Chapter Eight

Bella's POV

Swept by the breeze,my hair stood in the air and my face dampened from the tears. My body was freezing cold and my brain still in total shock. Like I just ran into a trap i can never get away from no matter how much I tried or wanted. It was depressing. I stared at the whole neighborhood. It was quite peaceful, and really nice. It was like a sensation. Beautiful, quiet and tranquil. The moonlight shone beautifully in the dark and the stars were dazzlingly amazing.

Dogs from the neighbours barked angrily with sirens and horns from cars in the neighbourhood and a noise loud enough to jerk me from my sleep and suddenly, everywhere went quiet again.

I folded my arms with my hair still blown by the wind, closed my eyes, and felt the breeze, the wind and everything that surrounded.

Overwhelmed by the peace, it felt magical and smelt glorious, probably the strawberries that were planted along with the flowers. I scented raspberries, strawberries and a tint of mint with purple hibiscus. All joined together, they gave me the inner scent of peace I needed. Graceful.

A moment of silence away from the world; a second freed from my problems. It was a second, but I felt it could last a thousand years or more. I wanted it to always be like this forever. Rich or poor,I had problems I could never run away from. Most of which included this one. This freakishly annoying one.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and got distracted by a glance of a figure. A shirtless masculine figure from the house next door. He smiled warmly at me. I smiled back, just being polite.

His shoulders glistened from sweat. He must have been working out. And God, does it show. His perfectly sculpted body was breath taking. Better than that dumb ass arrogant rude ass hole back there.

He waved.

I smiled again and slowly raised my hand, with a slight wave.

Seeing that smile on his face just made my skin tingle all over. He was pretty okay, unlike some people I know. I'm not fornicating, hell no! First, i'm not married. Mercedes is.

Gosh!

He turned off the lights and disappeared. I sighed and turned from the mystery figure.

Laying on the hammock, I rested my head on the trow pillow I still clenched on to my chest, and looked heavenward at the skies. It was beautiful. Really beautiful, unlike me.

I sighed again and turned to my side.

Remembering Ma and Pa, and of course Dar, and just the horrible words that monster said just a while ago, I fell asleep.

°°°°°°°°°°°°

I stretched, tired, and slowly opened my eyes sleepily, no matter how hard I fought the urge. A ray of sun penetrated into the room and shone directly on me, illuminating a half of my face and immediately jerking me awake.

"Ugh!" I groaned with the disturbing lights that just came on.

I turned my head, and snuggled under the blanket, not willing to get up any time soon.

Immediately, the blanket got ripped from my body and exposed me to the cold room and disturbing lights.

I turned again and slightly opened my eyes with a cringe on my face. My eyes met with his.

What?

I popped my head back under the cozy furry pillow. I must be dreaming. What the heck is this jerk doing here? He should be in hades second commanding his boss, Lucifer.

I'm probably just dreaming. Let's try this one more time. Slowly,I raised my head over the duvet and peeped a little, and immediately,

"BAM!"

The duvet was off. You know who yanked it off my body.

I turned to the other side of the bed and sealed my eyes tight. I opened them, and he was right in front of me.

"What!" I finally screamed with a sigh of irritation.

"Press con at nine. Get ready!" He said and left with that STUPID smirk on his STUPID face.

Oh My Goodness. What the fuck!

I need to calm down. I can't have a press con in two hours! What the heck am I going to do now?

What to wear, how to look, how to apply

make-up, how to sound, the accent - ugh! Its too much to know!

I hopped off the bed.

'Wait! How did I get here!' I thought.

The last thing I remember was getting on the hammock and closing my eyes. He must've gotten me back, which is so weird.

I lumbered lazily to the closet and searched for what to wear which was frustrating for a girl who stuck with crop tops, high waist jeans and high tops all her life.

I couldn't call Dar. She was pretty mad. I knew who exactly to call. Miss Banks, my secretary. She could get me ready in an hour. At least I could do that before searching through her things and guessing ways to get me out of here. I have  bigger problems at hand now. The press conference.

I picked Mercedes's phone and searched for her number.

Mendel - Mendelssohn -miss Banks. Perfect!

I dialled it immediately.

"Hello, get in my house ASAP! No delays! Bring my makeup kit!" I poured out in less than a second and hung up immediately.

Then I took a shower.

°°°°°°°°°°°°

"All done ma'am,"  she said with a grin and tightened the cover of the lipstick, making me smack my lips and getting the lipstick evenly across my lips.

I stared at myself in the mirror. It was beyond perfection. It was beautiful. A total head turner.

"Thank you," I smiled, staring at the white long sleeved body hug dress she fitted me to, which was a little above knee length and seemed perfect for the occasion.

But on a last minute decision, she fitted me to a nice short glamorous pink dress,which was undoubtedly so adorable. As in, seductive. Apart from the pink part of it, though.

I stepped into the black heels but as expected, they were hideous and I couldn't stand even a second with those things on my legs.

It was actually an ankle strap, but then she suggested a black wedge with a bow in the middle. It was perfect. Though pretty high, it was absolutely comfortable, and really beautiful.

