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Chapter 2
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Testing my sanity Chapter 2 part 2
Bella POV: Intrigued by Noah's strange request, I couldn't help but ask, "Prove what exactly?" He scanned the room before turning back to me, his expression unusually serious."I need to prove I have self-control," he said, and I had to bite back a chuckle. My mind raced, wondering what could have led to this bizarre challenge. Deciding to indulge in the unexpected twist of events, I thought, *You know what, let me actually have fun tonight, because it looks like I'm single anyway, so why not be single?*"You know what, fuck it. What do you need me to do?" I asked nonchalantly as he ordered us some drinks. I knew I shouldn't be drinking, but I reasoned that one wouldn't hurt."Just flirt with me, practically, and do whatever is necessary. I just need to prove to them and myself that I have self-control," he explained, downing his forest fire shot. I eyed mine warily, realizing I'd have to take the shot too. Downing it quickly, I smacked the glass back down with determination."Okay,
Testing my sanity Chapter 2 part 3
Bella POV: I walked back to the bar, where I found Noah engaged in what appeared to be a tense conversation with Clyde. The atmosphere crackled with tension, their proximity almost palpable as they stood toe-to-toe. Clyde, slightly taller than Noah, had the advantage, staring down at him with an intensity that matched the gravity of their discussion."If she's watching, then she'll sit in between us," Noah said, his voice laced with a growl."Bella," Clyde called, turning his attention away from Noah to look at me, his eyes conveying a mixture of anticipation and mystery."The show has started," he announced, and I nodded, feeling a blend of confusion and curiosity. I took Clyde's offered arm, and he led me away from the bar. Noah, on my other side, took my hand, and the two men walked me up a grand staircase I hadn't noticed before. We turned left, entering a room that appeared almost full, with at least 30 people seated. The chairs were arranged facing a stage in the middle of the
Testing my sanity Chapter 2 part 4
Bella's POV: As we stood outside the room, reality hit me hard. My cheeks were flushed, and I felt a mix of confusion, embarrassment, and a strange sort of exhilaration. I adjusted my dress, blaming the shots, the women in front of me, and the two men I was sandwiched between for my disheveled state. "Uhm," I managed to say, feeling the need to break the awkward silence that hung between us. Clyde chuckled, glancing at Noah. "Still no self-control," Clyde teased. My eyes widened in realization. This was the person Noah had been talking about. "I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. You're the one that touched her," Noah growled defensively. Clyde chuckled again, seemingly unperturbed. "Self-control has to deal with you being able to watch your partner find their release without you touching yourself and just being content with them finding their release even when you haven't," Clyde explained to Noah, his words laden with a deeper meaning. Something significant passed b
Testing my sanity Chapter 3
Daniel's POV:"Hey, Daniel, it's me. Please answer my calls. I'm sorry. Can we please talk? Okay, bye."Her voicemail ended. Xavier chuckled, and I rolled my eyes."Is that Bella?" he asked, and I sighed, pocketing my phone. Putting on my boxing gloves, I grabbed the punching bag in front of me.I hadn't cheated; it just looked like I did. I had actually gone to a meeting with Xavier, and some guy was there. There were strippers, and Xavier asked me to just go with the flow, so I did. Now Bella had jumped to conclusions and ruined the perfect thing that we had."Yeah, she's been sending these all week," I said, swinging at the bag. Xavier swung at his bag, and when it swung back, he held it."Shit, what did she do?" he asked, fixing his stance."Remember the new guy I hired, Noah? He quit, and now he's working for her. Last week, they went out on a date. She even came back to her apartment stumbling about," I said, swinging hard. The hinges of the bag squeaked, and I shook my hands.I
Testing my sanity Chapter 3 part 2
Bella POV:"From Daniel," Noah said, handing me the flowers and the slice of cake. He must have seen the confused look on my face."Oh," I said, taking the items. He wasn't here, but at least he remembered. Climbing into the car, Noah closed the door once I was settled in. So, Daniel was capable of sending things to me, but he couldn't answer a simple phone call. And I had left him more than a dozen messages, begging him to call me back."Are you doing anything tonight?" I asked Noah. He started the car and turned to me."Nothing, why?" he asked, and I smiled, opening the window. Taking the card off the bouquet, I saw that it was a pathetic, generic 'well done' card. Feeling a surge of frustration, I threw the card and the bouquet out the window. I dusted my hands and turned to Noah."Stay with me tonight," I said, and he cleared his throat."Oh, um, okay," he said, a small smile spreading on his face."But we need to get some things first from Pyaterochka," I added, and he nodded, sp
Testing my sanity Chapter 3 part 3
Bella POV:"Anyways, what's your deal, Noah? Why are you here in Russia?" I said, resting my arm on the couch frame."I'll tell you if you tell me why you go to group," he replied, popping another chip into his mouth. Okay, this took a turn. Grabbing my empty mug and the bottle of champagne, I poured some into the cup. I took a sip before I started."Fuck, okay, fair enough. Well, I started taking Xanax when I was 14, and then it escalated to Percocet, Molly, and then Coke, so when my teachers started doing a follow-up on why my eyes were always somewhat red, they found drugs in my system. Then I got sent to rehab, and then I got out, and I just started doing them again. So I'm just struggling to get clean," I said, taking another sip, and he looked at me as if I had just killed his dog."Jeez, Bell, are you even supposed to be drinking?" he asked with a frown. He reached for the mug in my hand, but I slapped his hand away."I'm not going to relapse, don't worry. I have no reason to.
Testing my sanity Chapter 4
Daniel POV: Fuck, I'm stupid. I need to figure out something to get Bella to talk to me because ignoring her has pushed her into another man's arms, and I don't fucking want that. I don't know if I can give Bella more than friends with benefits, but if there's one thing for sure, I don't want her to move on to him or anyone, for that matter. Bella is mine; she always will be. I just need to remind her. Noah doesn't know the ugly side of Bella, but I do, and I know what she needs. I am what she needs. Walking out of her apartment building after 10 minutes of standing there, wondering if I should break down the door and confront Noah for even thinking of touching Bella (because I know he has, no man would be stupid enough to not want Bella), I decide to leave. Walking towards my car, I climb inside. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I dial the one person that will make Bella want to talk to me. It took forever trying to find her since Bella has only told me that she was the woman who p
Testing my sanity Chapter 4 part 2
Daniel POV: As night fell, I took out my phone, quickly booking a dinner table at Turandot. It was the only place available on short notice. Unlike other Dons who relied on their Bratva status, I didn't resort to fear. Instead, I commanded respect and earned loyalty in return. Upon reaching Bella's apartment building, I escorted Mrs. Vitale out of the car. Her eyes scanned the building with a nostalgic smile. "She never loved the high life," she mused, lost in memories. We entered the building and stepped into the elevator. Pressing the button for the fifth floor, Mrs. Vitale retrieved a small velvet bag from her handbag, piquing my curiosity. "Pearls," Mrs. Vitale said, her voice soft as she handed me the bag. I frowned, perplexed by its significance. We walked towards Bella's apartment, and upon reaching her door, I composed myself, brushing off imaginary dust. Satisfied, I knocked. After a few moments, the door jingled open, and I stepped aside, ensuring Mrs. Vitale was the firs
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