Kevin smiled gently, started the engine and went away…
Bella looked at the time and took out her phone to dial Alice, “Hey, are you out yet?”
“Soon.”
“Why haven’t you left the house yet?”
“I had diarrhea last night.”
“Are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?”
“No, I’ve just taken two anti-leakage pills.”
A woman dressed in noble clothes passed in front of Bella. The wallet placed in her mink coat suddenly fell down. She was saying to Alice, “Wait a moment.”
Then she picked up the wallet on the ground and caught up with the noble woman, “Hello auntie, you dropped your wallet.”
The noblewoman took off her dark brown sunglasses, revealing a pair of eyes that were wrinkled but extremely well maintained, and took it with a smile, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Bella smiled back, turned gracefully, and went back to talking to Alice on the phone, “Hello, still there?”
“Yes, did you just return money found?” Alice asked teasingly.
“Yes, I picked up a wallet.”
“Gee, what a good girl! You’re worthy of praise.”
“Come on, have you gone out yet?”
“See you in ten minutes.”
“Good.”
……
Bella and Alice shopped all day, bought many clothes and cosmetics, and also bought some for Kevin. Kevin returned home in the evening, and didn’t see Bella, immediately asked, “Mom, where is Bella?”
Blanche ignored him.
He asked his sister again, “Lena, where is your sister-in-law?”
Lena snorted, “This world is getting more and more incomprehensible. They used to be bored with each other, now why do they miss each other when they just part for a while? It’s unimaginable.”
“Cut the crap, where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Kevin took out his phone in frustration, “Will I not be able to find her? You’re a bad girl who can’t get married!”
Lena smashed over with a pillow and roared at his back, “If someone like you can get a wife, why shouldn’t I be able to get married…”
“Oh my gosh, what the noise! I can’t even watch a TV.”
Blanche rubbed her ears.
“Mom, how the hell did you raise us? He was born to make me angry!”
“How should I know? I just know that neither one of you will let me free from worry. I should have had neither given birth to you in the first place.”
“You’re crazy. I can’t stay here.”
Lena ran upstairs in a frenzy.
Kevin stood by the fountain to call Bella, and it rang for a while before she answered, “Hello, honey, what for?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m having dinner with Alice.”
“Why are you always with Alice? Shouldn’t you be having dinner with me now? Shouldn’t it be us celebrating together?”
“Oh, Alice had to ask me to treat her. I’d look too mean if I refused, wouldn’t I?”
Kevin sighed, “So when will you be back?”
“When I finish, I will go back.”
“Okay, eat quickly.”
“Got it.”
Bella was urged by Kevin. She wiped her mouth and went to pay the bill, leaving Alice alone in the restaurant.
Back home, Kevin was working in the study, and she walked in with a big bag, “See how powerful I am, right? I’ve spent a lot of money today.”
Kevin smiled, “It is good. A woman who will spend money proves that her man can make money.”
“Yes, you’re great. You’re amazing.”
Bella opened a box, “Look what I got for you.”
“A toner, lotion, shaving lotion, a face mask.”
Kevin stared at her, “Why did you buy me a mask?”
“Face sticker.”
“You’re kidding. It’s so unmanly for a man to put on his face.”
“Why do you think so? It’s to protect the skin, and to make you look not much older than me.”
“Am I a lot older than you?”
In fact, Kevin was only three years older than Bella.
“No, but I just want to bring you out with a little more respect.”
“Do I lose face now?” Kevin was about to get angry.
“Of course not, you look good now, but of course you’ll be more handsome if your skin is well protected.”
“Well, when do you become so vain?”
Bella rolled her eyes, “I just want my husband to stay young forever.”
“Who wants to be young forever?”
“Oh I get it, you want to grow old with me.”
Looking at her wicked smile, Kevin snorted, “Don’t be so smug. Put on the clothes you bought and I’ll take a look.”
“What for?”
“In two days, Mrs. Chapman is hosting a banquet for some rich and wealthy wives and ladies, and you’ll always have to dress up then.”
“I won’t be asked to attend, will I?”
“Yes.”
“Why? I don’t know her.”
“You don’t know her, but she knows you. Nobody wouldn’t dare to know my wife.”
“Well… is it okay if I don’t participate?”
Bella didn’t want to attend this kind of party. Those rich and wealthy wives will compare their diamond rings.
“Of course not, it’s a matter of face. How disgraceful for me if you don’t go!”
“Then are you going?”
“She invited all the women, so I’m not going.”
“I’m scared alone if you don’t go.”
“Scared?” Kevin raised his eyebrows incredulously, “Are you afraid? But you watched a scary movie by yourself in the middle of the night.”
“I’m that bored.”
“No, you have to go anyway. As my wife, you’ll have to attend all the parties like this from now on.”
“Then I won’t be your wife, okay?”
“Don’t you dare…”
Kevin chased her to the bedroom, and after a forceful attack, Bella obeyed his lustful authority and agreed to go to that party.
On Thursday evening, she wore a plain evening dress and arrived at the banquet venue, Mrs. Chapman’s house.
