Isabella~
"How's my acting, Mama? In this courtroom drama, I played the role of a judge." Alan rushed to embrace my knees as soon as he saw me.
"You were amazing. Alan, I wish you would become a judge in the future." I took him in my arms and kissed his forehead.
"No, Mama, I want to be a police officer." He rubbed his cheek, trying to erase the imprints of my kiss.
"Bella, to fulfill your dream, you should plan another kid because Alan didn't seem interested in becoming a judge." James made fun of me when he learned that Alan wanted to become a police officer.
"James, not again." Since I was finding it more difficult to hide my blush, I asked him to refrain from making fun of me in front of my family.
"What are you saying in my wife's ear, James, that she can't hide her blush?" Xavier approached us and wrapped his arms around me in a possessive manner. His sudden possessiveness surprised me. I felt uncomfortable experiencing his closeness in front of Dad because he still did not approve of our relationship.
"James was telling me that the quality of our arguments was improving." After removing his arms from my shoulders, I sat on the couch.
"Oh really, I don't think you begin part-time advocating for James." Observing his clenched jaw and playful taunts, it became clear to me that he was unhappy with me.
What is the root of his anger towards James?
"I would be overjoyed to have a lawyer of such beauty represent me." James flirted with me while placing his hand on his chest.
"Stop flirting with her, James; come with me; I have to show you something." Victor sensed the gravity of the situation, so he brought James into his room.
"Dad, did you take your medicine?" Dad sat in the hall's corner, immersed in his thoughts.
"When did you return, Bella?" He snapped out of his reverie upon hearing my voice.
"A few minutes ago. You told me, Have you taken your medicine?" I questioned him again.
"No, Mama, Grandpa didn't take his medicine, and he asked me not to tell you the truth." Alan complained about his grandpa for missing his medicines.
"Bella, your son is lying; trust me, I have my medicines." Dad shook his head and maintained an innocent expression on his face.
"Dad, go to your room first and have your medicine now." I ordered him.
"Huh. Bella, next time, take your son with you." Dad looked at Alan and me disapprovingly and walked towards his room.
I didn't think it was appropriate to disturb Xavier, as I could see he was busy reading some case files. Already exhausted from today's hectic schedule and Uncle Jawar's behavior, I headed to the kitchen to brew coffee.
When I reached Uncle Jorawar's house, at first, he refused to meet me, but when I requested Aunt Lily to let me meet her husband, she allowed me to enter her house. Aunt Lily made me feel like a mother, while Uncle Jorawar led a lovely family with two younger sons than Victor. Dad's perspective on the animosity between him and Uncle Jorawar differs significantly from Uncle's viewpoint.
As much as I tried to push it aside, the weight of my visit to Uncle Jorawar and Xavier's growing possessiveness felt like ticking time bombs, ready to explode at the wrong moment. What would happen when the truths I uncovered collided with the secrets Xavier was trying to protect?
After speaking with him, I'm still unsure of who I should believe. Jordan Lucas profited from the animosity between the Thompson brothers by deftly exploiting their differences. I asked Uncle Jorawar not to hide my visit from everyone and then departed from his house.
At 4 p.m., I arrived at my workplace. James had been waiting for me since I told him to wait for me. I wanted to apologize to him for the engagement drama and clarify that I had not sent him a Facebook friend request. Victor had been chatting with him via my Facebook account, but before I could tell him anything, one of my old clients unexpectedly visited me.
I spent so much time preparing his case file that I was running late to get home. I regret once again not keeping my word to Alan. I brought James along when he asked me to meet Alan.
When I saw Dad explaining the court session arguments to Xavier, we came to a stop at the hall's entrance. Xavier's confident argument, as he practiced defending Victor in this case, filled me with relief.
However, when Xavier saw James with me, I saw a hint of jealousy in his eyes. It wasn't just James' presence that rattled me—it was the ease between them. They shared a history I couldn't touch, a part of my life Xavier still seemed unsure he belonged in.
"Bella, in which world are you lost?" The realization of the muscular arms wrapped around my waist burst my thought bubble.
"Xavier, what are you doing? Someone will see us?" His abrupt behavior took me aback.
We had been living in the same house for the last month, but he had never behaved in such a romantic manner with me, so his sudden romantic behavior surprised me today.
"No one will come here; we are alone here." He grabbed me by the waist and turned me to face him. I sensed his closeness, and my heartbeat accelerated. To stop me from moving, he placed his palms over my palms and stroked his muscular arms across my arms.
He kissed me before I could comprehend what he was attempting to do. His grip on my hand was firm, almost too tight, like he feared that if he let go, I might slip away entirely.
There was dominance and power in his kiss. I didn't sense any tenderness or affection in his kiss today. What was Xavier trying to prove with that kiss? I didn't know whether to feel flattered or trapped.
Bella, I love you." He muttered in my ear after breaking the kiss.
To find out why he had acted so suddenly, I looked into his deep blue eyes.
"I'm not sure that you'll take my joke seriously enough to begin making plans for a second child so soon, Bella."
When I heard James' voice, I looked toward the kitchen door.
When I spotted James in the kitchen, I took another look at Xavier's face and noticed that he appeared satisfied.
After filling my mug with coffee, I slipped out of the kitchen.
"Bella, please listen to me." Xavier followed me to my room, but I didn't feel like talking to him right now, so I shut the door before he could get inside.
Leaning against the door, I tried to steady my breath. Was Xavier trying to prove his love, or was he trying to stake his claim out of jealousy? And why did it feel like I was caught between two battles—one with him, and one with the truth I couldn't yet reveal?