The study room was dark and warm, and as much as Belle was immersed in her reading, it was making her eyelids heavy.
"What are you doing?", Rami asked his wife as he crept through the door.
Belle turned around to face him. "I'm reading about my future patients at my Psychiatry residency".
"Cool. Have you told Brian that Beatrice is here?".
"I haven't", Belle answered. "But I'm not keeping quiet because of Beatrice. I will tell him tomorrow, it's his day off. He deserves to know she's moving here".
"Great. I agree. He deserves to know", Rami said, his eyes glistening amidst the dark atmosphere.
"How did you find her today? As far as I was concerned you didn't talk to her".
"My mother called me saying that Beatrice had showed up in her door with all of her belongings. She asked me to call my friend who owns a residential building to see if she had any apartments available. I decided to take her in. My mother isn't necessarily old but she is in no condition to be mortified anymore. She's already had enough with the news about my sister's infertility".
"Wait — your sister is officially infertile?".
"She is. The doctor told her last week. Don't know why they took it so hard though. It was obvious, years and years of unprotected sex and fertility treatments that led to nothing".
"Well, I don't blame them. That must be utterly horrible".
"It is", Rami responded, his voice sounding more gentle than usual as he sauntered towards Belle. "I just.. I just want to thank you for welcoming Beatrice into our house. It's the little things like these that open my eyes and make me realise how kind you are. I feel very lucky to be your husband. I apologise for acting like an idiot in the past. I'll try to be a better man.. for you and for Alice".
Belle couldn't help but blush. She still knew that Rami's words could never be completely trusted, but part of her wished this would be the first step to Belle's desired perfect family. He had already proved to be a good father, and even after everything Rami had put her through, she still believed he could be a good husband.
"You don't need to thank me. You helped my stepfather. That's enough. You help my family, I help yours", she smiled. "And well, if you want to try to be a better man, then I'm looking forward to seeing a sweeter side of yours".
"Of course. And if I'm convincing enough, you know, maybe we could start talking about baby number two".
"Oh, well, that's definitely a very strong and serious request", Belle laughed. "I'm open to discuss anything".
"I'm glad", Rami uttered. "Well, I'm going to let you finish do your reading. Good night".
"Yeah, thanks, but I think I'll go to sleep too. I'll have to wake up early tomorrow".
"Great. By the way, have you talked to Mailen? You haven't seen her much".
"Yes, we talk everyday on the phone. She's been busy. But I think we'll see the Mazzello's this weekend".
"Those are great news. Cannot wait to discuss politics with Joe".
"Was that sarcasm?".
"It obviously was".
----------------------------------------
Belle was sitting in front of the dining table in Brian's apartment, and Brian was facing her, both of them were eating chocolate croissants. Brian drank tea and Belle drank coffee.
"Have you heard from Beatrice yet?", Belle questioned, sounding strangely serene.
"Not yet", Brian said. "But her mother's chef picked up the phone last night and said he saw her in the morning. It was kind of relieving, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried. I barely slept last night".
"I know where she is", Belle stated. "She's moving into my house, Brian. She asked me not to tell you but yet here I am, telling you", she chuckled. "I'm sorry I didn't break the news to you before. She had been around me all day. I saw Diana yesterday as well. She was asleep, but at least I saw her".
Brian's eyes doubled in size, and he smiled with alleviation.
"Oh! Thank God. This is great news, Belle, you know that", Brian said as he covered his mouth with relief. "I mean, the fact that she didn't want you to let me know disturbs me but Diana is safe and that's everything that matters to me".
"Yeah, I'm not happy she asked me to do that but at least you know where your daughter is now".
"It's great knowing she's with you. I know she will have an extra eye looking out for her".
"Of course. You know I'd never let anything bad happen to Diana", Belle said, around a mouthful of pastry. "But, I mean, I think I know a reason why Beatrice wouldn't want to tell you about her whereabouts. Is there anything you want to tell me?".
