Kapitel 7: The Red House

"Why don't you get some more food?" Brenda walked over to Bella who was sitting by the pool, sheltered by a brightly colored umbrella on her chair, the edges of which were waving in the breeze. They were having a barbecue in the backyard of the Red House. In Brenda's hand was a plate full of food. "Do you want some? I took some for you too."

"No, thanks, Bren. I'm already full."

"Are you kidding me?" snapped Brenda with feigned disgust. "So far I see you've only eaten two sausages and a piece of roasted corn!"

"I'm already full, Brenda." Bella laughed. "You've filled your plate for the third time, aren't you full yet?"

"Mariel!" Brenda called out to her cousin who was swimming in the middle of the pool. "You know what, I think I hate Bella Ross. She and her little stomach work so hard together not to make her fat!"

Mariel swam to the edge of the pool and laughed. "I told you! She's such a bitch."

"Oh, you are outrageous! I've always envied your breast size, Bren," Bella said. "Back in high school, you were the annoying one for us, the skinny girls. You never lost the attention of the boys. Every time you passed by, all the boys looked at you in awe."

"They were almost drooling!" exclaimed Mariel.

"Including me." A voice interrupted the conversation from behind Bella. Bella turned her head and saw Reef smiling broadly. His tall, broad-chested figure blocked out the light. That afternoon he was only wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts. However, his figure was even more tantalizing than before.

"What did you say?" Brenda squealed. "Oh, my God! Did you guys hear that? The handsome Reef Davis once drooled at the sight of me! Wait, where's my husband? Isn't he grilling? Don't let him hear. He'll be sleepless with jealousy!"

"Charlie and James are checking out the entertainment room downstairs. I just installed a new pool table, gaming set and home theater." Reef laughed. "Don't get too excited, Bren. That was when we were in first year, and I didn't know Bella yet." Reef looked down and gave Bella a smile. "Don't worry, Bel. After you, there's not a single girl I've glanced at."

"But if you were ever in awe of Brenda, that's understandable, really." Bella smiled. "Brenda is great. Sexy, outgoing, smart and kind. That's why I'm friends with her."

"Stop, stop!" Brenda covered her face. "I'm so embarrassed!"

"Guys, what about me?" Mariel approached, grabbing her towel from the empty seat next to Bella to wrap around her waist. Her slim body in the red bikini looked great. "Although at school, I'm not as smart as you and Brenda, I'm also sexy, outgoing, and your best friend!"

"What kind of competition is this!" Reef laughed. "What a girl!"

"Hey Reef, what kind of girl do you think Bella is?" asked Mariel. "Why did you fall in love with her in the first place?"

"Mariel...!" Bella glared at her best friend. "Forget that silly question, Reef!"

"Hmm. It's not a silly question," Reef replied. "I do have a specific opinion about you."

Reef crouched down to look at Bella. His eyes roamed intently. That afternoon Bella was wearing a tank top and jean shorts that had always been her favorite casual outfit, accentuating her slim and fit body. When their gazes met, Bella's heart beat faster.

"She's beautiful. Very beautiful. I like her red hair the most, it's sexy and voluptuous," Reef said softly. Mariel and Brenda acted to groan lasciviously. "But, more important than that is that she's smart and kind. Her beauty doesn't make her arrogant, and her intelligence doesn't make her like to belittle people." Reef reached out to the ends of Bella's hair and played with them in his fingers. "Bella is the most beautiful creature that is worth keeping. Too bad, I shouldn't have let her run away from me that time..."

Reef smiled. His eyes were now watching Bella's lips. Bella's face heated up. "Reef, shouldn't you check the entertainment room? Maybe James and Charlie broke something."

"Hey, James isn't as reckless as Charlie!" Mariel, who was now leaning back in her chair, interrupted.

"I'll be there in a minute," Reef said. "I have one question for you. Are your lips still real?"

"What do you mean?" snapped Bella.

"No fillers or anything?"

"My lips don't have fillers or anything!" Bella glared. "Why are you asking such a strange question?"

Reef grinned. "Because your lips are more voluptuous than ever, Bel."

Bella couldn't say anything, but her flushed cheeks showed her feelings. Meanwhile, Mariel and Brenda burst out laughing. "Go away, Reef!" exclaimed Brenda from the poolside. "Don't seduce Bella in front of us! Besides, what kind of flirting is that? It's high school flirting! You're so behind the times!"

Bella could no longer stand the teasing of her friends. She got up from her chair. "I ran out of water. I'm going to the kitchen." She waltzed out of the backyard.

