~~ BELLA'S POV ~~
I was already done dressing up; the hairstylist and make-up artist left the room as Mom stepped in, and I could see tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. Another emotional scene coming up. "Come on, Mum, I ain't leaving forever, and not as if I'm going to another country. I'll still be here," I hugged her.
"Your grandfather wants you to come outside," she pecked me, and I smiled as she made her way out of the room.
"You surely are looking stunning for a bride," Butterfly complimented me, and I just smiled and looked at myself in the big mirror standing beside my room. My wedding gown was picked by GP and designed by Vivienne Westwood.
She is a London atelier who designed my gown to reflect classic British heritage with a signature edge, with an elegant slick with a thigh-splitting, or I'll say corseted bodies teamed with a thousand tulle layers on the skirt. I would have chosen Phillipa Lepley, as she's renowned for giving a slimmer waistline and her meticulously crafted by-hand wedding dresses, which are simple and elegant, if my marriage was a loved one. But since it's an arranged marriage, I allowed GP to do as he pleased, as I'm surely going to make sure I get a divorce in a few months from now.
"Why didn't you tell me he was the one driving that night?" I questioned Butterfly for the third time and could hear her sigh.
"Not as if I didn't want to tell you, but our connection suddenly got bridged, and when I tried reaching you, it caused you pain, so I stopped," she explained.
"It's okay, and we'll find an answer for why that happened later," I said and turned to find GP grinning from ear to ear. "My lovely child looks breathtaking," he winked and placed a peck on my forehead. He led me to the altar, and that fool of a mafia was standing there expressionless. I took one more look at him just to note down the familiarity, and I dearly needed Butterfly's help in it.
"Why does he look so familiar?" I said, getting closer to him.
"Ahem... Bella, you wouldn't like this, but he was the man who bought you before your rebirth," Butterfly revealed.
On hearing this, I came to a sudden halt, and my head throbbed badly as memories of him in my previous life suddenly flooded in. No wonder I felt a familiar feeling when I heard his dad mention his name. He... he's the same person. "Better don't forget your one rule...never fall in love."
"Well, thanks for reminding me because I don't plan on," I said, getting to the altar, and the wedding rituals began.
I might not be aware of the reason he's back into my life, but I'm surely going to take precautions. I could suddenly hear my phone ringing and turned to look at Kiara, who had a worried expression, and I knew immediately that things were not going well. I wanted to stop the priest, but she signaled me not to, and she walked toward me. "We don't want the bride's wedding gown to be covered with blood," I rolled my eyes and understood what she meant immediately. The ritual went on, and after which we were pronounced husband and wife. When the priest asked us to have a kiss, I was hesitant at first until "Bella go on," Kiara tapped me on my shoulder. I pulled Leon and kissed him but bit him again like last time. We proceeded to the wedding reception, but I got a call from a business client requesting to meet with me. "I didn't want any drama today, but seems drama has come looking for me," I sighed. I turned to look at Leon, who was busy on his phone. "Stop," I told the driver, and he matched the brakes. "Where are you going to?" Leon questioned. "I'll be back," I said and called up Kiara. Thank goodness she was right behind us.
~~ LEON'S POV ~~
I was busy replying to some important clients when Bella suddenly asked the driver to pull over. "Where are you going?" I questioned.
"I'll be back," she said and stepped out of the car. Who the hell does she even think she is? I dialed Dad's number, and after the second ring, he picked up. "Hello son, what's the problem?"
"Dad, I and Bella won't be coming to the reception."
"What?" I heard him and Grandpa Carson scream. "She left me saying nothing, and I have some important work, so bye," I ended the call before they could say anything.
I didn't have anything and was free for the day, so I called up Matt. "Hey buddy, I'll be at the reception in..."
"Just shut the hell up, no need to come to the reception."
"Why?" he questioned. "Well, your sister-in-law had some important thing to attend to, so she left me." I could hear him laugh from the other end of the phone, and I just rolled my eyes. "So what are you up to?" "Nothing, just on my way back home," I sighed. "Hmm, let's do this, come over to my place, and we'll have some fun."
"Okay." I got home, changed, and headed for Matt's place.
*. *. *
I and Matt arrived at a business client's daughter's birthday party. He only informed me of the invite when I arrived at his place, and I had no choice but to attend, and reporters couldn't stop flashing their cameras at me. "Mr. Copeland, where's your wife?" they questioned, but I ignored them and walked in. Immediately I got in, someone hugged me. I looked down to find Penny. Such a bad way to start my evening. "Leon, I knew you would come," she screamed.
I turned to look at Matt, and he struggled to speak. "You came for my birthday party?" she held my hand and took me into the building.
