The woman wore a short fuschia dress with spaghetti straps. She looked sexy, but she was not slutty. She wrapped herself in an expensive, untouchable elegance. A simple gold watch circled her wrist along with a white gold bracelet full of beads. There was no ring on her finger. Her wavy auburn hair was like flames that framed her stern face. Gabrielle admitted that Belle was beautiful. But, Belle had a fierce mouth. She did not hesitate to yell at anyone who openly bothered her.

“I wouldn't say that I'm happy to meet you here.”

“Me neither. But you are free to sit wherever you are, I will not kick you out.”

“Well, this club isn't yours. You can’t kick me out while I’m here and pay for my own drinks.”

“I could buy this place right now if I really wanted to kick you out.”

“Tsk, you arrogant rich guy.”

Gabrielle shrugged his shoulders indifferently. He sipped his bourbon slowly. His elbows propped on the table. He tried to enjoy this evening as best as possible even though his mood had fallen to the bottom of the abyss.

“Your drink, Milady. Enjoy.”

"Thank you....”

“Joshua. Pleased to meet you."

The bartender went to serve other guests after placing Belle's order. His friendliness relaxed Belle's tension a little. All men should be like Josh. He was friendly, but he was not lewd.

“Where are your other friends?”

“Over there.”

"Why don't you join them?"

"I'm lazy. I just want to enjoy my bourbon in peace.”

Hearing the sarcasm, Belle automatically stopped moving her lips to ask Gabrielle more questions. Besides, she was clear enough about Gabrielle's profile and she didn't need any more information.

For half an hour Gabrielle and Belle were just silent, ignoring each other and trying to enjoy the boring atmosphere around them. But Belle found their nonchalance repulsive. She couldn't stand pretending to be nonchalant for too long, so she decided to finish her drink and go home.

“Give up, eh?”

“Sorry? Are you talking to me?”

“Do you see anyone else here?”

Shit! Belle cursed her own stupidity.

“Tsk, what do you want? You keep skeptical of me. Are you angry because I wet your expensive shirt? Okay, I'll change your shirt tomorrow."

"No need. I have a pile of expensive shirts at home. You'd better go home and go to bed. You look tired, miss.”

Belle's anger rose to the top of her head. She really wanted to scratch this man's annoying face and shower him with the rudest curses she had ever known.

Belle exhaled roughly. She wasn't going to escalate the ridiculous argument. She'd better go home and go to sleep like that damn man suggested to her.

"Alright. Good night, Mr. Rolland."

Belle tossed her hair before walking away. Gabrielle grinned as he took a sip of his bourbon. He thought Belle was quite funny and sweet. He found solace in Belle, and he hoped to meet the fierce woman again.

"Nite too, Belle," Gabrielle mumbled into the air.

-00-

"I am ready. Let's get out of the car."

“You look amazing. Happy birthday, darling."

Gabrielle took Fleura's right hand and kissed the back of it gently. The corner of Gabrielle's eye accidentally caught the diamond ring on Fleura's finger. It was their wedding ring. He noticed that Fleura didn't wear it in Milan because her fingers were too full of designer rings. However, this time Fleura wore her ring again to perfect her role as Gabrielle Rolland's wife.

"I have a gift for you."

"Now? I thought you'd surprise me at the end of the day."

“There are some gifts. This is the first gift,” Gabrielle smiled broadly at his enthusiastic wife.

“I love gifts. Oh, thank you my darling."

Fleura grabbed Gabrielle's nape and kissed him passionately. They crushed each other, and Gabrielle hugged her back tightly. It had been a long time since they kissed like that. And Gabrielle didn't want to miss a single sweet moment with her on her birthday.

"When are you going to give me a gift?"

"After one more kiss."'

Gabrielle kissed her wife's lips greedily, like a hungry man. He didn't need to worry about journalists around the lobby because he protected his car with frosted glass.

"OK, that is enough. You messed up my lipstick."

Fleura pushed Gabrielle's shoulder. She pursed her lips when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

“My lip is swollen, gosh. You kissed me greedily.”

