Chapter 92

Steve, James's bodyguard who was assigned the security duty of Bella-Rose James, felt guilty. It was his duty to protect his charge. To alert his boss from the media frenzy one month ago.

Though his boss didn't dismiss him, he felt guilty for letting his boss down. James McKenzie has supported him when no one was willing to give a job to an ex-convict.

He couldn't let down his boss. But he had. Hence, Steve did his duty even though his boss said to pull back the security. He hasn't uttered a single word to others of course.

He loves his job. James McKenzie may not have fired him for his earlier mistake but he will surely fire him if he learns his orders have not been followed.

Hence, Steve kept quiet and has done his duty whenever time allocates him. Which is not much. But he assigned another trusted guy of his whenever he couldn't.

It was tricky but he had to make do with his guy. This came as a jolt when he learned that a guy had visited Bella-Rose James's home.

It could be anyone. But Steve doesn't like to take chances. Hence, he dismissed his guy and followed the couple to the restaurant.

He kept an eye on the couple, his mouth set in a hard line. His boss wouldn't like this turn of events. Steve thought of taking photos but restrained himself.

His boss will believe him. No need for evidence that might become a weapon in the wrong hands. After all, this whole fiasco started with the photos getting leaked.

But what if he won't believe him? He might lose his job. He has seen what his boss had done to his step-family. If he can arrest his step-family then what is he but a mere employee?

He also saw the importance his boss gives to this girl. If he had to say anything about her, he would need proof to show his boss.

Steve with great hesitation, took a deep sigh and clicked a series of photos of the smiling couple.
The couple seems to be engaged in a deep conversation, their eyes not leaving each other. Bella-Rose James seemed to enjoy the guy's attention as she laughed at the joke the guy said.

Thank god, his boss is far away from sending the photos. Steve didn't think he could do it face-to-face. He likes his life and doesn't have any wish to stand in the line of fire.

He then sent the photos, not missing a single one to his boss and swiftly deleted the pictures.
There! The barrel has been loaded.

For good measure, Steve took a picture of the number plate of the guy's car. It may come in handy. And went on his way whistling a tune.

**James POV**

James was on autopilot. Doing his work with no emotion. Work has become his solace from the thoughts of Bella.

He rarely sleeps at a stretch. Dreams of Bella in pain haunt him. This is not good for his health. But he seems unable to stop himself from those thoughts unless he is working.

His body reflects the strain he put it through. He has lost weight. His eyes are always red, shoulders drooping from the tiredness he constantly feels.

Brittany is suggesting he hire a therapist for his insomnia. If only the therapist could heal a heart.
James didn't admit it to himself, but not talking to Bella is worse than he had imagined. His days drag in a never-ending work call. Food is only an acquired taste now.

It's not like he was not a workaholic before, he was. But he used to enjoy his work then. Now it's just a distraction he needed from his thoughts.

He just came out of yet another meeting when he got a message from one of his security team Steve.

James has left him in Atlanta to watch out for the company. Why would Steve message him at this time? James checked his watch. It must be 7:30 pm in Atlanta.

James entered his office with his hand on his phone. The photos loaded just as he sat on his chair.

James jolted upright looking at the pictures. He scrolled one by one, not missing anything. He felt as if he was hit at the back of the head with a gun. His face flushed, raising his anger with each photo.

He saw the expression of Bella in each photo. She is smiling, her lips in a wide arc. However, her eyes... her eyes held secrets. Secrets that were not there before. Her eyes are distant as if she is forcing herself to enjoy the moment but was unable to achieve that feat.

James felt rage built inside him. Not at Bella. Never at her. But at the joker who sat beside her. How dare he take his girlfriend on a date! Looking at the pictures it couldn't be anything but a date.

He couldn't blame Bella. He saw her family and how important they are in her life. He knew Bella. She must have been forced to go on this date. Or even if she wasn't James wouldn't lay blame at her door. It was he who left her without a single word.

She has the right to make decisions regarding her life. If only it doesn't involve another male. A male who is opposite of him if his smile is anything to go by.

And his eyes... his eyes never left HIS BELLA'S face in any pictures. And the expression in them, James knows how a male mind works. His eyes are filled with lust for her.

James swiped the contents on the table with his right hand in anger, making them land across the room. Perhaps, that therapist Brittany suggested is not a bad idea after all.

James clenched his fist at the mounting anger. He should think coolly and calmly. But sanity has left the building. He is in no condition to think. He wants to see Bella. He HAS to see Bella. He needs to lay his claim on her.

"Brittany," James barked, his mood turning sour with each minute.

A sudden thought occurred to him. What happens after the date? Will they go their separate ways or will he drop her in his car, sitting too close to her?

What if he is a bastard and takes her to his place? No way in hell is James letting someone take what he considers his.

He swiftly called Steve. "Where are they?" James asked not to be in the mood for pleasantries.
Steve, understanding his boss's mood, replied, "they are on the road."

"Together?" James asked, clutching the mobile harder.

"Uh... yes, Mr. McKenzie. He picked her at her parents' home," Steve said, wiping the sweat on his forehead. Though his boss is miles away, he can still feel his wrath. Hence the swearing of his boss in an a/c car.

"Follow then. Don't leave them for a second. Not a single second Steve. I want all the details. What they ate, where they went, how she looked, what she did...everything," James said as he pinched his nose in frustration.

Steve related the answers his boss asked of him without missing a single detail. He also added the picture of the car number he had taken.

"Go through the driving license of the guy and find out who he is. I want everything on him.

Every skeleton in his closet," James said, grinding his teeth. His anger will only reduce when he punches the daylights of this joker.

Once he cut the call, James turned to Brittany who stood patiently on the side of the table hearing her boss's raging orders.

"Prepare the jet. We are going to Atlanta," James said, sorting out his table's contents or what's left of them in his bag and zipping it.

"What, now?" Brittany asked confused

"Is there going to be a problem?" James queried her looking directly at her eyes.

"What about the deal we are finalizing? We need you here for it," Brittany tried to reason.

"You stay here and handle it. I'm leaving," James said walking briskly towards the door ending the discussion.

Brittany sighed thinking to herself, what's new in this?

The sun dipped below the horizon, the last gasp of beauty before the death of the day when James's jet landed on the runway.

He didn't waste time as he guided his driver to take him to the bakery. According to the reports his bodyguard Steve sent him her shift will be ending now. He needs to raise his salary. If not for him he still will be wallowing in self-pity all alone.

The drive came to a halt just as Bella exited from the bakery, her head bent, her eyes cast downwards.

James sat in the back seat of his car and looked at the stunning image she made. There is a new aloofness in her silhouette which adds mystery to her character. Her eyes held new depths in them, more guarded.

James noticed that she has lost weight. Her cheeks are sharper now. He set his mouth in a thin line. He doesn't like the idea of Bella starving herself.

She walked straight, not looking at anyone or anything. He remembered from his date how she used to absorb the surroundings around her. How she enjoyed the beauty in simple things.

Looking at her now no one would have guessed this is the same shy beauty who dragged him around the Atlanta fair.

Her hands are safely tucked inside her jacket pockets, her hair in a ponytail, she looked like an epitome of a recluse. A pang hit his chest.

Before he could overthink himself, James opened the car door and stepped out.