Bella Richards

I tap my foot anxiously on the floor as I gaze on my phone from time to time. When will the text come—the thought wandered in my head. My gaze shifted to Christiana—she was working on her laptop, which reminded me of the work I have to finish. I let out a low groan and threw my head back while sitting on the chair.

A notification pinged on my phone and I hastily picked it up. A groan left my mouth, as I saw the message of a restaurant reminding me that they are having an offer on their meal today. Christiana looked up at me with narrowed eyes—indicating me to complete my work. I raise my hands in the air indicating 'okay mom, I'm working.'

After she looked away, I sulked away to my desk and lazily typed the excel sheets. Moments later I again pick up my phone and open the contact of 'ICE COLD LATTE' and I think you've realized who it is. I stared at my text which read—'thank you so much for yesterday. It helped me a lot for today:)) I hope I'd be a help in the future whenever you'd need me:))'

I pouted as I saw the 'delivered' sign on it. I came out of my daze when I heard the clearing of a throat. I looked up to see Christiana looking at me with narrowed eyes and folded arms against her chest. I smiled nervously looking at her serious face—well because I wasn't working and looking at my phone. This was something I used to do, but now she is doing that. Huh!

"I sent you the document you asked me to prepare, thirty minutes ago. It's still not checked." she spoke in a stern tone which made me gulp.

'Am I her boss, or is she mine?' I thought in my mind.

"I was......I was actually--haha!" I chuckled in nervousness as I hastily tapped on my keyboard and opened the document she had sent me to review.

I heaved a sigh and sat on the chair in front of the desk.

"What're you tensed about? I saw you pouting like a kid."

Her voice made me look up with my big doe eye, innocently (I'm not innocent, I'm pretending to be, because it will melt her like ice cream).

"He didn't respond." I pressed my lips together.

"He may be busy." she shrugs. "Lia did say that he had something important to deal with."

She spoke, reminding me about the conversation I had with Lia in the morning. My mind drifted to the incident that changed them. I really wanted to know about it—what had made him hate love; what had made him cold; the reason he wanted to distance himself.

But can I ask him myself? No. No fucking way in any duckling flapping flopping universe.

Lia stated that it disturbs him to speak about it—so there's no way he's opening up to me, considering we're not close.

Not even a bit.

" Where're you lost?" Christiana's voice snapped me out of it and I looked at her, batting my lashes.

"Nothin" I replied.

She heaved a sigh and spoke again, "you stood out in the meeting and your idea impressed a lot of people. Boss said that the deal will come in our company's hands because of you. It's a big thing, bella! You, yourself, have always wanted to achieve this. Now cheer up, darling!" she said in an endearing voice. "You have done your job by saying thank you to him—it is him who'll see the message and say welcome or whatever!" she said in exasperation.

I nod like a child as I didn't want to argue with her. She's kinda unbelievable when she is angry. So, considering that—I DON'T WANNA PLAY WITH FIRE.

"You know, I was thinking about going to a restaurant to celebrate our achievement. How about that?" she suggested while I shrugged.

"I don't know, honestly. I'll.......I'll think about it." I said looking at my computer screen as I resumed my work.

"Why not.......keeping it tomorrow or some other day?" I said as I was not in the mood to do anything. I felt kind of tired and actually wanted to rest. I wanted to go to my room and throw off my damn clothes and sleep in my bra and panties. Or maybe my chemise?

THOSE FEEL SO COMFYYYY

yeah, then it's fixed. 

I looked at her once again; her eyes hinted at a glint of fear and sadness which she hid in a second. I furrowed my brows and opened my mouth to say something but she beat me to it.

"It's okay, next time." she smiled, but I knew something was definitely off. Very off.

"Christi-"

"I said it's okay bae" she interrupted me and excused herself for a coffee break, since it was lunch time already.

I do know something isn't right. Those sweat beads on her forehead when I said no doesn't feel right. That glint of fear ain't right. Her eyes were indicating something that she wouldn't say...

One thing I know for sure is that she will tell me, sooner or later. She doesn't hide shit from me-especially if it's bad. I actually can't ask her, if I'm being honest. She is a person who doesn't like to express things unless she is comfortable. And I don't wanna get her mad. Call me a bad friend, or whatever. I just don't wanna get her uncomfy with stuff she doesn't wanna say.

Whatever this is—she better say it soon. Or else, I'll have to force her.

I huffed and slammed my head against my desk.