"We haven't done that in a long time," Gabrielle shrugged nonchalantly.

"I hope that tonight we can celebrate your birthday more intimately in bed."

“Hmm, I have a party with my friends at the club. They have prepared a surprise for me.”

“Oh shit! Can you cancel the party?”

Applying lipstick to her lips, Fleura shook her head with a fake sad expression.

"I can't let them down, Gabe. Everyone will attend. Including my producer and director.”

"Are they more important than me? Your husband?"

"Of course, you are more important than them. Never compare yourself with them. Come on, I don't want to start an argument with you. Are you going to give me my gift now?”

Gabrielle reached into his pocket excitedly. He took out a red velvet box and handed it to Fleura without opening it.

“It's a very rare ruby necklace. I managed to get it at last month's auction.”

Fleura clapped her hands excitedly and opened the velvet box impatiently.

“Oh, honey, it's so pretty. You know that I really want it!”

Fleura lifted the necklace and screamed with joy in front of the mirror while holding the necklace to her neck. The red ruby on the pendant shone beautifully under the lamplight. Fleura couldn't wait to wear it, so she could show off the rare necklace to her friends.

"Can you help me, honey?"

“Turn around. I'll put the necklace around your neck."

Gabrielle took the necklace from Fleura's hand then put it around her neck. He was a bit annoyed that Fleura chose to party with her friends instead of spending time with him. Watson's words flashed through his mind. He said he could use his money to buy the happiness he wanted. Fleura was not the only woman in the world. There were lots of women who were willing to replace Fleura in his bed.

"Come on, Gabe, smile for the camera."

Fleura put her arm around Gabrelle's shoulder as they walked through the hospital lobby. The flash slightly blinded Gabrielle's eyes, who was not yet used to the presence of paparazzi. Meanwhile, Fleura looked so relaxed when facing the paparazzi. She posed very elegantly while showing off her affection for Gabrielle. That's what Fleura always did. Pose and pose. Her ruby necklace shone beautifully under the flash. Fleura looked perfect in front of all those paparazzi.

"Hello friends, thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday as well as to visit the children here."

"Happy birthday Ms. Fleura. Your heart is so noble. You choose to celebrate your birthday in the hospital with children with cancer. While other actresses, who may not be more famous than you, choose to party in clubs or in private villas.”

Fleura smiled gently as she glanced at Gabrielle, who was looking at her with loving eyes.

"My wife wants to share her happiness with them, right sweetheart?"

Gabrielle kissed her wife's cheek tenderly. A group of nurses cheered wildly behind the pillar, biting their nails with envy at Gabrielle and Fleura.

"And today you are allowed to record my activities inside, but I hope you can be calmer when you do it because we are currently in the hospital."

The reporters muttered noisily, then nodded in understanding. One of them raised a finger to ask Fleura a question.

"Yes?"

"I see you are wearing a very beautiful necklace."

Fleura's eyes twinkled. She excitedly touched the ruby against her neck and pulled Gabrielle closer to her.

“My beloved husband gave it to me as a birthday present. Thank you very much, baby."

“The pleasure is mine. I always have to ensure my wife's happiness.”

They kissed passionately. The hospital staff buzzed around excitedly amidst the clicking sounds of cameras. Rollands would be a hot topic in all the magazines.

"Come on guys, it's time for us to meet these cute children," Gabrielle exclaimed excitedly then took his wife's hand into the hospital.

"He just had the flu and fever. Don't worry, ma'am. Your son will be fine after resting and taking some of the medicine I prescribed."

"Belle, you should see.... Oh, I'm sorry. Please go on."

Belle glared at Miranda, who had just shouted and entered her room without knocking. God, Belle wanted to strangle her friend for her rudeness, walking into her room without knocking.

"I'm sorry for the disturbance earlier. My friend just wants to discuss something with me."

"No problem, doc. So, my little Charlie will be fine, right?"

