THE LOVE I COULDN'T SEE.

Bella's pov

I roamed around my room, here and there, looking for a perfect outfit to wear. Trying my best to match the colours, patterns, accessories. I was really tempted to wear sneakers-but who wears sneakers for an interview?

I don't want people judging me again and definitely not because of something this small.

After what seemed like an eternity, I decided for a white long sleeve and a beige circular skirt right below my knees. Flat shoes, because I can't handle the idea of torturing myself with high heels just because of some stupid pattern of this stupid society I live in.

A little make up. Just lipgloss and a thin layer of mascara. No foundation. I'll let my beautiful dark skin shine with its freckles and acne scars.

My long black curly hair tied up into a messy bun, just like always, the way I like.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, not sure if it was enough-if I was enough.

Is this really it? I questioned myself, Is this enough to face this world I've been trying to escape for so long?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "I'm going to be ok." I said to myself, but my words weren't enough to convince me.

"Ella, hurry up. We are going to be late." My brother yelled from outside my room. Lier.

We are one hour early and it's 20 minutes to the place of the interview. Only the girl in the mirror knows how much I don't want to leave this place, my safe place.

"Ready, Ella?" He knocked impatiently on the door.

"Coming..." Step by step. My body denying my mind's orders-denying to leave.

Deciding against it, I managed to get out of my room, and before I could utter a word, a loud gasp filled my ears.

"Wow, Sis. Are you trying to get a job or get married?"

Get married?! I won't commit the same mistake again. Only to get hurt by this world's feelings, so fake. Or to be judged for not being like someone else. "You know I can drive myself, don't you?" I asked instead.

"I know you don't want to go to the interview, Ella. I'm not dumb. You need to go out, and I'm here to make sure of that." He said, crossing his hands on his chest, his caramel eyes with a look of someone who knows me too much.

"I have everything I need at home." I reasoned.

"This is not a home, Ella. This is a prison you locked yourself in." He said, looking me in the eyes. The truth in his words was too much for me to handle, making my eyes divert from his, looking around my house.

Those pastel colours surrounding everything. Shades of someone whose colours were washed away.

Silence. Just like I designed this house to be. The melody of someone who doesn't have much to say nor hear.

I've been here for a year now. I moved here a year ago. Right after that happened, my wedding... and divorce.

These walls heard me cry for months. This floor witnessed me passing the whole house searching for answers.

Why would the man I loved for so long cheat on me? Why would my best friend since childhood steal my husband, my love? Why would the people I love and care so much, make me feel so much pain? Make everything I believed was true, fake.

This is my safe place. No one can hurt me here.

Lonely? NO!

I am not lonely. I'm just alone.

"Let's go?" He asked, taking me out of the infinite thoughts overwhelming my mind.

"Let's go." I said. There is no use of arguing, he always wins. I think this is it. My fate. My new start...

The ride was quiet, my mind screaming. The world outside my house wasn't much different than the last time I went out. Huge buildings, busy streets and people just playing their almost insignificant roles in this big universe and their small lives.

We got there in no time, and I didn't know the feeling.

This is the chance I've been waiting for since I finished college. A dream I erased from my mind not too long ago. And the reason, too painful to remember.

"All the best, Ella. I believe in you." My brother said, a big smile placed on his lips, as if telling me this is the right thing to do, even though I'm not so sure.

"I don't. Is it too late to give up? I'm not qualified for this. I..." I tried to reason, but he cut me off, "You are everything they need, Ella. Your designs are amazing."

"Thanks, Ed..." I know I'm good. But, am I good enough?

He gave me a hug and I was fast alone.

A huge building met me. 'Crystal hotels', written big enough for anyone to notice miles away. Glamour and eccentricity present everywhere, but not screaming.

That huge door waiting to swallow me in this world filled with fake smiles, judgmental eyes, loud whispers of people that think they're better than everyone else, but make no effort to be the best version of themselves.

"Hello, I'm Bella Miller. I'm here for the interview." I said as soon as I reached the reception.

The receptionist looked at me for a second or two before giving me a card with the descriptions of the place.

