Page 12

Kybella Vonshire (Bella)

The next day after Brian’s arraignment

If it weren’t for Adonis, Bella would be on the phone crying to her mother.

She was scared the shooter would find them.

Adonis held on to her hand tightly as they entered the hotel.

He hadn’t let go of her hand since the shooting.

“Don’t worry baby, the police are looking for the shooter. He won’t get away. I promise you.” Bella nodded with understanding.

Bella wanted to call her mother to tell her all about the drama.

Talking to her mother always made her feel better.

She had so much to tell her.

Her ex-boyfriend hurt her in the worst way.

Although her mother taught her to forgive, it was hard to forget about how Brian hurt her, so she prayed about it daily.

If it weren’t for God placing a new man in her life, she wouldn’t trust another man again.

Adonis had opened her eyes to the fact that good God-fearing men still existed.

He treated her better at first sight than a man she’d known for three years.

Now her next task was to introduce him to her mother and sister.

Her family warned her in the beginning Brian wasn’t the right guy for her.

She wasn’t sure if her family would accept Adonis from their experience with Brian.

“Hello, Earth to Bella.” Adonis waved his hand in front of her face to get her attention.

They were approaching the room.

“Are you okay? You seem like you’re sleepwalking?”

“Yea, I’m fine. I was just thinking about you meeting my family.” She stated before she was knocked to the ground.

Joey was able to sneak by without getting clearance.

“Hey, catch him!” Adonis yelled out to the bodyguards as the police chased down a man dressed in all black.

Adonis worked to help Bella up from the ground.

She was dazed and disoriented.

They watched the police, and the bodyguard catch up to the man and handcuff him.

Joey was trying to successfully kill Adonis but he was too careless this time.

“Looks like they got him, baby.” Adonis announced as the police put handcuffs on the guy’s wrist.

The police removed the man’s ball cap and hoodie.

His face was revealed, and Bella was shocked to see a familiar face that was in the crowd during the shooting.

“What’s wrong, baby? Do you know him?”

“No, I don’t know him, but I remember he shot at us during the parade. He was the guy that was trying to kill us.” She responded as the police took the killer’s gun.

The police also checked his wallet for ID.

After viewing his ID, the police announced, “Joey Harris, you are under arrest for attempted murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be held against you in a court of law.”

While the police read Joey his rights, an FBI agent walked over to Adonis.

“Thanks to your tips we got Joey the Assassin. He has been the hitman for over thirty murders. It seems he has been hiding today since the shooting. After our investigation is complete, I’ll contact you with more information. Now, you two can sleep worry free tonight. The bad guys are behind bars for now. We’ll be in touch with you soon.” Agent Bradly said with assurance.

Bella looked at Adonis with confusion.

She wasn’t sure how Adonis knew the FBI agent, but she had questions that needed answers.

“Wait, how do you know the FBI agent? What tips did you give him?”

“I have ties to important people baby. I’m a well-known celebrity. Now that I have you in my life, it’s my duty to protect you. I told you that you were safe with me, and I meant it. Once the shooting occurred, I texted Agent Bradly to have foreign security services to look for the shooter. I offered tips on where to look to find out who the shooter was.. I also asked him to find out about what was going on with Brian on the inside of the jail. He did his homework and found out valuable information that led to the arrest. Let’s just say you won’t have to worry about Brian getting out of jail anytime soon.” He replied with a smile.

Bella blew a huge sigh of relief.

Then she brought Adonis closer to her for a loving embrace.

“Thank you so much. .” Adonis kissed her passionately.

“Come on let’s go to our room. Everyone is staring at us.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but this is a crime scene now.

We will have to tape off this area to secure it.

We will have to tape off your room also until the crime scene is released by detectives.

” “Yes sir, we understand..” Adonis responded calmly.

.

The reporter was outside the hotel once Bella and Adonis went outside.

She shoved the microphone in Bella’s face.

“There has been reports that the shooter from the Olympic parade has been caught inside pending further investigation. “You two were the reason for the shooting at the Olympic game celebration.

Can you tell me why the shooter Joey Harris tried to kill you folks?

