CHAPTER THREE
1118 Words
Bella's eyes fluttered open, her sight blurry at first. She struggled to sit up. A sharp pain shot through her head. She held her forehead in pain.
"Ouch, it hurts."
Mrs. Knight rushed to her side, alarmed.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," she consoled as she helped her up.
Axel stood a few steps away, leaning against the wall, his hands tucked in his pockets. A brief flicker of concern crossed his face, then disappeared as quickly as it came.
"What happened?" Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The only thing she could remember was trying to find the kitchen in the middle of the night, and then she had been hit.
She glanced around. She was lying on a couch in the living room. Mrs. Knight hovered over her, checking for injuries, while Axel watched, his expression unreadable.
"I'm fine, mah," Bella winced.
"Mum," Mrs. Knight corrected gently.
Bella nodded.
Just then, a guard stepped in.
"Sir, here is the CCTV footage."
Axel excused himself and left. Mrs. Knight placed a damp cloth on her forehead.
"What happened, ma… I mean, mum?" Bella inquired.
"We found you on the hallway floor. You had already fainted before we found you. Axel found you first," Mrs. Knight explained, sounding proud.
Bella sighed, clutching her throbbing head. "Who had hit her and why?" she pondered.
Just then, Mr. Knight walked in, looking worried.
"How is she?" he asked his wife.
"Better, I guess," Mrs. Knight responded.
He glanced at her, then left. His strange coldness made Bella feel uneasy.
Axel returned moments later.
"What did you find?" his mom asked.
"Looks like our intruder avoided all the cameras, meaning one thing—whoever it was knows the house well enough to avoid the cameras."
"Lord, why is this happening to me? For Christ's sake, I just got married," Bella muttered under her breath.
Axel and his mother discussed the possibilities, but Bella wasn't listening anymore. Her eyes drifted to the wall clock.
"Oh my God!" she screamed.
Mrs. Knight jumped, startled. "What's the problem, my dear?"
"I'm late for school!"
She stood up, ignoring the throbbing pain in her head, and hurried upstairs. She took the quickest shower of her life, rushed her skincare, grabbed her bag, and hurried downstairs. She was about to run out the door when Axel stepped in front of her.
"Wait."
She froze in her tracks.
"You need a driver."
She did not protest. She nodded, bade goodbye to Mrs. Knight, and hurried into the waiting limo.
"Oh God," she heaved, sinking into the seat, trying to enjoy the ride, but her racing thoughts wouldn't let her. Who had hit her and why? That was the only question on her mind.
After a long while, the driver pulled over at the university. The moment she stepped out of the car, camera flashes exploded. A swarm of reporters and students rushed towards her.
*Reporting live at Campbell College with Mrs. Bella Knight*
*Bella, look over here!*
*Over here, ma'am!*
*Autograph, please!*
Bella's vision blurred. "God, what was happening?" she muttered. She had not thought this was going to happen. Just as she was at a loss, a familiar voice yelled.
"Back off!"
It was her best friend, Nichole. She pushed through the reporters, snatched a camera from one of them, and smashed it on the ground. Shocked gasps erupted. Ignoring them, she pulled Bella away to the classroom.
Inside, Nichole folded her arms. "Hello, girlfriend. You mind explaining yourself? Why did I have to see your wedding on the internet first before hearing it from you?" Nichole demanded.
"Nichole," she called softly, "I wanted to tell you, but everything happened so fast. I'm sorry."
"That doesn't mean I've forgiven you," Nichole pouted.
Bella smiled and hugged her.
"So… what happened on the wedding night?" Nichole asked, curious eyes popping out.
"Nichole, please," she groaned with an eye roll. "Nothing happened."
"I'm really curious. Tell me."
"Well, I can't talk about it here. Maybe when we are alone," Bella whispered.
Nichole nodded, noticing some girls were already stealing glances.
Just then, the three girls Bella despised the most walked in with smirks on their faces—just enough to worsen the situation. Bella rolled her eyes, knowing they were coming for her.
"Hello, little bride," Blair teased while the rest chuckled.
Bella scoffed.
"Tell me, Bella, how was your night?" Alma asked sweetly.
"It was incredible. Dreamt someone peeled off your bad attitude, or maybe washed away the tons of makeup from your face," Bella replied calmly.
Alma clenched her fists in anger.
"Seriously, Bella," Cheryl cut in, "how was your night? Did the normal couple stuff happen between you two?"
"Yeah, does it hurt?" Alma added.
"Of course it should. I heard Axel is an expert," Blair said, and they all laughed.
Bella raised a brow and shook her head.
"So how did you know it's supposed to hurt?" she asked, looking at Blair. "Does that mean you're no longer a virgin? Guess you couldn't help mouthing out how slutty you are."
Some students who were eavesdropping burst into laughter. Whispers erupted.
"You b***h!" Blair screamed, infuriated. She raised her hand to slap her, but Bella stood and caught her hand mid-air.
"Don't you dare. I don't mind smacking your skull if I have to." She glared at her, snatched her hand back, and returned to her seat.
"You are really a match for these girls," Nichole giggled beside her.
Bella let out a smile. Just then, the lecturer came in and began the lecture.
---
After lectures, Bella walked out alone. Nichole had extra lectures, so she had to stay back. Outside, she heaved when she did not see any paparazzi around.
"Thank God," she whispered.
She spotted the driver across the road. As she attempted to cross, a motorcycle sped towards her, barely missing her. She fell in shock. When she recovered, she saw a note. She opened it with trembling hands. It read:
*"Every rose keeps a thorn for a soul that has forgotten its path."*
She trembled. She recognized the poem immediately. It was an ancient poem of death. She flung the paper aside, still trembling. Just then, the driver rushed towards her.
"Sorry, ma'am," he apologized and helped her up.
She dusted herself and limped to the car. She closed her eyes, trying to process what had just happened.
"What was happening? She was barely 48 hours into her marriage. Someone had already attacked her on the wedding night, and now someone wanted her dead."
"Lord, help me," she muttered as she leaned back on her seat. But she could not help but ponder who would want her dead.
- Writer
