Bella Richards

B E L L A E V A N S R I C H A R D S

My fingers land on my temples as my thighs bounce up and down from frustration. I slowly massage it as I heave a sigh and then cross my leg over the other. "what is even done?" I ask in a soft yet irritated tone. Christiana, who was standing beside me looked at all the team members of team 1, team 2, and team 3 of our product development team, all of them with their heads down in shame. She heaved a sigh as she spoke, "the introduction of the repo-"

"I didn't ask you Mrs Roselle, I asked the team" I butt in as I spoke in a harsh yet soft tone. Christiana nodded at my words and looked forward to a gulp. She knows very well I'm in a very bad mood and yes I was going to lash out on them, very soon.

I sat back up on the chair and looked at all of them, "how much is done?" I spoke in a stern tone. In response, all of them continued looking down and nobody volunteered to speak. My jaw stiffened and I spoke again, slightly slamming my hands on the table. "I asked y'all something"

They flinched at my actions but remained silent. Sweat dropping from their faces as they anxiously fiddled with whatever they had in their hands, or maybe their fingers. You're scaring them.

How do you expect your boss to react like when none of the work is completed when I gave you 3 fucking months, with facts and every info they needed to complete the report for product review?

right..

I exhaled a deep breath and spoke, "if none of you respond right now, I'll be giving special recommendations for resignations to the CEO" my voice was stern as I looked at all of them with a threatening glare. "I'll give you all 15 mins." I said and stormed off from there, with Christiana following me from behind, her tab pressed against her chest.

"coffee break" I muttered as soon as Christiana caught up with me. She gave me a smile and nodded. We entered the empty elevator and after pressing the buttons to the ground floor. After a few moments, she spoke, "you seem in a bad mood" her voice came out in a monotone.

I nod at response. "obviously." my voice came out breathy as I heaved a sigh. "you saw how silent they were? and didn't say a word when I asked a question? I don't understand the deal with them. First, we gave them all the facts and necessary information, with 3 whole months for them to work on it. Their only work is to prepare a damn presentation! A damn slideshow in Microsoft Presentation! Now, the meeting is in 3 days, no work is done, and who will suffer? me of course" I said in an irritated tone and leaned on the cold silver walls of the elevator, sending little shivers to my bare nape. I exhaled a breath and my hands rose up to rest upon my temples as I massage them.

Christiana kept her hand on my shoulder, the linen coat separating her hand from my skin. She passed me a polite smile and leaned on the walls of the elevator, coming to the same level as me, she said, "don't worry Bels...It's gonna be alright...I'll help you as much as I can, okay?" her voice came in polite and soft, to which I passed her a smirk with my eyes narrowed a bit.

"that's why you are given the job, to help me, assist me" I chuckle and she rolls her eyes, bumping her fist on my arm. "I was trying to be nice" she scoffed. "ungrateful people"

"ungrateful, my ass" I mutter under my breathe and laughed. "being nice doesn't help, bae" I said nudging my elbow on her arm, to which she faked an 'ow' and scrunched up her nose and her brows creased; her other arm covering the spot I just hit.

"c'mon I didn't even hit you that hard" I chuckle and the elevator opens, with a ting sound of the bell, a mechanic one, of course. I head out with my iPhone clutched in my hands. Christiana followed from behind and muttered, "if only the elevator didn't open" she grunted. I bit my bottom lip to control my laugh. She just rolled her eyes and scanned our cards and headed out, without waiting for me.

"I didn't know you were gay" I murmured in a taunting voice coming near her. She looked at me with a 'what?' expression to which I chuckled and said, "didn't know you were interested in elevator sex" I shrug and her mouth gaped, wide open. "the fuck did you just say?" she smacked my arm, harder than how I hit her. I laughed and smacked her arm back, "I mean you said, 'if only the elevator didn't open'."

"So? does that mean I'm gay or smth? eww" she made a disgusted face to which I laughed. She was a really cute person; a coquette coded one. I really loved teasing her. We always had this back and forth with each other. To be honest, I'm really grateful to have her with me. She is my therapist.

"the books are ruining you." she said walking ahead of me. I looked at her with knitted brows, "heyy!" I caught up to her pace. "don't insult the books, you also read them". She shrugs in response and says, "that's true"

We reached the nearby cafe which was just near the company building. Many workers came here to take a break from work, because of its friendly atmosphere. I inhaled the fresh aroma of coffee and the chilling yet soothing wind of the cafe. It might seem like I'm being a little weird, but the cafe really had that kind of atmosphere, which can soothe anyone.

Christiana went inside and gave our orders and I insisted on paying. Christiana gave me silent glares because of the tease I gave her earlier. "still mad because of what I said?" I said in a teasing tone as I sipped my coffee and strolled outside the cafe with her. She scoffed and did the same, "of course". I giggled and handed her the chocolate-chip cupcake I bought for her from the cafe, "your reward for being the best supporter I ever had".

