High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER THIRTY

Bella

I’m furious. The second Aria called me, I was raging and even though Grant warned me not to call Aiden whilst I was so angry, I couldn’t help myself.

Grant places a herbal tea on the table for me and sits beside me. “You okay?”

I burst into tears, and he wraps an arm around me. “I don’t know why I’m so upset,” I say between sobs, “It’s hormones.”

“It’s natural you’re going to feel upset, Bella. He’s messing with the business and making decisions without informing you. But at this late stage, you could do without the stress. Maybe now would be a good time to tell him the truth?”

I shake my head, wiping my tears on the sleeve of my jumper. “No. He’s happy, I can tell by his voice. If I go wading in there to tell him about this baby, he’ll accuse me of just trying to ruin his new relationship.” I bury my face in my hands, I just feel like he’s replaced me so easily. What does she have that I don’t?” I sob some more, and Grant gently rubs my back.

“He’s a fool, Bella. Some guys don’t know what they have right in front of them.”

I stare at him, my mind racing with thoughts. Aiden moving on. Being a single parent. And Grant. What would it feel like to kiss someone that isn’t Aiden? Is Grant a gentle lover or will he take control? I tilt my head slightly, not registering the confused look on his face as I press my lips to his. I cup his face, then realise he’s not responding to me. I pull back and his eyes find mine. They’re not full of heat like I imagined, but of fear, a stone-cold fear.

“Oh shit,” I whisper, “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine,” he mutters, standing.

“No, it’s not. I just got confused, I’m an emotional mess,” I mutter, my face burning with embarrassment .

My mobile begins to ring and we both stare at it. I snatch it up, seeing my dad’s name.

“Hello.”

“Hi Isabella, It’s Claire, your dad’s friend.”

I frown in confusion. “Oh, hi Claire. Is everything Okay?”

“Not really sweetie. I have some bad news. Your Dad has deteriorated. He’s in hospital but the Doctors have asked me to contact you because they aren’t sure if he’s going to get through this.”

I let her words sink in, “Oh god, I didn’t realise he was sick.”

“He didn’t want to tell you, Bella. He thought it would make you stick around, and he knew you needed to get away.”

“I’ll get the train as soon as I can. Tell him I’m on my way.”

I disconnect with a heavy heart. I know we’ve been estranged lately but I still love him. Grant is watching me with concern. “It’s my dad,” I tell him, shrugging, “He’s taken ill.”

“The train is a long ride; I can take you?” It’s sweet of him to offer, especially after what just happened between us .

I begin to gather things I’ll need and Grant follows. “No, it’s too far, and you have your duties here. How will Mrs. Brown cope with her blisters,” I joke. “Besides, the train gives me a chance to move around, you know how uncomfortable I’m getting now I’m closer to the end, it’s the reason I’m not driving myself.”

I begin to grab clothes from my closet and Grant taps away on his mobile. “The next train to London is in one hour,” he says, “I’ll drop you at the station.”

“Thank you,” I say, “And I’m sorry about-”

“It’s already forgotten about,” he says, smiling. “And for the record, it’s not you-”

I groan, burying my face in my hands, “Please don’t say that line.”

He laughs, tugging my hands away, “But it’s true. It really is me. I can’t move on, I’m not ready. But if I was, you’d totally be the one for me.”

I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Thanks for not making it awkward.”

“Friends?” he asks.

I nod, “Friends.”

“Good. Finish packing, we need to go.”

The train stops in St Pancreas, and I drag my case off with a heavy heart. I called Aria during the journey, and she insisted I stay with her. I spot her waiting by the entrance and as I approach, she rushes over, wrapping me in a big hug and taking my case from me. “Oh wow, you look amazing,” she says, holding me at arm’s length. “And the bump is bumping,” she adds, gently placing her hand there. “What do you want to do first, sleep, eat or visit your dad?” she asks, leading the way to her car.

“Hospital,” I reply, “Claire has been updating me over text message and it’s not looking good.”

Aria gives me a sympathetic smile, “I’m so sorry, Bells.”

