The Twin

by Smokey Moment

  “Bella Marie Bradley will you marry me?” Bella leaned forward and shook her head yes as grabbed his face. She kissed him sweet and tenderly. She looked out at the guest. People had stood. They were witnessing the beginning of her love affair. It was wonderful and she was ready to start a life with him.

  Chapter four

  The Power of Love

  B

  ella walked into her shop. She was expecting a large delivery of accessories for her boutique. She was expecting her husband any moment. He was coming to take her to lunch. Her phone buzzed. She looked at the called id. The name Dani Taylor displayed on the screen. Bella looked off. It had been three months since the incident in Vegas. She sat her phone down then cut open a box that had arrived earlier that day. Soon her phone buzzed again. The caller id showed Private. Bella wondered who it was then assumed it was Dani. She decided not to prolong her friends suffering and answered the phone.

  “Hello,” she said. Bella held the phone. “Hello, hello,” she repeated. She held the phone and listened closely. She could hear breathing. “Dani,” she said. No one answered even though their breaths could clearly be heard in the background. “Don’t play on my phone please,” she said as she hung up. Deep down Bella didn’t believe it was Dani. She didn’t play games. She would have answered. Bella looked off. Soon, one name came to mind. That damn Brian, she thought as she sat her phone down and continued taking inventory.

  Niles held his phone. He finally heard her voice. And instead of feeling better, it made him feel worse. He was now obsessing over her. Missing her terribly. He wanted to talk to her. Tell her the truth. But he feared her reaction. And he blamed Noah. They hadn’t spoken yet. He was much too angry to talk to him. And he was too jealous to hear how wonderful married life was with Bella.

  Bella heard her phone buzz. She saw it was a text from Dani that read;

  Come on. Talk to me. Answer my calls. I’ve been calling you off and on for two months now. I know you hate me. But I miss you girl. We go way back. You have to forgive me. You know I love you. Things have gotten so bad at home. Ralph is becoming someone I no longer recognize. Someone I dislike. I need to talk. See how you are. I love you. I hate how dysfunctional my marriage is. How I allowed him to put you in that position. It will never happen again. He is an ass. He made me leave like that then destroyed my phone. He thought I was there with a guy. I never told you about the affair I had. I guess I asked for it. He doesn’t trust me now and I don’t care. I miss you. Please call me.

  Bella sat her phone down. She felt bad for Dani. But she had things going on herself. She was a newlywed. Married to a great man. Dani had missed out on the events that unfolded when she left. How she met, fell in love and married the man of her dreams. A supportive and generous husband who was amazing in every way. He loved her parents. He was helping her manage the boutique. He even began paying the lease, so she could worry less about money and focus on growing her clientele.

  She wanted to call Dani back. Tell her she ended up ok. That she was safe. And that she actually had the best time of her life. She wanted to share with her, how she stayed in Vegas much longer, spending every waking moment with Noah. And he asked her to be his wife. It was early. They had just met. But it felt right. And how she never wanted to be without him, and so she said yes. That they decided to marry at the infamous Little White Chapel on Las Vegas Blvd. It was spontaneous. It was crazy and it was wonderful. She was now happily married. And her life was one big honey moon.

  The cool night was perfect for relaxing outdoors. Noah lay across the wood and woven lounge chaise on their balcony. The had an awesome view of the city. Their downtown condominium was the perfect location and was an upgrade from the apartment Bella lived in. She loved her huge and luxurious new home. Her concern about the high rent was squelched when he showed her an account and told her he had saved the money he earned through investments. A partial truth and the account held only a small amount of his money.

  “Hey,” Bella said, as she slid the screen to the side. She exited onto their porch with two glasses of champagne. She had a lot on her mind. They were still getting to know one another and she took every opportunity to get to know him. She wanted no stone left unturned. She was open with her past and her life and she expected the same from him. She had adjusted to the new him. But there were still things she waited for him to give more detail about. Like his family. Or the fact that he had money to burn. And why was he so sexually different from before.

