章 2: The Sexy Man from The Past
The man now standing in front of her was more handsome than she could ever remember. Bella never forgot that face, even in her dreams. His clear gray eyes matched his darker skin. His thick brown hair that was once a little long and flowing was now cut short. The full lips above his square jaw no longer displayed a wide grin that seemed mischievous and somewhat evil. They displayed a sardonic smile that was strangely seductive. His tall body was now slimmer, but still athletic. The man in front of her, in a suit that fit his body perfectly, was transformed into a mature man who looked calmer, but also more tantalizing.
"Well," said the man, "We finally meet again, Isabella Ross."
Various feelings raged in Bella's chest. She wanted to run away from that place, to hide. If the earth suddenly split open, she would plunge into it. On the other hand, there was a familiar warm feeling calling out, coaxing her to stretch out her arms and embrace the man. Feel his strong, warm embrace again. Sink into his intoxicating kiss.
Stop it, you idiot! Bella shook her head softly, trying to get rid of the wild thoughts. She would rather run away from there, than have to hug Reef Davis.
Bella swallowed, trying to clear her upside-down mind. "Hello, Reef. Glad to see you again." Her smile was stiff.
Reef didn't smile back. "Really?" He said in a flat tone. Reef's eyes roamed Bella's face with a curious look. "That's good. I'm glad too." However, it didn't seem that way.
"How are you?" Bella tried to act casual. Whatever had happened, Reef went to school with her, just like Brenda, Tom and the others. Just think of him as a schoolmate like the others, Bella. Ignore the charm.
"As you can see." Reef shrugged. "I'm fine. Ever since you left me eight years ago."
His last sentence made Bella's cheeks heat up. This time Reef smiled. It was a sweet smile but it felt very ironic. Reef was still angry with her. No, he wasn't. Reef was definitely more than angry. Bella didn't know what to answer, luckily Tom came over with a glass of cocktail.
"Bella, darling. Here's your drink!" Tom exclaimed cheerfully.
"Thank you, Tom." Bella accepted it gratefully as the stiff atmosphere was broken by Tom's excitement.
"You're welcome." Then, Tom noticed Reef's presence. "Hi, Reef! You look great! I'm glad to see you again!" Tom patted his shoulder and offered a hand to shake.
Reef smiled briefly at his friend and shook Tom's hand. "Well, you look great too. How are your kids?"
"They're doing well. Custody was given to their mother." Tom grinned with embarrassment. "I guess they really want to be with their mom more than with me."
"That's how it should be, Tom. They're still little kids. And, you're too busy fooling around at the bar."
"Hey, Reef. Just keep my secrets!" Tom laughed awkwardly. "By the way, how's the Red House renovation going?"
Bella scowled. "Red House?"
Tom now lowered his head to look at Bella with an astonished expression. "You don't know yet?"
"Are you referring to my old Red House?"
"Yes, that Red House."
This time, Bella turned to Reef. "You renovated it?"
"It belongs to Reef now." Tom said. "Reef just bought it three months ago."
Bella was dumbfounded. She already knew Reef was now the owner of a successful contracting agency in Saco. However, she never thought Reef would buy the house she used to live in with her parents before they moved to New York. Red House was her childhood home. Her parents sold it to a widowed flower shop owner.
Actually, since a few years ago, Bella had wanted to visit Saco and see the house again. Mariel said Mrs. Lopez was getting old. She will probably end up in a nursing home. Since she had no children, the house would probably be sold. Bella wanted to buy the house back, even though she never planned to live in Saco again. The house was too precious to fall into someone else's hands. Her parents had built the house from scratch since they were newly married. Bella still remembers her mother crying when they closed the front door for the last time that day on their way to the airport.
"Where is Mrs. Lopez?"
"She passed away," Reef replied. "Her heirs came to me and offered it to me to buy, according to Mrs. Lopez's will that the house should be offered to me first and she would be very happy if it was mine."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why should it be offered to you, and why did you buy it?"
