~~BELLA'S POV~~
We arrived at one of Leon's hotels, and staff members couldn't get their eyes off us. Jealousy could be vividly seen on the faces of some women we passed. But for some reason, I was welcomed by an unpleasant cold, giving me unshakeable goosebumps. "Butterfly, do I have to prepare myself for anything unusual?"
[Well, it seems your instincts have been triggered. The person you've been waiting for is about to make their way to you.]
"Bolin's brother?"
[Why don't you find out for yourself?]
"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Copeland," Mr. Ivanov said with a smile, which I returned, taking my seat majestically beside Leon.
"Thank you," Leon said. "Well, I never one day imagined either of you would get married one day. You both make a perfect couple," he complimented with a smile, which I returned.
Apart from kicking people's asses, killing people, and also being ruthless, I am also a good business person thanks to Butterfly. Mr. Ivanov is one of the shareholders in one of my companies.
"Thanks, Mr. Ivanov, but I never knew you already knew my wife."
"Well, I didn't know her that well. I and her grandfather were business friends and partners before she took over from him," he informed. "Okay."
The waiter suddenly came over, laying out different dishes.
"Sorry I didn't ask you before ordering," Mr. Ivanov apologized with a bow.
"Well, it's okay," I waved off.
"Then let's have dinner before we get down to business."
Since I wasn't really hungry because Leon forced me to eat dinner before we came here, I just served myself a little pelmeni which I couldn't finish before having a glass of champagne.
Mr. Ivanov's phone suddenly began ringing, and he picked it up. After speaking to the caller, he turned to face us with a smile. "Well, my secretary just arrived. She would be here in the next ten minutes," he informed, and I turned to find Leon busy on his phone with his plate untouched.
"Hubby," I called, and he turned to face me with a smile.
"Yes, baby, what's wrong?"
"Why haven't you touched your meal? Now open up." I fed him without waiting for his response. I at least need to look like a caring wife.
"You both look cute," an old lady said with a smile and walked past us. Leon kept grinning from ear to ear, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Good evening, sir," I heard a familiar voice and turned to find Ella, Ella Carson, my stepsister, the ideal daughter of my father, Mr. Tester Carson, the number one illegitimate child of the Carson family with a bitch of a mother who took everything from me and my mom.
The same person I've been waiting to meet, my main target.
[You're wrong; she's just an official target.]
"Meaning?"
[I wanted you to take your revenge once and for all on her, so I brought her into the picture. But your main target hasn't arrived yet. Also, be careful; I can feel your instincts getting activated," she warned, and I just took in deep breaths.
Well, since things are getting more complicated, it only means I've got a long journey ahead of me. I clenched my fist, feeling my blood boil, as memories of my past life flooded in.
Love me? Really?
Well, I always knew she had plans on having me on her bed, but I never knew she would go as far as killing me just because I refused her and fell in love with someone else.
[Don't try understanding what's happening; it would only make things complicated], Butterfly said, and I nodded.
'Live in the presence and don't fast forward,' I said to myself, feeling my goosebumps grow.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Leon asked, placing his hand on mine, seems he sensed my change of aura, but I didn't feel like speaking. I just wanted to torture the hell out of this bitch standing right in front of me.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ivanov," Leon said and led the way to the elevator.
"Wifey, what's wrong?" he asked immediately as we got into the elevator.
There was no way I could explain a thing to him.
[Don't even think of telling him the truth.]
"That's the only option I have," I said and shut my eyes.
"It... It's Ella," I said.
"Who's Ella?" he asked, and I took a deep breath.
"The lady standing outside is Ella, Ella Carson, my stepsister, the main reason my dad calls me an illegitimate child and treats me and my mom as trash," I said, feeling my hand shiver as tears threatened to fall from my eyes.
Why do I still have this feeling?
I was about to say something, but Leon slammed his lips on mine. And I slowly began to relax, breathing in his scent. "Don't let people that aren't worth ruining your mood ruin your mood, baby girl," he pecked me. "And she's just a secretary, and you're a queen, and don't forget you have me by your side, the world's most eligible bachelor... ahem, I forgot that I am already married," he scratched the back of his neck, which made him look cute. I felt like eating him up, but we were in an elevator.
"Aww, my husband is cute."
"So am I no longer an asshole?"
"Says who? You're still an asshole," I said, poking out my tongue before running out of the elevator.
"Wait for me at the bar, okay," Leon screamed, and I gave him a thumbs up.
[You scared me back there.]
"I said the truth, not the entire truth... Butterfly, Ella was a queen back then, but why is she suddenly a secretary?"
[You don't have to know everything at once. Take it a moment at a time if you don't want to trip on your face flat], she said and suddenly kept quiet.
~~ LEON'S POV ~~
Thank goodness I was able to make Bella smile. I didn't want to ruin her mood before revealing my surprise, so I asked her to wait at the bar.
"Where's Mrs. Copeland?" Mr. Ivanov asked.
"She's having a drink at the bar," I said, going through the contract, and I was pleased with what I was reading, so I signed it.
"Congratulations, Mr. Copeland," Mr. Ivanov said as we shook hands.
"Thanks."
"Congratulations, Mr. Copeland," Bella's stepsister said, but I just ignored her as if there was no one there. I wasn't going to spare anyone who caused my wife pain, especially not her.
I made my way toward the bar but was stopped by a waiter.
"Excuse me, Mr. Copeland, Mrs. Copeland asked me to serve this to you," he handed me a glass of whiskey.
Why did Bella send me a drink?
The glass had a sticky note on it: 'Don't come back with an empty glass.' It felt strange, but I didn't want to upset Bella, soI quickly drank it up. No man would want to incur the wrath of his wife, especially when the person we're talking about is Bella.
I got to the bar, and Bella was nowhere to be found. I began feeling dizzy, and the last thing I could remember was someone helping me.