"Good evening." Chris greets everyone and walk towards his sons first "Sorry for making you wait. I just really tired from the flight"

"Don't worry, old man. We understand that you are getting older and older." Justin joked making everyone laugh.

Chris playfully glared at him then sigh "Fine...I will admit. I'm 58, not getting any younger."

58? I think it's hard to believe that. Chris is a very handsome man and I am not gonna lie, until now. He still can attract woman around my age. No, scratch that attract thingy, more like he can still fool women. Talking about how many women he got pregnant with.

"Belle, you are staring too much at my Father" Rafael noticed, raising an eyebrow on me. "Don't tell me you are falling for my dad"

"Oh fuck no!" I blurt out then chuckled "But I am admiring him. I just can't believe he is already 58. I mean, he still look handsome"

He looked at me coldly but I playfully slapped his chest "Don't get me wrong, Rafael and stop with that weird questions."

"Oh, Rafael I'm glad you came" his Dad's voice broke us "This is the first time you attend my birthday so I though you wouldn't come. But I'm happy I still informed you so...thank you, son"

Rafael didn't bother to smile while his dad thanks him. Well, not surprised. It will be more shocking if he smiled though. "Don't thank me, old man. Thank my wife. She is the reason I came here because she forced me to come"

His Father blink a few times, cleared his throat and faces me "Isabelle, wow you look beautiful." He told me "Thank you for coming to my party. Now my party will be amazing for me now that all of my children are together."

I just nod my head as the hold of Rafael on my waist tightens. Okay, he is over reacting, there is no time to act possessive when I am just talking to his Dad. And Rafael's acting is getting too much over our plan.

Acting all possessive on nothing. He is crazy. But...could it still be an act? No, I should stop sinking that in my mind. Because I don't want to hope something that I will never ever get from him.