Brian's expression turned somber, almost choking on his pastry. He remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"Oh, she told you", muttered Brian, tears starting to well up in his eyes. "Look, Belle, I tried to tell you. I wanted to tell you. But I couldn't. I'm disappointed in myself", Brian broke down in tears. "I feel guilty everyday. I swear that I don't talk to Catherine anymore. I—
"Brian, it's okay, don't cry", Belle cooed. "I just thought you'd probably want to talk about it. I won't mind if you don't want to talk about it".
"There's nothing to talk about. There isn't a deep, cavernous backstory for us. It's what it is. And for that I feel ashamed. I betrayed my family for some ten minutes of pleasure with a vain person who conspired against my best friend".
"Well, it wasn't the right thing to do but we all make mistakes, Brian. Don't be too harsh on yourself. I'd just advice you to stay away from Catherine. She's an evil woman. I don't want her to ever plot anything against you. It was enough seeing Roger suffer because of her, and it hurt me. It would be extra painful to see my best friend suffer because of her wicked mind".
"Thank you, Belle, but I think Catherine might finally slow down this time. Catherine's divorce has taken a toll on her. I wouldn't go as far as saying that she's having a mental breakdown but maybe she's about to have one. She's not an alpha female anymore".
"Why?".
"Her divorce. I don't know if you've seen the papers but she looks dreadful. She never wears makeup anymore and her hair looks brittle".
"No, I haven't. But well, I'm sorry to say this, but I don't feel bad for her at all. Maybe it's what she deserves".
"Yeah. I still would like to thank you for being so understanding. I thought that if I told you what Beatrice caught me doing with Catherine you'd stop talking to me".
"No, I would never do that", Belle assured as she fixed the sleeves of her dress. "I really appreciate your candor, Brian. You know you can trust me".
"Of course I know that".
-------------------------------------------------
Belle rushed into Alice's nursery room, her crying was the first thing she heard when she arrived home and she knew why.
"Belle, you're finally here. You forgot to leave milk for Alice", Beatrice nervously said as she held Belle's crying daughter in her arms, and Rami was sat in the corner of the room reading the newspaper.
"No, I didn't forget. It's just that I thought I would be here earlier. But the traffic's too heavy, you know", Belle said as Beatrice placed her niece on her bassinet.
"Where were you?", Beatrice asked.
"I was with Brian".
"Oh. You didn't tell him I was here, did you?".
"No", Belle faked a smile.
"Alright. Well, I'll go back to my room. Got to check up on Diana", Beatrice stated as she exited the room.
"Sure, thanks".
Belle closed the door behind her before turning to Rami.
"Have you seen Catherine lately?".
"No", Rami replied. "Why would I?".
"Well, I thought she was your friend".
"Now that I think about it, she's called me a few times but I always forget to return her calls. My bad".
"Brian told me she's been looking troubled lately", Belle commented as she started to breastfeed Alice.
"Understandably so. The outcome of her divorce wasn't what she expected at all".
"Wait, their divorce is finalised already?", she frowned.
"It sure is. Everyone's been talking about it", Rami told his wife as his eyes were still glued to the newspaper.
Belle couldn't believe that, after spending so many years waiting for the blessed day when Roger and Kate would no longer be a couple, she actually missed the 'blessed day'.
"Congratulations to them, I guess".
"I think the only person who deserves your good wishes is Roger Taylor", Rami said as he showed the newspaper's front page to Belle. Belle saw a headline that read: "Roger Taylor's new love: How the CEO quickly moved on." He was hugging a mysterious girl.
And Belle's heart broke.
Again.
-------------------------------------------------
Roger and Jessica were playing domino, but Roger had lost, again.
"Domino isn't really my thing. What about playing poker?, Roger suggested, taking a sip of wine.
"Sure. Where is it?".
"Bottom drawer. Could you hand it over to me or do you want me to get it?".
"I can do it", Jessica answered as she walked to his room.
She knelt and opened the bottom drawer. She didn't find the poker set but she found something else.
A photo album.
With pictures of Roger and Belle.
They looked younger.
But they looked in love.
And Roger had a lot of explaining to do.