Chapter Thirty-six

The next morning, Bella, her mum and Raquel made their way to the resort Bella had booked for the proposal. The boys had already informed their mum that they'd be traveling to Manchester with Joe to watch their favourite match that weekend. She had no clue that they'd be going to the resort as well.

Bella volunteered to drive the ladies to the resort, they got there in no time and made there way into their room. Bella and Raquel were to share the same room while Vera had a room to her self. Few minutes after their arrival at the resort called Westbangal Bella got a text from the rest of the planning crew that they had arrived. Bella made sure there rooms were on another wing of the resort so as for Vera not to find out.

Bella signalled to Raquel that others had arrived and she needed to get out of the room. Raquel understood the signal perfectly so she made up an excuse that'd enable Bella to get out.

"Unnie, can you ask what they have on the menu for this evening? I'm hungry." Raquel said

"You can call the room service." Vera said.

"I'd just go. I have some other enquiries to make as well." Bella said making her way out of the room to the second wing of the resort.

She was busy typing away on her phone when she bumped into someone which made her stop abruptly to apologize.

"I'm sorry." She said before looking up to meet a pair of the grey eyes she saw on one of her flight.

"Mr Neil?" She asked with a very surprised expression.

"Ella." Neil replied with a very friendly smile.

"What are you doing here." Bella asked still dazed

"This is my resort." Neil replied with confidence.

"Oh wow." Bella exclaimed

"Why are you here?" Neil said throwing the question right back at her.

"I have a surprise planned for my mum." Bella replied before another message came in from Alexia asking where she was

"Sorry I've got to go, my friends are looking for me." Bella said raising her phone slightly

"Sure." Do enjoy your stay.

"Thank you., You got a really lovely resort by the way." Bella said with a smile before walking away. She had just taken about four steps when Neil called out.

"Ella." Neil said causing Bella to turn with questioning eyes.

"Hope those ladies no longer hit you." Neil asked before Bella could leave.

"Someone hits you?" Bella heard her friend Liam's voice which really surprised her.

"No." Bella replied

"You didn't tell your friends?" Neil asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"What are you hiding from us?" Alexia asked but Bella didn't say a word till they got to Alexia's room

"Ria and Tracy actually hit me severally on board few days ago when we were going to Birmingham." Bella explained to her friends.

"Am going to freaking kill those girls when we get back!" Alexia said in anger

"Why are we just hearing about it?" Liam asked with a frown.

"Because I didn't want Alexia to kill anyone and I really do not want to be the reason why Ria and Tracy would loose their licence." Bella explained

"You're too nice for my liking. Why do you care if they lost their licence. They should have known better not to bully you." Alexia said

"Do you think Mr Hampson would keep quiet if he heard about it?" Liam asked.

"I'll just have to avoid them so nobody gets hurt." Bella said with a shurg.

"You're one dumb ass honestly." Alexia said with a scoff.

" I agree with her on that. You're dumb as fuck." Liam said with an eye roll

"Okay..okay guy, you can criticise me later but let's get to work now." Bella said cutting them off.

"Whatever Ella." Alexia said walking away while Liam and Bella followed.

Bella soon returned to her room just in time when Vera came knocking with Raquel. Bella has always had the intention of asking Raquel about what she about having a boyfriend so she motioned for her to sit on the bed beside her.

"So tell me baby. How come you had a boyfriend and you never told me about him?" Bella asked

"Awwwwn." Raquel squealed covering her face with pillow.

"Unnie he's just a crush." Raquel said

"Really baby.. you have a crush on someone?" Vera said

"Yes but he doesn't like me." Raquel said with a sad face.

"Really.. baby why do you think so?" Bella asked.

"He likes Nikky Grace. She's the school queen." Raquel said

"Awwn baby!" Bella said pulling Raquel in for a hug.

"Do you know what guys." Bella said in excitement.

