Dante

Once I left my brothers place I boarded our plane heading to Europe. Several of our branches had been recently opened in London, Italy, France and Spain.
Stretching out in my seat I fell asleep only to be woken up by the attendant as she handed me my phone. Draco kept his word about the conference call as we spoke with our mother. She was currently on Hawaii and she sounded really excited.
"Thank you boys for this," she yelled making me wince.
Yep aunt Olivia definitely had her juice spiked with alcohol.

"Anything for you mom," Draco chuckled.
"So what are you boys up to?"
"Nothing just work," we said simultaneously.
"You do know I am your mother and definitely know when you are lying to me right?"
"I think I'm being called in for my meeting now," Dante said.
"Umm I have to go mom," Draco said.
"Well take care of yourselves," she said.
"Bye mom," they both said.

----

Moving from country to country I dropped by each bank unannounced just to see how they operated without us around. Firing several employees from each bank I warned each manager as they were treading on thin ice.

After seeing Draco, I headed back home wondering what Belle was up to. The atmosphere around Rosewood Manor was usually peaceful but not today as I walked into the house. Taylor Swifts' shake it off was the song that disrupted the peace as I walked into the kitchen to find Belle holding a bowl mixing what seemed like dough as she danced to the amusement of Linda. She didn't notice my arrival as her back was turned to the entrance. Taking out my phone I just had to record this. It was going to be an epic day indeed, I thought to myself as the song came to an end.
"Your turn to pick a song," she said turning to face Linda just as I put my phone away before she saw it.

"I think I just found my new dance instructor," I chuckled as her cheeks turned red.
"Well you do know I charge a hundred dollars per lesson," she replied.
"Only, here I thought you charged extra," I said walking into the kitchen.
Before I knew it she wrapped her arms around me murmuring, "It's good to see you Dee."
"Wow, a hug after being away for a week, what of a month?" I said making her laugh as she pulled away.

"It's good to have you back Mr Prince," Linda said before she excused herself.
"Thank you Linda. I brought some gifts for you ladies, but that's for later. Now what have you been up to?" I said turning to Belle.
"Baking," she said as I dipped my finger into the dough before my hand was slapped away.
"Wash your hands then maybe I might just give you the spoon to lick."
"You know what let me go freshen up, I will be back in a few minutes," I said leaving the room.

There was still that subject I needed to discuss with her. Maybe later. Let her have some fun in the time being.

"So what are we baking," I asked her rubbing my hands together as she laid out a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies. Snatching one away from the tray I popped it into my mouth regretting it as my tongue got burnt.
"Wa..wa...water," I said as she burst into a fit of giggles handing over a glass of milk.
"Serves you right for stealing," she chuckled as I finished the glass of milk.

Belle's POV

I looked at him as he pouted after my statement.
"So how was your trip?" I asked him placing the cookies on the cooling rack.
"Productive, but I really missed you," he said as I looked at him feeling my cheeks heat up.
"Well that's good to hear," I murmured.
"Which part? The productive part or the missing you part," he said moving closer to me as I stepped away turning to the oven to place a new tray in.
"I don't know. Both I guess," I murmured.
"So you mean to tell me, you did not miss me. Not even one bit?"
"Well I had Linda to keep me company, so I wasn't really bored or thinking about you."

A pregnant silence fell after I said those words whilst contemplating  on what to say next.
"When you are done please join me in my office there is something I need to discuss with you," he said as I wondered what I had done wrong.

------

Knocking on his door she entered his office finding him on his laptop typing away furiously.
"Hi," she said as he looked up at her.
"Please take a seat there, I will be with you shortly," he said pointing at a sofa.
A few seconds later he sat down beside her holding a file, in his hands.

"So there are a few pieces of information I needed to find out from you," he said as she looked confused. "Firstly when you father died were you present for the reading of the will?"
"Hmmm no, moth.. I mean Vivian made sure I wasn't present."
"Do you know your fathers lawyer?"
"No," she said getting more confused. "Where is this leading to?"
"Well you see the thing is, you actually have the controlling shares in your fathers company whilst your siblings are the minor shareholders," he said seeing surprise and shock set in. "According to your fathers will, he left you the company after seeing you were the only one of his children fit to take over," he said as confusion was the only expression she wore.

"Now I think if you were to see your grandfather he would be in a better position to help you. I could help you but this seems to be a family issue and I do not want to overstep my bounds," he said placing his hand over hers as she looked up at him digesting all he had said.
"I...I need some time," she said standing up slowly making her way out of his office.
He gave her a few minutes afraid of what she might do, only to find her in her room crying.
"Belle, come here," he said gently reaching for her as he pulled her onto his lap rocking her back and forth as she cried some more. "Everything will be alright, you will see," he soothed.

