His Eyes and Mine

Chapter 2: Hometown

Bella Spencer's Point Of View

"Sweetheart, did you double-check all of your luggage?"

I sighed, "For the hundredth time Mom, yes I did. I even did a triple-check if that concerns you." I said sarcastically, she cackled.

"I am concerned, Bella," she insisted. I just laughed.

"Now sweetie, are you sure that you're not going to bring bodyguards with you? It's ve—"

"Dad, I told you, I'm going to be fine without bodyguards. They also need a break from 'guarding' me, you know? Let them enjoy themselves, and besides, I'm already a grown-up now. I can handle myself, don't worry." I assured him, but the look on his face didn't seem like he was satisfied.

"Are you sure?" He asked. I nodded.

"Sure?" I nodded again.

"Sure?"

"Yes Dad, I'm very sure," I answered, annoyance in my tone.

"Sure, sure, sure?" Before I could debate with my Dad, Mom gave him a hard smack on his head, causing me to laugh out loud.

"Bradley! Stop mocking your daughter, you heard her!" Mom lectured. I wiped the tears that were starting to form in my eyes.

"Thanks, Mom," I said in between laughs.

"Sweetie, I'm going to miss you." Dad wheedled. I just shook my head.

"I know you will," I said with sarcasm. "And don't worry, I'll call you guys every night, I promise."

Dad looked like he was about to cry, while Mom looked proud of him.

"Remember Granny Tatie? She will be living with the both of you while you stay there. And don't worry, she had everything ready for your arrival." I playfully rolled my eyes at my mother.

"Mom! Me and Contessa can handle ourselves." She gave me a disapproving look and pinched my cheeks like a child.

"Ooh, my baby Bella! Mommy will miss you so much!" She says in an adoring tone. I laughed and told her to stop treating me like a baby, but that just made her do it more.

"Fine! I'm going to miss the both of you!" I admitted, they looked at each other and wrapped me in their arms. We were now in a tight group hug.

The hug lasted for almost a minute when a honk disturbed us. It was my light blue Chevrolet Spark. Mr. Calvin got out of the car.

"My apologies, Miss Spencer. Have I disturbed something?" I shook my head and smiled at him. "Oh no, Mr. Calvin. You didn't disturb anything," I said with a reassuring tone.

"Thank you, Miss Spencer. I will now load your luggage in the—"

"No Mr. Calvin, I'll do it for you," Dad says, cutting Mr. Calvin off.

He smiled, "You are a good man, Mr. Spencer." Dad shook his head. "Call me Bradley, Mr. Calvin. Mr. Spencer is my dad." Mr. Calvin chuckled and looked at me. "Miss Spencer, Miss Leslie is inside the car waiting." I smiled at Mr. Calvin and nodded.

After Dad had finished loading my luggage in the trunk, I gave him a hug and a kiss, likewise to my mom, who was on the verge of shedding tears.

I smiled at them, "Don't worry Mom, Dad. I'll only be away for 2 months, and I promise to phone you guys every day." I assured them. After I gave my last kiss and last hug to them, I boarded the Chevrolet Spark that was waiting for me.

As the car started to move, I waved them goodbye.

"Are you ready B?!" Contessa, who was sitting beside me, squealed.

"Of course I am! And besides, we can finally do something we both dreamed of doing!" Me and Contessa stared at each other with excitement.

"A SUMMER JOB!" We screamed in unison and laughed.

"Let's take pictures! I want to preserve and cherish this moment with my best friend!" She sneered.

The next minutes were just us taking random pictures. And when we got bored, I asked Mr. Calvin if we could play Taylor Swift's songs, and to our luck, he agreed! My phone was connected to the Bluetooth of the car and as soon as I played 'Love Story', Contessa and I started to sing along and to my surprise, Mr. Calvin even joined us! He even knew all the lyrics to her songs!

And so half of the trip went on like that. We kept singing along to all of Taylor's songs until we ran out of her songs. Silence started to fill the atmosphere. I scrolled down through my list of songs and found a whole album of Bob Marley's songs. I immediately clicked on it and 'One Love' was the first song on the list.

The trip was cool. Instead of singing along with Bob Marley, I decided to look out the window. Green plants were everywhere. I don't often see this in the city.

"Hey Contessa, what do you think about the countryside? Since it'll be like your first time there," I asked, looking out the window. I was waiting for her answer, but it turned out, she was fast asleep. I shook my head, what a knucklehead.

I turned my attention to Mr. Calvin, who was whistling to the tune of 'Buffalo Soldier'.

"Mr. Calvin, how long until we arrive?" He looked at me using the rear mirror. "About an hour and a half from now, Miss Spencer." I nodded.

Well, I guess now that my best friend is asleep, I should too as well. Besides, Mom woke me up at 5 am earlier, I needed to recharge my batteries.

~*~*~*~*~

"Bella! Wake up!" I rub my eyes and—

"Oh my gosh! She's here!"

"She's so beautiful in person!"

"Bella! Sign my forehead!"

People were surrounding my car. With phones, cameras, microphones, and posters of me. I was blinded by the flashes from their cameras, fans, and local news reporters.

"How did they know I was here?!" I hissed. They kept on knocking on the doors and windows, the flashes everywhere.

"I— I'm sorry Bella. I posted a picture of us about this trip and..." Contessa turned red, and cupped her face with her hands.

