Chapter 50

**Bella-Rose pov**

Behind Amanda, Sarah wished me luck while trying to hold back her giggles. I wanted to pull her as well, but I fought the urge. I'm in the middle of crashing a party. If I bring another person with me, I don't think it will reflect well on me.

Douglas, the beanpole, was dressed in a suit that was a size or two too big for him. It gave the impression that his clothes were hanging on a clothesline.

His hair is gelled and combed back with enough to boost a small country's economy. He licked his lips as he tested Amanda from top to bottom in leisure. It's revolting.

He then turned to me and repeated the process, this time spending more time on my cleavage. I felt compelled to cover myself.

You get a nagging feeling about a certain guy who gives you a creepy look every now and then. Douglas, on the other hand, is a perfect match for the said guy.

I'm glad I insisted on Amanda joining us. Going to the ball seemed to have lost its luster.

"Douglas, nice of you to escort us. Let me introduce you to my dear friend, Bella", please don't, "Bella, Douglas. Douglas, Bella", Amanda said.

"Nice to meet you," he said as he walked up to me and extended his hand to me, his gaze fixed on my cleavage.

I can see how the night is going to turn out. Shoot me now. Uhhh.

Rather than shaking his hand, I decided to get busy with my pouch, which I was filling with just the bare necessities.

"Hello," I said casually, clearly expressing my displeasure.

He, on the other hand, is undeterred. Instead, his eyes glowed with excitement. "Shall we leave now?" I grunted to Amanda before he could practically jump on me.

I dashed for the back door as we approached the car, not in the mood to sit next to Douglas the slimy pole.

Amanda motioned for me to take a seat in the front, but I totally ignored her. When we arrived at the place, I slipped out of the car quickly enough that Douglas had no choice but to assist Amanda.

It was simple to get into the venue. There were no bodyguards aiming machine guns at me and yelling things like "lock the imposter away" or "she doesn't belong here," which is always a positive sign.

To be safe, I tried to stay close to the walls, just as Amanda had predicted. However, she is not visible or audible. It's as if she's forgotten that she brought me here and is just having fun. That's great. At the very least, it would divert attention away from me. Or else, I'd resigned myself to the fact that I'd have to dance with the beanpole.

If I dance with him, would it be called pole dancing? I shouldn't ridicule his body considering I've spent my life being mocked for mine, but I couldn't help myself. His slimy grin brings out the worst in me.

As the other partygoers mingled, I searched the hall. People dressed in exotic costumes and wearing masks stood huddled together, sipping beverages in a very delicate manner.

They all seem to be beautiful and self-assured as if they have accomplished something in their lives.

"What am I doing in this place? I'm not supposed to be here. I think I should go ", I said to myself as I gazed in awe at the splendor before me.

I turned towards the door and began to walk away, only to be interrupted by Douglas, who seemed to be looking for someone. I abruptly slowed my pace and turned left, only to collide with another.

"I'm so sorry. I don't see you there", I said turning towards the woman I crashed into.

"Clearly, bitch. Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?"

"I apologized. It happened by chance. It could happen to anyone at any time. Please refrain from using obscene language "I was enraged that someone could use such a tone with a complete stranger, and I blurted it out.

"What's the matter, Bitch? Are you going to voice your dissatisfaction to your superior? Do you even have a job here? Clearly, you are not an airline hostess," she checked me out before continuing, "What department are you in?" Administrator? Do you have any idea who I am? I can get you fired in a matter of seconds. You can then express your regret. Do you want to give it a shot?" She mocked me while sneering and folding her arms.

I opened my mouth to give her an equal dose of her rudeness when Amanda suddenly materialized beside me and squeezed my arm in warning.

"Here you are! I looked for you all over the place. Douglas is on the lookout for you. Let's go find him. Please pardon us ", Amanda told the haughty woman as she steered us in the opposite direction.

"What were you thinking arguing with that woman you bumped into? Thank God, I found you just in time. If she caught the scent that you are not working here, she will kick us out. Not only that, but my work might be in line as well. Please be careful with whom you chat up with”, Once we were secluded in a far corner away from the rude woman, Amanda scolded me.

I felt chastised. I should have thought about Amanda's job. If I had responded in a rude manner which was my intention then she would have rained fire on Amanda. I should be better in control with whom I talk.
"Sorry, Amanda. I was not thinking. I never heard a total stranger saying bitch to me on my face. Who is she? It wasn't my fault. It was an accident. She is so rude."

"She is Annabel McKenzie. Her family owns Aon airlines. You better be careful. If she feels she is trifled she can take a chunk out of you. She is called a snake in the company for a reason.


She doesn't work there, but if she felt someone insulted her or badmouthed her, she can easily get you fired. She is dangerous, Bells. You better not get on her radar; she may crush you"

"God! And I almost locked horns with her. I'm so sorry Amanda. I didn't think about you. This is what I was saying. This ball, people, environment is not for me. I'm out of depth here. I want to leave. You stay here. I will catch an Uber or something"

"But Bella"

"No Amanda. Please?"

I turned to leave and this time I checked where I was going. No sign of Douglas or Annabel McKenzie. Phew. Like before, I was checking the perimeter of the other side and bumped into another person.

But this time it's a guy. His hands grazed my back touching my skin as he righted my footing. My breath hitched at the contact. A touch this intimate... I'm not familiar with it.

Goosebumps rippled across my skin in anticipation. I could hear my heartbeat. Electricity sizzled through me from where he touched my skin. It's the same feeling when I had that encounter with the elevator guy.
He leaned into me while still holding and slowly whispered into my ear, his breath tingling, " why didn't you reply to the mail little red?"

For a moment, it felt like the world stood still. Then slowly, oh so slowly, what he said penetrated my head. James! How can he be here?
All those people, the sounds, the things that made me uncomfortable in this event... everything vanished.
It's only him and me. The air in my lungs released in a whoosh.

I slowly raised my face to gaze into his eyes, to finally piece that missing puzzle in place. Green eyes. No, green is too lame to describe the color. Deep dark piercing emerald orbs that held many secrets bored their gaze into me.

One look at him and everything I had in me was clamoring in a hungry greeting, sending my pulses leaping wildly.

"Exquisite. You look resplendent Bella moi", he said with satisfaction as he gazed into my dark brown orbs.

His accent is swoon-worthy that added delicacy and complexity to the words as if they were filigreed. My mouth dried with tension.

"Ja...James?" I said it as a question, still confused.

In response, he tightened his hold on me bringing us together to the point that our bodies are touching from top to bottom.

I could feel the warmth of the blush that had crawled up my neck. He can feel every curve, every bump of my body. My senses are on fire as something poked me in my stomach. My blush intensified when I understood what it could be.

My hands found his shoulders as he adjusted his hold and mashed our bodies so much, they even air couldn't penetrate between us.

I can feel the thick muscles under his skin. His shoulders... they are so broad and hard. And he is tall. I hardly reached his neck and I'm wearing 4-inch heels. I feel so puny before his massiveness.

His hands are so big that they can engulf my entire waist and trust me, my waist size is far from zero.
"I was dying to hold you in my arms for a long time, red. Let me have my moment", he said into my hair.

"People are staring, James", I pleaded though I wouldn't know if they really are. I just want to calm my over-worked senses a little bit.

"Then let's give them something to watch", James said with confidence.