Chapter 13: Girlfriend??
Day after day passed, and James underwent various examinations and finally he was good to go.
And that dayHector met up with the others in front of the hospital.
"Good morning, my beautiful colleagues." Hector greeted as he approached with three men behind him, each carrying a suitcase.
"You seem very happy. Did you kill a bunch of guys on your way here?" Ferucci smirked, but Hector's smile remained unwavering, his kind aura unshaken.
For a moment, an awkward silence hung between them.
"Well, I'm happy to see you happy." Hans said, stepping forward, but Hector stopped him with a hand.
"Not so fast. I have a gift." He grinned and gave a slight wave to his men, who stepped forward and placed the suitcases in front of them.
"I hope it's not chopped-up bodies..." Bella remarked with a smirk.
"Why would it be bodies?" Hector asked, genuine confusion crossing his face.
"Forget it. She's dumb." Ferucci waved dismissively. "But seriously, what's in the suitcases?" He asked while lighting a cigarette.
Hector's smile widened. "Well, for your exceptional hard work this year, James has gifted each of you five million dollars in cash."
As he said ot Ferucci's cigarette slipped from his lips, falling to the ground.
Silence fell over the group again. No one spoke. They only exchanged glances.
"What?" Hector said. "Open it and see for yourselves."
Bella was the first to act.
She quickly unzipped one of the suitcases, and as the lid flipped open, stacks upon stacks of cash stared back at them. Her hands trembled as she slowly picked up a bundle, her eyes wide, almost childlike with wonder.
"Is this..." Her voice wavered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"It's a bonus from—" Hector began, but Bella cut him off.
"Is this for our child? Is this a message that he's ready...?" She stood up, a bright smile on her face, yet her hands trembled as they rested against her stomach. "I'm ready..."
"Ayy, stop this nonsense, Bella." Hector said, rubbing his temples and shaking his head. "It's a bonus for your hard work."
"Nonsense?" She stepped closer to him, searching his face. But when she looked into his eyes, she found nothing—just an empty gaze.
"Well, maybe it's nonsense." She whispered., adjusting Hector's suit with a teasing touch. "Or maybe... it's a sign." She smiled and stepped back.
"I've never seen this much money..." Ferucci muttered, gripping a stack of bills. "Are you sure it's really ours?" He looked at Hector, disbelief in his eyes.
"Yes. James told me personally to give it to you. So enjoy it."
He then wiped at his eyes, a rare show of emotion. "Shit... I can finally buy my grandma a big house..."
"Yes, you can." Hector said, stepping closer and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. Then his gaze shifted to Hans. "And you... you haven't said anything."
Hans hesitated before exhaling deeply. "Well... my daughter is fighting cancer. So I'm going to—"
He couldn't finish before Hector suddenly stepped forward and wrapped him in a tight, wordless hug, holding him there for a few moments.
"I have some knowledge in the field." Hector finally murmured. "Contact me later."
Hans and the others were stunned. More than the money, more than anything else, they struggled to comprehend what had just happened. More importantly, they struggled to believe that this psychopath had feelings.
But there was no time to dwell on it. Hector clapped his hands together and spoke once more.
"Alright, that's enough. Get the money put away. It's time to go see James."
But just as they were about to head inside, James was already making his way out, his left leg limping slightly.
"Oh, nice to see you guys." He said as he stepped outside.
Damn, they can't leave me alone for a bit...
"Come on, lean on me." Bella said, rushing to his side. She slipped her arm under his to support him, pressing her body against his.
"I'm alright, Bella." James reassured her with a small smile.
But as he spoke, he realized how close her face was to his—uncomfortably close.
And he did something he never thought he would—he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Bella's cheek.
"But thank you." He said with a small smile.
She suddenly let go of him, stepping back in shock, her face turning bright red. Her eyes widened, "I knew you were ready..." Her whole body shivered.
"What?"
"Don't mind her." Ferucci cut in. "The car is ready for you." He gestured toward the parking lot.
James turned his head and his mouth slightly dropped open.
In the parking lot, six all-black SUVs were lined up, surrounded by men standing guard. It looked like a presidential convoy.
"Isn't that a bit much?" James asked as he walked toward the vehicles.
"It's necessary for your protection after what happened." Hector replied, opening the door of one of the SUVs.
"Alright..." James sighed, stepping inside. But as he settled into his seat, he caught a glimpse of one of the men standing near the car—under his coat, a machine gun.
"Are you sure this isn't too much?" James asked once again, glancing at Hector, who was sitting beside him.
"No, it's alright." He replied with a reassuring smile. "Where do you want to go?"
James let out a deep sigh. "Let's go to my mother."
This feels more like a military convoy...
As they got closer, James leaned forward to the driver.
"Don't stop directly at the house."
"Yes, sir." The man replied, which surprised James. Sir?
A minute later, they came to a stop. As soon as James stepped out of the car, the entire convoy followed—nearly twenty people surrounding the area.
This is way too much... he thought, glancing back at Hector, who was just smiling.
"We'll wait for you outside, James." He said.
"No, come in."
