Family lunch continued with Lewis Sinclair joining them.
Lewis insisted on helping Dax with his lunch even though Dax seemed slightly annoyed by his Grandpa’s help.
On the contrary, Tristan felt excited because Bella sat next to him. His smile never left him; however, he was taken aback when he glanced at her, seeing her fierce gaze.
Tristan put his cutlery on the plate and drew his head closer to ask, "Why do you look at me like you want to eat me?"
When Bella wants to reply, Tristan speaks again, "Well, I don’t mind if you want to devour me, Bella. Just say so—" A soft chuckle escaped his lips, causing Bella to roll her eyes.
"Are you saying this lunch is just for us? Why did Grandpa suddenly appear?" Bella asked in her barely audible voice. Only Tristan would hear her.
Bella wondered whether this shameless Tristan had again arranged a trap for her. She narrowed her eyes, looking at him.
"Did you believe if I said... I also didn’t have the answer to your question!? I have no idea how he found out I stayed in this place because I told them I was living in my apartment all this time." He answers while feeding his eyes with her beauty.
Looking at Tristan’s gaze’s seriousness, Bella was slightly puzzled.
"This is odd, right!?" She still doubted that Old Sinclair knew Tristan was here without someone telling him.
’Did Jessica Sinclair already know Tristan lived next to my house?’ This thought started to worry her. If her evil ex-mother-in-law found out, she might come here. And she would definitely know about Dax.
"Yeah! I’m suspicious he’s tailing me now—" Tristan sighed deeply while glancing at his Grandpa, who looked so happy talking with Dax.
Bella continued to eat again. But it didn’t take long for a thought to cross her mind. She paused and looked at Tristan, "—Did he know this place was one of your properties?"
"Hmm, he knows. Frankly speaking, Your Grandpa’s house was—" Tristan paused when Geoffrey suddenly appeared beside him. He looked at him, "What is it?"
It took a few seconds for Tristan’s expression to turn ashen upon hearing Geoffrey’s words.
Everyone in the room was suprised to see Tristan’s expression change.
"What happened, Tristan?" Bella asked. She had the same expression as Lewis. They both looked at Tristan in worry.
"Nothing," Tristan said. He wiped his mouth with a napkin before standing from his seat and glancing at her, "I will be back," He excused himself and walked outside, with Geoffrey trailing behind.
"Everything alright, Tristan?" Lewis asked when he saw Tristan left outside. He was also starting to feel worried.
Tristan halted, looking at his Grandpa and Dax. Everything was alright. You guys continue to eat. I will be back soon—"
Dax continued eating his food. While Lewis and Bella both thoroughly couldn’t enjoy their meal. Their eyes were still fixed on the door leading to the main entrance.
"It seems someone is coming," Suddenly, Lewis’s voice echoed in the room, breaking the silence. "Is he waiting for someone?"
Bella was slightly surprised to hear Lewis’ question because she didn’t know the answer.
Bella was getting tense, wanting to know who would show up next. She hoped whoever would come was not the person she had in mind, Jessica Sinclair. If that woman appeared, Bella could picture her days no longer peaceful.
She silently sighed deeply before answering Lewis, "I didn’t know, Grandpa." Then glance at her son.
Dax seemed to sense his mother’s gaze and turned to look at her. They exchange smiles.
Bella knew that even though Dax didn’t seem to care about what they were discussing, he had heard everything and understood the situation. That boy was exceptionally perceptive for his age.
She tries to lift the mood and distract her worry.
"Baby, do you need anything else to eat?"
Dax shook his head.
"I’m full, Mom. But I still have room for dessert..." His eyes blinked at her.
Bella was amused at how adorable Dax looked now, wanting his dessert.
"Sure—"
"Oh, my dear Dax, want dessert?" Lewis chimed in. When he saw Dax nod, he called a maid who stood in the corner. "You can bring out dessert for the young master."
The maid nodded and immediately returned to the kitchen area.
...
Shortly after, several pairs of footsteps could be heard from the family room, causing Bella to turn her eyes towards the door.
Bella’s nervous hands were tightly clenched in her lap, anxious to know who that person would join them.
Not only was Bella curious, but Lewis was too; he looked at the door with a deep frown.
Before long, they both gasped in shock when Tristan appeared, followed by an unexpected figure.
Upon seeing Bella, Tristan could only offer an awkward smile as he led the man behind him to sit beside his Grandpa.
"Old geezer, why did you come!?" Lewis Sinclair asked in disbelief when he saw his best friend Isaac Donovan at this house.
"You’re so heartless, Lewis!" Isaac Donovan shook his head, feeling disappointed. "After I told you about this house, you didn’t even tell me you would come. You betrayed me!"
Lewis remained silent; he just smiled, ignoring Isaac.
Isaac continued to vent his anger, "If Nick hadn’t seen your car enter this house, I wouldn’t know that you guys had a lovely family lunch—" He paused, looking at his granddaughter, who appeared to gasp in shock at him.
"Bella, my dear... it would be nice if you closed your mouth now," Isaac chuckled.
Bella returned to reality and let out a deep sigh. She was confused; since when did her Grandpa know this house was Tristan’s house? Did he pretend not to know when they talked this morning?
She narrowed her eyes at her Grandpa. However, he ignored her; he turned his gaze to Dax.
"Dax, have you finished your lunch?" Isaac asked.
"Yes, Gramps. But now I’m waiting for my dessert—"
Just as Bella was about to say something to her Grandpa, she felt a warm hand holding hers under the table. She blinked a few times before slowly gazing at Tristan beside her. Puzzled.