Chapter 11: Dinner Drama!

Words : 1893 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

All the way there, Fabian Farrell felt the weight of strangers' eyes and grew faintly uneasy. Bella Doyle was striking even on an ordinary day. That afternoon, she'd taken the time to do her makeup; with a perfect figure and a face like starlight, she moved through the crowd as if she were a newly risen star, drawing every gaze-men and women alike. For some reason, Fabian ended up taking all the heat. "Look, look, that girl is gorgeous!" "Body for days and a face like that. Did Prometheus play favorites or what? Talk about unfair." "And that pretty boy next to her even looks unhappy. If my girl looked like that and I still picked a fight, I'd slap myself." They made no effort to keep their voices down. If the jealousy and malice in those comments had been knives, Fabian would have been cut to ribbons. He sat down in a funk and watched as Bella ordered two orders of Wellington beef and two servings of foie gras. She skipped the red wine since he was driving. Before the food arrived, Bella said, "Fabian, sit tight. I'm going to the restroom." He nodded. On her way out, she brushed past a man a little over five foot three and pushing two hundred pounds. He had come for a blind date, but after exchanging a couple of words his date had walked out without touching her food. Sulking as he headed for the exit, he caught sight of Bella by the restroom. His eyes lit up. Too beautiful. He stared so hard his eyes almost popped, a leering smile tugging at his mouth. As Bella moved to leave, he lunged ahead of her and spread his arms to block the way. "Hey, gorgeous, eating alone? Let me treat you," he crooned. Bella ignored him and tried to slip past. He was relentless, stepping in front of her again. "Miss, I'm not a bad guy, don't be scared. I think we were meant to meet. Let me buy you dinner." Bella drew a steadying breath, lifted her gaze, and frowned. "Sorry. I have a boyfriend. He's waiting for me." She moved to go. "I'm the general manager of Mingzhu Jewelry," the man said with a smile. "You're truly stunning. I just want to get to know you. No harm meant." Bella's patience thinned. "Move," she said, her voice gone cold. Her change of expression set him off. Stung by his failed blind date and her rejection, he snapped, eyes going wide. "Quit pretending you're so pure." "Who knows how many men have already had you. I take an interest and it's your damn good luck." He reached to grab Bella's arm. Before he could touch her, a hand clamped hard around his wrist. Bella looked up and saw Fabian standing in front of her, fury tight on his face. He had waited a long minute at the table, then, hearing her voice from the restroom hallway, stepped out to check. "Take your filthy hand off her," Fabian said, his voice low with anger. The man hadn't expected anyone to intervene. He blew up, eyes wide. "Who the hell are you to get in my way? You got a death wish?" Fabian gave a short, chilly laugh. "Big talk for someone your size." "I'm her boyfriend. You look like a meatball with legs." Bella couldn't help it; a laugh broke from her, and her cheeks flushed at the word "boyfriend." Fabian took her hand and started to lead her away. The man jabbed a finger after them, undeterred. "You're a broke nobody. One look and I can tell you're a kept pretty boy, mooching off a rich woman. Aren't you ashamed?" The quiet restaurant suddenly erupted at the noise, and heads turned. A pretty girl getting hassled by a troll, her boyfriend stepping in like a white knight. Not something you saw every day. Guests set down their forks and stared toward the commotion. "That guy is shameless. She says she has a boyfriend and he still won't back off." "A woman like her should be with a good-looking guy. What's this clown doing here?" "Beauty can be a curse." Bella spun and snapped, "If I want to support my boyfriend, that's my business. Someone like you couldn't even land a sugar mama." Fabian glanced back and added, "Your face is greasy, your hair's thinning, you're unsteady on your feet, and you're out of breath. You've been overindulging and it shows. Keep this up and forget finding a sugar mama-no one's signing up for that." The man shook with rage. He sized Fabian up; wiry, taller, but surely weaker than him. He balled his fist and swung at Fabian's face. Bella's heart lurched. The guy was short but heavy, and the attack came fast. She feared Fabian wouldn't get out of the way in time. Fabian's expression changed. As the fist came in, he raised his right foot. Thud! With one kick he sent the man flying. The instant the man hit the floor, the room burst into applause. "Good. Creeps like that deserve to be hit." "Hit him hard." The man scrambled up, pointing and backpedaling, terror draining his face. "You… you!" "Get lost," Fabian said coolly. The man forgot all about Bella and bolted. Back at their table, Fabian and Bella sat down again. Bella stared at him, eyes bright with excitement. "Fabian, you're amazing," she said, awestruck. He chuckled. "That was nothing." "It is something," she insisted. "A guy that heavy, and you sent him flying with one kick. And you figured out what was wrong with him without even touching him. How is that not amazing?" She rose from her seat opposite him, slid into the chair at his side, propped her chin in her hand, and asked, "What else can you do? What secrets are you hiding?" "Tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone." She lifted a hand as if taking an oath, big eyes blinking, her serious look making her even more irresistible. "Ahem." Fabian smiled helplessly and cleared his throat. She was drop-dead gorgeous, and she was sitting close enough that he could catch the scent of her skin. Just as he opened his mouth to answer, a peal of tinkling laughter rang out nearby. Bella turned slightly, her expression changed, and her urge to press him vanished.

Chapter 11: Dinner Drama!

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