How bitter am I.

~~~♦~~~

The dinner has finally started. They serve so many wonderful meals that I have never seen in my entire life. There is a roast chicken that taste like out of this world on how amazing it is, there are some vegetable salads that has different sauces, some Italian cuisine and many more that I can't name.

For me, I am just eating the vegetable salad with Caesar sauce. It taste wonderfully and I am totally enjoying it. The dinner was a little loud because the brothers were teasing around each, but the others was just silently listening to the conversation...like me.

"Do you still want more salad, Belle? Sauce?" Rafael asked, assisting me. He was just sitting next to me and our chair was just inches apart.

"No, I'm fine." I answered "I am already full though." Then a took a fork full if the salad with many sauce on it.

Then Rafael suddenly laugh making me turn to him with one eyebrow raise "What? Why are you laughing?"

Rafael shook his head and lean closer to me, and wipe something from my lips with his finger, making me push him away "You could have just tell me that I have some sauce on my mouth"

"So? I want to be the one to wipe it for you." He smirked playfully. I was going to slap him when I noticed that almost everyone in the room is watched the two of us making me flush in embarrassment.

"Our little Rafael really did change." Justin joked, while he stuff some chicken in his mouth.

"Shut up" Rafael groaned, and averted his eyes somewhere and that time, Marissa and my eyes met. There are something anger in them or jealousy, I think...but who cares? I won though.

Roberto and I also made an eye contact but he winked at me instead making me roll my eyes and groaned, annoyingly. He can also be an ass —no scratch that, he is already an ass.

"So, aren't we gonna hear some wedding bells between Roberto and Marissa?" Nikki turn the topic to them.

They just stare at each other then Roberto smiled "Actually, we still aren't planning to have a wedding but..." then a mischievous grin formed from him as he look at his girlfriend "...That might come after the baby"

Then silence...

Everyone stares at them, even did Rafael who looked confuse.

Oh boyyy, this is not right.

"You mean...?"

"Yep, Marissa is pregnant. You are gonna be a grandfather, Dad!"

Chris raise from his chair and cheered, "Really? Congratulations to you two! Finally, a grand child from you!" He gave his son a hug and then Marissa.

Marissa just smiled and held hand with his boyfriend. The others congratulated them but I remained silent with my husband who seems like he doesn't care but I know deeply...that he must have been hurt. I can see it in his eyes...

I know he is not happy.

Who would be?

If Roberto didn't just steal that girl from Rafael, then she must be in my place right now and not me. My husband should be happy at the moment and not going to some crazy deal.

I even can't handle looking at him right now. Rafael looks hurt and it hurts me too seeing that he still haven't moved on from the pain that woman had caused her.

"Rafael..." I softly called him but he didn't turn to me, making my heart breaks into pieces. "Hey... " I slowly reach for his hand under the table. "Don't show that you have gotten hurt by the news. They might realize that you are still in love~"

"I am affected, Belle. So don't talk to me in that tone" he shouted-whisper. "And don't you dare say that the word 'L' because I really don't believe in such thing."

Now the hurt was transfer on me. My heart just been stomped by this cold hearted beast. He still loves her. He is mad at his brother for stealing her from him. He is doing all of these for her, right? Now, his greatest nightmare is here.

Marissa and Roberto are going to have a baby.

I can clearly feel his pain and I can't stand it seeing him like this.

The man you love is in love with someone else.

"I-I think I have to go to the restroom. Excuse me." I stand up. He was about to stand up but I didn't let him and walk on ahead. I asked the maids where it is and they show me the way.

I just checked myself in front of the mirror to see what do I look like but somehow I saw a girl that is not me. Am I still happy as a pretend wife?

No.

But loving Rafael making me happy but I am thinking if I can still do this.

Wasting my life as a pretend paid wife is my job right now. But how long should we have to pretend? I should have ask this long ago. Now he gets what he wanted, the company, my job here is done but why do we keep on pretending on this shit.

But I should remove that out of my mind right now and focus on how should I look sexier than Marissa became I honestly look like a ugly duck if I stand next to her. She is just like Marga!

Nice boobs, perfect ass, white and long white legs that can make boys drool just looking at them. C'mon, this is shredding my dignity. My husband won't even look at me when he saw Marissa.

I left the restroom after I put on some lip gloss to make my lips a little more appealing. But as soon as I stepped out of the place, I was met by Chris standing on the hallway, like he is waiting for me or something.

"...Belle" he called me first but his face holds seriousness.

I don't know what he needs from me but I took a deep breath and pull myself together before opening my mouth to speak "Chris...are you gonna use the restroom?"

