Chapter 35

Belle

"Something to say? Yes... I suppose you have something to say to me."

"You can’t treat people like pawns in your chess game. You think I don’t have feelings, that it doesn’t hurt me not to be of your status. Well, know this—I regret from the first day not having given you a good slap for stealing my precious kiss." His eyes widened slightly in surprise, and then I smiled.

"And not because of the memory, but because of who took it. A cruel millionaire, with an ego so inflated that he can’t see beyond his own narcissism."

"What... did you say?"

"Even if I’m a fool, I never thought that kiss would matter to you. But doing something so miserable is too much, even for you! I thought I could work with you, but not knowing how you see me... so I quit. Have a good day, Mr. Cesar." I left that bathroom, drying my tears.

Cesar

A cold shiver ran through my entire body, making me feel completely numb. I couldn’t even move to follow her. Quit...? But this was the job opportunity of her life; she’d never find anything better. I hadn’t been that harsh, so what the hell was this pain I was feeling? Was I dying... is that it? Because it hurt so much that I could barely breathe... my throat was tight. Was it because of her words? Why was it affecting me so much? But why? I clutched my chest, wishing this pain would go away.

♡

France - Paris

Kyelef

I sat on the small terrace, looking out at the distant view of the Eiffel Tower. I took a freshly baked croissant and a cup of coffee while Belladona was in the shower. I picked up the newspaper, and when I opened it, Cesar's face appeared. I frowned and read aloud.

"The CEO of the most important company, Fresh Fruit, Cesar Montenegro, was seen with his ex-girlfriend Belladona at a secret meeting. Rumors..."

"What are you reading?" I quickly closed the newspaper as she leaned over my shoulder to grab a croissant. Her long, wet hair dripped onto my face, and the scent of Chanel shampoo enveloped me.

"Nothing interesting, just sports." I cleared my throat, taking a sip of coffee. I couldn’t tell her the truth, or she’d be at the mansion today, raging with jealousy over Cesar. But what the hell was really going on?

"Ugh... men and sports, you’re all the same," she said, sitting down with a huff as she propped her legs over mine and sipped a glass of orange juice.

"You should have stayed with me last night; I was so bored."

"For what? I’m not the one you want in your bed."

"Then why the hell did you come?"

"Because you were alone, and I didn’t want to leave you here. Or do you really think Cesar will come looking for you?" She grabbed a glass of water and threw it in my face, furious.

"You’re an idiot!" she snapped angrily, getting up. "Get out of here, you’re just in the way of my plan." She unraveled her towel, and I quickly rushed over to cover her.

"What the hell are you doing? Do you want everyone to see you naked?"

"I don’t care... if he’s not coming, nothing else matters."

"I thought you had a little self-respect. What if he doesn’t come back?! What will you do? Die?" I shouted in anger.

"You think I’m stupid?! I know he has another woman... he confused me with her that night; he said her name. What woman could be better than me for him to mention her? I have everything, and yet... he... he... said her name, so passionately. He wanted her, Kyelef; he wanted her in that moment..."

"Calm down..."

"No! Look at me..." she stripped off her towel in front of me.

"Is there any woman more beautiful than me? Is there anyone more worthy than me?"

"To me, you’re unique, Belladona..." Her haughty green eyes sighed, and I quickly resisted the urge to take her in my arms. I bent down and grabbed the towel, wrapping it around her.

"Belladona, you’ve left a significant mark on him, so no woman could erase it."

"Kyelef... I need to know who that woman is. I need you to help me. If you care about me, you’ll find her and bring her to me, right?" I looked into her eyes and, turning away, I said,

"I’ll do what I can... but promise me that today we’ll go out and you’ll be the radiant woman you’ve always been." She smiled, and in her usual stunning way, she replied,

"You’re lucky we’re in France, the place where we look good in everything."