#replies: bella-westwood

[manybcdthings]

Felix couldn't help but smirk when Bella mentioned his ASMR voice, or his lack of taking such things seriously but he feigned an innocent expression quickly. "Are you saying I didn't treat playing with slime with the respect it deserved?" his grin widened to her but only for a moment. Catching the challenging hint in her tone made Felix laugh slightly, because it was perhaps the first round of movie promotions that he had looked forward to. "Say no and never work again?" he deflected slightly, even if they both knew what was true and what was teasing.

The affection didn't linger for as long as Felix would have liked. It never did unless they were alone, but even that proved a difficult task when the two of them couldn't work out what the Hell they were doing. His eyes flicked away from Bella, scanning through the gala before moving back to her. "You can't just add variables, either." he quipped, finally grinning again. Despite agreeing with her perspective, Felix continued to advocate for the devil, simply for his own amusement. "So, you're saying, once your bank account reaches a certain amount you can't have fun with your money? Even if you could win it back and donate it to a good cause?" he gave her a challenging look, but his grin was soft. "That's not very Isabella Westwood of you."

But he knew where the conversation was really headed, especially after his jab about her being ashamed of him. Felix still hadn't quite learned that he often ate his own words. Then, his deflection wasn't to tease and quickly slipped into a more earnest avoidance. "Well, the thing is, if I go outside it will trigger the habitual idea of having a cigarette. So, then I'll want one. And I'm trying to quit." he said, half in jest, half for the sake of digging his heels in. Because he didn't want to hear Bella pretty up the words again, the reasons why there was a distance that never quite closed between them.

When she requested eye contact, Felix childishly obliged with an unwavering eye contact to make his point. But, as his gaze flicked between hers, he found his expression softening. Finally, he sighed. "I believe that you think you're not ashamed to be seen with me. Because you're a nice person." he muttered, shrugging slightly. "But I don't believe it's not the subconscious thing happening." Felix admitted and his look to Bella was sheepish, offering her another shrug now that the words were said. "But I'm also not so fragile that I need you to reassure me, because I don't particularly blame you." another huff and he raised his hand to clarify. "I don't particularly blame your subconscious." then his shrug signaled the last of his response, Felix quickly moving further into the crowd in an attempt to stifle Bella's reply. It was a sneaky move, a little manipulative but he even grinned at her as he made it. "Champagne?"

"Mm, thanks but you actually have a better ASMR voice. If you let yourself take it just...a little more seriously." Bella grins, a chuckle on her lips for how most of Felix's sarcasm made the final cut of the interview. "You could've said no." she adds, giving him a more challenging expression despite amusement behind her eyes. Bella isn't stupid, when the promotions all started up the two of them were eager for the excuse to see more of one another again. Laughing at his light quip, she gently pats his chest in a final bid of affection. Something that comes so easily between them that it's more unnatural to try and hide it, one of the many reasons why Bella finds herself more confused about her own choices than anything else.

"You can't just take variables away from an argument when it suits you, Felix." she laughs at the debate she's pulled into but Bella's response is easy when it's clear there's no escaping it. "If we're talking just about everyone here tonight? They already own what the jackpot is. There's no need to win it." she answers confidently, giving Felix a smug grin of her own. "Just for the record, I'm not judging anyone that gambles tonight. I'm sure they already donate to places." Bella adds for clarification with a slight laugh.

The levity was brief, however, and Bella feels concern rising for how her words were interpretated by Felix. She's frowning and she can't even control it, even if his quip makes her eyes roll and fight a slight chuckle. "You can go outside and not smoke, then? I'll...walk the long way around." she mutters back to him, darting her eyes to the far doors as a way to get him moving. Even if Felix is equally as stubborn and doesn't move an inch. "That's not even funny." Bella deadpans when he reiterates his belief, making her concern lift yet again. "Really? Because I know what it sounds like you think." she challenges his little deflection. "Can you look at me properly...not doing that sarcastic thing you do and tell me you believe me?"

[ninaeklund]

closed starter, bella’s apartment with @bella-westwood​

“This is the fifth politician that advocates for anti-LGBTQ+ laws that’s been caught on Grindr.” Nina muses with a hint of amusement, clicking her tongue as she scans her emails. Since neither of her brothers know how to handle any matter delicately, it’s fallen to Nina to offer support to Bella. Not that she minds, she has fond memories of New York with the other woman. “You’d think people would take digital footprints seriously but then again, they’re always old, bloating men with an IQ lower than their belt size.” she adds, not looking up from her phone until she finishes reading the information. “If by any chance you’re carrying my nephew, please don’t let him get into politics.” 

