I'm planning on posting every Friday or Saturday. I have at least one more chapter to post. This one is dual POV, but it's labeled. I can't thank you all enough that when I last posted, there were 83 views! Thank you all so much. And because of that, I decided to post a longer chapter. TW: starving on purpose with side effects.
Enjoy! :3
-CL
Bella's POV
It's about a week later and America, Maxon, and I are sitting in the dining room, eating a late lunch. Well, I should say America and Maxon are. I ate a few bites, but then I stopped.
"Bella, are you ok?" Maxon asks, looking at me.
Shit, of course, he would notice. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just not hungry." I give him a small smile, confirming that I am ok.
"Ok, well…you seem…different recently," Maxon replies, returning to his food.
I ignore the comment and look at America. "How are you doing, Ames?"
"I'm fine, but my back is starting to hurt all the time. And I'm starting to get heartburn," America replies. "But that's what it is." She smiles and then grabs a strawberry tart. I smile back.
I glance at my watch. "Shoot, I've got to go finish up the flower arrangements," I say. I stand up, wave goodbye, and walk out the door. I drop my smile and walk to the Women's Room. Again, I put on a smile and open the door.
Maxon's POV
"Ames, do you think Bella is acting weird?" I ask.
"I've been thinking that for about a week, Maxon," America answers. "She seemed weird when I was trying on my bridesmaid dress. Although, now she seems worse."
"Ok, so this has been going on for at least a week," I think out loud. "Do you know if there's something that happened recently to her? In her personal life?"
"Not that I know of, but something must have happened."
"I agree. Is it stress from the wedding?"
"It's probably part of it, but I don't think that's all."
"Ok, I'll try to talk to her tonight. Hopefully, she'll open up. Are you done eating?" I ask, standing up.
"Yes, I am," America answers. I walk over to her chair and help her get up. She groans. "Oh, my back."
"Do you want Dr. Ashlar to give you something for it?"
"No, there's nothing really to be done. I just have to live with it for another five months," America answers with a grin. "I'm going to be room. I think I'm going to take a nap." America kisses my cheek and walks out of the room.
I walk to the Women's Room and knock on the door. "Bella, can I come in?"
Bella opens the door. "Sure. I could use some help on the flowers anyways." She gestures for me to follow her inside. I close the door behind me and turn around—my jaw drops. There are flowers everywhere. There are blue flowers, yellow flowers, and any flower imaginable. There's a bunch of pink and blue flowers on a table, which I presume is the theme Bella is going for.
We walk over to the table. "I presume these are the colors you want?" I ask.
"Yes," she says, smiling. "I wanted to have pink to match America's dress, and blue looks good with the pink flowers. Hence, my choice. Do you like it?" She looks at me expectantly.
"Oh, Bella. I'll be happy with whatever you choose, as long as you are happy." I lean down and kiss Bella on her head. She looks up at me and smiles.
"Ok, then I'm planning on using carnations, hydrangeas, and roses," she says. "I think I'll have the staff make the floral pieces. I have a headache. I think I'll retire early and eat my dinner in my room if that's ok."
"Of course, my dear. I'll come to check on you later, I've got some work to do before I settle down for the night," I say. I kiss her on the cheek and head to my office. I'm greeted with a stack of papers. Great, looks like it's going to be a late night.
Bella's POV
I finish up with the flowers, tell the maids what I want to be done with the flowers, and walk to my room. I let my face drop the smile and relax. I open my door, then shut it right away. I launch myself onto my bed and scream into the pillow. I lay there for about fifteen minutes staring at the ceiling and decide to get ready for bed. I take off my makeup, change into my nightgown and let my hair down. I look at my clip and see a lot of hair hanging from it. That's weird, I think, I didn't pull out any hair. I then look at my bare face. The bags under my eyes are becoming more noticeable, my lips are so dry even though I put lip balm on them regularly, I look exhausted, and my skin is very pale. I start moisturizing my face, but then I see my nails. The coloring is weird. Huh, I wonder if it's because I've had them done for so long that they are adjusting.