A smile made its a way to her lips and her eyes lit up with glint, but she hid it quickly. "yeah yeah thank you" she muttered and took the cupcake and took the wrapper off, eating the cupcake and sipped on her latte. I giggled and shrugged, "yeah right"

my women<3

My attention went to a couple strolling on the walking path of the road. They both were giggling laughing, enjoying each other's company. 'They look so cute....' I thought to myself and heaved a sigh. Christiana looked at the direction I was looking at, and she also sighed.

"so uh....how are you thinking of completing the work?" she asked, trying to change the topic. She knew very well I didn't talk about my married life, so she mostly changed the topic. But this time.....I wanted to talk with her. I again sighed and looked at her. "Chris, I need to talk to you" I said

She exhaled and nodded, "go on"

Then I ranted about how I wanted a real relationship, and a person who loved me. How I didn't want to be in a loveless marriage; how I want a supportive partner; how I want to love someone. She kept a hand on my shoulder and drew circles on it. "bels...everything happens at the right time...with the right person....in the right place. The right person you are trying to find will come to you sooner or later. Maybe he has already entered your life and you are able to identify him? Whatever may happen, trust yourself and do whatever you think is right. Okay?" she spoke in a gentle and loving voice and passed a polite smile to me. I smiled back and said, "thanks.."

I inhaled a breath and exhaled it as I thought about my marriage, a loveless one to be accurate. Why was this happening to me? Why can't my life be a little simpler, easier? Why did he even marry me in the first place if he had no business with me?

Questions lingered in my head as I bit my lower lip looking at the street floor and walked in complete silence beside Christiana. She also didn't talk as she knew I needed a little time.

"you know what about we go to the Ichiran's (restaurant), for dinner tonight?" After some moments Christiana spoke and flashed a smile. I smiled back and nodded.

God how much I loved this woman.

"I love you" I said and wrapped one of my arms around her shoulder, giving her a side hug. She giggled and hugged me back. "tell me if anything goes wrong, okay? You know I'm always there for you" she spoke and smiled. I smiled back in gratitude and passed her a nod.

A few moments later, we headed back to the office, my face returning back to a stern glare as I entered the building. Some employees who knew me, looked at me and gulped. Now I'm sure I look intimidating enough for the teams--even though I always was.

Sometimes I feel like the president here because the president mostly does nothing and is always on leave and our team or me, and Christiana ofc, have to do most of her work, and preside over damn meetings. Sometimes the new employees even thought that I was the chief because I was always doing her work. Attending fucking meetings, taking her position in the meeting, doing her work ain't easy.

I enter the elevator with Christie behind me, still thinking about our chief. I heard she was a special recommendation from the Chairman. I doubt that she is a 'special' because of how she is never present at work, and always delays shit. And I was her 'replacement'.

Just give us the damn position already.

I agree with you so much consy, for the first time.

I'm always right, you're the one who's dumb- shut up.

Anyways, I was also given Christiana as my secretary because of this. Doing all the shitty work when our Chief is chilling somewhere. Initially, Christiana was hired to be her secretary. Now since she is not ever there for work, she is appointed as my secretary. Not like I complain but still. I need her out so bad. she's ruining the company.

(Chief means the president=COO, Chief Operating Officer)

I stepped out of the elevator and heaved a sigh. When the right time comes, the people at work will realize my potential and give me the position of the President soon. I just need to do good work.

So let's go and lash out on those idiots in our office room.

Right.

*****

After the fun dinner I had with Christiana, I head back to my first love, my only love, my all-wheel-driver variant with 365-horsepower V6 engine, routing power through an eight-speed automatic transmission, my Porsche Panamera 4.

God how we love our baby.

Yes we do.

I get in my baby, my car, my Porsche, with a proud smile plastered on my face. I had bought this with my hard earned money. I care for it, of course. It's my life. I saved up a lot, a LOT, for my baby.

I turn on my car's music system and hit the Weeknd's playlist I had on Apple music.

My lips turned into a smirk as I saw a highway with less number of cars. It was 11 pm, so it was obvious. And yes, I told Mr. Ice cold latte about my late coming because of work, and it was true, of course.

My foot stepped on the accelerator and the car's speed increased. My smirk widened as I dodged the cars coming in my way efficiently, not even touching them.

I sang 'Die for you' in a low-key enjoying my ride. My lips synced with the lyrics of the song and my stress was reliving and I was relaxing. The best way to relieve stress, in my opinion are these: Go to mother nature, drive a damn car with Weeknd's music, read a book.

"I would die for you....I would lie for you....keep it real with you...I would kill for you...my baby.." I sang in a low singsang tone as I drove, vibin' on that shit.

I'm so sure we're getting a ticket.

We mostly do, lol.

