BLACKMAILED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 21: Navigating Heartache

Chapter 21: Navigating Heartache

"Can't believe you turned Alex down, Bella. Girls would kill to go out with him. He's hot and loaded, and you just said no? Unbelievable, Bella," Lisa exclaimed, incredulous. We were lounging on the couch, wine in hand, half-focused on some reality TV drama. It was Saturday, and lately, Harry had been granting me ample personal time—perhaps a guilt-induced concession after rejecting me, though I wasn't about to question the respite. It felt good to have space to breathe.

"Look, I'm just not ready to dive back into the dating pool. And besides, I didn't exactly reject him; I just haven't called him back," I reasoned with Lisa, trying to make sense of my own hesitance. Lisa, ever the pragmatist, pressed on. "So, are you planning to call him? And what's this about not being ready? You've been single for five years, dabbled in one date, and now you're back to square one, claiming you're not ready? Bella, you're crazy. You need to get out there more before taking another hiatus."

I hadn't mentioned the kiss with Harry to her. Taking a deep breath, I decided it was time to come clean. "Okay, don't freak out, but a week ago, Harry and I... we kissed. I initiated, he reciprocated, but afterward, he called it a mistake. So, that's that."

Lisa was aghast, her reaction immediate. "Wait, you guys kissed, and I'm only finding out now? Bella, why on earth would you keep this from me for so long?" Her disappointment was palpable, mirroring the confusion and embarrassment I'd been wrestling with.

"I know, I should've told you sooner. I guess I was just embarrassed about being rejected. It made me feel...ashamed, and I'm sorry for not saying anything," I admitted, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability in sharing the truth.

Lisa's response was swift and supportive. Pulling me into a hug, she offered her unwavering reassurance. "Bella, listen to me. You have nothing to be ashamed of. If anyone should be carrying that weight, it's Harry. You're incredible—gorgeous, smart, and kind. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Forget Harry; if he can't see the mistake he's made, then he's not worth it. He's just a jerk, and you don't need that kind of drama."

Her words, infused with the kind of blunt honesty only a best friend could offer, brought a laugh from me. "Thanks, Lisa. You always manage to lift me up. I just don't understand why he'd kiss me and then push me away. Do you think he's afraid of commitment or something?"

Our conversation, while filled with laughter and camaraderie, also stirred a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions within me, leaving me to ponder the complexities of the heart and the unpredictable journey of navigating through its tumultuous waters.

"Bella, it doesn't matter if he's afraid of commitment. What he did—leading you on, that kiss, then calling it a mistake—it's not fair to you," Lisa stated definitively.

I sighed, sharing my confusion. "It's bewildering, really. He oscillates between being so thoughtful and then completely dismissive. He remembers conversations from years back, even initiated that prosthetic leg project... It's like he swings from being incredibly frustrating to being incredibly kind. Trying to figure him out is just exhausting."

Lisa, always one to see a path forward, chimed in with her plan. "Okay, here's our game plan: we're going out, and you're going to message Alex to join us. I'll bring David along. It's time you gave Alex a real chance, understood?"

The thought didn't excite me in the least. "Lisa, I just don't feel up to it. I'd much rather stay in, curl up with some ice cream, and block out the world. I'm just not in the right headspace for a night out," I confessed, burdened by the heaviness of my emotions.

But Lisa was relentless. "Well, that's too bad because you're getting out tonight. And you're going to text Alex. If you don't, I might just send him one of those risqué bathroom selfies you've been hiding. Oh yes, I've seen them. Don't be so surprised I snooped through your phone," she half-joked, but her intent was clear.