CHAPTER FIVE
1005 Words
As the morning rays flooded into the room, Bella stirred and glanced around. Axel wasn't there. A tiny part of her felt disappointed. Just then the door opened, and he stepped in, looking like he hadn't slept a wink.
"Good morning," she greeted.
"Morning," he replied rather coldly.
He did not even ask about her stomach. He just grabbed a stack of documents and walked out. Bella's heart sank at his coldness.
What had she been expecting? A morning kiss? Or something? Yesterday he had just taken pity on her, and today she wanted the same treatment. She laughed sarcastically. "Wake up, Bella."
Just then her phone rang. It was her mom. She stared at the screen, contemplating whether to pick or not. After all, this was the first time she was calling after the wedding. She picked anyway.
"Good morning, mum," she greeted.
"I'd love to see you after school today."
"But—"
"Be here after school."
Before she could say another word, the line went dead. She sighed. She was used to this already.
She showered and dressed up. As she grabbed her bag, Axel came in. They stared at each other for some seconds.
"How are you feeling?" he finally broke the silence.
She stared, surprised. "Fine."
Before she could add a thank you, he walked out. She quickly rushed downstairs. The Knights were having breakfast. She greeted them politely, declined Mrs. Knight's request to join them, and hurried into the car.
The driver pulled over inside the university to avoid yesterday's incident. She got out and he zoomed off.
"Bella!" Nichole called, rushing over.
"Hi," she replied, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Oh! My Bella, you look stressed. Did you have a good night?"
Her mind flashed to the previous night, and she couldn't help but blush.
"Yeah," she replied quietly, but Nichole had already caught her blush.
Nichole's eyes widened. "Okay… looks like someone had a great night, not a good night."
Bella nudged her playfully. "Come with me to the library. I want to get something." Bella said and pulled her to walk along with her.
"So… tell me what happened," Nichole asked as they walked, not wanting to let go.
Bella took time to tell her what happened.
"Aww, that's so cute. He sure knows how to take care of his girl," Nichole giggled.
"Sadly, he was cold this morning," she said sadly.
Nichole stared at her sad expression, and it clicked.
Nichole raised a brow. "Bella, you're in love."
"Love?" Bella let out a sarcastic laugh. "I can never be in love with Axel of all people. I'm just worried, that's all."
"Worried about what?" Nichole asked with a brow raised.
Bella opened her mouth, then closed it. She did not even know what to say.
"Exactly what I thought," Nichole smirked. "Bella, you're in love."
Bella shook her head but did not argue.
"You know Valentine's Day is today," Nichole added.
Bella gasped.
"Of course, Bella! Don't tell me you forgot. Today is couples' day."
"Oh," she sighed. There was no need. Axel wasn't going to gift her.
Suddenly, gasps filled the library. Some students ran out. Bella quickly grabbed the book she came for, and they rushed outside.
Outside, a crowd gathered. Blair stood taking selfies in front of a Bugatti.
Gasps filled the air.
"Wow!"
"The car is killing!"
"This is super cute," students whispered.
Blair giggled happily and continued taking pictures. Then her eyes landed on Bella's.
"Bella, darling!" she yelled, posing dramatically. "Come take a selfie with me and my baby." She said with a haughty laugh.
"Geez!" Bella rolled her eyes.
"Bye, Dad!" Blair waved at the man in the Bugatti as it sped off. Her two friends joined her, giggling.
"Come on, Bella, let's go," Nichole said, tugging on her sleeve.
"Hey, b***h!" Blair called the moment she finally caught up.
"I'm not in the mood to exchange words with a kid, Blair," Bella muttered.
"Don't tell me you're mad 'cause I got a new car."
"A new car? Your father's car, you mean. Besides, I can buy you and your father's car," Bella shot back.
Blair smiled sweetly, then turned to the crowd.
"Hey, guys! Bella, darling here, has promised to buy a Bugatti tomorrow and bring it to school."
Students gasped. Bella's eyes widened. Blair smiled wickedly and walked away. Students applauded. Whispers erupted everywhere.
Just then, a guy came to gift his girlfriend, which distracted everyone. She and Nichole had the chance to quietly slip away.
---
After classes, she headed to her limo and bade Nichole goodbye. She told the driver where to take her, her thoughts racing.
"What was her mother up to, and why did she have to call her?" She leaned back on her seat, closing her eyes.
The drive was short. Soon they stopped at her family house. In the sitting room, her mother sat with her legs crossed, watching a movie. She did not bother greeting. She took a seat right away.
"Why did you call?" she asked immediately, almost coldly.
"I'll get straight to the point. Have you slept with Axel?" she asked, looking her in the eye.
Her coldness wavered. Her cheeks burned. "No," she managed to say.
"Why? You're not supposed to stay a virgin after marriage, Bella. This merger can't work without an heir. We need something to hold the Knights down," her mom said.
"Hold on, what? You want me to get pregnant? I thought you said I just had to get married and leave when I want to."
"Yeah, game changed," her mom said dryly. "Get pregnant and secure the Knights, so even if you divorce him, we can still get him to do things for us."
It finally hit her that this wasn't about her family legacy. It was always for her mother's greed. She grabbed her bag, and ignoring her mom's calls, she ran out.
"Why was everything hell-bent on going sideways?"
She climbed into the car.
"Drive," she said quietly.
- Writer