[msilwrites]

Only One Lives, Chapter 20

A/N: Chapter 20 is up! still NSFW!

Sorry for updating late guys, I have tons of paperwork, it makes me cry... LOL. It was hard, and I was having writer’s block due to the stacks of work. 

Still, I love writing! I consider it my release, which is why here is the next chapter  :D :D :D :D!!

                                                     Only One, Lives

                                                          TWENTY                                                              Bluff

The ‘escape’ to Shanghai had not been an easy one. A lot of things have happened before she got to where she is now. 

Sitting near her window whilst looking outside, the night time view of the bund looked beautiful and the lights of the tall skyscrapers reflected on the surface of the river.  

After everything that had happened, she had no regrets taking Iseler’s work offer, jumping on that plane and escaping to Shanghai. But who knows when will Godfrey find her again, and ruin everything. For now, she will treasure these moments of freedom. 

Dinner was served via room service, the staff places each plate on top of the small table and the aroma of the dishes made her mouth water. 

She thanks the staff, giving them a generous tip before they left her room. Looking at her wristwatch, in a few hours time, the new year will be approaching soon, and there will be a grand fireworks display across the river, at the side of the Pearl tower. Pulling the curtains wider, the full view of the harbour came into view.

She places her chair in an angle where she can see the view whilst eating, but instead of starting her long-awaited meal, she pauses and stares at the view, contemplating. The past few years had been hard, Godfrey had ‘chased’ her non-stop. There were many things that had happened. It was a good thing that Iseler was there. He didn’t ask why or what happened, he just knew she was troubled and he was willing to help. When she told him not to mention anything to Leonard at all, he respected her choice and listened to her. Oh, how blessed she was with Iseler! She felt a tinge of regret upon remembering him. There were times that he hinted his fondness of her. But she did not respond, nor did she do anything about it. In her mind, it was for the best. She couldn’t bear tainting Iseler’s life. 

Leonard... he, on the other hand, started to become suspicious of her, no longer trusting her. And she was very sure Godfrey played a part in Leonard’s suspicion. 

The last time she talked to him, he was a bit aggressive, as if he was interrogating her, despite them not being an official couple yet. She didn’t know what for, but he got a little bit physical. Grabbing her wrist and shoulder so tightly that it bruised.

She pushes her finished plate aside and drinks her warm drink. After eating, she thought of going out despite the cold weather to watch the fireworks at the balcony bar of the hotel. It was six degrees outside, and she needed all the warmth she could get in this cold weather, despite it only being physical.

                                                            **********

                                                       =FLASHBACK=

Godfrey chuckled and appeared composed despite Annabelle’s threat. He knew she was bluffing because if that wasn’t the case, she would’ve pulled the trigger and killed him by now.

He sauntered forward and she backed away in response. Her body, trembled in fear, giving her away. When he reached for her wrist, she quickly pulled the trigger. However, the bullet flew to another direction and hit something else. In a mere second, Godfrey disarms her, followed by the gun’s bullets dropping on the floor.

“Oh, Annabelle...” he whispered, pulling her close whilst her body shuddered. His hand travelled to the crook of her neck as if he wanted to break them. Perhaps he does, and this would be the end of her. She closed her eyes and prepared herself for what was about to come. A tear escaping down her eye. However, much to her surprise. he just caressed her face and kissed her on the temple.

“You do that again, and I won’t be as merciful the next time...” he warned in a saccharine tone. He brushes his hand on the strands her hair and slides them to the back of her ears. “I suggest that you behave yourself...” 

Despite the threat,  Godfrey’s has no intention of ‘physically’ hurting her. 

                                                            ********** 

Annabelle shuddered remembering the encounter with Godfrey after the flower show. She thought she was going to die. Up to this day, she couldn’t imagine how she had survived. She is aware that Godfrey does love her, in his own twisted sort of way. All those times she had spent and was held captive by him, he cared and showed her love that she never had. But she has never forgotten Betty, Emma, and Agatha. No, She couldn’t risk the possibility of being like them. No, It would break her heart if she loses Godfrey’s affections.  She was not willing to risk becoming like the girl that came before Betty, and Betty when Emma came into the picture. She can’t bear becoming the Emma, who was either being hunted or being a captive. Nor can she bear having children with him, and becoming like Godfrey’s mother, Agatha, who lost her husband’s affection and used his children as pawns. 

