RICHARD'S POV
My brain kept on telling me to go back home as I drive to Ladrade Restaurant to meet up with Bella, the supposed wife-to-be.
The meeting was finally arranged much to everyone surprise, as they all believed I would never agree to something like that without a reason. The fact that I’m doing this without a tangible reason scares me too. Maybe I was not ready to move on yet ready to move on.
Ladrade Restaurant is one of the best in town and totally for the rich and VIP. Reservations are tough as you need to have been on the list for over two weeks before you get to use the restaurants but since the restaurant belongs to Bella's father, they decided to use it.
I looked out of the window, on my way to the restaurant, when there was traffic to see the lights of my former office on. Maybe someone is using it now, I thought as I drive away from the area. Moving out of the office three years back affected a lot of things but it helped me move on with life without them.
“Sorry I'm late, the traffic was a little heavy” I apologized immediately I sighted the Malik's family butler.
“It's alright sir, Miss Bella just arrived few minutes back. She's waiting for you, please follow me” I moved after the man to see the if or if not future wife, should I say maybe or maybe not.
Let's just pray she's worth the money I used in buying the fuel I burned while coming here.
“You may enter sir” I opened the door leading to the VIP lounge gently and the woman sitting in the room had her back turned to me.
Instantly she heard the door being closed, she turned her face to me and smiled. Instantly I
remembered her, the fat girl in school that we always made fun of.
I must confess, she's really pretty now and too skinny but her beauty can never be compared to Vanessa's.
Pushing Essa's thoughts to the back of my mind, I greeted the woman in front of me with a smile, the best I could get.
“I'm Richard Amaan and it's nice to finally meet you” I extended my hand in greeting and in return, she looked at it as if it was shit and went back to the cup of coffee that was in front of her.
Who drinks a coffee at this time of the night?
That one got me.
“There's no need for any formal introduction, Richard. Let's get straight to the main point” I took a seat opposite her and without thinking twice, confessed to my myself that I hate her. It's a no to this, she's just so rude and the first time she's meeting me in a long time, there's no formality in anyway.
“I heard you wish to marry me”
“Is that a question or a rhetorical question?” I asked
“Maybe if you paid a lot of attention to your Grammar classes in High school, the need to ask that question will not arise now” She replied bluntly and I cursed under my breath.
Calm down Richard, it's just for a few minutes.
“If you wish to marry me, your need to follow some of the rules I have here, my personal assistant will soon come here with the list. Before she does, let me ask you why you wish to marry a woman as beautiful and rich as I am” What a peacock.
“I don't have an answer to your question, Miss Bella. I don't think I'll have an answer to any of your questions ever”
“I don't like men who are rude and I'm not a fan of the throne either. I'm just here because my father wants me to be here. I'm from a rich home and I deserve some respect and dignity which is why I'm here. I need to balance my rich life equation with Power and Fame” I looked at her and start to think if her brain was under her feet. My God, what am I even doing here?
“You don't have to behave as if you like being here, you can leave if you want to, Prince Richard. I'll let my Clumsy and sluggish personal assistant bring it to you” I was so relieved hearing those words.
“Thank you, Bella, it was nice seeing you again even though you lost those baby fats already. You're no more the fatso I know back then” I mocked before walking out of the room, wishing I had stayed to watch the look on her face.
Smiling to myself as If I had just done something that'll save the world, I walked up to where I parked my car.
I was about opening the door when I heard a voice calling my name.
“Mr Amaan, I need to talk to you for a minute” I don't think this is possible, that voice is one I'll never mistake for another, the voice I thought I'll never hear for the rest of my life.
“I'm Miss Bella's Personal assistant and I've been asked to give this to you” she adjusted her glasses and stretched out her hand holding the paper.
“Vanessa” I said almost in a whisper.
“Sorry?” She looked surprised because I just called her Vanessa.
“You need to take this sir, I have to go back now” she dropped the paper on top of my car when she realized that I won't take it from her and started walking away.
Following her, I grabbed her hand and turned her to face me
“You think you can run away from me, Essa. You're wrong”
“I'm sorry sir, I think you've got the wrong person” she swallowed and it made it obvious that she's scared, why will Vanessa be scared of me?
She has to be scared, after everything she did to me, she has to be scared.
“Stop pretending Vanessa”
“I swear on my life, I'm not Vanessa. You need to let me go before I call the police on you. I'm not Vanessa”
“Stop fooling around Essa” I screamed and she cringed
“What's going on sir?” The butler I met earlier asked
“Who's this? What's her name?” I asked the man.
“That's Miss Bella's Personal assistant and her name is Scarlet sir not Vanessa”
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