Chapter 09: Because I still love you!

Johnny was surprised, despite knowing that this had been his father’s plan from the beginning when he suggested marrying Bella:

“Why now after so much time?”

“Precisely to avoid suspicion. Trust me, they’ll suspect even Benjamin before they suspect you.”

“Is there something going on that I don’t know about? Benjamin, besides being the eldest son, is the right-hand man of the powerful Hanh.”

“They’re a bit strained. From what I know, Benjamin wants more power within the group, and Anthony doesn't want to give it to him, arguing that his son isn't ready yet. This has made Benjamin extremely irritated, and everyone in the organization knows about this fight, despite their attempts to disguise it.”

“Even so, I think it’s risky.”

“You’re still a coward, Johnny. If you don't want to blame Benjamin, fine. I have another piece of information for you: Alexander Kicher is in New York for business. I don’t care who you blame, but Anthony Hanh must die, do you understand?”

“Yes, Father!” Johnny hung up the phone, already thinking about how he would execute the dangerous mission without raising suspicion on himself. He called his faithful employee:

“I need you to follow my father-in-law discreetly and inform me of his every move.”

“Is there a special reason for this, sir?”

“You’ll know at the right time, Taylor.”

Johnny hung up the phone and returned to the living room, where Bella and Theo were playing a board game with their family. They were having fun, and the man with dark thoughts joined them. Theo was the first to giving in to tiredness, and Jimena took the opportunity to put her grandson to bed, staying in the guest room. This left only the two children, the son-in-law, and the husband in the living room, who struck up a conversation while pouring himself a whiskey without ice:

“From what I’ve noticed, your company is doing very well.”

“That’s true. Gratitude to the administrative manager.” Johnny held Bella's hand.

“Don’t exaggerate!”

“Bella has always had a knack for business; she’s firm and knows how to carry herself.” Anthony looked at Benjamin, who got irritated and tried to change the focus.

“I heard you have a new shareholder?”

“Oh yes! His name is Dylan Daves. He will be the financial director and will work directly with Bella.”

“Actually, I didn’t agree with that. He doesn’t need to work with me; if he does his job well, that’s what matters.” Bella tried once again to distance herself from her old love, but Anthony, who knew his daughter well, asked:

“Did this new shareholder offend you in any way, daughter?”

“Actually, he seemed like a cheap conqueror, and you know, Father, I hate that kind of man.” Bella gave a convincing excuse.

“Really? I want to meet him. Johnny, schedule a meeting for tomorrow at 7:00 PM, at the restaurant in Central Park.”

“Of course, Father-in-law. Tomorrow when I see him at work, I’ll extend the invitation.”

“I think this meeting is premature.”

“And why? I have the right to meet the person who will handle my company’s finances, don’t you think, Bella?” Anthony stared at his daughter, who relented to avoid further suspicion.

“All well!”

The next day, already at the company that actually served as a front for other businesses, Bella was distressed in her office, not knowing what to expect from Dylan. Would he be impulsive and ignore her warning not to show up at the company while her father and brother were in town? Then her office door opened, startling her slightly,It was Johnny:

"What happened?We have a meeting in five minutes to introduce the new partner, remember?”

“And has he arrived yet?”

"No! But his personal secretary informed us that he will be about 10 minutes late."

"Are you serious?" Bella became agitated and Johnny became suspicious.

"Why are you acting like this?"

“This is disrespectful; It’s his first day and he’s already late.”

“It’s only 10 minutes. Relax!" Johnny continued to find his wife's reaction strange.

In the meeting room, Bella could barely concentrate, thinking that at any moment Dylan could walk through the front door and completely turn her life upside down, without noticing her husband's watchful gaze on her. When the door opened, his heart seemed to leap out of his chest; however, it was just Johnny's secretary/lover with an important message that everyone would hear soon.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize, but unfortunately, our new financial director Dylan Daves will not be introduced today. It seems there was an incident, and he will not be able to come. We will schedule a new meeting as soon as possible. Once again, I apologize.” Johnny finished speaking, and all the shareholders calmly left the room, leaving only Bella.

“Are you still going to defend him after this?” the brunette glared at her husband.

“Yes! Because what happened wasn’t his fault but rather the driver’s, who ran a red light and ended up crashing into a taxi on the way here. No one was injured.” Johnny gave a complete report.

“Good. I’ll get back to my tasks. See you later at home.”

Back in her office, Bella finally took a relieved breath, but only for a moment, as she soon her cell phone vibrating on her desk. Seeing "unknown number" on the screen, she guessed who it was and rejected all nine calls. Later, she parked her car in the garage of her luxury building and, while walking to the elevator, Dylan appeared in front of her:

“Are you crazy? Why are you here?” Bella looked around.

“You didn’t answer my calls.”

“Maybe because I didn’t want to talk to you? Leave me alone, Dylan.” Bella tried to bypass the handsome high man standing in front of her, but he insisted.

“Come with me now, or I’ll go with you to your apartment where your father, mother, brother, and especially... our son will be.”

These words made Bella freeze and turn back to Dylan.

“What did you say?”

“I know Theo is my son.”

“No, he’s not. Where did you get that idea?”

“Then I’ll go up with you and we’ll sort out this mess once and for all. Let’s go!” Dylan grabbed Bella by the hand, leading her towards the elevator.

“Fine, I’ll go with you. I just have to let them know I’ll be late.”

Bella got into Dylan’s car, and in a few minutes, they arrived at his luxury rented apartment in Manhattan.

"This is the building where I live."

"It's a good place. Just tell me what you want from me."

"Let's go to my apartment."

"No way. Whatever you have to say, say it here." Bella tried to assert impose.

" Inside car in the parking lot of my building, where anyone can see us? Let's go to my apartment. Or are you afraid of me? After all this time, do you still feel something? Does your heart still race when you see me?"

"I'm a married woman and shouldn't be in the apartment of a single, shameless, and traitor man like you."

"Your husband cheats on you, so what's the difference between him and me?"

"You, I loved." Bella looked away, but Dylan gently pulled her face to make her look at him.

"Forgive me, Morena! Back then, I had to do it, or my father would have killed you in cold blood. I preferred to see you from afar rather than never see you again."

"What are you talking about?"

"My father found out you were Anthony Hahn's daughter and told me he was going to kill you. I begged him not to do it because neither of us knew about our origins. He allowed it on the condition that I break up with you and never see you again and so I did." Dylan explained what had happened, hoping to soften Bella's heart.

"Even if all this is true, do you know how much I suffered? I was punished, and they took away the one thing I loved most in life...my freedom, and it was your fault. knows what I've learned after these 10 years? Love only serves to weaken us and make us vulnerable. I'll never forget the scene of that Rebeca rubbing herself on you completely naked. Just thinking about it makes me nauseous."

"I know. Forgive me!"

"Dylan, if your goal is to make me forget everything, that's not going to happen. So, I ask you once again...leave me alone." Bella's words were firm as she tried to get out of the car, but Dylan stopped her.

"I’m sorry, I can’t leave you peace."

"And why not?"

"Because I still love you."