She heaved a sigh as she turned her attention to the crowd who began counting until the new year strikes.

“ 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!”

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” The crowd said in unison as a beautiful fireworks display lights up the midnight sky. Afterwards, all the guest, despite being strangers, clinked their glasses and made a toast.

“Happy New Year!” Annabelle greets the waiter as he hands her a drink. The waiter smiles before walking off to another direction to distribute the rest that was on his tray. 

Looking around, she saw some of them happily making calls or sending messages to most probably the special people in their lives. She thought for a while and thought of the people she had wanted to greet. There was Philip, and then her cousin, Terrence, and of course, Iseler and his daughters. It didn’t matter that she didn’t have a lot of special people. So without any hesitation, she takes out her phone and makes an overseas call. 

It was still 4:00 ++ pm in London, but it never meant that she couldn’t greet them. She doesn’t call Philip, knowing the less he knows, the safer he would be, but she first calls her cousin, Terrence instead. But after repeated rings. He hasn’t picked up. Knowing what a busy guy her cousin is, she decides to move to the next person which is Iseler. 

After a few rings, Iseler picks up the call...

                                                           **********

It was 4:00 in the afternoon when Iseler felt his phone vibrate inside his suit’s pocket. Looking at the caller ID, she smiled upon seeing the letter ‘A’ indicated. Of course, he didn’t want anyone to know, (especially Leonard) that he knows where Annabelle is. Nor he is the one that helped her escaped. Escaped from who or what, he doesn’t know what. All he knew that she was begging for escape and he needed to help her. 

Looking around his surroundings he answers the call casually, pretending that the call was from the office. He didn’t know if he was being paranoid or what, but despite currently being in a cocktail party with countless people, Leonard was just around the corner and he didn’t want the later finding out that Annabelle was calling him.

“Happy New Year! Iseler!” was a joyful greeting from the other side of the line.

Iseler smiles and replied “Happy New Year too! hold on for a second!” he takes and quick glance and sees Leonard talking to the Westwood heir, from a distance, both eyeing him suspiciously. “Excuse me for a minute, I need to answer this, just some office issues...” he says to them from across the room, before walking to an empty balcony and staring at the winter sky.

“Happy New Year, Annabelle!” he greets her once more. 

“Thank you!” she says. “Where are you by the way? are the girls around?”

“No, they aren’t, I’m currently at a cocktail party,” he says quietly.

“Is he around?”

“Yes...” he whispers.

“No wonder... I called you at the wrong time I-”

“No, no, no, it’s fine Bella... I’m actually glad to hear from you! How are you? how are the fireworks over there?” he asks, using his term of endearment for her, ‘Bella’ which means ‘Beautiful’ in Latin, and which also happens to be the other half of her name. 

“I’m well! better than before... I hope you are doing well too, Iseler... How are the girls?” she asks, eager to know how he and his daughter were doing. After all, she had left London months ago.

“They’re currently at home, you can give me a call two hours from now because I’ll be home by that time and then you can talk to the girls,” he says, leaning against the called wall.  

“Thank you, Iseler...” she smiles. “The fireworks were grand as you said... I wished I could see it with you and the girls” she adds, as she yearned to share the experience with him and his daughters.

“That’s good, I hope you will continue having a great time there. If you took a video of the fireworks, you send and share them with me...” he encourages. 

“I did and I would... I’d probably send them to you when I get back to my hotel room...” she adds, knowing that it was faster sending things when in her room because the internet was faster there. 

Suddenly, she hears two loud taps coming from Iseler’s side. Which also meant, someone was there around the corner listening.

“He’s there... isn’t he?” Annabelle guessed.

“Yes...” was his serious reply, whilst watching Leonard come out of the glass door and calling him. 

“Don’t bring your work to the party!” Leonard chides Iseler playfully which Annabelle heard over the phone.

“Go ahead, Iseler... I will just talk to you later,” she says, a little disappointed that they didn’t get to talk long enough.

“Alright... later then,” he said, as he cuts the call and goes back inside the vicinity.

