Bella tried calling Chris again and again, but every call went straight to voicemail. She clenched her phone, frustration bubbling in her chest. He'd blocked her. She had no choice but to push the thought aside and focus on what mattered that day her mother's proposal. Still, she couldn't shake the ache in her heart.
She went straight to Alexia's room for advice. Liam and the twins were there too.
"Hi, guys," Bella said, stepping inside.
"Hey, Ella," they chorused.
She sighed, twisting her fingers. "I think I just landed on Chris's bad side. This time, I don't know if I'll be lucky enough to avoid being fired."
"Why do you think so?" Alexia asked.
"I thought you two were fine," Liam added.
Kayden folded his arms. "Honestly, I don't care if he's fine with you or not as long as he doesn't fire you."
"Tell us what happened," Jayden said.
Bella hesitated, her voice cracking. "Well... I invited Chris here."
"What?!" they all exclaimed.
Kayden glared. "Sis, are you crazy?"
"So what's the problem then?" Liam asked, curious.
"He came earlier... but saw me and Neil in a situation that looked bad." Bella's eyes brimmed with tears.
"The same guy you went out with last night?" Liam asked, smirking.
"Yes."
"Compromising how?" Alexia pressed.
"Neil hugged me and kissed my cheek. I didn't give him permission it caught me off guard. But Chris was there. He saw it."
Kayden groaned. "Ah. No wonder he stormed off."
Jayden rolled his eyes. "Honestly, I thought you meant he caught you two having a full-on make out."
Bella glared at him.
"Have you tried calling him?" Alexia asked.
"Of course I did. But nothing. Do you think he blocked me?" Bella whispered.
"You never can tell," Alexia shrugged.
"Message him on WhatsApp," Jayden suggested.
"Or Instagram," Kayden added.
"Are you two trying to make her look desperate?" Liam snapped.
"Relax. He'll come around," Alexia said firmly.
Just then, Bella's alarm went off. Time to get to the boat. She wiped her eyes quickly and stood. "Guys, please call Uncle Joe and head to the yacht. Catty and I will bring Mum."
Bella changed into a carton-colored lace-up mini dress with long sleeves and a deep V-neck. She let her hair fall loose, slipped on lace-up sandals, and grabbed her phone.
When she entered her mum's room, Vera looked impatient. "Where have you been, Ella?"
Bella smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Mum. I went to confirm our booking for the boat cruise."
Vera softened. "Okay then."
"Mum, please wear the dress I got you," Bella urged.
"Why?" Vera asked.
"No questions just wear it for me." Bella's eyes pleaded.
Vera sighed but changed into the navy-blue gown with white stripes. Bella styled her hair, set a cream hat on her head, and handed her a basket bag to finish the look.
The yacht rocked gently as they boarded. Bella led her mum below deck with the excuse that she was too scared to use the bathroom alone. Raquel chimed in, saying she needed to go too, and Vera followed them with a sigh.
When Vera opened the first door, her breath caught.
The room was glowing with candles, red petals scattered across the floor, and balloons filling the air. A table gleamed with champagne. Violinists played softly in the background. And there, in the middle, stood Joe, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Vera froze, her eyes wide.
Joe stepped closer, his blue suit crisp, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to look effortlessly handsome. He pulled out a small velvet box, dropping to one knee.
"Vera Walter," Joe said, his voice thick with emotion, "you are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I never thought I'd find love again, but you brought light into my life. You made me smile again. You taught me how to love. I don't want to live another day without you by my side."
He opened the box, revealing a stunning oval-shaped diamond ring.
"Vera, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?"
Vera's hands flew to her mouth as tears streamed down her face. She nodded furiously, finally finding her voice. "Yes! Yes, I will marry you."
Joe slid the ring onto her finger and stood, pulling her into his arms.
The door burst open, and Bella, Raquel, the twins, Alexia, and Liam poured in, screaming with joy.
"She said yes!" they shouted, hugging each other and the couple.
"I finally get to call you Dad," Kayden grinned.
"I'm super-duper happy!" Raquel squealed, hugging Vera tightly.
Vera laughed through her tears. "When did you all plan this?"
"Since Friday," Joe admitted with a smile.
"No wonder Ella kept sneaking away," Vera teased.
Bella hugged her tightly. "I'm just glad you said yes, Mum."
