Love’n’Lust

Back in city S.

Belle woke up and didn’t see Ben by her side so she got out of bed and went to the bathroom to check for him but when she didn’t see him, she decided to just do her morning routine of brushing her teeth and cleansing her face.

After that, she decided to go to the balcony to check if he was there because lately, he was there using his laptop whenever she woke up late.

She got there and didn’t see him but she saw something surprising. There were seven cars parked downstairs. She turned around to go look for him but saw him just there, he had been behind her while she counted the cars.

“Good morning, my queen,” he told her with a smile.

“Good morning,” she held his face and kissed his right cheek.”And happy birthday,” she got on her tippy toes and hugged him and felt his arms go round her waist.

“You’re finally awake, I’ve been waiting and my excitement almost died while waiting.” He laughed after the hug.

“The cars?” She didn’t know how to react though he was laughing.

“They are yours.” He let her know.”Remember when I asked you about what kind of car you would like to own?”

“Yeah?”

“And you pointed to seven different cars?” He continued with a smile but she started to shake her head.

“And you got all seven?”

“Yes. You wanted seven and I got you seven.”

“I can’t even drive, Ben, you know that and you got me seven… seven freaking cars.” She began to stammer at a point.

“That’s not a problem, you can have a personal driver or learn to drive.” He leaned towards her and kissed her.”Relax,” he told her after the kiss because he noticed that he had startled her with the surprise.

“I’m trying to,” she shook her head, “It’s just that there are seven cars down there…”

“Yeah?”

“It’s your birthday, why am I getting these from you? I mean you just gifted me these when it should be the other way round…”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“I couldn’t think of a better time to do it.” He smiled at her, still wanting her to stop stressing over what she just said to him.

“The gift I got you isn’t even as expensive…”

“Belle, please don’t.” He begged.

“I got us movie tickets because I couldn’t think of anything you wanted that you couldn’t get yourself, right? So I got movie tickets… you know, you never bring that up, I thought it was unusual, and unusual is good, I mean we go out to eat together and we could travel together but seeing a movie, you have to like take a day off or something, you know, like a break…” She stopped to breathe and saw that he was listening to her with a smile.

“O my god, I just realized,” she gave herself a facepalm.”We can’t go see a movie because… you are, well, you and you going to the theater might turn out chaotic. I didn’t think this through. See now? I don’t have any gift for you.” She rubbed her face with her palms and refused to show her face to him because she was embarrassed.

Ben held her hands and successfully took her palms away from her face so he could see her face. He laughed because her face was red.

“That’s fine. I’ll just buy out the entire theater so we can go see the movie. You see? Valid gift.” He tried to make her feel better.

“Now, it’s just you making the gift valid. I can’t give to you as much as you give to me.” She said with the corners of her lips facing the floor.

“Did I complain about that?” He lifted her face.

“You should. Look,” she held up her left hand answer shook her fingers.”I lost the ring you gave me. I thought you would have noticed by now and asked about it because I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that I lost it.” She almost broke down in tears.

“I did notice. I planned to replace that today too but seeing how the cars are affecting your mood, I just thought to postpone it.”

“It’s not affecting my mood…” She wanted to act okay but it was late.

“No, it is. I feel like I made the wrong decision gifting you the cars today, I should have just waited. I was just excited, I thought you would be too.”

“I am. I’m sorry. I’m just overwhelmed.” She sighed and paused to look at him.”Are you mad that I wasn’t as excited about the cars as you planned?”

“I don’t know, I just don’t want you to keep saying these degrading things you’re saying about yourself. Can you not do that, ever again? Please?” He cupped her face in his hands and pleaded.

“I’ll try,” she smiled because she knew it would fix his mood too.

“Do you want your ring now, or do I make it extra special?” He returned her smile.

“Make it extra special,” she replied like a baby.

“Okay,” he kissed her.

“Thank you,” she hugged him for the second time.”Thank you for the cars. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“O. My. Gosh!” They heard someone exclaim downstairs and had to stop their embrace. When they both had a look, they saw Jenna smiling and waving from downstairs.

“She didn’t tell me she was coming here,” Ben said.

“Let me get a robe,” Belle said and left him standing there alone.

Downstairs, in the living room.

“Happy birthday, Ben.” Jenna hugged Ben impulsively when he got downstairs.

“Thanks,” he smiled at her.

“I know I didn’t say I was coming but I had to inform you in person. Aunt took my phone so I didn’t call you but she’s planning to throw a party for you.”

“What?”

“Information successfully passed, I get a reward right?” She winked and made him laugh.

“The cars are for Belle,” he informed her because he knew that was the reward she was hoping for.

“All seven of them?” Jenna asked and got a nod.”Wow, aren’t those the newly released models that were printed in that magazine? What’s the name again?”

“It is,” he saved her the trouble of having to remember the name of the magazine.

“Wow,” she said again.

“I’ll get you one if you want…”

“I do. The red one looks more luxurious. I want the red one.” She smiled and checked her purse for his gift.

“Is that a watch?” He asked when she got it out.

“It’s a different one from the one I got you last year, I promise.” She scratched her head before handing it over to him.

“Where’s Belle?” She asked when she didn’t see Belle.

“Hey,” Belle smiled as she came down the stairs. She had opted to put on a dress rather than just wearing a robe over her nightdress.

“Hey girl, I saw your cars downstairs. Congratulations.” Jenna went and hugged her, really excited for her.

“Thanks,” Belle smiled nervously.

“Excuse me,” Ben said and left for outside while taking his phone out of his pocket.