In the past, the kitchen was where Aunt Ruth ruled. Aunt Ruth's cooking was always delicious. To this day, Bella always misses her aunt's apple pie and roast turkey. The big fridge was always full of frozen groceries and dishes. Aunt Ruth's principle was that she didn't want her family to run out of food and starve.

The old kitchen has changed somewhat in its interior. Instead of using wall paper like in the past, Reef has left the mahogany walls exposed and polished. Reef also placed a more modern wooden dining table. Bella is thankful that Reef still retains the memorable Aunt Ruth refrigerator.

"I have ice cream," Reef's voice came from behind her back, just as Bella was about to open the fridge. "Just take it. I bought a bunch of your favorite local brand ice cream after Brenda called me."

"Oh, you still remember..." Bella was a bit moved.

"Of course I do. I always remember anything about you."

"Okay. I'll eat the ice cream later. I'm really thirsty right now." Bella reached for a can of coke she found in the refrigerator. The bottle felt so cool that she wanted to put it on her cheeks, which were getting warm from everything Reef had said.

Reef grabbed the can of coke and opened it for Bella. Bella took it back and thanked him. She leaned against the kitchen counter and took a sip of her coke, ready to talk about what she had been thinking about since yesterday. However, Reef approached and took her free hand.

"Just stay, Bel."

"Uhm?"

"You don't have to go home with them later." Seeing Bella frown, Reef began to explain. "I'm asking you to stay here. At your childhood home. Your motel is nice and pleasant, but here is more comfortable. I'd be very happy if you'd agree. Think of it as still your home. You can reminisce. You'll see, I still have some of your family's old furniture that Mrs. Lopez put in storage room."

"Thanks, Reef. I'll just stay at the motel."

"I swear, I didn't mean anything by it. If you're suspicious of my invitation.... Forget about my annoying attitude since yesterday, and my flirting. I really sincerely invited you, because I know you miss this house. I can see it in your eyes."

Reef's face looked earnest. While his hand that clasped Bella's hand felt warm and strengthening. Indeed, that's the Reef she knew back then. Besides being full of passion and charm, he was caring, sensitive and generous. Bella became restless. Mariel's warning rang in her ears. She must not be carried away by her passion for Reef. This time, she had to tell him her intentions and desire to repossess the house.

"Reef, I want to talk to you about something."

"Hm?" Reef looked at her more deeply. Bella quietly frowned, seeing the hope in Reef's eyes. "What do you want to say? Did you agree to stay here during your time in Saco?"

"No, I didn't. That's not it." Bella shook her head, while her mind composed a sentence. "Reef, I can't stay in Saco for long. After all, the day after tomorrow I have to go back to New York because I have a lot of work to do...." Bella looked down. God, why is it so hard to say, she complained to herself. She didn't want to hurt Reef's heart again.

"Why, you don't miss me, you don't miss this house?" he interrupted. "Alright, Bel. It's okay if you don't miss me. You always say that our relationship is over in the past. But, I miss you." Reef brought his face close to Bella's, and sniffed the air. "Your body smells the same. That sweet, sexy scent. Over the years, I can still remember it."

"Reef....." Bella also inhaled the masculine scent of Reef's body that always made her want to hug the man's body for comfort and protection. Nervously, she tried to shift to get away. "Reef, listen to me. I have something to talk to you and it's serious."

"Just tell me."

"Let go of me first. I can't talk like this."

Reef snorted. But he let go of Bella's hand and stepped back to give her some distance. Even so, his body still sent heat to Bella's body. In the past, their bodies were always that close. Even tighter. Bella swallowed again and scolded herself. Focus, Bella!

"Do you want to sit down?" Reef offered a dining chair. Bella shook her head. "You look tense. What is it you want to talk to me about? I suggest you sit down, Bel. You'll feel calmer to talk."

"Okay." Bella sat in the chair that Reef had pulled out for her. Reef sat opposite her. "Reef, do you think I delayed my return to New York because of you?"

Reef shrugged. "At first, yes. But now I'm not sure anymore." Reef smiled wryly. "You always seem to be trying to get away from me."

"I'm sorry," Bella said. "I guess today I should tell you why I'm still in Saco." Reef looked at her, waiting. "Reef, I want to buy this house back from you."

Reef's forehead wrinkled, as if he was trying to digest Bella's sentence.

"Reef...." Bella looked at the man. "Will you? Will you sell Red House to me?"

Now, having understood Bella's words, Reef's face turned bright red. When he met Bella's gaze, his eyes were piercing and full of cold anger. "So that's what it looks like, Bella Ross. Not only did you leave me for dead eight years ago. Now you also want to take the beautiful memories of our love story from my hands!"

***