After some time of vibing to weeknd's songs and driving, I reached the mansion in 10 minutes, when it takes me 20 minutes, at usual.

Ofc you sped up.

The security opened the main gate for me and I entered my car through it, and parked it right in the garage. I got out of my car and went towards the house after smiling politely towards the security guard.

I went inside the house after opening the door. I kept my shoes in the shoe rack and hung my coat in the coat rack. I step towards the kitchen, passing through the living room, I grabbed a bottle of water and gulped the water down.

I sigh and looked at our study. The lights were on, indicating he was there. I shrug and opened the fridge. I took out the jar carrying cashew nuts; and a mars bar I had saved.

A slow door creaking sound was heard, means that guy is coming out of his study. I felt a little weird, but annoyed at the same time. It had been a week since I last talked to him. So I dunno if I should talk to him or not, or if it is anything important.

Footsteps approached the kitchen and I calmed my thoughts and paused my overthinking. His head popped up, and then his full body came up. He was holding a coffee mug in his hands. He approached me, I stared at him blankly, squinted my eyes.

He kept his dry gaze on me and then started to prepare the coffee with the coffee maker, which was right beside me. I looked away and twisted the cap of the jar and poured some nuts out. Some almonds...peanuts...and some cashew nuts.

"you came late today" he spoke pouring the coffee into his cup, obviously not looking at me. I nod, without looking at him, "I had some -shrugs- issues at work. You know projects and all." I spoke remembering about how I lashed out on the workers because they came up with illogical excuses.

He hummed in response and rubbed his thumb a little on the coffee mug. "I gave a thought about you staying late at work..." He turned and leaned his back on the counter, crossing his arms against his chest. I looked at him and nodded and spoke, "what?"

"You see...I also stay late at work, many times. But since I own the company, I mostly come home and complete the task here as well. But for you, It's not so convenient" My face lit up at his words.

damn he understood our condition.

"So...you may stay out in your office for your work stuff. I cancel rule no.8....But...you will remain careful and try to be cautious as much as possible"

I nod nonchalantly and step up to walk past him, to ignore him. Even though I am happy for the fact that he canceled that fucking rule, still....Why am I bounded by this rules and shit? I feel trapped...It feels weird..

Before I could walk past him, he held my wrist and pulled me back, resulting me to stand in front of him, facing him. He seemed a little annoyed at my behavior.

Of course, stop acing like a bitch- shut up.

"I'm talking. Don't ignore me and do stuff like that. I know you're mad, but please. We have to do this. We agreed on this" He spoke, with his soft lips parting in just measured terms, seeming like he was programmed to move like this or something. His brows were furrowed a bit; his grip were soft yet tight. I don't praise people but....This guy's whole personality screamed elegance.

My brows furrowed a bit, and I looked up at his hazel eyes, trying my very best not to get mesmerized by them. I exhale a breathe and looked away.

"why can't we try? What is the need of all this....Divorce...loveless marriage... pretending..? Can't we try..? for our parent's sake?" I spoke with frustration laced over my voice. I was quite frustrated 'cause if he was this protective over me, then why doesn't he want to work out?

He heaved a sigh and looked at me directly in the eyes, his eyes had softened as he spoke, which erupted butterflies inside my stomach.

"love isn't for me. I don't do love. Whatever, whoever, I have ever loved, have been taken away from me. I can't afford to lose someone else for this emotion of mine. I don't want to feel that way again."

My brows furrowed a bit and my eyes softened as I spoke, "what?" my voice was low and soft. I don't understand why he doesn't want to love again or something...Was it a past lover or something? Why do I feel a little weird..?

A wrecked smile formed on his lips and he let out a chuckle, a pained one. "nothing. Just know that I can't ever love anyone." he said in a soft and endearing voice.

My heart sank a little seeing him like this. I always saw him as 'mr powerful, cold, ice cold latte, annoying ass' but never vulnerable. Even though he wasn't so vulnerable...but still. This softness...this sadness in those hazel eyes of his....I have never seen that.

His grip loosened and he took his hands back. "Goodnight" he spoke in a soft and breathy tone as he took few steps back and took ahold of his coffee mug. I gave him a nod and spoke, "goodnight" I replied back with a slight smile and he nodded in response and turned his heels towards the study.

I took the bowl which had my snacks--my cashew nuts, peanuts etc. I went upstairs, which revealed a hall. I went to my room and shut the door. I kept the bowl on my sidetable.

I crashed on my bed after changing my clothes and doing my night routine. I inhaled a breathe and thought about all of what he said. What is stopping him...? Is it a past lover or what?

I twisted and turned in the bed, trying to find answers, god knows why.

I should respect his privacy....maybe he doesn't wanna speak about it.

But whatever it is....I'm sure he was hurt.

✧༺♪༻∞

3261 words

You've reached the end of this chapter! Thank you so much for reading my book, I really appreciate it.