”

“We’re glad God’s angels were protecting us from danger. God answers prayers of the righteous.” She replied and Adonis waved the cameras away.

“There you have it, ladies, and gentlemen. A killer is off the streets of Paris. The beautiful WNBA player Kybella Vonshire and NBA player Adonis Ferguson are safe from harm thanks to the work of the Paris police.”

The quick-thinking reporters had a loose circle around the couple, firing off rapid questions to create a distraction.

They had the security guards blocked by the camera equipment and shouted over them that the public had a right to know.

The chaos gave the reporter just enough time to conduct the interview until the guards reestablish control.

Once the reporter and cameramen left them the bodyguards took notice.

One of the bodyguards shielded Adonis and Bella to keep the reporters away until they got to the room.

It worried her that the public knew where they were staying.

A plethora of thoughts began to cloud her mind.

The reporter’s question about why the shooter targeted them weighed heavily on her mind.

She wondered if the bullets were meant for her or Adonis.

Brian was a man of influence, but she never expected he’d attempt to harm her from prison.

After thinking about it, Bella rubbed her head with a look of confusion.

Upon entering the suite, she was surprised to see their bags packed and ready to go.

Everything moved so fast since she’d got to Paris.

Just thinking about the turn of events caused tears to fall from her eyes.

She began to fan herself to help keep the tears from falling.

Adonis took notice and went to console her.

“Baby, I think this is too much for you. We don’t have to stay another night here. I wanted to stay to support Team USA as a sense of duty to remain in solidarity with my teammates. It’s time to escape comfortably. My personal jet is waiting to take us home. All I need to do is make one call and we can leave.”

“Thank you for taking care of me. I’ve been through a lot of things in my life, but not as much as I’ve experienced today. I feel a bit overwhelmed with all that came with getting my toxic ex-boyfriend out of my life. For years, I’ve endured the silent torment of abuse. The fear, the shame, and the doubt had become so familiar that imagining freedom felt like betrayal. When I finally found the courage to speak words I had long feared-God, remove him from my life. The moment I chose to ask for deliverance marked the beginning of my freedom.”They both began to laugh at her statement.

“Honestly, I just want to lay down while you hold me. I haven’t had a peace of mind today since the shooting. Every time I closed my eyes, the sounds replayed in my mind. The sudden crack of gunfire, the screams, the chaos has kept my mind racing with thoughts of fear from unanswered questions. Now that I know we’re safe from everyone out to harm us, I can rest well.”

“Your wish is my command. I don’t mind holding you in my arms while you sleep. I can order room service for dinner and a bottle of champagne. I’ll let my pilot know to schedule us for takeoff for early sunrise.”Bella smiled and kissed his lips with approval.

She didn’t have to say a word to him.

The chemistry they shared allowed him to know everything her words didn’t.

It was the work of the Lord.

After room service delivered their food, they dined together and sipped the champagne.

Bella yawned.

“I think I’ll take a quick shower before bed. Do you think you can join me? I need your help.” Bella gave him a look that hinted she knew her request might be out of line, but made it clear she wasn’t willing to hear no for an answer.

“I’d be happy to help you in the shower-just know that my goal is to please you. Meaning if I see a spot that needs attention on your body, you’ll allow me to assist.” He responded with a slick smile.

“By all means, I wouldn’t ask you to neglect your duties to help me.” She reached out her hand to grab him and he followed her to the shower.

Her quick shower turned into a thirty-minute love-making session.

Adonis caressed every inch of her body as he washed her.

When she got out, he dried her body from head to toe.

She wasn’t even upset he got her hair wet.

His respectful and attentive treatment made her overlook the natural curling of her hair.

He knelt and held her hand to pray before bed.

After they finished praying, Bella reclined in his arms and soon fell asleep.

∞∞∞

The next morning the alarm sounded at five thirty am.

Bella wiped the corners of her eyes and pressed, snooze and laid back down.

“Nah, you can’t lay back down. It’s time to get up. Our plane leaves in an hour. We need to get dressed sleeping beauty.”

“But Adonis, its super early. Let me get five more minutes of sleep.” She urged while yawning.

He moved the bed sheets away from her body, thinking it would encourage her to get up.