  “Here you go,” she said. “Thanks babe,” he said, as Bella sat her champagne flute on the small table and laid her head on his chest. Noah looked to the sky. A small gust of wind blew across his skin. The cooling sensation was wonderful. Bella raked her fingers across his chest. He wore a tee shirt from her store. She looked at the symbol. She loved the fact that her husband supported her in every way. Including wearing her clothing. But there was something she wondered about. They made love too often for her not to be pregnant. She had her IUD removed and was looking forward to starting a family. She had made an appointment for her annual check-up. She hadn’t consulted him beforehand, choosing to just remove it anyway. Bella felt this was the night to tell him. It was something they had not talked about.

  “Hey. I have something to tell you,” she said. “What?” he replied, looking at the top of her head. Bella looked up at him then raised up. “I went to the doctor the other day. I had an appointment for an exam. Nothing really. Just what women do to check everything out. But um…while I was there, I had my doctor remove my IUD. And I realized I don’t know if you’re ready. I mean… What if we did get pregnant?” she said. She wasn’t sure how he felt about it. They hadn’t talked about kids. But something told her he wasn’t really a kid type of guy.

  She had remembered an incident when they were in Vegas that led her to believe he wasn’t too eager to be a dad. They were leaving a show. They walked past a man with five young children waiting on the mother to exit. The man looked to have his hands full trying to keep up with the young kids. While Bella gushed over the man’s young children, Noah stood off with his hands in his pockets looking around. She found it to be somewhat of a disconnect for him. It was a man not a woman, with the children. She expected Noah to be touched by it. But he didn’t seem to be. She didn’t want to think too much into it. But it struck her as odd and he appeared indifferent. Which was yet another stark contrast to what she thought she knew about him.

  “We should have talked about it. Shouldn’t we enjoy each other first. Babies are hard work. I mean…I can’t say I even want to be a father. I never wanted a child. It’s just my own personal preference,” he said. Bella’s face changed. She looked shocked. Noah realized the seriousness and tried to clean up what he had said. “Look babe. I’m not saying no. I just need time to think on it. I never considered it. I didn’t think I’d get married, let alone be a father. Don’t look at me like that. Let’s just wait. Give it time.”

  Bella laid back on his chest. His words hurt. She wanted a baby. She was thirty years old. She felt her biological clock was ticking loudly. She wanted to be closer in age with her children. Not a new mother in her late thirties or forties. She didn’t have much time. She had no idea he didn’t want children. The news was upsetting to say the least. Noah held her. His breathing had increased. She was on his chest. He hoped she hadn’t picked up on how fast his heart was beating. There was a reason he was nervous. There was something he had not told her. There were many things about his life he hadn’t revealed, but he had one secret that would change their relationship if it were exposed. He couldn’t have children. A childhood accident rendered him infertile. And he dealt with the devastation by telling himself he was better off. But the look on Bella face was telling. She would not rest. She needed a baby. It was crucial.

  Noah fell asleep on the couch. Bella watched him. She had a lot of unanswered questions and she wondered why that was. They had a heated debate just before he fell asleep about a trip, he plann
ed on taking. Their problems seemed to be compounding. First the disclosure that he didn’t want to be a father and now, he was going on a trip to and he wasn’t taking her. Bella got up from the couch and went to their bedroom. Her husband’s life wasn’t adding up. She wondered if she did a search, what she would find. She opened the laptop and laid back on her stacked pillows. She got comfortable.

  Noah Langston was typed in the search bar. She bit her nails in anticipation. “Come on,” she said, as the screen showed the system searching. She glanced up at the doorway. She would hate Noah to walk in on her search. After a few minutes the results came back. Bella sighed. A page full of men and companies appeared. It was overwhelming. She sighed. The name was more popular than she thought.

  I’m being to general. I have to narrow this search, she thought after clicking on several links and not seeing his face. Bella typed; Noah Langston New York and hoped to get back a better list of results. After nearly an hour of clicking on the resulting list, Bella closed her laptop more frustrated than when she started.