"It's on the 9th floor. Good luck." The look on her face was saying otherwise. Fake, Bitter.

This is why it's better to be at home.

The eyes I received on the hallway there were making me doubt myself.

Is it my outfit? Is my skirt too long?

Is it my chocolate skin color? What is it, what is wrong?

Is it my hair? Do I have to smooth it out?

The shoes? I knew they'd make a big deal out of it!

I quickened my steps and got in the elevator as fast as I could. I pressed the button to the ninth floor and the door finally closed. I was alone but still suffocating. As time passed my heart beats were increasing. The pressure was too much and the air was short.

The door opened, displaying a spacious corridor, lots of doors on each side and a magnificent room with glass walls, impossible to see through, right ahead.

The corridor was empty. Not a single soul. At least a chance to breathe. Calm down Bella. You can do this! I encouraged myself, It's just an interview...not a big deal. Once you're done, you'll be gone! The thought was enough to lighten up my mood.

I looked again at the card, ninth floor, office number 535.

I was ready to rock on and maybe give this thing a chance. But all my expectations turned into nothing at the moment someone bumped straight into me, making me lose my balance.

I fell miserably on the floor dropping my glasses.

My vision became blurry. It was impossible to see.

I have myopia. Without my glasses I'm nothing more than useless...

"Watch out women." A deep man's voice reached my ears.

"Sir, please, my glasses." No response. What on earth! "Sir, I can't see!" Again, nothing. The only thing I could see was his blurry figure vanishing as he went far away.

What is wrong with him? What is wrong with people? "Sir, please help me..." I said, my voice sounding more like a whisper. Why is he so bad?!

I used my hands to try to find it, but couldn't... I was getting desperate. I hate this feeling. I hate this...

Trying not to fall, I used my hands to guide myself through the wall till I could feel the bench I first saw when I got there.

I sat there trying my best to calm down.

There is no one nearby to help me. I bet I'm already late for the interview. I can't use the elevator, or I might end up lost somewhere. Looking stupid-People will ask questions and what will I say?

'Oh, I just dropped my glasses, and as I'm almost blind, I thought it was a great idea to just walk around.' So stupid.

This is a disaster... I'm stuck here.

My vision became more blurry, it didn't take long till I felt my cheeks warm. I'm... crying.

I opened my bag looking for my phone and thank goodness I only need my fingerprint to open it.

I used the assistent and called my brother, who answered in no time.

"Hello sis. Is everything ok?" He asked, "Aren't you supposed to be at the interview?"

"Mano..." I couldn't finish.

"Ella... are you.. crying?! Why are you crying?" He asked, worry in his voice.

"Can you come pick me up? I'm on the 9th floor." He didn't ask further...

"Coming, sis. Calm down." He said and disconnected the call.

I knew this was a bad idea.

This would never have happened if I had stayed home.

At home no one can hurt you.

What am I going to do now?

The sound of a door opening and closing violently diverted me from my thoughts. I quickly wiped my tears and kept my head down, looking at my lap that I couldn't really see.

Someone lost his precious time-the last thing I want is to be the reason...

At that same instant I heard the sound of the elevator opening. I looked in that direction and could easily sense who it was.

"Ohh, Ella. What happened?" Ed.

His steps quickened towards me and soon I was engulfed in a very tight embrace.

"I... lost my glasses... I'm so scared..." I said in between my sobs and this time I couldn't stop the tears.

"Shhh, It's ok. I'm here." He said, hugging me like the most precious thing in the universe.

"Someone bumped on me... they fell. I asked for help but... but no one came."

"Don't worry. I'm gonna solve this, ok." He assured me.

He took my stuff on the bench, and apparently my glasses that were... somewhere.

"They're broken. Let's get you new ones, okay?" I'd be so damned right now if it wasn't for him-Probably still locked in my room staring at my reflection and regretting my existence. Ed is everything I have, the only one that makes me feel at ease.

"Come on. Let's get out of here." He said, but my mind couldn't process his words. We were about to get in the elevator, but I couldn't ignore the feeling, the sensation of eyes... eyes eyeing me.

I turned around to the direction of that same corridor.

