Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Alex POV
73%1
55 vouchers
Bella had been going on about the wedding for what felt like hours. Sitting on the couch, I leaned back and tried to feign interest as she talked about the wedding plans-details about flowers, seating arrangements, and whether we should serve champagne or wine at the reception. I nodded absentmindedly, hoping it would convince her I was listening.
“This is the fifth time we’re going over this,” I finally said.
“Yes, we’ll be using lilies, and yes, the seats will be from De-Cape. Can we talk about something else?” I said.
Bella shot me a sharp look. “Are you serious right now? Do you even want to get married to me anymore?”
I sighed. Women were no different. “I want to marry you, Bella. I do. But not a grand wedding—just maybe me, you, and a few guests. I’ve been married before, and I don’t want to make a big deal out of the second one.”
She gave me a look that screamed, Are you serious right now? I could tell she was annoyed, but I didn’t have the energy for another argument. Just as I was bracing myself for her inevitable lecture, my phone buzzed, thankfully saving me.
I quickly took out my phone to check who it was. It was a message from Maria: “Meet me at Red Leaf Café. We need to talk.”
“An investor just texted me,” I said, standing up quickly. “I completely forgot about the meeting. I have to go.”
Bella crossed her arms. “An investor? Right now? You know we have a lot to plan, don’t you?”
“I do, and I know you have this under control,” I said, grabbing my jacket. “You know this is also important to me. If this clicks, we’ll have the best honeymoon, and I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“You better,” she said.
I kissed her on the forehead, more out of habit, and headed out the door. As soon as I was outside, I couldn’t help but smile widely. The thought of being away from her endless wedding talk was a small victory in itself.
I arrived at the café ten minutes later and spotted Maria sitting at a corner table.
Maria,” I said, as I leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she pulled back, holding up a hand.
1/4
08:57 Mon, 1 Sept
Chapter 39
“Don’t,” she said.
༥ ༣ 73%E
55 vouchers
I chuckled and sat back down. “You used to like that,” I teased. “You once used to cling to me, remember?”
Maria frowned, crossing her arms. “I’m not in the mood for your jokes, Alex.”
“Quite feisty, aren’t you?” I asked as I took a sip of her coffee. “What’s so urgent?”
“It’s Julie, Alex,” she said.
Don’t tell me Julie rejected you?”. I asked
“Yes, she did. I did everything you said. I even knelt down in front of her in a restaurant. Do you know how humiliating that was? And she just walked away as if she wasn’t the one I was addressing.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Well, that’s Julie for you. She’s stubborn, but she’ll come around.”
“Alex, I’m serious,” she said. “Do I really have to keep doing this? Begging her? What’s the point?”
“The point,” I said, leaning back in my chair, “is that if you want any chance of fixing things with her, and my plans going as planned, you have to keep trying. And if you do, I’ll keep my end of the deal. I’ll introduce you to Michaela Jenkins. She can help you revive your writing
career.”
Maria sighed.
“This is exhausting. I don’t even know if it’s worth it anymore.”
I was about to respond when I saw Julie walk into the café,
She hadn’t spotted me yet, but she was heading in our direction. An idea came to my mind, and I leaned forward, bending a bit.
“Maria, listen to me. Julie just walked in.”
Maria turned her head slightly.
“Dont make it obvious ” I said.
“So what do you want me to do?” she asked
“Make a scene,” I whispered. “Act like you’re angry with me. Raise your voice, call me names, and if you want, slap me for more drama. She needs to see this.”
2/4
08:57 Mon, 1 Sept
Chapter 39
73%
55 vouchers
Maria stared at me as if I wasn’t serious. “You want me to slap you? Are you serious?”
“Yes,” I said. “Trust me, it’ll work. Do it now.”
But she just looked at me.
“Come on Maria, do it.” I said.
Maria rolled her eyes and stood up. She put her hands on the table.
“You really are unbelievable, Alex! You know what? I don’t want to ever see you again!” she shouted.
I leaned back, pretending to look confused. “Maria, calm down-”
“Calm down?” she snapped. “Because of you, I lost my best friend, the only friend I had in the world. I was a fool for actually doing this with you! You’re just a bastard!” she shouted.
People in the café were starting to turn their heads, and I could feel their eyes on us. Maria was doing a better job than I expected; she was quite the actress.
“Maria, you’re overreacting-”
“Overreacting?” she cut me off. “You’re a selfish, arrogant jerk, Alex!”
Then, without warning, she slapped me hard across the face.
I blinked in shock, touching my cheek. Her slap was really hard.
“Was that really necessary?” I muttered.
Maria glared at me, as she hit the table.
“You deserved it,” she said before grabbing her bag.
“Don’t you ever contact me again,” she said, then stormed out of the café,
I looked toward the entrance and saw Julie standing there, her eyes wide as she stared at us, more at Maria. She hadn’t moved, and I could tell she was processing what had just happened.
I resisted the urge to smile. At least this had gotten her attention. Now, I just had to see how it played out.
3/4
08:57 Mon, 1 Sept
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.