She drops me at the hospital where Claire greets me with a hug. It’s comforting and I sense relief pouring from her. “he’s been asking for you,” she whispers, taking me by the hand and leading me into the intensive care ward. “And your mum.” My heart twists. “He’s confused but they say that’s normal. He’s sleeping a lot but he’ll be so happy to see you.” She stops by a closed curtain, “Don’t be alarmed. There are a lot of machines and wires but they’re there to help him.” I hold my breath as she pulls the curtain back. My eyes fill with tears at seeing the man I love, so small and vulnerable. A sob escapes and I slap my hand over my mouth. Claire gently rubs my back. “It’s a lot to take,” she whispers .

I move to the side of his bed, carefully taking his hand in mine. It feels so cold and thin. I watch as Claire places a kiss on his head, “Guess who came to see you,” she tells him, even though he doesn’t respond. “Isabella.” His eyes flutter open, and she smiles, running a hand over his cheek. “And look at that bump,” she adds.

He turns his head slowly, until his eyes find me, and he offers a weak smile. There are dark circles under his eyes, they even look a little sunken that I remember. I return the smile, “Hey you.”

“You came,” he croaks.

“Of course I came, you’re my dad.”

“Sorry. I know it’s hassle,” he murmurs.

Before I can respond, his eyes flutter closed again and Claire gives a sad smile, “He keeps drifting off mid conversation. It’s normal at this stage.”

“What stage?” I ask, frowning. “I didn’t know he was sick.”

Claire lowers into a seat, “It’s cancer, Bella.”

I inhale sharply, my world tilting slightly. I feel behind me until my hands find the chair and I also sit. “It was in his liver, and we thought he was beating it, but then they found it in other places. ”

Tears slip down my cheeks. “He didn’t say anything.” Suddenly the months of not speaking hit me hard. If only I hadn’t walked out and cut him off.

“It’s not your fault, Bella. He didn’t want you to know and he was so certain he’d beat it, he didn’t want to worry you.”

“So can they treat it? Will he recover?”

I see by her expression that he won’t, and more sobs escape me. “I’m so sorry, Bella but the doctors don’t think he’s going to make the week.”

I cry hard, until my chest aches and my throat’s sore. And when I begin to settle, Claire moves closer and we sit hand in hand, watching him sleep.

Aiden

“What do you mean you need a night off?” I ask as JP sits opposite me.

I came into the office to catch up on some paperwork but if JP takes the night off, I may end up pulling in a shift if I can’t find cover.

“Aria’s busy for a few nights so I thought I could get a night off from the club whilst she’s busy. I need some alone time.”

I frown, “Alone time. What are you going to do on your own? ”

“Just chill probably, I haven’t had a night to myself in so long.”

“Do I detect trouble in paradise. Is the relationship thing a bit too full on?” I joke, “What’s Aria doing anyway?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know, she’s being secretive to be honest. I’m starting to wonder what’s going on.” He looks sheepish and I narrow my eyes.

“You’re going to spy on her, see what she’s up to?” I guess. JP shifts uncomfortably, not quite meeting my eye. “Oh shit, you really are.” I howl with laughter. “You know she’ll kill you if she finds out.”

“She’s acting crazy,” he argues, “She kicked me out of her apartment at the crack of dawn and said she can’t see me for a few days. I asked her why, but she wouldn’t say. I have to know; it’s driving me mad.”

“Do you think she’s seeing someone else?”

He shrugs, looking miserable. “I just don’t understand why she’s being so secretive. Anyway, she’s booked a restaurant tonight, I saw it scribbled on her notepad. So, I thought I’d show up there.”

I rub my hands together with a huge grin on my face. “I’m in, what time are we going?”

JP shakes his head, “No way. You’re not coming to stir shit up. ”

“Me, stir shit?” I ask, innocently. “I’m being a good friend. What if she’s with another man, you’ll need my support.”

“I don’t need your kind of support, Aiden. It’ll just piss her off more.”

“More than you showing up out the blue?” I ask, scoffing. “Look, at least if we all go, you can make it look like a coincidence.”

“All?”

I grin, “What time shall we be there?”

He groans, “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. Eight o’clock.”

Luckily, I know the owner of said restaurant, so when JP told me he couldn’t get a table, I managed to get us one. Not only that, but I made sure it was right next to Aria’s. I don’t want to risk not seeing exactly what she’s up to, and a small part of me can’t wait to see her reaction.

