Chapter 5:

  Green bushy trees scattered across the large plots of freshly cut grass, decorated with a fruit patch at the far left hand side. Beside it sits a huge rectangular glass mansion, its glass walls glinting under the moonlit evening.

Situated right in the middle of a garden is a swimming pool, its blue water looks like a thousand sparkling diamonds from where Bella stood looking in awe and clutching onto her grey jacket tightly.

   Seemingly endless green land, a daunting American castle soared high into the early dawn of the evening. Tall columns and large cascading windows spanned over the dark glass of the vast exterior.

The lush view of the outside evoked undeniable magnificence - meticulously sculpted bushes lining clean walkways, varieties of flowers ready to open and greet the early morning and superbly manicures lawns that were perfect for barefoot play.

   Bella stares openmouthed at the whole place in awe, just then her breath hitched in her throat and her mouth goes dry. She was transfixed by the tall dark haired man that stepped into view and surveyed over the whole place before his deep eyes landed on her small frame. With a conventional but dignified tilt of the head, Alexander nodded silently at his driver a quiet sign he could leave and let his boss take it from here.

   The sharp man descended down the staircase in his sleek, fitted tux that threatened to accentuate his muscular, lean frame. His cheeks were as a chiseled, finely carved statue of the Renaissance. Magical darling dimples indented freshly shaved skin when he revealed the first smile of the evening.

It looked genuine and a bit weird but it was less scary than the first time and Bella found it cute. His dark brown waves packed into sleek tapered coif. Of all the things that drew Bella to him most, it wasn't his entrancing allure - it was his bright eyes. They were an admirable bright grey and it was an appropriate shade for a man so poise and regal.

Bella suddenly felt intimidated by his mere presence. The young brunette writer was glad he hadn't taken his eyes off her since he started the walk towards her, she would have passed out if she didn't have anything to hold her captivated till she learnt how to use her lungs again because breathing was now a chore her little brain could hardly comprehend.

She couldn't breath. She couldn't move. She couldn't speak. Bella summer Rains was in total awe.

Everything about him screamed poise and sophisticated. She didn't know exactly how rich he was even with their exquisite first date and quite frankly she was afraid to find out but one thing Bella was sure about Alexander Thunder was that the man liked to go all out.

"Good evening Bella Rains. Hope your drive wasn't that hectic and you got your flowers?"

His deep voice further stupefied Bella, she had heard it on so many occasion and one would think she was now used to it, apparently not. His voice was barely above a whisper, the coldness of the evening air did no justice as Bella felt hot all over. She still couldn't speak.

"Oh come on! I don't look that bad, do I?"

He joked. That quickly snapped her out of whatever trance she was in and she coughs awkwardly before responding.

"Oh! N... No not at all. Hi Xander. Was my uncertainty that obvious?"

She knew it was, she wanted to humor him.

"No of course not. You just looked like your cat scratched you on the back and you had to take a shit"

He shrugged nonchalantly,

"A normal face for any occasion I suppose"

Bella laughed. Hard.

"I don't own a cat"

She says with a wide smile,

"There it is the perfect smile. Thank you for coming tonight"

He whispers as he offers Bella his arm, which she takes gratuitously with a smile.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world"

"Glad to hear that Flower. You look absolutely stunning tonight by the way. I was totally awestruck"

Bella's cheeks burn red but elated she wasn't the only one doing the ogling tonight.

"I guess I clean up good"

Alexander snorts, they take the first step of the stairs and Alexander wraps his arm around her small waist involuntarily. She sighs in content.

"You only clean up messes. You look like a fucking goddess all the damn time"

She looks away with dark cheeks and a small smile.

"Well I must admit you had me awestruck tonight too"

He gives her a small smile as they make it into the beautiful mansion. Huge glass chandeliers sits lazily on the ceiling, walls to floor is made of glass and antique vases and paintings. Everything looks pristine, sophisticated, expensive and very dark. There was not a single picture or sign someone lived in. It was almost chilly and horror movie like.

Everything looked unused.

"The dining area is this way"

He tugs at her arm softly as she pulls her jacket and puts it on the hanger.

"White is your color"

He mutters as they walk into a huge room. She rolls her eyes with a small smile.

"You said that about the red"

He shrugs.

"Well then I guess every color is your color"

The whole room is the only place Bella has seen so far that isn't completely made of glass. Two walls of floor to ceiling windows went to waste as all but two curtains remained closed. The room had a soft glow to it with the scent candles, flowers and the well set table which seemed too much for just two people. Bella imagined the place as a solarium if all the curtains pulled apart but instead an obscurely geometric barely lit glass chandeliers served as the primary source of light over the dark glass table.

The man has a clear thing for glass. Natural moon light could have mildly chipped in to make the evening even more romantic and bright. However the gloomy expanse bolstered further declined her confidence to approach the table.

"Is everything to your liking?"

She gives him a tight lipped smile and his brows furrow questioningly.

"What's wrong flower?"

Bella has always been terrible at hiding her feelings. She sighs and walks towards the windows and pull the big curtains open revealing a huge, clean glass window that showed a clear view of the moonlit skies and the city lights. She turns to see him staring at her in awe, she hands him a shy smile.

"That's much better. I hope you don't mind?"

He shakes his head silently and pulls out a chair for her. She hands him a grateful smile as she sits.

"Everything smells delicious"

He huffs,

"Its just spaghetti and meatball. Took me long to make these, I don't remember the last time I cooked actually. I hope you like this"

She grins at him,

"I am sure I would"

Even if she didn't, he spent hours cooking she'd shove it down her throat and put on a wide smile. He claps and starts serving her and himself.  He waits silently as she takes a fork full of her spaghetti, anxiety dancing in his grey eyes and Bella wanted to 'awwn' at how cute he looked caring about her opinion.

"Wow it's absolutely delicious"

He eyes her suspiciously,

"You aren't just saying that?"

She shakes her head, she genuinely loved the food and was surprised he cooked so well as she couldn't cook to save her life.

"You are such a good cook Xander"

"Just spaghetti"

He corrects after he swallows.

"Better than I can do"

He raises a brow at her.

"You can't cook?"

"No, that a problem?"

He shakes his head and shrugs slightly.

"Not really"

Bella eyes the remaining bowl of spaghetti with hungry eyes and Alexander laughs.

"You can have more Bella. I thought you wouldn't want to eat much cause of the calories or something"

She laughs softly and munch on a piece of bread.

"Spaghetti has calories?"

Alexander laughs softly.

"plus if I didn't love food I'd be tiny. I am not"

"True. But you are hot"

She laughs as she takes more spaghetti

"Oh I know Xander"

"Humble little one"

She flips her dark hair over her shoulder haughtily.

"Yeah boo"

He laughs and stares at her for a few seconds as she eats her meal with utmost concentration.

"Tell me about you Flower"

She looks up and swallows before responding,

"For starters I am Bella Summer not Flower"

She teases, Alexander's eyes widen.

"Really?"

She nods playing along,

"really"

"Hmm weird. Why do I call you Flower then?"

"Something about I am fragile and rose like, twas cute"

Alexander looks away slightly.

"Are you blushing?"

He huffs,

"No why would I be? I am a guy"

"Guys blush too Xander"

She laughs at him.

"Well not me. I don't blush"

"If you say so. Xander?"

"Yeah?"

He looks up from his meal to stare at her intently.

"How come you are so rich? What do you do for a living?"

He looks her dead in the eyes, contemplating if he should lie or not.

"Well flower I kill people and traffic drugs. I am in the mafia"

She doesn't blink.