Capítulo 15: Good Morning, Beautiful

That morning Bella woke up from a deep sleep. Moments after opening her eyes she forgot where she was. As she looked around the room, she was surprised to see that the room was unfamiliar to her. Morning light shone through the window panes, illuminating the spacious room. She didn't recognize the bed she was sleeping in, and was surprised to see a layer of beige wallpaper with daffodil patterns. There was a Victorian writing desk by the window. Thick gold-colored curtains were drawn across the window, lining a lacy beige vitrage curtain. Who had installed it? How could she have such luxurious tastes? This was not Bella Ross's room. It made more sense that this was Virginia Wolf's room.

Then, she heard voices. Echoes of morning activities that years ago colored her morning. A flurry of activity in the kitchen. Aunt Ruth was preparing breakfast for all of them. Was it her turn to deliver breakfast to Mom's room today?

There was a gentle knock on the door. "Bella, are you awake?"

It was Reef's voice. His consciousness was fully restored. She was in Saco, staying at the Red House that no longer belonged to her family. It must be Reef who was busy in the kitchen.

"Bella?"

"Yes, I'm awake." She said in a hoarse voice. "I'll be out in a minute."

"Alright. I'll wait for you for breakfast."

It was unbelievable. She was going to have breakfast with Reef at the Red House. Something that had never even crossed her mind in her dreams.

When she appeared in the kitchen, Reef was making coffee. "Good morning!" Reef turned around. That morning he was wearing a T-shirt and training pants. His clothes emphasized the lines of his athletic body. His handsome face was clean with a purplish shadow after shaving. He walked up to Bella and kissed her on the cheek. His smile was cheerful. "Would you like some coffee?"

Reef smells good. Bella had to restrain herself from wrapping her arms around the man's waist and leaning against his broad chest. "Yes, please." She shifted and sat on the chair furthest from Reef's reach.

Reef placed a cup of coffee in front of her. "Would you like me to get you some milk?"

"Oh, no, thank you. I never drink coffee with milk."

Reef raised one eyebrow. "You used to add milk to your coffee."

"Yeah, that was back then, when I was a teenager. Now I need my caffeine without it. It helps my brain keep spinning and not get tired while writing."

"I see." Reef nodded. "Are you working on a new project? I saw your laptop bag."

"Yes. I carry it everywhere. It's my life. You know, like a soldier and his rifle on the battlefield?"

Reef laughed. "Your analogies are striking, Bel. You equate writing with fighting a war. But, yes. I understand."

When breakfast was placed on the table, Bella ate with gusto. Reef's breakfast was simple. Sunny-side up eggs, a few slices of sausage and ham, bread and butter. It was an English breakfast. Even Carter, who is half-British, rarely eats breakfast like that. Bella remembered the breakfast Aunt Ruth made for her every morning before she left for school. It was almost the same as the one she had with Reef.

"Your breakfast is the same as the one Aunt Ruth always makes for me," Bella commented after she finished her plate. "Thank you. I've been hoping for someone to make me breakfast like this again, because I miss Aunt Ruth. I can make it myself, but it doesn't taste the same. It's not satisfying."

"If you want breakfast like that again, just tell me. I'll cook anything for you," Reef said gently. "What are your plans for today?"

"I should ask, shouldn't I? What are your plans after I'm here?"

Reef shrugged. "I don't know yet. I'm just enjoying having you here with me."

"What do you expect with me being here? Maybe this won't change anything between us."

Reef smiled. "If you believe that the past cannot come back, why are you here? Is it solely because you want to buy Red House?"

"How else would I buy this house? You set the conditions. Well, since we're on the main topic, let's talk more about that. You promised to tell me the other conditions if I agree to stay here for a week. My being here now already signifies an agreement, doesn't it?"

Reef took a sip of his coffee. "Trust me, I'll say it. Not now. I don't want to ruin the moment this morning. You know what, I'm really glad you came."

****

"What? You're in Saco?" exclaimed Mariel on the phone. "Don't lie to me!"