“Hey, why did you take off my covers? It’s cold in here.” He didn’t answer.

Instead, he got up and turned on the lights.

Afterwards, he went into the closet and grabbed a dress for Bella to wear.

“Oh, I guess you’re dressing me too. Thank you, but I can pick out my own clothes.” She giggled and went into the bathroom to freshen up.

Adonis was already dressed.

He was a man of order.

His outfit and shoes were picked out the night before.

“Do you need any help in the bathroom, sweetheart?”

“Oh, no. I asked you to come into the bathroom with me before, but it’s too risky now. If you come to help me then we’ll be late for our flight. I’m almost done getting ready.”

“Babe, our bodyguard is ready to see us safely to our car. Can you come out now? I’m sure you look great.” As soon as he spoke, Bella stepped out in a boho chic Gucci maxi dress.

She was adorned in gold jewelry, brown open toe Gucci slides, and a brown floral headband.

Adonis whistled as she strutted.

“You are stunning!”

“Thank you, babe. I’m sure I don’t need my sunglasses while it’s still dark outside. You have me up at the crack of dawn.” She joked.

Bella took one last look over the room to make sure she had everything.

As a WNBA athlete, she realized that escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend, empty-handed and without a change of clothes was the only way to protect both her safety and her career; her new boyfriend’s generous gift of a fresh wardrobe became symbolic to the new start she needed.

Bella smiled in amazement.

God was good to her.

He restored everything she’d lost and gave her better.

She began to grab some of her bags.

“No ma’am, put those bags down. My lady will not carry any heavy luggage. I can get the bell hop to take your luggage to the car.” Adonis commanded and summoned the nearby staff to grab the bags.

Bella gave Adonis a look with her big brown eyes that indicated she was shocked.

The assistance he provided required some adjustment.

Brian never helped with bags or anything else for that matter.

She reminisced.

A grin stretched across her face as she waited for further instructions from Adonis.

She didn’t mind submitting to him because he always treated her with kindness.

The bell hop came to the door to grab the luggage.

His pearly white teeth glistened as he smiled.

“Hey, are you Kybella Vonshire? It is you! You’re my favorite WNBA player. Can I please have your autograph and get a picture?”

“Um, of course,” she responded while looking at the bodyguard for approval.

The bodyguard nodded his head in agreement.

“There you go there’s the autograph.” She quickly posed for the picture and smiled.

The bell hop was satisfied.

“Thank you, I’ll never forget this day.”

“We got to go.” Adonis rushed back for a second trip to take the bags to the car.

“Is everything okay? Why are y’all just standing there?”

“Oh, I just signed an autograph for a fan. I hope it was okay.” Bella replied with unease.

Usually, her ex-boyfriend became enraged from jealousy when she signed autographs for her fans.

“Of course it’s okay, sweetheart. I want people to enjoy meeting you. As much as I adore you, there are plenty of other people who love you. You need a reminder on how special you are. It seems like you forgot you’re a superstar.” He kissed her on the forehead and held her hand to walk out of the hotel.

Bella released a sigh of relief after leaving the hotel.

“Are you ready to start a new chapter of your life with me?” Adonis looked Bella straight in her brown eyes and asked.

“Yes. Of course I’m ready. I have no choice because we’re about to board our plane.” Her stomach was uneasy, and she felt nauseated from anxiousness.

She was so anxious that her hands were shaking.

Adonis noticed and he began to rub her hands softly.

The driver pulled into a private landing strip where a personal jet was waiting.

The sunset peeked through the clouds, painting the sky in blue and orange hues.

It was picture perfect.

Outside the jet was a large red carpet with ropes alongside the red carpet.

The driver got out to open Bella’s door.

“Right this way,” The driver said as he guided her toward the private jet.

She noticed the outside of the jet displayed the name, Ferguson Airlines.

Adonis followed her with a smile on his face.

Bella looked toward him, being cautiously optimistic.

He extended his hand to advise her to go ahead and enter the jet.

As soon as Bella stepped onto the jet her mouth dropped.

Goosebumps slid down the back of her neck at the sight before her.

