BELLA'S POV
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Bella nevertheless found it difficult to believe she was on an island with Austen Trevor as his wife and he acknowledged that. They walked together in public, held hands, and looked merry. It felt more like a quixotic dream. She thought to herself.
She knew she wasn't supposed to be that happy cos it was all fake and too good to be true, but she was truly happy, who wouldn't be?
He even informed her of his movements.
"I'm going to see my friends, I'll be back soon. Make yourself comfortable and call me if you need anything. Make sure you call me." She recalled.
That was imposingly sweet. She could think about him all day, and not get weary. She kept on smiling at herself as she remembered the way he spoke so calmly with her and cared about making her happy. More specifically because he had not brought other girls to the island.
She took a satisfying deep breath with the corners of her mouth raised. She took a shower, changed her clothes, and slipped on her shoes. Her hair flipped over her shoulders.
As she stepped out of her suite, she wandered through the hotel's hallway, to the gym, and the poolside and promenaded along the waterfront savoring the smell of nature lingering all over the air.
She strolled down to the bar and took a seat at the counter as the mixologist drew a wide grin at her.
"It's an honor to have you here Mrs. Trevor" He spoke with a strong Dhivehi accent. He was a Maldivian. But she was more concerned with how popular she had gotten to still be known outside the US.
"This right here is called Paloma." He slid the cocktail to her.
"Oh, I know Paloma!" She picked up the glass and swigged a mouthful of cocktail with relish.
"This is good, you know I tasted this when I was in Mexico."
"And I'm confident it tastes better."
"Yes, there's something different about it, is it the grapefruit?"
"As long as Sponge Bob didn't tell the plankton the krappy patty secret formula then be certain I won't tell you my secret formula." He chortled.
"Oh very funny." she chuckled.
"If it isn't the popular Mrs. Trevor laughing with the Mixologist."
Bella turned to see the mannequin girl.
"Camila," she smirked.
"I wouldn't blame you if you are attracted to him you know, you kind of compliment each other." she sneered.
"What do you want Camila?" She fleered at her.
"It wounds me that you don't want to hang out with me. After all, I had something in common with you." She took a seat close to her.
"Oh, I know, you dated my husband in the past." She asserted.
"Rumor has it that he doesn't love you, I was shocked cos Austen is an actual big lover."
"My husband loves me, I'm sure you know that since he's not looking for your attention right now." She raised her eyebrows.
"Why don't we play a drinking game?"
"What? No." She glared at Camila, her cheeks flushed.
"Come on Bella, I'm sure you know Austen likes her girls to drink." She stared at the quizzical look on Bella's face.
"Oh, you didn't know? How long did you both date for?" She gave a flouted chuckle.
The last thing she wanted was Austen's conceited girlfriend with the knowledge of their contract marriage. It would not only affect their relationship and his business but also Austen's trust in her.
"Fine, let's play the game."
"Perfect!" She drew a contemptuous grin.
Bella knew her plan was for no good. She only wanted to humiliate her or make her feel bad about herself. But she was in for all of it.
"So basically, I ask you a question about Austen, you get it right, I drink. You get it wrong, you drink."
"I'm his wife, I know more about him than you can ever imagine. I think I should ask the questions instead."
"Oh darling, I know, that's why I'm asking you. Except you want me to rekindle my feelings for him." She snickered.
"Right."
"First question, does he like to be on top or under?"
"Under what?"
"It's too late to turn back, Bella."
"Top?…" she cleared her throat. "Top."
"Ooh… she who's been naughty." She gulped down a cup of Paloma cocktail on the counter and slid it to the mixologist.
"Fill this up, reethi miksolojisteh." She raised a side of her mouth.
"I didn't know you could speak Dhivehi, Impressive."
"I guess Austen doesn't say much about me then cos there's absolutely nothing I'm bad at. By the way, that meant beautiful mixologist." She gave a jaunty smile.
"Right, next question. Where does he prefer? Bed or couch?"
"Bed."
"Wrong! He doesn't have a preference. Drink!"
"What's his shoe size?"
"43."
"Wrong! His shoe size is 45. He has absolutely large legs, so sexy."
"I was close."
"Drink!"
"I'm not sure you should be indulging in this kind of game, Mrs.Trevor." The mixologist pitched in.
"Come on, we are just having fun! Right, Bella?"
"Yeah, it's fun." she slurred.
"She's drunk."
"My husband likes me drunk. I can't wait to tear him up when I get home." she cackled with laughter.
"See? She's having fun." Camila giggled. "Low alcohol tolerance, I'm loving this," she mumbled.
After Bella gulped 6 glasses of cocktails, she tottered back to her suite boozed up and intoxicated. When she got to the front of her door, she rummaged in her purse for the key card and realized she had lost it.
Emptying the contents of her bag on the floor she fell to her knees.
"Is everything okay miss?"
She looked up to see a blurry hunched figure.
"It's… It's Just my keycard I think I lost it."
"Oh uhm, were you at the bar? You do not seem okay. You're drunk, you shouldn't be alone in this state. Do you want to come with me?"
"My…my husband."
He glanced at the diamond ring on her finger, "Yeah, right. Husband. Come on." He helped her up.
"So why don't we call him?"
"No."
"Okay, let's look for the key then, why don't we go to the bar and search for it?"
His hands were around her waist as he supported her back to the bar.
"Do you see it anywhere?"
"No." She could barely see anything apart from the stranger's face.
"Looking for this?" Camila stretched the key card to her.
"She looks pathetic, I was hoping Austen would see her wasted like this. He doesn't like his women drunk." She folded her arms and shook her head in disdain."
"You had this all along?"
"Yes, I slid it out of your purse while you were busy drinking and babbling on gibberish. Where is your knight in charming armor Bella, probably in bed with some other girl. Let me give you a piece of advice, All of this is not worth the stress. He's never going to acknowledge you."
"I don't need your advice, Camila. Thank you though, that was really thoughtful of you."
Camilla scoffs and faces the man. "And why are you with her? For your interest, she's married okay?"
"I know she is. I'm only helping out a woman harmlessly." He shrugged. Does everything have to be like this with you Camila?" He added.
"Whatever." She stormed out.
Austen walked into the suite and saw her lying wasted on the couch.
"I guess I have the bed for myself tonight."
He walked to the bed and came back with a duvet. He tucked her in gently and turned back.
"Don't leave me, Austen."
"Oh, you're awake. You reek of alcohol, what did you do?"
"I had a few drinks with Camila." she sat up.
"Are you kidding? What the…"
"She knows you better than I do." she interrupted him.
"I told you to call me, why didn't you?"
"Huh?"
"You are drunk, How many glasses did you take?"
"She kept on asking and asking and asking and I got them all wrong." she slurred.
"Come on let's get you in bed." He carried her in his arms, her hands wrapped around his neck.
"Why don't I know anything about you?"
"I don't understand your questions, Bella. Don't get drunk when I'm not around."
"Why do you care?"
"Because you're my wife." He laid her on the bed.
"Contract wife you mean?"
"Why me?
"Bella, you need to get some sleep." He stared at her lips.
"You are so nice to me, why? I have butterflies in my stomach when you make an effort to make me happy. I think I'm beginning to like you."
"Come on." He tucked her in and smiled.