it made her angrier. She remembered the first time she attended this annual event. She had attended with Ben, but it was just her being the model to escort him. He didn¡¯t whisper things in her ears like he was doing with Belle, he didn¡¯t kiss her forehead after silent talks and got the people around wondering what was going on. In the meantime, Ben saw that Belle had been watching the people dancing with utmost interest so he decided to ask her to dance with him. ¡°Let¡¯s dance,¡± Belle felt his lips touch her ears when he whispered; she knew he did that on purpose because he never missed out on an opportunity to tease her, whether in public or not. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she replied to him but what she didn¡¯t know was that hisst two words to her weren¡¯t a request or suggestion, he was telling her to get up to dance. She saw him stand up and before she could reason anything out, he pulled her up from where she sat. Belle saw herself being taken to the middle of the hall. Her heart started to beat faster than previously when he grabbed her waist and brought her closer to himself in front of everyone present. Some of the couples stopped dancing when Ben arrived there with her. ¡°Ben¡­¡± She wasn¡¯t sure she could do what he wanted so she called his attention but didn¡¯t expect he would lean in and bring his face to hers in response. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°What are you doing, I can¡¯t dance.¡± She told him while trying to muffle how loud her breath was getting. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, just move with me,¡± he gave her a peck on the lips and started to move in controlled, synchronized movements with her, trailing the tips of his fingers slowly across her exposed back. What he just did raged Alex so much, she felt like she couldn¡¯t handle it anymore. Still thinking of what to do, she got the perfect opportunity when the music was changed to a song that had known dance steps. The couples would exchange partners after a while of dancing together. She finished the drink she had in hand by gulping the whole ss, got up, and tapped her plus one on the shoulder, and when he looked up at her, she gestured towards the dancefloor. She made sure to stay around Ben and Belle as they danced on. She couldn¡¯t wait for the part where they got to switch partners because now Belle was resting her face on Ben¡¯s chest and his hands were caressing her back nonstop. What Alex wanted finally happened. Ben twirled Belle over to her partner and she did a pirouette with a chance to dance in his arms. Although Ben¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t very weing when she switched with Belle, she didn¡¯t mind. Ben knew what the dance was all about so he danced with her but he didn¡¯t hold her close like he held Belle and all the while, he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of Belle as she danced with someone else. ¡°Ben,¡± Alex called his name to catch his attention.¡±You act like you don¡¯t want to dance with me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± She heard him. She hated how honest he was sometimes. ¡°You can¡¯t take your eyes off her now even if you¡¯ve been with her this whole time?¡± She admitted to her jealousy. ¡°She is beautiful.¡± ¡°I am too,¡± Alex argued. Ben said nothing else, he just looked on at Belle, waiting for when she would be back in his arms, he didn¡¯t very much like that she was dancing with another man.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The way you act with her, it¡¯s like you are in love with her,¡± Alex said, having a reason for starting with that statement. She nned to tell him after the party but she had had enough already of his affectionate attitude towards Belle. She didn¡¯t get any reaction from Ben so she continued. ¡°I wonder what you would do if you find out she¡¯s sleeping with other men too¡­¡± She got a threatening look from him and was almost too scared to continue but she did anyway.¡±¡­ she sleeps with her bosses too, you know, it¡¯s not just yo¡­¡± He stopped dancing with her before she could finish. Everyone else on the dancefloor also stopped but not because he stopped dancing with Alex. They paused when he grabbed Belle by the wrist, away from Alex¡¯s plus one, and out of the room. Belle had no idea why he did that so she tried to catch a glimpse of his face to predict a reason as she was being dragged along. She was pulled into a room by him and the door was shut. She had no idea they were rooms there. Finally, Ben wasn¡¯t pulling her so fast and she could look at him. As soon as he had closed the door, he made her rest against it,imprisoning her with both his hands. She saw rage in his eyes when she looked at them so she made to look away immediately but he grabbed her chin and made her look back at him. She gasped as sudden fear consumed her when he did that. She felt like she knew what he was angry about but she prayed deep down that it shouldn¡¯t be that reason. ¡°I want you to tell me the truth and nothing else, Belle,¡± she swallowed when he started.¡±Did anything happen between you and him?¡± ¡®I was right,¡¯ tears formed in her eyes as she thought.¡¯I was right, he knows, he found out.¡¯ She needed not to be told who the ¡®him¡¯ referred to. ¡°Belle?¡± He took a deep breath after calling her name, trying to calm himself down. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± It was all she could mutter. Ben snorted when he heard that, but it wasn¡¯t a snort motivated byughter. ¡°Give me a yes or a no, Belle. Did anything¡­¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she looked down as tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn¡¯t hear anything from him after she said ¡®yes¡¯ so she looked up at him and she saw in his eyes for the first time since she had known him, pain and somewhat disappointment. Both his hands were still stopping her from going elsewhere so she had no choice but to stand in front of him and watch him bite his lower lips and avoid looking at her. She soon stopped making any noise as she cried silently but she suddenly heard him yell in anger. ¡°Fuck Belle! Fuck!!¡± He moved away from her and went to another part of the room, facing the wall and clenching his fists. She felt some of her tears manage to find their way to her lips and they tasted salty as she cried silently still. Ben ran his fingers through his hair after, then he returned to her. She looked down because she felt like she couldn¡¯t face him but he lifted her chin like before. ¡°It hurts, Belle.¡± He looked her in the eyes as he told her.¡±It fucking hurts, I don¡¯t know why but fuck does it hurt so bad, and I hate to feel hurt Belle, I despise that feeling.¡± Belle sniffed and listened in silence, surprised that his voice was calm again but she knew the anger wasn¡¯t gone because his eyes were bloodshot red. ¡°I don¡¯t let anyone hurt me and if eventually someone does, that person has to pay.¡± New tears lined her eyes and they rolled down when she blinked. ¡°Me?¡± She asked in a meek, low, sullen voice. ¡°No.¡± He freed her jaw of his hold and used that hand to caress her soft face, letting his fingers attempt to dry her tears.¡±No Belle, it can¡¯t be you, you are too precious to me. He, he would be the one to pay.¡± Mood to kill ¡°But it¡¯s not his fault,¡± she whimpered with fear for Nathan. When Ben didn¡¯t say anything after her, she decided to expatiate what she meant. ¡°I¡­ I was the one who seduced him, this is not his fault, None of the things that happened were his fault, it was all me.¡± She didn¡¯t try to look at him while she spoke.¡±I had too much wine and I did something stupid, he was just visiting so none of this would have happened if I never seduced him.¡± ¡°Why are you trying to save him?¡± She looked at him now. ¡°I¡¯m just saying what really happened and¡­¡± ¡°Nothing you say would stop me from making him suffer, Belle. He ate from the same dish as myself and that is very uneptable to me.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s not his fault, it¡¯s mine,¡± she repeated what she believed was true. ¡°There is no fucking way you seduced him, I¡¯m not going to believe that.¡± He wouldn¡¯t. ¡°But I did, Ben. It was my fault, I am telling you.¡± ¡°Why the hell was he with you anyway, when did he start to visit you, I asked you to stay away from him, did I not?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Was all she could mumble after him. ¡°Let¡¯s assume that you seduced him like you are saying, he, as a man has the ability to not be seduced by you.¡± ¡°What?¡± Her tears weren¡¯t falling from her eyes anymore, they just remained stagnant there. ¡°He should have self-control as a man; if you seduced him and he fell with it, then hecks self-control, he still has a fault here. Belle, you have no idea how much I want to inflict pain on him,¡± she heard his voice turn deeper as he spoke. She had no idea that the man in front of her was trying to keep his anger about his recent discovery away, he was trying to shove it deep down so as not to be angry at her. Ben wanted to inflict pain on him like he said; he wanted to hear him cry out in pain even if that wouldn¡¯tpare to how he was feeling at the moment. Belle had nothing more to say, she just stood where she had been standing all the while, but this time, leaned back on the door. ¡°Please don¡¯t hurt him,¡± she dared to make a plea after some quietness between them but only heard him chuckle. She saw him chuckle with an apanying scary smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go back, we leave for City S tomorrow.¡± He put his around her waist to make her move away from the door then he opened it. Alex had been waiting patiently for the result of her information. She wanted to see Ben embarrass Belle in public, and in front of the whole crowd present but unfortunately for her, he chose to take her somewhere private. When he did that, she knew he wouldn¡¯t be leaving through the main entrance so she went towards the direction they went to see for herself what happened. When one of the doors to the rooms opened, Alex hid. She saw both step out with Ben¡¯s hand around Belle¡¯s waist and she couldn¡¯t believe it. It was like her n had no impact at all. Ben was holding Belle like he was earlier before finding out about any of the things she told him. She felt like pulling out her hair in frustration after seeing that she didn¡¯t get the oue she predicted. She expected him to humiliate Belle and for the media to capture it all and make it go viral because she knew how much publicity could affect one¡¯s reputation but Ben just stopped all of that by taking her to a room after he found out. He knew what Alex wanted and when she told him about Nathan, he knew she wasn¡¯t spitting rubbish but then, he needed to hear it from Belle herself. ***** City S. Belle was at her house, she took out her phone to call Nathan immediately after Ben left her alone. She was scared for him and wanted to tell him to leave City S as soon as he could but none of his calls went through. She kept trying but it still didn¡¯t reach his phone. She sat on a couch and inhaled deeply, she hoped Ben hadn¡¯t gotten to him already. ***** A driver opened the car for Ben when it stopped at the police station holding both Tiger and Crow. Unlike what Belle thought, he left her for the station and not for Nathan. He had someone get Nathan but now he just needed something or rather someone to invest his anger on. ¡°Still nothing?¡± He asked one of the usual policemen who apanied him to the interrogation room to see Tiger. ¡°No sir, he is pretty stubborn, hard to break.¡± Ben scoffed when he was replied with that. ¡°I want to be alone with him, free him of his chains.¡± They all looked at him with disbelief when he requested that but the head of the men saw that he was being serious. ¡°Sir, this is a very dangerous man, and I believe you know that, leaving you alone with him is not safe and¡­¡± ¡°Here,¡± Ben took off his watch and handed it to the man while he was still speaking. He also took off his rings. ¡°Unchain him,¡± they heard him repeat. Tiger sat quietly and wondered what Ben had in mind asking to be alone with him. He would never admit it but he feared Ben Larkson. Very soon all the men in the room were gone and it was just three men left, Ben; Tiger; and the officer to unchain him. The moment his hands were freed of the chain, Tiger wriggled his wrists in the air, he had missed having the freedom to do that. ¡°Sir, this is not advisable,¡± the offer whispered to Ben after unchaining Tiger.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Leave,¡± It was a simple order. The man left and joined his colleagues standing outside and watching what Ben nned to do through the one-way translucent window ss. Ben walked up to Tiger, they were of the same height so he looked him in the eyes before making him an offer. ¡°I¡¯m in the mood to kill,¡± He started.¡±So be wise with my offer.¡± ¡°Wise? For all I know, the only reason I am still alive is because I haven¡¯t mentioned who I worked with to kidnap her.¡± Ben smiled, he was right.¡±You want to know who this person is, you want to punish this person and the only way to do that is through me, so I should be the one making offers, not you.¡± ¡°If you can take me out in the next ten minutes, they will let you go.¡± Ben pointed towards the door.¡±If not, it¡¯s between your life and the name I want from you.¡± Tiger exhaled loudly after Ben spoke.¡±I have no weapons here, I want to assume you don¡¯t also. Good luck.¡± Tiger wasn¡¯t given a chance to ept or decline the offer. He just saw Ben take off his suit jacket and spread it over the chair in front of him neatly, then he cracked his neck afterward. ¡°I don¡¯t want to do this,¡± Tiger said but got a blow hit to his mouth, making him bleed instantly. Ben did that to provoke him into epting the offer and it worked. Tiger tried to hit him back but he was quick to avoid it. The policemen outside watched this go on and were surprised by it. They knew Ben was a hard man but they didn¡¯t expect what they were seeing, since he usually had his securities and escorts with him most of the time. Ben pinned Tiger down to the ground and transferred all of his anger to every hit he gave him. He knelt over him and with a wounded and clenched fist, he struck multiple blows to Tiger¡¯s face, making it hard for one to tell where he was bleeding from. He hit him till he couldn¡¯t hear him make grunting noises with every blow he got. His white shirt was stained with some blood but he didn¡¯t care. He got off of Tiger and raised the arm of his shirt to the elbows. Tiger started to get up slowly while keeping his eyes on Ben as he did so, he spit some of the blood in his mouth before wiping it with the back of his hands. ¡°Tiger! Act like the name you gave yourself.¡± He intended to provoke him more. Tiger charged at him and crashed him to the ground, returning all the hits he had gotten from him, fueled by the need to prove himself, if not for anything else. Ben soon stopped him and pushed him off but Tiger came back and tried to hit him with the elbow but Ben stopped him again. He put his right arm around Tiger¡¯s neck and shortened his breath. Tiger quickly gripped on the arm and tried to get up in an attempt to separate himself from Ben¡¯s hold but Ben also stood with him. He didn¡¯t stop, mustering more energy, he attempted again but with the aim of trying to get back his breath this time. He tried all the means he knew in getting one¡¯s hand away from the neck in a fight like that but Ben knew his every move and countered them. It slowly ended in him tapping on Ben¡¯s arm, as his breath kept on getting thinner. He was always fearless of death but Ben¡¯s hold on his neck was making him wish to breathe freely again. He felt Ben¡¯s arm loosen and was happy to inhale air but Ben didn¡¯t give him that chance. He was dragged to the interrogation table and before he knew what was happening, his head was bashed into it repeatedly, all in quick action. Ben held him by the hair and made him face him. He smirked and let him fall to the ground. Tigery there, trying to catch his breath and get his body to ept the numerous pains he felt. He saw Ben walk to the door to collect something from the officers. He thought it was a knife at first but he saw him approach where hey with a sharpened pencil. ¡°It¡¯s past ten minutes, you failed.¡± Ben squatted next to him.¡±Now, you get to choose between dying and giving me what I want.¡± Tiger breathed loudly as he listened to Ben. ¡°It¡¯s a fucking pencil, what are going to do with it? Torture me to talk?¡± Tigerughed, exposing his blood-covered teeth but stopped when Ben joined him inughing. Ben also held hisughter after he did. ¡°This pencil could kill you. Just one thrust to your neck and it will breach your tysma muscle and potentially cut you off of breath, there¡¯s no way to reverse it.¡±Tiger listened with hidden fright. ¡°Alternatively, puncturing your neck with this pencil will lead to rapid exsanguination, which will still lead to your death. Sixty seconds, the full name of the person whose order it was for you to carry out that job.¡± Ben held Tiger by his hair and lifted his head, cing the sharpened tip of the pencil by his neck. ¡°Do it,¡± Tiger said and felt the pencil pierce his skin; he didn¡¯t expect Ben would do it. With a slightly audible grunt, he lifted his arm to stop Ben but only felt the pencil go deeper into his neck. ¡°Alex Koller,¡± He said in between faint breaths, and Ben immediately stopped. He heard Ben scoff before getting up and leaving him on the floor to try and remove the length already inserted through his neck. The door opened and the officers rushed to Tiger on the floor, holding his neck. Randy also walked in with a briefcase. He sat it on the table and got out a new white, sleeved shirt for his boss. When Ben had changed, he walked out without caring about what would happen to Tiger, he was now going to think of how to punish Alex. His visit to Alex The next day, Belle got ready for work even if she still feared that something might have happened to Nathan. Ben didn¡¯t return to herst night but she didn¡¯t call, she didn¡¯t want to have to face him again. She got to the office and everything was normal, The few faces she knew were all bubbling with energy for the day, and even Eric kept on using the photocopying machine with her, so she assumed Nathan was in the office and just doing as she asked; giving her space. It made her feel less of the heaviness deep down because she was no longer worried. ***** Meanwhile, Alex had just returned to City S from City N. It was some hours since she returned and was just done resting when her cleaner informed her that he was ready to leave. A few minutes after he left, and she was about to head back upstairs, she heard her doorbell go off. Rolling her eyes with a sigh, she returned to the door, ready to scold the cleaner but was surprised by who she met at the door. ¡°Ben?¡± She uttered to show her surprise but he just walked in, so she closed the door after him. He let his eyes wander around and she took the opportunity to begin arranging and pulling on her dress to appear skimpier than they already were. She hoped he was at her ce for what she presumed; that he was mad at Belle and wanted to spend some good time with her. Ben turned back at her and saw her standing awkwardly in her own house. She also noticed how awkward she was and decided to change that. ¡°I will get some wine for us,¡± she said and wanted to go to the open kitchen but he held her arm and brought her back. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± he told her. ¡°Really?¡± She smiled, then bit her lips after. It was happening to her again; she was getting turned on, just because he held her right arm. ¡°Come here,¡± he took her to the dining room and pulled out one of the chairs around the table.¡±Sit.¡± She did, expecting him to join her and he did but what she didn¡¯t expect was that he would pull his chair very close to hers. ¡°Be honest, why did you do it?¡± She heard a question that immediately made her know what he was asking about. Her smile disappeared as she covered her mouth with her left hand.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡®Oh no,¡¯ She thought to herself. ¡°The n wasn¡¯t to hurt her, Ben.¡± She blinked repeatedly, trying to manage her fear. ¡°Wrong answer. Why did you do it?¡± ¡°Why else? I was jealous!¡± Alex broke out loudly before reducing her voice to normal again.¡±I didn¡¯t ask them to hurt her, I actually told them to take good care of her and not let any harme to her, Tiger assured me that he would do that. Believe me when I say I didn¡¯t want to hurt her.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ben looked on at her quietly as she spoke. He wasn¡¯t angrier when Tiger mentioned her name because he knew it was her all along, he just wanted confirmation. He knew what she could do and what she couldn¡¯t, they had been friends since they were younger, she; him; and Jenna, but she had crossed the line this time around. ¡°I just wanted her out of the way, I figured that if she wasn¡¯t in the picture, you would forget about her. I didn¡¯t know that you would worry over her disappearance. I¡¯m sorry, Ben.¡± Alex exined further, hershes getting wet with the tears welling up in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something else but no words came after she saw him take out a syringe from his suit jacket. ¡°What is that?¡± She finally found her voice to ask. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know for now, the doctors will tell you what you injected yourself with an overdose of when you are at the hospital.¡± ¡°W-what?¡± She panicked when he mentioned the hospital.¡±Ben, look, I¡¯m sorry for what I did okay, I¡­¡± ¡°Ssshh,¡± he paused her words. She found herself hushing as he asked. Ben took her arm while she watched. She saw him take off the cap covering the needle on the syringe, and that was when she started to shake her head. ¡°Ben, no, please,¡± She tried to withdraw her arms from him but it waste, he held her arm tightly. He nned to inject her with an overdose of the content in the syringe; Alex used to be a drug addict and only recently did she stop because it almost ruined her career. Ben knew how much her career mattered to her so instead of hurting her physically, he was going to inject her with an overdose and have the policee to her rescue before it affected her too much. The public would get to know and it would affect both her career and her reputation of quitting drugs. Alex saw the needle approach her skin and couldn¡¯t do anything about it but beg because she knew he could have killed her but he was doing this instead. She closed her eyes with a gasp when the needle pierced her skin. A tear dropped from her cheeks because she knew how hard she had worked to stop herself from what he was about to inject her with. She opened her eyes and watched him push on the piston, transferring the fluid from the chamber to her vein. He stopped when he had injected all of it through her skin, withdrawing the needle and giving it to her to hold. Alex wiped her tears with the back of her palm and took it from him, tainting his fingerprint with hers. ¡°Jenna shouldn¡¯t know about this,¡± he stood from the chair and started to arrange the arm of his suit jacket. He saw her nod slowly.¡±Good.¡± When he left, Alex kept the syringe on the dining table, bracing herself for the effects of whatever it was he just injected her with because she didn¡¯t know what it was. A sharp pain immediately took over her head, making her wince her eyes in pain. She ced her hands over her head as she began to sweat profusely, trying to keep her eyes open because her eyelids just kept on getting heavier. She started to see blur, everything around her became shaky and darker. She felt a warm drop of tear fall on her thighs, as she tried to sustain what was happening to her. Her door immediately burst open and she looked up to see some police officers. There were three men and a woman. ¡°Ma¡¯am, can you hear me?¡± The female police officer squatted next to where she sat. Alex could hear her but couldn¡¯t respond; the pain she felt in her head wouldn¡¯t let her. ¡°I don¡¯t think she can hear me. Is the ambnce here already?¡± The woman asked none of the men in particr so they all nodded. Soon, Alex was being carried away even if she unconsciously struggled to free herself of their hold. ***** Belle was just back from work and was about to go in when she opened her door but paused. She looked back around and saw Ben¡¯s car, he was there. She took in a deep breath before proceeding inside. She met him in the kitchen. He had just poured himself a new ss of whiskey. Their eyes met but Belle looked away. Ben came to her and did the unexpected, he hugged her. Belle didn¡¯t reciprocate at first, but then she realized she needed a hug from him so badly. When she hugged him back, he made the hug tighter. After some seconds, he released her of the hug, and then brought his face to hers; Belle could smell the alcohol on his breath, but she was okay with it, she loved it actually. ¡°Are you still mad about¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say it,¡± he stopped her from finishing her question. He kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, and finally her lips. It was a light peck at first until it became a wet one. Belle was okay with it. She was happy that Nathan was alright when she went to work today so she was okay with getting intimate with Ben tonight. Headlines When Belle went to her workce the next day, she saw that everyone seemed to be extra busy. After she entered editor Khan¡¯s office, he gave her some prints to arrange and put in order. When she didn¡¯t move from where she stood as quickly as he expected, he had to scold her. ¡°What are you doing?! Get moving, there¡¯s a lot to do,e on.¡± It was then she started to do what she was asked. While sorting out the prints, she saw that they were different top headlines, all of which she had to put in ce. She picked up the first print and saw herself on it and an unconscious gasp escaped her lips but she was quick to put a hand over her mouth. It was a picture of her and Ben at the charity event. The headline read; ¡°Mr. Larkson seems to be angry at plus one whom he got the priceless piece for at City N.¡± Belle was only d that she had a mask on that day as she watched the pic of Ben grabbing her. Keeping it, she picked up another and saw another of her picture, but it was taken on the red carpet when they arrived at the event that night. ¡°Put that one up first, then the other behind.¡± She heard editor Khan instruct. ¡°Yes sir,¡± she nodded and did just that. Picking up another print, she saw a picture that almost terrified her so much that she dropped it, causing editor Khan to give her a look. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He had to ask. Belle nodded and picked it up. They were pictures of Tiger; one of him wearing the same mask he wore while he held her hostage, and one of his face uncovered. ¡°Andrew ¡®Tiger¡¯ Romer stabs himself to death in the prison cell.¡± She read the headline above his picture. ¡°Here, clip these to that,¡± Editor Khan handed some papers to her. She decided to read through it. It was a police report on how Tiger killed himself in his cell after finally being caught by the police. He was branded the ¡°Invisible man¡± which had finally been caught by the police. Belle couldn¡¯t read more so she just clipped them together like she was told to and kept them aside, taking a deep breath to keep herself calm but the next headline she saw shocked her to the bone. ¡°Top model ¡®Alex Koller¡¯ overdoses on unprescribed drugs in her home.¡± ¡°About that¡­,¡± Belle was startled when her boss¡¯s voice suddenly came from behind her, she had no idea he was standing and watching her stare at the headlines.¡±¡­ Which do you think makes a better headline between these two?¡± He brought a new print bearing the same picture of Alex but with a different write-up, it read; ¡°Top model ¡®Alex Koller¡¯ found in pain at her home after an overdose.¡± Belle just looked at the print, having no words topare both headlines, she just shrugged. ¡°They are both okay.¡± ¡°I was expecting a more definitive answer from you, but I guess we will work with the first one. Hurry up with those, so we can submit them for review.¡± Editor Khan said before returning to his seat. Belle¡¯s mood became less happy with all she was seeing in the headlines ready to be submitted. With a pity sigh about Alex¡¯s story, she picked the next one and it had her mouth open in surprise. ¡°Editor at the Crisp-tv media house MISSING.¡± Was the headline atop Nathan¡¯s ID picture. ¡°Sir?¡± She immediately went to editor Khan¡¯s desk. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Sir, is this true?¡± She asked, her voice shaky with fear. ¡°Oh. Yes, Nathan is missing.¡± Belle blinked in disbelief after what she just heard.¡±It¡¯s almost like the staff of ourpany is being targeted, maybe someone¡¯s angry at our publications.¡± Khan shook his head.¡±We just have to be very careful now, as media persons and journalists that we are. First, it was you, now Nathan.¡± ¡°O my god,¡± Belle swallowed a lump in her throat after a thought just hit her; Ben. ¡°Hey, rx. Hopefully, he would be found, just like you.¡± Editor Khan noticed how she was almost breaking down in tears. ¡°What if he¡¯s not found?¡± A tear fell from her eyes. ¡°He would be found, hopefully.¡± Her boss replied, trying not to be as worried as Belle was, or else he won¡¯t be able to work efficiently.¡±I find it that you both were somehow close, is that why you are so worried? I mean, I am worried but it¡¯s something that has happened before. Often, journalists are targeted for telling the public things that no one will singly step up to talk about. I will advise you to be calm, he will be found sooner than we expect, that¡¯s what I believe. This is probably just a n to threaten this mediapany.¡± ¡°Are we sure he is missing? I mean who confirmed this? And since when, this morning?¡± Belle went on to ask. ¡°You should know thepany you work for, we don¡¯t just publish without confirmation, and about Nathan¡¯s disappearance? Since yesterday¡­¡± ¡°Yesterday?¡± Belle interrupted with a question because she was sure she saw Eric, Nathan¡¯s assistant, running errands for him yesterday. Or did she? She had just assumed. She pped her forehead. ¡°Yes, yesterday. He didn¡¯te to work and it was confirmed that he didn¡¯t visit the branchpany, so after work yesterday evening, I and some others went to his ce to see that he was okay but he wasn¡¯t there. An officialint has beenid to the police.¡± ¡°O my god,¡± Belle rubbed her face as editor Khan heard her say this for the second time since their conversation started. ***** Jenna rushed into the hospital ward as soon as she was validated and allowed to go in by the police and doctors who had been prohibiting any visits to Alex to avoid any more harming to her.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Jenna covered her mouth with both palms when she saw her best friend lying weakly on the hospital bed in the intensive care unit. She dropped her bag on the ground near the bed and went closer to Alex. She saw that beneath her eyes were purple and her face was pale so she started to sob for her. Alex opened her eyes slowly when she heard Jenna. A tear rolled down her face even as shey but she was happier than sad at the moment. She was happy that Jenna was finally there with her. Jenna was the one person she was very sure wouldn¡¯t believe whatever the media had spread around the City and beyond, and even if she did, she knew and trusted that Jenna wouldn¡¯t judge her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± She whispered to Jenna but she took her right hand with a smile. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t,¡± Jenna told her with a smile. ¡°My fans must hate me so much now.¡± Another tear escaped her right eye. ¡°No, they don¡¯t. At least, the real ones don¡¯t.¡± Jenna assured her.¡±They are actually defending you online, they are behind you.¡± ¡°I messed up, Jenna¡± Alex inhaled loudly as another tear rolled down her eyes again.¡±I messed up big time.¡± ¡°Hey, no, don¡¯t say that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s true, I fucked up,¡± Alex said again. Jenna thought she was speaking of her overdose but Alex was actually talking about the little game she tried to y with Ben and how stupid of her it was; she knew Ben well enough to know he could do that to her but yet decided to y with him. ¡°I wish I could hug you right now but the doctors will kill me if I do that. I was told not to difort you when I get here.¡± Jenna informed her. ¡°Like it would be the first time you would be breaking a rule,¡± Alex joked and smiled when she heard Jennaugh. What did you do to him?! It waste evening, almost night. Belle sat in her bed at home, her knees up to her chin as she sobbed non-stop. Ben walked in and saw her that way, he felt a somewhat piercing pain inside when he saw her crying like that so he went and joined her on the bed. ¡°What is the matter? Who hurt you?