"Much better," I smiled at her with her luminescent bluebird eyes, delightfully admiring the makeup.

"You don't wear heels anymore?" she reckoned with an inquisitive look, getting the heels back in the closet.

"What? I do! Just need a little change," I hurried a reply back to her.

"Oh, I see," she nodded, buying my excuse even though I could sense suspicion in her tone.

"The black Prada purse will be a perfect fit," she said and tidied the makeup back into the box.

"Okay, the black Prada purse," I said, not having an idea what the black Prada purse was.

I mean, what the heck is a black Prada purse?

"On the bed," she notified as I looked around in confusion.

"All done ma'am. I'll be on my way," she said and headed to the door with the chic box of makeup materials in her hand.

"Bye!" I waved and she smiled.

It was 8:30. Thirty more minutes until I was toast.

I got my phone and Mercedes's phone, placed it in the purse and went out. I went to the parlor in a hurry. Jeez! I was so hungry!

I looked at him. His eyes were on the TV. Noticing my presence, he turned at me.

Immediately, I turned away.

He smirked. "Not bad," he muttered.

I thought he turned away, so i looked again.

He laughed, exposing his piano white teeth that was perfectly shaped and looked like they were brushed a hundred times just this morning. Fly!

"You know what? You are so annoying!" I yelled at him.

He didn't answer.

"No breakfast, no dinner," he shook his head and curled his lip. "How useless can you get? I'm hiring a maid!" he finally said with a sigh.

"Go ahead! Jerk!" I spat stupidly, regretting my pointless comeback seconds later.

"Come on, let's go!" he grumbled and we walked to the door as he perfected the already perfect collar of his jacket. Perfectionist.

The limo was at the door step. He opened the door and got in. I got in too.

"Is this limo okay? Can't we - " I started, looking around.

"A different colour? The pink or blue? Or the crimson? Which ma'am?" The driver asked hurriedly as if he was gonna lose his job the next minute.

Gosh! How many limos? The heck!

°°°°°°°°°°°°°

"Lukas, stop at McDonald's," Caden said to the driver and dressed up a bit, adjusting his tie and pulling his jacket together.

Lukas pulled over in front of the restaurant and Caden came down, smoldering like some god or something. Oh, so typical!

I sighed from the thought of waiting in the car.

At least I wasn't going to spend any more seconds with him.

"YOU are coming with ME!" He yelled and pulled me out of the car roughly. How disrespectful! Gosh!

"Can you at least give me a heads up before your brain loses it screws? And besides, I don't wanna!" I yelled and folded my arms to my chest, acting like a total brat.

He still pulled me out anyway and then grabbed my waist, whispering, "We're married, remember?" tugging me in with a fake smile and gritted teeth. "So darling, act like it," he completed his statement and loosened his grip on my waist a bit.

He smirked as he turned to me and then turned it to a charming smile that totally swept me off my feet. He can be cute at times. Rarely.

Those smiles were obviously fake, but they sized my breath while they lasted. He grabbed my hand and led me to the restaurant, sliding a hand behind my waist.

We sat at the table and had most eyes staring at us. I guessed it as normal among celebrities but I was afraid I could get a panic attack at some point.

We ordered and got our food in no time. I was starving.

The place was so quiet and Caden didn't say a word. At least thank God! I could've cringed my way to the ICU.

I ate the food like I hadn't had something to eat in years. Stuffing my mouth with the burger and ketchup, making a bit of a mess as I had ketchup all over my hands and the burger in the worst shape. Okay, a whole ton of mess.

"Where are your manners!" Caden whispered with gritted teeth and a fake smile.

"In my pockets," I replied cheesily with a chuckle.

He rolled his eyes and buried his face under his palms. Soon enough, we were done and set to go. After the hell of drama I pulled.

"You've got a little something on your lip," he said and grabbed a serviette, heading for my trembling lips.

"I can do it myself," I insisted and grabbed another serviette, trying to prevent anything from happening. Anything like a kiss perhaps or me just going dumb for how romantic he acted.

"No. let me," he insisted sternly and cleaned it off gently, his eyes staring into mine in a magical fantasy. I said it. I just knew that would happen. Cliché much....

Okay, he was acting really charming and cute , but it had to stop. Before my brain finally melted.

Let's just say it was something called acting and he was a king in the game rather than a pawn. That was all to it and that was all there was ever gonna be.

°°°°°°°°°°

"Miss Mercedes - We love you!" They yelled in excitement. The cheer was deafening as I felt my ear drums pound in pain, my eyes getting dizzy.

"We love you so much. You are our star!"

"Please sign the autograph!"

Autograph? Jeez! I completely forgot that would happen. I couldn't forge Mercedes's signature. I didn't even know what her signature looked like.

The press was there. The cameras, my fans, Miss Banks, and of course, my bodyguards were there. Was it a wedding ceremony, a bazaar or something?

The Kensington's, Mamasita and Papi were also there. I just prayed for my soon to be departed soul. Rest in peace, Arabela Leah Allegra.

That was no time to disappoint.

My hands were crossed with Caden's as we walked down to the conference room with the press and everyone making a hell of noise and cheering on happily.

