Christian's POV.
I watched the color disappear from Belle's face when I muttered those two words. She didn't reply immediately. She only stared, as if processing what I had just said.
Served her right, I thought. She was sitting opposite me, looking beautiful as always. I wanted to touch her, I was dying to touch her, but everytime, the thought of the pain of waking up from my coma five years ago and not seeing her there was enough to keep my hands away.I looked for her. Searched for her like a crazy person, yet I couldn't find her. No one had hurt me like she did. And now she was sitting before me, listening to a proposition of me asking for her hand in marriage. I wanted to punish her for leaving me. I wanted to tie her down so that she wouldn't be able to love anybody else and still wouldn't get love from me. She deserved to pay for what she did to me. And if I will inherit the company in the process, then two birds will be killed with one stone.Her response was taking a while so I cleared my throat and she blinked twice."Are you crazy?" Belle asked, but I wasn't moved by the question. I expected it."Crazy people don't go ahead asking others to marry them now do they?" I asked still studying her face."Why in the world would you want to marry me? Make it make sense Christian. You just saw me again yesterday after 5 whole years." She said.I shrugged my shoulders."It doesn't matter. Like I said, I need the marriage for something""You're offering me marriage because you need it for something? Marriage used to be sacred to you Christian." She argued."Don't you dare talk like you know me" I snapped. "I have been looking for someone to get married to for a while now. For business purposes. It's better I married whom I knew than who I don't, don't you think?" I asked. She continued to stare at me, disbelief in her eyes."And what do you need it for?" She asked me. "What is so important that you are willing to throw your values of marriage away by marrying someone you are not in love with?"It was a ridiculous question. Of course I was not in love with her, not anymore. Why was she trying to make it look like I was the devil?"I'm inheriting Martin Constructions" I said and her facial expressions relaxed. "Really?" She asked genuinely happy for me but, I made sure to show my disgust at her exclamation."Congratulations Christian. You have always worked hard for the company." She added.
It was annoying hearing her say that. As if she knew my background and had been there to know if I deserved anything or not."To inherit the company, I need to be married." I said. "That's the stupid clause my father attached to it when I come of age. He needs to be sure I can handle family and the business together." I watched her shake her head."It's not enough reason to make you sacrifice your beliefs...""You shouldn't worry about my beliefs young lady" I said cutting her short and noticing the puzzled look on her face. "You should be thinking about saving your parent's house and not me" I said standing up.I looked down at her while standing and she in turn, looked up to meet my gaze. Her huge eyes pierced mine, looking pitiful as it used to."I have proposed a good deal to you. Whether you take it or not, is left to you. I can still look for someone else if you do not comply but remember, the clock is ticking on your parents house." I said."Christian..." Belle called weakly but I cut her off again."You take the deal, I pay your parent's loan and we get married for one year. Then after I've secured the company, we get a divorce and you can go your way. The decision is yours. You know how to reach me." I brought out another address from my pocket and dropped it on the table."I'll be in Milton hotels, suite 65 for two more days incase you agree to my proposition. Now if you'll excuse me, I have important things to take care of." I said and walked out. I didn't care to turn to see her facial expressions when I left, I kept walking till I got into the car and till my driver zoomed off."There's nothing you can say to change my mind Gabrielle, I will not be at the stupid dinner. I can't cut my trip short, I'm a busy man." I said over the phone to my cousin. She was pestering me about attending our family's function and that was the last thing I wanted to attend.I looked outside the window from the car and noticed that we were almost at my destination."Three more blocks Dominic" I said to the driver who nodded his head."This so called trip of yours was supposed to have ended since yesterday Chris. You are delaying it on purpose" Gabrielle said to me.Of course I was delaying it on purpose. One, because I wasn't in the mood for family and two, well, Belle; she was supposed to give me an answer yesterday but Gabrielle didn't need to know that."I have things to do Gabrielle. That's the only reason I am not attending" I said removing my seat-belt when the car came to a stop. "I have to go. Have fun and be merry" I said and hung up without waiting for a reply. I imagined the facial expression Gabrielle would have on because