"No" he respond, burying his hand in his pocket "To be honest, I need to talk to you."

H-he needs to talk to me? This is surprising. I slowly walk near him, and I can see that he is really into this. So that means...no time for jokes.

"What do you need to talk about?" I crossed my arms in front of my chest, waiting for him to speak up.

Chris looks around first if someone is around us but all of them seems to be busy at the dining area or on the living room. Maybe he really needs to talk to me in private.

"Belle...I don't know where to start but I will go straight to the point." He broke the silence as he took a deep breath before opening his mouth once again. "You see, I'm sick"

My eyebrows touched in confusion "Sick? You mean like a cold or something?"

"No."

"Oh..." okay, where is this conversation going? "Sick, you mean of...?"

"Meaning that I is gonna die soon" he just blurt out without any hesitation in voice and his face is cold and maintain that bossy look.

"D-die? What do you mean?" And why is he telling me this?

"I am still under medication but...I am asking you a favor here in case something happen" he told me "I know Rafael hates me with all of his might. He still carries the pain that I caused him and his mother until now but believe me, I loved his mother will all of my heart."

My eyes widen at his confession.

"Rafael and Roberto are my sons from my real wife. But they don't treat each other brothers and as a father it hurts me the most seeing them curse each other to the end of the world. I talked to Roberto and try to fix everything with his brother but ever since I gave the company to Rafael...he gets mad at me." For the first time, sadness flooded in his eyes. "You are the only hope, Belle."

Me?!

"Me? What are you saying?"

"My son loves you, Belle. I can't change his heart, maybe I'll die with his anger on me but...you can change him" he said, his voice was really sincere and close to begging. "I'm sorry for everything. Rafael will never listen to me. I know he can be a good CEO of the company I gave him. Its up to him whatever he wants to do with it...I really worked hard on that company. I know he can take care of it...unlike Roberto who is only full of words but no action being done."

Wait...Rafael loves me? No, he is totally not in love with me. Chris got is all wrong! Its the exact opposite to he honest.

"I just want to see him and his brother to be okay before I die" he added, making a weak smile.

"I-I don't think I can still change him. That man is very stubborn. Its hard to change up his mind." I lowered my head. These are all made up, anyway. A fake.

"You are not gonna change his mind, Belle. You are gonna change his cold stoned heart." He claimed.

"But...I don't think I can~"

"I know you can, Belle. Rafael married you." He stated, smiling "I'm sure he didn't marry you for nothing, right?"

Yeah, for a deal to get your company.

"Love is a very powerful thing, my dear. Your love can melt your husband's heart. I made a wrong decision before and I don't want my sons to grow up and make a mistake like me."

"Sir, does Rafael know about this? You being sick and what you really want to happen?" I asked, I am worried and confused at the same time. I don't know what should I say to him.

Chris shook his head "Its better if he doesn't know."

"But~"

"Can I trust you on this, Belle?"

What should I say?

"Should I trust you on this Belle?" He repeated his question like a boss, impatient to know my respond.

"I don't think I can"

"I know you can, Belle. Right now, I really want to apologize because I was cold towards you these past meetings we had"

Yeah, he is damn right about that!

"I just want him to know that I know nothing that his mom was in pain. I only found out when she died and to tell you the truth, it was really his Mom who gave up on our relationship. She is the one who ran away with one of our child. I don't know where she is and I don't know where to find her." My, this is his side of the story. It really wasn't his Dads fault.

Rafael must know this. He grew up with anger that his Dad doesn't deserve.

"I will ask you again, Belle. Can I trust you on this?" His voice is full of determination as he ask me.

I swallowed before I make a decision. Can I?

"I......."

•••◆•••

"What's wrong, Belle? You've been quiet the whole dinner. Are you feeling alright?" Rafael asked me as we sat down next to each other inside his limo.

I slowly look at him absent-minded, "What?"

He ran his fingers though his face and just shook his head "You know, you suddenly act strangely after you went from the restroom. Tell me...did Roberto followed you?" His voice suddenly became serious.

I shook my head quickly "No! Roberto and I didn't even talk the whole night."

"Then why are you acting so strange?"

"I'm not acting strange, Rafael. You're overreacting" I turn my face away from him because I definitely can't make an eye contact with him.

"Oh yeah? Then why do you keep on ignoring me while we are still at the mansion? I keep on asking you but you just keep nodding or shaking your head." His voice started to raise.

"Don't mind me, Rafael" I replied still not looking at him. How can I look at him when I caught him with Marissa right after I had a talk with his Dad.