This time, Tom seemed interested. Apparently, he didn't know about the will either. Together with Bella, he looked at Reef, waiting for an answer. Reef smiled calmly. "Hmm, let me quote the contents of the will. I still remember the words. 'I still remember how sweet the young couple was. Reef and his girlfriend, Bella Ross. They were inseparable. I'm sure Reef had many memories in that house. The sweet ones and the bitter ones. I don't know who's at fault. But I think Reef Davis will always have his sweet memories with that girl. It must be very painful to lose someone you love so much. I hope he's willing to buy the house, because pain must be faced.'"
Bella's mouth tasted bitter. Somehow, she felt a lump of regret welling up in her chest. Even the old lady knew how deeply she had hurt Reef. Next to her, Tom cleared his throat, trying to break the ice.
"And you finally bought it, Reef."
"Yes, I did. I guess Mrs. Lopez has a point. Heartache has to be dealt with."
"Well, just like I had to deal with my divorce and that huge alimony obligation." Tom laughed blandly. "How much is the house worth?"
Reef grinned. His eyes flicked to Bella's face. "Quite expensive, but it can't match the price of the memories inside."
"Did you completely renovate it?" asked Tom.
"No, I didn't. I didn't change anything. Just replaced a few rotten parts and repainted it."
"You should take Bella to the house," suggested Tom. "You'll want to see your childhood home again, won't you, Bella?"
Tom had always been a know-it-all. But he was right. Reef-owned or not, Bella would love to see that house again.
"It's easy," Reef said. "If Bella really wants to."
Bella swallowed, trying to throw her pride away. "If you don't mind, I will."
"All right then."
Suddenly, a woman burst in between them. Her figure was tall and slender like a model. Her long, golden blonde hair flowed down her back. She was clinging to Reef's chest. "Darling, I've been looking for you."
Bella tried not to frown at the woman's silliness. Her beautiful face was covered in a rather thick makeup. However, she radiated a sexy aura like Marilyn Monroe. Her body was wrapped in a red party dress with a low-cut chest, too low to almost show off most of her large breasts. Her lips were so luscious that Bella suspected they contained fillers. She was now rubbing her breasts against Reef's arm, smiling tantalizingly.
Next to Bella, Tom was gaping. Mesmerized, as were the men in the place who seemed to be stealing glances at the woman.
Casually, Reef wrapped his arm around her waist. "You should meet my schoolmates, darling. Kylie, meet Bella Ross and Tom Russel."
"Hello," Kylie greeted lazily. Her blue eyes shifted to Reef's face, and her lips pouted spoilingly. "Don't you want to accompany me to get a drink, darling?"
Reef nodded. "Sure, sweetheart. Come on," he agreed. "I think I'd like a cold beer." Before turning around, still with his arms around Kylie's waist, Reef turned to Bella and Tom. "See you later, fellas." The couple walked away from them.
"What a jerk he is!" Tom laughed. "It's easy for him to hook up with hot chicks. His collection changes every week."
Bella noticed Reef's back among the other guests. Even from behind, Reef's body was just as stunning. His broad shoulders looked masculine under the expensive black suit he wore. His body shape was still maintained as before. Reef's waist was as slim as when he was in his twenties. Unlike their schoolmates who were present that day. Even Tom, whose height and body size were not bigger than Reef's, seemed to have changed his waist size. From where she stood, Bella saw Kylie kissing Reef on the lips, while her hands provocatively roamed over that man's back. And, Reef acted as if he was enjoying it. Bella suddenly felt annoyed.
"You still want him, don't you?" Tom's voice distracted Bella.
"Sorry?"
"You still want Davis, Bella. I know it. Then why did you leave him in the first place?"
Bella shook her head. "That's a very old story, Tom. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Tom nodded with understanding. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"It's okay." Bella redirected her gaze to where Reef was standing. But he and the girl had already disappeared. Maybe they were looking for a place to kiss, or something else.
***
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