We all walked into the room and Miss Banks locked the press and everyone out. It was a nice room, overly air conditioned which almost froze me to a cube, fortunately. Nice furniture and a beautiful painting hanging on the wall. Walls painted pure white and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Pictures on the wall and beautiful rose patterns on the tiles.

"Ready?" Mamasita asked, obviously anxious.

"Is there supposed to be a rehearsal or something? Like a preparation, Or memorizing our lines, you know, that kind of thing - why isn't anybody saying anything?" I said clumsily as everyone stared like I was insane or something. Much expected.

"Mercedes! Stop fooling around. You're a professional! What are you even saying?" Mamasita yelled acidly, widening her eyes and ready to swallow me whole the next moment.

"Des, are you feeling okay? Should we call the psychiatrist? We could postpone the press con, if its okay with you," Papi asked, concerned and walked over to me.

"Yes, please. Can we?" I asked as he held my hand.

"No! No one is postponing any press con.

Its today and that's what it is. She should see the psychiatrist after this. Now, we have an important business transaction to seal!" Mrs. Kensington yelled in poison and rolled her eyes.

"I agree," Mr. Kensington added.

Mamasita nodded and papi stared at me with saddened eyes. I just stared back with quivering lips and a heart running slow of beats.

I looked back at Caden. He smirked, as usual.

"Open the doors!" Mamasita yelled and Miss Banks opened them.

"Shut up! Shut up everyone! I'm not doing this dumb press con, nor getting married to this big time ass hole jerk. I am not even the real Mercedes and I need to go home! So, quit yelling like immature idiots!" I yelled at all of them.

But though in my mind. I mean, I can't say all that shit for real. I'd be toast!

The press came running in.

And then, the moment we had all been waiting for came. I, Arabella Leah Allegra which happened to be me was declared toast.

°°°°°°°°°°°

Caden and I were seated and the press was just opposite with their cameras and sticky notes, ready to jot down the piece of crap that fell off my mouth, along with multiple magazines.

Everywhere was silent. Everyone just stared.

This would be easy. I don't even have to say anything. Ha! And here I thought I'd be blabbing my mouth none stop.

"You are supposed to open the conference. Everyone is waiting," Caden whispered to me.

Oh boy! And here goes a ton of shit!

"Good morning, Amiga's!" I yelped with a huge smile.

Everyone just stared. Nothing happened. Okay, that was bad. PRETTY BAD! They stared at me like I was going insane.

"In the name of the father, and of the son - " I started in a low tune and little chuckles came from the press.

I was just trying to give an opening prayer.

"Let's just move on with the questions," Mamasita said loudly and cleaned my mess.

"Miss Mercedes, the last time, you said you were going on a vacation. Can you tell us how that improved your career or was that just an excuse to run away from the press with the mess you created?" A blonde lady asked insultingly.

Wow! How in the world was I supposed to answer that? I didn't even know what mess I created.

"The mess - I created - what mess?" I asked.

Everyone laughed.

I joined them laughing. If you can't beat them, join them.

"Miss Mercedes, is it true that you got pregnant for your rumored boyfriend and that's why you decided to run away with him? As in, Elope with him?"

Now,you tell me! How in the world was I meant answer that? I hate the press.

"Pregnant, huh? You don't see any baby. Why ask?" I shot and they all nodded in agreement.

At least I nailed that one.

"Miss Mercedes, is it true you are getting married to Mr. Caden Kensington?"

Okay that was easy.

"Yes. I'm getting mar - " I stopped.

Why couldn't I complete the sentence? I just kept remembering what ma and pa said about coming back home with a boyfriend or baby. I dunno. My brain couldn't think well. The words weren't coming out. I was numb.

"Miss Mercedes,"

"Miss Mercedes - Are you okay?"

"Are you alright ma'am?"

You know what the best thing to do in that kinda situation is? Fake a faint!

In that sort of mess, I couldn't handle it at all. My head already buzzed from the stinging headache and thoughts flashed in my flooded mind.

I just sank in the chair, and closed my eyes slowly until panic arose in the air and I was aware I caused a catastrophe.

"Miss Mercedes!"

"Someone call an ambulance!"

I heard multiple voices say the same thing.

"Des!" Papi said and touched my arm.

Caden carried me.

He touched my butt. Good thing he thought I was unconscious. I'd smack his hand right off if I was conscious.

He slid his hand behind my waist. It tickled. I smiled a bit and tried my best not to break it into a loud laughter.

Opening my left eye a bit to peep, my eyes met with his, my body in his arms and suddenly, I was shivering.

I immediately shut my eye back and my heart raced. What if tells on me?

Surprisingly, he carried me to the limo. The weirdo didn't tel on me. Let's thank the God he serves!

The driver drove away with only Caden and I in the car along with dead silence.

I was still in his arms but since he knew, I  as well sat up. I mean, the glasses were tinted.

I carried my head up slowly and immediately, My mouth accidentally went with his, tasting the peppermint he took just a while ago in the conference hall and just having his mouth in mine. It felt really awkward.

My eyes were wide open, and so was his. I would jump right out of this car and get hit by a bus if everyone didn't think I was unconscious.