Chapter 7 Morning Conversations

Long after Teja had gone to bed, Belle couldn't sleep. She remained awake as she thought about what she would tell Maxton in the morning. He was probably expecting her text and she couldn't send it to him, because she had none.

She considered coming out clean to Teja but she knew her cousin would probably try to discourage her and she couldn't afford to back down now. She would just have to find another way to get the address from Teja.

Belle couldn't deny the fact that she was scared a little. She didn't even want to think of the consequences of being found out. She was lying to one of the biggest names in the country and she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

As sleep finally stole her into its world, her only thoughts were how she would get an address from Teja and convince Maxton that she was indeed a busy CEO as well.

Belle got up as early as possible. She cleaned up her place as fast as she could. Teja was practically leaving in a human sty. She was about to make breakfast when Teja finally woke up.

"Hey girl!" She greeted with enough energy to scare a cricket team.

"Hey," she replied.

"It's good that you are up early. I forgot to mention that a friend of mine has to take a leave from work to care for her sick aunt. I asked her for a favour to let you cover for her till she was back and she said yes."

Belle was so happy she almost cried. This was perfect! This was the answer to her problems. She'd also wondered on what she'd be doing throughout her plan. She could always send Maxton this address. It would be perfect and easy.

Belle gave Teja a hug and a huge kiss on her cheek. "Thank you so much!"

Teja dramatically cringed and used the sleeve of her sweater to wipe her cheek. "Get off me girl!"

Belle laughed.

"I'm so grateful Teja. What will I possibly do without you?"

"I wonder the very same thing," Teja said proudly. "So you start on Monday. And while we're on this, could you please explain what that conversation was with you and that guy yesterday?"

Belle had hoped Teja would've forgotten about the conversation she'd had with Maxton on the phone yesterday. She wasn't ready to tell Teja the truth about her plans. She tried to act oblivious to the question and focused on making her coffee with such animated concentration.

"Belle, I know you heard me. Stop playing dumb."

Belle slumped her shoulders and rolled her eyes before looking at Teja once again.

Teja crossed her arms and stroked a pose that portrayed a brat's attitude of showing she was listening.

"So-" Belle drawled languidly.

Teja maintained her bitchy attitude and intensified it more. "Make it snappy. I have to get to the boutique and I'm not leaving here without an answer."

Belle sighed. She needed to have at least one accomplice and right now, Teja was all she had.

She stared at her coffee and said, "So, I might have lied to Maxton claiming to be the original Belle Fairmont," she said with a pout.

Teja widened her eyes in shock and was about to talk but Belle hurriedly added, "I had to say that! You didn't expect me to tell him I was pretending on someone's behalf and will be paid for my services! Both the original Belle Fairmont and I would've been arrested for impersonation! I had to save my skin."

Teja's mouth still hung open in shock.

"Teja fix your face," Belle said with an eye roll.

Teja closed her mouth and was quiet for some time. Belle detested the silence. She dreaded what Teja was thinking and what she'd say next. Did she make a mistake by telling her about this?

Teja finally spoke. "Well, you're right. You had to act on impulse. But at some point, you'll need to come clean. Also, how long are you planning to keep up the facade? Weren't you only supposed to attend the event and go back home? "

Belle was so tempted to tell Teja the truth. But she couldn't.

"I'm only keeping up with the facade for as long as I have to. I'll tell him the truth very soon. If things go well that is..."

"And what about school?" Teja asked. "Have you considered that part of your plan?"

"I've dropped out. It's of no use. I can't even go to college. I've used up all my college funds to take care of Landon and what good is an education if Landon dies? I'm not losing any more family. I'll do what I have to live. I'll do the worst just to save his life," Belle said with firm defence.

Teja walked over to Belle and hugged her. "I didn't mean to attack you. I just don't want to see you hurt. Impersonation is a big deal, especially with these rich folks. I'm sorry if I came off harsh to you."

Belle knew Teja only had her best interest at heart and for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel alone. She really wished she hadn't lied to Teja but she knew there was no going back now.

"I know," Belle said as she hugged Teja. "And I'll be careful. I promise."

Teja let go of Belle and was on her way out of the room to go back to her work when a thought crossed her mind.

She turned back to Belle and said, "You didn't tell me the name of your Prince charming last night. "

Belle paused for effects before saying "Maxton. Maxton Joseph. "

"No shit!" Teja shouted. "Do you know who that man is?" Teja was practically screaming.

Belle bopped her head with a smile on her face. "Yes, I do. I googled him up."

"You have to be careful Belle. Maxton Joseph is no small man," Teja said as she walked to the bathroom.

As soon as Teja left the mini kitchen, Belle took out her phone and texted Maxton the boutique address. This way, she wouldn't have to explain why she lived in a boutique and not a hotel.

A reply came in almost immediately. "The driver will be there in two hours."

For some unexplainable reasons, Belle felt electric sizzling at the reply. She should be scared but she wasn't. She was actually excited about the whole thing.

"Teja?" She called.

"I'll be out in a minute!" Teja replied.

Belle sat on the only sofa in the room as she waited for Teja to step out. The sofa was a ragged patchwork couch made from bold coloured material. It added some kind of sophistication to the minimalist decoration of the room.

She picked up her phone and decided to call Martha while she waited. Martha picked up on the second ring.

"Hey Belle, I was just about to call you. How are you? "

"I'm good Martha. Hope there's no problem. How's Landon doing today? " Belle said as she sat upright.

"No there isn't. He's been doing great it's just that he's been in a terrible mood ever since you left. He keeps on blaming himself cause you dropped out. He said he knew how much you wanted to go to college."

Belle's heart broke to hear that. She should be the one feeling guilty for leaving not him feeling guilty about being sick.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Also," Martha whispered, "I'm very worried about him. He's been sounding suicidal. I'm not sure if he means it but he's been talking about killing himself. I didn't want to bother you with it but two days back, I saw a knife under his pillow " Martha said with fear in her voice. She sounded so terrified that Belle felt more sorry for her than she did. Belle knew how much Martha doted on Landon and knew it must be terrifying for Martha to find out he was planning on killing himself.

"I took the knife away but today," Martha's whisper became almost inaudible. Belle's heart was beating fast as she thought of what to do to stop her brother from having these thoughts.

"Today I noticed that the drugs in one of his bottles had been reduced. That was weird since we just got started on that bottle two days back and that was when it crossed my mind that maybe he'd tried to overdose." Martha's voice cracked with emotion.

Belle gasped and had to cover her mouth to stifle a scream. Was that how much her brother was tired of his predicament?

She could hear Martha's sobs through the phone. They both cried for a while over the phone till Belle was able to pull herself together and ask Martha if she could talk to Landon.

"He's sleeping. I've been checking up on him to see if there's any complication but he seems to be fine." She was still sobbing.

"I moved all the medicine from his room into my room. I'll also find a way to keep all harmful objects far from him."

"Martha thank you so much. You definitely are an angel," Belle sobbed.

"It's okay. I'll call you when he's up. Please talk to him. Help him see he's not to be blamed for anything."

"I will Martha."

"Talk to you later," Martha was still sniffling. She really had been terrified by Landon's actions.

"Okay. And Martha, thank you so much. I could never be able to repay you for your help," Belle said with all the gratitude in the world in her voice.

"Belle, it's my pleasure to help out. I wish I could be able to do more. Just stay safe out there please."

"I will Martha. Bye."

She ended the call just as Teja stepped out of the shower.

"Teja, I need a dress..."