"Is something wrong?" Ed asked, "What is it?"

"Is it someone over there? I asked. I couldn't see, but the sensation was undeniable.

"No," He said, "there is no one." I couldn't help but frown.

What is this? Am I hallucinating?

Bella's pov

We got out of there. I might be almost blind, but my hearing is perfect.

I tried to ignore it, but the whispers were too loud,

"Look, is that girl from earlier..."

"She looks a mess, frankly..."

"She really thought she was the one... what does she have special? So ridiculous..."

"Shhh, she might hear you. She is having a bad time... let's admire in silence." And their giggles were what I heard next. Their voices, so sweet and delicate-just like a poisonous flower, beautiful but deadly.

We reached my brother's car and he helped me in. There was a moment of silence, a lot of questions roaming in my head. About what just happened, but especially about that man that caused all of this mess.

How can someone be so cold? I'm sure he could hear me. But still, he didn't bother to help me. And about the gaze I felt-there is no way I'm wrong. But, what's the use of this? It won't change a thing after all. It won't change the pain I'm feeling, the wounds inside that seem so impossible to heal.

"I'm sorry, Ella," My brother said out of the blue, "I shouldn't have insisted..."

"It's okay. I'm okay." I said. The total opposite of how I'm feeling right now. But after all, he was just trying to help me.

"Don't lie to me, Ella." He placed his hand gently on my face, wiping the tears I didn't know were still running on my cheeks. "I'm supposed to protect you, not put you in danger." I couldn't see much, but the tone of his voice was enough to say how much he regrets it. "I will never let something like that happen to you ever again." He said, his emotions expressed on each word.

"I know, brother. Thank you..." I said. The last two words mean so much more.

If it wasn't for him I'd probably have married Marcus and lived a hell on earth. How could I even fall in love with such a person?

The same person who promised to love me no matter what, but couldn't keep such a simple promise. Love. No matter the circumstances, no matter if the world is ending, if there is no infinity. We promised to love and support each other in the highs and lows, the best and worst.

It wasn't even an hour after the marriage and he broke the promise. Taking my best friend to the bed that was supposed to be ours.

If it wasn't for my brother, I'd still be locked in my room, searching for the meaning of life. Asking myself how I could be so blind to not notice that it was all a lie. It was all fake. Was that even love? Is love supposed to hurt this bad?

So many questions. It's just too much to forget...

The ride to the eye doc was quiet. I was exhausted, physically and mentally. Regretting even trying. The only thing I could do was to close my eyes and contemplate the serenity of that moment of peace.

"We are here." Ed announced once we reached the clinic, "Hmm, just let me..." He said and at the next instant I felt a soft tissue touching gently on my cheeks. He was cleaning my ruined makeup. I totally forgot. My face must be a mess. "And done," He paused for a few seconds before continuing, "So beautiful, just like always." I looked at him, well, at what I could see of him. After everything that happened today, his words were enough to make me smile.

"Let's go?" He asked.

"Let's go." Again...

The check up was something that my absent mind didn't bother to process. Soon I could see clearer with the new glasses. Still, not perfectly, the lenses weren't precise, but at least I could see.

"Your permanent glasses will be ready in a week or so. Until then, these ones will do." The eye doc said and soon we were ready to go home.

Home... But, do I want to go? Do I really want to face the memories of this day in the silence of my house? Hell no!

"Ed, can you let me go shopping? I needed to buy some stuff." I asked, the first excuse that appeared in my mind... I just want to keep my mind busy. Nothing better than new paints and palettes to help me with that.

"Sure. Just tell me where." Ohhh brother, you didn't get it... "You won't like it. I'll buy girl stuff," I said, "do you really want to come along?" He arched one of his brows. His look of someone who didn't buy my words, but still...

"Fine. But call me whenever you need. I'll even stop the time just to make sure you're alright." He said. And I couldn't help but smile at his words full of love.

"Thank you brother." He gave me a tight hug and got in his car.

"Bye, Ella!" He said before starting the engine. "Bye." I said and as expected, I was alone again.

I bought some new paint, a pencil palette, brushes, lots of frames and stuff like that.

