55 Living together - the first day

So like a thief, Eric Wu stealthily entered the villa. He looked around to discover the presence of people. Seeing only the modern decoration, he proceeded towards the stair, ignoring the elevator next to it. He ascended in a pensive manner unaware that he was already on the second floor.

"E-Eric?"

Startled was Eric Wu once the familiar nervous voice called for him. He looked around and saw Bella Lim was reading a book near the sleek, marble fireplace pit in the living room. A purple cushion was used to elevate her hands that were holding the book. On a closer look, it was his latest published book.

"Where's little Ryan?" he casually asked as if earlier he hadn't made a wish not to run into her. Unexpectedly, he walked towards Bella Lim, sat across her and stretched his body. It all seemed natural except the woman who nervously peeked on him while trying not to be so obvious, hiding behind the thick book on her hand.

"Hmm?" he mumbled, trying to get the response that hadn't been given yet. Bella Lim immediately lowered her book and smiled nervously.

"H-He went to take his coloring supply," she explained, pointed to the coloring book lying on the table in front of her. Then, the book in her hand was rose again, a wall that hid the sight of a woman taking a deep breath in.

Bella Lim peeked at the man across her and for a while there, she was stunned. The loose necktie, plus the unbuttoned first button, made her took another long, deep breath. The silhouette of him under the dim, golden light, exuded a dangerously sexy sensation. Bella Lim was amazed at herself that such a normal after-work look of him actually made her heart race uncontrollably. However, such a feeling wasn't necessarily a good sign to her.

If she couldn't handle this, how was she supposed to stand the unknown time of her staying with him at the villa? Bella Lim bit her lower lip, trying to remind herself not to go overboard with the imagery so that she could still be proud of her sanity by the time she left the house.

Eric Wu saw the subtle change in her expression and was amused, returned was the man who loved to tease Bella Lim.

"You should thank little Ryan or else I would've punished you tonight,"

Punish?

"You promised not to stutter anymore. I'm thinking of putting you into labor right away,"

Ohh... Bella Lim exhaled a big sigh, a reaction that was properly hidden behind the book she held. Just now, her perverse mind was quick to jump to a conclusion when she heard Eric Wu's first sentence. Thank morality for his quick help in getting her back to her so-called innocent self.

"I-I think i-it will take t-time," she answered with the worst stutter she could manage.

Eric Wu laughed when he heard Bella Lim's reply. He had the urge to yank the book in her hand so that he could see her blushing face. Apparently, his mind was liking the image of her nervous state.

God!

Eric Wu internally gasped. He couldn't believe that his feeling towards Bella Lim had transcended to the level of admiring her reaction towards him. At the same time, he felt his lips were sealed by an unknown force. Right now, he was clueless about what to say. An awkward silence began.

Right at that moment, of course, little pumpkin who went to retrieve his coloring supply save the two adults!

"Big brother Eric!" little pumpkin jumped in front of Eric Wu, trying to surprise him. He was so excited when he saw him from afar sitting in the living room. Since the time he officially became the resident of Hillside Villa, he had hoped to see the hero of his life.

Little pumpkin appearance with a statement startled both Eric Wu and Bella Lim, while at the same time broke the tension away. Eric Wu was glad that little Ryan made his appearance. He rose from the comfortable seat to scoop the little boy off the ground and cradled him gently into his arm.

"My boy!" he was meant to say, savior.

"Where have you been hiding, huh?" and this sentence was supposed to be said as 'thank you for the perfect timing,'

Little pumpkin giggled as he hugged Eric Wu's neck.

"Little pumpkin went to take those," he said while pointing to the box of coloring pencils that was thrown to the floor so that his surprise was impactful.

"Little pumpkin? Who gave you such a not-so-cute nickname?" Eric Wu laughed as he tried not to say 'lame'. He had heard of Bella Lim calling the little boy with such a name, yet he purposely asked that question to get to her nerve again.

It seemed that teasing her was the natural course for Eric Wu.

"Big sis does. Is it not cute big brother Eric?" little pumpkin asked with his head cocked to the left. His big eyes were staring curiously at Eric Wu. Personally, he had no issue being called as little pumpkin.

