Chapter 64: The Luckiest Man in the World

After an afternoon and half the night having fun and doing Christmas shopping, mother and son returned home and Théo immediately asked them to put up the 2-meter tall tree that had already been delivered. Bella tries to get out of the task, saying it was late, but Théo retorts:

“It’s only 9:00 p.m. If we start now, we’ll be done by midnight. Please, mom.”

“Okay! Who can resist that look of eyes begging.”

Théo smiles, celebrating his mother’s decision. Susan also helped with the decoration and little by little everything started to look just the way they wanted it: baubles of different colors and sizes, bells, bows, angels, phrases of prosperity and, finally, a big golden star that was meticulously placed on top by Susan, who was the tallest of the three.

“We’re done.”

“See, mom, and there’s still 10 minutes to midnight.”

“It was worth it. You were right, son. Let’s turn on the lights and watch our tree shine.”

Upon seeing the tree in all its beauty and shine, the boy smiles even bigger than before and Bella turns to Susan and says:

“It’s this smile that makes my days worthwhile and that doesn’t let me give up despite everything. It’s the reason for my life.”

“I know.”

“Théo, that’s enough. Go take a shower, brush your teeth and go to bed. I’ll be in your room in 20 minutes.”

“Good night, Susan!” the boy rushed up the stairs to obey his mother.

Meanwhile, Bella and Susan talk a little more in front of the Christmas tree, the boss sitting and the subordinate standing next to her.

“Today I got home devastated by what happened this morning. I missed my father and my brother, but then Théo approached me with his cheeky way demanding a Christmas tree and my day changed again. I even did some radical maneuvers on the ice rink, something I hadn’t done in many years. We even found Dr. Carter, to my surprise. Anyway, this day was unusual, but good.” Bella lets out a slight smile.

“I think you forget that you’re only 32 years old, you’re young, beautiful and have a long life ahead of you. You should plan your future, travel, the beach, spend more time with Théo and, if you like, find someone, why not?”

“Find someone, you mean? I need to get rid of a certain someone before I find someone else.”

“But, you agreed to have dinner with Dr. Carter.” Susan teases her boss.

“Dinner doesn’t mean that anything will happen afterward, but in any case, I’ll let you know if the night is going to go on.”

“For your pleasure, I hope so.” They both smile and soon Bella hears Théo’s voice:

“Mom, come quickly.”

“My God! What an impatient boy. Who do you think he got from?

“Does he really not know?” Bella says goodbye to Susan, going to her son's room and kissing him goodnight on the forehead, turning off the light and when she was about to leave, Théo catches her attention:

“Mom, Can I call my dad?”

“If it's Johnny, no way, but if it's Dylan, fine. But tomorrow, because now you're going to sleep. Good evening, Theo!”

A new day dawns in New York. The weather was cloudy and cold, and the forecast was that it wouldn't improve any time soon. Bella wakes up a little late because her first appointment of the day would be a lunch with the minority partners of the company she shared with Johnny. The intention was to join forces to expel her husband from the company's board of directors. At first, she even considered buying his share, but she gave up because she knew he wouldn't accept it out of pure tantrum. So, the more shares she had, the closer she would be to getting rid of Johnny, since the divorce process was stalled because it fell into the hands of a corrupt judge who Johnny kept on his payroll, and that was another problem that Bella would have to solve in the near future.

"Thank you for accepting to have lunch with me, ladies and gentlemen. You know how much I value each and every one of you here, and I'll be direct and honest. I want to buy the shares you have in the company, and I'll pay the above price if necessary." Bella looked at the six partners sitting around her

“But you already have 45% of the company, and you still want our shares?”

“That’s right. If you sell me the 10% that is divided between you, I will keep 55% and take over the company without Johnny.”

“I heard you are getting a divorce.”

“That 's true.”

“What a shame, you make such a beautiful couple.”

“With all due respect, Mrs. Ester, it was all a lie. He cheated on me, with his secretary, and even with the maids in my house.”

“My God! Whoever sees a face doesn't see a heart, can you? You must have been devastated. Am I right, my dear?

“Yes, I was heartbroken. That scoundrel cheated on me and I want to stay away from him. Is that wrong, ladies and gentlemen?” Bella pretends to be sad and angry at the same time, which causes a commotion among those present. And one by one, they all agreed to sell their shares. Bella also makes the six former shareholders sign a confidentiality agreement, meaning they can't tell anyone that they had that meeting, much less that they sold their shares to her, because at the right time it could be used against Johnny. Bella returns home happy for having achieved her goal, takes a long, relaxing bath, opens her closet to choose the outfit she will wear for dinner with Carter that night. She wanted to impress, so she chose a black dress with a V-neckline that fell just below the knee, with details on the sleeves that were short and loose, as well as on the hem. She chose braided sandals the same color as the dress, gold earrings in the ears, light makeup, her hair was loose, but with curls that she had done herself with great careful, and last but not least, her perfume. She grabs her long coat, her bag with her car keys, and then leaves exuding her beauty and charm. When she arrives at the agreed restaurant, Carter is already waiting for her: "My goodness, I'm so lucky." 

“Why are you saying this, Dr. Carter?”

“I’m going to have dinner with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met in my life.”

“Wow, you exaggerated. But I accept the compliment.”

Bella smiles, and they sit down facing each other and while they wait for the waiter with the menu, start a pleasant conversation.