At Bella's hotel in Paris.
She decided to meet her friends in the lobby since she didn't have a car. The moment she spotted them, her face lit up.
"Simon! Ellie!" Bella called, waving as she rushed forward.
"Ella!" they chorused, running to her. They collided in a warm hug.
"Vous m'avez manqué, les gars," Bella said, grinning. I missed you guys.
"Tu nous as manqué aussi," they replied together. We missed you too.
The three of them clung to each other, laughing. Bella hadn't realised just how much she had missed this comfort.
She told them she was starving, so they drove to one of their favourite restaurants. Over steaming plates, they caught up on life.
"Congratulations on living your dream, girl," Simon said in an exaggerated high pitch.
"Merci," Bella answered shyly.
Ellie leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "So tell us about the handsome billionaire. We saw the news."
Bella's fork froze midair. "Wait you saw the news?"
"Ugh, don't you know that guy is a hot topic?" Simon laughed.
"Forbes just announced him number one on Thirty Under Thirty. Richest Youngest billionaire on the planet," Ellie added. "And, girl, he is fine."
Bella blinked. "Really?"
"Yes!" Simon said, rolling his eyes. "Don't tell me you didn't know?"
"I don't read about him online," Bella said with a shrug.
"Too bad," Ellie teased. "Now, spill. How did you meet him? And don't you dare say 'it just happened.'"
Bella laughed nervously. "Okay, fine. We first met at a gala in 2015. He'd just taken over Hampson International. But after my accident...I lost my memory. He couldn't bring himself back into my life. Fate brought us together again last year when I well bumped into his car."
Her friends squealed in unison.
"You're one lucky girl," Ellie said, squeezing her hand.
Bella smiled faintly, unsure what to say.
"When's your flight back to London?" Simon asked.
"Tomorrow," Bella replied.
Ellie's phone buzzed then. She answered, her face immediately turning serious. "Sorry, guys. Emergency at the hospital. Duty calls."
"You're still the same Ellie," Bella teased softly. "Always running to save the world."
Ellie hugged her tight. "Next time you're in Paris, you better call me. And make sure I'm invited to your wedding."
Bella laughed. "It's not anytime soon. But fine you'll be the first to know."
Ellie rushed off, leaving Bella with Simon.
Meanwhile, at Chris's meeting, his phone buzzed with Bella's message: Discharged. At the hotel. Relief flickered, but he couldn't respond yet he was still mid-presentation. By the time the meeting ended, he dialed her number.
No response.
He tried again. Nothing.
Chris frowned, unease creeping in. "Maybe she's asleep," he muttered, though doubt gnawed at him.
He signaled Elliot. "Have you heard from Bella today?"
"No," Elliot said slowly. "Why?"
"Her line isn't connecting." Chris's voice was sharp. "Call Princely. See if he's seen her."
Elliot rolled his eyes playfully but obeyed, handing the phone over when Princely picked up.
"Have you seen Christal today?" Chris demanded.
"No. Why?" Princely asked.
Desmond's voice cut in faintly in the background. "I saw her earlier. At the lobby. She left in a car with some guy."
Chris's heart skipped. "What guy? Who? Was he trying to kidnap her? Bella doesn't know anyone in Paris!" His voice rose, panic breaking through.
"Didn't she tell you she studied here for a year?" Elliot reminded softly.
"Yes, but she never mentioned friends," Chris snapped.
"Relax. She's fine," Desmond's calm voice came over the line. "She hugged them. Clearly people she knows."
Chris exhaled harshly, still unconvinced. "Check the CCTV. I need proof she's safe."
Desmond and Princely headed straight for the security office. Minutes later, they reviewed the footage. On screen, Bella appeared in the hotel lobby, laughing as she embraced two people Ellie and Simon. She left with them in a sleek black Range Rover Evoque, no struggle, no fear in her eyes.
"Chris," Princely reported, "she's fine. Just out with friends."
But even as Chris hung up, a knot of worry lingered in his gut.
At the restaurant, Bella and Simon laughed, reminisced, and talked so much that they didn't notice how quickly time passed. When Bella finally glanced at her phone, her heart jumped.
