Chapter Forty

Bella's POV

Day six: (void)

Background hit: Perfect by Anne Marie

Quote: If you're testing my waters, better know how to swim.

I yawned loudly as i stretched and rubbed my eyes with the back of my palms.

It was really cold, and there was a heavy downpour. I snuggled under the duvet and kept moving from side to side, enjoying the perfect weather for two; my duvet and I.

There was a loud thunder and that jerked me up fully awake. I put on my slippers and slipped into the black fur coat that made me so warm.

I gently opened the curtain a bit, peeping into the streets. It was all so clean, washed by the rain and everywhere was so empty, aside from the unlucky pedestrians that hid in newspaper stands. I closed the curtain once again.

"Good morning, ma'am. Here's your coffee. The retreat has been cancelled for today, due to the downpour. Your parents said to stay home," Banks notified and dropped the saucer and mug on my dresser table.

"Thank you, Banks," I smiled as I lumbered to the table and grabbed the mug of coffee. I took a little sip and it made me feel so nice and warm. Nothing like a hot cup of espresso in a cold rainy morning.

"Where's Caden?" I asked before she could leave.

"Oh, he's in his room. Probably asleep," She replied.

"Okay. You can go now," I ordered in a really cold tone and she left, gently closing the door.

I grabbed my towel and walked to the bathroom for a nice warm shower. I prepared the bath in the jacuzzi and when I was done, I gently closed the door.

Cold, I stepped into the shower and just slowly laid in it, enjoying the warmth of the water and the scent of strawberries and bubblegum fragrance.

I was done thirty minutes after, and came down, wrapping the towel around my body and another on my hair.

I slipped into one of the brand new bra tops owned by Mercedes. Brand new, known by the price tags on them and the fact that they were still neatly packed in the box and some undies too.

I stuck my legs out of the jean and kept pulling for my left leg to get through too. I heaved a loud sigh when it finally did, and buttoned the jean up. Next, i put on a blue hoodie with the words 'New York City' boldly written on it.

I dried my hair and combed it to the back, flipping it all front again before grabbing a scrunchie and packing it in a perfect ponytail.

I put on a blue pair of ankle socks I found in a cupboard and finally sprayed some perfume.

"Done," I smiled as I stared at myself in the mirror.

Sitting on the bed and flipping the pages of a magazine, I bored myself out. Where's my little cup of ego's? I thought.

I stood up Lazily from the bed and returned the cup of coffee to the table before heading out the door. I stared at his door just few feet's away from mine. A little visit wouldn't kill.

I knocked softly on the door. There was no reply. I knocked once again and still, no reply.

Choice less, I slowly turned the knob and walked into the room.

A shirtless Caden stood just few feet's away from me, in front of the mirror with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Wrong timing," I mumbled under my breath and turned to go.

"No, please. Come in," he urged, not even looking back, but staring at me in the reflection.

"Okay," I muttered.

"So, missed me?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Let's just say you're presently my boredom killer," I shrugged.

"Good enough," he smiled and groaned a bit.

I couldn't help but notice all the scars on his body. His back in particular. They were so disturbing. I would only get that number of scars in a war. Nothing else.

They were all deep and thick and waved around his back with ease. Something in particular caught my eye. There were three large marks running across his back. They were scars, but the biggest of them all.

"Why the scars?" I asked in almost a whisper, as I teared up, my eyes not able to resist the pain behind the scars.

He finally turned to me.

"Hah!" I gasped, widening my eyes and placing my hands above my mouth in surprise.

He smiled.

There were scars upon scars and scars. Scars. scars. scars. All over his body. Why the heck! They looked so easy to be with but painful to glance out. My eyes watered.

"They're just scars," he shrugged.

"From what?" I asked, interested.

"Let's just say the past can be really painful at times. But I don't want to talk about it," he raised his shoulder in a half shrug and smiled. "But I hate them. Seriously, I do. They remind me of a very hurtful past, and I hate being hurt.

I'm getting rid of them, though. With this." he raised a jar filled with lotion.

"Oh. I see," I nodded.

What in this world would give a billionaire that much scars?

"Anyway, why - "

"Is it okay if I, you know, just have a close look?" I interrupted, standing up.

He nodded and I moved even closer, placing my hands on his bare chest and feeling the coarse and rough texture of the scars on his skin, his hair curled up under my fingers.

I looked up at him, my hands still on his chest.

There was this thing I felt. Like all anger and pain towards him was eased away. Yeah, I felt pity because of the scars but it was a feeling more than pity. Like, something much more.

"You look beautiful," he complimented, our bodies almost glued to each others.

"Thanks," I smiled and tried to get away as soon as I could.

"Please, stay," He pulled me back.

That got really awkward, fast. I had no intentions of playing around anymore or picking a fight, or having random battles or quarrels or word wars. It was just me and him and for the first time, it wasn't anger I felt anymore.

He looked down at me, my face, our eyes piercing into each others. My heart raced, knowing fully well it wasn't right. But I didn't care anymore.

He cupped my face in his palms and I swallowed a lump that came to my throat. I felt his hot breath against mine and his warm hand underneath my chin.

I felt a string of anxiety as he came closer, my body agreeing with the situation, and my head having no say in the moment.

Our noses mingled with each others for a while and I couldn't think of anything than him.

I totally lost it when our lips touched each others and I could feel the warmth of his breath against mine, our lips in control but our minds flown away.

I felt like it was a dream. It should've be a dream. Why were we doing it in the first place?

We both pulled away at the same time and stared at each other.

Finally, my brain arrived and I cut the stare, looking down at my curled toes.

"Um - " I started awkwardly.

"That was - " he continued.

"Awkward?" I asked.

He returned to applying the lotion smoothly on his back and his chest.

"I should leave," I said, moving away.

"Come on, now. Not yet," He pleaded.

I thought I was liking its. It was just so different and unrealistic and that was fun about it. For the first time, he was not being a total ass.

He was different. So, much than I expected.

Author's Note.

Heyyyyyyyaaaaaa!!!

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PaulyQueen....