Bella's Choice (17 page)

He couldn’t believe how lost he’d felt without her; his days and nights filled with dreams of their union. A final decision had been made; she would be his wife, if she would have him. He wasn’t concerned over their age difference, or the many obstacles they would undoubtedly face. For everything, there was always a solution, and the rest could be taken care of as and when they presented themselves. Waiting any longer was not an option; he never wanted to be apart from her again. He also knew he’d been acting
like a lovesick teenager―his father and friends often pointed it out on several occasions―but their opinions hadn’t bothered him.

Anabella had become his life, the very air he breathed; she had become the most important person in his universe. No other wom
an would be good enough, this period of separation had taught him that.

No. Giselle, and definitely not Chaney, would do. Anabella had something that set her apart from any other woman, and he wanted to make her his, soon.

Monica had joined him ten minutes ago, followed by Derek, Roy, and his friend, Wanda. The conversation flowed easily between them until they spotted Anabella through the glass doors.

She beamed brightly in their direction, waving excitedly, and the moment she was standing before Aldrich, he wrapped her in his arms, kissing her as if she was the giver of life. They completely forgot about the entire group of people pushing and shoveling against them, as well as her brothers and best friend. Patiently, they waited their turn, each with a grin on their faces, watching the couple’s union with great interest.

Finally, out of breath, she pushed him away, glowing up at him, whispering, “I missed you.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea,” he respon
ded, his heart reflected in his eyes, while he cupped her face and took in every tiny detail.

“You are so beautiful,” he continued to whisper, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

A tear rolled down her cheek, which he tenderly wiped away.

“Ms. Anthony can we have a bit of your time?” someone called, ending their moment, although the air between them was still electrified.

Remaining in his embrace, she turned to see the reporter standing close; he had been watching them with curiosity. Anabella blushed, realizing she’d given the man quite a show when greeting Aldrich. At this stage, it no longer mattered to her; the world could see how infatuated she was with him. She wasn’t ashamed of her feelings for him.

With wide-eyed anticipation, the young man smiled at her, making her sigh softly as Aldrich released her.

“Sorry,” she apologized with a rueful smile.

He stated dryly, “It comes with you having those two medals, I suppose.” He referred to the gold medals hanging around her neck.

Bella chuckled. “I will be back soon.”

“Hurry, my love,” he pleaded.

“Ms. Anthony, I am from the Sunday Times. We’d love to take a picture of you.” The young man continued with his introduction. “I am Jerry Visagie.” He stretched out a proffered hand, which she accepted with a bright smile. They walked to a quiet corner in the lobby where he asked her a few questions, as well as the rest of the group. A photo shoot followed.

And then, Izak, and Tersia―who had brought back more medals―were gathered together with a proud Mr. Clark. He’d stood watching in the background.

People stopped and stared at the commotion they’d created. A few recognized them and waited eagerly in the hopes of getting their autographs.

Aldrich, Monica, Roy, Wanda, and Derek, were waiting patiently to one side for them to conclude the interview.

“She’s lost weight,” Monica pointed out, studying her friend.

“Yes, I noticed,” Aldrich replied, his probing gaze hadn’t left her for a minute, taking in her delicate features, her gracious posture, shoulders straight but tensed. She towered over most of the people around her. Her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, glossy as always. However, the dark rings under her eyes told a different story, the fine lines around her mouth harder. Something of the old Anabella had been lost on the trip.

It took Aldrich only seconds to decipher her; he was not pleased with what he saw. What now immerged was a more mature woman, one with a guarded expression as she scanned the people in front of her, hesitant in her approach. He realized with trepidation that her innocence had been tampered with. Her eyes were shielded, and it was more than the weight that she lost, he perceived. Watching her closely, he had to admit that this Anabella appealed to him more. A strength and purpose emanated from her, making her more beautiful, if that was even possible. The young nineteen-year-old woman he’d left at departure gate three months ago had matured.

More than that, her turmoil
―that anyone could see if they really took the time to look at her―pulled at his heartstrings. The only desire he had was to pull her closer, and shield her as much as possible.

Several times,
Roy cleared his throat in an attempt to talk to Aldrich, but his attention was fixed on Anabella. Finally, with a touch on his shoulder, Roy managed to gain his attention. Perplexed, Aldrich looked at Roy. He hadn’t heard Roy speaking the first time, and raised a dark brow in question.

Roy
repeated his question. “Are you serious about my sister?” He kept his voice low as his eyes flickered between Aldrich and Bella.

Aldrich’s eyes narrowed before he promptly looked to Anabella again. “Yes, I am. I want her to be my wife.”

Monica squealed with pleasure, clapping her hands excitedly. Many eyes turned toward her, but she ignored them.

“I knew it!” she exclaimed in a soft whisper. “I told Tim you were going to do this; you were too smitten with her.” Bubbles of giggles were bursting over her lips as she gave him a quick hug.

Smiling sheepishly, he looked down at her whispering, “Was I that obvious?”

“Yes, duh,” she replied, her smile growing.

“There is something you need to know,” Roy interjected, his voice serious, devoid of laughter.

Startled, Aldrich glanced back at him as alarm bells went off.

