Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

"Tell me you're kidding," Isabella had a massive look of disbelief on her face as Anabelle behaved lovey-dovey with Julie. What the hell was happening? One moment this asshole was bothering her and the next he's onto her naive cousin. 

"What did you just say?" Pedro blinked twice at that announcement.

"You heard me right," Anabelle giggled, obviously high on excitement, "We are getting married,"

Isabella let go of Pedro's arm and walked over to Anabelle, pulling her out of Julie's arm with a deep frown, and then placed a hand on the girl's forehead, checking her temperature.

"You don't have a fever," she observed with pursed up lips while feeling her own forehead too, "Neither do you look sick?" Isabella let go, observing her appearance, "What's the problem then?"

"Seriously, let go!" Anabelle pushed out of her grasp, frustrated, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I should be the one asking you that question!" Isabella retorted with furrowed brows, "You just called me here out of the memorial to blabber this nonsense about getting married?!"

"Yes, you are right. Indeed, we are getting married," Anabelle acquiesced, relaxing her head against Julie's chest.

"Was that his idea? Did he put you up to this? "

"Actually, that's the Father's idea?" She shrugged in the direction of the Priest who straightened up with a raised brow.

"That was meant to be a joke," The priest clarified.

"A bad joke as you can see, obviously" Isabella sassed, throwing her hand up. 

The priest defended himself, "Marriage seems to scare young people these days so I thought suggesting that would make them both scamper away from fear - you don't make out behind the church,"

"Unfortunately, you gave them the worst advice in history!" Isabella bellowed at the priest. 

"Isabella," Pedro called, pulling her to his side in an attempt to calm her down, "It's a priest you're talking to," 

"Oh, a priest," She pretended to be remorseful yet yelled at his face, "A priest that's about to wed my eighteen-year-old Cousin!"

"Hey little one, I'm not forcing anyone to take a marriage oath. As I said, it was a bad joke. Besides, I'm not even -" 

"You know what? Let's speak the truth here," Anabelle stepped out, her jaw was tightly clenched, "Why don't you tell me you're simply jealous,"

"What?" Isabella blanched, taken aback by her words, "What should I even be jealous of?" 

"Jealous of the fact that I plan to get married to your intended Fiancé, Julie " She emphasized

"Are you for real?" Isabella looked as if someone threw shit on her face. Was this the Anabelle she knew or someone else?

"Yes, I'm serious here. Why are you so shocked? Because I point out the fact that you're one selfish cousin with eyes set both on Pedro and Julie at the same time. How greedier could you get?

"Julie and I have come to admit our feelings to one another, we love each other and thought marriage is the best plan to annul your engagement to him - Of course you know that already, why won't you know, you're the great, smart Isabella - and yet you're against it. Tell me why? If not the fact you're jealous!"

Julie was uncomfortable with where this was heading to so he decided to step in, "Anabelle, maybe we should -" 

"No, don't interrupt us. This is a matter between women," She interrupted him. 

"Yes, you're right. This is indeed an issue between women," Isabella concurred by nodding her head and jutted out her jaw in a determined manner, "So tell me, Anabelle, why would I be interested in this piece...." she looked Julie up and down with a look of disdain, " of human -" 

"Don't you dare insult him," Anabelle warned, staring Isabella straight in the eyes with blazing intensity. This was the first time both cousins were having a serious altercation. Most often it was just a simple quarrel often settled over a pint of Ice cream but this time, both ladies were fiercely defending the men close to their hearts. 

"You think I'm fucking jealous of you? Of your relationship with Julie? How conceited could you get Anabelle? I'm just saving you from impending doom, Anabelle!" 

"What doom!" 

"The doom my father Niklaus got himself into!" She said in an outburst and this time an awkward silence stretched between them. 

"You're eighteen, Anabelle, what the hell do you know about marriage? Do you think it's all rainbow and sunshine? Just because you had the first taste of love and you somehow think it's enough to carry you through the roses and thorns of marriage? Marriage is sacred and real not a simulation, " Isabella shook her head with a heavy heart, "Once you're in, you can't leave, and if you do leave, you leave a part of yourself behind," 

Anabelle didn't say anything, the truth was gnawing at her heart and slapping her right in the face. She had taken the Father's idea of marriage in the spur of the moment even though she knew the man was pulling her leg. 

At that time, it had seemed the only possible means of getting Julie out of the engagement with her cousin. She was just envious of the title bestowed on Isabella - Julie's fiancée. It was totally unfair. Why does she have to get all the men?

"And let's face it. Are you even ready to leave your father for the rest of your life? And yes I know you won't live with your father for eternity…" Isabella could already tell what was on her mind, "But then, this suddenly? Did you consider how he would feel about this marriage thing?" 

The guilt clawed deep into her chest, Anabelle almost felt like suffocating. She hasn't thought about her dad's feelings? Would he accept his baby girl leaving just suddenly? She had just thought that as her father, the man would be happy and respect whatever her decision was. 

"And your future? Would you give up your dreams for marriage?" Isabella raised her voice as if to carve sense deep inside her head," Anabelle, there's a whole big world to explore out there without being in the confinement of marriage for Christ's sake," 

As if that was not enough, Isabella stepped over and placed both hands on Annabelle's head, focusing her eyes on hers announcing, 

"Love is blind, but don't let it make you plain stupid,"