¡± He began to stroke her hair backward but got an unexpected reaction from her as she sat up so suddenly. ¡°What did you do to him?! Where is he?!¡± He heard her question and now knew what she was crying about. He looked at her, unremorseful and hisshes not blinking but said nothing in response. ¡°I just found out today, that he has been missing since yesterday. Is that where you were the other day? What about the cut on your lip, where did thate from?!¡± ¡°Too many questions, Belle.¡± He finally addressed what she was asking. ¡°Too many questions? What? You expect me to sit back and fold my hands and not ask any questions?¡± Belle blinked some of the tears in her eyes away.¡±All through today at work, I had to listen to almost everyone talk about how one of the senior editors hasn¡¯t been heard from, and I feel so bad, and guilty because I am the cause of his disappearance. I get that choking feeling that whatever happens to him is caused by me, and you want me to not ask questions?!¡± ¡°He is still alive, I haven¡¯t thought of what to do with him yet,¡± ¡°He is still alive? Okay, let him go.¡± Belle¡¯s voice turned to one of plea but she heard him scoff after her request. ¡°If you don¡¯t, I¡¯m going to feel horrible whenever Mr Khan says he has hopes that he would be found, please Ben.¡± ¡°He crossed a path he shouldn¡¯t have been on in the first ce.¡± When Ben informed her that Nathan wasn¡¯t dead yet, he was hoping to calm her down but it made things worse. ¡°I¡¯m going to go to the police if you don¡¯t let him go,¡± Belle told him with confidence but that confidence died the moment she saw a smilee upon his face. ¡°You will go to the police?¡± ¡°Ye-s-s, don¡¯t make me. Let him go,¡± She stammered but only saw his smile get calmer. ¡°What will you tell the police?¡± His question had her thinking quickly.¡±Are you just going to walk into a station and say ¡®Mr Larkson is responsible for the missing editor¡¯s disappearance¡¯?¡± ¡°I will tell them what I know.¡± She felt more less confident when sheughed at that statement of hers. ¡°Tell me Belle, what do you know? Or rather, what do you think you know?¡± He stoppedughing to ask her. ¡°I know¡­ I know you have him somewhere because of my mistake, and you n to punish him¡­¡± ¡°Do you have any evidence of what you are saying?¡± He cut her short, ¡°Hmmm?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s be smart here, it will make things easy for us both. I want you to¡­ are you listening to me?¡± He stopped to ask when he thought she looked lost. cing both his thumbs on her cheeks, he started to wipe her tears. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, I hate it when you cry.¡± He told her before continuing the statement he had in mind.¡±I want you to forget that he ever existed, okay?¡± ¡°No,¡± Belle shook her head. ¡°Ssshh, listen to me.¡± He came closer to her and kissed her forehead, then he took his lips to her left ear.¡±Forget you ever knew someone named Nathan. It would be much easier for you that way because he is nevering back. Very soon, this city would forget he existed too, and everything will be just back to normal, you¡¯ll see.¡± **** ¡°I swear it¡¯s her, I can¡¯t believe you don¡¯t recognize your own sister,¡± Cherry argued with Brie, over who it was in the picture at the top of the news blog she was reading. ¡°It isn¡¯t Belle, when did she ever visit City N?¡± ¡°The night of the biggest event of the year, with Ben Larkson. See, he is there with her.¡± Cherry showed her a different picture of both Ben and Belle. ¡°That isn¡¯t Belle, if she went to City N, I would know about it, you probably would too; Belle tells me almost everything.¡± Brie bragged. ¡°Yeah, she does, but not till you told her over the phone that you didn¡¯t give a shit about her or what she did anymore.¡± Cherry reminded her Brie didn¡¯t say anything immediately after Cherry spoke. ¡°Urghh, her ne,¡± Cherry praised, ¡°Take a look.¡± Cherry showed her roommate a new picture where the focus was on Belle¡¯s neck as she wore the most expensive jewelry from that night.*It¡¯s a diamond piece,¡± she added. ¡°Stop Cherry, I don¡¯t want to see any of those anymore.¡± Brie started to feel a weight of guilt after her friend¡¯s reminder of what she said to Belle over the phone thest time they spoke. ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Cherry rolled her eyes and continued to read the blog alone when they both heard a knock on the door. About to get up and get the door, Brie stopped her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll check who it is,¡± Brie said and headed to the door. When she looked through the eyehole on the door she saw Belle¡¯s face so she quickly opened the door. ¡°Belle? Are you okay?¡± She asked once she saw her sister¡¯s pale-looking face. ¡°No,¡± Belle answered honestly and hugged her. ¡°Speak of the devil and it appears,¡± Cherry said once she looked up from her phone and saw Belle hugging Brie. They both stopped to look at her. ¡°It¡¯s just an expression, chill.¡± She exined before making space for them both on the couch as they approached her. Belle was saying anything as she sat, she just sniffed once in a while and tried to dry the non-visible tears on her face. Cherry got tired of the silence and decided to break it. ¡°Uhm, Belle?¡± Belle turned to her.¡±Just to clear out this little argument between Brie and I, is this you in this photo?¡± She made to pass her phone to Belle but Brie took hold of it before it could get to her sister. ¡°Seriously? Now?¡± Brie gave her phone back to her.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What?¡± Cherry pouted. ¡°Can¡¯t you see how she is? Were you really going to bother her with that now?¡± Brie scolded her. ¡°I had to, she wasn¡¯t saying anything, you weren¡¯t either.¡± Cherry shrugged. ¡°I want to talk to Brie alone,¡± Belle finally said something after a while.¡±Please?¡± She looked at Cherry. ¡°Fine,¡± Cherry stood from where she sat, ready to leave.¡±It¡¯s not like I tell anyone any of the things you both have discussed in my presence, but I¡¯ll leave.¡± She muttered but made it loud enough for them to hear before going to the bedroom. When she left, Belle took in a deep breath before talking. ¡°I¡¯m so scared, Brie.¡± She started.¡±I made a stupid mistake and now Ben has taken an action I can¡¯t even sleep with.¡± ¡°What are you saying? What mistake did you make?¡± ¡°You know how bad I usually am with alcohol?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Brie nodded. ¡°Well, I¡­ I slept with one of my bosses.¡± ¡°What? The one who likes you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why?!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, it just happened. I woke up the next morning and he was sleeping next to me in bed, I don¡¯t even remember how I got drunk that night before it happened.¡± ¡°O my god. And then what?¡± Brie wanted to know. ¡°Ben found out, somehow, I don¡¯t know how but he did and now Nathan¡¯s missing, and I feel he has something to do with it.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen the news or something? Nathan is missing¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, I saw that. I am asking what you mean when you say Ben has something to do with it.¡± ¡°I just don¡¯t know what to think or do, I¡¯m just scared that no one might ever see Nathan again and I¡¯ll have to leave with that guilt. I just feel like I caused all of it.¡± ¡°Oh no.¡± Brie hugged her, understanding her.¡±What did I tell you about Ben?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle began to sob. ¡°You see, these rich men, they have a way of thinking that¡¯s unusual. They think they own you once you start fucking with them.¡± Brie tried tofort her sister but her words were repelling her actions. ¡°They can be so possessive that it will make you wonder, and it¡¯s worse if they cheat and expect you not to; they want you all to themselves but never will they give all of theirself to you.¡± ¡°Come on, not again, Brie. Carl isn¡¯t Ben.¡± They both heard Cherry.¡±I¡¯m sorry, I found myself listening, couldn¡¯t help it.¡± ¡°Look Belle, you too weren¡¯t even in a rtionship to start with so you didn¡¯t cheat on him, technically speaking and besides, Nathan was probably targeted by someone who has a private feud with him or something. What am I saying? You are probably overthinking, Ben might not have something to do with it as you assume.¡± ¡°O my gosh, Cherry, can you just shut up?¡± Brie snapped at her. ¡°I am making more sense than you are,¡± Cherry shot back at Brie. ¡°You weren¡¯t even supposed to be part of this discussion so shut the hell up.¡± Brie fired at her again. Belle quickly got sick of it and stood to leave, that was when Brie stopped. ¡°Hey, Belle I¡¯m sorry about what just happened.¡± Brie stopped her at the door. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I just need some time alone.¡± ¡°No, you came to me because you needed to talk to someone, right? I can¡¯t just let you leave.¡± ¡°Brie, it¡¯s fine really, I just need to go back and get some sleep.¡± Leaving City S Weeks passed, and no one who knew Nathan heard anything from him, neither where they any lead brought to the media¡¯s notice from the police. Belle had to deal with listening to her workmates discuss about Nathan every time she went to work, and didn¡¯t know how to stop the guilty feeling that kept on recurring so one night, she made a big decision. She packed some of her clothes, together with some cash she had withdrawn earlier, and she decided to leave City S. No words to her sister, Brie, not even Ben, she just left first thing in the morning as the sunset. Leaving her phone behind so no one could reach her, she headed to a small town not so close and not so far from City S. **** ¡°Heyy!¡± Someone tapped her on the shoulder after she got off a bus that just reached its final destination. She turned around and saw a girl about her age, at least that was what she assumed. ¡°You dropped this,¡± the girl handed her purse which she had put all the money she had at the moment into back to her. ¡°Thanks a lot,¡± she was really grateful because she would have been stranded if she lost that purse. She screened the girl from head to toe and quickly found out that she was a tomboy from the way she was dressed. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re wee.¡± The girl was about to walk away but Belle felt that it was thest time she might have a chance to ask someone nice for directions as she already returned her fallen purse. ¡°Uhm, don¡¯t be mad, may I ask if you know the way to a hotel, any hotel at all,¡± Belle asked her. It was gettingter into the night and she didn¡¯t want to be on the streetste at night at a ce she didn¡¯t know well enough yet. ¡°Any hotel? You sound like you could pay for a mansion if I rmend it to you.¡± The girl joked but didn¡¯t get augh from Belle so she stoppedughing. ¡°You are new here?¡± She asked Belle. ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Belle knew not to answer that question directly, hence she could led off wrongly. ¡°Chill, I¡¯m not about to kidnap you or some shit like that,¡± the girlughed again but like before Belle didn¡¯tugh.¡±Well, here? Hotels are pretty expensive, that¡¯s because only the rich guys here can go there, People like me just spend the night at a motel, but that isn¡¯t very safe.¡± ¡°You could just direct me to the hotel,¡± Belle wasn¡¯t going to consider the motel an option now that she was just informed that they weren¡¯t safe to stay at. ¡°Orrrr¡­¡± The girl grinned widely as Belle wondered why. ¡°Or what?¡± ¡°Or you could spend the night at my ce tonight.¡± Belle raised an eyebrow when she suggested that.¡±Look, the hotel is quite far from here and it¡¯s expensive like I said before. Stay at my ce and tomorrow, we can go searching for the cheapest among the hotels and of course, the safest.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t even know you.¡± ¡°Well, to make you feel safer, I¡¯m not staying at my ce tonight, I¡¯ve got to be at work but you could stay there alone tonight.¡± She watched the girl exin while she still had second thoughts. ¡°Here¡¯s my key,¡± she threw it at Belle even if they weren¡¯t so far apart from each other. Belle managed to catch it but had a rethink of why she did so a few secondster. ¡°Ask for Teddy Street, and when you get there, you will see a tall building, It¡¯s actually the tallest in the street so it¡¯s easy to recognize, my apartment¡¯s room thirty-seven. And yes, it¡¯s not very far from here, just keep going straight. I was about to go get some things from home, but I¡¯ve spent all my time talking with you and if I don¡¯t leave now, I will bete, so yeah. Sleep tight tonight.¡± Belle barely managed to grasp all of what she was just told. ¡°Hold on, I¡­¡± Belle wanted to reject her offer but the girl waved off her question and jumped on a moving bus before she could say anything more. ¡®Teddy Street, tallest building, room thirty-seven,¡¯ Belle began to memorize after quickly having a change of mind. **** Belle found the building, and it was surprisingly easy to find like the girl said it would be. While she walked up the stairs, she checked the numbers on the doors, looking for room thirty-seven. After finding it was on the top floor, she slid the key into the keyhole, and with two turns it opened. Belle looked around her before entering, it was awfully quiet since she arrived. She kicked off her boots as soon as she slumped on one of the two couches in the small living room. It was then she let her eyes wander through the ce. There were no walls differentiating the rooms in the apartment. The kitchen was as open as it could get, with two tall stools in front of the counter. She turned her neck right and saw a beaded curtain covering the only doorway apart from the entrance. She just assumed it was the bedroom. She got up and picked up her boots before heading towards there with her bag also. Sheter returned to the living room to make sure she locked the front door before resigning to bed. **** Morning. Belle wanted to turn in the average-sized bed when she felt a leg over hers. She panicked and jumped out of bed. She saw a girl lying like she was lifeless on the bed, she had blue long hair which covered her face as she slept. Confused and scared, Belle paced around the room quietly and almost endlessly, trying to think of what to do.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hey, you.¡± Her heart jumped out of her throat when the girl suddenly woke up but she calmed down when she saw that it was the girl from yesterday. ¡°You¡­ yesterday your hair was brown?¡± Belle pointed out to her. ¡°Yeah. It was costume day at my workce yesterday, and for some reason, my manager thinks that it shouldn¡¯t just be the club dancers with coloured hair. Apparently, we bouncers have to dye our hair from now on, whenever it¡¯s costume day. Did I scare you?¡± ¡°Yesss,¡± Belle was still trying to breathe less heavily. She heard the girl chuckle. ¡°So you get scared easily, huh?¡± ¡°You work as a bouncer?¡± They both asked at the same time. ¡°Yes, I work as a bouncer at night.¡± The girl chose to answer Belle¡¯s question.¡±Is that all you care to know? Don¡¯t you wanna know what my name is?¡± ¡°No.¡± The girl was surprised by Belle¡¯s answer.¡±Thanks forst night but I should be leaving now. Maybe you can direct me to that hotel now?¡± ¡°Wait, so you¡¯re just gonna leave?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Wow, we are down to one-word answers. Aren¡¯t you gonna shower, you can stay longer, I don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine, I don¡¯t want to be of any disturbance. Thank you again for yesterday but I will just change real quick in the bathroom and you can show me to the hotel now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not showing you nowhere,¡± Belle saw the girly back down and pull the disheveled nket over herself. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯m tired as you can see, You will have to wait till I¡¯m done sleeping.¡± The girl turned away from facing Belle, leaving her annoyed. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll just dress up and ask someone else outside to lead me there.¡± Belle took some clothes from her bag, ready to do like she said she would but the girl stopped her. ¡°No one¡¯s gonna help you. People here don¡¯t have time to help strangers but you can try.¡± She told Belle who just hissed without heeding anything she said. She dressed up, repacked her bag, and headed downstairs. She soon approached aman to ask him to show her to a hotel but he just looked at her like she was garbage and then continued to do what he was doing before she came. Belle didn¡¯t give up on him, she tried other persons passing by to buy they all did the same thing; they all ignored her. Frustrated and having no other choice, she went back up the stairs of the tall building and walked in on the girl making pancakes. ¡°How did it turn out?¡± She asked Belle without looking away from what she was making. ¡°I thought you said you were tired?¡± Belle asked her and dropped her bag on the couch because it was a little heavy to stand with. ¡°I was. I mean I still am, but I¡¯m more hungry than tired so I decided toe whip myself something. Are you hungry too?¡± ¡°No.¡± Belle¡¯s reply was immediate.¡±When will you take me to the hotel?¡± ¡°In the evening.¡± ¡°What? You said it would be when you were done sleeping, it¡¯s what you said earlier.¡± ¡°Yeah, once I¡¯m done eating these, and I get on that bed it¡¯s still evening. Are you sure you are not hungry?¡± She flipped a pancake in the pan and winked at Belle who wasn¡¯t very happy with her. Zina Belle waited patiently all through the day as the girl had a good time sleeping, she didn¡¯t think she meant it when she said she would sleep till it was evening time. She was about to fall asleep herself when she saw the girl walk through the beaded curtain with a short towel around her neck which she used to clean her wet face and hair. ¡°Look who decided to take a shower,¡± she smiled at Belle when she saw her.¡±Hope you ate something?¡± Belle didn¡¯t give an answer so she smiled more.¡±I would rmend you feel at home, eat whatever you want and you have the bed to yourself while I am at work tonight.¡± ¡°What do you mean tonight, you are taking me to a good hotel right now, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Ohhhhh, did I say I would do that?¡± Belle felt her insides boil with anger when the girl said that.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You said you would take me when you were done sleeping,¡± Belle reminded her calmly. ¡°Yeahhhh, about that, I have to be at work in the next ten minutes, I¡¯m actually behind time, so that wouldn¡¯t be happening anymore. Forgive me.¡± Belle clenched her fists in anger and picked up her bag. ¡°You know what? At this point it¡¯s easy to see that you are ying with me so I don¡¯t need your help anymore.¡± Belle opened the front door to leave. ¡°Be careful, it¡¯s not very safe at night here!¡± The girl told her and picked an apple to eat. Still fuming with anger, Belle stomped her way downstairs. She didn¡¯t realize it was already dark outside till she got downstairs. The street was empty, unlike yesterday when she came for the first time and the streetlights weren¡¯t very useful anymore. After contemting whether to continue walking through the empty, almost dark road, and return to where she just left, she made a decision. With a hurried pace, she found herself up at the top floor of the tall building again. This time, it was the girl who opened the door like she was expecting her to return so soon. ¡°You are back?¡± The girl acted surprised but only got an angry look from Belle.¡±I¡¯m gonna be on my way now, you take care of yourself, make sure to lock the door.¡± The girl smiled as she walked past Belle to go to work on the same road Belle just ran from. Belle noticed that her hair was no longer blue. ***** Next morning. It was almost like yesterday. Belle woke up with the girl¡¯s leg over hers. The only difference was that she didn¡¯t jump out of bed, instead, she just shoved her leg off, waking her up in the process. ¡°What time is it?¡± She asked Belle but got a question from her too in return. ¡°Why won¡¯t you just help me? It¡¯s almost as if you don¡¯t want me to leave. What do you want from me? I will pay you, all you just have to do is show me to a hotel, please.¡± The girl looked at her with sleepy eyes and then sat up, rubbing the sleepiness in her eyes away. ¡°I don¡¯t want your money,¡± she yawned before continuing.¡±And you are right, I don¡¯t want you to leave.¡± ¡°What? Why?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, I guess I just don¡¯t wanna feel lonely anymore. You are the first person to stay this long at my ce and it makes me happy.¡± The girl sighed for what she was about to add.¡±I usually assume there¡¯s like something wrong with me to make people not wanna be around me. I¡¯ve got no friends, lost my family already, I do not like my colleagues one bit but then there¡¯s you, you are okay, you know. You didn¡¯t even judge me by my look the first time you saw me so yes, I don¡¯t want you to leave. Please stay?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t even know you, how can I stay.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve slept on the same bed twice now, getting to know me couldn¡¯t be that hard, could it?¡± She smiled but as usual, Belle didn¡¯t.¡±Please be my roommate, you don¡¯t have to pay while you stay, I just need someone toe home to, a friend to tell how my day was.¡± She exinedstly, why she wanted Belle to stay. ¡°My name¡¯s Zina, let¡¯s start there, what about you?¡± ¡°Belle?¡± Belle said her name, unsure if to trust her yet. ¡°Nice to officially know what to call you, Belle,¡± Zina smiled again. Belle looked at her for a while without smiling back, then sheid back down on the bed. ****** When Belle woke upter, she didn¡¯t see Zina in bed like she expected, since she stayed in bed all day yesterday. She perceived pancakesing from behind the beaded curtain. ¡°Is that the only thing you like to eat?¡± Belle leaned on the wall with her arms folded as she asked her. Zina turned to her after flipping a pancake in the kitchen. ¡°It¡¯s my favourite food to eat. If you want, I could make you a sandwich?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll eat what you are eating,¡± Belle replied. ¡°Here,¡± Zina passed her the maple syrup across the counter after using it. She didn¡¯t eat till Belle had had some of it.¡±How is it?¡± She asked excitedly. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Belle said inly even if her taste buds knew that the pancakes Zina made were way more than okay. ¡°What can I be doing to contribute as I stay here?¡± Belle askedter on, while they were still eating. ¡°Nothing. You just have to stay here all day, you know, chill with me then you can have a good night¡¯s sleep when I go to work at night.¡± Zina said in response. ¡°No, I¡¯m not doing that. I can¡¯t just sit here all day and then sleep while you go to work at night.¡± ¡°So you wanna work? Even when I¡¯m offering to take care of you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to be taken care of,¡± Belle thought to make it clear to her but then Zina said something that made her remember what she was almost forgetting since just a day and a half away from City S. ¡°I thought you ran away from wherever you came from? If you go out every day, someone might recognize you.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t run away, I just need some time off some things, how can you even assume that?¡± ¡°¡®I need some time off some things¡¯; ssic sentence for ¡®I ran away¡¯,¡± Zina said and drank some of the packet juice in front of her when she got an annoyed look from Belle. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she decided to apologize but Belle got up and went to the room to be alone. Belle sat in the room rethinking what Zina said. Maybe it was true, she did run away, but there wasn¡¯t anything wrong in running away from a problem you can¡¯t handle-she thought to herself. She began to wonder if Brie already knew that she was no longer in City S. She also wondered now, if Ben had also found out. ¡®He surely must have, but dly I left my phone behind.¡¯ Belle thought again. She knew Ben probably came by the house he got her to see her but didn¡¯t find her there. A kiss from Zina More time passed than Belle calcted. She had begun to write an article about random things she noticed in the new town she was in, using Zina¡¯sptop. One night, she was asleep when she felt warm breathing near her face. She regarded it as nothing because she was so much intoxicated by her deep sleep. The next morning, she was sitting in front of the kitchen counter, waiting for Zina¡¯s pancakes which she now enjoyed when Zina leaned in front of her, elbows holding up her head, she stared at Belle. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Belle asked her with a lightugh. ¡°Staring at you?¡± Zina replied. ¡°Yeah, I see that. Why are you staring at me like that?¡± ¡°Because you are cute?¡± Zina smiled and then bit her lips. ¡°P-L-E-A-S-E,¡± Belleughed at what she just said.¡±I haven¡¯t even gone out in like a month, I must look like a zombie or a vampire and you think I¡¯m cute?¡± ¡°I think Vampires are cute too,¡± Zinaughed with her.¡±Your lips are just¡­¡± Zina couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Belle¡¯s cherry-like lips. ¡°Something¡¯s burning, Zina!¡± Belle alerted and Zina quickly rushed back to the cooker and turned it off. The pancake which she had flipped before going over to Belle at the counter was now ckened to match with the ck pan. Some smoke arose from the pan. ¡°You let it burn,¡± Belle left where she sat to join her in the kitchen. ¡°Shit,¡± Zina just ran her hands through her hair with a shrug.¡±Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll deal with this, juste eat.¡± She carried the dish containing the previously fried pancakes over to the counter then came back for Belle who wouldn¡¯t stop staring at how ck the pan was now. ¡°Come on,¡± she arranged Belle¡¯s stool then brought to her the syrup bottle. ¡°So, I¡¯m supposed to watch you clean that up while I eat?¡± Belle asked, leaving Zina mute for a second.¡±Cause I¡¯m more than happy to, I¡¯m starving,¡± Zina had her mouth open with surprise now, she didn¡¯t expect Belle to say that. ¡°What? It¡¯s your fault it¡¯s all burnt and ck like that. I don¡¯t burn things when I cook,¡± Belleughed and Zina joined in. While she cleaned the pan, Zina turned back to Belle to tell her something. ¡°Do you wannae with me to the club tonight?¡± ¡°The one you work at?¡± ¡°Yeah, where else?¡± ¡°Won¡¯t you be busy working all through, it won¡¯t be fun if I just go there alone.¡± ¡°No, I will be with you the whole time, you see, tonight¡¯s the club¡¯s ¡®All employees day¡¯, so we get to invite our friends to party with us, just the employees; it will be shut for non-employees.¡± ¡°Oh. ¡°Yeah. Would you like toe?¡± ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t clubbed in quite a while, I hope I don¡¯t embarrass you but sure, I wille, it¡¯s not like I have anything to do here.¡± ***** 04:57 am. ¡°Wow, this is the most fun I¡¯ve had in a long time,¡± Belle giggled as both she and Zina walked out of the club. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s how dope my workce is, just that we don¡¯t get to have this much fun on normal days.¡± Zina smiled, feeling happy for the night. ¡°There¡¯s no taxi or anything pulling up to look for passengers. What do we do, Zina?¡± Belle tugged onto her arm like a baby. ¡°We could just wait?¡± ¡°Where? I don¡¯t wanna go back inside, I¡¯ll just get more drunk than I am,¡± Belle told her. ¡°Are you drunk?¡± Zina asked with a chuckle because she knew Belle didn¡¯t even drink as much as she and the others inside did. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know. Well, I can¡¯t handle alcohol. I am very terrible with alcohol. It¡¯s why I¡¯m here.¡± Belleughed.¡±I drank too much once and I did something pretty stupid. Now, someone¡¯s probably dead because of me.¡± She stoppedughing and got sadly sober. ¡°You okay?¡± Zina asked when she didn¡¯t hear her talk after a while. ¡°I don¡¯t know, probably am.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s sit then.¡± Zina took her to the elevated walk path by the side of the club¡¯s entrance and they both sat. Belle didn¡¯t say anything more like she expected, she just sat and gazed up at the sky so she joined her. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± Belle confessed. ¡°Yes, it is, but it¡¯s merely as beautiful as you are.¡± Zina turned her neck to look at Belle who noticed soon that she was being stared at. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I wanna kiss you. Can I?¡± ¡°What?¡± Belle asked again but was surprised when Zina¡¯s lips touched hers. It was a warm, wet, deep but quick kiss. She wasn¡¯t expecting it. ¡°¡­¡± It was quiet between them for a while when their lips separated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Zina apologized, ¡°I should have waited for an answer before I did that.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle still said nothing. She just looked back at the sky. ¡°Are you mad?¡± Zina asked her. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Why are you quiet then?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just never been kissed by a girl before.¡±Belle looked at her.¡±Don¡¯t ever do that again, ever, okay?¡± Belle told her calmly. She didn¡¯t know how Ben found out about her and Nathan, so she didn¡¯t want anything to happen to Zina like Nathan just because of her. ¡°Okay.¡± **** When they were on their way home, the sun had started to rise. Zina asked the taxi driver to stop the car suddenly. ¡°Did you forget something back at the club?¡± Belle asked her. ¡°No, I just need to pick up something real quick.¡± Zina got down from the cab.¡±You will see me home soon, don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Belle nodded. ***** When Belle got home, she took out the key and opened the door. Dragging her feet in, she closed the door behind her and the moment she turned to go to the bedroom, the key fell from her hand.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She saw Ben standing in the kitchen with his left hand in his pocket and using the right to hold a mug. She saw a smilee upon his face after she dropped the keys and got his attention. ¡°Belle,¡± She heard that deep, thick voice she hadn¡¯t heard in over a month now. He kept the mug on the kitchen counter and came to where she stood by the door. ¡°¡­¡± Belle couldn¡¯t say a word when he came close to her, she just stared at him nkly; she didn¡¯t even bother to know how he was inside Zina¡¯s apartment, she now knew he had his ways. He cupped her small face after pushing some of her scattered hair behind her ears, a calm smile on his face. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± he told her but noticed how sleepy she was after she didn¡¯t stop with her nk stare.¡±You are tired, maybe we should talk when you have had some sleep.¡± Belle still didn¡¯t say anything, she just walked past him toward the room. Ben let his eyes follow her till she went behind the beaded curtain. Almost as soon as Belle left the living room, Zina walked in with a bouquet of flowers in hand, they were pink roses. She didn¡¯t see Ben till she closed the door behind her and turned around. ¡°Sir!¡± She greeted with shock written over her. Ben watched her panic at his presence but the only thing that caught his eyes were the flowers she held. He knew they were Belle¡¯s favorite. ¡°What are those for?¡± He asked her about the flowers, returning both his hands to his pockets. ¡°These?¡± Zina lifted the flowers like she didn¡¯t know that was what he was asking about. When Ben didn¡¯t reply, she knew to think of the answer right away.¡±These were uhm¡­ given to me by someone, just now, right outside before I came up. It¡¯s from an admirer,¡± Zina sweated out a lie because her boss could not find out that she nned to give the flowers to Belle. ¡°I will just throw it away,¡± Zina smiled nervously and went ahead to throw the flowers in the bin in the kitchen. She returned to where she stood previously with her hands behind her back like it should be whenever she had to talk to Ben; it was something every member of his security team did except for Randy. Ben wasn¡¯t pleased by all she just did but he didn¡¯t care about any of that at the moment, he was there to meet his Belle. ¡°Sir, I didn¡¯t know you would being,¡± Zina said after some silence. ¡°Do I work for you, or do you work for me?¡± ¡°I work for you, sir. