Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

"Are you asleep?" Anabelle asked Isabella. They were both sleeping on the luxurious VIP hospital bed and had their backs turned to each other.

After the tearful ice-cream session, the both of them hadn't spoken to each other and Isabella made it clear she didn't want to be disturbed. Moreover, her cousin has encountered so many stressful experiences today she needed rest.

"Ummm," was Isabella's reply even though those asleep didn't speak.

"Are you really going to go ahead with the wedding?" Anabelle was curious about that one. Isabella was really strong, if she was in her shoes and Julie was the one with Pedro's problems, she would have left him a long time ago. A woman having a child for him was another problem on its own that she couldn't handle.

"Yeah," Isabella answered without even thinking.

"Even when that other woman is having his child?"

"Yeah,"

"Won't you feel bothered?"

"She's only having his child, not Pedro,"

"What if your parents strongly disagree when they find out the truth which they will," She reminded Isabella of the trials ahead of her. This was not going to be an easy one. 

"Nobody would make decisions for me. I'm old enough to make my own decisions and bear the consequences," Isabella was firm. 

"You know that I'm just worried about you," Anabelle had a concerned look. 

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm a strong woman and I've gone through worse, this little incident won't bring me down," she told her. 

Anabelle drew closer so that they were sharing body heat, "You know when we were little, I used to envy you. It's quite funny, I used to wish I'd be unmovable and badass as you who had the great ability to control her emotions. But now, I just wish you would let go of everything, Isabella. Those emotions you keep bottled inside would burst open one day. Even if you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for the sake of your baby,"

"Thanks for the prep talk, Anabelle, you've always been a great motivational speaker," Isabella said without emotion, "Now if you would excuse me, I need to sleep. It's important for the baby," 

Anabelle didn't say and just gave up, her cousin was impossible. Although Isabella cried while eating their ice cream, those were just crocodile tears compared to the grieve she knew Isabella was feeling inside. 

Isabella was just about to close her eyes and try to catch a sleep but her phone rang at that moment. Great, just when she decides to sleep and everyone does the opposite.

"Hello Niklaus," she said with a tinge of annoyance in her voice. 

"Eden just called me, says you're at the hospital. How is that possible, aren't you supposed to be discharged already? Is there anything going on that you're not telling me, Isabella?" Niklaus fished for more details. He could sense it, Isabella was keeping something from him. 

"Yes, I'm still at the hospital and I'm at the hospital because I want to be in the hospital, and no, nothing's going on," She lied to him. 

Niklaus took a deep breath and then he confessed with a great sigh, "Your mother Reina was almost killed today," 

At that news, Isabella sat up immediately, cold shivers running down the length of her spine. The others might not know her phobia but she was really scared of losing her loved one. That was why she hardly loved and when she does, hardly let go. 

What is it?

Anabelle didn't need to ask out loud, Isabella could see the burning curiosity in her gaze but she simply pressed her finger against her lips, hinting that she shouldn't make a sound. 

"What happened?" Isabella asked for more details with a taut voice. 

"Whoever did that had the intention of taking away her life and drove at her at high speed in the underground parking lot of her company. Thankfully, another car got in the way on time and took the brunt of the collision," Niklaus explained from the other line. 

Isabella took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. So what her father was trying to say was that she almost lost Reina today. If that questionable car hasn't interfered, Niklaus would have been calling to inform her that Reina was dead - gone forever. 

After the death of her biological mother, Kay, Reina was the second person and the last person she'd ever allow that role. The thought that she almost lost her while she was in here doing nothing made her heart squeeze painfully. She should have been there. 

"Isabella, I'm not telling you this to make you feel scared or feel obligated to protect her - that's my responsibility as your father and her husband. However, I'm just telling you this so you could stay safe and tell me if something's wrong. I don't know what's going on or why it's happening now but this is a time for our family to come together and take on this enemy lurking in the dark. So tell me, Isabella is there something going on that I don't know," Niklaus pleaded. 

Isabella was his daughter and he has studied her far too well to know right now that she must be dealing with something huge, having chosen solitude instead of working it out with him, the others - and most especially, with Pedro. 

"It's nothing that I can't handle," Isabella found herself using the same excuse Pedro had used on her weeks ago. Now, she was in his shoes, she was beginning to understand why he did it - keeping the truth from her. 

"Isabella…" 

"Have you found the one who almost murdered my mother?" Isabella swiftly changed the topic and Niklaus knew that was the end of their conversation - she was just like him. Damn it, her stubbornness was infuriating. 

"Not yet but my men would find him at the end of tonight. He won't live to see the breaking of dawn," he promised her. 

"Good," Isabella said and then added, "Also investigate the one who claimed to have saved my mother," 

Niklaus was stunned, he said, "You really have trust issues, Isabella. That lady almost died saving your mother," He was sure she was innocent. 

"Sorry father but lately, I found out that some people are desperate to court death," Isabella hinted at Natasha that Niklaus had no clue about. 

"Fine, if you're so sure of your instinct, you investigate her yourself. She's around your age or close to, however, I'll invite her to your rehearsal dinner on Saturday. The both of you should have fun then," he suggested. 

"Fine by me,"

-------

Bless this shameless author with your golden ticket 🎫