"He will be fine. Don't worry. You just need to feed him nutritious food and make sure Charlie takes his medicine three times a day."

"Alright, I'll do it. Thank you very much, Doctor Belle."

"You're welcome. Get well soon Charlie."

Belle stroked Charlie's head gently and led them to the door. The five-year-old boy looked very weak and only hugged his mother's waist as he walked out to the elevator.

Belle turned over the wooden plank on the door as her practice time was over. It was time to go home to rest and watch some new movies. She wanted to really relax that day because she hadn't had a proper sleep in days. She had to be on standby at the hospital when her little patient was critical. Belle always hoped that her patients would be fine and that they could be reunited with their families at home.

"Belle!"

"Oh my God, Miranda! What are you doing?"

Belle screamed in annoyance because Miranda surprised her who was drinking. The water spilled onto her lab coat.

"Oops, I'm sorry. Is that mineral water?"

"Fortunately it's only mineral water."

Belle slammed the bottle on the table and took out some tissues to wipe her wet lab coat.

"Why did you come to my room? Do you have any important news?"

"The actress has come. You must see her."

"Oh my, I thought you were going to tell me something important."

"This is very important news."

Miranda enthusiastically followed Belle who was throwing the used tissue into the trash. She snorted in annoyance because Miranda was following her like an idiot.

"I don't care about the actress or whatever she's doing in this hospital."

"She will be celebrating her birthday with your little patients. You should have come to the hall to see them having fun."

"Just let them have their fun. They are safe with their parents."

"Tsk, you have to come to the hall with me."

"I'm tired. I want to go home and laze on my comfortable bed."

Belle tugged Miranda's hand from her wrist. She really didn't want to waste her precious time off by going to see an actress celebrating a birthday with her little patients. Her evil mind told her that the party was held only to boost the actress's popularity. Not something done sincerely and humbly.

"That's why you don't have a boyfriend. You've been cooping yourself up in your apartment too much, and you're not giving yourself a chance to be recognized by other people."

With annoyance, Belle put her hands on her hips. Her face showed a thick expression of offense because of Miranda's words.

"Well, I don't have a boyfriend because none of them really suit me so far. Don't make stupid hypotheses just because I don't want to attend the actress's birthday party."

"But they are very romantic. They kissed in the lobby."

"Then what do I care? It's their right to kiss and make out. They're married, right?"

"Belle, this time you have to come. Let yourself have fun. Nathalie is waiting for us in the hall. I think Lucas is coming too."

"No. I want to go home. Now!"

Belle ignored Miranda who kept whining around her. She busied herself by stuffing her things into her bag, then hanging her lab coat on the wooden cupboard next to the sink.

"She's not just any actress."

"Well, you've said it a hundred times before. But I really don't care. I just want to go home."

"It's Gabrielle Rolland's wife's birthday."

"Gabrielle Rolland?" Belle's frowned deeply. She seemed quite familiar with the name, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it before.

"You really don't remember Gabrielle Rolland?" Miranda's eyes widened in surprise at Belle's reaction.

"No. Who is Gabrielle Rolland? I don't know him."

"Geez. Gabrielle Rolland is the guy you bumped into at the club that night!"

-00-

Talia smiled broadly. Grasping her mother's hand tightly, she lined up with the other children for a crown-shaped balloon. Talia's glazed eyes twinkled with happiness. It was the first time she's attended a birthday party that was so lively. Lots of balloons, gifts, and piñatas on the ceiling of the hall. She also saw people aiming cameras at her friends and at her until she felt like she was being showered with very bright white lights.

"Hello sweetie, here's a crown balloon for you."

"Thank You."

"You're welcome. Enjoy the party."

Talia touched her head and smiled happily. The first time her head was wearing a crown instead of a bandage. Her mother then led her to a round table at the front of the hall, where the main character was busy receiving birthday wishes from everyone.

"You should wish Mrs. Rolland happy birthday."

"I know. It's a great birthday party. Oh, that's Doctor Belle!"

