Chapter 302 - Lonely

Belle worked to the stage that Gail was tempted to confess to her that he knew about what happened.

She didn't eat or fall asleep and immediately she was done with what she's doing, she moved onto something that should be tended to, later. 

Not taking a single break for eating or nap.

But to his surprise, she got off work at the normal closing hour, not acting like anything was wrong.

He felt like holding her and easing her pain but the only thing he could do was taking her home.

Belle said her thanks after and yeah, she cried all night, barely having the energy to do anything the next day, but still leave for work anyway.

She returned home that day and sat in her living room. Michael called her that morning, but she didn't pick it.

It has never happened before, so he assumed she was busy.

He sent her a text message to ask her to text him back when she's less busy.

Belle began to look back in time. The day Leo was so against her doing life alone.

How he told her she will need someone to lean on, because right now, she so badly needed someone to lean on. 

She wants a family member to tell her to calm down. Someone to at least assure her that all will be fine, because now she realized that without Michael, she's no different from being alone.

She couldn't help it and called one of her friends. 

"Hmm… seems like someone finally has my time today? I need to bath with the same shampoo from now on, or perhaps the side of the bed I slept on….." Tracy heard her son and stopped with her rant.

"Hey! What's up?" She asked.

"I don't know. I just feel lonely. I miss everyone." Belle said and Tracy let out a deep sigh.

"It must have been hard on you, but haven't you and Michael taken your relationship to the stage of living together? Maybe marriage. It's been long and he shouldn't leave the chance for you to be feeling this way. You have no one else there." Tracy said with concern.

Belle was silent.

"Wait! You two fought?" She asked.

"No no. I've just missed you guys. How's everyone?" She asked.

"Belle?"

"I'm fine, really. I just thought back to the old days and got emotional. We should all have a reunion these coming months, what do you say?" Belle suggested and Tracy still doubts she's alright.

"Are you sure all is well?" 

"Hmm hmmm."

"Okay, I will make the plans, but I'm so busy for now, but we will make it happen. I can't wait to see you." Tracy hyped and Belle giggled.

Her tears still kept falling, but it felt nice hearing Tracy's voice, but still…

She still felt so broken and doubted there would be a repair.

After ending the call, she still needed distraction. She didn't want to think of the betrayal.

She has always known this day will come ever since she felt insecure about him. A day he will stop being her man, but she was at the losing end here.

Her body has been used without mercy. She felt that there's nothing special about her for another man to hype over anymore.

Belle went through this heartache for a week, totally ignoring Michael, but she had started acting natural. 

She eats and sleep well now, but talks less unless it's mandatory. The only person she's close with, is her boss.

He never failed to take her to have dinner and bringing her home has become something casual, that some of her neighbors had begun to gossip about her dumping her former boyfriend.

Her new boyfriend brought a better looking ride and always dressed elegantly.

Lucky girl! They thought.

Gail probed her till she talked and even went to some extent to make her smile.

It wasn't pleasant seeing her so broken, but one thing changed. Which was how she wasn't making sure to measure their closeness.

He was able to touch her shoulders and even held her hand now. She just looks so calm.

…..

Meanwhile, Michael was using the excuse that she's busy and he was also nearing a goal, which he wanted to achieve because of her, but he couldn't help it anymore.

He badly craved her warmth. He wanted to make love to her. It has been so damn long.

That's when he realized she didn't reply to his text or call him back after seeing his missed call.

What could be going on?

He also decided to go visit her, but called her first.

Belle saw the call but didn't pick as usual. She has shed tears to the extent that it refused to come now.

She just put the phone on silent.

It's weekend and after the incident, Gail wasn't giving her so much work, which made her be at home.

She didn't see his text message that he's coming to her place.

It was around 3:25pm when Michael arrived at her house.

Her heart skipped when her doorbell rang.

She rushed towards the entrance and peeped through the door hole.

He was standing there all handsome and breathtaking as usual with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

Belle was dumb to all this now. She just continued to stare at him.

Her inside boiled with how he looked so innocent like her Michael, who's now gone.

This man outside her door is nothing but a cheater and there's no way she's going to let him in.

She's done.

She knew she wouldn't be able to fall in love with another man, based on how she loved him, but she would rather live her life alone than to be with someone that betrayed her.

Even if she had to live the rest of her life alone, she would.

Michael was confused.

He began to knock instead of pressing the Bell. 

"Baby, you there?" 

Belle turned around and went to resume with what she's doing, leaving him to keep barking.