Chapman’s villa was extremely large. As soon as she entered the banquet hall, Bella was a bit dazzled, not because of the shining lights, but the women inside. Whether they were young or not, all dressed up and glorious, but she was much more plain. It was fortunate that Kevin was not there, otherwise, he would not have been angry with her.
“This is Mrs. Jones-Sharp, right?”
Mrs. Chapman spotted her with her sharp eyes and greeted her warmly, nodded and smiled elegantly, “Yes, hello, nice to meet you.”
“I’ve long heard that Mrs. Jones-Sharp is naturally beautiful, and it’s true. You’re in this plain dress, actually prettier than all the women here.”
“Mrs. Chapman, I am flattered.”
Bella was already impatient, only wanting to have a chance to find a place to hide quickly until the banquet was over.
“Feel free then, I’ll go over there to serve the guests.”
“Fine, no problem.”
As soon as she was gone, Bella breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to the buffet, picked something she liked with a small, delicate plate, and was just about to find a quiet place to fill her belly when a noblewoman came towards her with champagne.
And, the dame looked a little familiar.
“Hello, have we met somewhere before?”
The noblewoman asked her with a smile on her face.
Bella thought about it, and coincidentally thought with the noblewoman, “Purse.”
Oh, they looked at each other and smiled. The noblewoman was quite excited, “I just thought you were quite familiar, but I just didn’t think of it for a while.”
“Yes, I did at first glance too. Why are you here, Auntie?”
She laughed after she said that…
“I was invited, and so were you, right?”
“Yes.”
“By the way, what’s your name?”
“My name is Bella.”
“Bella, what an elegant name! I’m Celeste Taylor, you can go call me Auntie Celeste.”
“Okay.”
Bella nodded heavily and handed her the snack she hadn’t yet tasted in her hand, “Auntie, this is for you. I’ll go and re-snap some.”
“Good.”
Celeste took it with a smile.
They carried the small snack to the sofa by the corner and sat down, eating and chatting, “Bella, do you have a boyfriend? I like you. Can I introduce you to a boyfriend? It’s my son. He’s handsome.”
Bella almost choked on a mouthful of dessert and waved in a panic, “No, I’m married.”
“Married?”
Celeste seemed surprised, “You look so young. How come you got married so early?”
“Yes, I got married this year.”
“Hey, that’s a pity, I wanted to introduce you to my son…”
Seeing a deep regret in her eyes, Bella smiled apologetically, “Thank you for your kindness. You have good taste. Your son will definitely find a great wife.”
“Oh, that’s sweet.”
Celeste appreciated her more, but no longer mentioned to introduce her to someone.
“Auntie, are you in business?”
“Yes, I was in business overseas and just recently returned home.”
“Oh, no wonder you look like a strong woman.”
“I’m flattered. I’m particularly fond of you. I wonder if I could invite you to my home for dinner someday.”
At the thought of her introducing her son just now, Bella felt quite embarrassed, “You shouldn’t have…”
Celeste seemed to know what she was thinking and smiled, “Don’t worry, I live alone. I’m divorced. My son lives with my husband.”
Unintentionally touching her sore spot, Bella was sorry, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
“I’ll take that as a yes if that’s not what you meant. We will meet at seven o’clock on a weekend night, then, at the Tranquil Sea Villa, which is my new residence.”
“Alright then.”
Bella had no choice but to agree.
At half-past nine, the banquet ended. Celeste walked out of Mrs. Chapman’s house with her. Standing beside the car, Celeste asked, “Where do you live. Shall I give you a ride?”
“No, my husband will come to pick me up.”
“Oh that’s fine, I’ll be off.”
“Bye.”
As soon as Celeste left, Kevin came over as well. He got out of the car and walked towards Bella with a gentle face, “Honey, did you have a good time?”
“It’s okay.”
Bella smiled, “I’m not quite full, so take me out for something nice, okay?”
“Glutton.”
Kevin spoiled her by scratching her nose and leading her to the car, “Have you met some new friends?”
Bella nodded and replied, “Yes, I met a very interesting aunt.”
“Auntie?”
“Well, by the way, I’m quite fated with her. The last time she dropped her wallet in front of Ocean Department Store, and I picked it up and returned it to her. But I didn’t think we’d run into each other again today.”
“What’s the name?”
“Celeste.”
“Celeste?” Kevin thought lamely, “I don’t think I’ve heard that name before.”
“She said she used to do business overseas, and it was only recently that she came back.”
“Oh.”
Kevin nodded unintentionally, started the engine and went away.
Gazing out the window at the flashing stream of light, Bella suddenly said, “That Auntie said she’s going to introduce me to his son today.”
What-.
Kevin emergency braked. Fortunately, they wore seat belts, otherwise, they would be thrown out.
“What are you doing?”
Bella angrily glared at him, “Why are you parking?”
“What did you say when she said she’d set you up with someone?”
Kevin was unpleasantly questioning, looking jealous.
“I said… I said…”
Bella deliberately kept him guessing, knowing that he was anxious, but she was still intent on tantalizing him.
“What exactly did you say?”
“Let me think.”
Kevin couldn’t stand it any longer, reached out and kissed her angrily.