Later, back in her room, Bella sent the pictures and videos to Bianca, who replied instantly with crying emojis and excitement. Exhausted, Bella lay down, her heart full for her mum yet aching for herself.
Because while Vera's future had just been sealed with love, Bella still didn't know if Chris would forgive her.
Christian leaned back in his office chair, his voice smooth and steady as he discussed design specifications with a client in San Francisco. Hampson International had just secured a lucrative contract: a new private jet for one of the city's elite, who wanted Chris himself to design both the interior and exterior.
"Sir, we've reviewed the mock-ups," the client was saying. "We've decided on the third exterior concept and the first interior layout."
"Excellent choice," Chris replied, making quick notes. "Your jet will be delivered within the agreed timeframe. Thank you for trusting Hampson International."
They exchanged polite goodbyes before Chris muted the line when a knock interrupted. His PA, Eliot, slipped in, looking apologetic.
"Sorry to disturb, sir, but you need to take this call. It's your mum. She says it's urgent."
Chris suppressed a sigh and accepted the phone. "Mum, can this wait an hour? I'm in the middle of—"
"Chris, it won't take long," Cassandra interrupted, her voice brisk but excited. "Do you know Leonard Frederick, the owner of LFB? The biggest car brand in the world?"
Chris's tone stayed cool. "Yes, I've heard of him."
"Well, he wants to surprise his wife with a private jet. He specifically asked for you to handle the design personally. His daughter will be at your office shortly as his representative. Please, Chris treat her well."
"Fine. I'll handle it. We'll talk later," he said flatly before ending the call and returning to wrap up his San Francisco meeting.
Moments later, raised voices echoed from outside. Chris frowned and signaled Eliot to investigate.
"Ma'am, you can't just walk in," his secretary, Diane, protested.
"I will walk in," the woman snapped, her voice sharp. "Do you know who I am? Touch me again and I'll have you fired." Her long, crimson nails dug into Diane's arm.
"Madam, please"
Eliot emerged from Chris's office. "What's going on here?"
The intruder released Diane with a smirk. "You must be Christian's personal assistant. I am Thelma Frederick. Leonard Frederick's daughter. I came on behalf of my father."
Eliot's expression shifted. "Apologies. We did receive word of your visit. Please, this way."
Before Eliot could usher her in, Chris himself stepped into the hall. His eyes narrowed.
"I won't be holding a meeting with you," he said coldly.
Thelma's painted lips curled into a smile. "Oh my goodness. The almighty Christian Hampson. Finally." She batted her lashes, letting her gaze rake shamelessly over him.
Chris's stare was cutting. Everything about her screamed artificial the thick layers of makeup, the revealing black two-piece outfit with its thigh high slit and barely there top, the dramatic red nails. To most men she would be irresistible. But to Chris, she was a caricature of desire. In his mind, she didn't hold a candle to Bella's quiet, natural beauty the girl who didn't need heavy paint to shine, the girl who sometimes wore nothing but a smile.
"Ma'am," Chris said, his tone ice, "we will not proceed until you're appropriately dressed. And before anything else, you will apologize to my staff."
Thelma's eyes flashed. "Why should I apologize to her?" she sneered at Diane.
"Because you were out of line," Chris replied. His gaze didn't waver.
Thelma swallowed her pride. If she wanted him, she had to play along. "I'm sorry," she muttered.
"Are you alright?" Chris asked Diane.
"Yes, sir," Diane replied, smiling faintly, which only stoked Thelma's fury. How dare a secretary draw Christian's attention?
Chris turned back to his PA. "Send me tomorrow's schedule. I'm heading home." Without another word, he disappeared into his office to collect his things.
Thelma stood frozen, humiliated. Men usually tripped over themselves to please her. She had never been dismissed so bluntly in her life. Rage and fascination twisted inside her. Rejection only fueled her determination.
She wanted Christian Hampson. And what Thelma wanted, she always got.
She had already done her research after her mother suggested the match. Christian was wealthy, influential the perfect man to tie their family name to. But there was an obstacle: Bella. Thelma's mother had warned her about the flight attendant who had captured Christian's attention. Together, they had devised a plan to separate them. Neil was part of that plan.
And thanks to an inside source feeding them information, Thelma knew exactly where to strike next.