  He’s not from Mars. No social media. No information. Nothing. Maybe he does live organically. Naturally, with no reliance on any outside influence, she thought.

  Noah had told her that he disliked the worlds reliance on social media even though he understood the platforms and how they were used. He told Bella he didn’t have a social media account, but she wasn’t so sure. He was too skilled at using it. There has to be something. I can feel it!

  N

  iles ran up the street and into the office. He was late for a meeting. He glanced at his phone as he entered the elevator. “Hi Niles,” a sweet voice said behind him. Niles turned around and flashed a huge smile. The familiar face was a pleasant sight. Her name was Alisha and she worked at Langston Financial as an account administrator.

  “Hi,” he said as he turned back around. Two other women in the elevator flashed smiles respectfully, as they checked him out. They were from a company that leased space in the building. The slow elevator ride, up to the tenth floor, was entertaining for the women. Niles was popular. There were no gross displays of lust but the women’s looks between each other made it quite clear that they thought he was an intriguing man.

  Niles looked back at them as he and Alisha exited the elevator. The women smiled and waved. “Is it like that wherever you go?” she asked. “Like what?” He entered Langston Financial and held the door for Alisha, then made his way back to his father’s office. George held the phone then waved at his son. Niles placed a folder on his desk then mouthed the words call me later, as he left out.

  He had been to several meeting that day and was ready to go home and relax. He walked past the front desk and left. He seemed in a hurry. Alisha looked at the secretary then asked if he was leaving for the day. The secretary informed her that he had taken time off and was only there to deliver important papers to his father. Alisha took the opportunity to catch up to him.

  “Niles. Wait up,” she said, as she caught up with him on the street. “Hey,” he replied, as he stopped and faced her. “I need your help or George will fire me. I lost money on an account. The client sent specific instructions and I made the wrong investments. Now the account has loss nearly fifty thousand dollars. Noah called for you. I was standing at the desk when the call came in. I spoke to him briefly. I know he knows how to turn things around. I asked him. He said yes and promised to come in. But he never did. Can you help me explain it to the customer? If they leave and go with another agency your father will kill me.” Niles shook his head yes. “Which company?” he asked. “Filmore & Grant,” she replied. “Sure. Send me their last quarter reports. On paper only. It’s easier to see.”

  Alisha was relieved he agreed to help. But Noah was more skilled at catching what had occurred. He could look at numbers and graphs and have the answer. He needed to consult with him, but he still held resentment towards his twin. “You want to go get a cup of coffee at Island Café?” she asked. “No, I can’t. I have to go home. I need to relax. I have a busy day tomorrow,” he replied. Alisha worried about him. She had a crush on him and was protective of him. She had defended him on more than one occasion when he was the topic of conversation between the office women.

  Rumors swirled about an affair and Alisha set the record straight. But Niles was not himself and she had taken notice. “Are you alright? You seem stressed. Maybe you need a vacation. I’ve never seen you be any other way except calm. In a good mood. I have never seen this side of you. I’m not trying to get in your business. I guess I’m just concerned. I know we work together but I really like you. And I’m here for you if you ever need to talk.”

  Niles was floored by her kindness. He could tell she was attracted to him. Her long stares and warm inviting smiles were tempting. He thought she was beautiful. Alluring. Sexy. She had a body. She was intelligent. She was a hard worker and she wanted him. But the truth was he was in love and now mending a broken heart. He didn’t want her. He didn’t want anyone. Except Bella.

  “I’m fine. There are things in my life that are, um, complicated. But thanks for your concern. I think your beautiful. And if I were free, I would ask you out. But I’m not. You understand, right?” he said, staring at her. “Yes. I do. Whoever she is she better treat you right,” she cautioned in a lighthearted way. Niles chuckled. Alisha was blunt. And he respected that. He had known her for eight years. He remembered the day she arrived for her interview. She stood out in her cheap but coordinated outfit. The women mocked her behind her back but Niles saw potential in her. And she proved herself a loyal and committed employee. She was always protective of the Langston’s and he was aware of her tendency to verbally reprimand anyone who spoke against him or his family. “You’re in love with someone. I can see it all over your face. In your eyes. Wow. There’s hope after all. People said you were an incurable playboy. I always knew otherwise.”