of my attitude and couldn't help but smile a little.I alighted from the car to the construction site and shook the hands of the engineer who walked to me immediately he saw my car. I accepted the helmet given by one of the workers, nodding in appreciation. Then we walked to the site as we inspected the place."The projector would be facing that way" Thomas, the senior engineer of the project said to me. "We are demarcating the size of each vehicle that will be parked to see a movie"I nodded, impressed at the sight of the to-be drive-in cinema under construction. I didn't necessarily need to be here. I trusted the work of my people, but waiting for Belle's response was taking a while and I needed something to do since being on the plane back to Arizona was not in my plans."How many projectors are we looking at?" I asked him while watching with enthusiasm at the way the labourers worked diligently and expertly."Three" he said using his hands to make a direction on where each would be mounted.I nodded again, already imagining how busy and packed the place would be when it was completed. The site was located at a very famous spot in St Louis city and I was very sure it would bubble with activities.After inspecting the ground and seeing what materials would be used, I shook hands with Thomas and his assistant engineer and walked out, leaving him with his workers to go ahead with their jobs.I spent a little time at a restaurant, discussing business and rounding up everything I came to St Louis to do. Tomorrow I will be on a flight back to Arizona whether Belle contacted me or not.When we arrived at the hotel, I waved off my driver and went straight to my suite, not paying much attention to the receptionist who was always trying one way or another to bat her eyelashes at me. If only she knew I was a busy man and busy men do not entertain guests.I took the elevator to the third floor of the hotel and when I turned to the direction of my suite, I halted briefly at the sight of a woman, squatting in her heels with an envelope in her right hand.Belle.I didn't need to move closer to know it was her. I could tell from the figure and posture. I was used to that figure and posture.I was glad her head was between her knees so that I could have some time to arrange my composure. As I walked closer, I tried to make my footsteps louder so that she could be aware of my arrival. Belle raised her head and immediately she saw me, stood to her full height. She was not a short woman but wasn't too long to be considered tall either.She used to be perfect for me. I thought but immediately shrugged the thought off.Her hair was left to flow over her shoulders as the sandals she wore complimented the simple gown she had on.As I got to her, her facial expressions changed and something in me knew she had made a decision. She stretched towards me the manilla envelope I had left on the table of the restaurant, which contained the contract I had offered her."Good evening Christian" she said, her voice unusually bold considering the circumstance she was in."We need to talk."Belle's POVMy heart was beating heavily in my chest but I tried my best to show composure. I was about to make a very big decision, one that would change my life for the next six or eight months, so I needed all the composure I could gather.Christian didn't say a word to acknowledge what I had said. He only leaned forward, enough to allow me take in his wonderful scent, and used the key card to open the door.I didn't realize I had closed my eyes when he leaned in and immediately opened them to inspect the opened room. I walked slowly into the large suite, taking in the view of the beautiful room. Christian walked over to release the curtains and turn on the remaining lights, as if he needed a certain kind of caution around me.When he was done with what I figured out to be his hotel ritual, he offered me a seat which I took. Then he sat opposite me, a serious look on his face."Yes Belle." he said.I raised the folder up and went into business immediately, since he didn't want to
Belle's POVThe look on their faces was priceless. I saw different expressions in them. His father was annoyed, his mother disgusted. As for Gabrielle, hers was expressionless but I knew she wouldn't have flowers to give to me."Belle?" Lucy called. "Belle?" Your ex-girlfriend who abandoned you on your sick bed? She's your wife?" She asked, eyes wide in shock. I wasn't surprised at her attitude, but the way she spoke about me abandoning Christian, as if they had nothing to do with it was disgusting.Christian didn't reply. He only nodded his head. He was a man of very few words who wasn't swayed easily by baseless talks.I didn't speak either. He had commanded me not to. They didn't need to know that being his wife also sounded ridiculous to me, because unlike him, weddings were sacred to me."You got married in St Louis?" His father asked sternly, cutting me stern looks while addressing his only son."You got married without any of your family members present? How could you do that?"
