A CHANGE OF HEART

Early morning the next day, news about the businessman Roy Vander getting caught red-handed raping a girl spread on all media outlets. For Arianna, this isn't a personal vendetta. It's just to fulfill Jayden's request. However, for Jayden, the issue wasn't simply about Vander's association with his girlfriend Belle. He wasn't that much of a petty man. The real reason was that, Roy's company was a competitor of theirs. He needs to take down enemies for the company's sake, specially now that they are facing a storm. Vander's lost, will be their gain. But it's far from enough. He needs financial help now. They need it urgently.

"Miss", Bell heard a knock on the door of her room while she's lying on the bed. Everything that happened last night was still very fresh in her memory. She still shivers remembering how that man almost devoured her whole. "Miss, Sir Jayden is waiting for you downstairs." the house helper call for her again, but there was no reply.

In her heart, Belle really wants to see Jayden. But remembering how the message of meeting last night came from Jayden's phone, she started doubting him a little. What exactly happened? Did Jayson send her to Roy? But he has no reason to do so! Did she get the wrong room? It's possible, right? Maybe Jayden did came! And he's here now to check on her because she didn't make it last night. But how would she get the room wrong? unless.....

..unless someone tricked her to enter the wrong room! Someone who doesn't want her to meet Jayden. Someone who's been coveting his man all along!

Belle sat up. She needs to see Jayden now and clarify this matter.

"Hey Jayde!"

In the living room, as soon as Arianna finished doing her yoga, she saw Jayden sitting on the couch alone. She came over and greeted the man with her bright smile. "You're here so early, huh?" she added.

Jayden turned to the lively lady. She was wearing tight clothes that accentuate her dashing and sexy body. What a beautiful sight in the early morning! He was actually stunned for a while!

"What!" Arianna exclaimed. "You're captivated by my beauty, huh!" she teased. "Do you finally realize what you're missing on by letting me go?",

she added with a wink.

Jayden blushed a little. He coughed and cleared his throat.

"I saw the news this morning." he said trying to change the topic. You,re very fast and efficient.... thanks."

Arianna sat beside him and act coy.

" You can ask me to do anything. You know how much you mean to me! If it's for you, I'll do my best to help!", she said, while leaning on Jayden's shoulder. She then looked up staring closely on Jayden's handsome face.

As soon as Belle entered the living room, this was the scene she witnessed. Arianna was clinging to Jayden, their faces almost touching! Are they about to kiss?

Belle fumed with hatred. Her sister was really doing everything to seduce Jayden! It's her! She's the culprit behind last night's incident! She's very sure of it!

"Arianna!" Belle shouted. "Let go of my boyfriend!" she said in fury." Aren't you so shameless, trying to seduce your brother-in-law?"

Arianna turned to her sister but didn't say anything. She only smiled as if mocking her. Actually, she only acted coy with Jayden just now because she saw Belle coming down the stairs. She just wanted to anger Belle and she succeeded. Belle losing her temper was such a rare sight!

"I said get away from him!"

"Belle, Arianna was just kidding. She has always been playful since she was a kid. Please don't take it to heart."

Jayden intended to coax her and calm her down, but instead, it sounded like he was condoning Arianna's actions. This made Belle's heart ache. She frowned even more. Jayden used to distance himself from Arianna. He has never sided with Arianna before. Why was he defending her now?

"Have this bitc* finally won over your affection?" Belle said with a sneer.

She was really in a bad mood right now. Her chest was filled with so much mixed emotions that she felt like exploding any minute. She just can't be nice right now. But what she said made Jayden uncomfortable instead. He stood up and turned to Arianna.

"Sorry for the trouble." Jayden said while patting her head. "She's just being moody today." He then turned to Belle and all of a sudden, his eyes turned cold." I'll be leaving first. I'll come back when you're in a better mood." He then turned to leave.

Seeing his back as Jayden turned to leave, Belle felt anxious. Did he offend him? She really wants to see Jayden so he could comfort her, but what she saw instead was him flirting with her sister. It really made her feel disappointed and upset! Was she being petty? Would she be hated? She didn't wish to be hated!