That's what I'll do. I'll spend time painting my frustrations. The only way I can express myself and keep my mind sane.

I was ready to go home when in the middle of those typical mall sounds, I heard someone crying. I looked around searching for the source. There, not too far away I saw a little girl crying. Her dad was trying really hard to comfort her, effortlessly.

What's going on?

She started running and in another second she was in the ladies restroom.

This feels like déjà-vu. Where did I see this?

No. That's not the point.

Without noticing, I was already there to help, as he couldn't get in.

"Let me talk to her..." I said and he nodded.

Her quiet sobs in the cabin were impossible to not notice. "Hey sweetie. I'm Bella." I said, "Do you wanna talk?"

"Please, just.. just let me be." She said in between her sobs. Her voice was so low that I could barely hear.

"You know. There was a time I was crying just like you. I didn't know what to do, so I hid. There are always gonna be bad times in our lives, and we'll cry. The point is that we need to be brave, get up and start again. I assure sweetheart, everything is going to be alright." I said. I know what this is. I've seen this before. I won't let her hide like I did. I won't let her give up on her dreams and end up like... me.

In a few seconds she came out. Her beautiful brown eyes soaked and swollen, tears rolling on her pinkish cheeks, making her fair skin glow-but still, not enough to hide how pure and beautiful she is.

"There you are. So brave." I told her and her face lit a bit, "What's your name sweetheart?"

"I'm Sarah." She said.

"Sarah. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I hear you. Tell me why do you cry?"

"My dad hates me." She said, "I'm the reason mom left..." And the tears she was holding gave up on her.

"No, no sweetie. I'm sure your dad loves you." I said, not sure if what I was saying was true, but with no other idea to make her stop crying.

"You don't know me... nor my dad. He never plays with me, He... He is always busy, always working...he hates me." She was sniffing so pitifully. Breaking my heart.

But, wait... Then, who's the man outside?

"I'm sure he loves you. It is impossible to not love you. Just look at me. I barely know but I already love you." I cupped her face, putting her beautiful black hair behind her ears. Those were the first words that came into my mind. But all of them were true. "Come on, let's make a deal. You stop crying and we'll play any games you want."

"Any?" She asked, a big smile placed on her lips and her face brighter than ever.

"Any." I said. And could help but smile too. After such a long day, it feels so good to be the reason someone smiles.

We talked a bit longer. I washed her face and when we were ready, we walked out.

"Oh, Sarah. Are you okay?" The man from earlier asked with a soft smile and a face full of concern.

"I'm ok, uncle." Ohh, uncle.

"Thank you so much for your help. I can't even imagine what I would do without you, miss..." he stopped mid sentence. And as I was already exhausted, it took me some seconds to process that he was asking my name.

"Oh, I'm Bella." I said, "And I'm happy to help."

"You remember your promise, right?" Sarah asked, recalling my promise.

"Yes, of course I do, let's have fun!"

"Wait, what?" Her uncle asked, but the anticipated joy on our faces was enough to explain. After all I had today, this was all I was waiting for.

We had lots of fun together. Playing all the possible games in that enormous mall. Her uncle, just like a kid-free and spontaneous.

I wish I could be like him.

"I really have to go now." I said, extremely exhausted after the whole afternoon playing.

"Ohh. Please, just a little bit more."Sarah pleaded, using her best puppy face.

"Sarah, she needs to go. She has already done a lot." Jared, her uncle said, looking at me with a faint smile. Genuine-he is a gem, so rare nowadays. Sarah is so lucky to have him. With someone like him to support her, her father's absence must be less painful.

"Don't worry, Sarah. I'm sure it's written in the stars. Our ways will certainly come across again and we will have a lot of fun." I said and she smiled widely, displaying the cute dimples she has on her pinkish cheeks. She is the word adorable itself.

I gave her a bear hug and after saying our byes I went straight home. Silence, peace at least.

This was good, enough to make me forget about the bad events of today. At least for a bit.

I laid on my bed. My body, tired, but my mind, restless.

Of all the events of today, playing with Sarah and her uncle was what actually made my day. I had real fun after so much time.

