CHAPTER 8

Bella Pov

A luxury lifestyle was her dream, she had gotten it. But why was she still sad? The man she had

married wasn't her husband. Although she had access to everything she wanted she didn't still

have access to her core happiness. She thought to herself self as she sat in front of the dressing

mirror to fix her fake lashes.

Fake lashes, makeup, and wigs had become part of her lifestyle. Constantly caked up by celebrity

stylists who admired her position. She knew she was sitting on a seat that every girl would dream

to be but she didn't clearly understand why or how.

What exactly did the billionaire see in her, she knew she wasn't special, she was just a lassie. But

she wanted explanations.

"Are you set?"

She stood up to see a man in a plain grey tee shirt the smell of his cologne lingered in the air, she

wanted to hold him so tight and grab his muscular torsos but she could only do that outside

funny enough.

"Yes, I'm ready."

"The shirt looks nice on you." He said casually as he bounded down the stairs.

Why would he casually compliment her like that, she took a deep breath to calm her fluttering

heart. But it meant he looked at her. She had never thought he ever looked at her or saw her

attractive in any least way possible.

While she sashayed out of the mansion, she was taken aback by the private jet that landed in the

front yard. She was going to enter a private jet for the first time in her life.

"Come on Bella." he stretched his hands forward to help her climb in.

As the jet flew off, she wanted to savor every bit of the moment, so she leaned her back well on

the seat, savoring the memory to the fullest when she glanced at Austen who was busy with his

phone.

Must be business, she thought to herself, why was she concerned anyway. It was not her job to

worry over a promiscuous man. Had she given herself another quest to make him a stable man?

She knew deep down she was no match for the girls he hooked up with, cos why didn't he try to

marry her truly if she was his type?

She glanced at him again, this time he was giggling. "Naughty girl." he murmured under his

breath.

She gave him a long cold stare.

"Would you like anything added ma'am?" The flight attendant asked interrupting her gaze while

she pushed a tray of seafood including some roasted shrimp, crabs, Tuna, and wine beside her.

"No thank you. But I'm sure my husband would like salmon added to his, he really wants to take

a break from his phone. Right honey?"

"Sure." He gave a short Pan Am smile

"Why?" She blurted out.

"Why what?"

"Why did you pick me? There are thousands of better girls. Why did you marry me?"

He sighed in disbelief. "I believe it's cos you're you.

There's nothing special about me

I think I kinda like you? You have beautiful eyes. Plus I was tired of my parent's constant

complaints and you seemed really nice and agreeable.

You seem to be very popular among girls, why not marry one of these girls dying to be your

wife.

Look, I don't understand all of these questions but I chose you, okay? Let's leave it at that,

except you're trying to back out now?

Of course not.

Good, I've paid you a lot for you to back out now.

She steely gazed at him as he returns back to his phone. Paid a lot to back out?

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into the Maldives island. Please turn off all

portable electronic devices and stow them until we have arrived at the gate. In preparation for

landing on Maldives island be certain your seat back is straight up and your seat belt is fastened."

The pilot interrupted her gaze, she felt a sudden surge of excitement. She stared through the

window to see the island beautifully surrounded by shady coconut palm trees, pristine white

sandy beaches, and clear waters.

"You like what you see?" Austen asked with a jaunty smile.

"Omg, I have never seen anything so beautiful." she raised the corners of her mouth.

"Don't get emotional yet, wait until we land."

For some reason, she felt he was trying to impress her. As soon as they landed, they were

welcomed by the staff who lined up in an orderly manner and shook hands with them one after

the other. They packed their luggage in.

Bella could not believe she was finally on the reputable island and not by herself, not as a worker

but as a billionaire's wife. She had never been treated with so much respect in her entire life.

Come with me ma'am, let me show you around.

She followed the petite lady as they walked in the lobby.

Your husband is particularly one of the best visitors we've had. He comes here regularly and

we're very glad he brought you here with him.

"I'm sure he has brought so many girls here too, hasn't he?" Bella inquired.

"He has only been here a couple of times with his friends. We've never seen him bring any

woman here before, he must really love you; the staff concluded with a bright smile.

Yeah.. he does. She smiled wryly.

But why was she the first woman he brought to that island if he was a regular visitor, was she

really that special? It was just an island that looked like paradise but she was sure, it was nothing

to Austen, so he never took his women to special places like that.

She felt a bit of consolation but she couldn't place her hands on why she was relieved that he

never brought his flings to where he had brought her to.

"Omg, Austen!"

Bella turned to the distinctly female voice and saw a mannequin-looking girl from a distance all

over her husband.

"Bella!" Austen yelled at her and gestured for her to come..

"This beautiful woman right here is my wife Bella. Bella, meet an old friend of mine, Camila."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Camila."

"Oh, the new wife Bella." she chuckled

"I honestly thought the news was a hoax, I mean, getting married to a cook? Wasn't how I

remembered you from college you know."

Bella raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

"Careful now, you're talking about my wife here," Austen cautioned.

"Oh, no offense Bella, I was only trying to express my sheer surprise to actually find out the news

was true you know. I hope you're not offended though." she chuckled with one side of her

mouth raised.

"No, it's fine. I get a lot of comments like that. I guess people will get used to it soon enough."

She explained with a grimace.

"Definitely. Anyway, it's nice to finally meet you. We should hang out sometime, I'm just going to

get settled in, and we can have long conversations about Austen." she grinned like a Cheshire

cat.

"Catch you later Austen" She squeezed him in her arms before sashaying away.

Bella didn't need a detective to tell her they already had a romantic relationship with each other.

"She's my ex-girlfriend," Austen said abruptly and soberly.

"Shocker!" she folded her arms across her chest and shook her head disapprovingly.

"She won't a problem though would she?" Bella continued.

"I came here for you, I'm not going to ruin that because of some girl that happened to be my ex

come on."

"I mean since we're trying to die down a rumor," she added.

Let me show you my favorite spot. He held her hands as they moseyed on up to the white sand

beach along the atolls.

"I'm going to take you to Fihalohi Island tomorrow. It's perfect."

Bella wore a dampened smile at the thought that Austen was going to lengths to make her happy

even when his ex was on the same island.

"Really, so where are we right now?"

"This is Rangali island. You see, there are a total of 1190 coral islands arranged in 26 atolls.

Fihalohi is my favorite, I go on special days."

Was Austen trying so hard to impress her? Why? Did he not change women every night? She was

just a contract wife and the last thing she wanted to do was fall in love with Austen.