Make Me Yours

CHAPTER2

Bella had never dreamed that her life was ever going to take the toll it took considering the fact that she was hardworking, beautiful, down-to-earth, loving, and everything a man could ever wish for in a woman.

“Really, Collins” Her heart dropped as she stood frozen in the doorway, unable to comprehend the scene before her

“Babe I can explain” he started

“it's really not what you think”

“Ohh, it's not what I think? Collins, you're naked and on my bed with another woman and it's not what I think? Make it make sense?”

“I…I.. don’t know what…” Collins stammered trying to defend himself.

A wave of betrayal washed over her, sharp and cold. It felt like a dagger had pierced through her heart leaving her gasping for breath.

“Get out!” she yelled, her voice echoing off the walls filled with a mix of rage and heartbreak.

“Now”!

As she watched him scurrying away with his plus-one, she realized that this was not just a moment, it was a turning point that would change everything.

Tears welled in her eyes as she collapsed on the bed feeling both liberated and heartbroken.

Bella was unlucky with men

First, it was Desmond, who cheated on her with her supposed best friend and gaslighted her into thinking she was hallucinating. Then there was Akeem, who ghosted her without any proper breakup.

Then Peter, who had a fetish for feces and three times had a b***r because he saw her unflushed poop in the toilet.

Finally, Collins. They met in college as friends but never dated till after college, they were together for three years, even after she wasn't oblivious to the glaring red flags.

The many times Bella caught Collins cheating, he always had a way of coming back to apologize with flowers and other outrageous gifts. On one occasion, he gifted her a new phone and wept like he was never going to cheat again.

She on the other hand couldn't stay mad at him for too long, so they'd reconciled and the cycle continued until this moment.

She knew she was literally and figuratively done.

“So what will you do now?” Came Steve’s voice from over the counter

“Isn’t it obvious that I move on” she responded sarcastically.

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting, maybe a little bit” he said, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest. His tone was light but the slight tilt of his head suggested he was genuinely curious rather than being dismissive.

“Mennn! I hate men so much, are you seriously defending him?” She scolded, throwing the damp towel she was holding on him “you’re so unbelievable, if you weren’t my friend, I would have unalived you at this spot.”

“I know he f****d yeah, he keeps f*****g up but you can’t blame him, it’s in men’s nature to cheat you know” he concluded, with so much pride in his tone.

“Jesus! Steve, you're useless, just leave me the f**k alone” she sighs, hoping he will let it go.

“Don’t be li…”

He was cut off by a deep masculine voice.

“Hello, good afternoon, can I order two large pizzas and any soda?

‘Thank God! God’s blessing on whoever this saviour is right now, she thought’

“Sure,” Bella replied automatically, her eyes still focused on the register as she typed in the order.

“Make the soda two as well,” he added.

It was only when she heard his voice again that curiosity pulled her gaze upward and when she finally looked at him face to face, her breath caught in her throat.

She blinked momentarily forgetting the order she was processing but he simply smiled without a hint of awareness of the effect he had on her.

Bella shook her head slightly, trying to regain her focus and balance, she quickly completed the order, her fingers moving almost on autopilot as she stole glances at the customer.

“Okay, two large pepperoni and mushroom pizzas with two sodas” she confirmed, her voice still a bit shaky. “That will be…”

“$35.50, he finished, with a playful smirk on his lips. Bella blinked, surprised he beat her to it.

Figuring out what the question would be he continues with a shrug, his tone relaxed “Righttt, I've been here a couple of times so I kinda know my way around the menu.”

“Pretty impressive,” she said, smiling, feeling intrigued with a mix of embarrassment.

“Are you new here?”

“Do you always come in…”

They both said at the same time.

Bella smiled softly “I'm sorry, you first.”

“No, Ladies first,” he said politely.

“Technically I've been working here for the past six months and I've never seen your face which means you come in during the afternoon rush right?” She asked, trying to keep the conversation going despite her usual shyness.

“Only when I'm craving Pizza,” he said nonchalantly. “ and today seems like a very good day for one.

Bella couldn't help but smile at his laid-back attitude “Well, you've definitely picked a good spot” she winked.

“Thank you for patro…” she was interrupted by a loud commotion which drew her attention, she turned to see her ex-boyfriend Collins standing near the entrance, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a small ring box in the other.

“You’ve got to be kidding me” she cursed under her breath.

“Bella, you've been ignoring my calls and I didn't know how else to reach out to you, please just hear me out” he pleaded, his voice rising above the chatter of confused customers.

The scene was drawing attention and Bella’s heart sank as she recognized the mixture of shock and amusement on the faces around her.

“Seriously Col, not here!” she muttered under her breath, panic setting in. She glanced at her manager who was watching the unfolding drama with a furrowed brow. If this continued, she could be in serious trouble.

Collins took a step closer trying to approach her through the tiny crowd. “Bells, I know I messed up! I'm sorry! I brought you flowers and…”

“Stop.., just stopp! she shouted her voice cutting through the noise. She took a deep breath before continuing, “This isn’t the place for this.”

Some customers around them began to murmur, some looking on with sympathy. Bella felt heat rise in her cheeks, she could feel the embarrassment washing over her.

“Just go!” she insisted. “You're making a scene”

“But I want to fix things,” he said desperately, holding out the flowers as if they were a magic solution

“Fix things? Collins you're always wanting to fix things” She echoed incredulously. “You think showing up here with flowers and only God knows what…. is going to make everything okay? You are embarrassing yourself and me!”

Bella caught his eye for a moment, feeling a mix of annoyance and frustration wash over her.

“Bells? Collins continued undeterred by her rejection. I love you, so f*****g much! And I'll do anything, I promise I'll change for you.”

“Enough, she snapped. It's too late for that, you need to leave, noww!”

“Fine,” he muttered, his voice low as he dropped the flowers onto a nearby table

“But don't think this is over.”

As he turned to leave, Bella felt a wave of relief wash over her but also an unsettling sense of vulnerability while suppressing the urge to bury her face in her hands. Just then, her phone vibrated in her back pocket.

“The universe must really be against me” she thought.

When she saw her sister’s name flashing on the screen, frustration boiled all over her.

“What?!” she snapped, raising her voice louder than she intended

“Bella…” her sister’s voice came through, shaky and filled with an emotion that immediately made Bella’s heart drop.

“B, Mum is dead”