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Zina apologized. She knew he was letting her know he didn¡¯t need her permission toe see Belle when he wanted to. Come back with me to City S Zina stood still till Ben left for the room to meet Belle, that was when she could finally be at ease. She heaved a sigh of relief and ran her fingers through her hair, thanking her stars that he didn¡¯t find out she was feeling something for Belle. She immediately went and shoved down some of the flowers that hadn¡¯tpletely entered the bin. She had seen the flowers while she was in the cabing home with Belle, and had remembered Belle mentioning how she loved pink roses so she stopped the cab back then to go get her some but was met with Ben¡¯s surprising visit when she made it home. She sat on the couch, cursing herself inwards at how she had forgotten that Belle was in some tangled situation with Ben, and how she was only there to look after her and make sure she was safe. She knew she would lose so much more than her job if Ben got to find out that she was beginning to like Belle so she decided to erase every growing feeling that was in her concerning Belle. *****T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Late Morning. Belle opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling aimlessly, then she turned in bed to continue sleeping but saw Ben sitting beside her on the bed. She quickly sat up. Although she had seen him earlier after returning from the club, she had fallen asleep and thought it was just a mere dream but seeing him sitting next to her surprised her all over again. ¡°Ben?¡± She called to make sure she wasn¡¯t just imagining his presence again like some days. He smiled at her and she knew it wasn¡¯t her imagination, he was there but how?! She asked herself. ¡°You finally woke up,¡± his smile didn¡¯t leave his lips. ¡°How are you here?¡± She asked, her chest going up and down as she breathed loudly.¡±How did you know I was here, how did you find me?¡± She asked again and heard him chuckle lightly before letting it return to a smile. ¡°Find you? Were you in some sort of hiding?¡± He caressed her face as he asked rhetorically. ¡°You can¡¯t be here,¡± Belle told him, wondering where the hell Zina was.¡±I don¡¯t stay here all by myself. Zina¡¯s going to be back soon, probably, and she can¡¯t see you here, she might recognize you. I don¡¯t want to have to exin to her, how I know you and¡­¡± ¡°Rx,¡± Ben lifted the nket separating their bodies, and came closer to her on the bed.¡±She won¡¯t be a problem, she won¡¯t disturb us.¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand¡­¡± Belle wanted to exin further but Ben stopped her when he brought her into his cuddle. ¡°Come here,¡± he put his arms around her, making her rest her head on his chest. Belle didn¡¯t know how much she missed him doing that till he did it. She got to smell him like she used to; she inhaled the scent of him and it somehow made her calm as she resolved to enjoy his fingers ying with her hair. ¡°Zina is just one of my securities whom I picked to keep you safe while you stay here.¡± Ben disclosed to her and saw her lift her head to look at him.¡±She works for me. You see, Belle, I understood that you needed some time to clear your head of some things and that was why you left City S, so I designated her toe over here and help you befortable and safe while you stayed here but then, every time she reports to me, it¡¯s always the same; you don¡¯t ever mention that you want to return to city S.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a month and it¡¯s been crazily unusual without you around. I had a bad day yesterday and all I wanted to do was toe back to you and feel all that weighte off of me like always because you give me this¡­ this peace and I can¡¯t exin it. I nned to do just that but I remembered that you weren¡¯t there so I started on the road toe here; at least seeing you would calm me down and it did.¡± He finished. ¡°So, Zina isn¡¯t a girl who doesn¡¯t have any friends and lost her family?¡± Belle asked, shocking Ben with the question. ¡°Is that all you care about in all I just said to you?¡± Ben was somewhat hurt by it but decided to answer the question.¡±She had no family or friends when I employed her.¡± Ben didn¡¯t want to go into details about Zina and how he met her when he went to visit his birth mother at the slump of a ce he had spent some years of his life in. ¡°Belle, I just want to take you back with me, do you not understand that I really missed you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going back to City S.¡± She voiced her decision. ¡°You are still angry about him?¡± Ben could get annoyed. ¡°It¡¯s not just him, you know, he had a family, and friends too, you didn¡¯t even consider how those people would feel. What did you even do to him?¡± She questioned because she still followed up on the news since she left and knew he still hadn¡¯t been seen or heard from by anyone. ¡°If you had stayed away from him like I told you, none of this would have had to happen. He deserves everything I did to him, that bastard drugged you into spending the night with him; he told me that himself, and was unremorseful about it. He had the guts to tell me that it was the best time he had ever had with any woman; I was going to spare him because of how you felt about it all but not at that point, Belle.¡± ¡°If I could bring him back and inflict more pain on him, I swear I will.¡± Belle could hear the anger in his voice. She stopped for a moment and thought it through. She now remembered telling him that she didn¡¯t drink and so would get a non-alcoholic wine. She became speechless when it all came to her. ¡®He drugged me,¡¯ she spoke in her mind, ¡®he actually drugged me,¡¯ Anger arose from within her, and then it became a feeling she couldn¡¯t express; it was one where she didn¡¯t know if to still be mad at Ben or not. ¡°Even if he did drug me, who are you to y god, huh?¡± Tears formed in her eyes.¡±You just decide what to do, and go ahead to do it like it¡¯s all nothing.¡± She wiped a rolling tear on her right cheek with the back of her palm. It went silent between them for a while, with both still sitting side by side on the bed. Belle felt two of Ben¡¯s fingers climb up her arm. She turned her teary eyes to him when he took her right hand in his. ¡°Come back with me to city S,¡± he kissed her hand after he spoke. Belle chuckled. She knew he didn¡¯t just request her to return with him, it was just him telling her what he wanted her to do. She had gotten too used to his sometimes autocratic self. ¡°Like if I refuse, you are not going to put me in a car and take me there anyways.¡± She looked away. At the hospital Belle just looked outside the window while seated next to Ben as Zina drove. Once in a while, she would look at Zina and wonder how she didn¡¯t know that she was just there to protect her. She was so different now that Ben was with them; she talked less and smiled less even when she managed to speak. Belle sighed. The car drove by the Crisp-TV media house building before they got to her house. Zina came down first and opened the door for her, she looked at the ground while Belle got down, avoiding eye contact with her. Ben leaned by the door frame with his hands in his pocket as he watched Belle after she walked into her room. She stood for some seconds and looked at the bed, her phone was still there, where she kept it before leaving. She went and picked it up then went to meet Ben. ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay here anymore. I can¡¯t.¡± She sniffed. ¡°Okay. I will make sure the first house by the media house is vacant by tonight, so you can stay there from tomorrow,¡± Ben told her while holding her face and stroking her cheeks with both his thumbs. ¡°No, I don¡¯t want that ce either. I don¡¯t want to stay anywhere around here.¡± She shook her head as she spoke. ¡°Won¡¯t you rather a ce closer to work?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to work there anymore, I don¡¯t want to be around here. I want somece quiet.¡± Ben stopped caressing her cheeks when she said that. He lifted her face to look into her eyes.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Okay.¡± He told her. He was going to give her whatever she wanted. **** Belle knocked on the door to Brie¡¯s apartment and waited for it to open. ¡°Belle!¡± It was Cherry.¡±Where have you been?!¡± ¡°Did you say, Belle?!¡± She heard Brie ask from inside and soon she was at the door. She pushed Cherry aside so she could see Belle.¡±Where have you been?!¡± Belle was met by her sister¡¯s sudden outpour of anger. ¡°Brie!¡± Cherry called her name to stop her, and she seeded because Brie just went back in without saying any other thing to Belle. After Belle stood outside for a while, drying the little tears that had formed in her eyes, she went inside like Cherry had been begging her to. She saw Brie¡¯s traveling bag sitting on the couch when she walked in, so she looked at Brie to get an idea of what was happening but Brie said nothing still. She just stood and tapped her feet angrily then she hissed and went to the room. ¡°Where is she going?¡± Belle asked Cherry and saw a facial reaction she only saw her have whenever there was bad news.¡±Where is she going?¡± She asked again when Cherry¡¯s answer didn¡¯te the first time. ¡°She¡¯s going back home, your grandma has been sick since three days ago.¡± ¡°O my god.¡± It was Belle¡¯s reaction. ¡°Yeah. Brie only got permission from our workce to take a leave today so she¡¯s packed her things to go stay with your grandma till she gets better. She¡¯s been trying to reach since forever you but to no avail.¡± Belle covered her mouth with both her hands as she whimpered with tears dropping down her cheeks more than she could control. Brie came back out with her hand purse and just picked up her traveling bag, without giving any attention to Belle even if she wanted to. ¡°Brie, how are your traveling ns, I wannae with you.¡± Belle chased after her but she didn¡¯t stop, she was still trying to ignore her sister.¡±Please, Brie, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Belle went and stood in front of her, blocking her proposed exit through the door. Brie stared at her for some time but then sniffed inaudibly. ¡°There¡¯s a bus waiting outside, it will take us straight to the hospital. I pre-ordered it.¡± She told Belle. ¡°Okay.¡± Belle nodded and got out of the way. As soon as Brie started down the stairs, she followed behind her. ***** When they got to the hospital, Brie went to the receptionist¡¯s table to ask questions while Belle waited. As she waited, she saw her grandma being carried on a gurney as she was being transferred to a different ward. She went after them. ¡°Excuse me,¡± she held the arm of one of the nurses apanying her grandma. ¡°Yes? How may I help you?¡± ¡°Uhm, that¡¯s my¡­¡± ¡°Where are you taking her to?!¡± Brie showed up. ¡°Who is she?¡± The nurse panicked because of the way Brie approached her and asked no one in particr. ¡°My sister,¡± Belle answered, ¡°That¡¯s my grandmother. May we know where she is being taken?¡± ¡°Oh. She is being returned to ward A, she was put in the ICU earlier but since no one showed up as her family to pay the dues¡­¡± ¡°We are here now,¡± Brie interrupted the nurse speaking. ¡°Well, you should do the necessary. Meet the receptionist over there, you¡¯ll be directed to where to make the necessary payments. Only after doing that, will we continue with the patient¡¯s treatment.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll do that right away,¡± Brie said and returned to the receptionist¡¯s table while Belle watched them leave with her unconscious grandmother. She looked towards the receptionist¡¯s table and saw Brie looking worried as she stood there so she went to meet her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Brie? Did you make inquiries yet?¡± She asked when she got to her but didn¡¯t get a reply from her, she only saw her try to blink away some tears. ¡°Okay, you are scaring me now, Brie. What did she say?¡± Belle assumed the receptionist must have said something to make her sister act the way she was. ¡°Brie?¡± She shook her when she still didn¡¯t give any reply. ¡°Where are going to get such an amount from?¡± Brie finally spoke but sniffed after. ¡°Did she say how much yet? How much is it? Say something,e on.¡± Belle urged her to continue. ¡°I didn¡¯t let her finish¡­¡± Brie sniffed again. ¡°What are you saying, Brie?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t let her finish all she wanted to say because¡­ because she mentioned that the deposit fee is a hundred and fifty thousand¡­ one hundred and¡­¡± Brie wanted to repeat the amount but the lump in her throat wouldn¡¯t let her. ¡°O my god,¡± Belle covered her mouth with her right palm. ¡°And that¡¯s just the deposit to be made before she would be transferred back to the ICU. She hasn¡¯t mentioned the other dues.¡± Brie wiped the tears in her face with the back of her palm.¡±I don¡¯t even have that much an amount in my ount. What I have is a hundred and twelve.¡± She sniffed again, shaking her head as she looked at Belle. ¡°We can add mine to yours, plus grandma¡¯s insurance,¡± Belle suggested. ¡°Okay, but that is just for the deposit fee, and Grandma¡¯s insurance is expired.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Belle went silent, she didn¡¯t think of that. After some seconds of silence, she remembered that Brie said she didn¡¯t let the receptionist finish so she turned to the woman to ask about it, just to know where they stood. ¡°Deposit fee is a hundred and fifty thousand, ward fee is¡­ and that totals to three hundred and thirty-five thousand.¡± Belle heard the woman read out the total amount they had to pay from the screen in front of her and couldn¡¯t believe her ears. ¡°But mind you, this isn¡¯t very urate, when you are ready, I will lead you to the billing department and you could be given more information.¡± The receptionist added. I鈥檒l meet you soon ¡°What did they say?¡± Belle asked Brie after she returned from the billing department. ¡°Nothing much different,¡± Brie shrugged, devastated as before. ¡°So what are we doing now? Grandma needs to be attended to with urgency, or else her health will depreciate more, that¡¯s what the nurse said when she returned,¡± After she spoke, Belle got a call. Brie asked her to answer it as it might be Cherry calling to know how things were going so Belle answered her phone without checking to see who it was. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you let me know?¡± She heard Ben¡¯s voice over the phone. ¡°Ben?¡± ¡°Have they begun giving her the treatments she needs now?¡± She heard him ask and wondered what he was talking about. ¡°Ben, my grandma has been ill for some days now, I didn¡¯t know till I found out earlier today, so I¡¯m back to my hometown with my sister.¡± She thought he should know but after saying all that, she realized that he might already know.¡±Do you already know?¡± She decided to ask and was sure she heard him sigh. ¡°Yes. I will meet you soon.¡± She heard him answer but didn¡¯t get a chance to say anything else because he hung up. ¡°Oh no, where are they transferring grandma to again?¡± She heard Brie mutter before approaching the group of nurses who again, were escorting their grandma being pushed in the gurney. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Brie tried to stop them but no one gave any attention to her. It was the nurse who spoke to them the first time that came to their aid. ¡°She¡¯s being taken back to the ICU,¡± the woman said and walked past them both in such a hurry that made them wonder. ¡°Do you think something happened to Grandma?¡± Fear took Belle¡¯s heart as the dried tears she had before renewed. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Brie rubbed her face as she also became worried. Belle felt the need for a hug and so hugged Brie who hugged her back. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose grandma, not now.¡± Belle cried in a shaky voice. While she still hugged her sister with her face resting on Brie¡¯s shoulder, she saw some men walk in through the hospital entrance. They weren¡¯t dressed in suits as usual but she could recognize that they were Ben¡¯s security because she saw Randy. It was at that moment she recalled what Ben said to her when he called. ¡®I¡¯ll meet you soon¡¯. She saw him walk in after Randy. The men soon scattered in their directions and only Randy walked behind him as he approached her. She left Brie and ran to him, giving herself a lift when she got close enough to put her arms around his neck. Ben circled his arms around her waist when she jumped on him and held her from falling because her feet weren¡¯t on the ground anymore. Brie turned around and saw Ben holding Belle tight. She rolled her eyes and hissed in annoyance at his presence but looked away after his eyes met hers coincidentally. She did that because she knew what she had done in Belle¡¯s absence. She assumed that he probably found out about the numerous reports that she had dropped at different police stations in City S, telling them that he had kidnapped her sister for the second time. Ben didn¡¯t tell Belle about any of it. Ben was now leaning in to hug Belle after her legs touched the ground but she didn¡¯t want to let go of his embrace; he let her continue with it. Belle was enjoying the rxing warmth that came from hugging him as she inhaled his perfume. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He whispered to her, their necks pressed against each other¡¯s. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Can I take away from here then? I¡¯ve noticed you don¡¯t like being at the hospital.¡± Belle unwrapped her arms from around his neck to look at him when he asked that. ¡°My grandma is¡­¡± ¡°I know, I just want to take you somewhere else, anywhere else to divert your mind from the negativity this ce brings to you.¡± He reminded her but she disagreed. ¡°No, you don¡¯t know. You don¡¯t understand, Ben, my grandma was just transferred back to the ICU, and we don¡¯t even know if there is a problem or not, none of the nurses that were apanying her were beingprehensive enough for us to know that.¡± ¡°Your grandmother is fine.¡± ¡°And how would you know that?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°She was being transferred back to the ICU because all the payments for her treatment had beenpleted, not because of any health emergency.¡± ¡°What?¡± Belle became confused at his words. ¡°Your grandmother¡¯s health is stable at the moment. Did you talk to any of her doctors yet?¡± He was genuinely surprised that she didn¡¯t know. ¡°Not yet, no one is willing to speak to us yet,¡± Belle shrugged. ¡°Why is that?¡± Ben was angered after he heard her.¡±Randy?¡± ¡°Sir,¡± Randy came forward and with just a look, he was given orders by Ben. ¡°Where is he going?¡± Belle asked Ben. ¡°To get one of the doctors handling your grandmother¡¯s health issue, so you can be assured that she¡¯s okay.¡± Belle nodded. ¡°Excuse me for a minute,¡± she said to him then went back to Brie who just looked away to act like she didn¡¯t care that Ben was there.¡±He took care of everything,¡± she told her. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He took care of all of grandma¡¯s hospital bills,¡± Belle repeated. ¡°Why? Did you ask him?!¡± Brie whispered loudly. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t,¡± Belle told the truth.¡±I have no idea how he knew about it even, I¡¯m just finding out that he did too.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Brie became quiet for a while before peeking a nce a him.¡±He is staring at you.¡± She told Belle, who looked behind her to see. ¡°Yeah, he does that. I didn¡¯t even expect he coulde all this way.¡± ¡°And now I have to thank him,¡± Brie hissed and folded her arms, feigning anger. They both walked back to where Ben stood and when they got there, Brie stood awkwardly for a minute before bringing her lips to talk. ¡°Thank you.¡± She just said and looked up at him, he didn¡¯t have an expression for her to depict his reaction to her gratitude. It made her wonder how Belle could keep up with him. Fortunately for her, Randy returned with a doctor walking closely behind him. He returned to standing at some distance and let the doctor meet his boss. ¡°Good day, Mr Larkson. Sorry about any of the inconveniences concerning the patient.¡± Belle heard the man apologize about her grandma. Ben nodded and decided to speak. ¡°These are her grandchildren, they want to know the condition of their grandmother.¡± He gestured to both Brie and Belle at the same time. ¡°Ah, yes, sure. Please return with me to my office if you don¡¯t mind, it¡¯s not something we should stand and talk about.¡± Missed you Her call was answered at the first ring, so she went direct with her questions.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Ben, where are you? Randy says he can¡¯t take me to see you without you giving him a go-ahead, so where are you?¡± ¡°Good afternoon, Miss. Sir Larkson isn¡¯t here to take your call, I¡¯m sorry. But if it¡¯s important, I am more than avable to ry your message,¡± Belle heard a polite female voice reply to her through Ben¡¯s phone. ¡°Oh, okay.¡± She knew it had to be his assistant. ¡°I will make sure to inform him of your call when he returns to the office,¡± she heard thedy again before ending the call, disappointed that she couldn¡¯t go to him. Randy saw that disappointment on her face and wished he could help her but he did dare go against Ben. **** Belle waster driven to the new house Ben got her. She was tired and couldn¡¯t stay awake even if she wanted to overthink some things. Late into the night, she felt a hand rubbing on her shoulder, it felt nice. The touch extended to her arm, then she felt a finger stroking her cheeks. It all felt good till it came to her mind that she should be the only one in the room and the house. She sat up and switched on the lights by the bed. She saw Ben sitting by the edge of the bed, close to her. ¡°You scared me,¡± she told him while trying to catch her lost breath. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± Ben told her and lifted his feet from the ground, joining her fully in bed now. He brought himself closer to her and rested his head on her thighs as she sat. Belle saw him do something unusual. She didn¡¯t know what to do for some seconds but she quickly thought to just caress his hair. She began stroking his hair slowly and gently, wanting to ask some questions but having second thoughts on it. ¡°How is your grandmother doing now?¡± Ben said something, breaking the silence that existed since she began stroking his hair. ¡°Better.¡± She replied and it went silent again. It made her stop with what she was doing to his hair. She lifted his face, looked at him for a while as he let her, and made a conclusion from her observation. ¡°Ben, are you okay?¡± She questioned after noticing how pale his face was. The lights were more dim than bright but she could see how tired and drained he looked. ¡°I¡¯m not, ¡°He was honest with his answer.¡±I¡¯m not okay, Belle. I just need a little break,¡± he rested his head back on herp, enjoying her linen night shorts, and how smooth they felt to his face but he knew it wasn¡¯t just the material making him feel calm, it was Belle. ¡°What do you need a break from?¡± ¡°Everything.¡± His answer was quick and precise. ¡°Everything? Me too? Is that why you wouldn¡¯t let Randy take me to you?¡± ¡°No Belle, I came to you as soon as I could. When I need a break, all I need is you.¡± His arms encircled her waist in bed.¡±I just want to feel your touch, because somehow, that makes me feel so much at ease.¡± Belle smiled involuntarily, not knowing when she did. She loved to hear Ben say such words to her. ¡°I remember when I was still little,¡± he paused, a part of him contemting if to continue with his decision to tell her about what had happened. He knew she wouldn¡¯t take it out, he trusted her but then, he didn¡¯t like to talk about things that were hard for him to remember; he didn¡¯t like to remember it even, because whenever he did, it exposed this hurt side of him that not everybody knew. ¡°When I was younger, my father was never around, only came by once in a few weeks to visit. I asked my mother about it; my birth mother,¡± he specified.¡±She told me that Dad¡¯s work required that he traveled a lot hence the reason he wasn¡¯t always visiting home. I was young, I believed it.¡± Heughed shortly. ¡°Quite a lot of time passed, and Dad didn¡¯te to visit anymore. Mother said he was nning a big surprise for my sixth birthday, and that was the reason he hadn¡¯t visited in a long time, I believed.¡± Benughed again. ¡°Fairly, he did n a big surprise, right? He shows up all of a sudden on my birthday, and tells me these exact words: ¡®Happy birthday son, do you know I will be taking you somewhere beautiful today?''¡± ¡°Excited as I was, I ran and told my mother all about it, but she didn¡¯t seem happy when I told her dad was back. They talked privately, and then my mother just asks me to be a good boy for her, and kissed me goodbye, before signing these papers. I was young, but I wasn¡¯t stupid.¡± ¡°When dad stoppeding home, things changed a lot, it became hard to feed, and my mother always sent me to the neighbors whenever any of her male friends visited.¡± Belle stopped massaging when he paused, she looked at his face and saw a dry smile. ¡°I had to watch my mother been harassed by these men sometimes because she hadn¡¯t paid the rent, or was due for old bills and all of that, I think she borrowed money from the wrong persons back then.¡± Ben inhaled deeply. ¡°I only realized what had just happened when I was in the car with my father and I looked back and saw my mother crying. He was taking me away from her, but I couldn¡¯t do anything, I had stupidly promised my mother not to talk about her wherever I was going.¡± ¡°My father took me home, and Mrs Larkson has been the best mother anyone who isn¡¯t a birth mother could be to me. She gave me everything good, and all I¡¯ve done all these years is lie to her.¡± ¡°I was so focused on keeping my birth mother¡¯s promise, not to mention anything about her, that I bnced myself to believe that my adopted mother would be happier not knowing that her husband had a son from another woman.¡± ¡°He told her that I was from an orphanage, had some fake papers made up, and somehow, yes, I am a part of this whole big lie. All the while she has known me, I have been lying to her, but what I wanted was to save her the pain. Every time I see her smile, I feel like she is too precious to be hurt by the truth; I feel like she doesn¡¯t deserve what my father did to her, but at the same time, I couldn¡¯t tell her anything about it, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to do it¡­ all these years.¡± He paused for a while and Belle lifted his face to caress it. ¡°But now she knows,¡± he chuckled sadly, ¡°Now she knows; my father told her everything while they were having an argument. It¡¯s the reason she ended up in the hospital, she couldn¡¯t take it.¡± ¡°Since she recovered, she isn¡¯t willing to talk to me, or even look at me sometimes. I hurt her, and I know. She cries about it sometimes when no one is there to see her, but I see her, I just can¡¯t go to her, I can¡¯t even begin to apologize, she is only going to push me away.¡± ¡°And your father?¡± Belle asked after all he said. ¡°My father¡­¡± Ben trailed and sighed. He alone knew the things he had in mind to do to his father but he couldn¡¯t, at least not now. He didn¡¯t need to be reminded how much both his mothers loved that man. Anything happening to him now was just going to make things worse. Very soon, it became quiet again. Belle checked and saw that he was asleep. She lifted his head from herp and made himfortable with a pillow but when she tried to leave the bed, he held her back. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back to himself, enclosing her in his arms and making the distance between them diminish. Belle put her leg over his, making herself avable for him to snuggle. ¡°Is this what you want?¡± She asked in a hushed tone but didn¡¯t get an answer. He had fallen back asleep. I love you, Belle Morning. Belle woke up and Ben wasn¡¯t beside her. She sat up and looked around but didn¡¯t see him. Falling back on the pillows, shey back down with a sigh, assuming he had left while she was still asleep. Her assumption was wrong because Ben soon opened the door to the room and came in with a tray in his hands. He kept it on the bed carefully, before leaning into her and kissing her on the cheeks. ¡°Is my hair messy?¡± She asked but Ben justughed as a response. ¡°d you¡¯ve woken up, else I would have had to, brought you breakfast. Thought you wouldn¡¯t be in the mood to make yourself something, seeing how tired you werest night.¡± ¡°Tired? I was tired. Did you see yourselfst night?¡± She retorted and watched a smilee on his face. The smile soon became dry before diminishing. Her mind automatically went back tost night and all he told her, she knew that was probably what he remembered to make his smile fade. She stood on the bed and held his face in her small hands like he always held hers, and then she pecked him on the lips. A smile came back to his lips, it turned into a light chuckle before fading again. ¡°The whole of city S knew when my mother was hospitalized just a few hours after she had a myocardial infarction, and even though it wasn¡¯t very serious, I didn¡¯t want it to get to the media.¡± He sighed.¡±Now that they know, they probably are finding ways to know more, and if the public by any chance knows any more than they do, it could be catastrophic for me, mypany, the family¡¯s reputation, my mum, her health, especially her mental health.¡± ¡°I mean, the media isn¡¯t sure about your mother¡¯s hospitalization, right? They don¡¯t know for sure, it just somehow got out there but until you publicly ept that it¡¯s true, they are not sure. That¡¯s how I¡¯ve seen things happen while working for Mrs Johnson, sometimes there¡¯s no urate source, so we just publish the news in the form of a question, not ndering the name of the person being talked about but just asking, kind of.¡± Ben smiled again while she spoke. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to keep things in ce, keep the family issues out of public eyes, and make sure my mother¡¯s okay. She won¡¯t even look at me since she returned from the hospital, it¡¯s like she can¡¯t bring herself to forgive me.¡± Ben stopped talking for some seconds, making it silent between them both till he said something else. ¡°I forgot to add a ss of water to the tray, I¡¯ll go get it.¡± She heard him say before he left. A few minutes after he left, his phone started to ring. Belle got down from the bed and went to look at it, at the top of the drawer. She saw that it was Alex calling. Her breathing became slower when she saw her name on the screen of his phone. It made her remember the night at the charity event, where she met her at the restroom. ¡®The Ben I know isn¡¯t pleased by girls like you,¡¯ She remembered her exact words. When Ben returned with the ss of water, she took it from him before he could set it on the tray. She took a sip Initially, then another sip. She finally gulped the whole ss while Ben stood watching her. When she was done, she kept it on the tray picked the dish, and started to fork some into her mouth. She sat and continued to eat. When Ben joined her on the bed, she stopped chewing, took in a deep breath, then asked: ¡°What kind of women do you like? Thick? With an hourss shape? Let me guess, you like models?¡± ¡°Are you okay?¡± Benughed lightly because he found it funny that she was asking that with her mouth partly filled. ¡°Yeah, I am.¡± She nodded and swallowed.¡±Are you going to ignore those questions?¡± ¡°Do you want an honest answer?¡± Belle nodded to his question.¡±Yes, I like thick women; thick models actually.¡± Belle stopped chewing and focused her eyes on him when he said those; they looked ready to burn him, but he wasn¡¯t done. ¡°¡­ But then, I¡¯m fucking you,¡± he smiled.¡±You have a charm that pulls me in like a ma, and even when I try, I can¡¯t exin it to myself.¡± Belle started to chew again, slowly, her eyes still on him. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s your eyes, I don¡¯t know,¡± he smiled more significantly.¡±But again, it¡¯s not just your eyes, everything else: Your meek smile, your indecisiveness sometimes¡­¡± He was still listening when Belle climbed on top of him, sitting over him on the bed. She had kept the tray containing the dish on the bedside table. He didn¡¯t waste any time to put his arms around her waist. Belle nibbled on his ear while he had his face in direct contact with her breasts. Though they weren¡¯t very big, he enjoyed how pointy they were, and how hard her nipples got whenever he touched her. He skillfully turned her to be beneath him on the bed, iming her lips as soon as he did that. Belle¡¯s legs wrapped around his waist as she lifted her hips after he made hery on the bed. In no wasted time, Belle¡¯s clothes were off her. Ben¡¯s too. He heard her when she let out a low moan on his first entry, it made him smile before going deeper. Belle¡¯s hands yed on his bare back while they shared more kisses but the moment he put more inches in her, she stopped rubbing on his back. Ben felt her fingers dig into the flesh on his back and knew he just put her in the state he wanted. He kissed her right ear.