Maybe...maybe there are still good people in this world.

Edward's pov

"No, they are too messy. They don't even make sense..." I told my assistant, Bryan over the phone.

"What? But..."

"Don't try to reason, Bryan. " I cut him off, "I've already told you, I don't like their designs. They lack of everything. Get me more ideas, more people. It's not that difficult... look, I'm driving. I'll be there in five minutes. Make sure to not waste my time." I told him. He probably knows how his inefficiency is getting on my nerves lately.

"Yes, boss." He said and I disconnected the call.

I'm already running out of time. This project needs to be perfection, but nothing yet aligns my thinking.

"Morning, Sir Wilson." The receptionist greeted me once I reached Crystal's, "She is here." Great. I hope she is what I need.

I went straight to my personal elevator and clicked to the ninth floor. Where I am to interview my possible new designer.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and took it to check what it was.

It was a message from Jared, my brother. "We are going to the mall. I'm taking Sarah with me. She wants some new paint." He's got time to waste.

"Good for you." I answered him back.

The elevator opened. I was walking to my office when another message entered my phone. "You know she wanted to be with you, don't you?" Jared, again. What does he mean?

It took me a while to understand. I was ready to answer but that didn't happen as the last thing I knew, I bumped straight into someone in the middle of the corridor.

The hell...

"Watch out woman." I said to the girl I bumped into. Now on the floor. So tiny, innocent and frail.

It's not going to work on me.

"Sir, please, my glasses." I didn't turn. I know your type, acting like the sweetest thing in the world and then showing your real self. I have already lost a lot because of people like you. "Sir, I can't see!" She tried again. As if I would believe in such a bad lie...

I reached my office, 535. Different from every office on that floor. It's glass walls, reflecting all the lights. With a perfect view of everything, yet, no one could see what happens inside it. Just like I designed not too long ago when I was still doing faculty. Why is it so difficult to get great designs these days?

I opened the door and there I found Bryan... alone. "Where is she?" I asked him.

"She hadn't arrived yet." He said.

How? The receptionist said she was here.

Where is she? "She is probably lost." I said to myself already annoyed by the fact that she is late.

Twenty minutes. The time I wasted.

Twenty minutes passed and there was no damn sign for her.

Bella Miller, civil engineer specialized in designing. Lots of awards for being the best student, having the best school projects, multilingual... a geek. She is 23, too qualified for her age and she is not here.

I got out of the room frustrated, closing the door till a big bang was heard. The last thing I want is to break the glass because of something this stupid.

I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. How dare she make me waste my time? Once I opened my eyes, something, I mean someone couched my attention.

There in the middle of the corridor. That girl from earlier was seated on a bench... sad. She didn't even look up.

The elevator opened, making me divert my eyes from her, and a man came out of it. Worry was evident on his face as he ran to that girl at the moment he saw her. He hugged her and she and hugged him back as if her life depended on it. Who is he?

They weren't too far, so I could see clearly. Her eyes were swollen, her face in a deep shade of pink creeping through her melanin. Her simple makeup was ruined and her cheeks glowing. Wait. Is she... crying?

Why?

"Don't worry. I'm gonna solve this, ok." I heard him say.

Lovers. Their love seems so pure, so... impossible.

He got her stuff and her... glasses on the floor.

Wait, she hadn't found them till now? Was she...

Damn, She asked me about her glasses and what did I do? She couldn't really find them. What have I done?

I turned and went inside my office again. Bryan was still there and his questioning look wasn't something I wanted to deal with at the moment.

"Quiet." I said and looked at them again, now through the glass wall.

They were going away, but stopped suddenly.

She turned and looked straight to the office-straight at... me.

Isn't she supposed to be blind?

After some time they were gone, but the guilt was still there.

"Finnish up here. I'm leaving." I said and went out before Bryan could say a word.

The ride towards my house seemed longer than usual, I was feeling heavy.

I opened the main door and was met with silence. No warmth.

If only I could call this place home again...

I went to the kitchen to get some water. Memories of today engulfed my mind. Terrible.

The sound of the main door opening grabbed my attention and there I saw my brother and my daughter, Sarah. Laughing with joy.

