Chapter 5

Bella couldn't take it anymore and quickly interrupted Edward before he could say something even more shocking. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I don't need this. Please take it back," she said firmly.

Dallas refused to take the flowers, looking confused. "Why won't you accept my gift? Didn't our blind date go well?"

"Our blind date went well?" Bella froze.

Since when had they decided their blind date was successful?

Dallas didn't notice Bella's confusion. He glanced at Edward, clearly bothered by the man who'd brought her home. "Yeah, I was planning to tell Mrs. Obelon tomorrow, then find a time for us to get the marriage paperwork done."

"But I should warn you," he continued with unearned confidence, "now that you're with me, you absolutely cannot be running around with other men in the middle of the night. That's not how a proper wife behaves. And this guy—you should tell him to get lost."

Without even looking directly at him, Bella could tell Edward's expression had darkened considerably.

She also hated Dallas's entitled tone. They'd barely started dating, yet he was acting like she was already his wife.

Bella rubbed her temple, fighting her irritation. "Mr. Evans, I think I wasn't clear enough last time."

"We're not compatible, so please don't waste any more time on me."

She'd only agreed to the blind date because she couldn't keep refusing Fallon. Her aunt had been pressuring her daily to get married, and Bella had finally given in just to get some peace.

But this experience proved you should never force yourself to do something you're not ready for. You'll only end up regretting it.

Bella simply couldn't bring herself to like Dallas. He was arrogant, self-centered, and disrespectful.

Dallas stood there stunned for several seconds.

Then Edward let out a small, amused chuckle.

It wasn't loud, but it was enough to make Dallas's face flush red. A vein bulged at his temple as he glared fiercely at Edward.

Edward wasn't intimidated in the slightest. His lazy smile remained, and he even raised an eyebrow pleasantly. "You're still standing here? She couldn't have made it any clearer. If I were you, I'd leave now before embarrassing myself further."

"Edward, could you please stop making things worse?" Bella was at her limit with him.

Edward was hopeless—causing trouble seemed to be his only talent.

Did he actually enjoy watching her relationships with others deteriorate?

Edward fell silent.

But the familiarity in their exchange had already revealed plenty.

Dallas would have to be an idiot not to catch on.

"Well, well, Bella. You've been playing me, haven't you? You and this guy have something going on, don't you? You've got a boyfriend but still went on a blind date..."

What followed was a string of obscenities as Dallas threw the flowers to the ground and stormed off to his car.

Bella stared expressionlessly at the discarded bouquet, then turned to Edward. "Happy now? You can leave."

"Next time you're looking for a boyfriend, be more selective. Don't pick someone with no morals."

Edward smiled and kissed the corner of her mouth. "Fine, I'm going. I'll see you in a few days."

With that, Edward got in his car and drove away.

He left in a hurry—at this hour, he was probably off to some party or another.

Bella looked away.

It wasn't like she could control Edward's life anyway.

Back home, Bella couldn't fall asleep. Her thoughts were a tangled mess.

Just then, her best friend Scarlett Williams texted, inviting her out.

After a moment's consideration, Bella decided to go.

As soon as she entered the bar, she spotted her friend waving enthusiastically from a booth nearby—a hot girl with streaked hair and an outfit that turned heads.

"Well, this is a surprise," Scarlett teased when she saw Bella order a strong drink. "I thought a good girl like you would definitely turn me down. I was prepared for rejection."

Bella responded listlessly, with no energy to spare: "Bad mood. Needed to blow off some steam."

After several rounds, they were both tipsy.

Scarlett asked what was bringing her down.

Normally, Bella kept her feelings locked tight, but under alcohol's influence, her usual self-control crumbled.

She spilled about her turbulent romantic history.

When she got particularly worked up, she raised her glass with Scarlett and cursed her ex. "May all cheating men get hemorrhoids!"

"And I hope he only lasts one second in bed!" Bella had just clinked glasses with Scarlett when she caught a glimpse of someone standing near their booth.

The figure looked vaguely familiar.

Alcohol had clouded her vision and judgment.

She squinted, trying to see better as the person approached.

Suddenly, a hand came down firmly on top of her head, radiating intimidation. "One second in bed? Is that right?" The voice was dangerously controlled.

Bella froze for two seconds.

Then she snapped back to sobriety!

Edward stared at Bella as her eyes widened like a startled deer. He leaned close to her ear with a cold smile and lowered his voice. "Only a few hours apart, and you're already spreading rumors about me? You don't know how long I last? Want me to show you?"

Edward had just been passing by. He couldn't believe he'd spotted Bella here.

When he first saw her in the booth, he wasn't sure it was her.

But as he approached, he overheard her comment that sent his adrenaline surging.

Not only had she called him a cheater, but she'd also insulted his sexual prowess? Fine. She clearly needed to be taught a lesson.

Bella was fully sober now.

She had no choice—the hand on her head was impossible to ignore, broadcasting Edward's anger with every second it remained there.

In this moment, only one thought crossed her mind:

Damn alcohol!

"Let me explain," Bella said weakly.

Edward only offered a cold laugh as he withdrew his hand. "Sure, I'd love to hear you explain why you said you needed rest, but ended up here instead. What is this, your second home?"

"Bella, who's this hottie?" Scarlett's timely question reminded her that her friend was still beside her.

Bella quickly tried to intervene. She knew exactly what Scarlett was like when drunk!

But Edward pulled her back with one swift movement, denying her the chance.

And Scarlett's next words followed immediately.

She gazed at Edward—with his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and tall frame that radiated cool intensity—with undisguised admiration. "Hey handsome, want to join us for a drink?"

Bella felt like everything was falling apart.

Before Edward could decide whether to accept, someone walked up to them, spotted Bella in Edward's grasp, and whistled appreciatively. "Nice one, Edward! I leave for five minutes and you've already found yourself a beauty. Go on, don't keep the lady waiting."

"She's practically begging you to join her. Don't tell me you're planning to save yourself for your fiancée?"

Bella's heart tightened.

Then she heard Edward's dismissive laugh. "Save myself? I've never known the meaning of that phrase in my life."

As he spoke, he coldly released her.