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh Ben,¡± she muttered in between breaths, biting her lips afterward as she took all of him. ¡°I just remembered that I didn¡¯t punish you yet for leaving City S without nning to let me know about it.¡± He whispered in the ear he just kissed. Belle wasn¡¯t really listening to him. Her sense of touch was much more active than her sense of hearing at the moment. She eased her grip on his back but then he went in and out of her and she lost it. Ben looked her in the eyes as he fucked her to the point of wordlessness. No voice escaped her lips but the broken moans every time he went in and out of her. Belle¡¯s eyes opened in utter shock when his left hand went around her neck before he came inside of her. She didn¡¯t know what she was more surprised about, that Ben just came in her or that he decided to choke her while doing it. It just urred to her that he had been fucking her raw. He pulled out after and let some of it spill over her pussy before sliding back inside her. ¡®Did he just cum inside me?¡¯ She asked herself with multiple blinks of her eyes. It was the first time he was doing so; she had no issue with it yet she was surprised because it was him. It was Ben, he didn¡¯t like to fuck without protection but he just fucked her without a condom on and came inside her. Her mind was scattered. She was thinking about what he just did, and he was doing more, he was fucking her brains out with his every thrust. She couldn¡¯t even think properly about what he just did like she wanted to. She felt his lips trail on her neck, then her shoulder. He kissed her earlobe, whispering some words to her. ¡°I love you, Belle.¡± Whatever makes you happy Later. Belle woke up with suddenly. It made Ben sit up too. ¡°Ben,¡± She called when she saw that he was also awake. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here.¡± He held her, ¡°Take a breath.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded and did as she was asked, breathing in and out slowly. It made her rx and Ben noticed it. ¡°Good,¡± he smiled.¡±Talk to me, I¡¯m listening.¡± Ben wanted to know what made her get up with such suddenness. ¡°Earlier,¡± She began, leaning back into his arms. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°While we had sex, you said something¡­¡± She trailed, hoping he would catch what she was referring to. She didn¡¯t want toplete it because she knew he didn¡¯t like the topic. ¡°I said something? Be specific.¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°You know, you whispered these words to me¡­ or did you?¡± She stopped and asked herself, biting her lips and thinking to herself. He didn¡¯t know but most of the time they had sex, she always imagined how he was saying how much he loved her while he fucked her. It was something she discovered that gave her orgasm reach a boost, and when he said ¡®I love you¡¯ to her while sliding in and out of her earlier, it took her to the clouds and back. A different kind of ecstasy took over her, she knew, but what she didn¡¯t know was if he actually said those words to her or if it was just her usual imagination. ¡°Are you asking?¡± His voice got her out of her thoughts. Belle took in a deep breath, hoping for his best reaction when she said what she was about to ask. ¡°Did you say¡­ you know what? Never mind.¡± She pulled on the nket and covered her face with it. ¡®What were you going to ask him, Belle?!¡¯ She scolded herself with her head underneath the nket.¡¯Don¡¯t be crazy, there¡¯s no way he actually told you he loves you.¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± He joined her under the nket. ¡°I just wished you believed in love.¡± She pouted some tears in her eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t used to believe in it, but I know I love you.¡± Belle who had been looking down at the sheets raised her head. ¡°You said it again!¡± She snapped happily.¡±It wasn¡¯t my imagination earlier, you did say it.¡± ¡°I did,¡± he chuckled lightly, enjoying how happiness reflected in her eyes. ¡°Say it again?¡± She climbed on top of him like earlier but now under the nket. ¡°I love you.¡± He said it to her hearing and saw her smile grow from calm to excited. ¡°O my goodness,¡± she covered her mouth with her right palm.¡±Why does this make me so happy?¡± She blinked and a tear fell on his chest but it wasn¡¯t a sad tear. ¡°Don¡¯t cry,¡± he used his thumb to dry the wet trail that the single teardrop had left on her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m trying not to,¡± she smiled and leaned in to give him a kiss but paused.¡±Hold on, is this one of my dreams?¡± Benughed and squeezed her ass so she could agree that she wasn¡¯t dreaming. Belleughed when he did that and then kissed him as she nned. ***** Brie came from her room and joined her friend, Cherry on the couch in the living room. They were about to start eating a box of pizza they just ordered when they heard the bell ring. ¡°Did you forget to tip the delivery guy?¡± Brie asked Cherry who had a slice of pizza near her mouth already. ¡°No, I tipped him. I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Did you?¡± Brie tilted her head a little to the right with an eyebrow raised when asking her again. ¡°Okay, yes, I didn¡¯t. I¡¯ll go.¡± Cherry stood and headed to the door.¡±I thought he didn¡¯t care for it, he didn¡¯t ask like always.¡± She added in defense to why she didn¡¯t tip the person before opening the door. ¡°Hey,¡± Belle had a broad smile. ¡°It¡¯s Belle, not him. I told you he didn¡¯t care to be tipped today.¡± Cherry opened the door wider for Belle toe in. ¡°Oh,¡± Brie just said like she didn¡¯t care that her sister just arrived. Belle ignored what she just did and went and joined her on the couch. When Brie didn¡¯t say anything to her, she took a slice of the pizza and started to eat with her. Cherry watched them both eat together for a while without saying a word to each other, and decided to join them even if she found it unusual. ¡°Okay, weird moment right now.¡± She said to break the silence after sitting with them but neither still spoke. Brie was about to take a new slice from the box but Cherry decided to close it up to stop her. ¡°No way,¡± She looked at Brie eye to eye, and Brie looked back at her, wanting to know why she did what she did.¡±If I let you take another slice, you both are just gonna keep eating quietly, and that¡¯s boring.¡± Cherry exined. Brie rolled her eyes like she also didn¡¯t care for the pizza but she did, and she also was happy to see Belle; this was just her pretending because she felt like Belle didn¡¯t care that she cared. ¡°¡­ And I know Belle came here for a reason. Tell me I¡¯m right,¡± Cherry looked at Belle who nodded.¡±I knew!¡± Cherry announced.¡±It¡¯s good news, isn¡¯t it? I saw that smile when I opened the door.¡± Belle nodded again. ¡°Good news? What happened?¡± Brie asked, showing interest now. Cherry opened the Pizza box and took a slice for herself, ready to listen to all the new gists Belle had to tell. ¡°You two won¡¯t believe it, especially you, Brie¡­¡± Belle grinned when she started. ¡°Believe what?¡± Brie asked. She was now more interested than Cherry who usually was the one to want to know. ¡°Ben loves me.¡± Belle smiled with fulfillment echoing after her voice but she saw Brie¡¯s interest diminish the moment she mentioned Ben. Cherry only got more interested, as usual. ¡°O my god, really?¡± It was Cherry asking.¡±Did he say so or you just think he loves you because of his actions?¡± ¡°He said so. He confessed to me more than once today that he loves me.¡± Belle couldn¡¯t keep her smile behind every time she talked about Ben and earlier today. ¡°How possible?¡± Brieughed.¡±I mean, you¡¯ve told us yourself many times that he, Ben Larkson, doesn¡¯t believe in love.¡± ¡°Yes, surprising It is, I was almost unbelieving myself too,¡± Belle smiled more but Brie couldn¡¯t share with Belle¡¯s smile. She didn¡¯t believe it. ¡°There¡¯s no way.¡± Brie shook her head and ate from her slice. ¡°What do you mean there¡¯s no way? Belle¡¯s telling you herself that he confessed his love for her and you are saying there¡¯s no way?¡± Cherry opposed Brie. ¡°It¡¯s not possible, that¡¯s what I mean.¡± Brie shrugged. ¡°So you think she¡¯s lying?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. I¡¯m just saying that it¡¯s Ben Larkson we are talking about, and everyone in City S and beyond if I¡¯m not mistaken, knows that he doesn¡¯t ept that love exists, so how?¡± ¡°Well, he had a change of belief.¡± Belle shrugged. ¡°Okay, look Belle, this is¡­ I don¡¯t know what this is. Howe he believes in love all of a sudden, I don¡¯t trust it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the problem, Brie, you don¡¯t trust anybody or anything.¡± Cherry hissed. ¡°Forget that about me and think of it. I think it¡¯s unusual.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing unusual about it.¡± Cherry argued.¡±It¡¯s not like he has anything to gain if he lies about his feelings for her. Is there, Belle?¡± ¡°Ben speaks his mind without care for who it is, he doesn¡¯t lie about how he feels. I¡¯ve had to listen to him tell me many times that he wishes he could love me the way I wanted, and back then he said things like they came to his mind. Now, he finally sees that nothing is stopping him from loving me, so when he tells me that he loves me, I believe him.¡± ¡°Whatever makes you happy,¡± Brie shook her head before taking a bite off of the slice she had in hand, ¡°Just be careful with this thing you have with him.¡± After the girls were done eating they decided to watch something on TV together. Belle was the only one watching the TV, the others were busy using their phone but they stared at the television once in a while before returning their attention to their phones. Someone knocked and they all looked at the time on the table clock near the TV. Giving themselves looks to figure out if any of them were expecting somebody, it ended up in them looking at Belle at the same time. Belle shook her head to indicate that no one was supposed to be knocking at the door for her. ¡°Let me check,¡± Cherry whispered to them. ¡°Don¡¯t open the door till you know who it is, Cherry,¡± Brie advised and saw her friend nod inpliance. After looking through the doors eyehole, she saw a man but she couldn¡¯t see his face because he was too close to the door. She turned her neck and looked at Brie and Belle who were waiting to knock who it was. ¡°It¡¯s a man in a suit, and I think he¡¯s leaning by the wall because I can¡¯t see his face,¡± Cherry said to them and proceeded to open the door to both their surprise. ¡°What are you doing¡­,¡± Brie almost panicked when the door opened and she saw who they were talking about just hours ago. ¡°Ben?¡± Belle stood up when she saw him. He was standing with one of his hands in his pocket and the other holding a stick of pink rose. Brie rolled her eyes. Belle went to meet him where he stood at the door. She looked at both Brie and Cherry apologetically for having them panic after he knocked. Will you dance? ¡°What are you doing? I thought you were going to stay at your office all night. Don¡¯t you have a meeting to be at?¡± ¡°I finished early,¡± he answered all of Belle¡¯s questions. ¡°I nned to spend the night with my sister.¡± She thought to inform him. ¡°Change of ns then,¡± he put the flower behind her left ear to essorize her hair. With a smile, he continued.¡±I want to take you somewhere.¡± ¡°Where?¡± ¡°Midnight.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Is that a ce?¡± ¡°Yes. Let your sister know you are leaving.¡± **** Zina was the one driving Ben and Belle today while the other convoys followed. Belle didn¡¯t know where she was been taken till the car they rode in came to a stop. Belle saw a small but bright signboard with an inscribed name on it. It read: MIDNIGHT. Belle quickly recognized that they were outside of a nightclub. She stopped looking outside her window and turned to Ben with surprise. ¡°Are we at a club right now?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± She heard him reply before he came down from the car after Zina held the door open for him. He went round the car and opened hers. Zina saw her step out of the car with her right foot first. Her finely manicured toenails added an amount of exuberance to her feet on the ck heels she had on. ¡®Look away, Zina, look away.¡¯ She begged herself when she saw Belle in the red mini dress. It looked different now than when she picked it up from the designer. It was probably the atmosphere they were in adding a different aura to Belle¡¯s body in the dress. A soft breeze came and it made some of the feathers at the hem of the y minidress fly while still on the dress. It drew Zina¡¯s attention to Belle¡¯s skinny thighs. While her eyes were still on Belle, she saw Ben put his right arm around her waist before they started towards the red carpet leading inside. Zina closed the car door which Belle just alighted from and gave the keys to the chauffeur waiting to receive it from her. She went behind, Ben and Belle. Belle¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how different the ce was from the clubs she had been to with Brie and Cherry for clubbing before. Ben held her hand to help her up some flight to the stairs. She smiled at him before going up. When they were up, she didn¡¯t need to be informed that they were at a VIP lounge. There were averagelyrgefortable sofas facing each other with a demarcating ss table in between them. There were some men in suits standing at the four corners of the open space. Ben took her to one of the sofas and sat before her, then he helped her sit on his leftp. Zina saw her boss¡¯s right-hand restfortably on Belle¡¯s thighs with the left around her waist while he talked to her. She swallowed and looked in another direction but it wasn¡¯t long before she looked back at them both. His hand was no longer resting on Belle¡¯s thighs, he was rubbing on them instead. The man whom she stood beside noticed that she was staring and found the need to budge her by the shoulder to get her to look away again. She began to wonder if Ben found out about how she had an infatuation for his woman and decided to bring Belle here with him just to catch her staring at them spending time together. If it was a trap, she had to avoid it. She looked away again, to save herself. ¡°What would you like to have?¡± Ben whispered in Belle¡¯s ear when someone came to attend to their needs. ¡°I¡¯ll have anything good,¡± She turned her neck to the person and answered directly. ¡°Anything?¡± Ben asked her, just in case she wanted something more specific. She nodded to him and then turned to the person again. ¡°Anything, just as long as it isn¡¯t alcoholic.¡± The person blinked when her demand included something non-alcoholic. He wanted to inform her that there wasn¡¯t a possibility that there would be a non-alcoholic drink avable but she was with Ben so he just smiled politely and nodded before leaving. ¡°You didn¡¯t request what you would like to have?¡± Belle asked after the person left. ¡°He already knows what I¡¯d like to have,¡± Ben said and looked at the dancefloor downstairs. Belle saw where his eyes went so she looked down too. The drinks came quicker than Belle was used to. She knew when rich people like Ben went clubbing, they usually bought expensive drinks which came with an apanying siren but it seemed to her that Ben didn¡¯t want his presence at the club to be known. It also seemed to her like it was a private club they were at because the songs being yed weren¡¯t very loud. They were just loud enough to be heard across the room but not deafeningly loud. Zina was more than surprised when an orange drink was brought to Belle. It was the first time she had seen someone have an orange drink at a nightclub but it was what Ben¡¯s woman wanted, anything could change for that. Belle was drinking from her ss when Ben took it from her. She saw him keep it on the ss table in front of them. He brought his tumbler to her lips. She could smell the vodka. ¡°Here, have a sip.¡± ¡°No.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Come on, just a little.¡± Ben insisted. Belle ced her hands over his as he helped her drink from his tumbler. The harsh taste of the vodka hit her lips, it made her wince before pushing the ss away from her lips. ¡°A little more?¡± Ben held the tumbler still but she turned her face in an opposite direction to show that she didn¡¯t want to. ¡°I had more than a sip,¡± she frowned when she looked back at him. He just chuckled before giving her a peck on the lips. Belle didn¡¯t want a peck, she wanted a tongue kiss so she took it from him. With both her hands caressing around his neck and messing his hair a little, she kissed him back and made their tongues touch. Ben tightened his left arm around her waist when she kissed him deeply, and just when he was about to shamelessly do more than return her kiss, she separated their lips, leaving him looking at her with his lips parted. Belleughed, loudly and unexpectedly then she suddenly stopped. She kissed beneath his lips, then his cheeks, before letting her tongue wet his right ear when she suck on it. ¡°Not here,¡± she whispered to him thenughed again but not as loudly as before. ¡°You know how badly you make me lose control of myself, don¡¯t you?¡± He swallowed after he whispered back to her. Belle kept her face so close to his but didn¡¯t kiss him any more than she already did. She just bit her lower lips with a seductive smile while she enjoyed how hungry she was making him. ¡°Dance with me,¡± she stopped biting her lips. Ben smiled. He found it funny, how easily alcohol could hit her. ¡°Will you dance?¡± He asked because he knew she didn¡¯t want to dance that night at the charity event in City N. ¡°I should ask you that.¡± Sheughed again, but this time it was a low giggle. Zina saw her get up from Ben¡¯sp with her body moving in a snake-like motion. Belle danced alone for a minute while Ben watched her with a smile. He loved how her waist moved with the rhythm of the slow music. Ben gulped his ss in one go and decided to join her. This unusual action of his made the bouncers look at each other in uniform surprise. Ben went behind her so her twining waist could be against him. Belle turned around and put her arms around his neck. She continued to mess up his hair like earlier as she ran her hand through it and yed with it. She stopped dancing and Ben¡¯s hand roamed behind her, leaving her waist and caressing her small ass. ¡°Ben?¡± She called in his right ear when she ced her hands on his shoulder.¡±Let¡¯s leave.¡± ¡°You want to leave?¡± ¡°Mhmm. I just want to be alone with you so I can suck it,¡± she giggled lightly and drunkenly. Ben chuckled when she said that. He knew what ¡®it¡¯ she was speaking of. ¡°And then I¡¯m going to ride on it like a horse,¡± She rested her head on his chest to smell his perfume. Alex was at another corner which was also featured as a VIP section. She stopped drinking from the ss in her hand to watch Ben and Belle dance together, her anger was growing beyond her control again. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t havee here today,¡¯ she thought and cursed after. Kiss me more In the car. ¡°Do you really love me?¡± Belle asked once Ben joined her in the car from the other side. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ my sister doesn¡¯t believe it. She probably thinks I was joking when I told her you love me.¡± She shrugged and crossed her leg over his thighs to sit on them while facing him.¡±But I know you love me, I don¡¯t think you would say you love me if you didn¡¯t.¡± He smiled. Belle leaned in to kiss below his jaw; near his ear. She felt his budge beneath her grow so sheughed in a low voice that could disce him. ¡°O my goodness, you are so big, I can feel it.¡± ¡°Thanks to you,¡± she found his voice to be much more hoarse than before. ¡°You make me want to ride it right now but no, we are still talking.¡± She readjusted her seating position still on him before staring at him dreamily for some seconds. ¡°You are one handsome man, you know?¡± She smiled.¡±I wonder what day you would love me more than I love you.¡± Benughed. He knew she was drunk so he just listened while she said all she said but herst sentence made himugh because she thought she loved him more than he did. He took in a deep breath afterughing, a smile recing hisughter as he thought back to the first time he ever saw her,pared to when he first met her. The day he saw her was out front of a grocery store in her town. He was on a business trip to evaluate somends he nned to invest in that day, and one of the cars he came in was parked just across the road to where he saw her standing alone outside the store. He assumed she was waiting for a taxi. He remembered that she was wearing a yellow, knee-length y dress. He had looked at her without any intentions, but couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her after that. There was a transient wind that day which made her hair fly for some seconds. It also took the y dress she wore in one direction, making some of it stick to her thighs while trying to go in the direction of the wind. Belle had held down the dress from going up and exposing more of her upper thighs. It made him smile that day, he remembered. That was the moment he had a sudden desire for her. He had swallowed saliva after imagining what it would be like to have her in his bed, or even bent over a table while moaning to his strokes. ¡°Bennn,¡± he was brought back from his thoughts after Belle called his name.¡±What are you thinking about? And why are you smiling like that?¡± She faked a frown. Benughed again when he looked at her face and adored how pretty she still was even when frowning. ¡°Who were you thinking about just now? I am now sure it¡¯s not something but someone, so who?¡± She demanded but got a bigger smile from him. ¡°You.¡± ¡°Me? You are thinking about me? Why? Am I not here with you?¡± ¡°Just remembering the first time I saw you. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ve ever looked at any other woman for that long.¡± Ben smiled more when she scratched her head, confused. He wished he could start to tell her how he followed her immediately after she got into a taxi that day; how he found out where she stayed with her grandmotherand asked Randy to find out about her. He couldn¡¯t tell her that he was the one who made sure she got the internship spot she applied for. He knew when she arrived City S, and that night when they talked on the app, Sex mate, he knew when she opened the ount. He couldn¡¯t tell her that the four different ounts which she could pick to fix a day with if not him that night were also his. He wanted her and he got her. He just didn¡¯t realize why he did all he did just to spend a night with her. Yes, initially, he just wanted to sleep with her and get her out of his mind like he did with others but that was difficult for him. He wanted another night with her after that lustful night at the hotel. After he had her in his bed once and twice, he wanted her again. He just wanted her, he couldn¡¯t stop himself from thinking about her. He thought it was just her body making him lust over her but it wasn¡¯t just lust, it was love and lust. ¡°You are thinking again, is it still about me?¡± Belle pouted in his face. ¡°Mhmm.¡± He pinched her cheeks.¡±Damn, it feels so good to say this to you. I fucking love you, Belle.¡± His words brought about an automatic smile to her face; that smile of hers that gave him calm. His phone rang in the cupholder beside him. Belle turned and saw that it was Randy calling. Ben declined the call. The car stopped and they were at the new ce where Ben got her; somewhere very distant from the Crisp-tv media house. Belle didn¡¯t want to walk so she closed her eyes when they got there. Zina was d to open the house¡¯s entrance for Ben to take her in. She could finally stop having her mind messed up by Belle.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Ben gentlyid her down on the bed but she held him tight without letting go. Ben thought she was sleeping till he saw her open her eyes. ¡°Do you want to leave? Are you going to Randy? Something came up right? Is that why Randy called?¡± She asked sleepily. She wasn¡¯t asleep while Ben carried her all the way there, but after closing her eyes for some time and pretending to be asleep, the sleep came. ¡°No, I¡¯m not leaving. I¡¯ll spend the night with you.¡± ¡°Oh, kiss me then.¡± She loosened her arm from around his neck and let it roam on his shoulders. Ben gave her what her wanted. He leaned in closer and kissed her passionately, earning him one of her soft low moans. ¡°Mmn.¡± He heard her. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to go to sleep?¡± He asked her. ¡°Noooo,¡± she bit her lip.¡±Kiss me more, Ben.¡± She pecked him while looking into his eyes. Ben parted her small soft lips with his and took her tongue, giving her a wet kiss. He climbed over her as the kiss got deeper but his phone disrupted their intimacy. ¡°No, don¡¯t take it, just kiss me.¡± Belle groaned when he took the phone out of his pocket. It was Randy calling again. ¡°Just a minute,¡± he got up from her. He nned to ask Randy to save whatever had to tell him forter, then turn his phone off. ¡°Noooo,¡± she pouted and sat up after he took the call. ¡°Randy, can you not call my phone the way you do? What are we, married?¡± She heard him say to Randy before walking some good distance away from her hearing. Sitting there, she watched and admired him but it wasn¡¯t long before she started to battle with sleep, her heavy eyelids betraying her effort to stay awake. Ben turned around and saw Belle asleep with part of her hair covering her face. He returned to the bed and left his phone at the bedside table before shoving her disturbing hair backward. After that, he kissed her forehead, then her cheeks. Hestly ced a light kiss on her lips. When he wanted to cover her up with the nket, he saw that she still had her heels on so he squatted beside the bed to take it off her. He stared at her feet admiringly, loving how beautiful they were. He kissed her right foot. Her skin was smooth so he trailed his kisses all the way up her slender leg, from her ankle to her thigh but then he stopped. He didn¡¯t want to wake her up even if he still wanted to kiss all over her. In the shower, as the cold water touched his skin, he closed his eyes and let his mind think of nothing for seconds. He had a lot to think about; there still was the whole issue with his parent¡¯s marriage at a breaking point after his mother found out he was biologically rted to his father; he also had some pending issues at the office; and there were also underground businesses he had to take care of, it was why Randy called. He went and picked Belle from Brie¡¯s the soonest he could after leaving a meeting. He needed her. She was his escape from overwhelming thoughts. Taking her to the club was a way to ease his stress off. She didn¡¯t know but that was one of the reasons he gave love a chance. He spent time thinking of her and had to tell himself the obvious. His mental stress reduced to an extent since he met her. Loving her made him happy, even when he didn¡¯t ept to being in love and now that he knew he was in love with her, it was better. Like an angry ex Morning. Belle¡¯s face was buried in the pillows when she heard the sound of a vibrating phone. She lifted her head to see a missed call notification on the screen of the phone.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She saw Alex¡¯s name on the screen and immediately knew the phone that just rang wasn¡¯t hers, it was Ben¡¯s. The door to the bathroom opened so she closed her eyes because she didn¡¯t want him to think she was going through his phone. Ben walked round the bed to near where shey. He took his phone from the bed and left for the changing room with it. After he left, Belle opened her eyes andy there in bed debating if to ask him about Alex because she remembered seeing a call from her once before when he was with her. When Ben returned from the changing room, he was dressed in a grey suit, his tie loose and unknotted. Belle had closed her eyes again to pretend to be asleep till she saw how he struggled with his tie. She went and joined him where he stood in front of the mirror. cing her hand over his, she stopped him from trying to arrange the tie himself. ¡°Why do you bother wearing a tie if you can¡¯t knot it.¡± She told him before starting to knot it while it was around his neck. ¡°I usually have someone to do this for me,¡± he confessed. ¡°You were going to leave without letting me know?¡± She inquired. ¡°Surely not.¡± He looked at himself in the mirror after she was done knotting the tie.¡±Even if I did, that would be because you looked too tired to be woken up.¡± He pulled her to himself unexpectedly. ¡°Don¡¯t do that, you are going to make my headache intense.¡± She scolded him. ¡°So I can¡¯te close to you?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say that,¡± she rolled her eyes.¡±After all, it is your fault I was drunk yesterday.¡± *** Ben¡¯s office. ¡°Sir¡­¡± His assistant walked in holding her pad while reading from it. ¡°Who am I meeting next?¡± He asked her. ¡°Uhm¡­¡± He saw her scratch her head while stuttering.¡±I don¡¯t know if you want to meet with her, but she fixed an appointment like everyone else.¡± ¡°Then let her in. Whatpany is she from?¡± ¡°None we¡¯ve worked with. I think it¡¯s actually a personal meeting she is here for rather than business.¡± ¡°She fixed an appointment?¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Let her in then. I have to meet with everyone scheduled before 12 p. m., I have somewhere else to be at.¡± ¡°Okay, sir.¡± ¡°You have your time with Mr Larkson now,¡± the assistant informed thest person waiting outside. Ben saw the door knob turn right before someone walked in. He immediately got irritated by who he saw walk in. ¡°What are you doing here, Alex?¡± ¡°I fixed an appointment so I could see you here since you won¡¯t take or return any of my calls.¡± She took her time walking to his desk and taking one of the seats opposite to him. She kept her purse on the other. ¡°You don¡¯t even want to know how I have been since I left the hospital. Are you still angry with me?¡± She asked calmly and innocently but Ben wasn¡¯t buying any of it. ¡°You are still alive because Jenna¡¯s wedding ising up and I know she wants you to be part of her bridesmaids.¡± ¡°Wow, I made you that angry?¡± She blinked some tears away. ¡°I don¡¯t have the time for this. There are other persons I have to meet with today, I can¡¯t be doing this with you.¡± ¡°What am I, unimportant?¡± She sniffed but didn¡¯t get a sympathetic reaction from him.¡±I hate you.¡± She stood from where she sat. ¡°Leave my office,¡± he told her and saw her eyes widen in surprise at his words. ¡°I actually thought I couldfort you a littleing here. I know how things are at home, Jenna told me about aunt¡­ but you seem fine,¡± She picked up her purse.¡±I¡¯ll leave now.¡± Alex turned and started to leave while Ben sat and watched her walk out of his office. Alex stood in the elevator, her eyes red and teary, she sniffed in an attempt not to cry. She remembered seeing him dancing with Belle at the club and it got her angry. The elevator stopped at the ground floor but instead of walking out, she closed the door to go back upstairs. Ben¡¯s assistant was arranging some files on her table when she heard footsteps from a woman¡¯s heels. She looked up and saw Alex walk by. Not giving any attention to it, she continued with her files but suddenly stopped. ¡°Shit,¡± she pped her forehead. ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± She ran after Alex who walked in fast strides.¡±Ma¡¯am!¡± She called again when she finally caught up with Alex in time before she could walk into Ben¡¯s office.¡±You can¡¯t go in there, Mr. Larkson would not be happy with me if I let you walk into his office again.¡± Alex looked at the assistant from head to toe and hissed afterward before opening the door to Ben¡¯s office. ¡°O my god, I¡¯m fucked.¡± The assistant muttered to herself before walking in after Alex. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry sir, I did try to stop her. She just wouldn¡¯t listen to any of the things I said.¡± Ben heard his assistant apologize with fear in her voice. ¡°Excuse us,¡± Ben dismissed the assistant who was happy to leave. She was mostly d that Alex was thest person Ben had an appointment with for the day, else she would have walked in while Ben was meeting with someone else. After the assistant left and closed the door behind her, Alex turned her attention from the door to Ben who said nothing to her. She saw him continue with hisputer like she didn¡¯t just walk in. ¡°What do I have to do, Ben?