Derek paled and was trying to get his brother’s attention.

“What?” Aldrich asked sharply.

“Roy, you will be a dead man.” Derek tried to pull him aside, speaking softly into his ear, “What are you doing?”

Roy
would have nothing of that, standing firm as he stated, “He has the right to know, Derek.”

“Can you two tell me what in blazes is going on?” Aldrich asked as a deep crease formed between his already narrowing eyes.

Roy shuffled his feet uncomfortably as he glanced wearily between Aldrich and Anabella. It was clear that he was in a tough spot.
Should I keep my mouth shut, or warn Aldrich?

Both Monica and Aldrich watched him, dread growing in the pit of their stomachs.

“Don’t do this, man,” Derek warned.

“Don’t do what?” Aldrich demanded, now totally stunned over the behavior of the two brothers.

Roy was looking at his brother in utter despair, but turned to Aldrich and said, “You need to keep her safe.” Briskly, he turned around and walked away. However, it hadn’t been quick enough; they’d seen tears rolling down his face.

Wanda followed him, and when she caught up to him, she held him to her as a mother holding a wounded child.

Aldrich watched in absolute stunned silence. He looked at the couple, and then at Monica who was equally dumbstruck at his words.

Their eyes settled on Derek. He shrugged, saying, “We can’t talk about this. Tell Anabella we will see her later.” He rushed after his brother, leaving Monica and Aldrich with a lot of questions, and no apparent answers.

“What did he mean by
you need to keep her safe,”
Monica whispered. She looked at him fearfully, and then at Anabella who was still busy with her team, the reporter, and a few fans still hovering around her.

“I have no idea,” he finally replied, returning his eyes to Anabella, totally unaware of the tumult surrounding her.

Why must I keep her safe?
Fisting his hand in anger, he watched her closely as the questions crushed through him.
What does it mean?
He planned to take her to dinner before seeing her home, but how could he relax knowing what he had just learned. His inner questions continued.
What did Roy want to tell him? Why had his brother stopped him? Why would she be in trouble? She had just arrived, so what possible things could have happened since she she’d left that would put her life in danger?
The look on her eldest brother’s face had been frightening and it scared Aldrich. He couldn’t dismiss the fear and pain he had seen in Roy’s eyes, nor could he ignore the anxiety in Derek’s whole demeanor.

But, save her from what, or whom?
That was the question.

Still beaming, Anabella looked at him, puzzled with her brothers’ disappearances.

He met her questioning gaze, smiling back at her with a steady gaze, all the while willing his beating heart into silence.

She mouthed, “Where are my brothers?” For a brief second, a frown appeared on her face shadowing his own discomfort as he shrugged.

He didn’t understand. Nothing made sense.

“Are you going to tell her?” Monica whispered close enough for him to hear.

He tore his eyes from her, briefly looked at Monica, then nodded. He had to talk to her before he dropped her off at home. How he’d go about that, he had no idea, but this was not something he could keep to himself.

Maybe she would understand.

“How could you?” Derek demanded. “Sandra would be furious if she knew you thwarted her plans.” His eyes darkened, and broodingly he glared at his older brother.

“Can you honestly tell me that you are okay with what she has planned for our sister?”
Roy snapped at him. They had been on the highway for a few minutes now, heading home. Wanda clutched his leg in an effort to keep him calm.

“No, but if we interfere, we will pay the price. I’m done with that man. I still hurt from the last time. I can’t take this anymore.” He could hardly sit straight. He rubbed his face in frustration as he watched the dark landscape outside flashing past.

“We need to protect Anabella,” Roy stated. “That man will tear her apart. Did you see the look on his face tonight?”

“Yes, I did,” Derek replied in a low voice. “Can’t we go somewhere else?” His body ached; fear causing his heart to thump hard in his chest. The man was a beast in bed. Since Anabella had gone overseas, Derek had had to stand in, giving in to every sick whim the man demanded. He was tired, his body numb, and all he wanted to do was to curl up in his lover’s arms tonight. The one good thing that had come from all of this.

André invited him to a party a month ago, which is where he met Frank. He was gorgeous male perfection and stood six-foot, three inches tall in his boots, his body muscularly carved in all the right places, and handsome as sin. They clicked the moment they lay eyes on each other. Frank brought the best out in him. He missed him.

“I promised we would be back,”
Roy said as he clutched Wanda’s hand. She smiled up at him. “But first, we take Wanda home.”

“I want to stay with you,” she said softly.

“No, my darling, not tonight,” he replied as he touched her cheek briefly, before returning his attention back to the road.

“You never let me stay when your parents are home.”

“It is for the best, darling, we have spoken about this many times,” he said, his voice laced with warning.

“But…
Roy.”

“I said, no, Wanda, and that’s final.” He gave her an icy stare. She shrunk back into the leather seat of his Audi, staring at the dark exterior.

“Take me to Frank’s house,” Derek intervened.

Roy
looked at him in the rearview mirror. His younger brother’s eyes sparkled with pleasure before turning his attention to Wanda once again, who was clearly still angry with him. He hated when she was angry with him.
Perhaps I can spend the night with her instead,
he thought
,
smiling.