Bella should be thankful for what Edward gave last night. Besides being invited to watch their favorite movie, she was even treated to delicious food, and on the way home, they stopped by a bakery where Bella was allowed to buy anything she liked.
So, as a gesture of gratitude, Bella purposely woke up earlier this morning. She chose some ingredients to later prepare into a breakfast menu to be given and enjoyed by Edward before going to work.
“You’re pregnant, Miss. Why don’t you just relax in your room?”
Bella, who was cooking, was surprised to find Clara suddenly appearing. Bella was surprised because her assistant had returned home early in the morning. Yet, as far as she knew, Clara was busy taking care of her son who was hospitalized yesterday.
“Clara… why are you here? How’s your son condition?”
Bella joined in the concern. She was afraid that something bad might happen to her assistant’s child. Especially since they had been separated because Clara had to be busy taking care of Bella.
“His condition is much better now.”
“Ah, thank goodness.” Bella nodded in relief. Then, her eyebrows knitted in surprise. “So, why did you come back? Why not just accompany your son for a while? I’ve even conveyed your message to Mr. Edward. He granted you leave for the next few days.”
Clara smiled. Approaching, she helped stir the minced meat in Bella’s pot.
“No need. My son’s condition is much better now. There’s Mom and my younger sibling to keep him company. Besides, I can’t stay away for too long. Who will take care of all your needs then, Miss?”
Bella sighed. Was she a child that needed to be looked after and taken care of?
“Oh my God. You’re exaggerating. I’m not a child or an elderly person. Why worry? I don’t even feel nauseous or vomit at all. I’m not picky about food and drink either.”
“But, you tend to be reckless when unsupervised. As evidenced by you being busy in the kitchen this morning. Instead of resting or sleeping.”
Bella smiled. She pinched Clara affectionately who was right beside her.
“You! For heaven’s sake, I’m perfectly fine. I don’t know if this is just happening to me, or if all pregnant women are like this. But, I really don’t encounter any difficulties. Actually, I’m capable of doing anything as usual.”
“No,” Clara disagreed with a shake of her head. “You shouldn’t do unnecessary things. Don’t we both know that Mr. and Mrs. Cullen want you to relax and focus on taking care of the pregnancy? That’s why, it’s better for you to return to your room now. Let me continue cooking.”
Now, it was Bella’s turn to disagree. Shaking her head, she declined Clara’s offer.
“No… no. I have to finish cooking myself. Just so you know, I deliberately prepared a full English breakfast and Bangers and Mash this morning to be served and enjoyed by Mr. Edward as a token of appreciation.”
Clara was surprised. Turning, her brow furrowed in confusion.
“Token of appreciation?”
Bella nodded.
“Yes. A thank-you for accompanying me to the cinema last night.”
Clara was taken aback. She became even more surprised hearing Bella’s story. Then, her face looked uneasy and guilty.
“OMG. I apologize once again. This must be because I didn’t accompany you. But, I didn’t expect that Mr. Edward would eventually accompany you.”
Bella laughed.
“I was even shocked myself and didn’t expect him to offer to accompany me. Especially since during my stay here, I know he often behaves coldly and sternly.”
Clara didn’t deny it. As a longtime worker, she knew Edward’s nature.
“Don’t worry. Actually, Mr. Edward is a good person. For someone he just met, he may seem cold, even arrogant. But, I assure you, over time his attitude will soften towards you.”
“Oh, really?” Bella looked at Clara incredulously. “But, come to think of it, he sometimes is nice.”
Clara agreed.
“Yes. As a long-time worker, I know Mr. Edward’s character. Originally, he is gentle and caring. Mrs. Julia is very lucky to have a husband like him.”
Bella nodded. For a moment, she thought about why she wasn’t the one destined to be Edward’s wife. If she came from the same social class, maybe there would be a chance to be with that handsome man.
“All the dishes are ready. Let me help arrange and serve them. Please go and shower quickly, then get ready for breakfast.”
Bella agreed to Clara’s offer. She hurried to shower, then returned to the dining room to check the food once again, neatly arranged on the table. Within two minutes, Edward appeared, descending the stairs and entering the dining room.
“Good morning, Sir,” Bella ventured to greet. “This morning, I intentionally prepared breakfast for you.”
“Why did you prepare breakfast?” Edward wondered. “Is the chef in this house on leave?”
“Oh, no,” Bella quickly shook her head. “I deliberately prepared some breakfast menus for you as a thank-you for last night’s gift.”
Instead of thanking her, Edward just sighed. “You shouldn’t have to do things like this. There’s no need to go to the trouble of preparing breakfast or pastries or whatever for me.”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll just finish it myself.”
From the doorway, Kairos appeared. Like a ghost, for some reason, he often came without invitation.
With a broad smile and relaxed steps, Kairos even pulled a chair. Without hesitation, he sat himself right next to the host.
“Good morning, Princess Bella. You look very beautiful this morning.”
Bella blushed. “Thank you. You’re exaggerating.”