MOTHERFUCKER THAT HURT LIKE A BITCH-

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"It's literally okay darling. I can cook! It's my job" Lia exclaimed as I cut some veggies to be cooked.

"But Lia, it's my house and I want to cook." I smiled politely.

"But dear, you must be tired." she spoke softly.

I waved my hands in the air, denying her.

"Nah, I'm good. Besides, cooking is kinda like therapy to me." I shrugged.

Lia giggled, "you're like Calvin. Always insisting on helping me."

I looked at her confused with squinted brows.

She squinted her brows, "he loves cooking. Don't you know?"

I made a 'o' face with my lips as I nodded. It does make sense though—the macaroni he cooked last night was the best one I have ever tasted.

"I know, I know. I just asked for confirmation" I lied.

So, he loves cooking.....new information unlocked.

I smiled inwardly because I have always liked men who can cook-and my dear husband is one of them!

Don't expect anything from him. He has warned you .

His future wife will be lucky.

"I like the smell of it already!" I exclaimed as I stirred the chicken curry with the spatula in my hands. It's been like 30 to 40 minutes as we were cooking, or literally enjoying our time together. Lia cooked fried rice, while I made chicken curry 'cause that's one of my best dishes. Lia was really sweet and I learned new stuff from her, including his favorite food. And surprisingly—he has a weak spot for brownies!

WOT THE FUCKKKKKKK?!

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard he eats sweets.

"Should I bake brownies for him?" I asked as I transferred the curry from the pot to a big bowl.

"Your wish, dear. He loves them so you can make them." Lia shrugged.

"Okayy" I responded while putting the pot in the sink.

"I'll be going now, it's getting late." Lia responded as she checked the clock ticking 7.

I nodded with a smile, "Good night, Lia. And thank you so much for today."

"It's okay, dear. I just want Calvin to be happy. That boy yearns for love—even though he doesn't realize it." Lia murmured the last words.

"Hmm?" I questioned with furrowed brows.

"Just love him, okay?" she caressed my cheek with a smile, while I just nodded.

How can I tell this polite lady that everything is just fake between us? How he warned me not to expect anything from him...how we have a deal for marriage?

I just can't.

I waved my hand at Lia as she exited the mansion to go to her quarters which were at the end of the neighborhood. I stood there as she went away—feeling a little lonely again.

I went inside with the idea of baking him brownies as a sign of my gratitude. The things he did for me are too much. I honestly don't know how to thank him. This little gesture will mean something to him, I guess?

I stride towards the kitchen and took out the ingredients necessary for making brownies. Eggs, water, sugar, oil, cocoa powder and some vanilla extract.

I hummed some songs in my head while mixing the batter. It's been a while since I baked. I hadn't touched this stuff after my marriage. Feels good.

I mix in eggs with water and olive oil in a separate bowl; while another bowl carries the dry ingredients—cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, and a pinch of salt. I shifted the wet ingredients slowly and mixed them properly.

"Oh god." I huffed after putting the pan containing the batter for the brownie into the oven to bake for 40 minutes.

I settled on the dining table which was situated in the middle of the kitchen hall. I picked up my phone and randomly started scrolling on tiktok til the oven didn't beep.

"What the fuc-" I exclaimed after seeing some people pouring melted chocolate on themselves. WHY'D DO THAT?! THAT'S A CRIME!!!!!! YOU COULD'VE SENT THESE TO ME!

"Time to switch to insta." I exited tiktok and went to insta-watching reels rather than replying to my friends.

After some time of browsing reels, the microwave beeps. I turned off my phone and went to the kitchen.

I took in the fresh smell of brownies and took the trays of brownies out carefully while wearing gloves. I settled them on the counters of the kitchen. I soon started cutting them into small pieces and placed them into a small airtight container. I smiled and put a small sticky on top of the cover.

"Thank.....you...." I mumbled with a smile as I wrote it on the paper. I signed my name on the box and kept it in the refrigerator.

"Hope he likes it" I exhaled a breath and went upstairs while humming a song.

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Calvin Arthur Richards

I put my elbow on the side of the mirror of my car as I drove with the same hand placed on the steering wheel. My eyes were drowsy because of tiredness and irritation, of course. I looked at the blood spats on my white shirt and I rolled my eyes, bringing my eyes back to the road.

I stepped on the accelerator pedal as there were not very many cars-mostly cause it was like 2 am right now. Fuck, I feel hungry. Yeah I forgot to eat. I had stuff to deal with.