¡± She asked him in a dull voice. When he didn¡¯t answer, she walked to his table slowly. Leaving her purse on his desk this time, she went behind the table where he sat and put her hands on his shoulders. ¡°What do I have to do for you to pick me over her?¡± She bent and asked directly in his left ear.¡±I swear I¡¯d do anything, anything at all. Do you like thin now? Okay then, I could be thin if you want¡­¡± Belle got out of a taxi. She walked into the tall building with a woven basket in hand. She had gotten bored back home so she made some sandwiches for Ben and decided toe surprise him. When she got upstairs, she went to the only desk present there. It was Ben¡¯s assistant¡¯s desk but she wasn¡¯t there. Belle had wanted to ask if Ben was busy or if she could see him but after she didn¡¯t see her, she decided to go see him. Standing outside his office, sheughed, remembering the first time she was there to interview him. Hoping he wasn¡¯t busy with anyone in the office, she opened the door and walked in to see Alex behind the seated Ben. Alex¡¯s arms were around Ben, and her lips were near his neck. Not knowing how to react, Belle stood frozen for less than a minute. Ben stood and went to her. His hands on her shoulder got her out of her trance. She blinked and looked in Alex¡¯s direction. ¡®The Ben I know isn¡¯t pleased by girls like you,¡¯ she remembered Alex¡¯s words when their eyes met and Alex smiled deviously at her. ¡°Are you okay?¡± She heard Ben ask.¡±You are here, did something happen?¡± Belle shook her head. ¡°I made some sandwiches, and I thought I should bring some to you but I see you¡¯re busy so I will just¡­¡± Belle trailed and turned to leave which made Alex smirk but Ben held her wrist and stopped her from taking another step. Alex¡¯s eyes caught rage when he stopped Belle from walking out of the office. ¡°I¡¯m not busy,¡± he told Belle.¡±She was just about to leave.¡± He looked at Alex who still stood behind his swing chair. ¡°I¡¯m not going to leave, I was here before she came.¡± Alex dered. ¡°Alex¡­¡± ¡°You can¡¯t keep doing this to me, Ben, you seriously can¡¯t. I¡¯m not going to leave so she can stay. We are not even done talking.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t leave me no choice than to call someone to take you out. I¡¯m very sure that would be embarrassing for you, and you don¡¯t want that.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Alex looked at him for some seconds then diverted her eyes to Belle. She angrily picked up her purse. Belle heard her hiss when she walked past her before leaving. Ben closed the door after her and took Belle to one of his office chairs. He saw that her face had turned sour so he asked. ¡°Are you angry about her presence here just now?¡± ¡°No,¡± Belle replied honestly, taking out the packaged sandwiches from the basket. She wasn¡¯t angry but she surely didn¡¯t like to see Alex in his office. ¡°You should let me know next time you n toe to my office.¡± ¡°I wanted to surprise you.¡± ¡°What if I wasn¡¯t here? I was just about to leave,¡± He told her and she understood his point. She took her second bite off her sandwich and looked at him as he ate her sandwich like it was the best meal in the world. She smiled but it disappeared as quickly as it came. ¡°I¡¯m d you are hungry,¡± Belle said and he stopped chewing, realizing how he had been so indulged in her sandwiches. ¡°I haven¡¯t had these in a long while.¡± He kept the half-eaten sandwich and picked up one of the bottles of water she also came with. Belle waited for him to be done with drinking before asking what she had in mind. ¡°How close are you and Alex?¡± She asked just when he was about to bite off of another sandwich. He paused with the sandwich still in his hands. ¡°Not very.¡± He replied and continued with eating. ¡°Really? She seems like, you know, very close.¡± Ben heard her and couldn¡¯t stop himself from smiling. He noticed the jealousy in her voice. ¡°Well, she¡¯s a very close friend of Jenna¡¯s. We all went to the same high school and basically grew up together. She used toe around a lot; family friend.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Belle nodded. She then bit her lips, contemting if to ask the other question she had in mind but she made up her mind to. ¡°Did you two ever¡­ did you two ever date each other?¡± She fumbled with her fingers as she asked but heard Benugh. ¡°No.¡± He responded afterughing, picking up another cut sandwich. He wondered if she didn¡¯t know she was the first person he was willing to be serious with. ¡°Surprising,¡± Belle inhaled.¡±You know, she acts like an angry ex.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not. I have no exes.¡± At the Mall Alex sat in the driver¡¯s seat of her car with her hands on the steering wheel while she waited for the red traffic light to turn green. She wasn¡¯t crying out loud but warm tears streamed down her cheeks. She was trying to stop herself but she couldn¡¯t. She wanted Ben and was used to getting whatever she wanted and it didn¡¯t matter what or who. She remembered the first few times she started to have an interest in Ben. She was seventeen, he was twenty one. She remembered it was during the holidays and he was taking Jenna to her favorite ce but she tagged along. Jenna had forgotten her purse and went to get it back so she was alone in the car with him. From the back of the seat she had called him. ¡°Ben?¡± He had turned his head to her from the driver¡¯s side.¡±Do you uhm have a girlfriend?¡± She remembered hearing himugh shortly because of that question of hers. ¡°No.¡± He had answered.¡±Why are you asking?¡± ¡°I like you.¡± She was a confident girl. ¡°You¡¯re seventeen.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± she had told him. ¡°It does.¡± ¡°So, if i wasn¡¯t seventeen, you would date me?¡± ¡°¡­¡± He was about to answer but she had cut him short. ¡°I turn eighteen in like three months, you know.¡± ¡°Alex, even if you were my age, I wouldn¡¯t. Jenna wouldn¡¯t even forgive me.¡± He hadughed again. ¡°Jenna doesn¡¯t mind if we date.¡± After she had said that, Jenna returned to the car, joining Ben in the front.¡±Jenna would you have an issue if I started to date your brother?¡± ¡°Did he ask you out?¡± Jenna had widened her eyes in awe when her friend asked her that. She turned to Ben but quickly knew he didn¡¯t by the look on his face. ¡°He didn¡¯t, but he says you won¡¯t forgive him if he dates me, that¡¯s why I¡¯m asking.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because he knows I know how he can be,¡± Jenna turned to her and whispered. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Well Alex, Ben doesn¡¯t do dates and rtionships. He¡¯s just going to y with you so forget him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± She had argued with Jenna. ¡°It is. I haven¡¯t seen him serious with any of the girls I know he has being with, so get your mind off him. I thought you liked Jacob?¡± ¡°Well, yeah I do, but he¡¯s not as hot as Ben is.¡± A demented smile came on her lips after she remembered that moment. A car behind her honked at her to drive since the light turned green. She walked into her house after she got home, locked the doors properly before going to her room. She went to the safe in her room and opened it using the code. Once it opened, she took out a cassette. Putting it into the video yer, she took off her clothes, leaving only her underwear on. The video loaded and started to y. Sheid on her bed and spread her legs out like she did in front of Ben in the video. Re-creating what was done in the sextape, she threw her head backwards, imagining Ben¡¯s face in-between her legs again.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Ohhhh,¡± she heard herself moan out in the video and bit her lips. Slowly sliding her fingers into her panties, she massaged her clit, pleasuring herself like she remembered Ben do it to her. For every slow thrusts his fingers gave her in the video, she did same to herself, finger-fucking herself slowly too. ¡°Mmmn,¡± she bit her lips as she did it. Ben stopped fingering her and she turned around on the bed,ying on her chest before lifting her ass up. She position herself for him and his hands gripped her waist roughly as he started to pound her. She thrusted herself faster with her fingers when he started to fuck her in the video. ¡°O fuckkk,¡± she let out a loud moan in pleasure in the video, running her left hand through her hair. She suddenly stopped masturbating and sat up to watch the video. She bit her lips to hold back her tears. This was what she wanted; for him to fuck her one more time like he did. She watched the video till she got annoyed by it and turned it off. She sat thinking of what to do to ease off her anger when a not so good idea came to her. She took out her phone from her purse and searched through her contacts for Belle¡¯s number but then dropped the phone. She once wanted to call Belle to threaten her to stop seeing Ben but decided to pay Tiger to kidnap her. Now that she thought of calling her, she changed her mind when she remembered what Ben did to her for attempting to harm Belle. ¡± I should have just let them do whatever they wanted with you, then maybe Ben wouldn¡¯t like to touch you anymore.¡± She spoke to herself but then thought on it. If anything worse had happened to Belle, she(Alex) might be dead by now. **** Belle was packing up things back into the basket she came with at Ben¡¯s office. When she was done, Ben picked his jacket from the coat hanger near the door and opened the door for her. ¡°Are you going back to the house or you n to go somewhere else?¡± He asked her when they were in his private elevator. ¡°I¡¯ll just take a cab to city mall.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll drop you off, and if you want, call me after you¡¯re done there, I¡¯lle pick you up.¡± Belle nodded to his words. **** Belle walked along the aisle of clothes arranged on mobile hangers. She decided she would go see Brie tomorrow so she wanted to get some things for them from the mall. She looked at the ck card Ben and had given to her while deciding what to shop for first. ¡°Belle?¡± She heard someone call her name from behind her. When she turned around, she saw that¡¯s it was Jenna.¡±O my gosh, thank goodness it¡¯s actually you, would have been so embarrassing if it wasn¡¯t you but someone else.¡± Jenna smiled when she came to her. ¡°How are you?¡± Belle returned her smile. ¡°I¡¯m good, getting married in the next two weeks actually.¡± ¡°Oh wow, congrattions.¡± Belle had no idea. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ve been pestering Ben to let me know where you stay now so I cane see you but he won¡¯t let me know. He thinks I¡¯m gonna bring Alex along with me, and I honestly don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with that.¡± ¡°Anyways, why I wanted toe see you is to ask if you would like to be one of my bridesmaids at my wedding.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± Belle was still thinking about it. ¡°There¡¯s five of my friends already, if you agree to it, then I¡¯d have six pretty bridesmaids.¡± Jenna said and Belle could see the excitement on her face. ¡°I¡¯d love to be one of your bridesmaids.¡± Belle gave her an answer. ¡°O my gosh, thank youuuu.¡± Jenna hugged her.¡±We are having a meeting at my ce tomorrow, 1pm is the time. My wedding nner and the other bridesmaids will be there to help me with choosing some things for the wedding. Will youe?¡± Belle nodded. ¡°Thank you for saying yes,¡± Jenna smiled once again. Moody The next day. Brie¡¯s apartment. ¡°So you¡¯re telling me that supermodel, Jenna, asked you to be one of her bridesmaids?¡± Cherry asked Belle. ¡°When you put it like that,¡± Belleughed.¡±I mean it sounds different when you say Ben¡¯s cousin asked me to be one of her bridesmaids.¡± ¡°Brie should be here to hear this.¡± Cherry wringed her lips. ¡°And I can¡¯t wait, I have to be at Jenna¡¯s by one pm so I¡¯ll have to leave soon.¡± Belle said and tapped on her phone¡¯s screen to see what time it was. Doing that, she saw a message notification pop in. It was from an unknown number. She unlocked her phone to see what was sent to her. It was a video. She was about to download and view it when her phone rang in her hands. It was Randy. Ben had asked him to go with Belle to Jenna¡¯s so he was calling her to let her know that he was downstairs waiting to pick her up. ¡°Alright Cherry, gotta go.¡± She stood up and headed to the door.¡±Tell Brie that I wille see her some other time, I might forget to call her.¡± She told Cherry when she was at the door. ¡°Okay.¡± **** Jenna¡¯s ce. Belle arrived and was ushered in by one of the the workers at Jenna¡¯s house while Randy waited in the car. ¡°You guys, tell me what you think of these three,¡± Jenna showed a magazine to her friends who were seated together including Alex. ¡°I¡¯d rather the peach colour,¡± Alex said but Jenna¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t with her anymore. ¡°Belle! O my gosh, you came!¡± Jenna went and hugged Belle the moment she walked in. Alex rolled her eyes and hissed. ¡°Who is she?¡± One of thedies asked Alex but she didn¡¯t respond. ¡°Guyss, meet Belle, she will be part of the bridesmaids train.¡± Jenna smiled widely, so much that it annoyed Alex but she didn¡¯t show it. Belle¡¯s eyes met Alex¡¯s, they weren¡¯t happy. Belle immediately looked away from her direction. ¡°Who is she, Jenna?¡± Someone else asked Jenna. ¡°Belle.¡± Jenna answered simply. ¡°Yeah, you just said it, her name¡¯s Belle. I¡¯m asking who she is. Who is Belle?¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Jenna nodded when she understood the question better.¡±Well, Belle¡¯s a friend of mine.¡± ¡°Howe we don¡¯t know her?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t all have mutual friends.¡± ¡°Yeah, but I thought it¡¯s just us, your mutual friends being your bridesmaids.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my wedding. I get to choose who would be my bridesmaid.¡± Jenna got tired of the sudden questioning.¡±I already told you guys, she¡¯s a friend of mine. Alex knows her even, don¡¯t you Alex?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± Alex faked a smile. ¡°See?¡± Jenna told them. ***** Zina walked into a room in one of Mr Larkson¡¯s property in the City to see one of her colleagues on the floor with his blood creating a little pool around his head which had a bullet hole. A gun was in her boss¡¯s hand and he looked furious, something she hardly witness. She swallowed first before looking at Randy to know what just happened and why, but he said nothing yet. Ben threw the gun to Randy who caught it and they both watched him leave. When he was gone, Zina immediately went to Randy. ¡°What did Nichs do?¡± She whispered a question. ¡°Mr Larkson found a picture of his woman on him, he couldn¡¯t give a good exnation as to why he had it so¡­¡± Randy shrugged with a sigh. ¡°Wow,¡± she looked at the lifeless man.¡±Poor thing, what was he thinking? Doesn¡¯t he know how crazy Mr Larkson gets when it¡¯s something to do with her?¡± ¡°Mr Larkson thinks he had her picture because he has probably been gathering information about him and her, but mostly her.¡± Randy informed her. ¡°Or was probably jerking off to her picture¡­¡± Randy snorted sharply when Zina said that. ¡°Funny because that¡¯s what he agreed to; that¡¯s what he told Mr Larkson was the reason he had a picture of her. He died the very next minute.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t have a chance to beg?¡± ¡°He wasn¡¯t given one. Help me take care of this one,¡± he winked at Zina and wanted to leave but she pulled him back. ¡°No. You were with him when it happened, you take care of it.¡± They were referring to the body. ¡°You owe me a favour, don¡¯t you remember?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t, not anymore.¡± Zina shook her head to his disappointment. ¡°He still wants to speak with us about all of this,¡± Randy told her while putting on a glove to do what he nned to do. *** Ben¡¯s office. ¡°How did he find her picture on him? Was Nichs searched?¡± Zina asked Randy while they sat little spaces away from each other waiting for their boss toe in after a meeting. ¡°No, it fell off of him while we were apanying Mr Larkson to survey that building. You are lucky you came byte, he actually tried to say that it fell from me but thankfully, Mr Larkson trusts me. I¡¯m sure it would have been different in your case.¡± Randyughed but it ended in a cough when their boss came in. He didn¡¯t want Ben to see himughing because Ben wasn¡¯t in a cheer mood. ¡°I think someone is trying to attack Ms Miller, and I need to know who. It¡¯s not someone close to me, this person had to buy Nichs to get information.¡± Ben went directly to why he wanted them there at his office. ¡°But sir, he admitted to having her picture for a different reason other than what you suspected.¡± Randy said. ¡°No. I think he said all of that to irritate me.¡± Ben had a pint of regret in his voice.¡±He wanted to die. He wanted me to kill him because now that he¡¯s dead, I can¡¯t get the information I want from him.¡± Ben got angry at himself for letting his anger take over him earlier. ¡°If I were there, I would have suspected what Nichs wanted, maybe things would be different.¡± Zina said, exining that her presence when it all happened would have been much better than Randy¡¯s presence. Randy wanted to reply to her but knew it was risky considering his boss was still not in a good mood so he just kept mute. ¡°I can¡¯t risk her safety. Zina?¡± She sat up on her chair when Ben called her name.¡±I want you to be around Ms Miller always from now onwards. Don¡¯t let her know you are with her though, she¡¯s not veryfortable going around with securities. Make sure she¡¯s safe, do you understand me?¡± ¡°Yes sir,¡± she smiled dryly because now she was taxed with protecting Belle. She hoped it wasn¡¯t too hard for her to do. ¡°Randy, you get C-Jay to return to city S, I want him to look into some things concerning this.¡± ¡°Okay sir.¡± **** Belle was standing and staring at a view of the city from her room¡¯s balcony while she thought of how her day went with Jenna and her friends. They were awkward moments between herself and Alex. She didn¡¯t think about how she would have to deal with Alex¡¯s stares and fake smiles when she agreed to Jenna¡¯s offer of being one of her bridesmaids. Ben came into the room minutester and saw her standing in the balcony looking lost in thoughts. He took off his jacket and went and hugged her from behind. Enclosing her small waist in his arms, he kissed her neck and then her cheeks but Belle didn¡¯t react to anything he did to her, she just stared on outside like she was doing before he walked in. ¡°Belle, what¡¯s the matter? Are you okay?¡± He asked her but she said nothing still.¡± Did anyone say or do anything to you at Jenna¡¯s?¡± ¡°No.¡± She finally said something in response, and she only answered because she wanted to make it clear that her moodiness wasn¡¯t as a result of going to Jenna¡¯s house. **** A weekter. Belle was with Jenna and her friends again, they were going with her to see the venue for the weddings reception. ¡°Jason thinks it¡¯s big enough but I doubt it. What do you think, guys?¡± Jenna threw the question to them as they stood in the center of the wide-spaced hall. ¡°It¡¯s not as big as he probably thinks,¡± Alexmented before looking in Belle¡¯s direction. She expected Belle to make a fuss about the video she sent to her yesterday so all of her friends there could know she once had her time with Ben but Belle was quiet since she arrived. ¡°I know right?¡± Jenna said again. ¡°It depends on the number of guests attending.¡± Belle finally said something, it made everyone turn to where she stood.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh, there¡¯s going to be a lot of guests. The media will be here too, I want the town to talk about my wedding.¡± ¡°You two can check for somewhere bigger and spacier,¡± Alex told her best friend but yet kept her eyes on Belle. She was marveled at how calm Belle was even after seeing the video. ¡°The wedding is in one week, Jenna. You can¡¯t start to change halls now.¡± Someone else said, opposing Alex. The proposal Jenna¡¯s wedding reception. Jenna was sitting beside Jason, her husband while they chatted and giggled with each other on the stage set for the newly married couple. Belle watched them been happy with each other and an unconscious smile appeared on her lips. Meanwhile Ben stared at her from where he sat far from her. They couldn¡¯t sit together. Alex hade up with the idea that all of Jenna¡¯s bridesmaids have a special seat near the stage and everyone agreed. Belle was talking with one of her fellow bridesmaids when Randy came and squatted next to her. ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± Belle turned in her seat when she heard him.¡±Mr Larkson wants you to join him at his table.¡± ¡°What? Is that why he sent you?¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Tell him that I can¡¯te join him at his table!¡± She whispered loudly. ¡°¡­¡± Randy paused for a while before talking.¡±Ma¡¯am, he asked me not to leave this ce till you stand up toe meet him.¡± ¡°He said that?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Belle looked in his direction and got a smile from him but she only rolled her eyes and took out her phone. ¡°We talked about this before now, didn¡¯t we? I can¡¯t sit with you!¡± she texted him, hoping he didn¡¯t stubbornly ignore it. ¡°Should Ie to you?¡±His reply had her looking at her phone and him from time to time. ¡°If you do that, everyone here would know about me and you.¡± ¡°Let them know then. I want that.¡± she looked up from her phone after reading hisst reply. Giving herself a facepalm, she stood up from where she sat. ¡°Tell your boss to meet me outside the hall,¡± she told Randy who smiled victoriously. While standing with her hands folded, Zina stared at her from a corner and thought she looked pretty in her peach-coloured flowing dress. She wanted to go to her andpliment her but saw Ben hug her from behind so she stayed back. ¡°My beautiful¡­¡± Ben kissed Belle behind her neck after he hugged her. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you tonight, Ben.¡± She turned to him with a false frown.¡±What did I tell you some days ago? I¡¯m supposed to be seated together with the other bridesmaids.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jenna wouldn¡¯t mind that I stole you away. The MC was about to make them y some games.¡± Belle rolled her eyes for the hundredth time after he gave an excuse. ¡°So, you really can¡¯t stay for some time without having me around?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe myself either,¡± he chuckled at his own situation. Belle would have never believed it if she was told earlier that he could be this clingy. Just some time ago, he would never ept to be in love but here he was longing to be with her. ¡°Well,¡± Belle bit her lips and brought her face to his. He didn¡¯t miss his chance to kiss her swiftly. He heard her giggle. ¡°I want to kiss other ces too, not just your lips.¡± He kissed her again, lifting her like a baby. ¡°Ben,¡± she gasped thenughed after.¡±What are you doing?¡± ¡°I want to take you somewhere,¡± he started towards the darker part of the wide field with her legs crossed around his waist; it was where some cars were parked because the parking spaces were full. More guests came that arranged for. Zina wanted to follow them but then stopped. ¡®He is with her, I guess I can take a break now.¡¯ she told herself and went back into the event hall. Ben made her sit on the decklid of a car¡¯s boot. Pushing the lengthy dress all the way up to her thighs and pulling her closer to himself as he stood in between her legs, he nned to kiss her but she did it first. Holding his face with her fingers at the back of his neck, she kissed him more. ¡°Your lips are sweet like honey,¡± he praised. ¡°So, you like honey? I didn¡¯t know that.¡± Sheughed softly. ¡°Not very much, but I love your lips,¡± he gripped on her thighs, ¡°And I love you.¡± He added and saw her smile which he had be addicted to. ¡°Why do you sound like you are drunk, are you?¡± Belle noticed how he dragged on his words. ¡°No, I¡¯m not. Drunk in love maybe, but not from alcohol. I dare not be, not tonight.¡± His reply wasn¡¯t very clear to her when he said it but she would understandter in the night. His hands didn¡¯t stop resting on her thighs till he wanted to take her hand in his. Rubbing on her knuckles, he smiled to himself calmly. ¡°What?¡± Belle had to ask. He lifted her right hand and kissed it first before lifting the left. ¡°I¡¯m just thinking to myself how beautiful my ring will be on your finger.¡± ¡°Your ring? Did you get me a ring?¡± She asked clueless of what he nned to do.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°If I did, would you let me put it on your finger? This finger?¡± Ben¡¯s heart started to throb beyond his control. What he was feeling, he hadn¡¯t felt in years. Thest time fear and anxiety took over him was the day his father introduced him to the board of thepany he inherited. He had feared that one of them might object to him taking over thepany someday because they knew he was not legitimately his father¡¯s son till his birth mother signed some papers. But none of that happened. Now, he was the most feared among the board members. Years passed and that familiar feeling was back but even more intense. He was scared that she would say ¡®no¡¯ to him. He had been nning it all for a long time before he ever admitted his love for her. ¡°Hold on, Ben¡­¡± It now urred to her that he was talking of her ring finger when he asked ¡®this finger¡¯, ¡°O my god, is this a proposal? Are you proposing to me right now?¡± She started to blink repeatedly. ¡°No,¡± he let go of her hand and moved back some little distance before going on one knee.¡±Now, I¡¯m proposing to you.¡± ¡°Will you be my wife?¡± Belle snorted sharply as her first reaction and it made him hold his breath. ¡°O my god, Ben.¡± She cursed with the said phrase in honest disbelief.¡±You just proposed, am I still seated inside the hall hallucinating?¡± ¡°No, you are not.¡± He licked his lips in an attempt to calm his heavy breathing but it didn¡¯t help. Belle took in a deep breath herself and after closing her eyes and opening them, she saw that he was still down on one knee in front of her. Sheughed when she proved to herself that she wasn¡¯t imagining things. It turned to tears in seconds. She bit her lips and inhaled one more time before speaking. ¡°Yes Ben, I¡¯ll be your wife.¡± She told him and saw a wide grin break across his face in happiness. He got up from his kneeling position and returned to where she still sat on the decklid of the car¡¯s boot. Taking her left hand, he gently slid the ring into her fourth finger and kissed it afterward. Belle smiled with some tears still in her eyes. He kissed the back of her palm after her fingers, then went up her arm as she giggled. He kissed her neck briefly before lifting her face to his and cing a peck on her lips. After that, he hugged her; his arms around her waist, and he whispered to her left ear: ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Thank you? What for?¡± ¡°For saying yes. You have no idea how tensed I was just seconds ago.¡± Belleughed out loud when he told her that. ¡°I noticed it,¡± she bit her lips and let herughter calm down to a light chuckle.¡±What would you have done, if I had said no to you?¡± She heard him exhale loudly before breaking their hug. He opened his mouth to speak but his words didn¡¯te quick. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know,¡± heughed at himself.¡±I don¡¯t know what I would have done but I know getting a no from you would have killed me¡­¡± ¡°So, you are telling me that I saved your life. Is that what you are saying?¡± Belle joked andughed again till something else came to her mind. ¡°Is this one of the cars we came in?¡± She and but Ben shook his head. ¡°So what are we doing here then? What if the owneres here for something, huh?¡± ¡°No one¡¯s going toe,¡± he kissed her cleavage, then her neck. It made her tilt her head backward in pleasure. Since she agreed to be one of Jenna¡¯s bridesmaids, they haven¡¯t had much time to spend together. With his lips caressing all over her upper body, from her shoulders to her breasts through the dress, Belle kept on exhaling intensely to his every touch. Suddenly, Ben¡¯s phone rang from one of his pockets but he ignored it at first. All he wanted was Belle, his whole being at the moment was inebriated by his want for her. ¡°Take it, Ben.¡± She stopped him from kissing her again. ¡°It can wait,¡± That was his reply. ¡°Ben, don¡¯t be stubborn. Take it, and after that, we can go somewhere more secluded.¡± He didn¡¯t listen, he just continued with what he was doing till the phone stopped ringing. Belle didn¡¯t mind if he fucked her there now, as long as the person didn¡¯t call again, she would let him because then she would know that it wasn¡¯t for an important reason that he was called. He kissed her again. Belle felt his tongue y with hers in her mouth. It felt slightly chilly since they were outside but he was making her warm with his kiss. The moment felt so good, his kiss and touch making her want him to rip off all she was wearing. It was ruined when his phone rang again. Belle broke their liplock with an apanying groan. ¡°The call¡¯sing again, take it so we can go.¡± She got impatient because he had just made her want him inside her badly but yet wasn¡¯t giving himself to her. Taking out his phone, he slid his fingers on the screen, cing it before his ear without checking to see who it was because it was his private line so it was either Zina or Randy, or maybe Jenna, but he knew it couldn¡¯t be her, she wasn¡¯t with her phone at the moment, so who? Betrayal ¡°Son?¡± Belle heard a feminine voice call through the phone. ¡°Mum, is there a problem?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s just that I bumped into a friend of mine and her daughter¡­¡± ¡°Really?¡± Ben acted surprised like his mother hadn¡¯t done something simr before. He was very sure that she didn¡¯t bump into that friend of hers. He was sure that his mother had asked her friend to bring her daughter along for Jenna¡¯s wedding so they could be introduced to each other. ¡°Listen to me,¡± his mother insisted. ¡°I am listening, mum.¡± ¡°Remember you made me a promise. I only agreed to dissolve my anger that day because you said you would make it up to me.¡± ¡°What do you want me to do, tell me.¡± Ben sighed when he remembered that day. His mother was going to harm herself when she found out that he was his father¡¯s biological son from another woman, and not adopted like she was told. He had to find a way to calm her down so he made her a promise. ¡°You are still in the venue, right? Or did you leave, I can¡¯t see you in the family section.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t leave, Mum, I just had to be with someone so I left the hall.¡± ¡°I want you to meet my friend¡¯s daughter¡­¡± He knew she was going to say that so he cut her short. ¡°Mum¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s very pretty, she¡¯s tall and sexy and smart and¡­¡± ¡°Mum, I don¡¯t want to meet her.¡± ¡°But you made me a promise.¡± ¡°I promised you that I would ¡®finally settle down¡¯, in your words.¡± He reminded her but didn¡¯t get a reply from her. When he checked, he saw that she had ended the call. ¡°And now, she is going to pretend to be angry to try and make me change my mind about meeting her friend¡¯s daughter.¡± He told Belle who had had no choice but to listen to him and his mother talk over the phone. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back inside yet, you brought me out here, let¡¯s finish what we started,¡± Belle said and pulled him back to herself. **** When they went inside, Belle wanted to leave him and return to where she sat before but Ben didn¡¯t let go of her hand. ¡°Ben, what are you doing?¡± She whispered to him. ¡°Taking you to my mother.¡± ¡°What?¡± She stopped walking.¡±Now? I thought we nned for thatter on this week.¡± ¡°Do you want me to meet her friend¡¯s daughter?¡± He asked her and she gave him a disapproving look. ¡°Okay, but I¡¯m not going to say anything because I¡¯ve not prepared the way I was hoping to talk when I meet her in person.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just my mother, you are not doing an interview.¡± Heughed and they started back in the same direction. Belle looked down as they walked together so that no one would notice her but that was fruitless. ¡®What is he doing, holding her like that!¡¯ Alex screamed in her thoughts. She was one of the few persons whose attention had shifted away from the dancing couple to Ben and Belle.