Talia exclaimed happily. She jumped up and down while waving her hands towards her favorite doctor. The IV tube stuck in her back swayed slowly as the girl was busy moving her hands to get Belle's attention.

"Doctor Belle, I've been looking for you."

"Hello honey. I'm late because I had a patient." Belle crouched in front of Talia and smiled gently. She was desperately hiding her anger at Miranda for dragging her to the party.

"Hello Talia, you are very beautiful with that crown."

"Thank you, Doctor Miranda. I also like this crown. We're going to wish Mrs. Rolland happy birthday."

Belle's eyes turned to the crowd of people who were surrounding the main star. Fleura Rolland's figure was barely visible in the crowd. Belle couldn't catch her face, and she didn't care.

"Want to come with us to meet Mrs. Rolland?"

"No, thank you. You guys go ahead. I will greet my other patients."

Miranda glanced at her sharply, but Belle ignored her and pretended to wave at Talia.

"We should have gone with them to meet Fleura."

"I told you I didn't want to come here, but you dragged me."

"You need to be reminded of that guy you ran into at the club."

"Yeah, I hate that guy. Just go there if you want to meet that actress. I'll go meet Timmy and his friends."

Belle sighed in relief seeing Miranda walking away from her. She was relieved that Miranda didn't force her. She was better left alone to enjoy the atmosphere of the birthday party. At least, she was happy that Fleura brought joy to her little patients. They happily enjoyed the clown and magic show in the middle of the room. Their laughter looked so pure. Their pale faces shone with joy.

"Hello, Timmy."

"Doctor Belle! I got a robot."

The little boy lifted his toy into the air. He was so skinny that his cheeks were very gaunt. He suffered from stage three bone cancer which resulted in his leg being amputated several months ago. But Belle was very touched by the joy and enthusiasm he showed everyone.

"Wow, what a cool robot. Did you have fun?"

"Yes. This party was really fun."

"And there's lots of delicious free food available."

Belle smiled in response to Mr. Brune, Timmy's father.

"Take as much food as you want, Mr. Brune. The host will not mind at all."

"Of course. I will not waste this rare opportunity," Mr. Brune blinked playfully, then pushed Timmy's wheelchair toward a long table filled with mouth-watering delicacies.

Belle was just about to stand up when a pair of shoes suddenly stopped in front of her.

"I thought you could never be gentle."

"I'm just not gentle with everyone."

Belle knew who the owner of that voice was. She didn't have to look up to meet Gabrielle's face, which in her mind must have been smiling wryly.

"I thought you would stand by your wife."

"I've been there for almost an hour. I'm bored. I want to go around to take a look."

"They must look ridiculous in your eyes."

Gabrielle frowned in confusion. He didn't understand what Belle was talking about.

"Sorry?"

"This party and all my patients you invited. You and your wife just want good publicity by taking advantage of their condition. You pretend to care about children with cancer and their families, but in fact you take advantage of them."

Leaning towards Gabrielle, Belle whispered sarcastically, "Just admit it, Mr. Rolland."

The blood in every part of Gabrielle's body boiled with anger. He completely disagreed with the accusation.

"You are very petty for accusing me like that. I do all this sincerely. Fleura might do it for fame, but I don't."

"Do you? You're an arrogant rich man, who even scolded me at the club just because I accidentally spilled punch on your shirt. Be honest with me."

"Watch your mouth, Belle. You don't know anything about me."

Belle was a little surprised to hear Gabrielle call her by name. It was the first time. They had barely even known each other and Belle had never planned to make Gabrielle her friend.

"Doctor Belle, can you help me open this candy?"

Before Belle could explode again, one of her little patients tugged at the hem of her lab coat. The little girl was Jolie. She was only four years old and was currently undergoing treatment for stage two blood cancer. Jolie's blonde hair fell out due to the drugs she consumed. However, the girl remained cheerful and tied her hair with a butterfly hairpin for Fleura's birthday party.

"Are you allowed to eat that candy?"

"Am I not allowed to eat this candy, Doctor Belle?"