“No, you are beautiful. I dare to swear that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met in this world.”
Edward, listening in, looked like he wanted to vomit. He felt nauseated himself hearing Kairos’s exaggerated flattery. He wanted to stop it, but his friend kept babbling on.
“For heaven’s sake, Bella. When you’re done with Julia’s business, please let me know. It seems I’m interested in proposing to you.” Kairos smiled suggestively. Because Bella was close by, he tried to flirt by reaching for her wrist, intending to kiss it.
“No need for kissing!” Edward once again intervened. He wouldn’t let that playboy disturb the woman who was currently pregnant with his child.
“Why not? Is there a sign on Bella’s body saying she shouldn’t be touched or kissed?”
“Of course not,” Edward replied. “But, I don’t want my future child in Bella’s womb to be contaminated with the deadly virus in your body.”
“A deadly virus?” Kairos laughed. “What your future child will be contaminated with is the aura of my handsomeness and also the wealth I possess.”
Edward could only sigh. He was tired of dealing with Kairos like this in the morning.
“What do you actually want coming to my house so early?”
Kairos didn’t answer immediately. Opening a plate, he took a piece of cake and another menu.
“You ask why I came to your house?”
Edward nodded casually. “It’s not even eight in the morning yet.”
“Of course, I’m here because I want to settle scores with you. How could you lock up my phone, even hide it in the cinema’s toilet locker last night?”
Edward chuckled at Kairos’s sour expression. He just remembered that he had deliberately pranked his friend last night.
“You definitely deserve that, don’t you?”
“You scoundrel!” the man cursed in frustration. “Just so you know, I was locked in the toilet for an hour, and I swear I’ll get back at you, Ed.”
Kairos sighed. His face clearly showed his extreme annoyance. How could Edward casually lock him in the toilet like that? And now he didn’t seem to feel guilty at all, let alone apologize.
“Enough. No need to get angry. It’s better for you to have breakfast now. Don’t you want to eat the food Bella prepared?”
Kairos agreed this time. “Yes, because I’m so annoyed, I’m hungry.”
“Please enjoy your breakfast. Then we’ll get ready to go.”
***
These past few days, just like any other day, Bella spent her time taking care of flowers, baking with Clara, or just watching television. Nothing special, she even felt a bit bored.
However, Bella had to be patient. There was still a long time to stay in the Cullen family’s residence.
“Miss, it’s already late. You should get ready to rest.”
Clara reminded Bella, who was watching television in the living room. Since it was already ten o’clock, she didn’t want Bella to stay up late, which might disturb her health and the baby’s.
“Yes, Clara. I’ll go to bed after I finish my milk.”
“In that case, finish it quickly.”
Bella laughed seeing Clara waiting for her. She hurriedly drank up her milk, then prepared to return to her room.
“I’ll go to bed now. See you tomorrow—”
Before Bella could finish speaking to Clara, the door of the house opened. Both of them turned, finding Edward entering with a pale face, accompanied by Kairos.
“Sir.”
Clara and Bella approached. They hurriedly went to Edward.
“What’s wrong with Mr. Edward?” Bella asked worriedly to Kairos.
“I’m okay,” Edward replied. He looked weak.
“How okay? You almost fainted.”
Then Kairos helped Edward to the room. While Clara prepared warm water, Bella chose to follow behind Kairos.
When they arrived in the room, Kairos helped lay Edward on the bed. Then he invited Bella out of the room to talk before he left.
“What actually happened?” Bella asked curiously.
“I don’t know. Since this afternoon, Edward has been acting like a drunkard. He keeps complaining of headaches and has vomited several times. I wanted to take him to the hospital. But, he insisted on being brought home.”
“Oh my God.” Bella became even more worried. “Do we need to call a doctor to the house? Or contact Mrs. Julia to let her know Mr. Edward’s condition?”
“No need,” Kairos replied lazily. “Don’t bother telling Julia. The doctor will come soon to check his condition.”
After the doctor, whom Kairos called, finally arrived, he examined Edward for a while, then diagnosed the illness he was experiencing.
“How is it, doctor? Is there something to worry about?”
The doctor shook his head.
“Nothing. It’s just a common fever. But if he still feels nauseous and vomits tomorrow, I suggest taking him to the hospital immediately.”
After the doctor left and before he really left, Kairos approached Bella. Speaking seriously, he left a message.
“Please help take care of Edward’s condition until tomorrow. If his condition doesn’t improve, please call me. Or, just take him to the hospital immediately.”
Bella nodded in agreement. She agreed to Kairos’s request to take care of Edward. After Kairos said goodbye, she returned to the room to receive a glass of warm water from Clara to give to Edward.
“Sir, please drink this warm water so your stomach can warm up a bit.”
Edward didn’t refuse. He accepted the glass Bella offered. He finished drinking it, then handed it back to Bella.
“In that case, you can go back to rest. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
Then, Bella intended to leave. However, when she was about to turn around, unexpectedly Edward grabbed her wrist, then pulled her while speaking softly.
“Don’t go anywhere.”