A Short Lived Dream...

It was a bright and sunny morning. A gentle breeze rustled the windows of the storeroom brushing Bella's cheeks .. She had been lying on the floor and her legs felt free now without plasters. She had visited the hospital yesterday and the doctor said she was healed completely. Peter did not seem to notice it yesterday but she is really gonna surprise him today afternoon. After getting up, like any other day she freshened up and prepared the breakfast. Her Aunt was not awake yet and her Uncle had gone for the morning walk.

By the time she finished the cleaning and other chores, and everyone had there breakfast, Bella got nervous. Today she was going to meet Peter and she did not know how to get ready. She stealthily got inside Dona's room and grabbed a few things for her makeup. She have seen Dona wearing them a few times and Bella was a quick learner. She wore the pretty dress that Peter had given her. Wearing a light makeup, she took off the wig and allowed her long black hair to flow. She had chosen a small stud from Dona's jewellery collections that Dona never wore since it was so cheap and small. Bella loved it and worn it in her empty ears. She gazed at herself in the mirror and smiled. She was looking awesome and this was the first time she was getting ready for someone and she blushed at the thought of him. It was starting to get noontime and avoiding everyone's eyes, she sneaked out of the room, and with the little money she had, took a taxi to Robinson Productions.

Peter had woken up very early too.. He was quite unusual, excited and jumping around. He got ready instantly and looked most handsome in his new outfit. Everyone might think it was because of the conference in his office, but he hid his feelings deep inside which popped out now and then in the form of smiles flashing over his strict and rude normal self.

Before going to his office, he stopped at a jewellery shop to buy a ring. He tucked it into his pocket before rushing to his office, the conference had already begun.

Everyone were sitting round a screen and Peter was facing directly to the presentation before him, his back towards the door. He did not have any idea of what this conference was about and he strained hard to understand. Then came the images of Dona Jacob, her family and ….. Isabella Lawrence on the screen.. Peter was shocked. He sat still holding onto his chair.

Mr Daniel, a tough man in his mid fourtees got up from his chair and started explaining..

" Here we can see the photo of Dona Jacob, the author of 'The Pebbles'.. or rather the so-called-author.. Looking back into her entire history, we can never get any idea that the girl is any good at reading or writing stuffs. She is a great dancer and singer but nobody can imagine her to be the author of such a fine book. So before giving her the Award, we had to do a thorough investigation. We then found out that she know nothing about her book, neither the characters nor the scenes of the stories.. We have displayed all the pictures regarding our investigation on the screen.."

An image where Dona get inside Peter's car was displayed on the screen.

" Then who could be the real author..? We are not sure yet, but there is this girl.."

Bella's photo was once again displayed on the screen..

"She is the only cousin of Dona Jacob and she lives with them in their home. Nobody knows much about this girl and she prefers to remain silent.. We are still not sure and we do not have any evidence till now, but it can be possible.. she could be the author.."

Peter heard the ring box clattering onto the ground as it fell from his pocket. He quickly grabbed it and stuffed it back into his pocket.. He stared at the screen..He didn't know that Dona and Bella were cousins..

And yes.. he has got evidence.. there is every possibility that Bella could be the author.. the editing she did at the hospital, that will be the perfect evidence. But why she hid it from everyone..? He should ask her personally before involving himself into this investigation. He excused himself as he went out of the hall to take a deep breath.. He already knew she was the author.. He had fallen in love with her words before he fell for her.. He gazed out of the glass walls out into the road..

'She should have reached here by now.. What's taking her too much of time..?' Peter was pacing to and fro.. A dangerous thunder broke in the sky startling Peter. He was worried for Bella..

Bella reached the tall building with glass walls.. She noticed Peter's name engraved in gold upon a sign at the entrance.. 30th floor.. It read.. She took the lift to the 30th floor.. The door was partially open and she could see Peter's back, bold and erect, leaning on an expensive rotating chair.. She blushed even more at the site of him.. She had come a bit early to give him surprise, but it appeared he was busy with work, so she thought she'll wait outside.. Just as she was about to turn, she was shocked to see her photo displayed on the screen.. There was photos of Dona's, and her Uncle and Aunt's too..

And she could read the lips and understand every word that the man there spoke..

She burst into tears when she saw the photo of Dona entering Peter's car..

" So this were all a well planned scheme.. of trapping Dona.. And Peter,… he was only a part of it…" Bella ran out of the office room down the stairs and off to the road..

Her vision has blurred because of the thick drops of tears that were dripping down her eyes.. The bright sunny climate outside had gone.. A loud thunder struck and Bella shut her eyes tightly wishing all this to be another of her scary nightmare.. The moments of her lifetime, the time she had spent with Peter flashed across her eyes..

'So it was all an act.. That's how all rich people are.. playing with poor hearts.. Aunt was right, I shouldn't have met him after that..' Bella ran as fast as she could crossing the thick traffic...