Anxious, Belle ran to Jayden and hug him from the back. She's emotionally unstable, but she dared not offend Jayden ang give her sister the upper hand.

"Please stay. I've calmed down. We can talk now." she persuaded him.

Arianna watched from the sidelines, shaking her head. Why was Belle so stupid? Can't she stop creating trouble for herself? The way she's acting will drag both of them to more problem!

Arianna lazily stood up from the sofa and tugged Belle's sleeve. She whispered, "Sister, just let Jayden go. Change clothes."she gestured on her neck. " Go..."

When Belle came a while ago, Arianna didn't notice anything unusual. But when she flipped her hair, she noticed some red marks on her neck. Honestly, Arianna didn't want Jayden to know she used Belle to deal with Roy. She'll be in big trouble too! But Belle just won't cooperate. She glared at Arianna missing the hints.

"Mind your own business." she answered, irritated by her nosy remarks.

Arianna sighed. She mouthed, "Alright." but she still caressed Belle's hair, arranging it to cover the marks, something that made Belle frown even more.

"Scram!" she yelled, pushing Arianna away.

Arianna staggered but quickly found her footing. She coldly glanced at her dumb sister before turning around to leave. "Whatever. Do what you want."

Jayden turned to watch Arianna leave the scene. He watched her intently as she climbed the stairs to the second floor. On the side, Belle was clearly unhappy, but Jayden seem to ignore her purposely. She wondered why Jayden was suddenly giving Arianna more attention! Just what did her sister do?

"Jayden, what did you came here for?" she asked trying to catch her attention.

" I'm here to ask your help. You know how the company's doing right now. What I told you last time...." he suddenly stopped when he looked at Belle.

Belle was oblivious about his sudden shift of facial expression. The last time they talked, Jayden asked her to help him about his financial difficulty. She did talk to her father already! But she's yet to get a clear answer from him. Carl seemed to be hesitant.

"There's no result yet. I'll talk to dad again later."

Jayden shook his head. " No need." he said before turning to leave. Belle tried to grab his hand to stop him but he avoided her touch. "Don't touch me!"

Belle was dumbfounded. Why was Jayden suddenly angry?

"Jayden, what's wrong?"

"Nothing! I just don't want to be touched by something so dirty. That hickey on your neck, did Roy do that?"

Seeing as the stunned woman has a look on her face as if saying "How did you know?" Jayden became more exasperated. How intimate did they get? Her woman was tainted by another man, and she dared show her face in front of him still?

Without saying anything anymore, Jayden turned to leave. She wasn't able to make him stay anymore, as she didn't know how to explain herself. Tears started streaming down her face, feeling wronged...

"It all her fault! It's all Arianna's fault!"

....

After Jayden left the Reid's, he went straight home. There's so much to do, yet there he was, busying himself about some unworthy girl's matter. Was he blind before? He thought Belle was a pure and naive woman. But why was she acting this way now? Why was she hooking up with Roy? Jayden was indeed her first man. He knows it. But he also knows how eager and responsive Belle was in bed. Was she slutty now? Was Jayden too busy to accommodate her so she went looking for another man?

Suddenly, Jayden remembered the favor he asked of Belle. She said there wasn't positive result yet. Was he even trying to help him? Now that they were about to go bankrupt, was she now unwilling to be with him? Did he find Roy to cling to him instead?

Jayden smirked. Roy was now in jail. That woman won't be able to get anything from him. And those hickeys, as soon as he remembers them, he just felt disgusted. Was she still the woman suited to be with him?

Jayden shook his head. The company! The company was the most important! He can't let himself be distracted. He fetch his phone and then dialled a string of numbers. It only takes a couple of seconds and the call went through.

"Hello Jayde!" a woman's sweet voice was heard from the other line. "you're missing me so soon?"

"Arianna, I have a favor to ask. Can we talk about it over dinner?"

" Sure!" she quickly answered.

" Let's meet tonight then!"

Hearing Arianna's lovely voice, Jayden's expression eased up. The woman was really sweet and attentive to him. Why can't Belle be like her?

Suddenly, Jayden realized something was wrong with his thoughts. When did he started favoring Arianna over Belle? Was he having a change of heart?