"What's that?" Vera and Raquel asked

"Do you know that necklace I got on my graduation?" Bella asked

"Yes what's up with it." Vera asked

"Chris actually got me the necklace." Bella said

"Oh... You just solved the puzzle?" Vera asked not surprised.

"Tsk tsk tsk. You just found out?" Raquel said shaking her head.

Vera and Raquel's expression really shocked Bella.

"How did you guys know?" Bella asked

"I actually decoded it the day he sent you that dress from Hailey." Vera said with a shurg.

"Well I knew the first time I saw you guys together." Raquel said.

"Wow!." Bella exclaimed.

" So are you guys now official?" Vera asked.

"No mum. My career is just starting I don't want to ruin it." Bella said

"Honey I understand that your career is just starting and you've worked really hard to get where you are today but if you like someone just go for it. Am sure Chris wouldn't want to ruin your career. Am sure you guys would figure out a way to make your relationship work." Vera said holding Bella's shoulder.

" Thanks mum." Bella said.

"You're welcome darling." Vera said hugging Bella and Raquel while they hugged her back.

"Aunt Vera." Raquel called out.

"Yes baby." Vera replied.

"Can I call you mum?" Raquel asked with a sad face

All the blood in Vera's face dried because of how shocked she was hearing Raquel's question.

"Yes baby! Yes you can." Vera replied smiling really hard with tears forming in her eyes because of how happy she was.

"Thanks mum." Raquel said hugging Vera tight while Vera did the same.

Bella couldn't help the smile that formed on her face from watching Vera and Raquel's moment. She brought out her phone to take pictures of the special moment.

It was getting late so Vera decided to go back to her room. Bella and Raquel were to sleep in the same room.

Joe had informed Bella few minutes ago that they had arrived and they were now in their rooms. Bianca couldn't make it down due to her condition which Bella totally understood.

The next morning the weather was colder than usual so they had to change the setting. Mr Anderson had booked a yacht prior to the visit.

Bella, the twins, Liam and Alexia went to the yacht to start with the decoration. Bella had to leave after a while because she knew her mum would start looking for her.

Bella's phone started ringing as soon as she got to room. It was Chris calling.

"Hello." Bella said

"Hi babe, hope you arrived safely." Chris asked.

"Yes. We did." Bella replied with a smile.

"Am sorry I didn't call through out yesterday." Chris said

"No no it's no problem at all. It's fine." Bella replied with a smile.

"Okay then. Hope you're good? " Chris asked

"Yes am fine and you? How's work." Bella asked

"Am fine too and work is fine." Chris replied with a smile.

"Am glad I got to hear your voice." Chris said.

"Same here." Bella replied with a smile.

"You don't have to come tomorrow if you're busy. You can always attend the wedding." Bella said.

"Christal I said I'd attend." Chris said.

"But what if she says no?" Bella asked, worry lacing her voice.

"Babe. Whatever happens tomorrow, am sure your mum has her reasons so whatever the outcome might be don't beat yourself up." Chris said

"Okay. Thank you." Bella replied with a smile.

"When does your break end?" Chris asked

"Monday. I have a flight on Monday." Bella said.

"Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow." Chris said

"Alright bye." Bella said

Bella was on her way to Vera's room when she heard someone call her name. She saw Neil waving at her.

"Hi Neil." She said waving back with a smile.

"I hope things didn't get awkward between you and your friends because of what I said yesterday. I honestly didn't know you didn't tell them." Neil said feeling apologetic.

"It's fine really." Bella said with a smile.

"I just didn't like the fact that someone bullied you." Neil said with a shurg.

"Yeah I understand and thanks for asking. It shows how much you care." Bella said with a smile.

"I was actually wondering if you'd be busy tonight." Neil asked.

Bella thought about it for a while.

"Well I don't think so. Why did ask though?" Bella asked

"I was wondering if I could invite you for dinner." Neil said rubbing in neck, searching Bella's face for answers.

"Ok, sure. I can't say no to free food." Bella said with a smile.

"Alright then see you tonight." Neil said smiling brightly.

"Yeah. Sure." Bella said before leaving.