Earlier that night

I notice that Rafael is not in the dining room anymore. I saw Josh at the living room so he walked towards him "Hey Josh." and approached him with a kind smile.

"Oh hey, Belle. Is something wrong? Do you need something?" He asked.

I shook my head "No, actually I am looking for Rafael. Have you seen him?"

Josh thought for a second "Yeah, I think I notice him walk to the garden's direction. Which is that way" he pointed the French doors.

"Okay, thanks Josh." I waved at him and followed the small tracks which leads to the garden he is talking about. But from a distance, I can hear voices...they are talking.

"Why don't you just admit it, hubby? You still love me, right. That's why you follow my note telling you to meet up with me here." That was Marissa's voice, somehow like she is seducing him.

Hubby?! Did he just called my husband her hubby? This woman has a lot of guts but why are they even here? They are talking in private that means Roberto doesn't know about this.

"I didn't come here to play with you, Marissa. And stop calling me that because you are not my wife." He harshly told her "What do you want? Why did you ask me to come here?"

Marissa laughed, mischievously "My love, I just want to know if you will follow me. And you did ! That means you still love me, don't you?"

I heard Rafael scoff "Are you done joking, Marissa? Should I laugh?"

I saw Marissa walk closer to my husband but he didn't do a single move to step back or move away from him. He let's her place her arm on his chest and on his shoulder "Are you really married to that lifeless toad?"

Me? A lifeless toad? I am gonna kill her and show her who is the real toad here.

"What do you really want to talk about, Marissa. Hurry it up. I don't want my wife seeing us like this." He said, blankly. His hands are in his pockets while her arms were on his shoulders. Better remove them or I will break those and feed them to the snakes in the jungle.

"I am pregnant, Rafael." She started "And I am not gonna let Roberto be his Dad." Is she crazy? That's it's father! "I want you to be his Dad."

My eyes widen as my fist clenched. This mother fucker.

"What?" Rafael seems to be confused.

"Lets go some place where we can live in peace, my love. I will give you the chance to be this child's father. Come live with me in Paris and let's continue our love."

Please refuse, Rafael. Don't go with her. I am still here. Your wife. Please don't leave me.

I love you.

But I didn't noticed that I accidentally stepped on a pot and it fell on the ground with a sound making the two of them look at the direction. Fuck, I need to hide...or run!

I ran back inside the mansion, I noticed no one in the living room so I slowly went to the dining area and sat down on my seat, playing cool as I try to finish my meal. The others are still eating though, but then Rafael came in, his eyes searching for me but when he saw me just eating, he somehow feel relieved.

"Sorry, I just went to answer an important call outside" he whispered to me when he sat down next to me. "What took you so long in the restroom anyway?"

"Nothing that concerns you" I just spat, not looking at him.

He seems like he was taken back by my tone so he was just about to open his mouth again but unfortunately, I didn't let him talk, I am not ready to hear his lies "I forgot my phone inside the restroom. Excuse me."

Back to the car...

We reached the hotel and I didn't bother waiting for him, I just pressed the up button on the elevator and hopped in without him but he just catch up on time.

The elevator ride was silent. I can sense it and when the elevator boy. He is looking at us and giving us wide smile when he might be feeling the tension between his boss and me.

"What are you looking?" Rafael hissed then the elevator dings telling us that we are already in his main office.

We went in the elevator next in the office to the penthouse.

I dropped my bag on the couch and it fell on the carpet floor with a thud but I didn't care. I just walk straight to the stairs to my room.

"Belle!" I heard Rafael called "Come here. We need to talk!"

"I'm tired, Rafael. Lets talk some other time." I spat, deepening the word talk. But he didn't listen, he followed me before I could enter my room and he grab my arm, pulling me to face him. "What the fuck~"

"~What the fuck is your problem?!" He snapped, his grip on me is painful causing me to wince.

"Me? I don't have a fucking problem" I played cool but you can sense the sarcasm in my tone. "Do you have?"

"Oh don't play dumb with me, Belle. I know there is something wrong? Did something happen when you went to the restroom? Tell me, did Roberto talked to you?!"

"No!" I snapped, taking his grip off "Let go off my arm, Rafael! You're hurting me"

But he seems to soften up a little, he loose his grip on my arm as he takes a deep breath. "What's wrong, Belle? Don't just ignore me and I will pretend that I didn't notice it."

I just rolled my eyes and didn't face him instead, I turn on the side "How long am I gonna tell you that it's nothing. I am fine and I am getting pissed at you for being stubborn! I am tired and I just want to sleep" then without any words, I went inside my room and slamming it in his face.

That stupid man....

I can't fucking face him because I felt hurt.