Chapter 17

At the familiar voice, Bellatrix turned around to see Melanie gracefully walk in, flanked by her assistant. "Well, if it isn't the Homewreckers’ daughter," She repeated, standing in front of Bellatrix this time around and fixing her with a smile that looked innocent, but was anything but that. Bellatrix felt the corners of her mouth twitch. The Homewreckers’ daughter, that was a name she and Regina had called her all the time when the adults were away. It was this little notion of theirs they believed, that if Bellatrix's mother and father hadn't gotten back together after the heated argument they had, which led to his drunken mistake, then, Joe would have been with Regina's mother, in turn, not making Regina an illegitimate child. It was a ridiculous thought and yet, the girls had still managed to degrade her with the nickname. Even now, the name got on Bellatrix's nerves. However, she simply smiled professionally, not wanting to cause a scene and end up giving Cillian the opportunity to torment her once again. "Good afternoon, Miss Green," She greeted politely, keeping her professional facade on. "I came to finalize the contract and details of Aetherion's new product, Luméva’s ambassador. I've been waiting for you for the past three hours, but I understand you're busy–" "If you understand that I'm busy, then clip that rude tone of yours." Melanie snapped, cutting her off. Then she scoffed and folded her arms. "I can't believe out of everyone, Aetherion had to send such an under qualified person such as yourself." Bellatrix clenched her jaw, but just as she was about to speak, Melanie raised her hand and waved her off in a dismissive manner, like she was some dog. "Listen, I'll be frank, I don't want to do this contract, especially not after seeing you and ruining my mood. Go back and have Aetherion know that I'm already contemplating being the Ambassador of another company. They should find someone else to hire." With that said, she turned and left just as gracefully as she had come in. Immediately, Bellatrix tried to stop her, but the moment she took a step forward, Melanie's agent stepped in front. "Melanie's very busy at the moment, if you have something else to say, come back another day." "But–" "If you insist and choose to be a nuisance, then you'd only leave me with the choice of calling security. Please leave before I'm forced to do that." Seeing the look in the woman's eyes, Bellatrix knew her words weren't a bluff, so with no other choice, she nodded. "Alright, I'll return another day." The agent said nothing more as she escorted her to the door and Bellatrix didn't bother sparing her another glance. Once outside, she let out a heavy sigh. That little interaction with Melanie had taken a lot of her energy. Energy, as in, the kind she used to restrain herself from punching the brat in the face. She had known, from the moment she saw Melanie was the product ambassador, that finalizing this contract wasn't going to be easy, but this...the guts of that cheeky little brat was on another level. Groaning, Bellatrix ran a hand through her hair. Why did she have to be the product ambassador? They're so many other celebrities, so why did Aetherion have to pick an unreasonable brat like her? How did they expect her of all people to secure the contract? Looking at it this way, it looked like a definite set up from Cillian to make her suffer. Groaning again, she was about to run her fingers through her hair again, but never got the chance to do so, as, too engrossed in her own thoughts, she did not see the person in front of her, leading her to crash right into them. "Ouch," Rubbing her forehead, she looked up to see the person she had just crashed into. Surprise flickered across her features when her eyes landed on Damien's face. "Oh, Damien?" "Hey Bella," He flashed his usual smile, but his eyes lingered on where her hand was rubbing. "Did that hurt?" He asked. When she shook her head and dropped her hand, he questioned again. "And your shoulder, how is it?" "Ah," Feeling a frown tug at the corner of her lips as she recalled the unfortunate humiliation the night back, Bellatrix forced a smile. "It's all good." She lied, even going the extra mile to roll said shoulder, ignoring the ache in the process. "Glad to hear that." Damien's eyes darted between her and the building behind. "And why are you here?" "Business," She answered. "And you?" "I came to have lunch with an acquaintance of mine, Melanie." Bellatrix, who was already about to leave after remembering Cillian's words, stopped abruptly and her ears perked up at the mention of Melanie. "Lunch with Melanie?" She asked. Damien, taking note of her reaction, tilted his head slightly. "Yes, why? Do you know Melanie?" Bellatrix hesitated for a second. "She...she's the client I came here to meet up with. But..." Against her will, her face scrunched up in displeasure as she recalled her encounter with the cheeky brat. Damien found it somewhat cute, especially the way her nose scrunched up and her cheeks puffed, highlighting some of her faded freckles, which he only just now realized she had. Chuckling softly, he said. "Melanie can be kinda difficult, can't she?" Bellatrix didn't answer, but the expression on her face said it all. Suddenly, he took a step forward and leaned down—to close for comfort. If someone had seen them from a different angle, they would have been mistaken for a couple kissing. "Tell you what," He began, eyes scanning hers, taking in the uniqueness of her gray, almost silver eyes. "I'll help you." Bellatrix brightened in a heartbeat. "You will?" He nodded. "You came to finalize a contract with Melanie and she was being difficult, correct?" Although reluctant, Bellatrix nodded and Damien smiled. "I'll help you," He repeated. "All you need to do is send me the details of the contract and I'll help. But, I hope you know, even a favor like this comes with a price." A favor such as that, with a price? Of course, there's always a price when dealing with a businessman, Bellatrix knew that. However, she was ready to pay it, after all, if she didn't get the contract signed, she might as well admit to serving herself on a silver platter to Cillian for him to torment. "Of course, I'm willing to pay anything. So long as I can get the contract secured." “Any price?” Damien's eyes lingered on her for a bit longer, his expression unreadable. When she nodded, he smiled. “I hope you keep your word when the time comes, Bella," Then, with a gentle pat on the cheek, he straightened his posture and gave her a curt nod. "I'll contact you about the contract.” Bellatrix could only stare as he walked into the building. Once the doors closed behind him, she blinked a few times then released a sigh of relief. At least, that was one problem off the table. But well, you know what they say, "when one door closes, another opens." The same could be said, even in times of bad fortune. Because, as soon as the sigh of relief left her lips, the sound of her phone ringing caught her attention. Pulling it out, her brows furrowed at the sight of an unknown number. But nonetheless, she answered it, placing the phone against her ear. "Yeah hello?" "Miss Bellatrix Lancaster?" "Yeah?" "We're calling from the central police station to inform you that your friend, Miss Claire Sanders has been detained for aggravated assault." "What?”