I go to my full-length mirror and turn to my side. I'm definitely losing weight. I smile. Just one more week. I've gotten used to not eating. At first, I was really hungry, but now I don't even notice that I skipped meals. I'll eat a tiny bit each day, but not a lot. And it's only once. I walk out of the bathroom, and Maxon is sitting on my bed, looking at me. "Oh, I didn't realize you were here," I say, walking over to him.
He looks at me. "Oh, I knocked, and when you didn't answer, I entered to look for you. I saw you were in the bathroom, so I decided to wait for you." He stops and takes a deep breath. "Are you ok, Bella? You've been acting different lately, and to be honest, you look different." He glances me up and down. "You have bags under your eyes, you look pale, your lips look dry, and you look tired constantly. I know there's something wrong. Can you please open up to me?" He grabs my hands and kisses each of my fingertips. He glances at my nails. "And your nails aren't colored right. Have you started taking a new medication?"
"No, I haven't," I say, standing up. I stretch and walk to the window. Maxon gets up and follows me.
"You look skinnier, Bella. I know something has changed. Please," he says, grabbing my hands. "Look into my eyes, Bella." I refuse, so he gently pulls my head up so I can look at him. "Please, Bella. Please."
"Maxon, I'm really sorry, but there isn't really anything going on. I'm just really stressed about the wedding. I've been getting less sleep lately. The stress is just really getting to me, Maxon. I've been skipping a few meals here and there, but I used to do that, anyways. I'm fine, I promise," I say. I stare into his eyes for a while.
"-...Bella? Are you listening?" Maxon asks. I snap out of a haze.
"Oh, sorry. Can you repeat that?" I ask.
"I said, did you eat dinner already?"
"Yeah, I ate before you came," I say. "Sorry, did you eat dinner?"
"I ate something in my office."
"Do you still have work for the night?"
"No, I don't. I was actually hoping that we could spend the night together." My eyes widen, and I open my mouth. "No! Not in that way!" I relax. "I meant that we could finalize some wedding details…and maybe just be together."
"I would love to!" I exclaim. I look at him in his suit. "Do you want to go get dressed, though?"
"Yes, I'll be right back," Maxon says, walking out the door. I feel light-headed, so I sit on my bed to wait for Maxon. I grab my book from my nightstand and start reading it.
It's a few minutes until Maxon comes back, but he was quick. He's in his pajamas, and he looks so unsure of himself. "I think this is the first time I've seen you in your pajamas…I only ever see you in your daywear," I say standing up and walking over to Maxon. I put my hand on his chest. "I don't know which version I like better, though. Although, that'll change in a week." He looks at me with want. I want him so badly, it hurts. "We have to wait, Maxon. I'm sorry," I say, stepping back and turning to the window.
"Hey, it's not your fault," Maxon says, coming up and placing his hands on my shoulders. "You know it's not."
"I know," I say as I put my left hand on his hand, "but I feel like it is. I'm taunting you, and I'm sorry."
"I'm to blame as well, darling. I taunt you sometimes, too."
"I promise to behave myself for a week."
"Me too." Maxon presses his lips against my hair. "Now, let's finalize these details."
I lead Maxon over to the desk in my room, and we get to work. It takes us about an hour, but we finally finish. "Ugh, I am so tired now," I say.
"But it's only nine," Maxon says with a smile. "Are you sure you're ok? Usually, you're a night owl."
"I'm fine. It's just that I don't get as much sleep as I used to. I stay up all night stressing about the wedding." Dress, I finish silently. "I'll stay up until at least ten."
"I can sleep with you if you want," Maxon offers.
"Sorry, but I don't want to sleep with you, even in the same bedroom, until next week. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry, my dear. I understand. I'll stay with you until ten, and then I'll leave."
"Ok," I say. We start talking, and we don't stop until midnight.