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g She saw them both walk to Mrs Larkson. She hoped it wasn¡¯t what she was thinking. She hoped he wasn¡¯t nning to introduce Belle to his mother but that was what he was doing. ¡°Mum,¡± Ben tapped his mother lightly from behind making her turn to them. She wanted to turn back to her friend who she was just talking with to show Ben that she wasn¡¯t happy with his decision not to meet thedy but then she saw Belle standing beside her son. ¡°Who is she?¡± She kept her ss of wine on the empty tray of a passing server when she asked, almost pushing Ben away so she could stand closer to Belle than he was. ¡°Please, do not say ¡®I¡¯m his friend¡¯,¡± she told Belle. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Belle froze and looked to Ben for help. ¡°Mum, will you even let me introduce her to you?¡± He made her turn away from Belle to him. ¡°So it is what I think it is, yes?¡± Mrs Larkson smiled as she asked. ¡°I have little idea of what you think it is but I want to introduce you to the woman I¡¯m in love with and want to marry.¡± ¡°Please forgive me for keeping you here, can you excuse us?¡± Mrs Larkson said to her friend before returning her attention to Ben and Belle. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me you were going introduce my daughter-inw to me today, I would have gotten her a gift or something.¡± She pulled on Ben¡¯s ear to whisper to him. ¡°Mum, don¡¯t do that in front of her, please?¡± Ben scratched his ear after she left it and noticed Belle smiling at what just happened. ¡°What¡¯s your name, dear?¡± Ben¡¯s mother asked Belle. ¡°My name is Belle.¡± ¡°Aww, she¡¯s so pretty. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Belle smiled at herpliment. ¡°My grandchildren will be so cute,e here.¡± She hugged Belle happily. Belle smiled too but her smile was shy. It made Ben chortle because she was no longer shy in the bedroom with him or whenever they were alone. He was still looking at Belle when he noticed that she was trying to talk to him with her eyes while hugging his mother. ¡°What is it?¡± He asked without voicing out so she could read his lips. ¡°Restroom,¡± she replied and bit her lips to show him that she was pressed. At that same, Mrs Larkson freed her of the hug. ¡°How long have you been seeing my son, if you don¡¯t mind me asking? It¡¯s just that he never tells me anything about his love life.¡± ¡°Mum¡­¡± ¡°Let me ask her, I know you are not going to answer if I ask you.¡± ¡°Please, excuse me, I have to visit the restroom. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Belle said as politely as possible before hurrying off. ¡°Did I make her leave? Does she not like me?¡± Mrs Larkson asked Ben worriedly. ¡°She just mentioned why she had to use the restroom,¡± Ben replied, wondering how it tranted to Belle not liking her. ¡°She could have given an excuse to leave because I hugged her, who knows. Tell me if she doesn¡¯t like hugs so I don¡¯t do it again.¡± ¡°Mum, please, she just left to use the restroom. She doesn¡¯t hate you.¡± Ben said and took out his phone. ¡°It¡¯s your fault. Why did you have to introduce her here, couldn¡¯t you have brought her home?¡± She med Ben who only sighed and shook his head. ¡°Where are you?¡± He texted Zina. ¡°Go with her,¡± he texted again when he saw her from where he was. Zina immediately left to go with Belle. Meanwhile, Alex had seen Mrs Larkson hug Belle from where she stood with the other girls cheering Jenna while she danced with her husband. Feeling like she had seen enough, she picked up her purse and walked away from the other bridesmaids. Leaning on the wall in an empty hallway, Alex took out a pocket sk and started to drink from it. Drinking had be her newest addiction. While she was sipping it to make her neglect what she saw earlier, she heard footsteps. Turning her head to the right, she sighted Belle walking towards her so she hid by the nearest corner and waited for her to pass by. Sighing and rolling her eyes, she wanted to return to what she was doing when she heard someone else. While trying to hide like before, the sk fell from her so she left it and hid. She didn¡¯t want anyone to see her drinking. It was Zina following Belle. She stopped when she saw the sk and bent to pick it up. Opening it, she smelt whiskey so she took a sip from it and put it in her jacket pocket after. Alex waited for her to leave before she came out of hiding. She looked around and couldn¡¯t see her sk. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± Alex said angrily and followed Zina even though it wasn¡¯t easy because Zina was on boots and walked with fast strides while she wore heels and felt a little tipsy trying to catch up with her. Belle just finished easing herself and came out to clean her hands in the sink when she saw Zina watching her hands. ¡°Ms Miller,¡± Zina smiled at her. ¡°Hi,¡± Belle just said because it quickly became weird between them. Since the morning Zina kissed her outside the club, she hasn¡¯t been with her alone. Belle went to the free sink next to the one Zina was using and started to watch her hands. After a short while, she looked up at the mirror to see what Zina was still doing and why she hadn¡¯t left yet after watching her hands. She saw her wiping her hands dry behind her and wondered where she got the towel from. Turning off the rushing tap, she looked up again and Zina was still there. Now, she felt unsafe with the way Zina was looking at her. She looked back at the sink and drew in breath to calm herself then she looked at the mirror again and saw Zina take out a syringe from the towel. Before she could turn to ask her why she had it, Zina injected her arm from behind; the needle going in and out so quickly. Belle fell to the ground after seeing three blurry visions of Zina instead of one. Alex gasped and covered her mouth after what she saw. She hid and watched Zina carry Belle on her shoulder as she left the restroom for outside. Alex stood thinking of what to do for more than a minute. She was inclined to help but then it was Belle, she didn¡¯t care about her or what happened to her. Starting to walk back to where the wedding celebration was still going on, she stopped and battled with her conscience. She decided to go back in the direction Zina had gone but it led outside and she didn¡¯t see anyone. Scared and still tipsy, she started to run back inside. She was going to tell Ben what she saw. Don鈥檛 Kill him ¡°Ben?¡± Alex tried to talk to him but wasn¡¯t walking on calcted steps so she almost fell and he caught her. Some cameras started to click when he stopped her from falling because Alex had once lied in an interview that ¡®they have a thing for each other¡¯. He helped her back on her feet and wanted to leave the ce before any more pictures could be taken but she held his arm and brought herself closer to him; taking advantage of the information she wanted to ry to him. ¡°Ben,¡± she called and hugged him. ¡°What¡¯s this you¡¯re doing, Alex?¡± He became angry when she wrapped her arms around him and refused to let go. ¡°I¡¯m scared,¡± she sniffed and hugged him tighter. He wanted to push her away but what she was doing had brought attention to them. ¡°Alex, stop this, let go.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you hear me? I¡¯m scared.¡± She repeated and waited for him to ask why, else she wouldn¡¯t tell him about Belle and what happened in the restroom. ¡°Are you scared, or are you just drunk?¡± ¡°Yes, I might have drunk more than I should have tonight but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t be scared does it?¡± She stopped hugging him and looked at his face. His expression was calm but she knew he wasn¡¯t happy that she was that close to him and it would normally make her angry to the extent that she wouldn¡¯t tell him about what she witnessed earlier but she worried for Belle, not because she likes her but because she knew it would affect Ben if anything happened to her. ¡°I saw someone take Belle,¡± she blinked twice after she spoke. ¡°What?!¡± ¡°I someone carry her and leave the ce with her.¡± ¡°Who? Can you identify who?¡± ¡°It was a woman, she works with Randy. What¡¯s her name again? Uhm¡­ Zana¡­ Zina!¡± She finally remembered the name. ¡°Zina? Shit.¡± Ben muttered and brought his phone from his pocket. ¡°She injected Belle with something, I don¡¯t know what but it made her pass out sooo quick.¡± ¡°Randy, where are you?¡± Belle asked once the person he was calling while Alex spoke picked up. ¡°I¡¯m on the road, sir, I¡¯m going after Zina. I noticed something fishy with her earlier.¡± ¡°Make sure you stop her, she has Ms Miller.¡± ¡°On it.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± he told Alex and was about to leave but she pulled his arm and stopped him from moving. ¡°Just thank you? Won¡¯t I get a k¡­¡± ¡°Alex, I don¡¯t have time for this.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell Jenna or anyone else about this, okay?¡± He told her and saw her nod before he left. He didn¡¯t want anything to disrupt Jenna¡¯s event. **** Zina breathed heavily as she drove on the silent road with Belle at the back looking lifeless. She saw a car following behind her through the car¡¯s side mirror. Feeling suspicious about it, she slowed the speed of her car to see if the car would also decelerate but it didn¡¯t, it drove right past her and she sighed in relief. She would have loved to see who it was driving but the car¡¯s windows had tints throughout. Resuming the speed of her car, she started on the road again when she saw a caring towards her. At first, the car¡¯s headlight was far but then it suddenly was in front of her car. Before she could reverse, the car hit hers. It was Randy who hit her. He had been following her since she left Jenna¡¯s wedding with Belle. He got out of his car and rushed to Zina¡¯s car to check on Belle before anything else. When he opened the door to the backseat, he saw Belle lying unconscious with some blood on her forehead. He pulled her out of the car and carried her to his car without checking on Zina. He expected she would pass out from the ident. Afterying Bellefortably in the backseat of his car, he closed the door and was about to get into the car and drive but heard a gun cock behind him. He turned slowly and saw that It was Zina, she had woken back up quicker than he expected and was pointing a gun at him. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you actually followed me,¡± Zina chuckled lightly and weakly, wincing her eyes while she did so. ¡°Of course, I did. You became quite suspicious since Nichs died after being caught.¡± ¡°Suspicious? For all I know, I¡¯ve been very careful.¡± ¡°Exactly. You¡¯ve been too careful, that was what made me suspicious.¡± ¡°And where did being suspicious get you?¡± Zinaughed at him.¡±Move away from the car,¡± she ordered afterughing. Randy didn¡¯t move, instead, he looked at her unforgivingly. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me?!¡± She got angry. Randy sighed and did as she asked, slowly backing away from her and the car. Zina threw the gun into the car and got in, nning to drive away but Randy was quick. He held the door from shutting and pulled her out before she could start the car. ¡°You¡­!¡± She almost cursed. Searching the back of her trousers for her gun, she remembered that she had just thrown it in the car. She looked at Randy and saw him smile pompously. ¡°Beat me at a hand-fight and you can leave with her.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not gonna fight with you, Randy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like you have a choice at the moment,¡± Randy smiled again. ¡°I always have a choice, and why the hell do you sound like Mr Larkson?¡± ¡°Mr Larkson, speaking of him, you know what he¡¯s going to do if he ever sets eyes on you, don¡¯t you?¡± Zina said nothing. ¡°I¡¯d advise you to start to run. Leave the city, maybe the country too.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not scared of him.¡± Her reply got Randyughing again. ¡°Come on¡­ trust me, even the person you betray him for is scared of him. It¡¯s most certainly why his woman is being targeted and not him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to fight you¡­¡± Zina reversed the topic and got out a penknife.¡±¡­ with my hand.¡± She added and swallowed after before approaching him swiftly with the knife but he dodged it. She made a screeching sound as she used her boot to help her slide backward from his angry fists. Randy got tired of her running away so he went to her with his attacks but she was just as good as he was when it came to dodging blows. They were still at it when a bright lighting from behind stopped them. It was from a car¡¯s headlight. Randy smiled, happy that Ben had just arrived but his smile dried up when the car got closer and he saw that there was moreing behind that one car. He would assume that it was Ben¡¯s convoy but he knew Ben¡¯s cars. ¡°Oh fuck,¡± he muttered to himself. Some men jumped off the cars and approached them. They all had guns with them and wore joker masks. ¡°You said you needed help? It¡¯s just one person here,¡± One of them said to Zina while chewing gum. ¡°One but he¡¯s deadly, get the woman so we can leave,¡± Zina replied with her eyes fixed on Randy. She was the one smiling now, even amidst tired pants. ¡°Hands behind your head.¡± The man who just spoke to Zina ordered Randy. After looking at the amount of men with guns, he decided to obey. Slowly putting his hands behind his head, he still kept his eyes on Zina. ¡°Get on your knees,¡± came the next order from the man. Randy didn¡¯t do that immediately so he was hit with the base of a gun to get him to the ground. ¡°You get thedy, I¡¯ll keep an eye on him.¡± The man put his foot on Randy¡¯s back. Zina went to Randy¡¯s car where Belle was and carried her. She still wasn¡¯t awake. Zina carried her to one of the cars the men came with and came back. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± She told the man but the man looked at Randy for some seconds and decided to cock his gun.¡±What are you doing?¡± Zina asked him. ¡°Do you not want him to die?¡± The man took his leg off of Randy and turned to Zina to ask. ¡°No, don¡¯t kill him.¡± ¡°Were you fucking him?¡± The manughed after Zina said she didn¡¯t want him dead. ¡°Ha ha ha,¡± Zinaughed sarcastically.¡±Let¡¯s go.¡± She told the man and waited till he had turned awaypletely from Randy before wanting to leave too. Randy took out a knife and stabbed Zina¡¯s left leg with it. ¡°Son of a bitch!¡± Zina cursed. What he did was an attempt to waste more time so Ben coulde join them but he got shot. The man shot him in the shoulder and watched him pass out. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked her.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Am I okay?! What do you think?¡± Zina turned to the man with a sharp reply. What does he want from you? ¡°Sir, I think this is where she is being kept.¡±Cjay stopped the car some walkable distance to a bungalow which was the only house around where they were. ¡°You think?¡± Ben¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t a jovial one. ¡°I am certain, sir. This is the ce,¡± Cjay rephrased his sentence. Soon after Cjay corrected himself, Ben got a call. When he looked at his phone it was the same number that had called him earlier. It was Belle¡¯s captor.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I see you have found the ce,¡± the unrecognizable voice came through. Ben inhaled deeply for some seconds before exhaling equally. ¡°I came alone like you wanted. I am also willing to do whatever else it is you want, as long as she¡¯s not harmed.¡± Ben replied while Cjay tried to decipher the person behind the voice, once again. ¡°Ask him to stop, he can¡¯t find out who I am, I¡¯ve been building up unbreachable systems for years now, It¡¯s impossible to hack into it.¡± The man spoke. ¡°I know about the tracker in her, I intentionally let you discover where she is; where I am. I want to meet you, in person. It¡¯s why I asked you toe alone, but you brought him, you brought theputer boy.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t being in with me.¡± Ben sighed to the delighted ears of the man over the phone. ¡°Good for you, and for her too. Any other person walks in through my door other than you, I¡¯ll slit her throat.¡± ¡°If anything happens to her¡­¡± ¡°You want to know who had her kidnapped, don¡¯t you? I am waiting for you.¡± The man cut the call. ¡°Sir, I couldn¡¯t break through the¡­¡± Cjay was cut short because Ben knew what he wanted to say was about not being able to find out who the caller was. ¡°I know. Stay here and wait,¡± Ben told him before alighting from the back seat of the car. **** Belle didn¡¯t know where she was going but she just kept running through the hallway. Zina chased after her with limping strides. Belle ran till she stopped at a wall with nowhere else to run, then she ran back in the direction she just came from and went into the dark corner she avoided running into initially. Waiting there and breathing in scantily, she saw Zina pass by. After some time, Zina walked past the corner again without noticing her. Hiding for some time more, she peeped into the hallway and saw that no one was there so she came out. Her eyes looked back to check for Zina while running forward, and she bumped into someone. ¡°Ben?¡± She hugged him tightly. Ben noticed how unsettled she was and separated the hug to take a good look at her.¡±Zina¡­¡± Belle sniffed. ¡°Zina? Did she do this to you?¡± He asked while taking off his suit jacket. ¡°Yes,¡± Belle nodded, ¡°She¡¯s angry with me, I hit her leg and made her mad, she wasing after me just now.¡± ¡°Where is she?¡± Ben asked calmly as he helped her put on his jacket. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I think she¡¯s back in the room,¡± Belle pointed in the room¡¯s direction.¡±That room. I couldn¡¯t find anywhere else to go. How did you get in? When did youe?¡± ¡°Just now,¡± he had to bend a little to button up his suit on her.¡±I¡¯m sorry, I thought I could make it herest night but I couldn¡¯t.¡± He gave her a peck on her forehead, nose tip, and lips one after the other. ¡°Wait here,¡± he told her and she nodded. Belle stood waiting as Ben told her, squeezing her fingers to keep calm till she heard something crash in the room. ¡°Ben¡­¡± She muttered worriedly before going to the room. When she got to the door of the room, she peeked inside and saw Zina¡¯s feet above the ground. She saw Ben strangling her with just his left hand while she tried to reach for her gun on the floor by stretching her right foot but she couldn¡¯t because both her feet weren¡¯t touching the floor anymore. ¡°O my god,¡± Ben heard Belle so he turned to her. Zina felt his grip on her neck be weak so she tried to pull his hand away but that only annoyed him. He made his thumb and middle finger block her windpipe then dropped her. Zina fell to the ground grasping for air with her hands on her neck. ¡°Is she going to be okay?¡± Belle asked him when he came to where she stood. Ben didn¡¯t have a chance to answer her question because a man walked in on them, two other men behind him. They were all masked. Belle saw the man¡¯s eyes fall on Zina as she still struggled on. ¡°Relieve her, shecks breath,¡± he ordered and one of the men behind him went to her and shot her in the head. Blood sshed and Belle hid her face in Ben¡¯s chest, bursting out in tears. ¡°Mr Larkson, I didn¡¯t expect you would get in through a window. I mean, we were waiting with guns for you at the entrance but I wasn¡¯t nning to kill you yet.¡± The manughed after speaking. ¡°Get the girl away from him,¡± the man ordered again, making Belle look up to see theughing man turn serious. She saw one of the mene to her and Ben but stepped back after some seconds of looking at Ben in the eye. She held on to Ben tighter till she looked back at where Zina was and saw the hole in her forehead, with blood all around her. The gory scene made her look away in disgust but the image was already in her head. ¡°rrrgh,¡± she bent over to throw up but vomited nothing. The retching didn¡¯t stop soon; the men in the room watched her react to what she just looked at. ¡°Don¡¯t look at it, okay?¡± Ben rubbed on her back after she retched. She nodded to what he said, still coughing. ¡°I exined this to you over the phone, Mr Larkson. The n is for you to arrive here and she leaves safely.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t look very safe when I came in, you broke the agreement first.¡± ¡°I apologize for Zina¡¯s misconduct. My men will lead thedy out, I have no business with her. You should know by now that it¡¯s you I want in all of these I did. If you don¡¯t want that, we can all die here. You, me, HER, and every other person here.¡± The men with guns looked at themselves confused when their boss said that. ¡°Belle,¡± Ben held her face in his palm to talk to her. ¡°What does he want from you?¡± She started to sob. ¡°Don¡¯t cry,e on. That¡¯s not what is important.¡± He told her, wiping her tears with his thumb.¡±Someone¡¯s waiting outside in a car. You will go to him and he will take you back.¡± ¡°No,¡± she shook her head. ¡°Yes.¡± He didn¡¯t leave her a ce to argue his decision. Belle opened her mouth to say something else but was pulled away from Ben by one of the men. ¡°I want to be sure she¡¯s left.¡± Ben looked at the man. ¡°Of course. You can watch her get into the car if you want.¡± Ben was taken to a different room with the man following behind. When he was forced to sit on a chair having handcuffs on it, he looked around where he was. The room was empty. It was just the chair he sat in and a big screen hanging on the wall in front of him. The screen turned on and he saw Cjay open the door for Belle to get into the car. It was from the body cam of one of the men in masks who had apanied her outside. The cuffs on the chair were mped around his hands before the man took off his mask, and Ben saw that a smile was stered on his face. Ben tried to remember where he knew that face from but was distracted by the remote in his hands. ¡°Are youfortable yet? You should befortable enough to see this.¡± The man smiled more then let it turn into a wide grin. Ben looked at the screen and saw that the car Cjay drove was being monitored from above. Fear caught him for the first time in years. He knew not to trust the man when he demanded hee alone so he brought some backup. Cjay was to drive Belle to meet them on the road, and that wasn¡¯t very far from where Cjay was. He hoped Cjay got to the backup before anything prenned by the man could be carried out. Flashback ¡°I may hate you but I must confess, I like how calctive you get.¡± The man noticed that he was thinking to himself. ¡°We made an agreement.¡± Ben¡¯s heart started to beat, so much that even when he tried to control it, he couldn¡¯t because he was scared. He was scared for Belle. He was scared to lose her. He was scared for himself too; his life would be a mess if anything happened to her. ¡°And you assume that I am an ethical businessman like yourself?¡± The manughed outrageously.¡±We made an agreement, yes, true but I¡¯m a very dishonored person you know, I lied.¡± ¡°Count with me, three¡­,¡± He smiled maliciously. ¡°Two¡­,¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Ben stopped him from counting.¡±Please, anything at all it is you want, I¡¯ll give it to you, just let her go, I beg you.¡± Ben¡¯s strategy was to keep the man¡¯s ears busy so he wouldn¡¯t do whatever it was he had in mind; at least not until Cjay took her to the prepared backups. ¡°What do I want?¡± The man scoffed roughly.¡±Let seeeeee,¡± he acted like he was actually straining to think but then broke out.¡±You still can¡¯t tell who I am? Huh?¡± The room became quiet after that question, and it was just Ben staring at him, trying to remember who he was but no memories came. He began to wonder if he had any business rtionship with him because aside from that, he couldn¡¯t filter out any other reason for someone to be angry at him to this point¡­ but then, the face looked like one he had seen before. He knew he must have had an encounter with him but when? And what was the reason? How did that encounter end for him toe after Belle? ¡°I honestly can¡¯t distinguish who you are,¡± Ben admitted. He saw the man pass the remote to one of the other men in the room ande to him. Squatting in front of him, the manughed suddenly out of nowhere. ¡°Of course, you can¡¯t. How would you? Hmmn? Tell me, how would you?!¡± The man got up and pushed his head backward. Ben¡¯s head bounced back to its normal position. He looked at the screen and saw that Cjay still wasn¡¯t close to where the backups were. He should have brought with him a faster driver but he knew the man somehow had information on every move he was making. Bringing Cjay was the smartest way to look unharmful and peaceful enough for him to release Belle but he was just too slow in taking Belle to safety. He wished Randy¡¯s arm was strong enough to drive since he visited the hospital but it wasn¡¯t. ¡°What did I do to you? I seem to have hurt you quite a lot, and it¡¯s funny that I don¡¯t remember you, neither do I remember what I did to get you to this point.¡± Ben decided to keep him talking to give Cjay more time. ¡°Alex.¡± ¡°Alex? She is a part of this, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Beautiful, act like you despise her. You aren¡¯t fooling me, I know the things that go on between you two.¡± ¡°What?¡± Ben was genuinely confused. ¡°You¡¯re the reason she left me,¡± the man¡¯s eyes got red. ¡°Richard?¡± Ben finally remembered. The man was Richard, Alex¡¯s ex-fiance. ¡°Yes, finally! You remember me!¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°She did a lot to be with you, do you know that?¡± ¡°Look man¡­¡± Ben wanted to speak but he didn¡¯t let him. ¡°No, let me talk!¡± Richard yelled at him.¡±When we were expecting a baby¡­¡± **** shback. ¡°Babe?¡± Richard walked in on Alex sobbing while staring aimlessly at the mirror in their bathroom.¡±What¡¯s the matter? What¡¯s wrong?¡± He turned her around and made her face him. ¡°Come on, speak to me, please, what happened?¡± He begged for her to say something but she only sniffed from time to time. ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling unusual for some time now, and so I decided to get a strip and run a test back here¡­¡± ¡°And?¡± He asked excitedly like he didn¡¯t know what wasing. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant, Richie.¡± Alex¡¯s sobbing became louder. ¡°Is that why you are all in tears?¡± Richard hugged her amid her tears.¡±Isn¡¯t that good news?¡± ¡°No. No, it isn¡¯t.¡± She freed herself of his hug.¡±I don¡¯t want to be pregnant.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that, I know you love babies.¡± ¡°Well, yeah I do, but doesn¡¯t mean I want to have one right now. I can¡¯t be pregnant, especially not now. It can¡¯t happen.¡± ¡°Okay look, I guess you are not in a good mood and we need to talk about this when you¡¯re much calmer. Do you want us to go somewhere you could rx your mind¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to go anywhere,¡± Alex was stubborn. ¡°But you need to calm down,¡± Richard told her worriedly. ¡°I am calm.¡± ¡°No, you are not.¡± ¡°Okay, fine! I am not calm! How could I be? I can¡¯t be pregnant Richie!¡± ¡°Is it because we set our wedding date six months away from now? We could get married tomorrow if you want that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about the wedding! It¡¯s fucking not!¡± ¡°Then what is it about?!¡± Richard lost his calm at a point.¡±I¡¯m trying to help you calm down and you just keep yelling. What is it about? Tell me, what?¡± ¡°I look fat and ugly¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Richard stepped back to try and see what she was talking about but she looked the same as always to him. ¡°Haven¡¯t you noticed? I got fat, and my face looks like I¡¯m old¡­¡± ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t,¡± Richard argued. ¡°Yes, it does. I can¡¯t go to the charity event looking like this,¡± Alex sniffed. ¡°That¡¯s still a month away, and why is that bothering you, you can decline their invitation and not go.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the problem, you see. I can¡¯t decline. Do you know how long I¡¯ve been wanting this?¡± ¡°They invite us almost every year. We went togetherst year.¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t get it. I mean going with Ben, I¡¯ve been waiting since forever to get the chance and now that I can finally be at his side at the event, I¡¯m pregnant!¡± ¡°Hold on, going with Ben? Ben Larkson?¡± ¡°Which other Ben? Yes, Ben Larkson. I asked Jenna to help me out so I could be his plus one instead of those other models he picks to go with.¡± ¡°When were you going to tell me about this? All of this?¡± Richard asked her, his voice mixed with anger and jealousy. ¡°¡­¡± Alex became quiet. ¡°You did it again, Alex. Are we back to you making decisions without letting me know anything about it?¡± ¡°Why would I tell you, I know you. I knew you would react this way.¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You knew I would react this way?¡± He snorted after repeating what she said.¡±Give me a reason Alex, give me a fucking reason why I shouldn¡¯t react the way I¡¯m reacting.¡± ¡°You are making a big deal out of nothing,¡± Alex shook her head and folded her arms. ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m making a big deal of nothing?! You always do this, Alex. You always act like I¡¯m nothing to you. Why?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to do this with you,¡± She said coldly and wanted to leave but he blocked her way. ¡°How would you feel if I just came home one day, and told you that I n to go on a date with some chick? How would you feel?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going on a date with him, it¡¯s a fucking charity event, a lot of people are going to be there!¡± ¡°You say that like you don¡¯t know how you act around him. You lose yourself, Alex.¡± He reminded her but she only rolled her eyes.¡±You promised me that you were over him, didn¡¯t you?¡± Richard resorted to reminding her of her promise to him. ¡°I am over him, it¡¯s you who don¡¯t trust me.¡± ¡°I trust you, I¡¯m just not veryfortable to know that you would be with him the entire night that day.¡± ¡°You said you didn¡¯t want to attend the event right? So why do you have an issue with me attending?¡± ¡± I don¡¯t, I just don¡¯t want you attending as his plus one.¡± He exined as simply as possible what he had been saying all the while. Alex chuckled after hisst words. Using her left hand to cover her mouth, she began tough uncontrobly like he just told her a joke. She had tears in her eyshes from crying earlier but sheughed still. Boom! Weekster. Late night. Alex¡¯s heels made some noise as she walked into the quiet house. It woke Richard up; he had been sitting and waiting for her till he fell asleep. ¡°You¡¯re finally back, I¡¯ve been waiting for you. Why didn¡¯t you pick up your calls? The least you could have done is answer the goddamn call and let me know if you¡¯re busy, you fucking left me worried.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t see my text?¡± Alex raised a brow. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Well, I sent you a text to let you know that I would be visiting Doctor Dan to fix an appointment for my abortion.¡± ¡°What? I thought we talked about that, we¡¯re keeping the baby, aren¡¯t we?¡± ¡°I changed my mind,¡± she shrugged. ¡°You changed your mind? Seriously? Tell me you¡¯re joking, Alex.¡± ¡°Do you see meughing right now? Look, Richie, I¡¯ll be honest with you. I went out with my friends after seeing the doctor and I¡¯m as hell as I speak so please let me just go have a good shower so I can get some sleep.¡± She started to walk towards the stairs. ¡°You can¡¯t make that decision alone. I get to be part of that, Alex. You do know that Doctor Dan can¡¯t do anything to that pregnancy without getting my signature alongside yours right?¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Alex stopped midway through the stairs and turned to look at him for some good seconds beforeughing out loud like she did in the bathroomst time. ¡°It¡¯s my fucking body, Richard. I decide if I want the baby or not, not you. Besides, doctor Dan would only need your signature on shit if we were married, and we are not.¡± Sheughed some more.¡±And how are you even sure this pregnancy belongs to you, huh?¡± ¡°What are you saying, Alex?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just joking, of course it¡¯s yours but it doesn¡¯t change that I n to get rid of it. I don¡¯t cheat, if I wanted to fuck another man, I would certainly give your ring back to you. You should know that by now.¡± ¡°Please, can we talk about this? You¡¯ve been making pretty rash decisionstely.¡± ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, Richard!¡± ¡°Are you really going to take out our baby just to spend one night with him at the event?!¡± ¡°Yes. Yes, Richie, and you know what? The earlier I get rid of the pregnancy, the better because I¡¯ve got to fix myself up before one month. Can we stop talking about this?