Belle's POV :

Two months later

Today was my graduating ceremony. Finally, after three years of rigorous hard work, I get my diploma. The weather was perfect for me. Not sunny, but not cloudy either, with occasional gust of wind. The ceremony was to take place in the auditorium. The same auditorium where I met Mr.Eros Agnello.

After that weird meeting, I didn't see him, at all. Neither him, nor any of his associates. Though I would've liked to see his handsome face again.

"Would like some more wine, pumpkin?", my father asked.

In order to celebrate me graduating, my parents decided to have dinner in a fancy french restaurant.

It was their choice, not mine.

"No, papa, I'm fine", I smiled.

They came all the way to my college to see me graduate. And let me tell you, there were a lot of tears and photographs involved. After meeting Hector and his parents, my mom decided to invite them as well. Thankfully, Hector and his family had plans of their own.

I was wearing a knee length, burgundy off shoulder dress, courtesy of my mother. My hair was tied up in a bun, with light makeup on.

"Come on, eat up, sugar. We need to fatten you up for your internship. Who knows if you'll eat properly by then."

Ah, yes. The dreaded internship with Agnello Enterprises.

Apparently, the company wasn't joking about it. Well, not that I know of.

I was supposed to join within two days.

Yeah, I know, it sucks, not having time for myself.

But then, "Its such a big opportunity. You should be more enthusiastic about it !!!!", my mother's words, not mine, resonated through my brain.

" Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 20 years old. I can take care of myself, thank you very much", I exclaimed.

"And yet, you fear of popcorn", my dad interjected.

"Oh come on, dad. It was ONE time. Plus, I didn't know they were gonna pop so loudly."

My parents laughed at that while I sulked. In my defence, I was just 8 years old and didn't realize that they popped so loudly.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want", I muttered.

"We're sorry pumpkin. Cheer up. You finally graduated."

It finally hit me when I went towards my dorm.

I've graduated. I'm going to start an internship at none other than THE Agnello Enterprises !! I'm going to enter the big, evil world, all by myself, trying to make my living.

Feeling a mental breakdown coming up from these thoughts, I decided to think of something else.

My parents went to their hotel room. We decided to meet up for breakfast tomorrow before they leave. Feeling tiredness seeping in my bones, I changed into comfortable clothes and laid down on my bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.

.....

I met my parents in Satiete, the cafe outside my campus. Dressed in a simple white buttoned top and black skinny jeans,with my hair loose, I saw both of them sitting in a corner booth, bickering with each other. I joined them at the table, however they didn't notice me, too busy in their own world.

"Guys", I said, trying to get their attention. It proved to be futile.

"Guys", I tried again.

"GUYS" , I screamed, finally getting their attention.

"Geez sugar, no need to be loud", my mom said, glancing up at me.

The moment she saw me, she was taken aback. My father was still busy in his phone, trying to prove his point.

"Ethan !", my mom called.

"Ethan, look !", my mom shook my dad, pointing at my neck.

"What is it, Josephine ?"

When my father saw what my mother was pointing at, he portrayed a look of shock as well.

"You guys are weirding me out. What's wr-"

Before I could speak, my father cut me off.

"Where did you get that mark, Belle?", my father asked in a grim tone.

Knowing that he called me Belle and not pumpkin, was when I realized that this was a serious matter.

A matter which I knew nothing about.

"Tell us, sugar. Answer your papa", my mom urged me.

" I don't know, mom. It came out of nowhere", I was a bit wary now.

" Is something wrong, mom?", I asked in a worried tone. It must be pretty important for my parents to be this shook.

"Um, sugar, the thing is-"

"That its nothing", my father cut off my mom, all the while telling her something with his eyes. Understanding what he wants to convey, my mom didn't say anything.

"Come on, Belle. Lets go to the hotel room. I need to check something", my mother hurried me.

" But mom, is everything fine ?"

" Yes, its fine pumpkin. Now join your mom in the hotel room, I have to make some calls", my father rushed out, already calling someone.

It took 10 mins for us to reach the hotel room, where my mom quickly took me to their room.

"Undress", she ordered me, while locking the door.

"Mom, are you crazy ?", I replied, surprised at her sudden demand.

"Undress, now, Belle. We have the same goods. This is not the time to be shy. Undress", my mom said in a deathly calm voice.

Having no choice but to obey, I took off my shirt and my jeans, standing in the room, with my underwear on.

My mom scanned me from head to toe, circling me, trying to find, what, I don't know. But it seems like she succeeded, when I heard a loud gasp. Suddenly, I felt her cold fingers on my hip, tracing something at the back.

"Oh my god. You have THE MARK", my mom spoke,so softly, I barely heard it.

"Mom, what's a mark?", I questioned.

"Not A mark, baby, THE MARK. You have THE MARK", my mom explained, with awe and slight worry in her voice.

"Mom, are you telling me I have some sort of tattoo at the back of my hip?", I all but screeched.

Ignoring me pretty bluntly, my mom asked,

"Tell me, sugar, has someone else seen the mark on your collarbone?"

I was about to deny when I remembered that Eros Agnello had reacted the same way mom did, when he saw my neck.

I guess he saw the mark as well.

"Yes, actually. About two months earlier, I met Mr. Eros Agnello, the CEO of Agnello Enterprises, and he reacted the same way, when he saw my neck. Or I guess he did. Because suddenly, he left,saying he wanted to call someone. Weird, if you ask me."

"Agnello, you say ?", my mother said ,a smile on her face, like she knew something that I didn't know.

"Dress up, baby. I'm taking you back to you dorm. Me and your father have to go back", she went back to gathering her car keys and her purse, "And listen, make sure you do not mention about the mark to anyone, not a single soul", she sounded serious about it.

This is frustrating.

"I couldn't, even if I tried to, mom. Because I don't know a thing about it", I replied honestly.

"Tell me, what is the mark?", I asked,exasperated.

"You will understand, in time ", my mother smiled softly.

Huh. Where have I heard this before?

Ah yes, the dream lady.

"Come on. Lets go. I'll drop you off to your dorms."

Saying that, we left. All the while, my thoughts were jumping from one place to another.

What is this goddamn mark on my hip?

And what about the mark on my neck?

Why are my parents acting so secretive?

Are they FBI?

And there is another matter of Eros Agnello.

Who , exactly, is that guy?

And what about the dream lady?

And the blue hair?

Why is this happening to me?!!!

I sighed.

I just graduated. I need some free time after making my brain work hard so much, but it seems like there are more pressing issues at hand, not giving me time to relax. Issues I don't even know about and yet I'm involved with them. Feeling a headache coming up, I decided to sleep a bit, because what better way to ignore your problems than to sleep?

After saying bye to mom, I went up to my room,straight at the bed, hoping that some sleep will clear up my mind. Oh, how wrong I was.

Thanks for reading !!! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below !!!!