  Niles smiled. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later,” he said, as he turned and walked towards the corner. Alisha watched for a second then went back into the office. Niles made his way back across the street and down towards the parking structure. He pulled out and saw Alisha was gone. He shook his head. The thought of dating her just to get Bella off his mind was tempting. They had gone out for after work drinks but kept everything cordial. They had become friends. Nothing romantic although she wanted to be.

  George had warned his son to keep his penis in his pants with regard to employees. And Niles happily obliged after he saw firsthand the number of sexual harassment cases from work related affairs gone bad. But thoughts of Alisha were replaced with love for Bella. And the conversation had him back at square one. Thinking, breathing, dreaming and desiring everything that was Bella.

  B

  ella awoke to Noah climbing in bed. The laptop was still next to her. She placed it on her bedside table and laid back down. He got close to her and she pushed herself from him. Noah became upset. She was being cold. She was withdrawing from sex. It was their first major disagreement and he had no real answers. The dynamics of who he was, weren’t going to change. He wanted Bella to accept the things that made him who he was. He had everything else to give. Except his family. Or a child. He was terrified of her finding out about Niles. And he was physically unable to give her children.

  He wanted her to go with it. Maybe their future would be different. But he couldn’t make any of those commitments overnight. Not even for his new wife. “Why you mad? We have plenty of time. Why can’t you just give us more time?” Bella pulled the sheets over herself. “I’m tired Noah. I need to rest. Can we talk about it tomorrow?” she said, as she turned on her side and closed her eyes. Noah laid on his back. His hand down his pants. He held his dick firm. He wanted her but she had shut him out for the evening.

  Noah stared at the ceiling most of the night. His life was beginning to unravel. His brother wasn’t speaking to him. His father was riding him about the company. His mother was siding with his father and his wife was becoming d
istant. He could deal with his parents. One visit and words that hinted at conformity would end whatever ailed them. But Niles and Bella were his biggest concern. He missed his brother. They leaned on each other. He felt bad for getting him involved. But he also couldn’t help but wonder how deep Niles had fallen for Bella. It wasn’t like him to be mad for so long. And Noah was in a catch 22. He may need Niles. Niles could have babies. There was nothing wrong with his reproductive parts. He needed to make peace with him. For more reasons than he cared to think about.

  Niles walked into Langston ready for the long day ahead. “Hello Mr. Langston,” Faye greeted. “Hi Faye. How are you this morning?” he asked as he went through his messages. “I’m good. Coffee?” she asked. “Yes. Please,” he replied. Niles grabbed his briefcase then walked towards his office. “My father in?” he asked, as he looked back. “Yes. In a meeting with a new employee,” she replied. Niles stopped and turned around. “New employee. Who? I haven’t hired anyone. And I haven’t approved any new hires,” he stated. Niles didn’t work in HR. But new hires had to be approved by either him or his father. And George had been much too busy to take on the job himself. It was a requirement the Langston men wanted in place. It wasn’t unheard of for rival companies to send spies just to look at their client list and report back. Niles walked to his father’s office and opened the door.

  “Niles. Come in. This is our new account executive Kathryn Pearson. She has eight years in the business. Highly qualified. She’ll be working closely with Lindsey and Patricia,” he said. Niles shook the woman’s hand. “Hi. I heard so much about you,” she said, gazing into his eyes. She was beautiful. A tall and sophisticated woman with clothes not appropriate for their office. Niles tried not to stare at her cleavage. But it was too late. He did. And she noticed. Kathryn smiled then looked at George. Niles looked at his father. Their non-verbal communication relayed. Kathryn looked fiercely at Niles then looked away when he returned an uninvited stare. If she was flirting, it wouldn’t work. He wanted to know how she landed a job right under his nose and who cosigned her employment. “Nice to meet you. Um. Pop…Can I speak to you in private?” he asked.