Bellatrix

Escaping the Real World

CHAPTER 15

Gabriel

My Bella and Arianna were touching the surfaces and looking up at the high raised ceiling, with the magnificent chandeliers and just admiring everything around and comparing what they were seeing with each other. As we toured the place, Bella had long left my side and partnered up with Arianna. Uncle Joe, Jacob, and I were also awestruck by what we were seeing, but we were nowhere close to how excited my Bella and Arianna were. “This place is like something out of a fairy tale Ari, everything about it is just so magical. Can you imagine living in a place like this!? How awesome would that be!” “True Bell, I think that the previous owner was probably totally obsessed with the fairy-tale world and decided to design this place like this. Oh my God! Bell, come check out this killer view!”

I was taking in all of their reactions and comments about the place. Not a single negative one came out of their mouths. After we had completed the tour, I asked the agent to allow us some privacy to discuss a few things, and he left us in the main gathering area and went outside. “My partners and I are considering investing in this place. What are your thoughts on how we can improve the place and what other facilities could be added to it?” I asked them. Everyone looked deep in thought. “You can turn this place into a mini, private residential estate. There’s plenty of space for more houses to come up, that could be sold at a good price” said my Bella “Yes, what Bella said, and yourll can add a basketball court too” Jacob said. "What about the mansion?” I asked. Arianna and my Bella looked at each other and as though silently agreed, and both spoke out at the same time, “Don’t change anything!” "This place is such a treasure it just needs some TLC” then said my Bella.

I then told them that I was going to put their suggestions forward to my business partners and see if they were interested in it. There were no business partners whom I was going to speak to, seeing their reaction to the place, I had already decided to put in an offer to purchase. My plan was to keep the mansion for us and put an offer out to my most trusted men to build their homes here and move in with their families. I also planned to have a basketball court added even before Jacob suggested it. I don’t want them to know my plans just yet until everything is finalized. Which will hopefully be soon. The revamp of the place is going to cost quite a bit. There is no way the Miller’s son is going to get the asking price. Nevertheless, I will put in my offer and hope for the best!

Bella

We couldn’t get over the Miller’s place. Throughout the trip back into town, Ari, Jacob, and I were talking nonstop about all the awesome things we saw there. With all of that excitement, we forgot about the earlier drama. I hope whatever was going on, wasn’t serious. Gabriel looked so angry earlier and tried very hard to mask it in front of us. At least he’s back to his normal self now.

We dropped off Uncle Joe, and on our way back, we decided to stop by the diner for a late lunch. Gabriel mentioned that he would be heading back to the city in a few days to finalize the contracts for the mall project and to also attend to other important business matters. I felt as though someone took a knife and stabbed me right in the heart! He’ll probably forget all about me as soon as he’s out of this town. Urghhhhh reality check Bella! What would a big shot like him want with a nobody like me. I was probably just helping him pass the time here! Oh well, I guess it was kind of good while it lasted.

“My love, what’s going on? Are you okay?” I heard Gabriel’s voice and felt his hand on mine. I quickly snapped out of my thoughts. “Sorry, my mind wandered off a bit. Thoughts of the Mansion” I lied and laughed lightly to brush it off. “Are you sure you are feeling okay? You look really pale all of a sudden” Arianna asked with concern. I told them I was fine, and it was probably cos of all the excitement earlier. “Ok my love, so long as you are not just saying that so that we don’t worry.” Gabriel said and gave my hand a kiss. “Bella, please say yes, pleeeeeease, Bell. I really want to go, please say yes.” Pleaded Jacob. “Yes to what, Jakey? Seems I missed a bit of what yourll were talking about when I spaced out. Sorry about that!” I gave them all an apologetic look as I said this. Can’t believe I was so lost in my thoughts that I blanked all of them out. “It happens, Bell, don’t stress about it, so long as you are ok.” Ari said and gave me a side hug. Gabriel then cleared his throat to get our attention and then said, “I would like both you and Jacob to go back to the city with me. My parents are eager to meet you both. Jacob is still on school break and I am sure you have leave due to you at both your work places. So what do you say, love?” DID HE JUST SAY HE WANTS “US” TO MEET HIS PARENTS?

Nah, I definitely heard wrong, I must have picked up a bug or something, and that’s making me hear things I want to hear but hasn’t really been said to me! Damn that fairy tale palace we’ve come from is making me go all crazy now! I didn’t answer Gabriel but instead quickly excused myself to go use the restroom. Ari got up from her seat and followed me. I opened the tap at the wash basin and threw handfuls of cold water on my face. “Heyyyyy Bestie, what’s going on? Come on now, you know you can talk to me about anything. What’s got you so worked up?” she asked while rubbing her one hand up and down my back affectionately. “Ari, I am terrified that I am not good enough for Gabriel, and your parents are going to see that. I can’t meet them! I just can’t! When they find out about my past, they will be disgusted with me! Who would ever want their successful heir to have a prostitute as a life partner?”

"Bella, you don't know my parents. They are not the judgemental type. They already like you a lot. Tell you what, let's get you out of here. You need time to process everything and then make a decision, " she tells me and gives me a hug and leads me out of the restroom