has been 3 weeks,
Three weeks since I step into the house.
I had avoided it, avoided it completely.
I decided to take a break...I needed a break...
I called Suzie that morning and told her I wanted her to fill in my next three weeks with work.
I told her to book me up with as many people as she could whether the price worth it or not, including Mr Stanley.
I told her I didn't want any breathing space and that I wanted to be busy.
She was honestly confused because she knew me very well, she knew that I was always trying to avoid extra work and now here I was asking for even double, that was when she sensed that something was wrong and she knew it was Grey.
That very day I traveled to Los Angeles without even coming back to the house.
Mr Hampton had told me earlier that one of my advantage marrying Grey would be that I would get a private plane from his airline and get to use it anytime I wanted.
But I wasn't going to use it, at least not now.
I didn't want to look like I was dependent on them.
I hired planes before now, I could afford plane tickets, I don't need their help.
I got some texts from Martins asking me where I was and if I was ok but I ignored them all.
I just needed a break from all this drama.
Los Angeles was fun... stressful sure but fun!!
The people I met, the crazy fans, the passion in doing my job, everything was perfect.
But then, three weeks was over and I had to go back home... unfortunately.
I groaned as my car pulled up in front of my house...his our
"I don't wanna home" I whined
" Don't worry,it'd just for one week. Trust me after this we are going to Mexico.
There's a company there that wants to sign an endorsement deal with you, then we'll be going to Canada, you have a photo shoot there too, then finally we'll go to Paris for your facial and body treatment before you'll see San Diego again" Suzie said.
" Anything to take me away from this hell hole" I muttered and she laughed.
" Remember, if he gives you hard time, call me,I'll swing over to your place and spank his ass for you baby" she said again and I laughed.
I got out of the car and got some of my stuff from the back seat ,bided her goodbye and walked into the house
Back to my hell hole again...
I typed in my password and walked in, nothing had changed from last time, the house was sparkling as always and neat .
I would have thought that Grey would do this himself,but I reminded myself that he had a nanny at 24.
He probably had someone do it for him.
I walked into the kitchen and put some of the groceries I bought on the counter...
Weirdly, but I had imagined that the kitchen will still be as I left it that morning with the cake and decoration, but it wasn't
I walked out of the kitchen and began walking towards the stairs when Grey appeared from the hallway.
He looked surprised to see me, his hair was slightly damp ,and he had on him a grey tight shirt and a black short with his golf bag across his shoulder.
Did I tell you that Grey plays golf?? Yes , very shocking as it sounds but he does.
I've always wanted to ask him why, but I chose not to in order to avoid embarrassing moments that may occur.
" Where were you? " He asked breaking the silence between us.
I shrugged," Los Angeles, had business stuff there "
"And you didn't at least let me know?" It seemed like he had a glint of concern in his voice.
"Why should I? I'm not allowed to leave the house? " I said very much less concerned.
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair
"At least...you should let me know before you just disappear, if anything happens to you I'm going to be held responsible"
"What I look like I kid to you? Like, like I wasn't traveling around the world before now?"
He took a deep breath in and then released it and spoke calmly,
" it's not like that, it's just...I got worri- ...I mean like, when I was traveling to New York at least I let you know I was going to be out long and you didn't come back home for 3 weeks...at least just a little indication or what ever would mean something"
" So why didn't you just call or text me to ask me where I was?" I fired back knowing I had hit the hammer right.
He didn't have my number, and he never cared to ask for it because he didn't Care.
I cut him short before he could even talk," oh right I almost forgot, you don't have my number, and you don't even bother trying to get it because obviously it's irrelevant.... I'm irrelevant " I said firmly.
He was quite for a moment.
He wanted to talk again but then I cut him short again raising my hand to his face stopping him
" You know what.. never mind, I just had a very long day and I'm exhausted, forget about it.
I've heard you, I'll tell you before I travel, infact I'm telling you now that I'll be out for the next one month starting from next week, at least I'll give you the space you need" I didn't wait for his reply, I headed upstairs.
Yes... we'll all give each other hell...two can play this game Hampton, two can.
I crashed into my bed tiredly and sunk into it, I was so tired and exhausted.
Grey's thick perfume scent filled the air.