Her eyes were very innocent. Belle could not resist stroking Jolie's slender cheeks in exasperation.

"You can eat that candy, baby. But remember, you can't eat too much."

"I understand. Please help me open it. I can't."

"Let me do it."

Belle was surprised to see Gabrielle suddenly squatted in front of Jolie and stroked Jolie's head gently. Gabrielle also shifted Jollie's lopsided hairpin. Gabrielle's every move made Belle freeze because Gabrielle looked so sincere when he did it.

"My mother said you are the kind-hearted host of this party?"

Gabrielle's eyebrows rose. He stared at Belle for a moment, but he immediately looked back at Jolie's innocent face.

"Well, I did have a party here. Are you happy?"

"Very happy. Thank you very much!"

Jolie hugged Gabrielle's neck tightly. Gabrielle then panicked when he felt Jolie's IV tube stuck in his shoulder. He immediately looked at Belle, asking her to help him reposition the IV tube because he was worried about Jolie.

"It's OK, she will be fine."

"There was blood in the IV line."

"It won't harm her."

Belle bent her back. Her long hair fell around her face like a soft silk curtain. Gabrielle barely blinked as he stared at Belle's face which was so close to him. Belle's eyes were clear green with beautiful brown spots around the edges. Belle had full pink lips and looked tasty to kiss. Gabrielle suddenly had dirty thoughts in his head about Belle. He focused on staring at Belle.

"Done," Belle looked up when she had finished removing the IV tube from his shoulder.

"Thanks," Gabrielle replied curtly. He then let go of Jolie's embrace and smiled gently at her.

"You can eat as much as you want. It's a very healthy candy. Made from fruits and vegetables."

"I am her doctor. You can't say that without consulting me."

Gabrielle stood up after giving Jolie candy. The look of admiration for Belle had disappeared from his eyes.

"Fleura and I had consulted the director of this hospital. Mr. Dorris gave me a long list of foods the children here could and could not eat. We obey whatever Mr. Dorris told us."

Belle looked away and said nothing. She was completely defeated, and she had better leave before Gabrielle embarrassed her any further.

"Sir, thanks for the candy and the party. I'm going back to my Mom. Bye, Doctor Belle."

"Bye, Jolie."

Belle's smile only widened as Jolie waved at her. Once Jolie joined the crowd of children, Belle's smile completely disappeared and was replaced with a sneer at Gabrielle.

"I must go home. Happy birthday to your wife."

Belle froze when Gabrielle suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her until her body was almost crashing into Gabrielle's chest.

"Why the rush? You don't want to taste the food?"

"I'm full, and I'm in a hurry."

"Or are you just making an excuse because you don't like this birthday party? Why do you hate my wife, Belle?"

"What? I don't hate your wife at all."

She tried to pull her hand out of Gabrielle's, but she failed.

"I know you don't like this party. When you came in with your friends earlier, you seemed restless, and always wanted to run away. You're being cynical about me too."

"I just didn't want to come here, but Miranda forced me. And my attitude towards you has nothing to do with your wife's birthday party. Now let go of your hand."

Gabrielle lowered his head, staring at the palms of his hands wrapped around Belle's wrists. Belle's skin was very smooth and white. He was surprised that a doctor had such delicate hands. He thought a doctor used his hands more to work. Even his wife had to spend thousands of dollars in beauty salons to keep her skin smooth. He believed that Belle rarely spent time in beauty salons because she was busy as a doctor.

"Gabe, is something wrong?"

Fleura looked at her husband and Belle alternately with confused looks. She had been looking for her husband and didn't expect that he was having a serious conversation with a beautiful young doctor.

"No. We're fine, honey. Just discussing our foods with the experts."

Gabrielle released his grip on Belle's wrist, and Belle quickly shifted her body away from Gabrielle. She clumsily forced herself to smile at Fleura who was looking at her from head to toe.

"Hello, I'm Belle Triston. The pediatrician at this hospital."