¡± ***** Present day. ¡°Three years, Ben. Three fucking years, we built that rtionship over three years, and out of nowhere, she ruined everything because of you.¡± Richard bit his lower lips hardly to try and not to remember entirely everything. ¡°I should have a little daughter by now, a beautiful wife and a lovely family but no, Alex wanted you so much that I meant nothing to her after you agreed to have her as your plus one for that event.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Ben sincerely was. He had no idea of all that Richard just told him. ¡°No, you don¡¯t get to be sorry.¡± Richard shook his head with a demented smile.¡±Do you know she had recorded a video of you fucking her? And do you know she fucks herself to it almost every time? She gets home, she inputs the disk in a yer, and fucks herself to that video.¡± Ben blinked when Richard told him that. He didn¡¯t know she recorded everything they did that night. Even if he didn¡¯t want to believe it, he knew Alex could very much do such. ¡°A day before the event in City N, shees to my office and throws our engagement ring at me. Do you know what that means? I couldn¡¯t sleep that night because it was awful imagining you fucking her! I knew she nned to fuck you; Alex would never cheat, she¡¯d rather break up with me to fuck you rather than cheat.¡± ¡°She fucking broke off our ns of having a family just so she could have one night with you, and yet you make her cry alone at night when she¡¯s about to sleep. After she left me, I realized that I had built this beautiful world around her, I mean it wasn¡¯t very beautiful but I loved what we had but then she left and my world crashed.¡± ¡°I realized that I had forgotten what it was like without her in my life so I go over to her ce sometimes but I can¡¯t knock on the door, she¡¯s only going to push me away. I¡¯ve had to watch her from afar, and sometimes, after having fucked herself to that video, she cries herself to sleep. You made her cry even after making her leave me,¡± Richard paused tough shortly.¡±I decided that you needed to have a taste of what emotional pain feels like but how could I make you feel that kind of pain when you don¡¯t believe in love¡­¡± ¡°I had Zina and Nichs do a close-up research for me. They had me know that you were slowly bing addicted to this beauty.¡± He scoffed and sniffed afterward. ¡°You would do anything for this girl, Nichs told me. Zina said that you got lost staring into her eyes most of the time. Belle Miller managed to change your belief in love. I nned to harm her earlier but someone kidnapped her first,¡± Richard shrugged with a smile.¡±You saved her from that. It made me change my initial strategy of kidnapping and hurting her. I decided to add some spice.¡± ¡°I thought to myself: why don¡¯t I make him watch her die, that way I can see the pain in his eyes when it happens.¡± Richardughed again then let it settle to a dull smile. ¡°Give me the fucking remote,¡± he stretched out his hand, and the remote was ced on his right palm. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s me who wronged you right? Not her. Do whatever you want to me and leave her alone, I beg you.¡± Ben pleaded even if he could see on the screen that Belle was now where the backups were waiting. ¡°Andddd boom!¡± Cjay was holding Belle¡¯s hand to help her walk to a different car when Richard hit the only button on the remote he held. ¡°Noooooo!¡± Ben¡¯s eyes dted at the view on the screen. The whole scene had gone up in mes of an explosion, engulfing Belle, Cjay, and every other person there. The impact of the explosion made the drone twitch in the process. The mes on the screen reflected in Ben¡¯s pupil and everything went silent to his ears. The only thing he could hear was Richardughing. ¡°You took Alex away from me, now I take this, Ms. Miller, from you.¡± Richard stood in front of him.¡±You brought some other people with you, I asked you toe alone. They¡¯re all dead now because of you.¡± ¡°Time to sleep, Mr Larkson.¡± Those were thest words he heard from Richard before he was hit on the head, hard. He fell to the floor while still attached to the chair by the chain. His sight became blurred for some seconds then it all became dark. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here, police might be here soon,¡± Richard told the other men and headed out first. Hi babe 11:49 pm Cherry returned from the restroom and saw Brie seated on the bed, not sleeping. Shey on her side of the bed and pulled the nket over herself to go back to sleep but couldn¡¯t, not when Brie was awake. ¡°You are overthinking shit again, aren¡¯t you?¡± She sat and joined Brie. ¡°I just have a bad feeling. It¡¯s been two days since Belle went to that wedding, I find it weird that she hasn¡¯t called ore over to tell us about what happened that day. You know how excited she gets, she should havee by to see us, you know.¡± ¡°Urggh, Brie, really? Is that why you are not sleeping?¡± ¡°Is it not a good enough reason?¡± ¡°No, it isn¡¯t. Get some sleep, Belle is FINE. She¡¯s probably cuddling in bed with him right now and you¡¯re here, worrying your ass over nothing.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call her tomorrow morning, please remind me?¡± ¡°Yeah, sure. Can we return to sleeping now?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Brie rested her head on the pillows. ¡°Oh wow, that was actually easier than usual, you agree to go back to sleep. Good for you, and good for me.¡± **** ¡°Belle? Where are you going?¡± Ben asked as he followed her as she walked elegantly along the hallway with many doors. She didn¡¯t reply to any of his questions, she just kept on walking and he followed till they got to the end of the hallway. There was a door there and she wanted to open it and go in but he stopped her, shutting the door with her hand still on the knob. ¡°Where are you going?¡± He repeated the question he had been asking. She smiled and his eyes fell on her beautiful lips. ¡°Where do you think?¡± She said in her low bedroom voice, cing her hands on his shoulder before rubbing down to his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to leave,¡± he heard himself tell her. ¡°But I¡¯m already gone,¡± she chuckled lightly. ¡°What?¡± ¡°When you wake up you¡¯ll see.¡± She let her hands caress the back of his neck slowly as kissed his right cheek and trailed her lips to his, leaving a peck there and making him want to kiss her but she turned around and opened the door he just closed. ¡°Belle, wait¡­¡± He tried to hold her but she slipped away from him into the door and it closed. He opened it immediately and wanted to join her but saw that the door had gone nowhere. ¡°Belle!¡± He called out but no answer came. He started to go to the doors one by one, opening them and seeing that no single one of them led to anywhere. He stood helplessly and watched the doors turn to white-painted walls. His head started to ache so he closed his eyes to contain the pain and when he opened them again, he was in a room and on a bed. He sat up and ran his hand through his hair. Rubbing on his face, he massaged his forehead because he had a pounding headache. ¡°Ben?¡± He heard Jenna call out excitedly after she saw that he was awake.¡±Aunt! Aunt,e quick, he¡¯s awake now.¡± ¡°How long have I been unconscious?¡± He asked her. ¡°Two weeks and some days now,¡± she replied and helped him sit up. ¡°Shit. Belle. Where¡¯s Belle? Do you know?¡± ¡°Son?¡± Mrs Larkson walked in before Jenna could answer. She went straight to the bed and hugged him even while he sat. Still hugging his mother, he repeated his question to Jenna but with his eyes. Jenna shrugged to show that she didn¡¯t know of Belle¡¯s whereabouts. A doctor and an assisting nurse came in after to check up on him. He requested for his phone and called Randy to know where Belle was because he believed strongly that what he thought he remembered happened was just a mere nightmare. The health personnel were gone now, Jenna and his mother also left and he was alone and still on the phone with Randy. No words could leave his mouth when Randy went on with his exnation of the explosion and how he was found in the house he was tied up in. Randy walked in with the phone still to his ears. He was already on his way toe see if he had woken up when Ben called him. The moment he walked in, Ben let the phone fall from his hand. Randy saw him blink repeatedly after he swallowed. His boss¡¯s eyes were red. ¡°Her body wasn¡¯t found in the explosion,¡± he gave more information to Ben and saw him look up.¡±Nobody was found.¡± He added. ¡°Get a car ready, I need to see someone,¡± Ben said and got out of bed. ¡°Sir, Mrs. Larkson won¡¯t be pleased if you leave, I think you¡¯re still on medication, maybe I can go see this person on your behalf?¡± ***** Brie tried calling Belle for the twenty-eight time during her lunch break at her workce. ¡°Come on, Brie, if she was with her phone she would have answered the call by now, you know that.¡± Cherry had to stop her. ¡°What do you want me to do? It¡¯s the only thing I can do. It¡¯s the only way I can reach her, I don¡¯t even know where the new ce he got her is, she stopped working so there¡¯s no work colleague of hers I can ask of he whereabouts, so what do you want me to do?!¡± Brie broke down and started to sob. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t cry,¡± Cherry started tofort her.¡±I think she probably lost her phone or something.¡± ¡°If she did, she should have called with a different number to let me know.¡± Brie¡¯s cry got louder and made Cherry d that they were the only ones in the staff room at that moment. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know what to say anymore, Brie,¡± Cherry said honestly.¡±Is there no way to get to Mr Larkson?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not been in his office for the past few days, and even if he has been, his assistant wouldn¡¯t even put me on an appointment list.¡± ¡°O my god, that¡¯s bad¡­¡± ¡°Now, you see why I¡¯m worried?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ***** Alex was just returning from a shoot and decided to give herself a warm shower before having some rest. She got out of her shower cubicle and wanted to put on her bathrobe but didn¡¯t see it where she left it hanging so she went for one of the towels on the towel rack. She came out of the bathroom and saw someone she knew sitting on her bed and sniffing her bathrobe. It was Richard. ¡°Hi babe,¡± he grinned happily and stood from the bed to approach her but stopped when he saw how the towel looked on her. With the pink towel wrapped around her, it stopped at her upper thighs and was somewhat tight because it stuck to her skin. Richard licked his lips at the view he was having. Some water was still dripping from her hair to her neck even if she had dried it with a different towel earlier. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± She asked with shock because she wasn¡¯t expecting him.¡±And how the fuck did you get in?¡± ¡°I let myself in, babe.¡± ¡°Stop calling me that,¡± she got angry. He smiled when he saw her eyes get angry. ¡°Fuck, you are forever beautiful,¡± his smile remained. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m in a fucking towel right now, I just go out of the shower and you are in my room. I¡¯m gonna close my eyes and just assume that I¡¯m hallucinating and hopefully by the time I open them, you are not here anymore.¡± She said and closed her eyes. ¡°What if you open them and still see me here because I do not n to leave.¡± He said and got her to open her eyes, shocked again. ¡°Richard¡­¡± She gnashed her teeth in annoyance. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make me call the cops on you.¡± ¡°The police? Really? What do you mean? I can¡¯te see you now or what?¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t, not without letting me know. You fucking came in without my permission and¡­¡± ¡°How many times did I beg to have dinner with you after you broke up with me!¡± He stopped her from talking when his voice overpowered hers.¡±Did you ever say yes?¡± She kept mute and stared at him.¡±Did you? No. No, you didn¡¯t, and you want me to ask for your permission before I cane see you.¡± ¡°Richard, I¡¯m so not in the mood for any of this¡­¡± ¡°When are you ever in the mood for anything? You tell me. As long as it¡¯s me, you are never in the mood for any fucking thing.¡± He came closer to her and startled her when he did so. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I just wanted toe see you, is there a crime in that?¡± He stroked her cheekbone with his folded forefinger. Alex tried to push his hand away but he stopped her by holding her wrist. ¡°Don¡¯t, Alex, don¡¯t fucking do that.¡± He ced more of his right fingers on her face and made her more ufortable. ¡°What are you doing?¡± She asked angrily and looked him in the eyes. ¡°Petting your cheeks,¡± he smiled.¡±And I n to do more.¡± He added and made her widen.¡±I miss this, you know, I miss you and your delicate skin, and¡­¡± ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough,¡± She stopped him from talking. ¡°Why? You don¡¯t like it when I praise you anymore? Who would you rather sing you these praises, him? Ben, right?¡± You came back! Alex was starting to get scared of Richard¡¯s presence when they heard her doorbell ring downstairs. ¡°Are you expecting someone?¡± He asked her. ¡°N¡­ yes!¡± She lied and left him for downstairs before he could hold her back. Happily opening the door to at least be free from him, she saw Randy. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I was sent by Mr Larkson¡­¡± Randy saw that she was in a towel and looked away immediately. ¡°Randy, thank goodness it¡¯s you.¡± She pushed him outside and followed, closing the door behind her. ¡°Ma¡¯am I¡­¡± ¡°Shhhh. I need you to help me okay? There¡¯s someone in there whom I am currently not veryfortable with,¡± she started and when she saw that he was listening, she continued.¡±I want you to act like we nned to leave together and that you came to pick me up. Can you?¡± ¡°I was actually sent by Mr Larkson to¡­¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you listening to me?!¡± She whispered shakily.¡±I need your help, someone broke into my house.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the police, ma¡¯am.¡± Randy remained polite though he didn¡¯t believe what she was saying. ¡°Babe?!¡± Richard called from upstairs. ¡°C¡­ can you hear him now? Can you see now that I really do need your help?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m prepared for this,¡± Randy muttered to himself with a sigh, wondering why she was being dramatic. He turned around to leave. ¡°Hold on, are you leaving?¡± Alex asked but got no reply from him as he walked away. She thought to herself for some seconds and decided to follow him but heard a gun cork from behind her. ¡°Don¡¯t think of it, Alex.¡± Richard threatened her while descending from the stairs.¡±Close the door, will you?¡± Alex contemted following his order and how not-so-beneficial it would be if she did. She saw Randy walk farther and thought to scream but got startled by Richard when he let the nozzle of the gun touch the back of her neck. While she was thinking, Richard hade nearer to where she stood. ¡°I asked you to close the door,¡± he gave her an angry, stern look before closing the door himself and turning the lock after. He turned her around and made her rest her back against the door, slowly trailing the gun¡¯s nozzle from her neck down to her cleavage. He stared at her breasts for some good time before suddenly taking the fun back to her neck but this time beneath her jaw. ¡°You made me take out a gun now, I did not want to do that.¡± He brought his face to hers and spoke to her face, ying with the gun by stroking it against her right cheek. ¡°Is that my gun?¡± Alex asked when she had a chance to set her eyes on the gun he held. ¡°This? Yes, it¡¯s yours.¡± He smiled and tapped on the tip of her nose with the gun. ¡°How did you¡­¡± She trailed halfway through her question in confusion because she knew the gun was in her safe and it had a lock. ¡°I know the code to your safe and all your passwords, Alex.¡± He reminded her.¡±I know the password to every one of your devices. Did you forget how you suggested that we knew each other¡¯s passwords? Just. In. Case?¡± Alex instantly regretted suggesting that idea when they were still together. She also regretted not changing her passwords. ¡°Oh Alex, I love that look you have on right now.¡± He said and kissed her shoulder but she pushed his head away. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± ¡°Having what¡¯s mine,¡± he held her neck and heard her gasp.¡±Don¡¯t make me be aggressive, Alex. You know how extreme I can be with rough sex.¡± He chuckled and kissed her on the lips after. Alex tried to move her head to stop him but his hand was around her neck to bring back her face to his the more she tried. He got his way, parting her lips and touching her tongue with his for the kind of kiss he loved. He was enjoying what he was doing till Alex bit his tongue. ¡°Fuck,¡± he cursed inaudible because of the pain that wave through his tongue. Alex turned and tried to open the door but his hands got to the lock before she could turn it. ¡°Come on Richard, what is this, huh? Why do you want to do this?¡± She started to sob when the gun was back to her neck. ¡°Because I¡¯m fucking tired of begging you toe back to what we were. I¡¯ve decided to have a good time with your body; at least It¡¯s the only thing I can get from you without your consent.¡± Someone rang the doorbell after his reply. ¡°Shit. How many persons are you expecting toe by today?¡± He asked rhetorically because he had studied her schedule for the past week and knew she was usually headed to be with Jenna after her shoot but now that Jenna was married and the wedding nning was concluded, he knew she would be home early so he waited for her. It was annoying to hear a second ring of the doorbell. ¡°Open the door and ask whoever it is to leave. If you do anything stupid, I¡¯ll just have to kill you and kill myself too.¡± Alex nodded even if she knew she was going to scream and run the moment that door opened. Richard took the gun away from her neck and hid by one of the tall curtains there. He signaled her to open the door and she nodded again, her hands shaky as she unlocked her entrance door. ¡°You came back,¡± she muttered happily when she saw Randy. ¡°Mr Larkson asked me to stay with you till hees.¡± Randy said unhappily.¡±Is there really someone here?¡± Alex nodded fearfully. ¡°Does he have any weapon with him?¡± ¡°He has a gun,¡± she whispered and swallowed.¡±He has my gun,¡± she made her voice lower than the first time. ¡°Upstairs?¡± She shook her head to his question. ¡°He¡¯s here in the living room, he¡¯s hiding. I don¡¯t want to die.¡± She ended up saying. Randy sighed and walked past her to go inside. She was reluctant to close the door after he came in because she was scared. ¡°You know it¡¯s fine, you can just go pick up Jenna first thene back for me.¡± She told Randy like that was what they were talking about while at the door. ¡°I¡¯ll wait. Please go get ready so we can leave.¡± Randy replied ordingly. She looked back at the curtains and then at Randy before going up the stairs slowly, one step at a time. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± Richard bit his lips in annoyance at Randy¡¯s presence. He started to think of what to do while behind the curtain. Meanwhile, Randy sat on one of thefortable sofas in Alex¡¯s living room, his right hand in his jacket pocket and holding his gun just in case he needed to pull it out and use it. Richard saw that the kitchen was just near to where he was hiding so he quietly made it there but as quiet as he was, Randy still noticed him by the movement of his shadow. Alex returned downstairs fully dressed and went and stood behind the sofa in which Randy sat.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s leave,¡± she whispered. ¡°No. Mr. Larkson wants to meet you, we¡¯re going to wait for him to arrive.¡± Alex scoffed unbelievingly at what he just said. ¡°He¡¯s going to kill me and himself before Benes, let¡¯s just go.¡± She begged. ¡°He¡¯s not behind the curtain anymore, he¡¯s in your kitchen. You said he has a gun right?¡± ¡°Yes. Do you think he went to get a knife to¡­¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am? Shhh,¡± Randy stopped her from talking and stood up to go to the kitchen. Standing behind the sofa still, Alex squeezed her fingers against each other in nervousness as she watched Randy enter the kitchen. The moment she heard a grunt from the kitchen, she did not want to know who it was grunting in pain. She immediately started for the door but about to open the door, she saw a gun slide all the way from the kitchen to the living room. The gun stopped its motion at a short distance from where she was. Looking at the door and looking at the gun, she questioned her mind on what to do; if to run or if to pick up the gun and see if she could help Randy. With a deep inhtion of breath, she went and picked up the gun. She saw that it was her gun and was d because she knew how to use it. Walking towards the kitchen slowly, she heard her pots sh and ran back to the door, changing her mind on helping out. On opening the door, she saw Ben and some other men approaching her entrance. You wouldn鈥檛 hurt her Richard was now being tied up in her living room while she watched alongside Ben. She was excited at first, that Ben came to her rescue then realized sooner that he came solely for Richard. ¡°What did he do?¡± She asked Ben but didn¡¯t get a reply. ¡°Search for it,¡± she heard him order instead. The men started up her stairs. ¡°Search for what?¡± She asked again but got no reply. She saw Ben go over to one of the sofas opposite to where Richard was tied up to take a seat. She saw a look on Ben¡¯s face that she saw the day he came by and injected her with an overdose of the drug thatnded her at the hospital. It was a masked look because he seemed calm but she knew he was angry and unhappy at the same time. When she got a chance, she moved to where Richard was and decided to ask him what she asked Ben earlier, hoping for a response. ¡°What did you do, Richie?¡± She asked and got a re from him that made her move back. ¡°Where is she?¡± Richard¡¯s eyes turned from Alex to Ben when he heard the question. ¡°Dead,¡± Richard smiled wholely to irritate Ben more than he knew he already was. Alex watched Ben close his eyes and inhale calmly then his eyes opened again when he exhaled. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for jokes, Richard,¡± Ben told him again. ¡°She¡¯s dead. I know I¡¯m smiling but I¡¯m not joking. Your Belle is dead. She died while you watched, can¡¯t you remember? I made you watch the car she was in go up in mes.¡± Richard ended his words with brokenughter while Ben squinted his tired eyes at him. ¡°Belle is dead?¡± Alex asked no one in particr as she tried to hide her joy. ¡°Tie her up,¡± he ordered and Alex looked around to see who the ¡®her¡¯ was but then realized she was the only female around. ¡°What?¡± She whimpered when a man came to her. ¡°Get me a knife.¡± Ben got on his feet. ¡°Ben, what are you asking them to do?¡± Alex shook with fear when the man who came to her forced her to sit on a chair. She saw someone walk up to Ben with a knife from her kitchen. ¡°How is the CCTV?¡± ¡°He already disarmed it, sir.¡± One of the men present in the living room replied. Richard had disconnected the cameras around the house when he came to see Alex earlier. ¡°Good.¡± A different chair was brought for Ben so he sat in front of Richard with a cold look on his face. ¡°I will ask you again,¡± Ben told him while checking how sharp the edge of the knife was with the tip of his finger.¡±If you give me a wrong answer like before, I¡¯ll give stripes to a part of her body with this.¡± Ben held the knife to Richard¡¯s eyes now.¡±And you¡¯ll watch me do it. Let¡¯s see how fun that can be.¡± Richard turned his head to look at Alex tied up just like he was. He looked away after, trying not to care about whatever Ben nned to do with her. Ben started in her direction and she swallowed fearfully. ¡°Richard, what did you do?¡± She asked when she saw Ben spin the knife skillfully in front of her.¡±Ben?¡± She looked up at him pleadingly. ¡°Sir, we found this.¡± Randy came downstairs with a broken DVD disk in his hand. ¡°O my goodness, it¡¯s broken, who broke it?¡± Alex made a sad face when she saw that the disk which she saved she and Ben¡¯s sex tape was broken. ¡°We found it this way, sir,¡± Randy informed. ¡°So, it¡¯s you who broke it!¡± She turned angrily at Richard who just hissed ¡°Where are the duplicates?¡± Ben asked her, not moved by her eyes which had begun to tear. ¡°There are no duplicates, why do you think I keep it in my safe,¡± she sniffed. Ben took the DVD disk which was already broken in two and shattered it more. Alex frowned more when she watched his hand crush the disk. ¡°Have someone go through herptop, and her phone too.¡± She heard Ben say to Randy who nodded. ¡°So you don¡¯t believe me, you think I¡¯m lying,¡± she couldn¡¯t believe that he couldn¡¯t see how much she didn¡¯t want that one disk to be broken. Ben returned to her with the knife. ¡°O my god,¡± she gasped when she saw that knife again. She had forgotten that he had a knife.¡±Ben¡­¡± ¡°Make him look at me,¡± Ben ordered and Richard was forced to face Ben as he held the knife in front of her.¡±Where is she?¡± He repeated his question from before. ¡°Ben, this is crazy. What makes you think he¡¯ll say anything if you torture me, he hates me now¡­ please, just put the knife away.¡± Alex started to shake when Ben tilted her head to get a view of her neck. ¡°No answer?¡± Ben looked at Richard. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t hurt her,¡± Richard was so sure. ¡°You think?¡± Ben giggled lightly with an unusual smile and took the knife closer to her throat. It was so close that she could feel the coldness of the de against her skin. ¡°Ben!¡± Her fear peaked at¡¯s highest level.¡±For fuck¡¯s sake Richard! Just tell him what he wants, please!¡± Richard inhaled and exhaled loudly as he watched Alex scream with fear in her voice. He tried to look away but someone turned his face back to Ben holding the knife to her neck. ¡°Still no answer?¡± Ben smiled without doing anything yet but Alex knew how much closer the knife got to her skin thest time he told Richard the ¡®no answer?¡¯. ¡°Ben, please, he¡¯s not going to say anything you want. I¡¯m not the one for this, he hates me¡­ I, I, I left him, he¡¯s angry with me, and probably happy that a knife is at my neck. Please change your mind, please, please Ben.¡± She begged again and Ben felt a hot tear touch his hand on her face. She was crying now. ¡°You¡¯re wrong in an aspect, Alex; saying he hates you because he doesn¡¯t. He might be angry that you left him but he doesn¡¯t hate you. You are the reason he did all he did.¡± He informed Alex because she seemed not to know that Richard was obsessed with her. After he was done talking, he pressed the knife more against her skin and saw the lining of blood slide past the knife. ¡°O my god, o my god, o my god!¡± Alex was back to screaming. ¡°Stop!¡± Ben heard Richard but didn¡¯t stop.¡±Stop, please!¡± Richard cried out, thinking Ben didn¡¯t hear him. ¡°Where is she?¡± Ben was still calm with his question. ¡°At a vige¡­¡± Richard started.¡±My vige¡­¡± As he spoke, Ben dropped the knife. Randy brought a towel for him to wipe his hands.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Where¡¯s the doctor?¡± ¡°He¡¯s almost here, sir¡­ oh, here he is.¡± Randy looked at the door as it was held open for the doctor toe in. ¡°Look, you made me cut her, I had no ns for that,¡± Ben told Richard when he saw his eyes on Alex. ¡°The cut is not very deep,¡± Ben squatted in front of Alex.¡±You will be given medical attention right away, okay?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded shakily with a sniff after. ¡°Good.¡± He patted her cheek. ¡°Untie him, he¡¯s going to take us to where she is.¡± He turned away from her with an instruction to his men. Justified reason to worry ¡°Hey man,e take a look.¡± Belle watched as one of the men assigned to be with her called to the other after collecting her ring from her ring finger. ¡°Is it original diamond?¡± The man who was called asked. ¡°What do you think? Of course, it is, can¡¯t you see?¡± The first man held it up to the light.¡±She¡¯s wearing a ring that¡¯s probably worth an amount I¡¯ve never touched in my entire life.¡± ¡°Are we going to sell it?¡± The second man asked. ¡°We? Did you just say we? I¡¯m the one who noticed it on her finger first¡­¡± ¡°Guys,¡± someone came in while panting loudly. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°I was upstairs¡­¡± The man stopped to pant for some seconds.¡±I was upstairs, and I saw these vehicles¡­¡± ¡°Is the boss back?¡± The first man asked, putting the ring in his jacket pocket. ¡°I don¡¯t think so, he usuallyes alone. When I said that I saw cars, I meant that there were at least seven of them.¡± ¡°Seven?¡± The second man asked. ¡°Yeah,¡± the informant nodded.¡±I would be far off if I had started to run when I saw them but I decided toe tell you two.¡± ¡°How many cars did you say you saw?¡± The first man asked. ¡°I think seven of them¡­ and then there¡¯s three of us, I¡¯m out of here guys. See youter, that¡¯s if you survive whoever¡¯sing for her.¡± The informant said and started to leave. ¡°What do you mean? We¡¯reing with you.¡± The second man said then turned to the first.¡±We are leaving with him right?¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah. We should leave,e on.¡± After they left, Belle moved with the chair she was tied to. She was trying to get to Cjay who had been knocked out by the men earlier because they thought he was talking too much. ¡°Hey¡­¡± She called to him but got no response. His eyes were still closed but he was breathing, she noticed. ¡°Come on, wake up¡­ they¡¯re gone now, I think. Someone¡¯sing to help us, probably the police, probably your boss.¡± She talked to him still even if he was unconscious. Sighing after talking to the passed-out Cjay and not getting any responses, she wished she could reach out to him and just tap him but both her hands were tied up behind the chair she sat on. ¡°Belle?¡± She heard Ben. ¡°O my goodness, he¡¯s here, it is him. I told you, didn¡¯t I?¡± She rejoiced with the still-unconscious Cjay. ¡°Belle?!¡± She heard Ben call out louder and heard footsteps too. ¡°I¡¯m here!¡± She yelled and the door to the room she was in opened in a few minutes. ¡°Belle¡­¡± Ben rushed to where she was and knelt in front of her, untying the ropes used on her hand. The moment her hands were freed, she hugged him tight and heard him grunt so she stopped. ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked. ¡°Yes,¡± he lied and put his arms around her to hug her again, d that she was alive. Randy sighed because he knew he just lied; he knew his boss left his medication toe find her and might provoke his health. He had just partially recovered from the Internal head injury he had. ¡°Cjay¡­¡± She stopped the hug again and pointed to the corner. Randy immediately went to him. ¡°Hey Cjay, wake up,¡± he pped his face. Cjay blinked to stabilize his sight when he opened his eyes and saw Randy. ¡°Randy, is it really you?¡± He asked just to be sure his eyes weren¡¯t deceiving him. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Took you guys forever,¡± Cjay said again as Randy helped him get up. He winced his eyes in pain because his head still hurt a little. **** ¡°Hell no, who did this to you?¡± Jenna dropped her purse when she made it to the hospital and saw a bandage around Alex¡¯s neck. ¡°Again¡­¡± She started to sob.¡±Again, Jenna, I¡¯m going to have to cancel the shoot I canceled back then because I was in the hospital.¡± ¡°But who did this!¡± Jenna was angry. She looked at Alex, expecting her to say something but she just stared back at her with no words. Alex couldn¡¯t tell her. She knew she couldn¡¯t. It was allplicated. If she told her that it was Ben, she knew Jenna well enough to know that she would approach him about it, and in doing that, she might as well find out that she was the one who orchestrated Belle¡¯s kidnapped back then. She knew she wasn¡¯t ready for Jenna to know about that. Jenna¡¯s was the only one she could run to when things went shitty. **** ¡°Where did you leave your phone these past two weeks, Belle?¡± Brie asked after picking up her phone while in the kitchen.¡±And where on earth have you been? You didn¡¯t even see the need to call back? All my missed calls, didn¡¯t they send a clue about how worried I was?¡± ¡°Are you talking to Belle over the phone right now?¡± Cherry ran to the kitchen from the living room.¡±I think I heard you say her name. If I¡¯m right, give me a nod?¡± Brie nodded before continuing to speak to her sister. ¡°I would return your call if I wasn¡¯t tied up at some remote ce for the past two weeks.