8

Belle's Point Of View

"You're not forgiven" I whisper to Leah

I looked at Charles and he was smirking at me. Lord, help me. The house is filled with a silence that even Dad can't speak. Mama is just smiling. I don't know what to do

"Belle Reine, you need to explain something" I meet Dad's death glare at me

I smile awkwardly and sat on the sofa. Dad gestured for Charles to come and sit beside me. I was biting my nails and shaking my legs when Dad open his mouth about to talk

"I kissed Charles and I like him. You can't make me unlike him" I burst out

Dad and Charles burst out laughing

"I know he likes you. And he talked to me that he wants to court you." Dad said

"You knew? All this time you knew? And you didn't even bother to tell me?" I'm so disappointed

"Well, you're my princess and I don't want you to have a boyfriend," He said

I felt Charles's hands in my hands. He holds it tightly like he doesn't want to let go of me. I looked at him and he just smiled at me

"Since you know that he likes you, you can now court him, Charles. And Belle know your limits okay?" I just nod

"Sir Bryson, she told me she doesn't want me to court her because I'm already hers" My eyes grew bigger at what Charles have said

"Oh, Charles!!" I looked at him angrily

"So, when is the wedding?" Dad asked

"Oh, Dad!!" He laughed and I looked at them angrily

"I hate you both! Argh" I said and stand up

I walk towards Leah and pull her arms and drag her upstairs. I locked the door when we enter and I let go of her arm.

"I'm here to say so--" I stopped her from talking

"I don't care about your sorry, you're forgiven. I need you to give me some advice. I was checking some emails last night and my Mom's attorney send me an email that some of her properties should pass to me. I mean the titles of her properties should change to mine. I won't last for 3 years and I need someone to pass it on." I said

"Then pass it to Tito Bry," She said

"I can't," I said and crossed my arms

"Why can't you?" She asked

"He will pass it to Israel and Mama Isabella. They will spend every penny my mom worked for me." I said

"Then have a baby with Charles." She said that with a serious face

"You know what will happen if I'll undergo pregnancy. It will shorten my remaining life" I said

"Then you don't have a choice but to pass it to Tito Bry," She said

Someone knocked on my door and when I open it I saw Charles holding a tray with food. He was holding the tray with one hand and the veins in his arms are popping out. He walked towards the sliding door and open it. He put down the tray on the table on the veranda

"I figure it out you want to eat here with Leah so I bought it here," He said and winked at me

When Charles left Leah squealed and we went to the table. I saw Kare-Kare which disappointed me because I'm allergic to peanuts. I sat down in front of Leah

"As far, as I remember you're allergic to peanuts. Be jealous because I'm eating all of it." She said

I saw a note so I read it

'I know you're allergic to peanuts. Don't you worry instead of using peanuts I used Sunflower butter' -Charles (heart)

I smiled and Leah took it from my hand. She frowned and throw the note at me. I start eating. I never knew that a person will do anything for you just because the person likes or love you.

While eating I felt a pang of pain in my back and I just closed my eyes tightly. These past few days I feel so tired, heavy, and sometimes empty. I even feel alone even if I'm surrounded by people.

"You okay?" Leah asked and I nod while my eyes were closed

"Yeah, just back pain," I said

"And nosebleed" She added

I open my eyes and I saw her looking for a tissue I guess when she did she handed it to me. I closed my eyes for I do not see the blood. Even if it happens all the time I still don't want to see blood.

"You need to enjoy your remaining life. You haven't started chemo and radiation" She said

"How will I enjoy my life if I know there's an end and that's death?" I asked

That afternoon I think about it thoroughly. I need someone I can pass on all the properties my mom worked for. I can't pass it to Dad but I know someone I can trust with it.

-----

"Aunt Amy, where's Charles?" I asked first thing in the morning

"He's a day off today but he accompanies Leah to the bus station, why?" She asks while she's cooking

"Can you tell him to go upstairs when he came back?" I ask without answering her question

I sit down on a mini couch inside my room and waited for him to open the door. It's just a 1-hour drive to the bus station why is he taking so long to go home? Does something bad happen? It's been 4 hours. I was walking back and forth when someone knock on the door. I open it and It was Charles

"Hi, Aunt Amy told me you were looking for me. Sorry, I went to the mall and---" I hug him tightly and I felt him stunned

"I was worried. What took you so long to come home?" I almost cry

He hugged me back and kiss the top of my head.

"Shh...stop crying. I'm here, I'm safe" He whispered

I don't know this feeling, the feeling of I don't want to be alone and the other part is I want to be alone with a specific person, Charles.