I gave myself a facepalm and shook my head. "Mr. Calvin, is there a way to get through this crowd?" I ask impatiently.

Mr. Calvin shook his head, "Apparently not, Miss Spencer. It seems like they blocked all the ways for us to go through." I took a deep breath and let out a hitched sigh.

Without thinking twice, I grabbed a piece of mint shoved it into my mouth, and headed outside.

As I got out of the car, their eyes glinted, mouths wide open, and silence occurred. They were starstruck—as to what most people call it.

"We love you, Bella Spencer!" The crowd shouted in unison. All I could muster at this moment was to smile and wave at them. This place didn't even bother to greet me like this before.

"What do you think about your arrival here, Miss Bella?" A reporter queried.

I was about to answer her when another reporter spoke up.

"Is it true that you came alone? Or with your best friend?"

Another one spoke up. "What are your summer plans here?"

Everywhere, left and right. Reporters, cameras, fans. Invading my personal space. I guess getting out of the car was a bad idea. I was about to rush back into the car when there was a fruity voice that caught everyone's attention. Including mine.

"May everyone calm down for a moment?" A guy says through a megaphone. He had a muscular frame, toffee messy brown curls, and tanned skin, I didn't see much of his face because he was wearing sunglasses and his head was down.

Once everyone saw the guy walking towards me, they stepped aside, giving him away. He was now in front of me. He put down the megaphone and took off his sunglasses. I accidentally looked into his eyes. He had heart-stopping crystal blue eyes, a Greek nose, and kissable lips. He's breathtaking. He offered his hand, I stared at it for a moment and then shook it. He was wearing a broad smile.

"Lovely afternoon, Miss Bella Spencer. Let me introduce myself..." He cleared his throat, "I am Tristan Hale Price, mayor of this wonderful town, and I welcome you to Cerno Hills." He kissed my hand. "And it would be my pleasure to be your personal tour guide for today." I smiled at his offer.

"Mr. Mayor, I am glad to accept that wonderful offer, but you see, I have my driver and best friend waiting in that car. Maybe we could do it som—" He cuts me off with an etiquette laugh.

"Let me assure you; my bodyguards will take care of the rest." He took my hand and glanced at me, "Come with me as you please." He walked me into the front seat of his 4x4 Ford Ranger.

As he got to the driver's seat, I felt him staring. I glanced at him. "Mr. Mayor, I am pretty sure you have some other important things to do rather than being my personal tour guide." He let out a laugh.

"Miss Bella, you are important. Because, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't cancel all of my meetings for today." He states and turns on the engine.

I looked at him in amusement. "How did you even now I was coming here?" I queried, he still had a broad smile on his face.

He started driving, "Of course, from our friendly locals. At first, I thought that it was some fake news but..." He looked at me from top to bottom, "it is not." He winked and trained his attention back to the road. I couldn't help myself but giggle.

"Mr. Mayor, you are such a charming man." I complimented the broad smile on his face turned into a sly smirk.

"Good thing that I now know what you think of me." He gazed at me. "And please, don't call me Mr. Mayor, that was my father. Call me yours instead." He winked.

I let out a childish laugh, "Not to sound rude but, you can be an outstanding comedian." I said sarcastically.

He mumbled something under his breath. I asked him what it was but instead of answering my question, he gave a coy expression.

My heart raced. He looked more alluring than he was earlier.

"Miss Bella, have you gone to lunch yet?" Gosh! He caught me staring at him. I felt my cheeks heat up, I quickly covered my face. This was embarrassing.

I heard him let out a sarcastic laugh, "Miss Bella, you don't have to be embarrassed. I'm used to stares but," He paused, his cheeks turning pink, my goodness, is he... blushing? "Your stare is different a-and, I want you to do it more often." He whispered.

I felt tiny butterflies celebrating in my stomach. I don't know if this conversation is awkward, or if it's—

"So have you gone to lunch yet?" He questioned, disturbing my thoughts. I shook my head, "Actually, I haven't yet, Mr. Mayor. I was planning to go with my best friend but—" I got distracted by the charming smile and his dimpled cheeks plastered on his face, I didn't even notice that he had dimpled earlier.

"Your best friend and...?" He spoke. I shook my head to stop myself from getting distracted. Damned that gorgeous face! "Are you alright Miss Spencer? You look... uneasy."

My attention drew back to his words, I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that your smile is distracting me," I whispered. He asked me to repeat the last part, but I ended up telling him I was hungry.

He took me to a local restaurant and said that it was his treat. After we ate, he drove me around town with all the beautiful sightings.

"So what do you think about Cerno Hills, Miss Bella?" He queried.

I gave him an honest smile, "I know everything about this town."

"You do?" He asked in shock. I nodded and giggled.

"I grew up here in Cerno Hills." I sighed, "Thank you so much for being with me the whole afternoon, Mr. Mayor. It feels so nice to be welcomed by you."

"It was my pleasure. And to tell you, I am blissful with your presence, Miss Bella."

"Likewise, Mr. Mayor." I smiled.

"Call me Tristan, I insist." I nodded. Tristan and I bid goodbye, but before I got to get out of the car, he stopped me and took something out of the backseat the back of handed me a beautifully wrapped medium-sized box.

I looked at him in confusion, "Don't open that until the 22nd of next month." He smiled, winked at me, and left.