¡± ¡°Tied up? What do you¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s actually a long story, you see, but I¡¯ll tell you all about it when Ie to see youter.¡± ¡°When is that? When will that be?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± Belle looked over her shoulder at Ben sleeping.¡± but it will be this week, I guess.¡± She ended the call and went to join Ben on the bed. He had been tired since they returned and she knew why. Randyter told her how Ben had left medication toe for her even after asking him (Randy) to take care of things. She caressed his face while he slept. She was going to ask him to return to his medication after he woke up. Ben felt her palm on his face and ced his right hand over hers. He turned to her with a faint smile. ¡°Someone¡¯s thinking about me,¡± he teased and saw her smile. ¡°I thought you were asleep.¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m just tired, I feel weak.¡± ¡°Does your head hurt too?¡± She asked him and gave him a look that gave the fact that she knew about his internal injury away. ¡°Fuck. Randy told you, didn¡¯t he.¡± He sighed guiltily. ¡°Why did you lie about it?¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to worry, it¡¯s bad enough that you¡¯ve had to be kidnapped twice now because of me.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re now sister, Brie, who thinks it¡¯s your fault.¡± ¡°She is not wrong, it is my fault. I¡¯m sorry I lied, I really didn¡¯t want you to think about anything when we got here, I wanted you to just have a good sleep, you know.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re the one tired and sleepy,¡± Belle frowned at him.¡±What is wrong with you? Randy said he could havee for me yet you got off medication. He told me that he could have handled things but apparently, you don¡¯t trust him.¡± ¡°I trust him¡­¡± ¡°Enough to leave things to him?¡± ¡°He called me after not being able to do what he told me he could. I had to do what I had to; I had to take care of things myself.¡± ¡°¡­¡± She raised her brows as she watched him talk. ¡°Shit. My mum, she must be angry as hell that I left while still on drip. She had no idea I left when I did. Where¡¯s my phone,¡± he sat up and checked around him before seeing it sitting on the bedside table. He took it and sighed after merely unlocking it. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Five missed calls, they¡¯re from her.¡± ¡°You should have just let Randy handle things. I understand her, she¡¯s scared to lose you.¡± ¡°Good. It should be easier for her to understand that I¡¯m also scared to lose you. Randy¡¯s arm was still weak from being shot besides, I knew resting back would be hard because I¡¯ll spend all the seconds I don¡¯t get an update from him on worrying.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the thing. I think you worry too much. You¡¯re just like Brie.¡± Belle chuckled at the afterthought of what she just said. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I worry,¡± he kept his phone andy back down on the bed,ing closer to her than he was.¡±You might not know but I¡¯ve forgotten what my day used to be without thinking about you.¡± He put his arms around her and closed his eyes weakly. ¡°Justified reason to worry,¡± Belle smiled and massaged his head with just one hand. ¡°Richard almost had me there, you know. His aim was to traumatize me mentally and emotionally and it almost worked. I thought I had lost you back then. I don¡¯t want to imagine it.¡± ¡°Is that his name? Is Richard the name of the man that did all of that?¡± Bribe Morning, the next day. ¡°Did you think about it?¡± Ben leaned against the wall with both his hands in the trouser pockets as he watched Belle arrange her hair. ¡°Think about what,¡± she dropped her hairbrush and turned to him. ¡°Please tell me you gave a thought to what I told youst night.¡± ¡°Be direct, we talked about quite a lot yesterday,¡± she started to put lipstick on her lips while facing the mirror again. ¡°¡­¡± Ben scratched the back of his neck and bit his lips because he knew that she remembered what he was talking about. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m ready.¡± She stood up from the chair in front of the mirror.¡±Will you drop me off at my sister¡¯s or will someone else take me?¡± She asked, walking past him after picking her purse and hoping he followed like she wanted but he didn¡¯t. Ben pulled her back by her waist and he did it so easily, it made her wonder if to do a weight gain diet so he couldn¡¯t do that anymore. ¡°Please?¡± Be didn¡¯t let her go after bringing her back to himself. His arms around her waist still, he looked her in the eyes like to hypnotize her. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheughed when she noticed what he was doing with his eyes. ¡°Trying to hypnotize you to go home with me; I know you knew what I was talking about just now.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t repeat a situation twice, especially one within my control. The first time I met your mother, I was unprepared but I don¡¯t want that to happen again.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to prepare for anything.¡± He told her something he was sure he repeated to her ears yesterday when they first talked about it. ¡°Says who?¡± ¡°Me?¡± ¡°The first time I met her at Jenna¡¯s wedding, I was wearing this not-so-decent dress¡­¡± ¡°Your dress was perfect that day.¡± Ben told her but she shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember? It had this long vline that went from here¡­¡± She turned around and pointed at her upper back.¡±¡­ all the way to my lower waist¡­ and I wasn¡¯t wearing a bra or anything and we had just fucked that day, my nipples were out like that¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re just exaggerating things,¡± he had go stopped. ¡°What if she thinks I¡¯m a whore?¡± ¡°My whore,¡± she heard him say. ¡°What?¡± She feigned anger with her question but he onlyughed.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°You told me you would think about it,¡± he went back to the main point.¡±and you didn¡¯t even give it a thought, at all.¡± ¡°I did, and I decided that I won¡¯t see her till I¡¯m ready. I¡¯m going to visit Brie and after that, I¡¯ll juste back home and have a good time rest. You better pick up when I call to check up on you after you get home.¡± She told him and wanted to walk out again but like before, he pulled her back. Even if she didn¡¯t like how easy he usually brought her back to himself, she liked how he always put him arms around her waist after. ¡°What if I offer a bribe,¡± she heard him. ¡°What?¡± She snickered, wondering the bribe he had in mind could possibly be till he leaned in and kissed her briefly. When their lips separated, she raised a brow.¡±Hold on, was that¡­ was that the bribe?¡± She asked with a lightughter apanying her voice. ¡°It wasn¡¯t enough?¡± She heard him ask with a serious face before leaning in to give her another kiss. This time, it was deeper and wetter with his lips savoring hers. ¡°Mmmn,¡± he heard her and knew she was now drawn in so he suddenly stopped, leaving her wanting more. Belle opened her eyes which she had closed while they kissed. ¡°So?¡± He asked her. He just wanted to hear her say she would go with him. ¡°Come here,¡± she put her arms around his neck and kissed him more; that was what she wanted at that moment. When she was done, she bit her lips and looked at him for a minute. ¡°Okay, why do really want me to go with you?¡± She asked to know if to change her mind. ¡°You¡¯re the only one that can divert her attention from me.¡± ¡°What?¡± She wanted to understand better. ¡°You know¡­ if I take you back with me, she will forget that I ever left the way I did because she will be so indulged in you, and getting to know you and all of that.¡± ¡°You¡¯re scared of her scolding you?¡± Belleughed. ¡°Don¡¯t put it that way,¡± heughed with her. ¡°¡­ but what if she asks questions that I¡¯m not prepared to answer, huh? What then? You¡¯ll have to help me out.¡± ¡°She won¡¯t, she already asked me most of those questions after you left to the bathroom that day but even if she does, I will help out.¡± ¡°Wait, what do you mean she already asked most of those questions that day, what and what did she ask about?¡± Belle got anxious. ¡°How we met¡­¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°We met at a hotel for a meeting,¡± he smiled after watching her exhale peacefully over the answer he gave.¡±We met at a hotel for a meeting and we fucked after.¡± ¡°What?! Did you tell her that?¡± He saw her eyes fall on him like they were ready to burn him alive. ¡°No, I¡¯m just kidding.¡± Heughed and saw her roll her eyes. ¡°What else did she ask?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t I tell you on our way there,¡± he smiled charmingly, hoping she smiled back. ¡°I¡¯m going to go see my sister first,¡± she told him her decision. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°And please, you are going to wait for me in the car. I feel like Brie is going to burn the ce down if she sees you.¡± ¡°Then car sex before we drive to my¡­¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°No? You want that,¡± he knew she did with the way she kissed him back. ¡°I do but not till you recover. I¡¯m going to see my sister as briefly as I can them we will go see your mum.¡± ¡°If the doctors run their tests and check on me, and I am cleared as healthy before tonight¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to agree to that; you could just ask them to¡­¡± ¡°Noooo, I can¡¯t do that to my health.¡± He made an innocent face but she just shook her head. ¡°Let¡¯s go,e on.¡± She took his arm to head outside. I remember Larkson mansion. ¡°Aww, she has such a pretty face.¡± Mrs Larkson said after some silent minutes of admiration. Belle looked up from her dish and smiled at the woman sitting opposite to her on the dining table. Things were great since she came by unlike all she assumed. Mrs Larkson didn¡¯t ask the many questions she assumed she had to prepare for so things were alright till she said: ¡°My grandchildren will be so cute, I can already imagine.¡± Belle almost choked on what she was about to swallow when Mrs Larkson blurted that out. Ben stood and filled a ss of water, rubbing Belle¡¯s back slowly while bending to speak to her as she had her head down. ¡°Water?¡± He proposed and she took the ss from him and took a big sip. While Belle was drinking water, Ben took the chance to give his mother a questioning look about what she just said. Belle returned the ss to him and he kept it on the table and sat back down. Mrs Larkson didn¡¯t say anything else; she didn¡¯t mean to make Belle ufortable by saying that. The doctors around did a full check on Ben and asserted him medically okay and healthy. Belle saw him full of smiles and rolled her eyes whenever he winked at her. ¡°But he still needs to avoid stress for the next few days.¡± A doctor added at the end of their statement of report and Belle was the one smiling now. She saw that Ben had stopped smiling and it made her want tough out loud. They were about to leave the Larkson mansion when they met Ben¡¯s father walking in. There was a moment of awful silence before Ben interlocked Belle¡¯s fingers with his and took her to the car waiting for them. Benard Larkson turned to look at Belle one more time before looking at his wife for a clue on who she was but he forgot that they weren¡¯t on talking terms. Mrs Larkson turned around and headed back inside once Ben and Belle drove off. **** ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what my mother said, it¡¯s just that she¡¯s had this obsession with having grandchildren for a while now.¡± Ben apologized when they were on the road. ¡°But you don¡¯t like babies, or do you now?¡± Belle asked him. ¡°I mean, I have no issue in making one with you. Do you want to make a baby? Right now?¡± He winked at her and sheughed. ¡°Right now? Are you crazy?¡± Sheughed some more.¡±Didn¡¯t you hear the doctors? You are to stay away from stress for a few days.¡± ¡°Making a baby with you won¡¯t be counted as stressful¡­¡± He smiled. ¡°Till then. We are doing not anything with each other for the next few days. Your health first.¡± ¡°You are joking right?¡± He stopped the car at a red light and turned to her. He saw that she wasn¡¯t by the look on her face.¡±You are serious?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she nodded. ¡°If you can resist my touch, good luck.¡± Heughed. ¡°I can.¡± She folded her hands and heard himugh more.¡±What? You don¡¯t think I can?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see if you can.¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll see,¡± she said, taking it as a challenge from him.¡±How long till we get there?¡± She asked. He was driving them to his birth mother. He wanted to introduce Belle to her too. **** The next day. Ben and Belle were on a flight to see Belle¡¯s grandmother. Belle thought she would get the chance to see Ben tensed up just to meet her grandmother but it wasn¡¯t like that with him. ¡°Are you tensed?¡± She asked him in the car parked just outside her grandmother¡¯s residence. ¡°No, why?¡± His response made her pout her lips in disappointment. ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s just go.¡± Belle said and got out of the car before him, taking her purse along with her before shutting the door. They got to the door and Belle realized that she was the one who was tensed. She inhaled briefly and exhaled almost as quickly in an attempt to calm herself. ¡°Ben, I¡¯m worried.¡± She stopped him from ringing the doorbell. ¡°What are you worried about? You already made me practice all I would have to say when get here.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t just know but I¡¯m worried that she might not be happy with the man I chose.¡± She heard Ben chuckle after she said that.¡±It¡¯s not funny, I¡¯m being serious here, Ben.¡± ¡°Trust me, she won¡¯t think like that, okay?¡± ¡°She wanted me to go on a date with this doctor once and I refused¡­ she has been picky about the type of men she sees me around since then.¡± ¡°I can buy her with my looks, don¡¯t worry.¡± He said and made her smile even if she was still worried.¡±I want you to rx your mind for me, will you?¡± Belle nodded and smiled to brighten up her face. After that, she was the one to ring the bell while they waited for it to be answered. It didn¡¯t take long before someone opened the door. It wasn¡¯t Belle¡¯s grandmother, it was the person hired to stay around and assist her. ¡°Grandma!¡± The girl yelled excitedly after seeing them because she knew the old woman had been expecting them. ¡°Are they here?¡± Belle smiled with tears in her eyes when her grandmother sat up from where she sat in the living room. She didn¡¯t let her walk all the way, rather, she went to her and hugged her tight. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯ve missed youuu,¡± she expressed her heart when her grandmother hugged her back. ¡°Is it him?¡± Her grandmother whispered to her. Belle separated their hug and replied with a nod. ¡°Why is he standing there then,¡± she left Belle and went to him. ¡°Good evening, Grandma.¡± Ben greeted with a bow like Belle asked him to. It made the old womanugh. ¡°Did she ask you to do that?¡± ¡°No,¡± both Ben and Belle lied with a chorused answer. It was night time and Belle¡¯s grandmother¡¯s caretaker had left after dinner. ¡°Belle dear,¡± she called Belle sweetly. ¡°Yes Grandma,¡± Belle stood from where she sat beside Ben and went to join her on the couch where she sat alone. ¡°Can you help me go fetch my sses in my room?¡± ¡°Oh okay.¡± Belle smiled and started towards her grandmother¡¯s room. ¡°It¡¯s on top of the drawer, just check for it.¡± She added and waited till Belle left before turning back to Ben with a mean look. ¡°It¡¯s you from that day,¡± she remembered. ¡°Sorry?¡± Ben was confused by her statement. ¡°It was you staring at my Belle from your car that day, I remember.¡± She said and Ben swallowed. He had no idea that Belle¡¯s grandmother had seen him that day. ¡°Staring at¡­ staring at Belle? Are you sure of what you¡¯re saying?¡± Heughed but she didn¡¯t. He now knew she was serious. ¡°I might be quite old but trust me when I say I have a good memory. She was in a yellow dress and was just back from the grocery store. She opened the door and was answering a phone call while standing right there,¡± she pointed towards the door.¡±And that was when I saw you. You were shamelessly staring at her. Do you think I¡¯m sure of what I¡¯m saying now?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ben felt the once cold atmosphere be warm and started to sweat.¡¯Belle was right, I should have been worried about today.¡¯ he told himself but didn¡¯t utter another word to the old woman¡¯s hearing. ¡°Grandma, I got your sses,¡± Belle returned. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about that because I already asked Brie if she knew about you and she thinks you¡¯re ¡®not so bad¡¯. She says you make Belle happy so let¡¯s forget that.¡± Belle heard her grandmother say with her eyes on Ben. She then saw Ben nod slowly. ¡°What did you ask Brie, grandma?¡± ¡°Does he make you happy?¡± Belle¡¯s grandmother turned to her and Ben saw her mean fave be soft with a smile again. ¡°He does grandma.¡± Belle smiled back and bit her lips a little shyly. ¡°You have my blessings then. Be happy.¡± Belle hugged her happily after hearing that. It was time to go to sleep so Belle took Ben¡¯s hand excitedly ready to take him to her room before she left for city S. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll show you my room.¡± She smiled at him but her smile froze when her grandmother stopped going towards her own room. ¡°You don¡¯t n to stay in the same room as him, do you?¡± Her grandmother¡¯s question reminded her that she was still supposed to be a virgin. ¡°Uhm, no, of course not. I was just going to show him the room and¡­¡± Belle trailed off, scratching the back of her neck and hoping her face wasn¡¯t red with embarrassment. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be waiting for you in my room.¡± Her grandmother said and continued towards her room. The moment she turned around, Belle sighed and stopped holding her breath. She dragged Ben into her room and closed the door after. ¡°I forgot to tell you about this earlier¡­ my grandma still thinks I haven¡¯t slept with anyone yet. Please tell me she did not ask you about that. Is that why she sent me away to get her sses? What was she saying about Brie and wha¡­¡± Ben kissed her amidst her words to calm her down. What he did helped because when their lips separated she was calmer.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You were right, I should have been more prepared before we came.¡± He confessed and went ahead to kiss her again, but this time was to calm himself. Their forehead still touching, he pecked on her lipsstly after their kiss and said to her: ¡°That was hard. Meeting your grandma was definitely hard.¡± He said and Belleughed.¡±About your questions, she didn¡¯t ask any of that.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t? Thank goodness.¡± Belle heaved with relief. ¡°I have to tell you something.¡± He thought to tell her about the time when he hadn¡¯t met her in person yet but followed her from the grocery store back to where they were: her grandmother¡¯s house. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°It was the first time I saw you¡­¡± His birthday Back in city S. Belle woke up and didn¡¯t see Ben by her side so she got out of bed and went to the bathroom to check for him but when she didn¡¯t see him, she decided to just do her morning routine of brushing her teeth and cleansing her face. After that, she decided to go to the balcony to check if he was there becausetely, he was there using hisptop whenever she woke upte. She got there and didn¡¯t see him but she saw something surprising. There were seven cars parked downstairs. She turned around to go look for him but saw him just there, he had been behind her while she counted the cars. ¡°Good morning, my queen,¡± he told her with a smile. ¡°Good morning,¡± she held his face and kissed his right cheek.¡±And happy birthday,¡± she got on her tippy toes and hugged him and felt his arms go round her waist. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake, I¡¯ve been waiting and my excitement almost died while waiting.¡± Heughed after the hug.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The cars?¡± She didn¡¯t know how to react though he wasughing. ¡°They are yours.¡± He let her know.¡±Remember when I asked you about what kind of car you would like to own?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°And you pointed to seven different cars?¡± He continued with a smile but she started to shake her head. ¡°And you got all seven?¡± ¡°Yes. You wanted seven and I got you seven.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t even drive, Ben, you know that and you got me seven¡­ seven freaking cars.¡± She began to stammer at a point. ¡°That¡¯s not a problem, you can have a personal driver or learn to drive.¡± He leaned towards her and kissed her.¡±Rx,¡± he told her after the kiss because he noticed that he had startled her with the surprise. ¡°I¡¯m trying to,¡± she shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s just that there are seven cars down there¡­¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your birthday, why am I getting these from you? I mean you just gifted me these when it should be the other way round¡­¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t think of a better time to do it.¡± He smiled at her, still wanting her to stop stressing over what she just said to him. ¡°The gift I got you isn¡¯t even as expensive¡­¡± ¡°Belle, please don¡¯t.¡± He begged. ¡°I got us movie tickets because I couldn¡¯t think of anything you wanted that you couldn¡¯t get yourself, right? So I got movie tickets¡­ you know, you never bring that up, I thought it was unusual, and unusual is good, I mean we go out to eat together and we could travel together but seeing a movie, you have to like take a day off or something, you know, like a break¡­¡± She stopped to breathe and saw that he was listening to her with a smile. ¡°O my god, I just realized,¡± she gave herself a facepalm.¡±We can¡¯t go see a movie because¡­ you are, well, you and you going to the theater might turn out chaotic. I didn¡¯t think this through. See now? I don¡¯t have any gift for you.¡± She rubbed her face with her palms and refused to show her face to him because she was embarrassed. Ben held her hands and sessfully took her palms away from her face so he could see her face. Heughed because her face was red. ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll just buy out the entire theater so we can go see the movie. You see? Valid gift.¡± He tried to make her feel better. ¡°Now, it¡¯s just you making the gift valid. I can¡¯t give to you as much as you give to me.¡± She said with the corners of her lips facing the floor. ¡°Did Iin about that?¡± He lifted her face. ¡°You should. Look,¡± she held up her left hand answer shook her fingers.¡±I lost the ring you gave me. I thought you would have noticed by now and asked about it because I couldn¡¯t bring myself to tell you that I lost it.¡± She almost broke down in tears. ¡°I did notice. I nned to rece that today too but seeing how the cars are affecting your mood, I just thought to postpone it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not affecting my mood¡­¡± She wanted to act okay but it waste. ¡°No, it is. I feel like I made the wrong decision gifting you the cars today, I should have just waited. I was just excited, I thought you would be too.¡± ¡°I am. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just overwhelmed.¡± She sighed and paused to look at him.¡±Are you mad that I wasn¡¯t as excited about the cars as you nned?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, I just don¡¯t want you to keep saying these degrading things you¡¯re saying about yourself. Can you not do that, ever again? Please?¡± He cupped her face in his hands and pleaded. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± she smiled because she knew it would fix his mood too. ¡°Do you want your ring now, or do I make it extra special?¡± He returned her smile. ¡°Make it extra special,¡± she replied like a baby. ¡°Okay,¡± he kissed her. ¡°Thank you,¡± she hugged him for the second time.¡±Thank you for the cars. I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± ¡°O. My. Gosh!¡± They heard someone exim downstairs and had to stop their embrace. When they both had a look, they saw Jenna smiling and waving from downstairs. ¡°She didn¡¯t tell me she wasing here,¡± Ben said. ¡°Let me get a robe,¡± Belle said and left him standing there alone. Downstairs, in the living room. ¡°Happy birthday, Ben.¡± Jenna hugged Ben impulsively when he got downstairs. ¡°Thanks,¡± he smiled at her. ¡°I know I didn¡¯t say I wasing but I had to inform you in person. Aunt took my phone so I didn¡¯t call you but she¡¯s nning to throw a party for you.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Information sessfully passed, I get a reward right?¡± She winked and made himugh. ¡°The cars are for Belle,¡± he informed her because he knew that was the reward she was hoping for. ¡°All seven of them?¡± Jenna asked and got a nod.¡±Wow, aren¡¯t those the newly released models that were printed in that magazine? What¡¯s the name again?¡± ¡°It is,¡± he saved her the trouble of having to remember the name of the magazine. ¡°Wow,¡± she said again. ¡°I¡¯ll get you one if you want¡­¡± ¡°I do. The red one looks more luxurious. I want the red one.¡± She smiled and checked her purse for his gift. ¡°Is that a watch?¡± He asked when she got it out. ¡°It¡¯s a different one from the one I got youst year, I promise.¡± She scratched her head before handing it over to him. ¡°Where¡¯s Belle?¡± She asked when she didn¡¯t see Belle. ¡°Hey,¡± Belle smiled as she came down the stairs. She had opted to put on a dress rather than just wearing a robe over her nightdress. ¡°Hey girl, I saw your cars downstairs. Congrattions.¡± Jenna went and hugged her, really excited for her. ¡°Thanks,¡± Belle smiled nervously. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Ben said and left for outside while taking his phone out of his pocket. Surprise! ¡°Are you okay?¡± Jenna asked her when she noticed she was acting somewhat different. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just¡­¡± Belle stopped and sighed. ¡°Can I tell you something?¡± ¡°Yes girl, I¡¯m all ears.¡± ¡°Well, you see¡­¡± Belle sighed once more after sitting next to her on the sofa in the living room.¡±I thought and thought but couldn¡¯t get Ben a good gift. He got me those cars outside and all I could get him was tickets to go see a movie with me. I realized that I couldn¡¯t even go out to see a movie with him because he¡¯s him, you know. I feel bad but I¡¯m trying not to because he was so excited gifting me the cars.¡± ¡°You got him tickets?¡± Jennaughed after listening to her say all she had. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°Three of his houses in city S have private cinemas in them.¡± Jenna couldn¡¯t stopughing. ¡°Aw, that makes me feel worse.¡± Belle almost sobbed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s just funny but don¡¯t stress about it. I used to feel that way years back but then I realized he really didn¡¯t care what it was I bought, he only cares about the thought I put into it.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah. Was that really why you had a long face?¡± Jenna started tough again. ¡°Don¡¯tugh,¡± Belle couldn¡¯t help herself but join her inughing. ¡°It¡¯s funny.¡± ¡°Yeah, it is.¡± Belle finally agreed. ¡°Guess what I got him this year,¡± Jenna leaned in closer. ¡°What?¡± ¡°A watch.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°I got him a watchst year too, and thest two years and the year before.¡± Belleughed when she got what Jenna was trying to say. ¡°You know, I used to feel so bad back then like I actually felt bad the first time I repeated gifts for him but now I do it to trouble him because that¡¯s what I do.¡± Jennaughed.¡±You should trouble him once in a while. Do something unusual to trouble him. Trust me, you will love the reaction you will get. It¡¯s funny when he tries to act like he isn¡¯t bothered but you know he is.¡± They bothughed this time. **** Randy stopped the car right in front of the house entrance beforeing down to open the door for his boss. After that, he hurried over to Belle¡¯s side to open her door too. Ben waited for her to join him at the entrance so they could walk in together. Belle was still wondering why the lighting was dim when they walked when all of a sudden, they got a loud cheer. ¡°Surprise!¡± The lights came on and Ben ran his hands through his hair. He had forgotten about what Jenna informed him of earlier in the day. Heughed. It was one of the few times when his mother¡¯s surprise party actually surprised him because he didn¡¯t expect that the surprise could be here. She usually tried to her him to return to the Larkson mansion and then gather family members toe around and celebrate the surprise. Belle¡¯s eyes ran through the little crowd. Ben¡¯s mother was there; Jenna was there; she was surprised but Brie and Cherry were present too and she could see Cherry¡¯s excited face from where she stood. She inhaled deeply when she saw Alex. She still wasn¡¯tfortable with her presence but wondered what happened to her to have a bandage around her neck area. She sighted those she knew and then there were a few others she couldn¡¯t recognize. ¡°Sorry about this, I had no idea¡­¡± Ben was whispering to Belle when his mother came to them. ¡°Tell me you¡¯re surprised this time,¡± she showed all her teeth when she grinned happily. ¡°I am,¡± he admitted with a smile.¡±Thank you, Mum.¡± ¡°Come cut your cake,¡± she stole him away from Belle and took him to the center of the living room where there was a high table and a cake on it. ¡°Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you¡­¡± Everyone started to chorus in harmony. ¡°Make a wish,¡± his mother whispered to him after everyone was done singing the birthday song. He looked at Belle, she was smiling at him. ¡°I wish I could forever maintain that beautiful smile on her face.¡± He said inaudibly and blew out the candle on his cake. Everyone started to p and music came on. He wanted to go back to Belle when Alex came in front of him and almost caused him to bump into her. ¡°Happy birthday,¡± she smiled. ¡°Thank you,¡± he replied inly and wanted to walk past her but she blocked him again. ¡°It¡¯s your birthday, I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re in a good mood?¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Richie¡­¡± She trailed off at first, expecting him to be angry at the mention of his name but he wasn¡¯t so she decided to continue with her request.¡±Do something about his case, please? You could get him some time off prison with just a phone call, please forgive him?¡± ¡°He tried to assault you, are you sure you want that?¡± Ben couldn¡¯t believe her. He saw her nod to his question but he couldn¡¯t just work with that.¡±Think about it more and give me a callter.¡± He told her and left her standing amid the others. Belle saw when he was talking to her but decided not to overthink it. When he left Alex and came to her, she tried hard not to ask but still did. ¡°What did she say? What did you too talk about?¡± ¡°She wished me a happy birthday. I¡¯m so d I didn¡¯t set my surprise for you here, else my mother would have ruined it by trying to give me a surprise too.¡± Heughed. ¡°Hold on, a surprise for me?¡± She smiled, happy to know that.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs.¡± He took her hand in his and headed upstairs, sessfully sneaking past his mother who wanted him to greet most of the family members he hadn¡¯t met in a while. They got to the room they shared and he turned the lights on. There was a question on the bed written with both pink and white roses. She covered her mouth with her left hand while looking at the proposal question. ¡°Will you say yes to me for the second time?¡± She turned her eyes away from the bed to see him on one knee. She giggled before nodding with delight. Ben got up and put the ring on her finger and kissed it after. ¡°I love you, Belle.¡± He pulled her in for a hug.¡±I fucking love you, and I¡¯m d I do.¡± ¡°Ben,¡± sheughed with tears in her eyes.¡±It¡¯s your birthday and you¡¯ve surprised me twice today.¡± ¡°I usually gift myself something every year on this day and this year, guess what I decided to gift myself with?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Your happiness. I n to keep you happy throughout today Your every smile today is my gift, Belle.¡± ¡°Today and the rest of our years,¡± he told himself in his thoughts. -The end- The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!