"Why would I lie? Wait a minute." Bella handed her cell phone to Reef who was about to open the door to leave for the office. "Talk to her," Bella whispered to Reef.

"Hey, Mariel. How about we have another barbecue this week?"

"Oh, damned! Is Bella staying at the Red House?" squealed Mariel.

"Where else do you think?"

"Wow, you said she will come, and now she did."

"Hey, I might open a fortune teller tent at the fairgrounds as a Sunday night distraction."

"I'll be your first customer!" Mariel giggled. "All right, Nostradamus! Not a barbeque party, but a fancy dinner tonight! At my house!

"What are you guys talking about? What fortune teller?" asked Bella when Reef returned the cell phone.

Reef winked and chuckled at the confusion on Bella's face. "You can ask Miss Harrison about my new talent. By the way, she invited us to dinner tonight."

When the cell phone was placed back in Bella's ear, Mariel's voice sounded happy. "Hey, Bel! I'll invite Brenda and Tom too. They'll be happy to have you back."

Brenda's reaction was even more excited when she saw Bella coming with Reef. She stumbled over to Bella and hugged her. "I'm glad to see you again! Especially since you're getting along with that Mr. Quick Blood!" she whispered.

Bella laughed and glanced at Reef who passed by her to shake hands with the men by the pool. The homes of all the Harrison family members were usually similar in design. They were large, modern in style and had Olympic sized swimming pools.

"Bella!" Someone call her as she also approached the group. Tom Russell smiled broadly at her. "Good to see you again!"

"Hi, Tom! Me too!" She let Tom kiss her cheek. "How are your kids?"

"They're in the best hand. My ex-wife, who blackmailed me with a huge allowance for them, of course."

"You're always complaining about it! I'm tired of hearing it!!" snapped Brenda, who was standing next to Bella. "What a cheapskate!"

Tom blushed. Then, James exclaimed. "Well, tell them about your new business, Tom! You won't complain about your children's allowance anymore if it goes well."

"What kind of partnership?" asked Reef with interest.

"Oh, you know. My business has always been in food and beverage. I just signed an MoU with a fast food restaurant chain." Tom grinned. "You must have heard of The Hive? I'm opening one here in Saco."

"Wow! Isn't that the fast food restaurant with the girls in sexy mini outfits?" chirped Mariel. "There's one in Portland. I stopped by for lunch once. The chicken wings are delicious."

"They specialize in chicken wings. But you should try their burgers too." Brenda said. "And they also have steak and seafood. They're all good. Oh, my goodness! Why are we all still gathered here? Let's go eat! I'm starving!"

Everyone laughed. Mariel as the host walked first, leading her guests into her spacious dining room. And everyone gazed at the dining table.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you suddenly said our dinner was cooked by the presidential chef," Brenda chided, turning to Mariel who was smiling proudly at the large dining table that had been laid out in a banquet style. "Are you out of work or something?"

Reef grinned widely at the candles, fresh flowers in vases, pastel-colored lace napkins, porcelain plates and silverware on the table. "How marvelous. Is this an honorary banquet to welcome Bella?"

"I hope not," said Bella. "Because this is too much."

Mariel rolled her eyes. "Ladies and gentlemen, why don't you shut up and sit down?" She pretended to frown at her husband and friends who were teasing her. "The food will be served soon. No, it's not cooked by the presidential chef. I just ordered it from a five-star hotel."

"Well, I don't care who the cook is anyway. Good food doesn't lie. Later, you guys should come to taste the food at my new restaurant. Like Brenda said, everything is delicious."

"Hey, I just remembered. Isn't The Hive under the management of Wilshire Holdings Company?" asked Reef. "That's a pretty big company and its headquarters is in London."

"Wow, you're right!" Tom was impressed by Reef's business insight. "I heard that the biggest shareholder is British. I wonder if you know him."

"I met him once," said Reef. "His name is Nathan Wilford."

Bella almost dropped her fork.

****