Bella’s eyes widened in alarm, a shiver crawling down her spine. "Let me go," she pleaded in a hushed whisper.
However, Theodore’s grip on her tightened a possessive glint in his eyes. He wouldn’t let her leave with Zack. With a swift movement, he shoved her back against the cool wall, his lips capturing hers in a fierce assault.
Bella was shell-shocked. For a moment, her mind went blank. She couldn’t grasp anything that had been happening with her and around her.
"Bella! Are you alright in there?" Zack’s worried voice cut through the fog clouding her mind. He continued to knock relentlessly.
His voice jolted her brain, and she became conscious of what was happening.
The sound jolted Bella back to reality. A rush of panic surged through her as she grasped the situation. "Theodore!" she hissed, breaking free from his grasp and glaring at him with fierce disapproval.
"Shh... He will go away," he whispered back, kissing her once again.
Bella’s struggle grew weaker and weaker. The frustration she felt melted away under the heat of his kiss. Her hands, initially pushing him back, found themselves clinging to his arms, returning the embrace with a fervor that surprised even herself. Before she knew it, she was kissing him back.
Her phone buzzed insistently inside her purse, forgotten on the counter. Lost in the consuming whirlpool of emotions fueled by Theodore’s kiss, she was oblivious to the sound.
Zack, on the other hand, was dumbfounded as the call went unanswered. His brow furrowed in concern. "Where could she have gone?" he muttered. He wandered away, searching for her elsewhere.
After a long, breathless kiss, they finally broke apart, gasping for air. Theodore leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes burning with a dark intensity.
"That was too much," she snapped and pushed him away, a flicker of defiance returning to her eyes. "But don’t think this changes anything. Let me go."
She grabbed her purse and was ready to leave.
"Remember, my sister is coming for dinner tonight," Theodore reminded her. "Come with me."
The air crackled with unspoken tension as Bella spun around, her squinting eyes drilling into him.
"I still have work to do at the office. I can’t go with you now. Don’t be concerned; I’ll go back on time."
Theodore, however, remained unmoved. His commanding tone brooked no argument. "But I want you to come with me now," he pressed.
This only served to fan the flames of Bella’s annoyance. Why couldn’t he grasp the situation? She worked for Zack! "My boss is looking for me," she countered, her voice rising a notch. "If he finds out I left with you, he’ll be furious."
"Does that concern you?" Theodore’s gaze held hers, a challenge gleaming in his eyes.
"Of course!" she exclaimed, the frustration morphing into exasperation. "He is my boss. I have to follow his orders."
"And what about me?" Theodore persisted, pushing further. "Are you just going to disregard me to appease your boss?"
"Theodore!" She shrugged, defeated. She thought he was throwing tantrums like a petulant child. "Don’t be childish. I promise I’ll go home early."
She turned on her heel and dashed out.
"I’ll make a call to Zack and tell him I’m taking my wife home."
Theodore’s nonchalant declaration sent a jolt through Bella. Her hurried steps screeched to a halt, her body tensing as if struck by lightning. She wasn’t ready yet to publicize her relationship with Theodore.
Whipping around, Bella’s defiant facade crumbled. "No, don’t call him." Her pleading gaze held a desperation.
Theodore was pleased. Hiding his amusement, he stood there, donning a stern expression. "Then come with me," he asserted.
"You go first," she urged, formulating a plan. "I’ll find an excuse to convince him."
Theodore hesitated but didn’t stop her further. He believed her. "Okay, but don’t be late. I have little patience." With a final smirk that hinted at his amusement, he turned and strode away.
Left alone, Bella let out a shaky breath. "Why is he so inconsiderate?" she muttered under her breath, frustration tinged with a touch of helplessness.
Bella’s heart raced as she found Zack standing in front of the private booth, his stance radiating concern and frustration. With his hands on his hips and his forehead creased with worry, he looked left and right.
The concern in his eyes sent a tremor through her – what excuse could she possibly concoct?
Her mind whirred, sifting through possibilities. Suddenly, an idea clicked in. Taking a deep breath, she approached him.
"There you are!" Zack exclaimed, relief washing over his features as he rushed towards her. His hands grasped her shoulders, his gaze a mix of relief and lingering concern. "You just vanished. I couldn’t find you anywhere."
Bella flinched under his touch, a tide of unease washing over her. "Sorry to trouble you, sir," she mumbled and retreated a step, her head bowed. "I was... on the phone. My mother... she is not well. You know how often she fell sick."
Shame burned in her stomach for the blatant lie, and she couldn’t meet his eyes. It was all because of Theodore. She wouldn’t leave him just like that. Tonight, she’d make him pay for this predicament.
Zack’s expression morphed into one of sympathy. "Bella, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here for you, you know that."
she said quickly, cutting him off. Guilt gnawed at her for her deception. "Mamma is in the hospital. She is just worried and emotional. I need to go see her."
Understanding dawned on Zack’s face. "Of course," he said softly. "No problem at all. Come, I’ll take you to the hospital."
Panic surged through Bella. This wasn’t part of the plan. "Um, no, I wouldn’t want to bother you with my personal matters, sir. You should get back to the office. I’ll just take a cab."
Her voice held a tremor of hope, praying silently he wouldn’t insist. Thankfully, Zack seemed to accept her explanation. "Alright. Just call me if you need anything."
"Thank you," she said, forcing a smile. Relief flooded her – for now, the crisis was averted. But the lie sat heavy in her gut.
They walked out of the restaurant together. With a wave goodbye, Bella watched Zack’s car disappear into the stream of traffic.
A tangible sigh escaped her lips as she pressed a hand to her chest. "Thank goodness," she murmured.
Beep-Beep...
But her moment of peace was shattered by a jarring honk. Bella whipped around, heart hammering in her chest before her eyes landed on a familiar black car. A scowl formed on her face as Theodore’s face materialized in the backseat.
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