Chapter 4 Anticipation

Bella quickly filled him in on the details, but their dad's response was stern. "I don't want you girls getting into any fights. We need to keep living a peaceful life, understood?"

Bella avoided further discussion of the incident, but Amelia couldn't keep her mouth shut about it.

"Dad, I was just trying to-" Bella started.

"I don't want to hear it, Bella," Maxwell cut in, silencing her.

Bella attempted to clarify, but it was evident her father wouldn't entertain it further. His authority spoke volumes.

The room fell silent, Bella glaring tensely at Amelia.

'Your words flow like an unstoppable engine,' Bella thought with a silent scoff.

Setting it aside, she had more pressing matters to attend to.

After breakfast, Bella and her sisters prepared to depart. With a wary eye on her wristwatch, Bella was already mentally at the salon.

As they headed for the door, Maxwell stopped them. He approached with a whisper of the most tender words, "I love you girls deeply, always remember that."

Those words could melt any heart.

"We love you too, Dad," Bella replied, her sisters nodding in agreement.

"I'll be back in a jiffy. You two should open up," Bella instructed her sisters as they arrived at the salon.

"Where are you going, Bella?" Julian asked.

"I need to see Mr. Benson, alright?" Bella replied, heading into Mr. Benson's building.

'What is she up to?' Amelia wondered, her expression distant.

Bella reached Mr. Benson's doorstep and rang the doorbell, but no one answered.

'Isn't he in? Maybe I should come back later,' she thought.

As she turned to leave, the door creaked open.

Startled for a moment, she stood firm.

"Good morning, Mr. Benson," Bella greeted.

"Why are you here, Bella? I already told your father I won't change my mind," he stated.

'What is he talking about?' Bella wondered.

"Um, change your mind? I don't understand, Sir," Bella replied, feeling confused.

"Yes, Bella. Your father came here begging me to reconsider my condition," Mr. Benson revealed.

"Why would I do that?" he sneered.

'Why would Dad do that? I never asked him to plead on my behalf with someone as heartless as him,' Bella thought.

Bella was disciplined and knew how to control her anger. She didn't see the rent issue as something that could bring her down. She also knew that Mr. Benson had a grudge against her, but she refused to play into his mind games.

His attempts to frustrate her were to no avail.

Bella was better than that.

"No problem, Mr. Benson. The reason I came here is to pay for the shop rent," she stated, gazing at him.

'She's got the money already?' Mr. Benson thought, surprised.

He had planned to use the rent issue to drive Bella out of the building, but it had failed.

"Good for you then," Mr. Benson said, his face contorted.

Bella settled her bill with Mr. Benson and was free from his threat, for the moment.

Who knows what else he had up his sleeve, because he certainly wasn't done with Bella.

When Mr. Benson and his wife were still together, he had tried to hit on Bella, promising her free rent in exchange for her affections.

Bella's dignity was intact, and she was very close to Serah, Mr. Benson's wife, so she declined.

She had no interest in men, let alone sleeping with a married man.

That was a firm 'No' for Bella.

Bella kept it to herself and never told anyone about it, not even her family members.

That was typical Bella. She preferred to handle things her own way. She didn't have room for unnecessary advice, arguments, or confrontation.

Mr. Benson and his wife, Serah, were on different pages. With that vacuum in their marriage, Serah had found a lover outside.

She was fed up with Mr. Benson's behavior and filed for divorce.

Though Mr. Benson was a cheat, he loved his wife deeply. Serah opened up to him that she now had someone who would treat her right and that she didn't want to be in the marriage anymore.

Mr. Benson was furious, realizing he was losing his wife for good.

Bella, as a friend to Serah, asked her to reconsider her decision and, in the process, opened up to Serah about Mr. Benson's advances. Bella didn't want Serah to find out from someone else. She was just being sincere, but unfortunately, it made matters worse.

Serah forged ahead with the divorce and left Mr. Benson for good.

Since that day, Mr. Benson took out all his frustration on Bella, promising to ruin her life as well.

And what's worse is that Bella didn't give a damn about him.

"I can't wait for Jenny Hilson to get here. I'm just so happy!" Amelia giggled.

"Same here, Amelia. Do you know what good it will do for our salon if a celebrity like Jenny Hilson comes here? It's going to be amazing!" Julian exclaimed excitedly.

As the two girls were chatting and giggling, the door creaked open.

Amelia and Julian's eyes were fixed on the door, hoping to see Jenny Hilson walk in.

Instead, their sister Bella stepped through.

With indifferent expressions, they exchanged knowing chuckles.

"Why were you two staring at the entrance?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Jenny Hilson, of course. She's our guest today at the salon, remember?" Julian replied with a playful grin.

Bella laughed, placing her handbag on the table.

"I see..." Bella murmured.

"Come on, girls, let's work some magic here," she added, her eyes scanning the room.

Under Bella's direction, they managed to put everything in order. It wasn't much, but the salon looked much better.

A few of their regular customers stopped by, but Bella kept an eye out for Jenny Hilson.

It was already past 1:00 PM, and there was still no sign of Jenny Hilson.

Bella was becoming concerned.

'Isn't she coming? It's past 1 o'clock already,' she thought, glancing at the wall clock.

Bella was gradually losing hope of seeing Jenny Hilson at her salon.

She gently took a seat in her salon chair, letting out a soft sigh.

Noticing her mood, Julian quietly walked up to her.

"Why the sad face, Bella? Isn't she coming?" she asked.

Bella shrugged, unsure of what to say.

Suddenly, her phone rang.