Chapitre 17: A Peaceful Day

Carter rarely called her if Bella was out of town on research or promotional tours for her books. Before they got married, Carter promised to give Bella plenty of time for her creative pursuits and would not demand that she be a traditional stay-at-home wife. After all, Carter was very busy, sometimes having to be in Miami or any state where his clients' cases had to be handled. Their marital life often went without being together, and that had started from the second month of marriage.

Bella never minded, and she never heard Carter complain about it. So, when Carter called her early in the morning while she was out of town like now, it took her a little by surprise. Moreover, Carter asked without preamble.

"I had to go back to Saco," she replied, astonished. "I couldn't reach your cell phone before I left. So I left a message on the voicemail. You didn't receive it?"

"I left my main cell phone on the plane. I forgot to tell you that night."

"Oh. Well, I don't think I need to keep you updated on my activities since I decided to split up. You haven't been keeping track of my whereabouts either." Bella felt like her words were the demands of a sulking wife, because clearly she wasn't. "Doesn't mean I expect you to do that," she added hastily.

Carter chuckled. "Of course you don't expect me to always want to know what you're up to. I wouldn't. What for, Bella? I don't have enough time to be possessive."

And that's what makes you boring, Bella thought. "Well then, why were you so curious about me this morning?"

"Because I was going to take you to dinner with my parents. They're here."

"I thought your dad was in Miami," Bella said, confused. "You guys met there, you said."

"He flew to New York the day after I got back. My mom followed from London. They're at home now." What Carter was referring to was the luxurious mansion on Meadow Lane that Bella had left months ago. "Their Hamptons apartment is being renovated. My mom is considering changing the furniture. That's why they're here."

"They already know about our wedding cancellation plan," Bella said. "I don't think I need to join you guys for dinner, do I? It's not that I don't respect your parents-I even like your father, but that's just the way it is now."

"This is my mother's request. It might have something to do with the grandson my father mentioned. I thought it wouldn't hurt to call you, to invite you along, since I thought you weren't traveling anymore. You've always been able to stand up to my mom and break her arguments if you wanted to."

Carter was right. He was never afraid of arguing with Agnes Wilford. The problem was, right now she needed to get away from Carter and her family to figure out her own desires. "I've been in Saco since yesterday, Carter. I didn't want to fly back to New York for an awkward dinner with your parents."

"I understand. It's okay if you can't." Carter didn't even sound disappointed. "Enjoy your time in Saco then, Bella." The man didn't even ask why Bella was returning to Saco.

After saying her goodbyes, Bella ended the conversation relieved that she didn't have to lie to Carter. After all, until the Marriage Annulment was legally valid, Carter was still her husband. And Bella felt bad enough for living in the same house with another man.

****

Bella spent three hours of her morning shopping at the grocery store. She drove her car back to the Red House with the trunk almost full of shopping bags, and a happy smile. Several people greeted her on the street and at the grocery store. They still recognized her as the daughter of Alex and Janet Ross. In fact, she also met some friends from the book club that Aunt Ruth was a member of. The old ladies hugged her warmly and wiped away their tears of emotion when Bella told them that Aunt Ruth had passed away peacefully.

As she was filling the fridges with the groceries she bought, her cell phone rang. The efficient voice of Grace, Reef's secretary, rang out. "Bella, Mr. Davis wants to know if you can have lunch with him at the office today?"

Bella glanced at the shopping bags that were still waiting to be sorted. "Yes, sure. But, please tell Reef, he doesn't need to order food. I'll bring food from home."

"You'll prepare his lunch?" Grace sounded impressed.

"Yes. What time am I expected to be there?"

"The meeting will end at twelve."

"Then I'll be there at 12:30."

"Okay, I'll tell Mr. Davis."

"Yes. Thank you, Grace."

Bella hurriedly finished her business with the bags of groceries. She smiled with satisfaction as the two large refrigerators in the kitchen were no longer empty. Aunt Ruth would have been proud of her. After some time busy preparing the food to be taken to Reef's office, she hurried to her room to change. At twelve o'clock, her red city car left the house for Reef's office.

****

Reef didn't even notice the picnic basket in Bella's hand when she walked in. Bella's look that day was very casual. She wore a cotton cropped top shirt and a pair of tight jeans that wrapped around her long legs. A pair of wedges made her look taller. Reef's gaze shifted to Bella's face, to her lightly applied makeup, to her nude lipstick that accentuated her shoulder-length red hair. Reef longed to take that slender body into his arms and kiss those seductive lips.

"You're beautiful," Reef complimented. Her eyes roamed with a passionate gaze that Bella seemed to ignore.

"Thank you." Bella gave him a sweet smile and revealed the picnic basket in her right hand. "What's that?" Reef only realized it after Bella's charm was successfully repelled. He had to maintain his attitude in the office. "Oh, yes. Grace said you brought our lunch."

"Well, where should we eat?" Bella's gaze circulated around the room.

"Here?" Reef moved towards the sofa.

"We're going on a picnic." Bella approached. "Hmm. Can you help me move the table over there?"

Reef looked confused. However, when he saw Bella start to pull one side of the table, he helped from the other side. The table moved, moving closer to one of the beige sofas near the window. Bella opened the picnic basket and took out a wide plaid tablecloth. She spread it on the floor where the table had been. Reef laughed.

"Are you serious?"

Bella's eyebrows shot up. Her smile stuck to the corners of her lips. "I'm setting up our picnic lunch."

"Oh, okay." Reef grinned amusedly. "I thought when Grace said you'd bring lunch, we'd be eating burgers and fries while sitting on the couch."

"I have more than burgers and fries." Bella started pulling out the contents of her basket. Making Reef giggle with delight at all the food Bella had laid out on the picnic mat.

"Fried chicken!" exclaimed Reef happily. "Don't tell me you cooked it, Bel."

"Of course not. I bought it from Aunt Ruth's favorite restaurant on my way home from the grocery store."

Reef looked at her. "What were you shopping for?"

"You left me this morning with two fridges with nothing in them. I had toast and peanut butter for breakfast!"

Reef gaped. "I was already shopping before you came. The fridges weren't empty. Did you check the kitchen cabinets?"

"Are you talking about canned food and fast food that needs to be warmed up in the microwave before eating?" asked Bella. "For me, a fridge is considered full if more than half of it is fresh food. That's what Aunt Ruth taught me."

Reef shook his head in disbelief. "To me, everything is food, there's no difference."

"Of course it makes a difference," Bella said cheerfully. "Let's see. I'm planning to cook dinner. It's time for you to live healthier, Reef Davis. "

****

That lunch was the most delicious lunch for Bella. She was relieved that so far her day had gone peacefully without anything to upset her or make Reef angry. They ate on the floor with a picnic mat that Bella found in one of the kitchen cabinets. Reef finishes the fried chicken he brought. Meanwhile, Bella praised herself that Reef also liked the tuna sandwich she made.

They made small talk about their high school friends, some of whom had married and moved to other states. They also exchange old anecdotes and laugh about them.

Bella was trying to recall an anecdote about the coach of their school football team when the door to the room opened, and Kylie's distinctive, lilting voice mimicked a British accent. "Hello, Reef!" She stopped in her tracks at the sight of the two people sitting on the floor. "Oh, I didn't know you guys were....." Her walnut-shaped eyes framed by dark eyeliner widened. "Lunch? That's great! Can I join you?"

At the doorway, Grace, who was apparently in a hurry to catch up, stood fidgeting helplessly. Her mouth uttered a silent 'sorry' when her eyes met her boss's.

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