Their faces were close, and their eyes met on the same level. He noticed her surprise but didn’t detect any signs of rejection, which filled him with joy. He reached out and used his hand to brush away some of her messy hair gently. Once again, Tristan felt his heart swell bigger, and it felt warm when Bella didn’t stop him at all.
He finished straightening her hair, then once more, he gazed into her eyes with a loving smile.
"Bella," said Tristan. A warm smile slowly spread across his lips before he continued. "I have often told you I am willing to give up everything for you and Dax. My family is the only thing I care about."
"T-Tristan, but—"
Tristan halted Bella mid-sentence with his finger, gently stroking her red but slightly dry lips.
"I know you must feel guilty, Bella. But, please don’t... You don’t have to feel like that."
Tristan smiled as he rubbed her warm cheek with his thumb, noticing her shoulder slightly slump.
"Do you know what, Bella? When you were in the hospital, I felt like I had lost you for the second time. I was scared and didn’t care about anything else. I flew back here to see you and..." Tristan’s sentence abruptly ended as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
Bella was taken aback when Tristan suddenly embraced her, causing her to drop her blanket. However, she did not resist the embrace; instead, she slightly leaned her head on his shoulder.
His smile widened when he felt Bella not pushing him, even voluntarily leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I want to hold you close like this. I want to stay by your side to protect and care for you for the rest of your life. It hurts me to think that you’re suffering alone," Tristan whispered near her ear as he tightened his embrace. "I love you so much. Please, give me a chance to prove that I’m sincere about what I said."
Tristan embraced the woman he loved silently, holding onto her tightly; he would never let her go again.
Before long,
He finally released her from his embrace and pulled back slightly, admiring her beautiful face.
But for some reason, Tristan’s heart slowly tightened when he realized that Bella hadn’t said a word since he hugged her. Even when he kissed her forehead gently, she did not resist.
He should be happy. But her silence made him worried.
Tristan glanced over to see her small, delicate hands resting on her lap. He gently took her hand and held it tightly. He slowly raised his gaze to meet hers. Her eyes were slightly red, and the light was fading, making his heart tense.
Why did she look sad?
"Bella, please say something," Tristan said softly.
Tristan was scared. He would have preferred if Bella had immediately stopped talking or scolded him rather than being treated silently like this.
...
As Bella heard his confession, her heart began to race once again. She blinked a few times, unable to maintain eye contact with him. Her gaze shifted to their linked hands, and her heart began to beat even faster.
Bella felt an intense sensation in her chest that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. The thunderous beating of her heart was more intense than the fluttering she had felt every time she interacted with Tristan over the past few weeks.
’Has my heart melted for him again!?’ Bella asked herself. She was unsure how to react to his sweet sincerity.
"Bella, are you mad at me?" Tristan impatiently asked Bella, curious to know her reaction.
Upon hearing Tristan’s voice again, Bella felt even more pressure from the feelings she had attempted to suppress. However, suddenly, a small voice from within her heart spoke up, saying, ’You can’t avoid your feelings any longer, Bella! It’s time to be honest with yourself and with him.’
Bella took a deep breath. Just before she wanted to express her feelings and what was on her mind to Tristan, all the sentences stopped on the tip of her tongue when she realized something.
Instantly, she feels her face hot again.
Why am I in this position? Sitting on his lap in such thin clothes?
Bella became even more embarrassed when she clearly saw her own curves.
’Did you secretly tell him you wanted him too? Is that why you’re wearing such a seductive evening gown?’ She can’t help but vent her frustration.
"Tristan," Bella’s voice was so low as she turned her gaze to him. "Let me change clothes first before we talk."
Tristan was happy when he heard Bella finally speak. When he saw her face blush, his heart raced even more.
"Okay. I will carry you to the bathroom."
Tristan swiftly wrapped his strong arms around Bella’s waist and lifted her in a princess-style carry.
"Please, put me down, Tristan. I can walk alone." She protests.
"It’s fine, Bella," he smiled.
Bella had no choice but to embrace Tristan’s neck and hide her face in his chest. His fresh, masculine scent filled her nose and fogged her mind. She tried to calm her heart but didn’t dare move or say anything because, at this moment, the rumbling in her chest grew louder.
Not long after, Tristan stopped in front of the bathroom and slowly put Bella down.
"Do you need something!?" Tristan asked. "I could help you..."
"Please have a seat on the couch and wait for me while I change," Bella said as she hurried into the bathroom.
"Don’t rush, dear..." Tristan replied with a beaming smile as he strolled towards the sofa, feeling elated.
...
Bella closed the door behind her and took a deep breath while placing her hand on her chest, hoping to calm her racing heart.
Soon enough, she felt much better, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. She walked towards the wash basin to wash her face, but as soon as she saw her reflection in the mirror, she felt her knees weaken.
"Wh-who are you? Why do you look so weird!?"