CHAPTER FIVE SPARKS AND CLASHES

The two friends thought about it, but there was no solution. “Unless we drug him again and steal them from him,” Kate suggested. Bella shook her head, even though Kate couldn't see her. “After he had just been drugged? That's dangerous. He must surely be on guard,” she immediately rejected the notion. “Yeah. Not the mention the very possible danger of you not being able to resist stripping him and –” “Will you be serious for once!” Bella snapped again. Her friend would never stop teasing her about Kennedy. She had been madly in love with him since she was a kid. “Alright!” Kate agreed, but she couldn't quite hide the mischief in her voice. After a lot more discussion, the two friends decided there was nothing they could do about it except hope that Kennedy doesn't recognize the bracelets. After the call, Bella closed her eyes. Once more, the groans and grunts and moans filled her ears. This time, they were accompanied by the very distinct and very real sensation of his kisses trailing over every inch of her skin as he worshiped her body. Kate was right. She still had very strong feelings for Kennedy McKenzie. However, who the hell said she had to act on them or even acknowledge them? She would lock the feelings away deep in her heart, never to see the light of day again. After having her breakfast, Bella looked around at the hotel room. She decided to go get herself an apartment. For that, she needed to drive to the real estate office across the city. Bella left the hotel, got in her car and drove off. As she drove, she tried to picture her new apartment. She wanted it to be nice and cozy, not looking so stellar and posh like something that belonged on a magazine page. She had had enough of homes that didn't feel like home while she was married to Kennedy McKenzie. Bella had just started learning to drive not so long ago, so she was particularly careful while driving, especially since her car was also new. The streets weren't busy since it was already past the rush hour for office time, which was lucky for her. However, Bella never expected another car to crash into the rear end of hers. She was just navigating a turn when she felt the impact. She was thrown off her seat and her chest hit the steering. Bella grimaced in pain. She didn't have to look to know she would most likely sport a bruise on the chest later. Suppressing the pain, Bella got out to inspect the damage to her car. It was quite bad, though not as bad as she thought it would be. A couple thousand bucks would take care of it. Seeing that the owner of the other car, a sleep black car she couldn't identify the model because it was likely customized, was not stepping out of his car anytime soon, Bella got angry. Didn't the driver have some manners? Bella stalked to the side of the black car like a predator and rapped on the window. When the window rolled down, Bella almost gasped out in shock. The person in the car was none other than her husband, Kenney McKenzie. Instinctively, Bella turned her face away and almost took two steps back. But then, she remembered that Kennedy had never been home in their two years of marriage. He wouldn't recognize her. Besides, her appearance then was vastly different from her appearance now. Whereas she looked like a prim old maid then, now, she looked more like a slaying modern woman. She curbed her instincts and glared at Kennedy. “It appears you don't know how to drive, sir. How can you hit me on a road as wide as this?” she asked him, anger evident in her voice. Kennedy sneered. “Just thought I'd help you along. With the speed you were going, you might never reach your destination even in a week's time.” Bella gritted her teeth and tried to curb her anger. Even without knowing who she was, this Kennedy was still as disrespectful as ever. “Can't you just overtake me? I believe the road is wide enough for that! And don't you read the signs? They clearly state that the speed limit is 30 kmph. If you have bad eyesight, I suggest you get yourself some glasses before you go behind the wheel again!” Bella ranted. Kennedy was stunned. It was the first time anyone has ever spoken to him that way. Does this woman not recognize who he is? He's Kennedy McKenzie, the CEO of the McKenzie Group and the heir to the Bloom Conglomerate! Who dares talk back to him that way? For what seemed like a long moment, Bella and Kennedy stared at each other. The sky seemed to darken and Bella felt the air around her get increasingly heavy. She had an almost irresistible urge to step back. But she bit the inside of her mouth and stood her ground. Kennedy finally broke the glare war with a sneer on his face. He reached into his front pocket. “I'm a very busy man. Once you repair your car, bring the receipt to the McKenzie Group building and find my assistant. I will settle you,” Kennedy said, throwing his business card to Bella. Bella was so stunned by the impudence she let the card fall to the ground. The window rolled down and Kennedy's car revved. Bella finally reacted. She gritted her teeth in anger. She could endure Kennedy's impudence and insufferable arrogance when she was still his wife, but there was no reason for her to do so now. A sinister smile on her face, she got into her car. Meanwhile, in his car, Kennedy was on the phone and wasn't aware of Bella's car following behind him. Suddenly, he felt his car jolt violently and the phone fell out of his hands. A moment later, Bella's car pulled up beside his and cruised along. The window rolled down to reveal a smiling Bella. “I'm a very busy person too. You can send the receipt to me when you repair the damage,” Bella mimicked Kennedy's words, throwing her card at him just like he did. Kennedy was stunned speechless. He watched the car speed away, his face darkening by the second. How dare she talk to him that way? Did she really not know who he was? The ringing of his phone pulled Kennedy back to the present. He fished it out from where it had fallen. “Ken! Did something happen? You cut the call suddenly!” “Nothing much. I just ran into a wild cat now,” Kennedy replied, the corners of his lips curling up. “Alright. The arranged poker game is about to start. Hughes is already waiting.” ***** Some time later in the evening… Some time later, Kennedy sat in the Maserati Clubhouse. He glanced through the purchase contract in his hand. A young, nerd looking man stood in front of him, looking distressed. “Mr McKenzie, I lost the gamble. Please, take care of the employees in my studio,” the young man said. Kennedy maintained his silence as he dropped the purchase contract and picked a file beside him. The file was titled Employee Evaluation. Suddenly, he paused at a page, his lips pursed. “Is this really Belle, the world renowned designer?” he asked, looking at the picture on the page. The young man nodded, his brows furrowed slightly. “Yes. But Belle prefers to keep a low profile. Please treat her well,” the young man pleaded. Kennedy's lips curled up. ‘This is interesting,’ he thought. The picture on the page was the same woman that had hit him just on his way here.