Chapter 45 Intimacy
Inexplicable happiness adorned Bella as she woke up from the cozy bed.
It was 7:30 in the morning, Bella got up from bed, took a bath, and went to her room to match an outfit for the day.
She chose a white short-sleeved V-neck shirt with an aqua blue skirt which was in a British vintage style. Though her dress was complete, she felt like something was missing in her apparel.
Bella looked into the mirror twice and all of a sudden had a ping inside her head.
She immediately took out a printed silk scarf from the closet and tied it around her neck.
Perfect! She got the inspiration for this look from the recent hit TV show - 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'.
Bella opened her handbag, took out the lipstick, and smeared it on her lips. The red lips accentuated her flawless fair complexion.
She nodded in satisfaction at her absolute work peering into the mirror and strode out of the room to wake up Edward.
Bella knocked on the door of Edward's room and called him. "Lazybones, get up. Don't forget that Dr. Leonard will come for a checkup today."
There was no response from the room and Bella called a few more times before Edward gave a response.
As soon as Edward opened the door, he was stunned by the beauty standing in front of him.
The color match of her lips and face was a thorough contrast and hence an odd combination. But Bella's curvaceous and charming figure accompanied by a dignified temperament neutralized the feeling of visual conflict.
His eyes involuntarily deflected to her deep cleavage but rerouted them elsewhere and swallowed with a strong sense of self-control.
'Is she going to wear that outfit to the office?' He thought. It was not okay for him. Just imagining other men ogling at her was enough to drive him crazy with jealousy.
Edward frowned in displeasure and asked her, "How did you think of dressing like this?"
"Miriam Midge Maisel was dressed like this," Bella raised an eyebrow innocently. Not able to pick up the displeasure in his tone, she walked to the kitchen and microwaved two sandwiches.
"Miriam Midge Maisel didn't show her cleavage like that and didn't tell me you're going to the office dressed that way," Edward said, going hot under the collar.
Bella stared back at him with a surprised look, as if Edward had traveled from some primitive uncivilized era, and snorted out a laugh.
"Please don't say such silly things. Even my ninety-eight-year-old great-grandmother won't make such foolish rules upon me!" Bella retaliated.
She brought the warm sandwiches to the table and handed one of them to Edward, "Eat. I will go to work when you're done."
Edward didn't touch the sandwich and said seriously. "Thank you, Bella. But I think we need to talk first. I don't think it's appropriate to wear such revealing clothes to work. Dressing professionally would make you look more elegant. Trust me."
"That's your opinion, not mine. In my viewpoint, it's my ability and work ethic that determines my competence, not the color of the stockings I wear or the height of my heels." Bella put down the sandwich she was holding and crossed her arms over her chest, looking straight at Edward.
"I know it's your damn possessiveness that made you say words like that and I can understand that. It's because we're married. But you should admit that you're jealous instead of trying to convince me with lame excuses," Bella added.
Edward approached her in his wheelchair and said, "Yes, you're right. I asked you to do that because I was afraid that other men would covet your beauty. I'm sorry that my behavior offended you. I will treat you with enough respect in the future, I promise."
Bella nodded, took Edward's hand in hers, and soothed him, "I'm not mad at you. Wait a minute." She stood up and raced to her room. Two minutes later she walked out wearing a gray suit much to the relief of her husband.
"I change my clothes not because you were right." Bella walked up to Edward and rubbed her lips to his ear seductively, "But because I love you."
With those words, too shy to look at him again, she waved goodbye and scurried out of the house.
When Bella disappeared, Edward got up from his wheelchair, went back to his room, took off the pajamas he was wearing, changed into a suit, and walked out of the house.
Edward would see Bella off a distance and let Andrew drive him to the office. This was a regular part of Edward's workday routine since he and Bella had been living together.
Edward was aware of someone spying the moment he walked out of the house. He stood frozen in place for a second and then walked resolutely out the door. The spy was just a weak human, not worthy of his own hands.
Behind the red-brick cottage was a vacant lot where a silver car was parked and Andrew the chauffeur was waiting for him in it like always.
When Andrew saw Edward approaching, he hurriedly got out of the car, opened the door for Edward, and escorted his boss to the car.
As Andrew drove towards Skytel, he observed the president through the front-view mirror. His boss's mood determined whether his day would be easy or awful. Thankfully the president was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood. Andrew blinked afraid it was only his illusion.
"It's strange. The president had always been serious. Why does he look so happy today?" Andrew asked himself in a low voice.
"Andrew, has the task given to you been completed?" Edward asked coldly.
Andrew hurriedly retracted his gaze from the front view mirror and carefully replied, "Yes, sir, I have asked Leonard to forge a medical file. As for the stalker, I have sent someone to investigate and the results will be available soon."
The car soon arrived at the entrance of the company. Edward put on his mask, got out, and walked into the company. He ignored the heated stares of women and walked straight into the special elevator, the corners of his mouth rising slightly the moment the doors were closed.
'It's the beginning of a new day, Bella,' Edward thought.
***
Bob the stalker had been lurking around Bella's house, watching her and Edward's every move. Bob's head was thickly bandaged and he limped as he walked. Since he had been hospitalized, the company had sent someone to visit him only once, gave him a $1,000 pension, and told him that they had given him a six-month vacation.
'Bah! Son of a bitch!' Bob cursed in his heart, knowing he had no chance of going back to work. He had lost his source of income and was now reduced to working as a detective to subsidize his life.
However, he also ran this errand not only for money but to reveal the true nature of Edward and save Bella.
It had been a long time since he last saw her. Bella was getting more beautiful. Her body became curvier, her chestnut hair turned shinier, and her beautiful face, those red lips were tempting him to step closer to her and get a taste of them.
"Bella, wait for me," he whispered in the direction she left.