I got up and got into my closet and took off my clothes and hit the bathroom and had a hot bath.
After which I came out and changed into something comfortable and layed on the bed.
Then I turned to the other side of the bed and noticed something sitting on Grey's side table, I got up and took it in my hands and immediately recognized it.
It was the picture I drew of him in the glass case, only this time, the grass had cracked.
He broke it?
Was it an accident?
There was no way the glass would have broken if it slipped from his hands and fell or something because the glass was a hard type, very difficult to break.
He seemed to use transparent glue to try to seal it back but it couldn't do everything completely.
I sighed and shook my head and dropped it.
I went to my bed and closed my eyes and slept off.
By the time I woke up it was morning....geeeez I slept pretty long.
It was 8:25 am.
I got out of bed and we to brush my teeth and had my bath.
After I dressed up, I headed downstairs.
Grey was on his laptop, he had already dressed for work.
I passed him and started heading to the kitchen but then he called me out
" Bernice" he said after a moment of trying to call my name.
" Bella" I corrected without turning.
" Yeah... Bella...uhm...can we talk for a second" he said sounding nervous.
My heart started beating rapidly.
It was finally happening...Grey wanted us to talk!! He had probably felt guilty about his birthday
He was going to apologize... finally...
We'll finally start working out..
I sat down in my couch in front of him.
"So here is the thing..."he started
"My aunt heard I got married, and she doesn't know that it was forced or anything.
So, she's having her birthday today by 8pm and she's having it here in San Diego, so she wants to meet you today.
I would have told you earlier but... you weren't around.
So I would really want you to come"
Disappointment swept me.
He acted like a jerk on his birthday and now he wants me to do him a favour?
So that's why he seemed worried that I stayed long on my journey .
Stupid of you to think he cared Bella, very stupid.
" And so what if I didn't come back yesterday?"
He sighed and said nothing for about 10 seconds
"Look if you don't want to do it, I'm not going to force it on you.
If you're doing it, you're not doing it for me, it'd for her" he said coldly and stoop up .
His hands touched the door handle and I spoke
"No please?"I asked
"There's a nicer way to ask people for things tho" I continued.
He turned around slowly and faced me...
"Ber..be..ba.."
"Bella" I said quickly.
He exhaled
"Bella ... would you... please come with me to my Aunt's birthday today"
I sounded like he was going to die just because he just asked me for something politely.
And I just realized that this was the longest conversation we've ever had apart from yesterday.
I didn't say anything at all for almost a minute .
He turned around to open the door
"Pick me up by 8" I said.
I saw his body relax and he nodded and left.
I honestly pray that he would need More favours from me so that I could see him like this... this was fun.
∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆
I looked at myself one last time on the mirror.
As usual,. I looked perfect.
I was pretty...too pretty.
I had won so many beauty competitions and was the face to USA for 2 years, I had to lot of endorsement deals with thousands of companies and was the brand ambassador so a whole lot of designer companies and brands, but there was one company who never noticed me of which I felt bad about - Nike.
Right from when I was a kid I was obsessed with them and I made it my little goal to ensure that I work with them .
That was my dream and that was me chasing it without looking back.
People had told me how almost impossible it was to get an endorsement with Nike, but I wasn't willing to give up that dream, not now, not ever.
I stared at the white dress I wore and how it brought out all the curves and shapes in my body.
I was the definition of thick
I was beautiful, thick and smart...
Suzie use to tease me and call me miss perfect.
Realising that all this I was and had was because of my step dad.
Yes, he was mean, cruel, unfair, but I owe my entire life to him.
Probably if he didn't come into our lives, I would have been in a cafe wiping tables and being harassed by male customers all in the name of trying to survive.
All he asked for was for me to marry Grey so that he could also share in their money.
In as much as I hated to say this but...I should make him happy, he had made me happy too.
If I rebel, it will not make me look any more different from Jacob .
I have to make this marriage work, I have to drop all my attitudes and stick with Grey, because if he can't stand me anymore and divorces me, my foster father wouldn't be happy, it'll ruin his relationship with Mr Hampton and he would have nothing to win.
I have a make Grey like me.
I walked downstairs and met Grey sitting down patiently on the couch waiting for me and fiddling with his phone.
