Chapter 7:

★★BELLA★★

 After helping 'Mr i don't know who,' Lisa pushed me out of theanything

 This morning, am shivering, i still had to go to work. I've been giving. Lot of Excuses lately, i don't to worry madam Serena.

     I did all my work. Went to the bathroom to have my bath. I turned to Kelly on the bed. She was talking to dad. Demanding money from him. I can't remember the last time i asked my father for anything, and he gave me. I quit asking him for anything.

        "Good morning madam" i greeted while drawing my ears. I'm late, i know. I faced my head on the floor. I'm feeling so guilty now.

        Luckily, Bruno isn't in the store now. I don't have to worry. I feel like his fondness for me will cause another thing.

          He's always disturbing me. Telling me how much he loves me, and how i can be of great help to his kids as their mother. I never wished to marry an older man with such distance in my life. I would rather rather single.

         Madam gave me the take out. Hearing the address. My heart skipped a beat. I remembered how i embarrassed myself the last time. Plus that guy looks crazy. He isn't afraid to look into someone's eyes like i am.

       I took a deep breath as i knocked on the door. No answer. I knocked again. Still no answer. I made up my mind to leave when he came out. He opened the door, still staring at me like a pervert. Unluckily for me, this pervert is my neighbor.

         "Here's your food" i say. He doesn't take it. His eyes are fixed on me. I try avoiding them. 

 His hand touch mine, sending shiver down my spine. I quickly remove my hand and turn to leave.

      "Stop!" He says. I did. He walked to me and gave me some amount of money. "A tip for a job well done." I folded the money tightly and leave. He's crazy.

        I drove in my scooter back to the shop. Madam Serena was cleaning the tables.

      I picked a rag and helped her with the cleaning. Ariana hugged me from behind. "Bella, you're here?" I held her little hands "you startled me... Where's Lorenzo?" 

 "He's with Dad at the back" she had excitement all over her.

       This is Bruno's daughter, Ariana. The sweetest little girl i know. She's six years old, Her elder brother is Lorenzo, he's ten years old, a smaller version of Bruno.

         I always feel guilty looking at these kids. Bruno promised them I'll be their mom one day, which can never come true. I don't like Bruno... I mean that way!

 I smiled at her... "Bella, she looks so happy. I just wish Bruno could be this happy. Every day, my son drinks till he gets drunk. To wash away all the pains." She sighed. "Can't you give him a chance?"

          Up until today? She never talked to me about her son. I'm i the bad one here?

       I look into Ariana's eyes. Shining like a crystal. "OK." I say like I have been brainwashed. "Ok, I'll give him a chance."

         She's so happy. She stroke my head. "Bella, Bruno will be so happy." I smile weakly.

    Yeah, this is me. Bella. The dumb Bella who never says what she wants clearly. Don't get angry, it's who i am. Even though i don't like him i don't have the heart to say 'no.

     "I'll call Bruno" she said. She made me sit on the chair, and she went to call Bruno. On seeing me, he smiles. "When did you come back Bella?"

       "Just now!" I say anxiously. This is the most embarrassing moments. I don't want to break him.

      I folded my hands together, waiting for him. 

 He came with a wide smile on his face.

         He sat down with a shy look. Now who's going to start a conversation?

       Madam Serena carried Ariana "OK, we'll be living... " she hit Bruno's arm.

        I watched her as we walked awkwardly to the kitchen. From time to time, her eyes were on us.

        "Bella..." He licked his lips "Bella, thank you, am so happy now." The next thing I heard was a fart. Bruno farted. The whole place started smelling.

        I don't want to embarrass him. I cover my nose slightly. I can die to please someone, can I?

        I start wondering... Two weirdos get married, how would it be? I'm more worst and Bruno... Bruno ash...! This was never the kind of man I wanted, and here I am with him..

       I got a call. I stood up to answer, raising my phone to him... "I'll have to answer my sister.."

        I walked far from where he was "hello kel?"

     Her voice was shaky... "Bel... Bella, Dad fell, he's dead...! Dad is dead... Come now ...!"

       "Huh...!" I don't understand her. I stood for almost a minute before my brain process what she said. "Dad is dead...!" I dropped my phone on the floor.