The Devil’s Bèlle

Collison&goosebumps

“Madam Bèlle, there’s a man downstairs asking specifically to see you.”

“Ok I'll be with him shortly “

Lucy turned off the music and handed her bag across to her.

“You know where to find me, see you later” Lucy said and walked out of the room.

“Here you go madam” The man said, dressed in a white shirt and black pencil pants.

“And who is this from”

She took the flower bouquet and paper card, inspecting them as though there could be a bomb inside.

“Hmm “

“My work here is done, I may take my leave now, have a lovely day madam” he bowed and took his leave.

What is the devil up to? She hummed to her room like a happy child.

She dropped the bouquet on her bed, sitting close to it. Her eyes scanned the beautifully enticing card.

Instantly, her smile faded. Another bad luck. No Celine, focus “Urrgh” she fell flat on the bed

Brought out her phone and texted Lucy: we have a night to prepare for I'm booked for the night with Don in his villa.

She threw the bouquet to the floor and tore the card into pieces “Stupid flowers useless card… urrgh I hate you, Father”

She wandered around her room, puffing on her vape. She inhaled deeply. “Ahhhhh "

In Don’s villa

“Look who's here. Her Royal Highness, Bèlle,” Don said

“Good evening, Don. It's my pleasure “

She moved into the lobby

“If you don’t mind, I’ll be in the room.” She walked away majestically.

“That's my girl. Agnes serve us a bottle of champagne be fast on it”

By the time he got to the bedroom, Celine had undressed “What took you so long Don, you don't want to keep a tigress waiting do you?”

She sprawled her legs Don moved closer his gaze lingering on her as the space between them disappeared. Celine's breath caught as he pulled her towards him and the rest of the night blurred into heats and soft moans escaped her lips.

***

“Driver, halt “ Celine said

“But ma'am Mr Laurent ordered me to drive you straight to the hotel”

She began to boil, her facial muscles reacted, she turned red.

“Stop the car now”

“ I'm just maintaining orders ma'am “

“Don't let me vent my anger on you, I said stop the damn car” She flared up

“Al-al- right “

She walked through the graveyard, towards her mother's grave post, and dropped her roses. She stood in silence. Let it out, Celine. She sucked in a lungful of air and couldn't hold back her tears.

“Mom…..I am a grown woman now, I'm 28 glamorous, and trapped. She chuckled." I have missed you, Celine misses you. I know you are up in heaven watching over me but please can I get a little clarity, my life is a mess right now.

She looked at the sky, cleaned her eyes.” I'll be gone for now. I know you wouldn't want to see me in this state. I promise to come by again, don't miss me too much” She blew kisses and walked out of the graveyard.

“Shall we ma'am “ the driver sounded afraid, already heated up, and didn't know what Celine was up to or what she did in the graveyard.

“Why did you stop the car?” Celine asked

“Ma’am I think we've got company, I just bumped into a car, I have to check it out “

The driver alighted the car just to meet two hefty men dressed in fitted black shirts and tailored trousers standing beside the car. Dark jackets concealed their weapons, while discreet earpieces revealed their purpose. They looked trained to enter a room unnoticed—and leave it under their control.

He got dumbstruck and went to the side of the car, Celine rolled down “What is it this time “ she said. Exhausted and sober

“ I crashed the car a bit “ the driver got pale.

Celine alighted from the car ignoring the two men standing she went to the passenger window and knocked on it.

He opened the car door with a motion.

Immediately he got out of the car the sun kissed his handsome face. He clenched his jaw, squinting at Celine.

“How may I help you miss?” he said his deep voice low and musky

Celine snorted at him. His cologne invaded her breath of fresh air.

“My driver bumped into your car and the scratch is a bit bad, I apologize on his behalf and will take the consequences of his actions”

Ethan moved closer.

Do you gain anything from being a sacrificial lamb Bèlle? First you disappeared, invaded my thoughts even if I don’t know why and here you are giving a damn about a driver dont test me Bèlle.

“Why did you disappear like that” he said

Celine laughed “Really, Diavolo m-“ Ethan stole a kiss.

“The name is Ethan.“ he lifted her jaw and smirked.

She pushed him.” Why would you do that, you know what? Forget about it “

Does he always have to flirt who does he think he is?

” Sorry for the damage.” She walked to the car angrily.

The driver rushed to open the car. She stood still for a minute, turned towards Ethan.

“Let’s pretend as if nothing happened Ethan Whitmore “ she shut the door. The driver zoomed off.

The dining room occupied the eastern wing of the upper floor, separated from the private bedrooms by a long hallway. A polished mahogany table stretched beneath a crystal chandelier, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Tall windows overlooked the gardens below, but two security men stood outside the entrance, a quiet reminder that even dinner in Raphael’s house came with surveillance.

Celine sat across from Raphael, barely touching her food.

Raphael ate quietly, occasionally glancing at her over the rim of his glass.

Celine pushed a piece of food around her plate.

Ethan was there again.

His steel-gray eyes held hers, softer this time, stripped of the coldness he showed the rest of the world. He stood close enough for her to feel his warmth, his fingers resting gently around her waist.

She could almost hear that low voice of his.

“The name is Ethan.”

His forehead rested against hers, She looked into his eyes, searching for the man hidden beneath the ruthless reputation.

There was something different in the way he looked at her. The thought made her heart flutter.

His thumb brushed slowly across her lips, and she leaned into his touch without thinking.

Don’t look at me like that.

But she didn’t want him to stop. She wanted to stay there longer, wrapped in the silence between them, neither of them had to pretend.

Ethan’s gaze dropped to her lips. Her breath caught. He leaned closer—