Fleura smiled gently and shook hands with Belle. Her suspicions were dispelled when Belle introduced herself politely. Fleura admired Belle as a dedicated pediatrician.

"I'm Fleura Rolland, I'm Gabrielle's wife. Nice to meet you, Doctor Belle."

"Me too. It is an honor for this hospital, especially for me, that you decided to hold a birthday party with my patients. It was a very noble decision."

"Ahh yes, we are happy to be able to share with the children here. And I hope there are no problems with the food we provide."

Fleura shuffled closer to Gabrielle, clinging to his arm. She deliberately showed her ownership of Gabrielle in front of Belle because many reporters' cameras started aiming at them.

"I guess it's fine as long as you follow Mr. Dorris's instructions. Mr. Rolland has told me that you guys choose the caterers strictly."

"That's right. I don't want to harm the children here. I want them to be happy on my birthday, right honey?"

When Fleura turned to Gabrielle and smiled softly at him, camera flashes appeared around them. Belle felt uncomfortable with the journalists' cameras around her, especially that she was caught in a fake drama played by Rollands. She seemed to be the third person between Gabrielle and his wife.

"That's right. I've already told Doctor Belle the reason we're having a birthday party here with her little patients." Gabrielle glared at Belle.

"Great. Please continue with the party. I have to go."

"Doc, you should taste some of our dishes. Please."

Belle winced a little when her wrist was touched by Fleura. She had more difficulty refusing Fleura's request than Gabrielle's.

"Sorry, but you really can't find any wine or champagne. We only provide healthy juices here."

"Oh, I don't mind juice."

"Great. Please enjoy the party with others. And if you're free tonight, come to Mirabela club. My friends had a birthday party for me there. Of course, there will be plenty of drinks for the adults there."

Gabrielle looked at her in surprise. It was the first time he saw Fleura inviting someone she had just met to an event that would be filled with her circle of friends.

"Honey, I think Doctor Belle will be very busy tonight. She won't come."

"Are you busy tonight, Doctor Belle?"

"No. I'm not busy. I will come."

Shit! Belle, why did you say that instead of turning it down?

Belle felt like slapping herself on the mouth for saying something that contradicted herself. She never intended to come to Fleura Rolland's birthday, which would be full of cheesy actresses. She didn't really like public figures who usually lied to much But Gabrielle's words fueled her emotions so much that she unknowingly accepted Fleura's spontaneous invitation.

"Good. I'm glad you're coming. You will be my special guest."

"Wow, thank you very much."

"Well, I appreciate you and your dedication as a doctor. You're so great, Doctor Belle. All the children here look up to you."

"It is my job to look after them until they recover. I like children."

"That's good. Nowadays there are not many women who think the same as you. Most women focus more on their careers than family and children."

Gabrielle frowned at his wife's words. That was actually the same as Fleura embarrassing herself. Fleura sometimes spoke spontaneously just to boost her popularity.

"Gabrielle also likes children. He wants to have children as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I can't give him children now."

"Darling, we shouldn't talk about this in front of a stranger."

"She's not a stranger, she's a doctor."

Brynlee grimaced, feeling uncomfortable with the situation between them.

"We might be able to consult you another time. Do you mind, Doctor Belle?"

"Oh, actually I don't mind at all. But that's outside my specialty. You guys could talk about the baby program with Miranda. She's an obstetrician."

"I think we really need to consult Doctor Miranda, Gabe. Maybe there will be a solution to our problem."

"Darling, we better not talk about it when there are so many reporters hanging around us."

"Oops, you're right. Forgive me. I'm sorry, Doctor Belle," Fleura quickly turned to Belle and rubbed her shoulder.

"I have to go home and do something. Thanks for the invitation."

"Don't forget to come. Tonight at nine."

"I will. See you."

Gabrielle stared at Belle's back as she slowly drifted toward the exit of the hall. He didn't understand why he suddenly had an interest in that fierce woman. Like there was something strange in Belle. Her gentle and loving personality towards children managed to pique his curiosity so that he wanted to get to know Belle better.