Chapter 20

"Belle, aren't you cold out there?" her father called from inside.

She looked up and grinned at him. "Sorry, I said I was helping to entertain your guests..."

"No, it's fine. I knew you have lots to think of..." her father, Michael sat beside her and draped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. "Especially since you saw those friends of Matt."

She frowned. "How did you even know about Matt? You weren't here when we got involved plus mom shouldn't have known too..."

"Even if I'm not here. I knew everything that has been happening with my daughter." he explained. "And I told your mom since you were so depressed even when she got better. She even thought you wanted her death."

"What!" Belle shouted. "That's insane and how did you know? Were you spying at me before?"

He shrugged. "Probably,"

"That's overacting," Belle glared.

"It's not. I wouldn't have find out what happened if I didn't do it. How did I do it? I have ties all around and gadgets that are simply not yet available all over the world. I want to protect you and that's what I did." he said and sighed. "I don't want that kid-man to be anywhere near you ever again. He doesn't deserve you."

"Dad, he's probably be married right now so he's not anywhere coming in anyway near me." Belle reasoned.

"Though you wish he would..."

"I don't." she lied.

"Liar, I know my daughter's strained voice when she's lying."

"My voice is not strained and I don't lie." she defended.

He snorted and stood up. "Anyway, he's not worthy of you. If he comes back, I'm not accepting him and I'll even move heaven and hell if that would take to separate you guys. Remember that."

She frowned. "Dad, that's overreacting like a hundred percent."

"Just telling you my decision before you even ask." he said and went inside. He stopped before the door. "It's cold out there..."

"I know." she said.

Her father nodded and went inside.

"But I don't feel it..." she trailed after a little while.

After a few hours, Nathan went outside and saw Belle. He approached her and sat beside her

"My God, Belle, you're so cold." he said as he touched her arm.

"I am?" Belle asked. She looked at her hands that is now shaking. "Oh..."

"What do you mean 'oh'?" Nathan frowned and covered her with his jacket. "Are you going to freeze yourself to death? Darn, he'll kill me."

"Who?" Belle asked.

"Nothing," he said. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Thinking, I think." she said.

"Thinking about what?"

"About things,"

"Things like..."

She grinned. "Things you shouldn't concern yourself with."

He rolled his eyes. "Very snobby. Is this what I get because you're now Miss Popular?"

"Nope, not really. I was just thinking about...work and my lifeless life that doesn't even sounds like one since it's lifeless." she explained.

"Work? I have an offer, can you shoot a cover for my magazine? It'll only take an hour," he said.

"Talk to my manager," she said and grinned. "Just kidding. When is it, my friend?"

"Two days from now." he explained. "Can you? I mean I'll go over tomorrow to your office to talk to your manager and if the shoot can suit your thing. It's not really that daring. You just have to pose on a two piece on a motorcycle. Can you?"

She nodded. "I'll be fine with it. You're the first person to get a favor," she winked at him.

"Thank you very much," he hugged him. "Ah...you're so cold."

"I need heat," she explained after hugging back.

"Want me to call someone to make you hot? No, you're already hot. What's the right word?"

"She needs love." Angel said from the door. She grinned at them.

Belle rolled her eyes and stood up. "I don't know that word. Sorry," she waved at them and stood up.

"Honey, we have to do something about them." Angel said to Nathan after Belle left.

"I know the thing..." Nathan winked at her. "I always wanted to be the matchmaker. Just like a cute cupid." He opened his phone and called, "Hi Matt, guess what...something just made me darn so happy. If you got wrong on guessing, you'll bring me flowers after two days on my office...deal?...okay, what's your guess..." he laughed. "Sorry, no...the news is Angel's preggy and I'm going to be a father!...bring me flowers on my office after two days...bye." he hung up and winked at his wife.