The plane was filled with over thirty bouquets of red roses.

Bella sat her brown Birkin bag down on the white leather seat.

Adonis was right behind her.

“Do you like our jet baby? I thought you would like to ride in style back to Texas.”

Bella grabbed Adonis by the back of his neck and kissed him passionately on the lips.

“I love how you spoil me. Everything is beautiful! I can forget about the plane ride and focus on all the beautiful roses on the jet. You really know how to make memories. I was anxious before but not anymore.” Bella replied as the flight attendant handed her a glass of champagne.

She took a sip and smiled.

It was too early to drink champagne, but she didn’t mind partaking in a drink of bubbly.

As she took a seat on the jet another flight attendant sat a plate of cheese eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit beside her.

Since they left the hotel without eating breakfast she smiled at the sight of the plate.

Her stomach growling signifying the plate came at the right time.

“Hmm, someone’s hungry. I heard your stomach growl.” Adonis said and they both laughed.

“Let’s watch a good movie. My favorite movie is Coming to America. I can go ahead and put the TV on the movie.” Bella nodded her head in agreeance as she ate a piece of fruit.

The tv was incased in white leather to match the white leather seats.

Adonis took charge of things with Bella since she was usually quiet with him and agreeable.

Their chemistry was like a magnetic pull.

They were both comfortable and excited to be around one another.

Her seat was reclined.

Adonis noticed she wasn’t comfortable.

He tilted her chair with the seat remote.

“Is that better?” Adonis stared at Bella until she answered.

Breaking their eye contact, Bella shrugged her shoulders.

“Game, you don’t have to put all your focus on me. I know you want to make me happy, but you should put your seat belt on. See, the flight attendant is about to make the announcement. Plus, I don’t think I could ever get uncomfortable on this jet. She said looking around at its beautiful interior. “I’ve been on many planes before, but your jet is by far the best I’ve been on.

” She tucked her hair behind her ear.

Then she made sure her carry-on bag was secured above her seat.

“Oh, don’t worry, all your bags are onboard. You have many expensive things to take back home. I couldn’t risk all those nice clothes getting lost or stolen on a commercial plane. Although, I only use my jet when flying out of the country. I can’t trust any other pilot but my own. Just like my bodyguards, my pilot, Anthony Shakur, has been with me for ten years. Loyalty is especially important to me.”

“Hmm, I see. You’re a wise man, my King.” She said with a smile and kissed his lips.

Every day Adonis was making her fall deeper in love with him by his actions.

She began to envision life with him daily.

In her heart, he was royalty, her king, and with the short memories of his kindness, she longed to shower him with love as rich and radiant as the way he made her feel.

He deserved king treatment, and in her mind, she was always planning a way to give him top-notch treatment.

“Let’s pray before the plane takes off,” Adonis said as he grabbed Bella’s hand.

She gazed at him with a gentle expression.

“Since, you always lead the prayer, I’ll pray this time.” She interjected.

“Okay, that’s fine with me, babe.”Adonis responded.

“Father God, thank you for sending me someone already healed. My heart has been through so much. For once, I feel true love. Lord, I thank you. You showed me I had to let go of what was no longer good for me to find what you had just for me. Lord, watch over and protect us as we travel for ten hours. Protect us from hurt, harm, and danger. Cover the pilot as he flies the plane. This we ask in Jesus’s name, Amen.”

“Amen!” Adonis replied, opening his eyes.

Thank you for the beautiful words you prayed to our heavenly father.

” Adonis held on tight to the armrest and closed his eyes tightly like he was on a roller coaster.

Bella looked at him and became alarmed by his actions.

Since her seatbelt was fastened tight, she couldn’t get up to console him.

“Are you okay, Game?” “What’s wrong? Does your stomach hurt?” She asked while noticing Adonis had his left hand holding his stomach.

The pilot announced the plane was taking off and for them to remain seated.

The take-off caused some turbulence, causing Adonis to throw up to the side of him.

The flight attendant placed soft washcloths along all the seats and within easy reach, just in case.

He knew flying made his stomach uneasy.

He sat across from Bella, not because he wanted distance, but because he knew the nausea would come, and he didn’t want to get vomit on her clothes.

