THE SUPREME LEADER
1143 Words
“Mr. Supreme Leader!”
Nick’s sharp eyes moved to the voice. A tall man in a dark navy suit stepped forward with a confident smile.
“My name is Martin Farrell. Head of the Farrell family. At your service.”
Nick gave a calm, unreadable look. “What do you want, Mr. Farrell?”
“My son, Patrick, has always looked up to you, sir,” Martin said eagerly. “He dreams of serving by your side, assisting with Parliament affairs.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “So, you want to use your son to gain access to the Holy Parliament’s resources… expanding your family’s influence, right?”
Martin chuckled nervously, waving his hand. “No, no, no, that’s not it. Patrick is loyal, Mr. Supreme Leader. He truly just wants to serve. He wants to… save you.”
Nick’s gaze narrowed. “Save me?”
Martin straightened quickly. “He believes you need someone trustworthy at your side. Someone younger.”
There was a heavy pause. Nick tilted his head slightly, then said coldly, “Fine. I’ll give him a chance to prove himself.”
Martin’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, sir. You won’t regret it.”
But Nick didn’t reply. He only motioned to the driver.
“Let’s go.”
The tinted car window rolled up, and the vehicle smoothly pulled away from the curb.
Just moments later, another sleek car arrived at the same spot.
“We’re here,” Bella’s driver said as he stopped the car.
Bella stepped out, looking elegant yet tense. She walked up to Martin Farrell, who was still standing outside with a smug grin.
“Excuse me,” Bella asked. “Is the Supreme Leader inside?”
Martin turned slowly toward her, glancing from her face to her heels.
“He just left,” Martin said coolly. “Do you know how busy the Supreme Leader is? He doesn’t waste his time on just anyone.”
Nick was at home putting food on the dining table, humming softly as the warm scent of grilled chicken filled the air. The house was peaceful, bathed in golden evening light. He was setting the last plate when he heard the front door open.
Bella walked in with Emma and Elena trailing behind her. Her heels clicked sharply on the hardwood floor, echoing with authority. Nick turned to greet them, smiling with relief.
“Hey, baby,” he said warmly, wiping his hands on a towel. “Just making some dinner for us.”
Bella didn’t return the smile. She walked past him without a glance and sat down on the couch, elegantly crossing her legs. She stared down at her shoes, then looked up at Nick with cold detachment.
“My shoes got dirty,” she said flatly. “Clean them.”
Nick blinked, caught off guard. “What? What do you mean?”
Bella tilted her head. “Do I need to repeat myself?”
Nick’s eyes flickered with confusion, but he forced a calm expression. He slowly knelt in front of her, picking up a small towel from the nearby table. He gently lifted her foot and began wiping the dust from her expensive shoes.
“What’s wrong, Bella?” he asked quietly. “Did something happen during the mission?”
“Nothing at all,” she replied curtly.
He looked up at her. “Are you sure? You seem different.”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she reached down and pulled off her shoes herself, tossing them aside. “The mission went perfectly,” she said. “In fact, the Supreme Leader personally invited me to join the Holy Parliament.”
Nick’s hand froze. He looked up, eyes wide. “Bella, that’s... that’s incredible news.”
Bella smirked. “It’s more than incredible. My family is finally going to join the Big Eight. All the wealth, all the power, everything I’ve ever wanted, is finally within reach.”
Emma and Elena exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent.
Bella stood and slowly walked toward Nick, who was still kneeling.
“It’s almost perfect,” she continued. “Except for one glaring flaw.”
Suddenly, she lifted her foot and kicked him squarely in the chest.
Nick stumbled backward and fell to the floor, stunned. His breath caught as he tried to sit up, confusion etched on his face.
“Bella?” he asked, crawling slightly toward her. “What are you talking about?”
She crouched beside him, her voice low and sharp. “Let me make it simple for you… sweetheart, you’re the flaw.”
Nick stared at her in disbelief, his hands trembling.
“I want a divorce,” she said, her eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction.
Nick got up slowly, his eyes red with the surprise look on his face and pain. “Bella,” his voice trembled, “I’ve given everything to this family for the past four years. I’ve done nothing wrong. Why would you bring up divorce right now?”
Emma stepped in coldly. “Four years ago, Mrs. Phoenix brought you in thinking you’d bring connections to the Price family. Not so you could leech off the Phoenix name like a parasite.”
Nick clenched his jaw. “A parasite?” he repeated in disbelief, turning to Bella. “You think I’m a parasite? Bella, I’m the one who’s been working in the shadows, doing all the dirty work. Cleaning up your family's rivals.
Bella scoffed and crossed her arms. “Cut the bullshit, Nick. What else are you even good for besides running errands? I’m about to join the Holy Parliament, the most important office in the entire world. And you?” Her voice dripped with disdain. “You're nothing to me.”
Nick staggered back a step, as if struck by her words. “That’s it?” he whispered. “You… You think you’re too good for me now? Just because of a title?” His voice rose, passion flooding it. “What about the past four years, Bella? Let’s set aside status for one second, what about us? I mean, don’t we deserve to fight for love as two people?”
Without warning, Emma stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face.
“Wake up, Nick!” she barked. “Your little feelings? Yeah, they’re worthless. A loser like you doesn’t deserve love.”
Nick’s face turned slightly, the sting burning his cheek, but it was Bella’s silence that stung more. He turned to her, his voice shaking, “Bella… How did you become like this? You weren’t like this four years ago. Back then, in that hospital, when I was dying, you stayed by my side. You didn’t care about status or power.”
Bella narrowed her eyes. “Hospital? What are you even talking about? I never worked in a hospital.”
- Writer
