Bella My heart skipped a beat as we locked eyes. No, I never expected him to be there. I looked away quickly, backing him. "He's not here, Bella. Ignore him," I told myself, distracting myself with Daniel. "Excuse me, sir. Can I talk to you for a moment?" A man who had just walked up to us asked Daniel. "I'm an investor and I'm intrigued by your person. You work for Rivera?" The man's approach was sudden and certainly unexpected but we were here to network so I nudged Daniel to go talk with him even though I didn't want him to leave. I was surprised that the investor didn't acknowledge my presence as the CEO of the company but I let that slide. It was still to the same end, which was the growth and progress of the company. I received the little dish in which Daniel had brought me some finger food. I watched them walk together towards the rooftop while I slowly ate. I looked back and Xander wasn't there anymore. "Whew!" I said, relieved. I enjoyed the view of everyone el
Bella"Mark is such a genius," I said, my voice reducing to an excited whisper. "This is exactly what we need. Why didn't I think of this?"I moved into my office, made a phone call and in a few minutes, Danny was in my office in his usual masculine... let's leave that. Even I didn't see it coming but I ran to him, wrapping him in an embrace that left him wide-eyed.It took him a while to realize and his hands moved slowly to my hair and he rubbed over it, his fingers weaving through each strand. It lasted for a few seconds but it felt like ages.It was fun while it lasted but I pulled myself away when I thought about how wrong this was. He felt a little uncomfortable and my cheeks flushed when I looked away from him. "You look like you're in a really good mood today," he said, breaking the deafening silence. I was in the best mood I had been in like forever. Now that I had found a solution to the company's problems, leaving Xander was the best decision ever. Good thing I didn't cave
Bella I looked into her eyes— they were desperate and filled with lust. Hardin's blue eyes glowed in the dark from the little bit of light that peeped into the completely dark room through the window blinds. It was obvious that she knew her way around his body from the way she moved her hands around his muscular chest and arms. He seemed more happy with her than he ever was with me. My mind went completely blank and my eyes were filled with tears but I couldn't cry out. Mostly because I was hiding in a closet and watching my husband to be cheat with my own sister, on our wedding day. I was already getting ready for the ceremony when I came into the guest room to get some air and reflect. I was getting married to the man of my dreams— now the worst thing that has ever happened to me. It was something I had always wanted but I found myself feeling a little nervous that day. While I sat on the couch in my wedding dress, I heard Hardin— my husband to be, and my elder sister, Beth, ap
Bella“Hey, the guests are waiting,” she said to me innocently and in the sweetest voice possible. I couldn't believe her nerve. How she could walk in here, all pretty, and act like she didn't just stab me in the back several times. Not a speck of guilt. “I'll be there in a minute,” I answered, trying to avoid her gaze so she wouldn't see my bloodshot red eyes from all the crying. I was unsuccessful. “Are you alright?” She tried to look at me from the side, stretching her neck. “Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little something in my eyes. Where's Dad? I thought he was supposed to come walk me down the aisle.” “Oh, right. I'll get him,” she said, walking out of the room and slowly closing the door. I noticed her legs couldn't close as she walked. When you take in something that big, I guess that's what happens. Dad walked in, looking very smart in his brand new black suit. I had never seen him in any of those, and even though they weren't as fitted as they should be, he looked great in t
BellaA cold demeanor had engulfed him, and his eyes grew red in anger. “The wedding must be held!” He shouted. “Calm down, honey. I'll talk to her, okay?” I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My mouth just wouldn't close as I looked at both of them one after the other. “Baby, we need this marriage. We are going bankrupt, and this is the only way,” mom explained in a gentle manner. “What? That's all it was for you? A business venture? This is my life for fuck's sake!” I said it sharply. My chest fell and rose as my sadness quickly turned into anger. "Look, young lady,” Dad blurted. “You better not ruin this for me. Don't be so selfish! This is not all about you.” “Selfish? Dad, if there's anyone who's being selfish, it's you!” My dad seethed, and he opened his mouth to say something, but my mother interrupted him. “Darling, what about the company? We will be destroyed, and you don't even have a job yet because you're still in college. Your sister isn't making a lot. How will
BellaHe took the wine from me and hurriedly gulped down the rest, with me still glued to his body. I couldn't wait anymore, so I covered his mouth with mine, and he received my tongue happily. I slid my hands into the opening of his shirt and massaged his shoulders and chest gently. I could taste the wine in his saliva, and I swallowed it without thinking, enjoying every moment of this. He slowly unzipped my dress, and it fell freely to the floor. I was thankful for the kind of dress I had gotten because it made the session fast-paced and enjoyable. My breasts were free, and he gasped at the sight. “Oh, Bella. How could someone be careless with you?” I moaned as he grabbed one of them and squeezed it lightly. He circled my nipples with one of his fingers while kissing me. “How did he know my name?” In a minute, his lips left mine and traced their way from my neck to my chest to my nipples. “Mmm,” I moaned in fulfillment as he sucked and licked. My nipples grew pink and hard
BellaI paused the process of putting on my dress and turned back suddenly to face him, almost choking on my own saliva. “Ri—Rivera?” I stammered, looking him straight in the eye. The dark smile was still there, but this time, it wasn't romantic anymore. It was frightening. “Are you a distant cousin?” I asked, my voice trembling. Please, no more nauseating surprises today. My heart was already pounding fast. “I'll save you the trouble,” he said, standing up and dropping the money I had just given him on the center table. “I'm a son of the Rivera family. The first son, to be precise.” He started putting on his clothes as he spoke. “What do you mean, son? I thought—” “You thought wrong. Don't worry, I'm nothing like my brother, Hardin. You won't get in trouble,” he shot at me assuredly, interrupting my statement. There were many rumors regarding the first son of the Rivera family. Some say he is dead. Others say he left his family to go start his own company in another city after
Bella Xander's words jerked me back to reality and I saw Hardin's chest rise and fall as he heard them. I blinked at Xander who was wearing a proud and mocking smile from the corner of my eyes. His attitude was pissing Hardin the fuck off and while I should correct his claim on me, I quite enjoyed the shock on Hardin's face upon hearing Xander call me 'his'. “I'll protect you. I'm right here.” That was what his eyes said as he gently squeezed my hands in his. I heaved a sigh of relief at the reassurance he offered but the room still seemed to be spinning. “What's going on here?” My father asked, coming out of his home office, fuming. He couldn't care less about the ceremony so he went in there as soon as Hardin and Beth were pronounced husband and wife and the company merger was completed. The anger and pain grew as I watched him walk towards us. I didn't let go of Xander's hand just to spite him and to let him see that I wasn't alone. The guests all watched on with their mouth