CHAPTER 4
1468 Words
BELLA
As I watch my daughter playing innocently, I know I'm on the right path. The downfall of Pietro's family is just the beginning of a journey that will lead us to the peace and happiness we both deserve.
"Okay, mommy needs to go to work now. Can we play more when I come back home, alright?", I say, kissing Liz's cheek as she nods, smiling at me.
"Yes, mommy!"
"Perfect! Behave yourself; I love you more than anything, Liz.", I hug her once more before leaving her with the nanny at my house as I head to my company.
The bright sun illuminates the morning as I park my car in the company's garage. The journey here has been long and filled with challenges and obstacles, but now I am a successful woman, far from that girl who once cried in the rain while witnessing the man she loved marrying another.
Warm smiles and greetings from employees welcome me as I make my way through the building towards the elevator that will take me to the penthouse, where my office is located.
A sense of accomplishment and fulfillment fills my chest as I enter the large room that I now occupy as the CEO of my own company. Papers pile up on my desk, indicating a busy day filled with meetings with investors and potential clients. I take a deep breath, ready to face the challenges ahead.
As I dive into work, my secretary knocks on the door, interrupting my thoughts. She informs me that there is someone wishing to have a private meeting with me.
Initially, I hesitated to interrupt my busy schedule, but something in the urgency in her voice made me reconsider.
"The matter seems important, Miss. Elliot.", she insists.
With a nod, I agree to this meeting. I ask people to wait for me in the boardroom and prepare to find out the reason for such urgency.
I walk through the corridors of the company, my mind working frantically to try to understand who could be so eager for a meeting.
Upon entering the boardroom, I push the doors open and walk in, surprised to find Pietro and his father sitting at the table.
A momentary shock runs through my body, but I force myself to keep composure, controlling the emotions that threaten to overflow.
My eyes meet Pietro's, and for a moment, I feel a wave of conflicting feelings invade my heart.
However, I don't allow these emotions to take over me. After all, I'm here as a businesswoman, not as the girl who once loved this man.
"Good morning, gentlemen.", I say with a sarcastic smile on my lips, seeing that they also seem surprised to see me so well.
Pietro and his father seem surprised by my presence, but they don't let it show too much in their expressions. They sit upright, awaiting my next move.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable.", I invite, taking my place at the head of the table.
Now is the time to show them that I'm no longer the same person they knew in the past.
"So, what's the reason for such urgency?"
"You look very beautiful. The years have been very good to you...", Pietro says, looking at me, and I blink my eyes rapidly.
"Of course. I am certainly much better than before, Mr. Avalon."
"Bella...", Pietro calls my name with a look of apology, and it increases my smile at that moment.
"Please, tell me the reason for this urgent meeting; I'm waiting."
"We are here because we actually need your help.", I turn, seeing Pietro's father looking at me with an uncomfortable expression.
"My help? You need my help?", I asked, laughing and shaking my head.
"Yes. We need your help. Is that so funny, Bella?"
"Actually, yes. Exactly four years ago, you asked me never to look at or be near you again, and today you need my help; that's certainly unexpected for me, Mr. Avalon."
"Bella, please... It's not easy for us to be here.", Pietro murmurs, looking at me.
He's still as handsome as ever, with his black hair and his golden eyes, impeccably dressed in a black suit.
"Alright. I'm listening. What kind of help do you need?"
"Well, our family has gotten into some... financial troubles. We need an alliance with your company to regain our position."
I fall silent for a moment, processing Pietro's words. I know his family was involved in dubious activities, but I didn't imagine they would be in such a desperate situation.
"I knew your family was facing difficulties, but I didn't know they were so bad.", I murmured, looking at the two men sitting in front of me.
"Why do you think coming to my company and asking for an alliance would make me accept that after everything you and your family did to me?", I ask, staring directly at Pietro.
My desire for revenge is stronger than ever, and I didn't imagine he would come to me so quickly.
"Well, that's the point. We don't know if you'll accept, but I need you to consider our request, Bella."
"I need an answer, Mr. Avalon. Did you also consider my request when I begged you, crying, not to do that to me? I'm curious now."
"That's in the past, Bella. I had to fulfill my responsibilities to my family."
"Alright. How much investment do you need?", I ask, seeing his golden pupils fixed on me.
"1 million dollars."
Wow!
I really wasn't expecting him to ask for so much financial help like this; I was right about the downfall of his family.
"If you help us, you'll get what you've always wanted, Bella.", he says, and I furrow my brow, looking confused at him.
"And what do I want, Mr. Avalon?", I ask, looking at his lips and seeing the great resemblance between him and my daughter.
"Me. If you help us, you'll have me."
"What?"
"A marriage contract.", Pietro's father says, and for a moment, everything changes in my mind.
"A marriage contract between me and you, Bella. I know you still love me, and I love you.", he says, and I quickly shake my head before getting up from the chair.
"You're crazy; I'm not going to waste my time listening to this!", I say it in a cold way, but he holds my arm, and I lift my head, looking at him.
I see when his father quickly leaves the room, leaving us alone in here. Every time I look into his golden pupils, I remember all the kisses, the s*x, the touches—everything between us.
But I also remember the pain I felt.
"I was wrong to marry that night when we were planning to run away together. I never loved her; I did that just to save my family, Bella. Believe me when I say I still love you.", he whispers, raising his hand to touch my face.
"No, if you truly loved me, you wouldn't have asked me to leave that night; you destroyed me in the worst way, Pietro."
"I know the pain I caused you, and I'm asking for your forgiveness. I'm not that man anymore; I've changed, and I'm here begging for your help. Marry me, not just for the money, but for the love we still feel for each other."
"Forgive me, my love; I used to think about running to you every night. I still love you, Bella. I've always loved you. Give me a second chance, and I promise everything will work between us this time, please."
I want to scream at him and tell him that we have a daughter together, but I can't believe he's asking me to marry him after everything that happened.
"Marry you? I dreamed of that every day, but you broke me in a way no one ever has before. I hated you for years, Pietro.", I whisper, seeing the regretful expression on his face.
"Forgive me and accept my proposal; I will be completely yours, Bella."
"You once told me that a human and a wolf could never be together. Get out of my company, Pietro!", I say, stepping away from him.
"I was wrong. Look into my eyes and tell me you don't love me anymore, Bella. If that's the case, it's okay, but know that I still have deep feelings for you; if you don't love me, then just marry me to save my family," he pleads, and I turn away, feeling tears in my eyes.
I fall silent, feeling my heart pounding harder in front of the wolf before me. The truth is that I hated him for so long, but I also continued to love him.
"Marry me, Bella. I'm asking you for just one second chance."
- Writer