Jared's suit was so rumpled, his hair, disheveled. But his happiness was beyond those little things. If I didn't know them I would undoubtedly tell that Sarah was his daughter.

The moment Sarah saw me going towards them, she quickly turned to Jered and excused herself, going to her room upstairs. As always.

I feel like everything changed after my wife left... I mean, my ex wife. It's still difficult to believe she had the guts to leave after everything I did for her. The love, patience. All the words we said to each other. The vows. I gave her all of myself and what did I get? The pain of being betrayed by the one you trust the most. Too painful to forget. Too deep to shake...

"Hey Edward. What's up?" Jared asked, diverting me from my thoughts.

"Why are you guys so bubbly?" I asked, not in the mood to answer his question.

"I'm also good, thanks." He said. His typical bad sense of humor.

"Answer my question, Jared."

"You suck, Ed... Fine. We were at the mall and Sarah saw a beautiful couple having fun with their children," he paused, "she has no mother..."

"I know that..."

"Let me finish." He cut me off, "And she misses her father." I know that too...

"She started getting emotional and in the next second she was running away from me. She went to the ladies restroom where I couldn't get in." He said. Wait, but she seemed so happy earlier.

"A lady offered help, and somehow she did it and Sarah was happy again. She spent this whole afternoon playing with Sarah as she promised to her. Sarah fell in love with her and it was even difficult for her to say goodbye."

"Who is she? The lady?"

"Hum... Bella. Yep, Bella was her name."

Bella... I've heard that before. "Find her whereabouts. I want her to be Sarah's nanny."

"Oh yeah. That will definitely make her happy." He said, already existed. I didn't know if it was because of Sarah or that Bella. But, at least I can do that for my daughter. Everything Christine didn't bother to give her since that day she left, five years ago, when Sarah was just a newborn.

I went to my office at home to work.

This day wasn't productive at all.

I spent a lot of time and strength on someone that didn't even show up.

And now I am clueless about what to do.

I already have a perfect place for the new condo.

Facing the ocean, surrounded by nature, to live, to relax, to forget. A perfect place for everything. A perfect definition of home.

But nothing so far is good enough.

This is so damn frustrating.

I looked around. The afternoon sunlight was dazzling, penetrating my office. I went to my office's huge window, where I have a perfect view of the garden. I didn't want to think, all I wanted was to divert my mind, but couldn't,

I feel like I'm missing something. What is it?

The sound of the door opening, distracted me from my thoughts.

No one is allowed to do that. I hate being disturbed, so it can only be one person. Jared. "What's up?"

"I can't find her." He said.

"What are you talking about?" I got confused, "Who's her?"

"Bella. She is invisible, a ghost. None of the Bellas I found matched her description. And she has no social media. How can a person live with no social media?" People that don't care about other people's life, probably.

Humm, Bella... Where did I hear that name?

Isn't Bella the name of the interview girl? She was Hiller, right? No, it was Miller, Bella Miller.

"Come here Jared." I went to my desk, searched Bella Miller on my laptop and found her curriculum, the one I read before.

There was a picture attached to it. I don't remember seeing her pic. I opened it and what I saw blew my mind. What in the actual hell?

"Oh, yeah. That's her. That's Bella." Jered said.

What?! "You mean Bella, the girl who helped Sarah?" I couldn't believe it.

"Of course. How did you find her, by the way?" What? Bella is the girl I bumped into. She was there and couldn't get to the interview because she dropped her glasses.

She didn't make it because of... me.

"Are you sure?" It's not possible.

"Absolutely. There is no way I could forget. She is gorgeous inside out. She was so... electric, her vibe is so contagious. She managed to make me play Just Dance in the middle of the mall... what a shame. We had a great time." He said, recalling all the memories he made today.

This is too much to process. What if she recognizes me?

But, I need her, I need her projects. And Sarah... "Go talk to her tomorrow. I'll send you her address."

"Right." He said, "But you didn't tell me how you found her."

"She was supposed to be my designer. But she couldn't make it to the interview... lots of misunderstandings. But now everything is going to be solved." Hope so...