Who is Penny?
Penny is my ex-girlfriend, although we broke up, her father is still a shareholder in one of my company, so I have no choice but to attend.
"Hmm."
"Are you still annoyed? I have apologized, and you said we could be friends," she turned to stare at me.
"And that's why I'm here," I lied, keeping a straight face. "And friends don't go around jumping on one another, and precisely am married now."
"So what? Everyone knows about it, and it was on every news channel, but I wonder why your bride's face wasn't visible. Maybe she's ugly and ashamed..."
"And who the hell are you to call his wife ugly?" I turned to find my cousin Mia.
"Mia," Penny ran to hug her, but she ignored and pushed her away. Well, Mia never liked Penny, so I wasn't surprised by her actions. "Just because you're always on magazine covers doesn't mean you're beautiful."
"Excuse me?" Penny said.
"Oh yes, you're excused, slut, and seems your co-models are scared to tell you the truth, but I'm not. You only have such a nice shape because of your surgeries...."
"And after all these surgery you're this ugly and that's what get me" Bella's voice interrupted from behind, and I just hoped things wouldn't get out of hand. She came close and pushed Penny away from me, dusting my tuxedo as if it was stained. "And who the fuck are you?" Penny screamed. I felt bad for her, as I already knew that Bella wasn't going to spare her. She never spared me anyway.
"Oh, shut that trash you call a mouth up for once. You just keep spilling garbage," Bella said and took my hand in hers. "Penny, meet my wife, Mrs. Bella Leon Copeland," I introduced with a smirk. "Nice meeting you, and if you don't mind, I'd love to leave with my husband." She dragged me along, which I didn't mind, as long as I don't get my own share of bullets.
"Aww," Mia said. "You both look so cute together. Hi, I'm Mia, Leon's cousin," she extended her hand, and Bella took it. "I'm Bella."
"Wow, I love your outfit. You look outrageous, unlike some plastic people," Mia rolled her eyes.
"Please, who designed it?" Mia asked, and I suddenly began to feel bored.
"It's a Ruch midi dress designed by Alexander Wang," Bella replied with a smile.
"Wow," Mia's eyes grew wide. I cleared my throat to get both their attention. "Ladies, if you don't mind, I'll be on my way," I tried pulling away from Bella, but she was firm in her grip.
"Mia, we'll talk later, okay? I want to speak to my husband," she said and pulled me towards the washroom. Immediately we got to the washroom, she locked the door behind us. She kept staring at me without saying a word.
"What?" I said.
"How dare you?" she spoke up.
"Dare me what?"
"We got married just a few hours ago, and you're here flirting with your ex," she scoffed.
"I wasn't flirting, and you left just a few minutes after our marriage without saying a thing... and come to think of it, how did you know that she's my ex?" I raised an eyebrow.
"None of your business, and since we're married, you belong to me. Don't even let me see you with anyone," she pecked me on my lips and left. I knew my life was over after marrying Bella. I never knew I would one day have to bow down to my wife.
I went back to join the party and spotted Bella speaking to a girl. She was also in a black gown like Bella, but hers was a different design. She had brown skin and curly hair with a round face. Kiara. I recognized her after some minutes of staring at her. "And that's why I didn't agree to Bolin's contract," I heard Bella say. I was behind her, so she didn't notice my presence.
"But Bella, we're going to face a lot of difficulties from Don Bolin's younger brother," Kiara said.
"That rascal can go to hell for all I care. And organize security for everyone," Bella instructed.
"Including your husband?"
"Yes, I meant everyone, Kiara." I was about to approach them when my phone rang. "Hello, Dad."
"Son, where are you?" he questioned.
"I'm at Mr. Quinn's daughter's birthday party, and Bella is also here."
"Listen, young lad," Grandpa Carson called. "I'm not sure if you know this, but Don Bolin is dead."
"Yes, I heard from Bella, and I think she killed him."
"You're right, son, and that is why I called. We are only hearing about this now, although it happened a week ago."
"What?" I screamed. After hearing this, I knew things weren't going to be okay.
"Leon, I want you to protect Bella. Yes, she's strong and brave... she might kick your ass if you mess with her, but she can sometimes be foolish and have a huge temper."
"Temper?"
"Yes, if she doesn't get what she wants, she tends to vent her frustration on anyone, so you have to be careful." I knew he loved his granddaughter a lot and couldn't help but smile.
"It's okay, Grandpa. I'll take care of her," I assured.
"And one more thing, that grandchild of mine is a handful," he said, and both he and Dad burst out laughing. Now I see where Dad got his shamelessness from.