As Reid read Bella's message, a wave of confusion washed over him. They had confirmed their lunch plans earlier, and now, without warning, she was canceling. Disappointment settled in his chest, followed by a tinge of frustration. What could have changed so drastically in such a short span of time?
He dialed Boris's number swiftly, needing to understand what might have transpired.
"Boris, any updates on the situation?" Reid inquired, attempting to maintain his composed demeanor despite the brewing turmoil within.
Boris, ever reliable, quickly responded, "All's quiet here. Bella and Kate invited me in for a coffee and breakfast. They seemed fine."
"How did Bella look?" Reid's question was laced with curiosity, seeking clues to Boris's observation.
"In the morning, she seemed a bit flustered but smiling. Last time I saw her, though, she seemed a bit off, a tad disappointed," Boris explained, his tone reflecting the concern in his observations.
Reid felt a sense of frustration rising within him. He tried to make sense of the abrupt change in Bella's demeanor. Was it something he had said or done? Was it her own reservations or doubts? He pondered over their last conversation, searching for any signs that might have triggered her change of heart.
His thoughts raced, replaying their recent exchanges, trying to find any clues that could explain her sudden withdrawal. Had he come on too strong? Or had she simply reconsidered their meeting for personal reasons?
He considered reaching out to her again with a message, but something held him back. Reid sighed heavily, a mixture of disappointment and a tinge of hurt tugging at him. He had hoped for a chance to make things right, to bridge the gap that had formed between them.
A part of him wanted to respect her decision, allowing her the space she seemed to need. But another part was restless, eager to understand and resolve whatever had caused her sudden change of heart.
He paced the room, grappling with his own feelings of frustration and confusion. He hadn't expected this turn of events, and uncertainty brewed within him. Reid pondered over his next move, yet, he couldn't shake off the disappointment that lingered from the abrupt cancelation of their planned meeting.
As the minutes ticked by, he found himself caught between respecting her space and the desire to uncover the reason behind her sudden withdrawal. Reid knew he had to tread cautiously, not wanting to jeopardize any chance of reconnection. But at the same time, he couldn't simply ignore the situation and let the moment pass by without understanding what had transpired.
The minutes stretched like hours as Reid paced his hotel room, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. His frustration simmered beneath the surface, perplexed by Bella's sudden change of plans. He made a few swift calls, and then, determined to seek some answers, Reid quickly dressed and summoned his security team and driver. Without a word, he left his room, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic turn of events.
Meanwhile, on Bella's side, the anxiousness grew with every passing minute. Reid's unexpected silence stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her. She had taken a significant step in canceling their date, but the absence of any reaction from him left her feeling disconcerted and slightly disappointed, even though she hadn't expected much else.
As time ticked by, her thoughts spiraled into a storm of uncertainties. She crafted countless dramatic scenarios in her mind, each one more exaggerated than the last. She wondered if she had made a mistake in canceling their meeting, or perhaps, she was just overthinking everything.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her musings, and she assumed it might be Boris needing something. She hesitated briefly before approaching the door, feeling slightly uneasy. Boris was always polite, but there was an aura of intensity around him that could be quite intimidating. She had no desire to cross him or test his patience.
Upon opening the door, Bella's heart skipped a beat as she froze in surprise. It wasn't Boris standing there; it was Reid. His presence was commanding, and she couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat when she met his eyes. His solemn expression softened slightly as he presented her with a bouquet of delicate pink and white roses.
"Hi," Reid murmured softly, the tension palpable in the air.
Bella found herself speechless for a moment, her mind struggling to process the unexpected turn of events.
"Reid... what are you doing here?" she managed to ask, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and unease.
"I had to see you, Bella, if I remember correctly, we were supposed to have a date" Reid replied. "I needed to understand why you changed your mind about meeting me."
Bella's heart raced as she grappled with a myriad of emotions. "I... I didn't mean to cancel," she stammered, trying to find the right words to explain her sudden decision.
Reid's gaze held a mixture of determination and curiosity. "Can I come in?" he asked, gesturing towards the interior of her place.
Bella's mind raced as she hesitated for a moment, but something about Reid's expression compelled her to step aside, allowing him to enter.
As he stepped into her space, she couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions swirling inside her. It was overwhelming, the intensity of the moment, the unexpectedness of Reid's presence, and the roses in his hands.
With Reid in her personal space, Bella felt a surge of conflicting emotions - uncertainty, anticipation, and an inexplicable desire that rushed into her body. The air hung heavy with unspoken words and unexpressed emotions, as they both grappled with the unspoken tension between them.
Bella, trying to maintain composure, failed when she met his penetrating stare.
Her attempt to create distance was futile as Reid stepped into her personal space, unrelenting. His determination mirrored the frustration building within him. He wasn't accustomed to being refused, and this unexpected resistance from Bella bothered him more than he'd admitted.
"Stop avoiding the truth, Bella," Reid's voice was firm, his frustration evident. He wasn't one to mince words, and he wanted honesty from her. Bella, her blush deepening, struggled to find the right words.
"I didn't want you to be embarrassed," she finally admitted, her eyes cast downward.
“Embarrassed about what?” Reid replied, puzzled and a little annoyed.
"I don't have anything decent to wear, Reid. Just t-shirts and yoga pants. And 2 cheap summer dresses. This is my entire wardrobe as financially I saved every penny for the baby’s arrival." She admitted embarrassed.
Reid's frustration shifted to a mixture of understanding and impatience. He stepped even closer, a move that left Bella feeling cornered and vulnerable. His proximity was suffocating, the tension between them thickening.
"Is that what's bothering you?" Reid's voice softened slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Bella, I'm not here to judge your wardrobe. I'm here for you."
“You say this now, but you have a status to uphold social expectations. I can’t embarrass you.” she argued back in a small voice.
Bella's blush deepened, a combination of embarrassment and the overwhelming effect of Reid's nearness. She mumbled a soft apology, trying to regain some semblance of composure. Reid, not one to be deterred, took the bouquet and gently placed it on a nearby table.
"Let's fix that," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. He stepped towards her and grabbed her head with both his hands and suddenly captured her lips with his. He kissed her hungry and passionately until she remained without air and her world was spinning. He pushed her until he trapped her between the kitchen wall and his body and kissed her again until she felt her knees trembling. Her heart was beating really loudly, and her breathing was erratic.
He took her hand and pressed it under his belt where she felt him hard and burning. When this happened, she felt that she would faint from the intensity of the moment.
“This is what are you doing to me, with your t-shirt and yoga pants. Do you believe I give a fuck about society?” Reid spoke in her ear. He was looking at her like a predator, ready to attack.
“So please stop with this nonsense and get dressed. You have 10 minutes, otherwise I am ready to take you here on this kitchen table and make you beg for mercy. Your choice.” Reid continued with a serious look on his face and a heated look.