After Love

Bella picked the cat up in her arms and stared blankly into space until Dakota emerged from the kitchen.

"Bella? It's time to eat. Wash your hands, will ya?" she said while taking the cat away from Bella's arms.

The cat relented and accepted its new host. It even rubbed against Dakota's chest docilely, purring.

Bella's heart sank. The cat was not known for being friendly to strangers. She had to spend a lot of time convincing it to befriend her.

Now, though? The cat acted like it had known Dakota for way too long.

Bella watched her feed the cat with inexplicable dexterity, her gaze hardening.

"Did you know how aloof this lil' cutie was? I wouldn't have been able to play with it if it weren't for Damian teaching me the ropes!" Dakota said, her tone almost too smug. "And now we are buddies."

Bella clenched her fists. "That's my cat," she stated icily.

Dakota carried it in her arms and smiled innocently. "Oh, I didn't know! He didn't tell me. He just told me to take care of it from time to time."

She looked down and combed its fur with her fingers. "It really likes me, you know? It never throws a fuss when I'm around. That's why Damian gave me a spare key to his house! It makes feeding it easier, too."

Bella froze. The weight on her chest grew heavier as she asked, "A spare key? When did he pass you that?"

Dakota chuckled softly. "I've had it for a while. Didn't he tell you?"

She paused, then added with just enough sweet innocence, "You don't mind, do you? I'm only using it to cook for him. You know him—that man forgets his meal when he's busy! But really, I'm just a glorified helper."

Bella smirked. "Oh, a glorified helper?"

Damian came out of the kitchen just in time. He frowned. "What are you two talking about?"

Dakota put the cat down and blinked at him innocently. "Hey. I was… I don't know what I said, but Bella seemed upset. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the spare key."

Damian shot a quiet glare at Bella. "What now?"

"Nothing," she replied. "I've just decided I'll skip this meal."

"Hey, how about we stop this tantrum right now and just behave like adults? Everyone's waiting for you in the dining room already. Show some restraint," he grumbled quietly. He was clearly suppressing his ire.

"You're the last person to talk about restraint, Damian," Bella rebutted. "Was this party even for my sake?"

"Yes! Obviously!"

"Then who are those people? None of them are my friends! They are all members of Dakota's clique!"

Before Damian could answer her, Dakota interjected, "Hey now, it's not like that. Damian worked really hard to get this party in order, okay? Everyone was really excited to throw you this surprise!"

Damian's frown deepened with impatience. "What the hell are you on about again, Bella? Her friends are here to celebrate your recovery, period. Why are you kicking up a fuss now?"

Bella blinked. Her eyes were red, but she kept her tone cold. "Excuse me? Maybe you should ask yourself what the real purpose of this party is."

With that, she turned on her heels and left through the front door.

Damian's face turned stormy. Dakota stood next to him and remarked feebly, "I think I did something wrong, Damian. She's really upset…"

"It's not because of you," he snapped coldly and stormed out the door.

-

Bella had just made herself comfortable on her couch when someone rang her doorbell. She opened.

It was Damian. His glare belied the rage he was trying to hold back. "What the hell do you want, Bella?" He growled, his voice strained from his self-control. "Do you know how exhausted I am from work and everything else? Can you just be an adult and stop these overdramatic tantrums for my sake?!"

Bella leaned against the doorframe and met his eyes. "Me? Overdramatic?"

"Yes!" He snarled. He sounded tired. "You have no idea how much I have to put up with lately. But I still took some time out to plan this celebration for you! Would it hurt you to be just a little more grateful?!"

She was stunned. Then, quietly, she chuckled bitterly. "Say, do you remember how it was like when we first started being together?"

He furrowed his brows silently.

"I asked if you'd ever be annoyed by my mood swings. You said you would never." She looked at him calmly. "But it's only been a few years, and already I'm tiring you out."

Damian opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Bella smiled tiredly and closed the door slowly. "Go home, Damian. I don't wanna fight."

Silence returned. Damian remained outside the door with his frown, but he did not knock.

Bella had her back against the door as tears rolled down like gliding knives against her cheeks.

Nothing was eternal. Even the things she thought would never change.