"Shit. It's past ten. Chris is going to be mad," she whispered, fumbling to switch her phone on. The screen stayed black.
"What's wrong?" Simon asked.
"My phone died. And Chris he must be worried sick. I didn't tell him I was going out. I only said I'd been discharged. Yesterday we missed our date because of the hospital, and now this..." She sighed, biting her lip.
Simon smiled gently. "Relax. He'll understand you wanted to see your friends. Come on, I'll drive you back."
"Thanks," Bella said with genuine relief.
Simon opened the passenger door for her and drove her to the hotel.
Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby, Princely and Desmond waited for Chris. When Chris and Elliot arrived at half past ten, they immediately handed over Desmond's phone.
"It's nothing serious," Desmond explained. "She left with friends. Look there's a lady in the video."
Chris scanned the CCTV footage, jaw tight. He didn't relax until he saw Bella's familiar laugh in the clip.
Moments later, the same black Range Rover Evoque pulled into the parking lot. Chris froze, recognizing it instantly. Relief washed over him like a tide but so did something darker, hotter.
Bella stepped out of the car, her expression nervous. She clearly hoped Chris was still tied up in his meeting. Simon got out as well, walking around to see her off.
"Thanks for dropping me," Bella said with a soft smile.
"My pleasure. I'll miss you," Simon replied warmly.
"I'll miss you too. Call me if you ever visit London," Bella offered.
Simon chuckled. "I'll try. Don't forget to call when you're back in Paris."
"Of course," Bella said shyly. "I should run before my boss's boss gets angry."
Simon stretched out his arms for a hug. Bella leaned forward only to be yanked backwards in one sharp motion.
The familiar scent of cologne, the iron strength of the hand gripping her she didn't even need to look. Chris.
She stumbled but caught herself as Chris pulled her behind him like a shield. His eyes blazed with cold fury.
"That's not how you treat a woman," Simon snapped, anger flashing in his gaze.
"You don't get to tell me how to treat my woman," Chris shot back, voice like ice.
"She's my friend, and you're being unreasonable. Totally unacceptable," Simon retorted, standing his ground.
"Stay out of this," Chris growled.
Simon scoffed. "Ella, you never told me you were dating this crap."
Chris stepped forward, fists clenching but Bella grabbed his arm, whispering, "Please." Her pleading eyes held him back.
Chris let out a harsh scoff, turned, and dragged Bella inside without another word.
The elevator ride was suffocatingly silent. Chris didn't even look at her. Bella trailed behind him all the way to his suite.
As soon as they entered, he shrugged off his suit jacket, yanked loose his tie, and ran a hand through his hair. His anger was palpable but then, in a sudden rush, he pulled Bella into his arms, holding her so tightly she froze in shock.
"Do you have any idea how badly you scared me?" His voice cracked against her ear. "Are you trying to kill me, Ella?"
Bella swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I just missed my friends. It honestly didn't occur to me to text you."
Chris pulled back, searching her face. "You came straight out of the hospital and the first thing you did was run off with your friends? Do you hear how that sounds?"
She shrugged helplessly. "I didn't know when I'd get the chance to see them again. It felt like my only chance."
Her eyes softened. "I'm sorry I keep doing this to you."
Chris exhaled sharply. "Make sure it doesn't happen again. Especially with guys. Don't make me lose control like that."
Bella tilted her head. "What exactly were you planning to do to Simon?"
"I would've punched him in the face," Chris admitted flatly.
Bella shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated. "I didn't think you were the jealous type."
Chris moved closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He pressed his lips to the nape of her neck, his voice low and raw. "I'm not jealous. I'm protective. There's a difference. You're mine."
Bella shivered at the possessive whisper. "If you say so."
She turned in his arms, cupping his face. "I'm sorry I ruined your plans."
His gaze softened instantly. "It doesn't matter. We'll have plenty of dates. I'm just glad you're here, safe, with me."
Her lips curved into a shy smile. "I'll make it up to you."
She brushed a soft peck against his mouth. Chris deepened it instantly, turning her apology into a full, burning kiss.