Chapter 4

Bella's heart broke at the thought that he would ask her such a question.

"I'm not lying to you." She looked at him straight in the eye. She wouldn't blame him entirely if he was still doubting her. She had lied to him about being a waitress because she didn't want to have to recount how she got in. "I'm telling you the truth; I came here purposely to see you." It's embarrassing enough to recount how she stalked him for weeks.

"Okay, fine," he said, looking at her so deeply. "Going forward, I'll appreciate it if you're honest with me. That would help fix the broken trust between us."

Bella nodded. "I promise, I will." She took another bite to calm her nervousness.

"I never forget a face I'd come across before and you," Arthur said, pointing to her. "I had never crossed my path, not even in my dreams. So why are you here to see me?"

"It's complicated." She said she was almost choking on her food.

"Take it easy; we could push our conversation until you're done eating."

Bella quickly gulped down the juice in the cup that was placed in front of her. "I'm fine."

"I bet it is complicated seeing how you crashed my party and breached my security. Not everyone can do that, Miss." He clapped his hands together. "And that is very commendable if you ask me, now that you have my attention, what do you want from me?

Bella had previously thought that her greatest challenge was to gain entrance; she hadn't really thought of how to seduce Arthur. And now that she's right here with him, it seems to her that she has yet to conquer her biggest hurdle.

She suddenly became aware of the cheap make-up she'd earlier applied, knowing fully well that she did a below-average job putting it on as she had never worn one before.

A few hours ago, Bella was so sure she had what it takes to be as powerful man as Arthur Lorenzo is. Right, she had lost all her confidence and was sure that if she opened her mouth to state her mission, she would be faced with greater embarrassment and absolutely no hiding place to run to. In a glance, her eyes traveled to the door, and she instantly reminded herself that she stood no chance of leaving except if he allowed her.

Arthur followed her eyes. "I don't think you're willing to accept my gentleman's offer." He shook his head. "Even now, you're still thinking of running away. Does my house look like some sort of playground or an Olympic center?" He asked, as he was completely out of patience with her.

Arthur stood up from his seat, and Bella quickly dropped the slice of pancake she had eaten half way into the tray.

"I'll have to take you to the security unit to scrutinize you. I believe I was gentle and polite in my approach to you. If you can't tell me the reason you disguised yourself as a waitress just to get in here, I'm sorry, I can't believe another word of yours." He walked towards the landline he had used some time ago.

"Hello, there is an intruder in my quarters. Send me some security personnel. Do this discreetly to avoid startling our guest."

"What are you doing?" Bella raised her voice.

"Mind your manners, woman. Right now, you're in my quarters, and I'm afraid they will be here in a few seconds. Unless you start talking and wasting my precious time, you'll have to be drilled and grilled by them, and trust me, they treat both men and women alike without preferential treatment."

They locked eyes again, but this time it was longer than the first. A knock on the door interrupted their staring competition. Bella's eyes were instantly filled with fear. She had not envisaged this happening. He felt pity for her. She was like a child who had been caught stealing red-handed and didn't know what to do.

"Oh, finally, your new hosts are here." He made to reach out for the door, and as he walked to the door, he had a change of mind. She had been keeping his company since they met in the hallway. He was going to grill her himself. He had barely reached for the door when Bella said something he wasn't sure he had heard correctly. He turned around slightly to face her amidst the consistent knocking that was on the other side of the door.

"I beg your pardon," he said, blinking his eyes. "Can you come again? I don't think I heard you correctly."

Bella's face flushed with embarrassment as she looked down.

"Boss, are you okay in there?. We are breaking in at the count of three." A man from the other side of the door said it with a loud voice. "One, two.."

Bella knew her end had come; she regretted coming to Lorenzo's mansion in the first place. How much worse can one night get?

"Three." And the door was opened.

"Are you alright, boss?" A man smartly dressed in a suit could easily pass, as the end of the security team asked before turning to her. He was broadly built and fit; he led the team into the room, and their presence made her timid. Bella thought of how these men would rough handle her if she was left at their mercy.

"Oh, you're here, Edward. Sorry to bother you, but I think I was mistaken for a moment. As you can see, it's just me and my honorable guest." He moved towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist for the second time that night. He felt her stiffen as he touched her. He moved his face towards hers, and she tried to pull away. Her heart was beating heavily, and his breath brushed through her ears, making her fall to her knees. "Relax; you don't want to give yourself away."

The security team noticed how cozy they were, and of course, they will need their privacy. Edward signaled to others to put their weapons away. They did so with immediate effect.

Sorry to startle you, ma'am." Edwards turned to Arthur. "Boss, I'll leave two men at the door to ensure your safety." He signaled to others, and they took their leave.

"Oh, that was close." She quickly disengaged herself from him. She feared that she might be caught drooling at his handsome face.

"You have me to thank for saving your ass, I guess."

"Thank you"

"You're welcome; at least as against your burglary skills, you're a grateful person."

Bella looked at him so hard without saying a word.

Ignoring the look on her face, "So, hmmmm, you were saying something about being my woman?"

"Yes." Bella's answered sluggishly.

"What makes you think I lack women and I would accept your offer?"

"I know I have an ordinary look, but trust me, I'm a decent person, and I'm here for an exchange."

Arthur raised his eyebrow. "What could you possibly offer me that I can't get elsewhere?"

"My virginity and, of course, my womb."

"What?" Arthur found himself rolling his eyes in an unexpected manner before bursting out into a loud, thick laughter. "Wait a minute? You came here to offer me your virginity and womb; isn't that a subtle way of telling me to marry you?"

"Of course not. You probably won't father a child with the terrain of girls at your beck and call." She walked towards him as she slowly gained her confidence. "And I can be your surrogate mother; of course it isn't for free, and it's not cheap."

"Unfortunately, Miss, I'm not interested in your offer."