So, when we arrive at exactly eight o clock, and we’re shown to our table, I’m more than shocked to see that Aria isn’t with another man, like I expected. Instead, she’s sitting opposite Bella.

“Oh shit,” mutters JP, glancing at me .

“Well this backfired,” I hiss as the waiter pulls out our seats.

Aria glances our way, doing a double take before glaring angrily at JP. He shifts uncomfortably in his chair, taking the offered menu. Once the waiter has left, she leans closer, “What the hell are you doing here?”

JP squares his shoulders, ready for battle. “I’m having dinner with Aiden, what does it look like?”

I risk a quick glance at Bella over my menu. She looks great, glowing in fact. But she refuses to look in my direction, instead, fixing her eyes to her own menu.

“You’re spying on me,” Aria accuses.

JP scoffs, rolling his eyes. “As if.”

“I’m not stupid, JP,” she snaps.

“He was worried when you were behaving suspiciously,” I cut in. “I booked this table to cheer him up.”

She narrows her eyes, “Since when have you ever bothered about anyone but yourself?”

I fain hurt, placing my hand over my chest. “How were we supposed to know you’d be here?”

“Maybe we should all just calm down,” Bella cuts in, glancing around. “People are looking at us.”

“This isn’t over,” Aria snaps, turning back to her menu.

I pull out my mobile, hoping to text Jenifer to cancel, but as I pull up her name, I see her entering the restaurant. JP’s eyes widen and he leans across the table, “You invited Jenifer?” he whisper hisses.

“I didn’t know Bella would be here,” I mutter.

I stand, smiling as Jenifer approaches and kiss her on the cheek. “You look amazing,” I say, pulling out the seat beside me.

She spots Aria and smiles, “Aria,” she greets, “You didn’t say you were coming here tonight.”

“Yes,” she says stiffly, “There was a good reason for that. Jen meet Bella.”

Jen glances at me, her eyes filled with panic. I offer a reassuring smile as she sits down. “Hi.”

Bella looks up, “Hi, Jenifer, nice to finally meet you. How are you finding the job?”

“Oh my god, I love it,” she gushes, suddenly relaxing. “It’s my dream job.”

I lean back, trying to focus on my menu as my current girlfriend, and my ex, chat like they’re best friends.

The waiter returns and notices the conversation across the two tables. “Would you like to join? We can move the tables together,” he suggests.

I’m already shaking my head in protest but JP grins, “Yeah, great idea,” he says, standing so the waiter can drag the table across. Jen slides into the booth, sitting right next to Bella, and I tag onto the end .

“Bella, tell Jen about the doctor,” Aria suggests, her smug smile aimed in my direction.

Bella blushes, “I got the phone call about my dad before anything could happen.”

“Your dad?” I ask, changing the subject cos I don’t want to know about the fucking doctor.

Bella smiles sadly, “He’s not well. He’s the reason I’m back here.”

“Sorry to hear that, I didn’t realise,” I mutter, frowning.

“Why should you?” asks Aria, “It’s none of your business.”

I ignore her. “Will he be okay?”

Bella shakes her head, “No. He doesn’t have long left.”

Jen places her hand over Bella’s, “Oh gosh, that’s awful. If there’s anything we can do?”

And suddenly, I want Jen to leave. We’re not a ‘we’. Me and Bella, we were a ‘we’, but not me and Jen.

I spend the rest of the meal in silence, thinking up ways to let Jen down easily, and when the bill arrives, I place my card on top of it. Bella adds some cash, and I glance her way. She shrugs, “I can cover my own food.”

“It was just a gesture,” I say. “Can’t a guy buy his ex some dinner?” I joke. Nobody laughs.

Bella smiles tightly, “To be an ex, we would have had to have been in a relationship. ”

I give a stiff nod. “I’ll just pay this on the way out,” I mutter, grabbing the bill and my card. Bella slides the cash closer, and I sigh, taking it. Bella and Aria remain seated whilst the rest of us stand. JP waits a beat before frowning, “Aren’t you coming?”

“No, we’ll have another coffee for the road,” Aria says.

“Seriously, what’s going on?” he pushes.

“Christ, JP, stop suffocating me,” Aria snaps and he sighs heavily, before shrugging and heading for the exit.

“It was nice to see you,” I tell Bella. She gives a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, and I follow after JP with Jen right behind.