Chapter 3: Reality bites
1160 Words
The ring of her alarm sliced through the silence like a blade. Bella rolled over, grunted, and smushed the snooze button beneath the back of her hand. She lay still for a minute, half-shuttered eyelids, disoriented. It wasn't until the heavy, foreign scent of cologne still lingered on her skin that the memory of the previous night tumbled over her like a wave.
Anthony.
The name hummed inside her like a secret drum. Her cheeks flushed pink. Had it really happened? Had she really slept with a man like him? The man who appeared to radiate money and power, whose commanding presence could still a room, and who had looked at her as though she were the only person in the world?
Bella brushed the thoughts away and sat up. Her apartment felt tiny this morning, the wornout wallpaper and creaking ceiling light mocking the opulence she had experienced at the Malone estate. She glimpsed herself in the mirror on the other side of the room her short black hair a tousled halo, her golden brown eyes dulled by exhaustion and bewilderment.
It was just one night," she confided to the girl in the mirror. "It doesn't matter."
The city outside her window was already buzzing. Cabs honked their horns, feet pounded on sidewalk, and a food cart vendor hollered the day's special. The world was again with all its clamor and activity, and Bella Reyes didn't have time to lose herself in the haze of a dream.
She put on one of her few good-looking outfits, a clean white blouse and navy pencil skirt, and swept her hair back behind her. Taking one final deep breath, she stepped out the door to head back to work at the job she'd only just acquired: receptionist for Malone & Co.'s upscale headquarters.
Of course, she'd had no idea it was his company when she went in to apply. She'd known the name, naturally, but Anthony Malone was a myth and not a living breathing man in her fantasy until last night.
The lobby of Malone & Co. was an elegant wonder of steel and glass, a tribute to modern chic. Bella had to struggle physically not to gape as she went by the reception desk of marble, by elevators lining the sides with golden edging, and into the employees' lounge to fling her coat and bag. She went head down and eyes cast aside, praying that no one would see the firestorm of nerves coursing beneath her collected self.
"Bella!" a cheerful voice called. It was Marianne, one of the receptionists and Bella's friend here.
"Morning," Bella answered with a smooth, practiced smile.
"You alright? You look… flushed."
"I'm fine. Just didn't sleep so well."
She went around to the back of the reception desk and focused on the screen. Calendar updates, meeting reminders, calls to transfer. Normalcy. Routine. She could handle this.
But every time the elevator bell clanged, her heart leaped to her throat. What if Anthony came down? What would he do? Would he own up to what happened? Or would he walk away saying nothing had occurred, leave her a footnote in his magical life?
Her nerves were exhausted by 10 a.m.
“Miss Reyes,” came the sharp voice of Sandra from HR, her stiletto heels clacking against the marble as she approached. “Come with me, please.”
Bella blinked. “Is something wrong?”
“Just follow me.”
Sandra led her to a small conference room. Inside, a serious-looking man in a suit sat with a file open in front of him.
“This is Mr. Kramer from internal affairs,” Sandra said curtly. “You’ve been accused of theft.”
Bella's knees nearly gave out.
"What?"
"There was a discrepancy in the company card that was used to make the purchase of catering equipment," said Kramer matter-of-factly. "Your ID was used to authorize the charge. Five thousand dollars."
"That's absurd," Bella cried out, heart pounding. "I've never had access to that card. I've never even handled a company card."
"Can you tell me about this receipt then?" He slid a printed receipt down the table.
Bella stared at the document. Her name was scrawled in the signature line.
“That’s not my handwriting!” she protested.
Sandra folded her arms. “You’ll remain in this room until Mr. Malone arrives.”
“Mr. Malone?”
“He wants to oversee the matter personally.”
The room tilted slightly. He was coming. Not just as the man from last night but as her boss.
Minutes ticked by. Fear clogged the air. Bella clasped her trembling hands together, trying to keep her cool.
And then the door opened and Anthony walked in.
He came in loaded with tension. He was dressed in a charcoal suit that hugged him like it had been tailored by angels, his dark eyes tracking around the room with a frisson that was colder than Bella remembered.
What's this?" he barked, voice steel in velvet.
Kramer started to recite the charge. Anthony pushed back his chair, arms crossed, expression unreadable. And then he glanced at Bella.
She shuddered from the power of his gaze.
"I didn't do that," she whispered.
"I know."
Bella's eyes flashed up.
“I’ve reviewed the footage from the finance office,” he continued. “Bella Reyes was nowhere near the card terminal. The charge was made by another employee who has since been suspended.”
Sandra’s face turned an unhealthy shade of red.
“You may return to your duties, Miss Reyes,” Anthony said, eyes still on her.
Bella stood slowly. Her legs felt like jelly.
“Thank you,” she managed, her voice barely a whisper.
But as she turned to leave, he instructed her, "Bella stay. I need a word."
After the others had departed, Anthony stood in the doorway, arms crossed, closing the door behind him.
"You shouldn't have left like that," he told her.
Bella blinked. "You mean… last night?"
He nodded. "I awoke and you were absent."
"I didn't think you'd care," she murmured, her eyes not even willing to glance at him.
He took a step forward. "I do care. And I want you to understand something."
Bella's heart was racing.
"I didn't forget about you after the ball," he said. "I saw you the moment you entered this building."
"Why did you not say anything, then?"
"Because I didn't know what to say. But to see you accused of something so ridiculous reminded me I can't act anymore."
He came closer. "I'd like to make you an offer. A proposal, but one that will suit us both."
She stared at him, her head spinning.
"What sort of proposal?"
But Anthony just smiled a slow, calculated smile that sent shivers down the hair on her arms.
"I'll let you know tomorrow. Be ready."
And with that, he turned and went away, leaving Bella panting, bewildered, and very interested.
- Writer
