Chapter Twenty-two

Chris immediately walked up to Bella in long strides and wrapper her in his arms in a tight hug.

He held Bella close like his life depended on it.

"I missed you." Chris said nuzzling his nose into her hair.

She was still in shock because of his action. She never expected Chris to react the way he was.  It took a while for her to hug him back but she hugged him back eventually relaxing into his arm. She usually felt protected anytime she was around him.

"Chris?" Bella called out after a while.

"Chris are you okay?" Bella asked with concern lacing her voice.

"Is everything okay?" Bella asked but Chris didn't say a word instead he tightened his grip around her. Chris released her and kissed her forehead.

Again Bella was shocked by his action.

"Why have you been ignoring me?" Chris asked with concern.

"I wasn't really ignoring you intentionally. I was just really busy. My schedule has been really tight. " Even though Bella intentionally ignored Chris calls she lied about it.

"How are you coping?" Chris asked

"Am actually coping really well. One of my strength is my ability to work under pressure." Bella said with confidence

"Am glad you finally achieved your dream." Chris said smiling

"Have you taken dinner yet?" Bella asked

"Umm. No." Chris replied

"Let's go in then." Bella said dragging Chris behind her

"Are you sure that's ok?" Chris asked nervously

"Of course." Bella replied with a smile.

Bella opened the front door and everyone was surprised to see Chris.

"Hi everyone." Chris greeted.

"Hi Chris." Vera greeted with a smile

"Christian." Joe greeted

"Hi." Raquel , Jayden and Kayden greeted.

"Come in." Bella said motioning for Chris to enter the house.

Chris sat comfortably and got along really well with  Joe. The twins didn't really like him because he took away their sisters car even though he returned it.

Chris and Joe were laughing so hard after a while because they had common interest. Although they were both workaholics but they both liked the same comedy series.

Bella and her mum couldn't help but shake their head. They decided to make Ofada rice with sauce. Although Bella and her mum are pure British, they both had a thing for Nigerian food. It was easier for Vera to learn how to make Nigerian dishes because Tatiana, Bianca's mum is Nigerian although she got married to a British man.

Bella was asked to cut onion and she got to it. She became distracted looking at Chris and cut herself.

"Ahhhhish." she cried out

"Are you okay." Chris said jumping up from the couch and headed straight to the kitchen. He held Bella's hand up and couldn't bear to see her in pain.

"Sorry." Joe said

"Ella why are you so careless." Vera said scolding Bella

Raquel came in after a while with the first aid kit. Chris treated and wrapped Bella's hands. She couldn't taker her eyes off him because she felt so attached to him.

"Thank you." Bella muttered not taking her eyes of Chris. Chris raised his eyes to look at Bella's beautiful eyes. He became so mesmerised with her eyes that he couldn't take his eyes off her. They were both lost in each others eyes still holding hands.

"Ahhhhhhh! Get a room." Raquel said with an eye roll.

Bella was a bit embarrassed. She swiftly removed her hands from Christian's hold. Chris smiled before standing up while Bella went back to the kitchen.

Few minutes later the food was ready. Vera instructed Raquel to go and call the boys.

"Dinner is ready." Bella called out as they set the table.

Joe and Chris sat on the dining table while Vera served them.

"This smells delicious." Chris said smiling.

"The food is kinda spicy." Vera said.

"It is called Ofada rice and it's one of my favourite so I decided to share with you guys." Vera said.

"Bella sat beside Chris as they ate dinner. They prayed before they started eating which came as a surprise to Chris.

The rest of the dinner went well. Bella's phone started ringing. It was Susan from work.

"Hi Suzy." Bella greeted

"Hi Ella, are you free tonight by any chance?" Susan asked nervously.

"Ummm. I am. What's up why did you ask?" Bella asked

"Well. I don't know if you can fill in for me. My flight was scheduled for Birmingham but I won't be able to make it due to family emergency. My daughter has bacteria infection." Susan said

"What time is the flight supposed to take off?" Bella asked

"11:45 pm" Susan replied

"Okay. That's fine." Bella said

"Take care of your baby. I wish her quick recovery." Bella said

"Thanks so much Ella. I really appreciate it." Susan said sincerely. She had called her other colleagues that were free but none of them were willing to fill her space. Bella was her last hope and she didn't think Bella of all people would fill in for her considering the fact that they don't really talk.

"It's okay Suzy. Take care." Bella said before dropping the call.

"I have to get dressed for work." Bella said standing up

"Let me drop you off." Chris offered.

"No it's fine. I'll take a cab." Bella said

"You know I don't take no for an answer." Chris said staring at Bella.

"Let him drop you off." Jayden said getting up from the table

"Thanks for dinner. I really enjoyed the delicacy." Chris said smiling

About an hour later Bella was fully dressed in her uniform.

Vera and the boys were still in the living room keeping Chris company when Bella came downstairs. Raquel and her dad had already left.

"Am off guys." Bella said before walking out of the door.

Bella got into the passengers sit while Chris got into the drivers seat.

"Do you derive pleasure in changing your cars?" Bella said playfully

"Am a sucker for cars." Chris replied focusing on the road.

" Tsk..tsk..tsk." Bella said shaking her head.