After he stopped throwing up, he took a washcloth that was beside him and wiped his face.

“I’ve flown hundreds of times in my life, yet flying is still not my favorite thing to do. If I could drive to all my destinations, I would. My stomach is in knots, and I feel woozy. I always think about how Kobe Bryant lost his life, and it scares me. It’ll be alright since I have you on the plane with me. You make everything better for me. I didn’t sit next to you because I knew I would throw up. It happens every plane ride. I tried taking Dramamine for the nausea, but it makes me sick to my stomach. Which is why I have my towels and a bucket near me.”

“Aw, baby you relate plane rides to the traumatic experience of Kobe Bryant’s death. Don’t let worry weigh you down, just remember, prayer moves mountains, and God is already working things out in ways you can’t see. We’ll get home safely. Think about the cakes I’ll make for you once we get to your house. If you replace a negative with a positive it changes your perspective.”

Adonis closed his eyes.

“Okay, I’m taking your advice and envisioning you in the kitchen baking cakes with just an apron on. Ah, I love the vision.” He said with a naughty smile stretched across his face.

With a soft smile playing on his lips, she could see how sweet the vision was to him.

“If the vision brings you peace, even for a moment, I wouldn’t dare take it away. I want to be a part of whatever makes your heart quiet and content.” She replied with a smile.

She steered her attention to the movie while Adonis continued to have his visions.

The movie was on the scene where Eddie Murphy asked his arranged bride to bark like a dog.

Bella began to giggle at the scene as the actress obeyed every command of the actor.

Although the scene made Bella laugh, Adonis made her want to do everything he asked.

Adonis treated her with tenderness and respect.

The idea of her feeling like she had to obey his every command would have unsettled him, He wanted a partner, not someone bound by duty, but someone free, choosing him with love.

Every moment they were together Adonis went out his way to create happiness for her.

He wanted to know what she wanted to do.

Especially since he learned about her cancer diagnosis.

He’d been waiting on her hand and foot.

Adonis opened his eyes.

“Have you set your doctor’s appointment for your first cancer treatment in Dallas?”

“Yes, my appointment is in a few days. I didn’t want you to miss practice for my daytime treatments. I plan to ask my mother and sister to join me. They wanted to spend some time with me, so I just told them to accompany me on my doctor visit. Oddly, they didn’t ask any questions. I just don’t want to go through it alone. Plus, it’ll give me a chance to break the news with them about my cancer diagnosis. It’s not something I can share with them over the phone.” Bella threw her hands up.

“I’m not letting you go without me. I need to know everything about what I can do to help you during the treatment. It’ll also give me the opportunity to meet your family.”

Bella put her hand over her heart and shook her head.

“Wow, you never cease to amaze me. I didn’t expect you to want to accompany me to my doctor’s appointment. I’m used to going through problems on my own.”

“You’re with a real man now, baby. I’ll never let you go through anything alone. I do have practice, but I’ll let the coach know I can’t make it. He’ll understand. We have many more practices this season. I won’t let my career come between my love for you.”

Bella’s mouth dropped.

Her brain was racing.

She was thinking of how she wanted to respond to Adonis, but the words wouldn’t formulate.

What he said made her speechless.

She took a sip of her champagne as she stared in his brown eyes.

If she hadn’t been strapped down in her seat, she would’ve been all over him.

Adonis followed her lead and took a sip of his champagne.

His response increased her confidence in him.

She had faith that what Adonis was saying was real.

He’d shown her in a brief amount of time that he was a man of his word.

“Do you think that I can beat cancer?”

“I know you can. I’ve been praying fervently to God for Him to heal you. I know he will.”

“But you never know, right? Just like Kobe was in a tragic accident, my cancer diagnosis can be bad.”

“No, baby girl. It won’t. I rebuke that thought and your statement. We’re speaking great things about your life. It’s not our will, its God’s will. He rewards his faithful servants. God got it.”

Kybella took a deep breath.

Adonis was a breath of fresh air in her life.

She blew him a kiss and they continued to watch the movie.

The next stop was home.

Bella was looking forward to her next chapter with Adonis Ferguson.