MY UNEXPECTED MATE

Chapter 5

Jace's POV

Matthew's voice cut through the tension as soon as I entered the mansion. He confronted me, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Jace, what the hell was that? What's going on in your head? First, you took the blame for Bella's clumsiness, and now you punched Fredo in the face because of her. Are you losing it?"

I knew I had to explain myself, or my friends would never understand. I took a deep breath and met Matthew's gaze squarely. "Chill out, Matt. It's all part of a plan. It's an act to make Bella believe in me. How else am I supposed to get her to trust me after all the torment I've put her through, huh? Tell me."

Matthew's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Tell me you're joking, Jace?"

I grinned, my voice low and determined. "Listen, Matt, Bella's not the type of girl to fall for words alone. She's tough, and I know her like the palm of my hand. She won't be won over that easily. So, I have to show her through my actions that I'm a changed man, and not the bastard she knows me to be. It's all part of the process. You know, raise her hopes, lead her on, make her fall madly in love with me before the grand embarrassment on my birthday."

Matthew's confusion turned into a wicked smile as a grin formed on his face; he clearly understood the message. "Jace, that's insane. You're more evil than I thought."

"Hahaha. Come on, Matt. Call Fredo up; he's way too sensitive for someone who plans on becoming my beta," I said, pouring myself a drink as I took a seat on the couch.

Fredo stormed into the room, his hand still clutching a bloodied tissue against his nose. His expression was a mixture of anger and pain, and he shot a venomous glare at me. "Jace, you really went too far this time," he growled, his voice muffled by the tissue.

I leaned back on the couch, a nonchalant expression on my face, and shrugged. "Sorry about the nose, Fredo. It was a heat-of-the-moment thing." My apology was casual, but there was a glint in my eye that hinted at something more.

Matthew chimed in, his tone conspiratorial. "Fredo, you've got to understand, it's all part of Jace's plan. He's trying to make Bella fall in love with him, and it involves some...dramatic actions."

Fredo's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "You're telling me this was all an act?" he asked, his voice disbelieving.

I nodded, my grin growing wider. "Exactly, Fredo, and you two were amazing actors. You see, Bella's not the type to fall for words alone. I have to show her through my actions that I'm serious. And you know how stubborn she is."

Fredo shook his head, still trying to process the information. "So, you punched me for her benefit?" His voice held a mix of confusion and annoyance.

I chuckled, raising my glass in a mock toast. "In a way, yes. It's all in the name of love, my friend."

Fredo rolled his eyes but seemed to relent, recognizing the lengths I was willing to go to. "Well, Jace, this better be worth it. If I'm feeling this hurt, Bella better feel a million times the hurt when the time comes."

Matthew clapped a hand on Fredo's shoulder, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Don't worry, Fredo. We've got this all planned out."

Fredo, while still nursing his injured nose, couldn't help but be curious about the progress of my plan. He turned to me, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism. "So, Jace, how's it going with Bella so far? Are you winning her over with your grand performance?"

I leaned forward, a glint of excitement in my eyes. "You won't believe it, guys," I began, my voice filled with triumph. "After you both left, I saw something in Bella's eyes that I've never seen before. There were sparks, genuine emotions. I think she's already falling for me."

Matthew's eyebrows shot up, impressed by my revelation. "No way, Jace. That fast? You're really something else; I should take classes from you."

I nodded, savoring the moment. "I'm telling you, Matt, this plan is working like a charm. Bella's guard is slowly coming down, and I can see it in the way she looked at me. She might not admit it yet, but deep down, I think she's already in love with me."

Fredo scoffed, still nursing his injured nose, but a begrudging smile crept onto his face. "Well, Jace, you better make sure your grand embarrassment on your birthday is worth it. Bella's going to expect nothing less than a spectacle."

I raised my glass in a mock salute. "Oh, Fredo, don't you worry. The grand finale is going to be legendary. Bella won't know what hit her."

As we sat there, basking in the success of our ongoing charade, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The game was on, and I was determined to win Bella's heart, even if it meant pushing the boundaries of reality.

"Better to be swift with your plans, Jace; we don't have much time left. Your birthday is in a few days, in case you've forgotten."

Fredo's reminder was like a splash of cold water. He was right; time was running out, and I needed to be swift with the plans if I wanted to execute the grand finale perfectly. I leaned forward, a sense of urgency filling me. "You're right, Fredo. My birthday is just around the corner, and we can't afford any slip-ups. We need to make this unforgettable."

Fredo, always practical, chimed in with a suggestion. "Jace, why don't you put Matthew in charge of your birthday arrangements? He can handle the DJ, entertainment, invitations, and everything else. That way, you can focus on your role in winning over Bella."

I glanced at Matthew, considering the idea. "What do you say, Matt? Can you handle it?"

Matthew nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with excitement. "Absolutely, Jace. I'll make sure your birthday bash is one for the ages."

I clapped Matthew on the back, grateful for his support. "Perfect. Matt, you're in charge. Let's make this happen."

Matthew, now fully invested in organizing my birthday extravaganza, began jotting down ideas on a notepad. "I'll start reaching out to potential entertainers and work on the guest list. This is going to be the party of the century."

Our planning session continued late into the night, fueled by excitement and a shared determination to make everything go off without a hitch. The weight of what lay ahead pressed on me, but I was ready to take on this challenge, even if it meant playing a role that was completely out of character.