Beneath The Surface

Chapter 21 : Clashing Titans

--- Ace's POV ---

As Marco leaves the kitchen, I turn my attention back to Bella, her eyes ablaze with defiance. Approaching her cautiously, I reach out and gently take her hand, trying to convey reassurance through my touch.

"I'm sorry for Marco's reaction," I offer softly, hoping to ease the tension. "He's not used to defiance."

Bella averts her gaze, her silence speaking volumes. I understand her reluctance to speak and decide to give her space. Guiding her towards Marco's room, my mind races with suspicions.

"Take a bath and get to bed," I instruct tersely, my tone betraying the turmoil within.

Once Bella is inside the bathroom, I close the door behind her with a sharp click, my frustration mounting with each passing moment. With a heavy sigh, I turn towards Marco's office, preparing to confront him about his reckless outburst.

Entering Marco's office, I find him seething with anger, his fists clenched in frustration. I waste no time in sharing my findings, knowing they will only fuel his rage further.

"It seems Alexander had a daughter," I announce, my voice tinged with bitterness. "And if my suspicions are correct, Bella could be that daughter."

"Why would you suspect that Bella is his daughter?" Marco growls, his voice dripping with venom.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for his reaction. "Consider this," I begin, my tone measured. "Alexander's daughter would be the same age as Bella. And no one has heard or seen his daughter in two years. Sound familiar?" 

I continue, "If Bella is his daughter, she's the offspring of our biggest adversary."

Marco's anger flares at this revelation, his features contorted with rage. But beneath the fury, I see a glimmer of realization dawn in his eyes. The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, and Marco knows it.

"We can't afford to go easy on her," Marco snarls, his voice dripping with venom. "We need to get to the bottom of this, no matter the cost."

As Marco rises from his seat, his intent clear, I move swiftly to intercept him, a surge of determination coursing through me. Despite my best efforts to dissuade him, Marco's resolve remains unyielding, fueled by his burning desire for answers.

"Marco, wait," I interject urgently, my hand outstretched in a futile attempt to halt his advance. But Marco brushes past me, his determination unswayed by my pleas.

An unsettling tension hangs heavy in the air as I follow in Marco's wake, a knot of apprehension tightening in my chest. I know the risks of confronting Bella without a plan, especially after the volatile encounter in the kitchen. But Marco's relentless pursuit of the truth leaves little room for hesitation.

As we near Bella's refuge, a brief altercation ensues between us, our conflicting intentions manifesting in a clash of wills. Marco's determination borders on aggression, his single-minded pursuit blinding him to the potential consequences of his actions.

In that moment, I realize that I must act as a buffer between Marco's unwavering resolve and Bella's fragile trust. My priority is to protect her, to earn her trust, and to guide her towards revealing the truth about her identity in her own time. But as Marco barrels forward, heedless of the consequences, I can only hope that Bella will find the strength to confide in us before it's too late.

As Marco strides purposefully into the room, I follow closely behind, a knot of apprehension tightening in my chest. Bella's gaze flicks towards us as we enter, a mixture of fear and defiance simmering in her eyes, a silent testament to the turmoil raging within her.

Sensing Marco's imminent approach, I move swiftly to intercept him, positioning myself between them in a protective stance. The tension in the room crackles with anticipation as Marco's determined strides bring him closer to Bella, his intent unmistakable.

"Marco, stop," I assert firmly, my voice laced with urgency as I hold out a hand to halt his advance. "This isn't the way to handle this."

After I firmly voiced my concern, Marco's determination showed no signs of waning. Ignoring my plea, he pressed forward, his intent unwavering. With a surge of urgency, I moved to physically intervene, my hand reaching out to grasp Marco's collar, my grip firm as I forcefully shoved him back and away from Bella.

"Marco, enough!" I growled, the edge of aggression lacing my words as I stared him down. His eyes met mine, a flicker of surprise and defiance sparking within them, but I held his gaze unwaveringly, determined to assert control over the escalating situation.

With a firm grip on Marco's arms, I guided him out of the room, my steps purposeful as I led him back to the kitchen. Once inside, I released my hold on him, but my gaze remained stern as I moved to pour him a glass of whiskey.

"Sit down, Marco," I instructed, my tone brooking no argument as I gestured to a nearby chair. "You need to get your shit together before you try to talk to Bella again."

As Marco took a seat, I handed him the glass, watching closely as he took a sip, his demeanor tense with unresolved emotions. It was clear that he needed a moment to collect himself, to reign in his impulses before he could approach Bella.

With a sigh, I leaned against the kitchen counter, eyeing Marco with a mix of concern and frustration. "Listen, Marco," I began, my voice firm but tinged with empathy, "you need to pick a guest room for tonight. I'll join Bella in the room. It's for safety precautions. You need to give her some space."

Marco nodded reluctantly, his jaw set in determination as he pushed himself up from the chair. Silently, he headed towards the hallway, his steps heavy with the weight of unresolved tension.

As Marco disappeared from view, I let out a slow exhale, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. It wasn't easy, navigating the complexities of Marco's emotions while trying to protect Bella from harm. But it was a necessary task, one that I couldn't afford to falter in. With a sense of resolve, I made my way towards Bella's room, steeling myself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead.