Oh My Belle

Growing Feelings

Antonio's POV

“What do you mean you're sorry? I thought we were on board with publishing my statement?” I whispered in a tone of disappointment, not surprised they balked.

Belinda definitely bought them off in exchange for their silence. This wasn't the first time she went above and beyond to repress the truth. the truth where I didn't assault her, where I wasn't the villain and she was everything evil and wicked.

The journalist remained quiet for a minute or two before responding. “If it were up to me, I would go ahead and publish our interview. But the order to dismiss was made by my bosses.”

“Your bosses?” I repeated, confused.

“Yes. Samuel Jones and Aiden Finland.” He responded, the names ringing a bell.

Samuel Jones was Belinda's ex-husband while Aiden Finland her godfather. If I knew those two were stakeholders in Greenwich Newspaper Press, I wouldn't have wasted my time going for the interview.

I walked into Belinda's trap once again. Made a laughing stock for the second time.

At the gym, I stared at the rising sunset, lost in a million thoughts with no single solution to any of them.

“Antonio… Antonio, are you even listening to me?” Andrea complained, wiping the sweat under her chin.

I shook my head, staring at the mini sized weight bells in her hands. “Sorry, you were saying?...”

She dropped them on the floor with a thud, sighing. “What's on your mind? You've been out of it.”

Even if I told Andrea of what went down at Beverly Hills, she would probably take Belinda's side. “Women supporting women,” or what was it called would blindside her from being objective.

I forced a smile, twisting the conversation in my favor. “This is what happens when you catch your client eating a spoonful of ice cream.”

Andrea gasped, expressing shock. “You saw that? I mean… yesterday was my cheat day.”

Two days from now would make it approximately two months since Andrea moved in. We still had a long way to go in her weight loss journey, but changes were starting to show. So, I gave her two cheat days in a month to eat a bit of junk, under the condition that I would closely supervise her.

“I changed my mind. One cheat day in a month.” I retracted my words, enjoying her reaction.

Andrea made an eye roll, pouting like a child who had her candy stolen. I smiled, for a moment forgetting the burden that weighed heavily on my shoulder.

Andrea smiled as well, arching a brow. “I like it when you smile.” She continued, turning serious. “If you ever need a friend, I'm here, it's the least I can do.”

It kind of stung that the only reason why Andrea was worried about my well-being was because she somehow felt indebted to me. I didn't want that type of fake sympathy. It made me feel like Belinda's accusations were true and I was an opportunist with evil intentions.

I managed to sound normal, bringing an end to the conversation. “Freshen up and come down in five. Ashton should be done with breakfast preparations by then.”

Andrea never kept to time. Time was her enemy or maybe it was just a woman's thing to be fashionably late. I joined Ashton and Theo, helping out in the kitchen.

Ashton began, deliberating on his choice of words. “Man, I heard about Greenwich. I should have checked them out, did a thorough background check before hooking you up.”

Ashton was the one who introduced me to the journalist at Greenwich press. His current girlfriend, an upcoming actress in Beverly Hills, had an Uncle working in the News department. After pulling a few strings, I was granted an interview, filled with optimism of it bringing my old life back.

I assured, patting him on the shoulder. “It's not your fault. Belinda is five steps ahead of us. I think it's time I give up, accept my fate.”

Theo interjected, turning the coffee machine on. “C'mon! Can't you see that is what that B*tch wants. There has to be another way, to prove your innocence.”

Theo had a deep rooted history with Belinda. They were childhood friends, high school sweethearts and she was his first heartbreak as well. Turns out Belinda had a thing for Gym men. She broke up with him to date some guy hooked on muscle building steroids, breaking up after his epic fail in a weight lifting competition.

Ashton was ready to throw playful jabs at him concerning the Belinda saga when Andrea walked in surprisingly on time. All freshened up, grabbing Theo's cup of coffee.

She stared at the three of us, her eyes closing in with suspicion.

“What were you three talking about?” She asked, waiting for an explanation.

Aston chimed, ready to give her the tea. “Actually, Antonio has unresolved issues in…”

I slammed his mouth shut with the back of my hand, avoiding Andrea's eyes poking at me for answers. Theo served breakfast, beckoning on us to the dining table.

Andrea chewing slowly said. “I won't be home for the next three days.”

Andrea wasn't a social butterfly and her only friends were back stabbers. As for immediate family members or any family at all, she didn't have any in the city.

I grew suspicious of her movement, asking for a detailed explanation. “What is the occasion?”

Andrea ignored my question, concentrating on chewing her food, filling her mouth once it emptied out.

Ashton chuckled excitedly, ignorant of the tensed mood. “ Theo, pay up. The deal was a hundred bucks, there is no going back now.”

Ashton stretched out his hand towards Theo who squeezed the money with reluctance.

I stared at the two for clarification since Andrea wasn't saying anything. “What is this all about?”

Theo explained the details of the bet, the information souring my mood. “Andrea here has been constantly texting someone non-stop. Ashton here, thinks she has a new boyfriend.”

I huffed, mocking Andrea with a harsh comment. “Ashton’s wrong. I'm sure of it.”

Theo, who wanted his money back, pressed for answers. “Please tell me you know who she's been texting?”

I shrugged my shoulders, drinking some water. “I don't know who it is. But I mean… who would want to date her after…”

Andrea banged her hands on the table, startling me into silence. I immediately regretted my choice of words, trying to apologize when she stormed out of breakfast, with Ashton following behind her.

Theo scolded gently, calling me out on my bullshit. “That was a harsh thing to say man. If anyone deserves to be insulted, it should be Belinda Jones, not Andy.”

My friends were comfortable around Andrea, quickly bonding up with her. It showed in the way Ashton, who couldn't care less about people's emotions followed her out and Theo stood up to me for the first time in a long time.

Deep down, even though I refused to accept it. I knew my outburst wasn't a transfer of aggression, it brewed from a place of jealousy.

I was jealous because Andrea was seeing someone else. Someone who wasn't me.