Love Mistaken

Chapter 2: The Search

"Ethan, have you found Bella yet?"

"Not yet, but we’ve uncovered her background. Here are the relevant files." Ethan placed a folder on Lucas's desk, but Lucas didn't open it.

"Keep looking. You can go now."

Lucas leaned his elbows on the desk, fists pressed against his forehead, lost in thought. After a while, he picked up the folder and began reading.

Isabella Clarke, 22 years old, is studying jewelry design at CSM. The file included her class schedule. She had a lecture this afternoon in Lecture Hall 3.

Lucas shouted, "Ethan, quickly, we're going to CSM!"

In the library, Bella was discussing with her friends.

Grace asked, "Bella, where were you yesterday? You didn't reply to our messages. Riley and I finished the project. Check it out; we need to submit it in class later."

"Sorry, guys. I was dealing with some personal matters and couldn't check my phone. My bad. I'll treat you to coffee."

"Cappuccino, no milk."

"Black coffee, with sugar."

"Got it, I'm on it."

They laughed together.

Ethan parked the car near the lecture hall. Lucas sat inside, eyes fixed on the entrance, hoping to spot Bella.

People came and went, but there was no sign of Bella. Lucas frowned, his fingers tapping his knee, breathing growing heavier as he became anxious.

Suddenly, Bella, Riley, and Grace walked into the lecture hall, arms linked, chatting and laughing. Lucas muttered, "I see you. This time, you won't escape."

When the class ended, students streamed out of the lecture hall. Lucas waited at the door. "Bella."

Bella looked up, shocked to see him there. Grace asked, "Bella, is he your friend?"

Lucas wrapped his arm around Bella's waist. "Hi, I'm Lucas, Bella's husband."

Grace and Riley gasped, covering their mouths. "Wow, Bella, you're married? Oh my god, congratulations!"

Lucas whispered in Bella's ear, "Come with me, or I'll take your friends."

Bella nodded reluctantly. Lucas turned to Grace and Riley, "I’d like you to be Bella's bridesmaid. Would you?"

"Of course, we'd love to."

"We have to go now. See you next time."

"Bye!"

Lucas pulled Bella into the car, pressing her down onto the seat, his face close to hers. "Be a good girl. I'm taking you to try on wedding dresses. You'll love it."

"I don't want to go. I don't want to marry you." Bella averted her eyes, unable to look at Lucas.

Lucas gripped her face, forcing her to look at him. "Then who do you want to marry? I've chosen you, and no other man will dare to compete."

"I don't love you. I don't love you." Bella swatted his hand away.

Lucas tightened his hold on her shoulders. "Who do you love? Tell me. You can only love me."

He kissed her forcefully, pinning her hands down. Bella felt utterly hopeless, tears streaming down her face.

Lucas let go of her hands and hugged her, wiping away her tears. "Bella, baby, what's wrong?"

Bella didn't respond, staring out the window, watching the scenery rush past.

She felt lost, confused about why he wanted to marry her, why he had chosen her specifically.

She didn't want this. She wanted to escape from this man who felt like a devil, pushing her closer to the edge of a cliff, with only a deep abyss behind her.

The car stopped at the villa’s gate—the same gate she had escaped from yesterday.

Inside, a group from Givenchy surrounded Bella. They were designers and tailors, ready to create a tailor-made wedding dress for her.

Bella stood in the midst of them as they measured her. Lucas sat on a nearby sofa, holding a glass of wine, his eyes fixed on Bella.

"Wait, I need to use the restroom," Bella said.

"Alright, I'll wait for you," Lucas replied.

Bella went to the restroom, locked the door, and looked around. She opened the window and saw a lawn outside with no one around.

Carefully, she climbed out, jumped down, and brushed off the dirt. She found herself in a garden, searching for the main gate.

She walked for a long time without finding the exit.

The garden was enormous, with fountains, various trees, and rare flowers, but no sign of a gate.

Exhausted, she sat on a small stone bench, gently touching the surrounding flowers. It was quiet, pure, and serene.

When Lucas found her, she was sitting among the flowers, looking like a fairy in the forest.

"Bella."

The fairy turned to look at him.

“Bella.”

The fairy turned to look at him. Bella saw not only Lucas but also a beagle running towards her. It sniffed her clothes and barked excitedly.

“This is my dog, Max. I let him smell your clothes. He remembers your scent.”

Lucas couldn’t bear the thought of his angel running away again, so he devised this plan.

He picked Bella up in his arms.

“Bella, come with me.”