Reborn As His Obsession

Chapter 18

Bianca's POV

It was Fred that barged into my house with the spare keys. I still allowed him to stay despite Ivy's advice about him being a bad boyfriend.

“Fred, why exactly did you enter my room at this late hour? Even though you have my spare keys, it isn't right.” I stretched out my right hand towards him. “Please return it,”

He gave me that look of are you really serious or kidding, but still proceeded to drop the keys in my hand. Good. Now, I didn't have to worry about anyone entering my house.

“Bella, I'm really sorry,” He apologized. “I just want us to go back to being together. I want you back. I still love you. If I didn't, I wouldn't have poured in all my effort into getting you that job.”

I didn't know what to say as I wasn't even aware of the crimes he committed. “You know what you did, and what is it?” I tried to play along. Since the system wasn't answering all my questions, I'd have to find some answers by myself.

“Bella, I know I cheated on you, but it's all in the past now. I promise I'm a new person.” He was now down on his knees as he pleaded with me. “You can take the spare keys away, but please, don't take your love from me.”

I suppressed the urge to laugh. I felt like he was just being performative about everything. Why did I feel like I couldn't trust a man anymore after cheating was involved? Maybe it was because Steve killed me after cheating on me.

“You've still not told me why you came to my place by this time,” I moved over to Bella's closet and picked loose pants and a shirt for the night.

“I don't have anywhere to go yet, B. Let me spend some time at your place.”

I chuckled. How couldn't he have an apartment of his own. This was bloody New York and houses weren't exactly scarce.

“I'm so sorry Fred, but I didn't budget to add anyone as a roommate.”

He took a deep breath and looked down at the floor, but he didn't say anything.

I walked over to the mirror after putting on my night dress and my eyes scanned Bella's body like I did every night.

“Let me spend only this night here. I'd crash with my guys for the remaining days.”

“Oh huh,” I said in acknowledgement, half listening to him.

I climbed into bed to sleep, and he headed to the bathroom for a shower. When he returned, I was still engrossed in the novel that I was reading. He did something surprising as he returned by slipping behind me on the bed, and wrapping his hand around my waist.

I had to turn to look at him with eyes that gave a warning.

“Sorry,” He muttered and turned away from me to face the opposite side.

I kissed my teeth in annoyance and continued reading the novel. The novel was about a rebirth story with the female lead, and it fascinated me because I also underwent the same thing.

When I was already halfway into the novel, I heard snores coming from Fred. Ivy had warned me to stay away from him, and I was pretty sure that it was because he was a cheat. I only allowed him here for today because it was already night and also because he had helped me bag a job. Besides that, I didn't want further entanglement with him.

I drifted into sleep in a few minutes. When I opened my eyes, I saw myself in my former home at Steve's mansion. I had been discharged from the hospital, and I was still in my former body as Bianca. I couldn't move as my entire body was bandaged.

I was kept under medical support in my room. Steve appeared like before with his girlfriend. This time, there wasn't divorce papers in his hands. He held a dagger and before I could utter a word, he drove it straight into my chest.

I could see the smile and smirk on his face as I was losing my life. My eyes shot open and I woke up from the dream screaming at the top of my lungs. Even my chest hurt, like a knife was stabbed into it.

My screams woke Fred and he held me in his arms, closer to himself.

“It's okay baby, it's just a dream,” He muttered as he stroked my hair gently.

My heartbeat was heightened and I could feel blood coursing through my veins at an accelerated rate. He patted me gently until the unsettling feeling in my chest faded away.

I looked at my hands, my body was still Bella's. I shut my eyes, with Fred's arms still swaddling me. I hoped this was going to be the last time I'd have such nightmares.

The system claimed it was here to guide me. Why couldn't it block me from having such nightmares?

I heard the voice in my head.

[You're still adapting to the new world. Nightmares would be regular]

I sucked in a deep breath and took my body off Fred's arms. I went under the covers, but couldn't sleep. I was scared that if I shut my eyes, another nightmare may haunt me.

I felt Fred cuddling me once again, and I didn't push him off. I ended up falling into another round of sleep. Thankfully, there weren't any nightmares this time around.

When I woke up, it was already morning. The windows were already open and the morning light slipped through it and illuminated my room.

Fred wasn't in bed. From my kitchen, the smell of bacon and toast wafted into my nose. He was awake with an apron tied around his waist, making breakfast.

“Goodmorning Bella,” He turned around as he sensed me approaching.

“Good…morning,” I stuttered as my sleepy eyes went over my groceries that were scattered around the kitchen cabinet.

“Here, have these,” He stretched out a plate of toast, bacon, eggs and some pancakes to me. “Bon appetit,” He added and winked at me.

I took the plates and began emptying the contents into my mouth. It sure tasted good. He might have been a bad boyfriend to Bella, but he definitely was a great cook.

“Are you checking in with your job at the art gallery? You know who promised to quit because the stress from the dancing job was too much.”

Stress? I replayed Fred's words in my head. Was Bella really stressed because she was a stripper? Did these have anything to do with the death statements that I saw in her diary?

“Yeah. I should check out the art gallery today.” Now, I was drinking a fruit smoothie that he handed to me.

“I should escort you then,” He raised a brow and looked at me as if seeking my approval to escort me.

“Sure,” I said in response. After all, what harm could happen from a little escort. I didn't want to go all by myself in the first place.

I was about to leave to prepare in the bathroom when his voice halted me.

“Bella,” I turned as I heard my name. “You're the best thing that has happened to me. Even though we may not be together anymore, I want to thank you for allowing me into my life.”

I was short of words and didn't know how to respond. I didn't know my backstory with Fred, so I was still unsure of the type of person he was. He looked totally harmless as he stood before me.

“Thank you,” I managed to say.

He forced a smile and I left for the bathroom.

When both of us were done preparing for the day, we headed out of my apartment.

I was walking towards the road when he stopped me. “Come on, my car is here. I'd drop us.”

I looked at the small car which looked slightly scratched at a corner. I wasn't learned when it came to knowing about car types, but his car was silver colour and that was enough information for me.

How is it possible that he still has a car, but doesn't have where to crash for the night? Or maybe his plan of sleeping over at my place was just so that he could get close to me. That was an awfully good plan by the way.

When we hit the road, Jessica Montana's album was playing over the car radio. I bobbed my head to the melody. This was one of my favourite hits when I was married to Steve. The lyrics preached straight to my soul and made me forget about the neglect from Steve.

Fred barely spoke throughout the ride. He only asked a few questions about how I was faring, and I gave him monosyllabic answers until he stopped asking.

The tires came to a halt in front of a building. Written clearly in artistic font was the name of the gallery— Elan art gallery.

“I hope you brought it along with you,” Fred said, before getting down from the driver's seat and walking over to my seat to open the car door for me.

He was being chivalrous. Really?