"Why me, why do I have to go through this," she cried.
"We go through certain situations in life only for them to make us stronger," he whispered. "You are way stronger than you think," he murmured as she slowly drifted to sleep too exhausted from her tears.

-------

"Good morning," Dante said walking into the room with a tray in his hands.
"Good morning," she replied with a smile.
"I brought you some breakfast. Once you are done freshen up then come downstairs. We are going on a little trip," he said.
Thanking him she did as he said finding him standing by the stairs.

Heading towards the backyard a helicopter was already waiting for them. Once in the sky he said, "We are going to see your grandfather."
She looked at him stunned but was soon excited at the prospect of seeing him. She was baffled when landed on the grounds of a retirement home.

"Good day ma'am, we are here to see Mr Nelson Waters," Dante said.
"And who are you?"
"I'm his granddaughter," she intervened with a smile.
"ID please," she said as Belle produced hers.
Happy that she didn't ask Dante for his they were shown to Mr Waters' room.

"Grandad," Belle said as the old man turned with a smile.
"Belle, I have missed you little one," he said with a fond smile.
"Why...why are you in here?"
"Vivian had me locked up in this place after she discovered your father and I would leave you in charge of the company."

On hearing this Dante saw something flash in her eyes that shook him to his very core.
"You are leaving this place and will stay with me. I think I can find us a place to stay," she said.
"You will stay at Rosewood," Dante said.
"And who are you young man?"
"Dante Prince sir. I am your granddaughters friend."
"He saved me away from Vivian after she hurt me," Belle said softly remembering that night.

Signing the release documents they left the home heading back to Rosewood. After making sure he was settled Belle went in search of Dante.
"You have already done so much for me but I need one more favour. Help me get my father's company back."
Looking at her he asked, "Are you sure because once I call my lawyers there is not return."
"Call them," she said in a flat tone, her expression deadly.

-------

The following week

Dante's POV

Sitting in the boardroom of Belletower Ships, I smirked seeing the grown men murmuring amongst themselves as I stood looking down at the busy street.
"Mr Prince sorry for keeping you waiting," Vivian said with a smile walking in ignoring the fact that he was the man that had taken Belle away.
"Time is money Mrs Waters, it never returns. Refrain from such next time if you would like us to continue with this deal," Dante said in a commanding tone that had everyone in the room looking at him shocked by his words to their boss as he took his seat.
Vivian chuckled brushing his statement aside.
"So gentlemen I called you all here because Mr Prince wants to part of the team. How many shares are you looking to purchase Mr Prince she asked.

"Well I wanted 60%," he said making some men look at him like he was crazy.
"That I cannot do," Vivian chuckled.
"But I already spoke to the owner of the shares. They said it was alright," he said faking confusion.
"I am the owner, and we had no such discussion," she said looking at him as a smile broke his features.

He took out his phone still smiling as he said, "Baby, please come in."
After hanging up the phone he stood up walking towards the door holding it open as Belle and her granddad walked in.
All the men stood out of respect seeing their boss, as Vivian visibly paled.
"You are sitting in my chair," Nelson said to Vivian as she stood up from the seat.

Nelson looked around the room spotting the company lawyers.
"You lot are fired, you knew who the owner of this company was and continued to hide this information. As for the rest of you, you are all being investigated. Your accounts have been frozen. Meet you new boss, my granddaughter Belle," he said pointing to Belle. "Mr Prince will be helping her get settled so no funny business. And you," he said pointing at Vivian. "Because of the love my son had for you, I will let you go. You children may continue to work in this company but one slip up and they are out," the old man stated, dealing with one matter after the other.

"Meeting adjourned," Belle said in a hard tone dismissing all the men.
"You have your company now. I must be going, I have to be in Italy by the morrow," Dante said.
"Thank you," she whispered giving him a hug.
"You may stay at Rosewood as long as you like. My driver will take you back. Call me or my assistant if you can't reach me, I best be leaving," he said pulling away from her. "Mr Nelson," he said with a slight bow turning to leave the room passing Vivian who had a murderous look.

Stopping in his tracks he turned to her, "If I find even a single strand of her hair out of place because of you. Not even the depths of hell will be able to hide you away from me," he snarled seeing her turn white before he turned picking up his phone.

Thank you for the continuous support.
Don't forget to vote, comment, promote or follow. Any would be much appreciated.
😄😄😄