Dearest Bella

A night to remember

He was ready to strangle that useless private eye. How could a professional in stealth get caught by a preschool teacher! He sacked the guy immediately, of course. He will need to replace that incompetent moron with someone who can actually watch her without getting caught. His frustration was short lived as she exited her house and drove to an unfamiliar destination. He followed her till she stopped at a bar clearly marked ‘The Elephant and Castle.’ He pulled into the carpark at the back and watched her exchange welcomes with her friends. Jealously took a grip on his heart as she walked into the bar with them. The music was loud and awful who listens to ‘call me maybe’ anymore. This DJ is really stuck back in the times no wonder in such a small country town. As the people around him danced he began to enjoy himself. A pretty brunette boldly approached him and they began to dance together. Bodies swaying to the new song. The people had a fast paced energy that kept him entertained until he heard a loud round of applause coming from the direction of her friends. There she was breath taking; clapping and hugging one of her friends. Her smile hit his heart from there making him lose concentration of the pace going on around him. The girl he was dancing with tried to grab his attention by moving her hips closer to him. He moved back and pushed her away. Making the girl frown, rolling her eyes she left to find a new partner. He looked back to the crowd of people to see Bella taking shot after shot and half smiling and nodding at one of her friends. Every time her friend looked away her face would drop and his heart would ache for her to smile again. He walked over to the bar and ordered a scotch when a familiar minty scent hit him. There she was sitting next to him at the bar. Bella turned her brown heavenly eyes on him and smiled. His chest was going to burst. Her eyes were watery and she was swaying, but she continued drinking shots; one after the other. Her phone buzzed and he could hear her groan softly. Bella tilt her head back to swallow one last shot. He could tell she wouldn’t last another moment when she suddenly dropped. He caught her mid air. The buzz of her in his arms. Her head on his chest and her hands around his arms hugging into him. He was intoxicated by her scent and managed to move himself towards the door. Her friend the one on the end looked up at him confused and asked what happened? “Is she ok?” Jane asked worried but obviously too drunk to help her friend.

“She’s ok, I’m going to get her a cab.” He said smiling at the stupid look on her face. The guy next to her he figured was her boyfriend pulled her closer to him and stared him down. 

He took that as the opportunity to leave and headed for his car. He unlocked the Bentley and buckled her in. She moved her head next to his and half smiled through her blind drunk state. He closed her door securely and jumped into the drivers seat and began the drive back to his residence.  

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Bella felt a soft warm mattress under her and plush sheets and Doona on top and around her. She slowly opened her eyes listening to the ringing sound in her ears and the pulsing headache throbbing around her temples. She took in the first thing she saw which was a glass of water and two white tablets. Grateful Bella picked up the glass of water and wet her lips and tongue. Then she picked up the tablets to swallow then chased them down with the rest of the water. Bella now sitting up could take in the room properly. It had huge windows that let in the sunrise and a huge tv on the adjacent wall to the bed. Bella noticed two doors and hoped out of bed to see which one was the bathroom. The one on the right was the bathroom door. Bella finished her business and was walking out of the bathroom when a lump on the other side of the bed moved. Bella felt her feet stick to the floor and her heart dropped. The figure was still sleeping when she walked closer to see who the stranger was. He had dark curly hair and a clean shaven face. It literally looked like his face was carved by an angel. Bella took a step back when she realised something ‘how did I get here?’ And ‘where exactly am I?’ 

Bella looked down relieved she was still wearing the dress she had on the night before and her underwear was intact. Her phone, purse and keys were missing so she couldn’t leave till she found them. Bella decided to go look for them. Bella left the room and closed the door behind herself trying to not wake the sleeping stranger. As the door clicked shut he opened his eyes and a small smile played on his lips.  

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Bella walked down the hallway flinching at every new sound and tiny creak underfoot. The middle of the hallway opened up to reveal a grand staircase. Bella padded down the steps and entered into the entryway. A light open area with marble flooring and gold trimmings. The large door made of mahogany. Bella turned left down another hallway and found the kitchen. A giant dark marble bench top contrasting the white marble floor. Bella found her purse and phone next to a bowl full of mouthwatering fruit. You know the kind you see in movies with the shiny apples and bright yellow bananas. Bella picked up a red apple checking out the gloss when footsteps sounded on the stairs. Bella felt her throat go dry and her heart beat quicken. Taking a shaky breath Bella replaced the apple, grabbed her phone and purse and meet the stranger in the entry hall. As she stepped out she saw the man wasn’t wearing a shirt only a loose pair of black shorts hugging his defined hips. His abs and muscles bulged without him even moving. Bella recalled her thoughts and politely asked “Where am I?”

The stranger gave a small smile making her want to stretch out her hand and touch that perfect mouth. Shaking her head slightly Bella listened to the strangers hypnotic voice say; “Its the edge of King plains.”

Bella took a step back in surprise. “How did I get here? Why am I here?” 

The stranger tensed a little at her quiet tone, a dark inner turmoil surging within. His eyes closed as he concentrated on the answer. He pulled his mind from the image of her lying next to him in bed her steady breathing easily and smooth. It was the best sleep he’d seen her have in a long time. He stretched his hands out behind his back and entered the kitchen noticing immediately the phone and purse were gone. “You were drunk and were about to fall and I caught you. I noticed your company of friends were also drunk. I spoke to your friend with the red hair and I told her exactly the address and that if she could call you tomorrow to ensure you were indeed safe. And how you got here, well I drove you here. You passed out as soon as I put you in my car.”

Bella flushed and felt her cheeks were on fire. How could she be soo reckless letting a complete stranger take her away and Jane. He spoke to Jane. She must have been really drunk. I hope she’s ok she can get really sick. “Th.. Thank you for helping me last night, I am so sorry I’ve inconvenience you like this. Bella felt extremely awkward standing in this strangers kitchen hearing about her own reckless behaviour. “Do.. Do you know where my keys are?” Bella squeaked.

The stranger smiled a bit wider and pulled the keys from his back pocket. Bella stared in shock and began reaching for the keys. The stranger paused and held the keys just out of reach from her hand. “You need to be sober before you can drive again.”

Then it hit Bella her car! It was still in the carpark at the bar. “Um would you be able to drive me into town?” Bella face aflame at asking something else from this already generous man. 

The stranger agreed instantly, a gleam in his eyes. “Yes but first shall we stop for coffee to sober you up?”

Bella cracked a smile; “Yes please. I’ll pay, I do owe you one.” The stranger lead Bella out to the Bentley and opened the door for her.