"I'm ready" I said bringing his attention to me.
His eyes raked my body from top to bottom and then landed on my face finally
"Let's go then" he said as he stood up.
He wore a black button up shirt with the first three buttons out revealing his silver chain.
I noticed he never took that chain off and was the same chain in most of his pictures..... not like I'm stalking him or anything.
Just being yunno.... curious.
"How do I look"I finally choked out as we reached the car.
He shrugged,"normal" then he got into the car at the back seat with me.
Normal???? really Grey???? That's the best you got!?? At least a little nice compliment won't kill you!!!
Nothing was said again till we reached the hotel and alighted from the limo.
To my honest and greatest shock, Grey slipped his hands into mine as we walked into the building.
His hands were so warm, reminding me about our wedding .
"Good evening Mr Hampton, we've been expecting you" a man in suit said gesturing us towards the wide door and swung it open.
As soon as we stepped in, all the chatting and talking paused and all eyes went to us .
It was something I was used to honestly, but for some very odd reasons, I got nervous.
We were directed to our seats as out names were written on a gold plated card on the table.
We sat down and the event continued.
Most of the people around would throw suspicious stares at my direction and would whisper and gossip among themselves looking at me.
Then someone finally summoned guts and walked over to our table.
" Hello Grey"
The blonde lady said smiling at him.
He slowly raised up his head from his phone and looked at her, then back to his phone
"Hello uhhh..."
"Michelle" she reminded him.
Well at least I wasn't the only persons name he didn't remember.
"Yes.... It's been like ages 3 years right?" She tried to engage him, but he was barely listening.
"Anyways, have you heard from Dr menova? He was asking after you last year.
He was talking about something concerning the mono rail construction in Florida" she said.
And that alone caught his attention and they began discussing seriously.
Then she turned to me," who's she?"
"Uhhm... never mind not important....did he give you his address or something? He said immediately.
I paused.
I wasn't important?
I bit down on my lips to suppress the anger.
....no one will ever love you...
Jacob's voice taunted me.
I closed my eyes shut and stood up excusing myself to the restroom.
I got in there and tried to maintain my composure.
Did I mention that everyone around me was casting me weird glares?
I washed my hands and walked out of the ladies and then bumped into someone almost spilling his drink on him.
" I'm so sorry..I didn't mean to bump into you" I said honestly.
"It's ok-"...then his voice trailed off and he started staring at me.
I waved my hands in front of him and he snapped smiling sheepishly.
"I'm so sorry, I just thought I saw an angel" he said
I blushed," a melanin Angel?" I questioned smiling.
"Yes a melanin Angel, and God knows you look beautiful...I mean like the white dress and the extra ordinary beauty everything just blends" he complemented and I blushed deeply.
This was what I wished Grey had said to me earlier, appreciate my beauty, but here I was receiving this complement from a stranger.
Another stranger
" I'm Harry Owen by the way" he brought his hand for a friendly shake
" Bella.." I paused and said for the first time" Bella Hampton"
His eyes opened in shock
" Definitely the name suits a celestial being like you"...he started making me blush again
.." but Hampton? Asin Grey Hampton? "
" Yes.. he's my .." it took guts to say this part..." Husband"
His jaw dropped in shock
"Grey is married..?? How come I never knew?"
" Ohh..it was a quiet wedding, didn't want it loud, and it was just 3 months ago."
"Ohhhh?" Harry questioned
" Yes, and how do you know Grey?"
" He's my cousin, my mother is the celebrant".
"Ohh I see" I said
"Yes, and it's a shame that I had already pictured us on our honeymoon" he joked and I laughed
" Well I don't want to keep you waiting, enjoy the rest of your day" i said.
" Same as you, feel free, you're part of the family now"
Those words sounded like hell note
He pulled a card from his pocket.
" Be sure to give me a call if you need anything" he handed it over to me
" Thanks Harry it was nice meeting a gentle man like you" I said smiling
" It was nice meeting an angel too" he complimented and we parted ways.
I only pray that our second meet up won't be like that of Grey and I
I headed towards my table, but the Blondie was now seating on my chair too comfortable as she and Grey discussed business.
There was no way I would go back there.
I grabbed a glass of wine from a tray and walked to the balcony outside and stood there watching the Moon.