"Not cute at all," Eric Wu shook his head in an exaggerated manner and sneakily glanced at Bella Lim who was engrossed with the book in her hand or probably not. The proximity between the book surface and her face gave an assumption that she either was too into the book or just short-sighted.

"Really?" little pumpkin asked.

"Yes. The person who gave you this nickname probably wants to make you a pumpkin," a reply was given by Eric Wu with the support of his confident face.

Little pumpkin thought for a while and stared at the direction of his big sister who wasn't paying attention to them at all.

"But, big sis gives me this nickname," he said in a sad tone. His big eyes fell onto his sister, hoping that she would give him a verbal response to support her decision of giving the name to him. However, the other wasn't saying anything at all.

"Big sis..." little pumpkin was at the brink of tears now. Eric Wu who saw the little boy getting emotional walked towards Bella Lim and kicked her right foot. That elicited a groan from the oblivious woman.

Bella Lim closed her book with a loud bang and rose from her sitting position. She faced Eric Wu who was holding little pumpkin in his arms and heaved out. Her expression was livid.

As she listened to their conversation, she could feel her palpitated heart changed to a flare of anger. Patience, she told herself for she knew that man was making fun of her again. Alas, little pumpkin's response made her feel the opposite. One kick and she fell into a fit.

"Little pumpkin, here," she called in a strict manner, arms were wide open. She noticed his hesitation and initiated the movement, taking the little boy into her arms now.

"Eric, don't you dare downgrade my love for him," she lashed out at Eric Wu. The man's gaze narrowed as he mused over the state Bella Lim was in. It seemed that she could talk properly when she was angry.

The hands that encircled little pumpkin's body became tight. Bella Lim looked into his eyes and said, "Don't listen to his nonsense okay?" she persuaded.

"But, big brother Eric said the name is not cute--at all," little pumpkin spoke, rising the tone as he pronounced the last two words. Bella Lim glared at Eric Wu who was looking at her as if she was an entertainment.

"No-no, you're the cutest thing that ever happens to big sis. Your big brother Eric is just joking," Bella Lim patted little pumpkin's head, comforting the moping boy. Then, she glared at Eric Wu while mouthed the phrase, 'fix this!'.

Eric Wu grinned as he walked closer towards the duo. "Sorry little Ryan. Your big sis is right, you're deserving of that name," he said as he squeezed little pumpkin's chubby cheek.

"That's indeed a cute nickname," he added.

Little pumpkin who had his eyes wetted, brightened. He looked at Eric Wu in disbelieved, "But big brother Eric hated the name," he pouted.

"Actually, big brother Eric wanted to see if your big sis would get angry. Imagine her yelling at me while stuttering," Eric Wu revealed his hidden agenda. Laughter skipped his lips afterward as he noticed the bewildered look of Bella Lim.

"Hehehe, so big brother Eric used me to tease big sis? meanieeee~ poor big sis!" little pumpkin cupped his mouth with both hands. Giggle in his eyes. When he saw Eric Wu nodded, he could no longer stop the laughter he tried so hard to suppress. He held out his hands, asking for Eric Wu to take him away. Soon, Bella Lim was left standing alone in the living room. Both Eric Wu and little pumpkin who rested in his arms were heading to the elevator, still laughing.

What just happened? Bella Lim moved her jaw in consternation.

Did she just get played? She let out a chuckle, followed by another. Her face in total confusion, although she finally realized the stupid reason that brought about the entire scene.

She collapsed into the sofa and looked straight with loose eyes.

For God's sake, this was only her first day living with Eric Wu!

Bella Lim wanted to cry but seemed like her own tears were teasing her as they refused to make an appearance, leaving the woman looked drained and hopeless.

"Bella,"

That voice shot her up. Bella Lim looked towards the owner of the voice. Eric Wu and little pumpkin were both staring at her.

"Let's go eat," Eric Wu spoke. His lips alongside the angle of his eyes were smiling. A smile that once again sent Bella Lim into disarray.

She walked towards them in a daze.