I hope she ate.

More importantly, I hope she's in her room sleeping.

I need to go home quickly—I feel very hungry. Well, I think I also got a little crave for a sweet dessert. A brownie, what do you say?

That'd be great.

I stepped on the brake pedal as I reached my mansion. I turned my wheel to the garage and parked my car inside—just beside her Porsche. I smiled a little seeing a lipstick on the seat of her Porsche. Careless, like always.

I chuckled softly and walked away to the entrance of the mansion while passing through my car collection. I smirked a little, feeling proud about my collection and my business empire.

Now you'll say that it's all 'cause of my father and I would've been nothing without him. Let me tell you—the company grew 10x bigger and became more successful after I came. Yeah, I'm not boasting about myself.

"Tch." I hissed as I applied some cotton on my wound that I got recently. AGH THIS HURT LIKE A BITCH-  *that's something I learned from Matthew, I'm a very nice youngman. 

I'm actually fucking hungry and I need to eat. AGHHHH. But this shitty wound won't let me do shit.

I sigh as I dress my wound and get up from the couch of the living room. I rolled up my sleeves and loosened my tie while I strode towards the kitchen.

"I need food.." I muttered as I opened the fridge to find a box of chicken and fried rice. Well, how do I know that? There was a note on the top, of course.

I heated the food up while the rats in my stomach had a great marathon inside. I smile as the aroma of the food hits my nostrils. Oh god I need to eat—right now.

I served the food on the plate and sat down on the seat in the dining hall, hurriedly. I took a spoonful of chicken curry with fried rice, and as soon as it hit my taste buds, I closed my eyes in ecstasy. This is the best fucking meal I've ever had.

Nah, I bet Bella will be better.

What the fuck consyman-

I moaned as I took a bite of the chicken curry. It seemed different from what Lia cooks—a good difference. It's fucking delicious. I'll tell her to cook this often.

As soon as I finished licking the leftover sauces from the plate, I went to the kitchen and did the dishes. Yeah, I like to do them—I clean my shit. Lia is the cook here and the other maids are from the dusting and cleaning. Or else, the mess I create, I like to clean them myself. Except clothes— they go to the washing machine.

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Should I eat a dessert?

No, you shouldn't. You'll get fat.

But I have a little craving for it....

No, dont. You'll gain weight. What about your abs?

Just one....

No-

This once....only once.

The outcome of always being with Matthew. Ugh.

I exhaled and opened the fridge, licking my lips. Well, I have showered just now and freshened up. And yes, I came downstairs after having a literal fight with my own self because I wanted to eat a dessert. Yeah. 

My eyes stopped at a container which had a little note on it...wait....it's her handwriting. I slowly picked it up after I saw a 'thank you' on it.

"Thank you, Calvin, for all that you did for me yesterday.....I don't even know how I can thank you..... Anyway, here's a little thing from you to me-" I read the note in a low murmurous tone. I frowned and opened the container to find...

brownies?

BROWNIES?!

BROWNIESSS!!!!!

I smiled like a fool as I saw it. My heart started to beat fast and I racked my hands through my hair. I just got a gift from her. From her.

And that to—brownies-my fav.

I looked at the sticky note again. " you didn't see my messages, so I thought why not give you something special:) "she messaged me?
When?

I took out my phone from my pocket and found it switched off. Oh. OH..

she texted me. 

"2 messages from wifey." I read and growled. 

I had switched off my phone because of work! And I forgot to turn it on! Fuck, she must've thought I'm an ass.

You are

I wasn't talking to you, shut up.

I palmed my forehead and mentally cursed myself for not switching on my phone earlier. I heaved a sigh and went to the kitchen drawer and popped out a spoon. I then took a spoonful of it and stuffed it inside my mouth while smiling like crazy. These are so damn delicious, god damn it. I wanna eat this everyday. Wait- Can I preserve them? Is it possible? I'll research about them tomorrow.

I took the box with me to my room while grinning like a teen boy. Yeah, I'm crazy sometimes when I get fed with brownies. Ugh, i hate this version of my myself. Stop smiling, idiot.

A notification pinged on my phone and I lazily picked it up to check what it was.

*Reminder: write your diary, dumbass.

yeah, I have to write my diary.

I smiled as I opened my diary and took my pen while I adjusted my glasses. Why am I smiling? Of course—brownies. I rolled up the sleeve of my sweat shirt and started writing with my pen.

I got my first gift from her—my wifey.

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