Hector raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the invitation. Meanwhile, Bella was fixing her hair and even took out a perfume bottle, giving herself a quick spray.
"Guys, make sure you all act... different, okay?"
They all nodded in understanding.
With that, James took a deep breath and opened the door.
As they stepped inside and closed the door behind them, James' mother stood there, her eyes locking onto James.
For a moment, he braced himself, expecting a slap. But then something unexpected happened.
She walked forward with purpose, and James tensed, preparing for impact.
But she didn't stop in front of him. She walked right past him.
James turned around quickly, and what he saw was almost unbelievable—his mother was hugging Bella.
And it wasn't just a hug—they were literally jumping and laughing together.
What the actual fuck is happening? James thought, completely bewildered.
"It's so nice to see you again, darling." His mother said, cupping Bella's face in her hands.
"I'm happy to be here." Bella replied, smiling warmly.
Then, to James' absolute confusion, his mother grabbed Bella's hand and walked right past him before stopping.
"Hiding such a beautiful girlfriend is a sin!" She said with a teasing smile.
"What?" James blurted out, his brain struggling to process what was happening.
He glanced back at the others, who looked just as confused as he was.
Finally, they all made their way to the dining table and sat down. The atmosphere felt awkward—at least for them—because Bella and James' mother were completely absorbed in their conversation, laughing and chatting like old friends.
James, Hector, Hans, and Ferucci exchanged uncertain glances, still trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
"Well, Mom, let me introduce you to my friends." James said, trying to regain some control over the situation.
"This is Hector Yilja."
Hector flashed a beautifully warm smile.
"Ferucci Bauma."
Ferucci nodded with a small smirk.
"And you might already know him—Hans."
James' mother smiled at them all. "Nice to meet you all. My name is Erika Bellini, but you can call me Erika."
Then she turned back to James with a teasing look. "But you forgot to introduce your girlfriend! Not that you need to—I already know her very well. We've talked a lot." She laughed.
James blinked in confusion. "I'm kinda lost here... Mom, how do you know Bella?"
"Oh, she was here to inform me that you were in the hospital because of some light accident." Erika said casually. "But once I knew you were alright, we started talking—a lot. About you, the way you love, your life here and back then..." She smiled warmly at Bella, who was blushing furiously.
James nearly choked on air. "But I sent Hans to inform you..." He turned sharply to him.
Hans avoided James' gaze, scratching the back of his head. "Well... Bella got here first, and she "insisted" on informing your mother."
James sighed in disbelief, but before he could say anything, his mother continued, "Oh, and I even showed her your baby photos!" She grinned.
That was enough to make Ferucci spit out the water he was drinking, spraying it all over the table.
"I-I'm terribly sorry..." He said, frantically trying to soak up the mess.
"No worries, I'll get a wipe." Erika said, leaving the room.
The second she was out of sight, Hector leaned in with a cold expression. "Lying about something serious is a great sin, Bella—a sin that comes with death."
"Yeah, and I would love to cut her open." Ferucci added with a grin.
"Enough," James said, exhaling a deep sigh.
Bella crossed her arms. "I never said we were together. Your mom just assumed it."
"So, you're telling James that his mother is in the wrong?" Hector asked, leaning toward her.
James' voice dropped to a dangerously low tone. "Stop talking."
The room went silent.
They lowered their heads, staring at the table.
James clenched his fists. Fuck... this is exactly how my family is going to get mixed up in all this. Too dangerous... fuck... But she's sexy and a genius... and also a fucking psychopath.
What do I do? What should I do?
James' mind raced.
Wait... this is perfect for—
"I'm back." Erika announced as she walked in with a cloth, cleaning up Ferucci's mess.
"I'm sorry." Ferucci muttered.
"Don't say sorry, it's nothing."
"But why is it so quiet? Did something happen?" She asked, noticing the tension in the room.
"No, nothing, Mom." James replied quickly.
She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced, but then smirked. "So, tell me, why would you hide such a beauty like her from me?"
James forced a smile, thinking fast. "I just wanted the right time for it... because we only started dating. We've only been thinking about it seriously in the last few months."
Everyone froze.
Bella's face turned deep red, her eyes widening in shock.
"Oh, really?" Erika asked, clearly intrigued.
"Yeah..." James continued smoothly, "but I love her with all my heart—her smile, her eyes... she's just the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen."
And before Bella could react, James leaned in, grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"Wow, you're such a gentleman, son." Erika laughed.
Bella, meanwhile, was completely frozen—her face burning red, her eyes tearing up.
"My grandchildren will be so beautiful." Erika added.
"Yes, as beautiful as her..." James replied smoothly, though his mind was spinning. "But sorry, for a moment, I need to use the bathroom." He quickly added, standing up and making his way to the restroom.
As soon as he closed the door behind him, he looked at himself in the mirror.
Calm down, calm down... It's going to be alright.
He took a deep breath, gripping the sink.
With this, the Penelope problem is solved... no emotional ties to Victor.
But fuck...
He stared into the mirror, his reflection blurred by the storm in his mind.
But I was the one who saved her that day...
I knew this was going to happen...
Fuck my life...