Chapter 5

Bella couldn't take it anymore and cut Edward off before he could say anything else outrageous. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I don't need these. You can take them back."

Dallas refused to take the flowers back, looking puzzled. "Why won't you accept the flowers? Didn't we have a good time on our date?"

"Good time?" Bella was taken aback.

When did that happen?

Dallas didn't notice Bella's confusion and glanced at Edward, clearly uneasy about the man who had brought her back. "Yeah, I was planning to tell Mrs. Obelon tomorrow and then find a time for our wedding."

"But I gotta tell you! If you're with me, you can't be out wandering with other men in the middle of the night. That's not how my wife should behave. And you should get rid of this man right away."

Even without looking directly at him, Bella knew Edward's expression was anything but pleasant.

She also found Dallas's self-righteous tone quite annoying.

Their date hadn't gone anywhere, yet he talked like she was already his wife.

Bella rubbed her temples, trying to keep her irritation in check. "Mr. Evans, maybe I didn't make myself clear last time."

"I don't think we're a good match, so you shouldn't waste your time on me."

She had agreed to the date only because she couldn't refuse Fallon.

Fallon had been nagging her to get married every day, and she was so annoyed that she went on the date just to appease Fallon.

But it proved that one should never force themselves to do something they couldn't handle; they would only regret it.

Bella really couldn't bring herself to like Dallas. He was not only arrogant, conceited, but also disrespectful.

Dallas was stunned for a few seconds until Edward let out a pleased chuckle.

It made Dallas's face turn red with anger, veins bulging on his forehead as he glared at Edward.

Edward wasn't afraid of his glare, a lazy smile still on his face. He even raised an eyebrow in good humor. "You're still standing here? She made herself pretty clear. If I were you, I'd have left already to avoid further embarrassment."

"Edward, can you stop causing trouble?" Bella couldn't stand him anymore.

Edward was really adept at causing trouble.

Would he be satisfied if she ruined her relationships with everyone around her?

Edward shut his mouth.

Their familiar banter had already revealed a lot. If Dallas still didn't get it, he would be a fool.

"Bella, you're playing me, huh? Are you having an affair with him? Damn it, you go on dates while having a lover..."

What followed was a string of nasty curses. Dallas threw the flowers on the ground and stormed off in his car.

Bella stared at the bouquet on the ground for a moment, then looked at Edward. "Are you satisfied now?"

"Next time you look for a boyfriend, make sure he's not a jerk."

Edward smiled and kissed the corner of her mouth. "Alright, I'm leaving. I'll check on you in a few days."

With that, Edward got in his car and drove off quickly.

At this hour, who knew where he was off to. Bella looked away.

Forget it, she had no reason to pry into Edward's life.

Back home, Bella couldn't sleep. Her mind was a mess.

Just then, her best friend Scarlett Williams messaged her, inviting her out.

Bella thought about it and decided to go.

As soon as Bella entered the bar, she spotted a hot girl with dyed hair waving at her from a booth.

"Wow, I didn't think a goody-two-shoes like you would actually show up. I was ready for you to bail," Scarlett teased as Bella ordered a strong drink.

Bella replied lazily, feeling drained. "I'm in a bad mood, just needed to blow off some steam."

After a few rounds, both of them were a bit tipsy.

Scarlett asked why she was in a bad mood.

Bella was usually good at hiding her feelings, but under the influence of alcohol, her usual calm and composure were gone.

She started talking about her tumultuous love life.

When she got worked up, she raised her glass with Scarlett and cursed the jerks, "Curse those jerks with hemorrhoids!"

"Then I curse him to last only one second in bed!" Bella cursed.

She then clinked glasses with Scarlett, and as she glanced up, she vaguely saw someone standing outside the booth.

The person looked familiar. Alcohol clouded her brain and blurred her vision.

She narrowed her eyes and inclined forward, yet they advanced toward her.

Finally, a hand landed on her head, pressing down with a threatening presence. "One second in bed? Really?"

His voice was full of gritted teeth.

Bella was stunned for two seconds.

Then she instantly sobered up!

Edward looked at Bella, who was wide-eyed like a frightened deer. He sneered and leaned close to her ear, lowering his voice. "Just a few hours apart, and you're out here spreading rumors about me? You should be well aware of how long I can go, right?"

"Want me to show you?"

Edward had just been passing by and didn't expect to see Bella here.

When he first saw her in the booth, he couldn't believe it.

But as he got closer, he heard her words that infuriated him.

Bella not only disparaged him as a cad, but also insinuated his sexual inadequacy? He thought she needed a lesson.

Bella was fully awake now.

She had no choice; the hand on her head was too strong, constantly reminding her of Edward's anger.

At this moment, she only thought, 'Alcohol is a killer!'"Let me explain," Bella's words sounded weak and unconvincing.

Edward only sneered, withdrawing his hand. "Sure, I'd love to hear why you said you wanted to rest but ended up here. Is this your second home or something?"

"Bella, who's this hottie?" Scarlett's timely voice reminded her that her best friend was still there.

Bella quickly went to stop her.

She knew all too well what Scarlett was like when drunk!

But Edward grabbed her back with one big hand, not giving her the chance.Scarlett stared at Edward, with his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and tall, cool figure, with a lovestruck expression. "Hottie, want to stay and have a drink with us?"

Bella felt like everything was ruined.

Edward hadn't decided whether to accept.

Then someone walked up, saw Bella in Edward's arms, and whistled excitedly. "Nice, Edward! I leave for a bit, and you've already been invited by a beauty. Come on; don't keep her waiting."

"She's inviting you. You wouldn't refuse, would you? Or are you saving yourself for your fiancée?"

Bella's heart tightened.

Then she heard Edward's indifferent laugh. "I don't even know what that means."

As he spoke, he let go of her coldly.