My Reclaimed Love

Chapter 3- Bella's POV

Since the day Philip ran off with Andrea on my dream wedding and honeymoon on God knows where, I haven't been the same person. I have lost my drive and my zeal for living. It feels every day like something is ripping me apart inside, like I might die any day.

I lost the lead role Nathan got because I was not in a good frame of mind to act, or so the movie director said.

Everyone just looks at me with pitiful eyes when I step out, so I stopped going everywhere. For the past two weeks, Hannah and Nat have been switching places to grocery shopping, staying with me and force-feeding me. They must think I committed suicide or something and I don't blame them.

I already feel like my life has ended and there's no point going on and, truth be told, it feels like a tempting thought right now. No one is here, I'd be gone before they find me and I'd have my peace.

But everytime I dwell on the idea of suicide, I remember my mother's last words to me on her dying bed.

Bella, promise me you'll live your best life no matter what… promise me…. she dragged like it was hard for her to speak. I promised her and that promise has carried me through rough seasons in my life I never thought I'd overcome. Will I be able to overcome this one mom? I asked as I started to drift away in my thoughts…

I stood at the center of the heart of Los Angeles as I laced up my sneakers, preparing for the city-wide marathon surrounded by other excited participants. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the LA marathon is that participants are often from various works of life, giving a neutral and less competitive aura than I am used to in Hollywood.

Running isn't exactly my forte, but the buzz of excitement in the air was contagious, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to join in.

As I made my way to the starting line, my nerves tingled with anticipation. The energy of the crowd was electric, a pulsating thrum that filled the air with excitement and possibility.

But amidst the anticipation of the race, my mind couldn't help but drift to the challenges I left waiting for me in Hollywood. As a rising actress, every audition felt like a battle, every role a prize to be won.

I thought back to the countless auditions I had endured, the countless rejections that threatened to chip away at my confidence. The constant pressure to look a certain way, to act a certain way, to fit into a mold dictated by others' expectations.

But despite the challenges, I refused to let myself be consumed by doubt. With each setback, I pushed myself harder, determined to prove that I belonged on the silver screen, and soon enough, I got my big break. Since then, things have gotten easier, but there's still a long way to go if I'm ever going to put my name in history.

And then, as the starting gun sounded and the race began, all distractions melted away, replaced by the rhythmic pounding of my feet on the pavement. Mile after mile slipped by in a blur of determination and adrenaline, the cheers of the spectators urging us on.

As I rounded a bend in the course, my eyes met with a tall and striking man. Whether I was the one who caught up with him or it was the other way around, I cannot say till this day but I remember us falling into step beside each other, the rhythm of our strides syncing effortlessly..

We crossed the finish line soon, breathless and exhilarated, runners from all walks of life winning at something beyond awards and promotions I thought as I looked around at everyone crossing the finish line at their own pace.

Then there he was again, the tall sparkly eyed man who looked at least 5'9 in height. I could have sworn he was an athlete by profession- at least he definitely looked the part.

"Hi, my name's Philip," he said. How I didn't recognize the famous billionaire Philip Gonzalez straight up still baffles me till date but I didn't find out who he was and he never mentioned it till things had gotten pretty serious between us.

Conversation flowed between us easily, as if we had known each other for years rather than mere moments.

Since we're all winners today, would you mind grabbing lunch with me tomorrow to celebrate? I wanted to turn him down but something deep inside me was too excited for my mouth to say no so I agreed eventually.

We exchanged contact information and made plans to meet the following Saturday afternoon at a cozy café downtown. Little did I know, that lunch date would mark the beginning of a journey that would change my life in ways I never couldn't have possibly imagined.

I opened my eyes to find myself back in my apartment still feeling like the worst piece of s**t ever to exist.

No longer lost in my thoughts I could hear crackling sounds of plates- must be Hannah planning on her next mission to stuff me up with some food but I swear, I don't feel like eating. Gush I didn't even realize someone had come in…

These days I'm rarely attentive and I don't even get hungry. Whenever I do so much as attempt to eat, I throw up at least half of the time. But Hannah's been so supportive of late I can't afford to let her effort go to waste. She's at my place at least twice a week, running around, getting me stuff and just doing everything she can to make me feel better ever since Philip dumped me- that son of a bitch..

I'm gonna have to eat what she's making. Hmmn…smells like bacon but for some reason the smell started to repulse me. I'm gonna throw up again… good lord!

I ran off the couch to the toilet before I ruined my beautiful chocolate brown living room carpet and in about a minute Hannah was right behind me tapping my back soothingly and stroking my hair.

I finally got up and started to rinse my face and mouth when I caught her eyes through the mirror, staring at me worriedly like I was some hospital patient.

What is it Hannah- why are you staring at me like that? I asked in my now usually downcast tone.

Are you pregnant? she asked with the most straightforward face of ever seen. What? No… Why would I be pregnant? I retorted defensively.