Chapter 7 SAVING BELLE

It was her third drink, and Belle was getting bored. She had been stuck for over an hour with Millo at the bar table. Millo was very talkative and annoying. He pretended to be interested in her work as a doctor and bombarded her with all kinds of trivial questions just to get her attention.

"Recently finding a woman who likes children is very difficult. You are a rare woman."

"Not really. You probably just never crossed paths with those kinds of women."

"Well, I think you're right." Millo rubbed the back of his head. "And I'm lucky to meet you tonight."

Miranda nudged Belle's waist hard, giving her a seductive look that made Belle even more disgusted.

"Oh, I think I have to go to the restroom. Well, I'm a bit leaky."

Belle glared at her and told Miranda to sit down through a movement of her lips. It was truly a devious plan that had gone stale. Miranda pretended to go to the restroom, so that Belle could be alone with Millo.

"You stay here with Millo. I have to go. This is really urgent."

Belle clenched her fists under the table until her knuckles turned white. She would take revenge on Miranda for causing her to be trapped with the chatty Millo.

"Belle. Can I just call you Belle?"

"Of course. That's much nicer to hear."

Belle replied nonchalantly while sipping her orange juice. She only allowed herself to gulp down a shot of martini because she wasn't a very good drinker. She had to take care of herself strictly because there was a predator waiting for her to let her guard down.

"By the way, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Some come and go, but never last long."

Belle hoped that Millo would stop asking questions and leave her alone until Miranda came. Unfortunately, her wish did not come true. Millo bombarded her with personal questions which made her uncomfortable.

"What about this time?"

"I have no one now."

"Thank God, no one will be mad at me because I'm with you."

"Even if I had someone, he wouldn't come to beat you up just because you chatted with me."

"Really? Every man should be possessive of you because you are so beautiful and attractive."

Suddenly, Millo's palm gripped Belle's hand and rubbed the back of her hand gently.

"Can you let me go?"

"Why? Are you scared just because I held your hand?"

"I'm just uncomfortable."

"Relax, Belle. You'll get used to it. Your friend has given us some time. I just don't want to waste this opportunity."

"I said let me go. Are you deaf, huh?"

"Wah wah wah, that is too harsh for a doctor who loves children."

"You'll regret not letting go of my hand."

Belle grabbed her orange juice, then splashed it on Millo's face.

"How dare you do that to me."

He tightened his grip on Belle's wrist.

"I could do worse if you didn't let go of my hand right now."

"Humph, you can't threaten me, my dear. Your rebellion only sends me horny."

Belle's stomach churned and fear began to spread throughout her body. Millo pulled her to her feet, then dragged her to the second floor which was quieter.

"Let me go!"

"Shout as loud as you can. Nothing will help you. Music is too loud in here. And people are busy with their party."

"You son of a bitch. All your fans will disgust you. I will tell the world that you are a disgusting pervert actor."

Belle tried her best to pull her hand from Millo's grasp. They were already halfway up the stairs which were only a few steps away. A thick feeling of fear crept into Belle's body.

"Really? So you're trying to threaten me, huh?"

"This is not just a threat. I will definitely destroy you if you mess with me."

"Tsk, calm down, darlin'. We're going to have fun after this."

"Fuck you. Let me go. Help me!"

Millo's laughter howled over the loud music churning Belle's stomach. She got more and more scared, and she started to get panic attacks which made her eyes heat up. She didn't want to end up in bed with that jerk actor. She wanted to go home.

"Hey, are you deaf? Let her go."

Before Millo could turn around to see who was talking to him, a fist suddenly came crashing down on his face. Millo's body swayed backwards, and he automatically released his hand on Belle's wrist. Swearing poured out of Millo's mouth when he tried to get up and hit the damn man back.

"Why did you hit me, dammit?"

"Because you refused to let go of her hand."

Belle widened in surprise when she began to recognize the man's voice. She was too focused on saving herself from Millo, so she did not realize that the man who had just punched Millo was Gabrielle.

"Shit! Why are you meddling in my business? You should be having fun with your wife. She partied like crazy with all the men who adore her."

"You don't need to say that to provoke me. You'd better leave if you don't want your face to be my punching bag," Gabrielle answered just as harshly.

"Tch, you think I'm afraid of you? You're older than me, you won't win against me. You are as weak as a decrepit old man."

"Gabrielle, please ignore his words. We'd better go."

Belle grabbed Gabrielle's arm to get him away from the crazy Millo, but Gabrielle let go of her hand slowly and told her to back off.

"I will be fine. This damn young man needs to be taught some manners."