As Iseler enters goes back inside the room, he saw the Westwood heir, Godfrey, eyeing him suspiciously. Iseler didn’t know why, but he has this gut feeling that this man had something to do with Annabelle’s current situation. Not wanting to be suspicious to both Leonard and Godfrey, Iseler tries to lighten up the mood by saying something funny, making the people at the table laugh.

Godfrey chuckles and takes a sip of his drink. He didn’t know what he was doing here, or why did he even agree to come. All he knew that Gabriel ‘dragged’ him to this cocktail party and that he needed to ‘babysit’ him. All he wanted was to leave the place and go back to continue his search for Annabelle. The hunt excited him, because of that he was more enamoured with her than ever,  but it also frustrated the hell out of him.  All he wanted now is to get her back. But upon seeing Iseler, Annabelle’s boss, Godfrey figured out that the man might have the answers of her whereabouts. The cocktail party started to become more tolerable for Godfrey. He began to craft a plan in his head, that before this party ends, he will get all the answers he wanted. And he will have to subtly extract it from this man called, Iseler. No, he didn’t plan on hurting him. But there were other ways, and Leonard was the perfect pawn for that.

A/N:  Again, sorry for the late update, I will be soft editing as I may have made some grammatical errors. I will soon fill in the holes about the time gap (which was Annabelle’s escape) in the next chapters. 

[bella-westwood]

riverpatel​:

.

While in treatment River had spent a lot of time with a psychologist beyond the regular substance abuse counselors. It had been suspected for a long time that there was something more going on with River that had attributed to their highs, lows, manic episodes, impulsive decisions, trauma responses, and deep rooted abandonment issues. The way River chose to deal with them was to either ignore the fact that anything was happening at all or attempt to numb the issue with something. All of their methods only made it worse and ultimately landed them in some kind of hospital like place in the end. They were referred to psychiatrist who went on to give them an official diagnosis, but River didn’t want to fall into the pharmaceutical world unless it was absolutely necessary. That’s what turned them to therapy and why they were in Miss Isabella Westwood’s office. 

“Oh, uh, thanks,” River looked around and helped themselves to some tea if for no other reason than to have something to hold. They took a seat on one of the beanbags and crossed their legs beneath them while they listened to everything Bella said. “I um, I was just in rehab and they found out I have some bad brain stuff going on a long with my addiction thing and so they sent me to this doctor out here who wanted to throw pills at the problem and I don’t want to take pills if I don’t have to.” River paused to take a breath, not looking at her while they spoke. instead they fixed their eyes on their tea. “it feels like it’s just reinforcing the notion that pills will solve my problem and that’s what I was using to try and escape it before, you know?” Besides not trusting doctors or medications in general, River was scared if they started taking pills regularly again it would lead the right back to the other pills. “So I guess, coping mechanisms? That aren’t drugs or at least find like natural drug solutions and other shit to do that doesn’t make me lose my mind.”

-

It was common for many people to want to avoid the world of big pharma, and prescribed medications imposed their own risks too. So, Bella was supportive as River spoke about their desire to attempt their journey without medication. She nodded as they spoke, finding herself agreeing with their notions as she made quick and little notes. “Absolutely.” Bella replied, glancing up from her notepad and noticing the way River was fixed on their tea. She graced the lack of eye contact by not looking directly to them either, allowing the conversation to feel more relaxed. “Well, I’m very big on transparency. I won’t sit here and say I’ll absolutely never suggest medication, but it’s definitely a last resort. I’d rather exhaust all other avenues first because you’re right, being dependent on one form of medication is no different just because it’s legal. Many are addictive, and come with a heap of side effects. So, I’m definitely with you on that.” she began talking, smiling as she spoke because she could already feel as if their journey together would be a meaningful one. 

“Looking at coping mechanisms is something we can definitely do. Also, my methods kind of include trying to show you that these areas of your “bad brain” aren’t exactly broken. They’re just natural reactions to things, or learned behaviours, and deserve the same love and TLC we give to the “good” things. Because going around and disliking certain aspects of yourself, in my opinion, only exhausts them.” she tried to not ramble too much and get back to the point. “Coping mechanisms can look like a lot of different things but some are more realistic than others. What do you feel would be more realistic for you? For instance, if I suggested keeping a journal, is that something you’d enjoy or would scrapbooking or making art be more realistic for you to create a routine around? And what sort of things happen that you’d prefer to target first? So we can look at each thing individually, instead of all at once.”