It was beautiful and full, almost perfect if not for the black stains on it, one would describe it perfect.
Like me
I would have been called perfect, but all the bruises from my past left scars on my soul that could never be removed...
That's what makes you beautiful
" I've been looking for everywhere"
I smiled dryly and looked at my drink and turned around.
"Didn't look like it, didn't even look like you noticed I left"
He ignored.
" My aunt wants to see you now"
" But why? I thought I wasn't that important?" I said and took a sip of my drink and smiled.
He paused his lips and scratched his chin nervously.
" But it's ok, you'll never apologize anyway so let's just leave it aside and go see your Aunt" I said immediately and walked towards the door allowing him lead the way.
Finally, we came in contact with a white vibrant woman that looked like she was in her late 50's.
"Hey Aunt Jessie"
She turned around.
" Oh my, hello Grey, why it's been years, you just forgot your old auntie didn'tyou"
She said kissing his cheeks.
British accent
It was like a family thing.
"No I didn't" he said he said.
"Oh and is that our new wife?"
She said excitedly coming to give me a hug.
" Pleasure to meet you ma'am" I said politely.
"My God she's so beautiful, where ever did you find this damsel from Grey"
He rolled his eyes.
"I'm Bella"
"Why such a beautiful name dear, I'm Jessica Owen , I'm Grey's Aunt"
"Glad to meet you"
"Well let's head to the table and chat a while before you leave"
Crap.. and I was thinking this was all over
She gestured me to seat with her and Grey sat across from us, we were served with food and drinks and we dined.
A waiter brought in a tray of food and dropped it in front of Grey, he was about to start eating when he paused and looked at the man
"Is there cinnamon in this food?" He asked.
"Yes sir, that's one of our greatest recipe" he added with a wink.
He dropped his fork.
" I can't eat this"he said
"Why not?" I asked
He looked at me," I'm allergic to cinnamon" he said
"Ahh...yes it's true, he can't take anything containing cinnamon, that'll be the end of him" His Aunt said guesturing the man to take it away.
"How bad is it?" I asked.
"It's something very poisonous to him, a little quality of it and he could die, that's why he can sniff it from far away" his aunt said and I nodded , and then , he was brought with something else.
"So, how did you both meet" she asked me smiling changing the topic.
I looked up to Grey and he looked as confused as I was.
"Uhhm...at a hotel in England" I said and took a bite of my chicken.
"Oh really.. so what was the intriguing thing you noticed about him in the hotel that day"
Shit...
" Uhh..he had...a very contrasting approach to colors and cocktails" I said.
" Oh how is that so?"
"It was all about a drink he admired so much... black whiskey... and the way he talked about it made it looked like he was talking about himself, trying to explain something the only someone sensitive will understand"
I turned to look at him and noticed he was staring deeply at me... emotionless as usual.
"So your love story started with a beer, fascinating indeed" she said grinning and continued
" Well I was indeed surprised when I heard that Grey was married, especially so early and all, I thought it would be Mackenzie honestly because of their relationship and all,
But it was you, and I'm sure you'll make a good wife to my stubborn annoying nephew" she said sweetly.
Mackenzie ...who is this girl??
" You can say that again" I muttered and we both laughed.
"So at what point did you finally realize that you were inlove with Grey and why exactly did you even fall in love with a big head like him" she chuckled a little.
I exhaled... this was going to be tough.
" True that, he gave me hard times at the beginning, but along the line, he started letting me in and I began to understand him better that he wasn't trying to push me away from him, he was just trying to push me away from his problems, and he didn't want to get me tangled in his complicated world "...
"And how do you know that.." Grey cut he off staring me dead in the eyes.
Is he crazy?? Doesn't he know I'm here emulating lies trying to save his life?
"I just knew it...I knew you weren't a hard guy or mean like you claim you were, you were just trying to push me away because you were scared of hurting me, scared of me regretting meeting you, you just wanted our friendship dead before it even started.
But the fact that I kept on making efforts to make you happy and convince you that we can still work out... that was the point I realized I was .....yes I was into you"
There was something boiling up in him, I could feel it, I could Sense it but I didn't know what it was .
"Well will you look at that, the power of love" Aunt Jessie said grinning.