novelnext Chapter 18
Chapter 18
I toasted. "Thank you, Mr. Georgetown, for choosing to collaborate with us and thank you, Boss, for your support. I promise to give my all to this project and exceed everyone's expectations."I downed a glass of red wine and then made her rounds, toasting each person at the table. By the time they emptied the bottle, the room was filled with laughter and celebration.It wasn't just Bella who felt pleased; her boss and Mr. Georgetown from the partner company were in high spirits, buoyed by her flattering words.
The deal was sealed and their boss announced a raise and a year-end bonus for the entire project team.After the meal, Bella sent her boss to his car and watched the car drive away into the night.
Standing by the roadside, she felt the cool breeze clear her head a little. During the business dinner, she had managed to push aside her emotions, but as the alcohol wore off, the bitter feelings slowly crept back.I sniffed and turned around only to bump right into someone's chest. The hit was so hard that tears welled up instantly.
My nose ached and all the pain I had been holding back poured out in a flood."I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she stammered, blinking back tears. She lifted her red-rimmed eyes to apologize, only to freeze when she saw who she had run into."Bella, why are you crying?" Mark's expression softened with worry. It was unsettling for him to see her like this.He had just finished dinner with his family and spotted her standing there alone. He'd intended to come over and explain why he had been out of touch lately. Yet, before he could say a word, she turned to face him with tearful eyes, leaving him completely at a loss."I'm fine," Bella insisted, hastily wiping her tears and giving him a forced smile."We just closed a deal. My year-end bonus is going to double.""Is that so?" Mark looked down at her, still unconvinced.
"I don't believe you'd cry tears of joy over a project."I wasn't that upset. I was just disappointed. However, having him stand there, staring at me so intently and saying things that struck my heart, made my emotions harder to ignore."Were you just having dinner with your girlfriend?" I blurted out, influenced by the alcohol in the wine."Girlfriend? What girlfriend?" Mark repeated, then understood.
"So you assumed I had a girlfriend and decided to keep your distance? Did you also think I was being insincere with you?"I became even more confused as I looked at his calm expression.
"What do you mean?"A flash of happiness crossed Mark's eyes and he playfully tapped my forehead with his knuckle."That was my cousin who just returned from overseas," he explained. "We were having a family dinner, nothing more. Rest assured, my heart has always belonged to you."I felt as if Mark had read my every thought. This made me feel exposed and vulnerable. It was as if my heart had been laid bare in front of him."You're talking nonsense. I didn't …" I protested and turned to walk away, but Mark grabbed me gently.His fingers brushed my skin, his gaze warm and unwavering as he spoke with a deliberate softened voice, "You don't have to worry.
My feelings for you haven't changed."The closeness between them made my heart race. The warmth of his breath ignited an electric thrill that I hadn't felt in a long time. I was in a daze and my palms grew damp with nervous sweat.He looked at me with such genuine sincerity, his eyes full of me.Mark wasn't in a rush to have Bella to reciprocate his feelings. He had waited for years, so a little more time wouldn't hurt. He was willing to wait for her to sort through her emotions.Mark drove Bella home and then made sure she was safe before he left. Even as he pulled away, he gave her a parting smile, as if to reassure her once more.