Belle's POV.I used my right palm to massage myself after the realization of the slap had hit me. I stared at her, wondering why she had done that."You came back?" Lucy asked, anger in her voice. "You had the effontery to come back after the warning we gave to you?" She asked again.I couldn't respond to her questions. I tasted blood in my mouth due to the slap and didn't want to suffer another one."With your parents dying, do you suddenly think you have nothing to lose? We warned you to stay away, didn't we?" She asked me."I did." I replied softly and calmly. "I left him and I stayed away""Then what the hell are you doing here? Claiming to be married to my son?" She asked and when there was no response, continued to talk."He never mentioned you. For the past four years, after he got tired of searching for you, he stopped mentioning you. He was fine and healed of you, so tell me why the hell you are back? When did this so called relationship begin that it even led to a secret mar
Belle's POVI continued to look at Gabrielle as she stood at the door, a basket of fruits in her hands. I didn't know if telling her to come in would sit well with her, after all, this was her cousin's house. She must have been here thousands of times."Gabrielle." I called again but she only rolled her eyes at me and entered into the house."I forgot Christian was married." She started but turned around suddenly to look at me. "Oh but it is quite easy to forget, isn't it?"I sighed. The last thing I wanted after receiving Christian's wrath this morning was another drama."Make yourself comfortable, Gabrielle." I said to her and was about to walk out when she called."You haven't even apologized. To me. For walking out and allowing me to deal with whatever it was Christian was going through alone. You walked out and now you're back as if nothing happened." She said shaking her head and going back to the business of arranging the fruits she got inside the fridge.I watched what she was
Christian's POVI was still holding her against the wall, my lips now inches away from hers. I wasn't going to kiss her. I only wanted to torment her more. I wanted her to want it so badly and then I'd step away."Answer me Belle." I said one more time. "Have you witnessed what an animal is capable of?" I asked.She didn't say anything. She just stared at my eyes, breathing heavily. Her heart was pounding. I knew it because I couid feel it on her wrist. Whatever her heart was pounding for, I didn't seem to understand.Was she scared? Nervous? Or just wanted me to kiss her."Let go of me." She shrugged off my hold after a while and I released her. She took four steady breathe-ins and outs as I watched for her reaction."You have changed so much Christian." She said, her eyes huge with anger and nerves and I nodded my head in agreement. She could think whatever she wanted about me. I didn't care.Her hair was parked roughly on her head and she looked like someone who had been thoroughly
Christian's POVConfusion clouded my mind as I stared into the face of Bernard; Belle's childhood friend and bestfriend, wondering what the hell he was doing in my house.He stood up from his seat immediately I entered and had a weird expression on his face. He always annoyed me with that look, as if he was better than everyone else.I was mad that I had wasted my beloved time to find out that the supposed man in my house was only Bernard."Hello Christian." He said to acknowledge me.He was used to saying just few words to me. Even at the court, when Belle and I had signed the marriage forms, 'Hello Christian' had been the only thing he had said to me throughout the entire time."Hello Bernard." I said in return and turned to talk to Belle."You didn't tell me we were expecting a visitor." I said trying my best not to sound angry at her. She didn't need to know I was pissed off."I didn't know he was coming either." She replied. "He only called when he was at the airport and I gave h
Belle's POVI stood at the doorway staring at him. His noise had brought me out of my room and seeing how he struggled on the bed when I came in, got me scared."How long have you been standing there for?" He asked again, still breathing heavily."Christian I...""Get out!" He said.I was dumbfounded, I sincerely hoped in my heart that what I had seen had not been one of his sleep disorders."Allow me....." I started walking into the room but halted on my heels when I caught the look on his face."Out!" He shouted. "Get out Belle!" I turned at the order and walked out of the room.I didn't know why I had walked into his room. He had explained and marked our territories. I wasn't supposed to go in there.I sat at the dinning, tapping my foot on the ground. He had been very rude and arrogant towards me from the beginning of the contract but I still found a way to worry about his well being in my heart.He stormed into the dining room moments later and walked straight to me. The expressi
Bella's POVHis lips was soft and the kiss felt like magic. Although I was angry with him for kissing me without my permission, it felt good to have his lips on mine. I thought I remembered what it felt like to kiss him, but I didn't. This was a whole new experience.He didn't deepen the kiss. He only held it for a while, probably to get the attention of the public before withdrawing.He looked at me, his expression quite difficult to read."That is how to act like a newly wedded couple, Belle." He said.Turning away from his gaze, I placed by chin on his shoulder and allowed him to continue to sway me to the rhythm of the music. A lot of pictures were taken of us as others in attendance stared, wondering who I was dancing with Christian Martin."You shouldn't do that Christian." I said, keeping my voice low. "You had no right to do that""Don't get ahead of yourself. It was just a kiss. One to show that we are together, nothing more." He reminded me.The music ended and everyone sat