The Contract

Chapter 177-The Pariah

"So, Eric...has cancelled his appointment for the event. He says...the new year event planning has been moved to another enterprise, I'm going to convince him and I'm certain that-"

"No need for that" I cut her off, my eyes fixated on my laptop. "But he can't do that, we were already booked for this and-"

"Kourtney" I called, my finger halting on a key as I looked up at her. "What was his reason for the cancellation?"

She paused for a second, hesitating to say it. "Because of the scandals going around—"

"Exactly"

"Which are untrue, this publishing houses are lying, making false stories up and we are working to contain it, they can't believe what the media says everytime!" She declared and I just stared.

She genuinely cared and it bothered her, not even me—her. It's new seeing someone worry about me. I tore my eyes from her and returned back to typing back to typing on my laptop.

It was the 30th, the year will be over in a day and so...was my life, my social, business, personal life, everything was...everywhere and honestly I was just...calm, so calm about it.

There was a knock on the door and we both looked up, the door was pulled open and Davis stepped in, my eyes lit up immediately. "Hey" Kourtney got up to embrace him.

My whole debacle was really ruining their engagement, he took her to the family yesterday, I couldn't go because obviously... I'm now a pariah, I don't wanna ruin anything anymore but at least they were welcoming.

And I was really proud of myself, I did this. They turned back to me, their smile slowly dying down. Oh here we go again.

"Oh come on" I got up and walked to him, pulling him into a hug before we both pulled out. "I haven't officially congratulated you"

"You don't have to" he shook his head. "I do, there should be a party" I declared and they both chuckled.

"How are you doing?" He asked, holding my both shoulder, I pushed out a little smile. "I'm fine, I'm working, of course I'm fine" I answered, shrugging in response.

"Okay, I'll give you both a moment" Kourtney said and I shot her a smile as she walked out. Once the door shut close, he turned back to me. "What's going on?"

I let out a breath and walked back to my seat. "A lot, apparently"

"Where do they get all this news from?" He asked, taking the seat Kourtney once occupied. "From their sources" I joshed, chuckling to myself but he didn't find it funny.

"What is Travis saying about all this?" He asked and I slowly leaned on the table, staring at him. "What will you say about this? Won't you be mad that your wife kissed another man on-"

"I don't believe that" he cut me off and I paused for a second, "If Travis knows and loves you, he wouldn't believe it also"

A slow smile made way to my lips, "then you don't have to worry about me" I assured, reaching for his hand on the table. "If there's anyway I could help, if there's anything you want, I could-"

"I know " I answered and he smiled. "How about dinner? I owe you that for granting me my life long" I suggested.

"Oh come on, Pearl. You don't owe us anything..."

______________________________________

As we drove into the surrounding, I spotted a car by one of the fountain and a figure stood by it. As we approached, I got a clearer view and it was..."Bella" the words escaped from my mouth.

We parked right beside and I stepped out immediately, she turned back to me, tears brimming from her eyes. Oh boy!

"What's wrong?" I asked, walking to her and she immediately embraced me, pulling me into herself, I stood there frozen as she began sobbing.

What has happened? My mind ran to plenty possibilities but I couldn't get anything. Did their vacation in Bali go wrongly?

She finally pulled out, tears streaming down her eyes. "What's... wrong?" I asked once again and she shook her head. "I couldn't bare the false news going around about you. It's..." She sniffed in, "it's so unfair, they are all lies"

So, I was what was wrong.

"You don't have to cry for-"

"How are you holding up?" She asked, both hands cupping my face. "I'm... I'm fine. Bella, it's okay, you got me worried there for a second" I admitted, letting out a breath of relief.

"Are you kidding me? I got you worried?!" She shouted in disbelief. "I shouldn't have left, I should have stayed here, by your side!" She declared, grabbing both my hands.

"What?"

"I was over there and you were here... having a hard time"

"Bella, it isn't your fault, it hasn't even happened at that time" I reminded and she still shook her head. "Where's Travis, I need to talk to him, perhaps...he would understand, he would listen to me"

"No" I tried to calm her down, she stopped for a second staring at me. "I'm sorry for everything, they are just tryna bring you down, to ruin you...to..." Another tear rolled down her eyes, "But they cannot"

I nodded, even though I didn't believe. She was trying to make me feel better and she will feel better if I pretended to be consoled a little.

"Mom doesn't understand now but...but she will with time" she encouraged, rubbing my shoulders and I continued. "And you should stop worrying yourself so much, I'm right here, aren't I?"

She tried pulling out a little smile but couldn't, "how was your trip?" I inquired, trying to lighten the mood and she wiped her eyes. "It was good"

"Don't tell you cut it short because of me"

She laughed a little, shaking her head. "Derrick insisted we get back, I was so worried" she said. "Then he's certainly mad at me" I murmured.

"Of course not. He understands " she assured and I nodded, looking up at her, her eyes softened again and I knew more tears was coming. Shaking my head, I pulled her in once again.

I was the one in the whole mess and I was the one who was out of tears.