Flirt

Dean took a quick shower and changed into more comfortable clothes. He grabbed some books, notepad, pens, towels, and then went back to Bella. Then together they walked to the dojo. They took their shoes off at the entrance and went in.

The smell of the wood burst when the door was opened. It has dark wooden floors, walls, and a high ceiling supported by many wooden square columns. There were several sliding doors on the sides with square designs made of wood and papers. The wall in front is lined with tatami where two samurais are hanging horizontally. Opposite, the same tatami wall with two scriptures hanging side by side. At a corner, there's a low Japanese style table. Placed on it were two water goblets, table napkins, and a pitcher of water. Under it, two square cushions for sitting.

They went to sit and put all the stuff on the table.

"We'll start with the lessons on first aid, I'll give you a test after every lesson. And In a few days, you must execute them." Dean said calmly while looking at her.

"Okay, Doctor."

"After an hour, I'll teach you a set of moves that you need to practice every day."

"Okay, Doc." Dean frowned. It sounds so formal and feels foreign...He rarely cares, but hearing from those lips makes him feel displeased.

"Call me Dean."

"..." it caught her unprepared. She froze.

"It'll be easier."

"Sure, Dean." She smiled, showing her cute dimples.

In Dean's eyes, everything stopped. He couldn't hear any sound other than his heartbeat.

'Badum badum badum' Dean was motionless observing his heart beating slowly like bradycardia.

Bella was cluelessly looking at her notebook. She moved in slow-mo and placed her loose hair on her left shoulder, showing her long flawless neck. The sweet fruity smell invading his nose was stronger. Dean felt his mouth dried and gulped. 'What does it taste?'

"Right, you didn't tell me your fee."

Dean blinked twice, waking up from the slow-mo scene. "You need not worry about that."

"Even if you're expensive, I can afford it!" She said while his hand was patting her chest proudly.

Dean's lips twitched a little. "I know you can just forget about it. You're my patient's friend."

"But I don't like owing favors," Bella said insistently while pouting.

Dean signed, like, his utterly defeated. His facade crumbled. That instant, he decided, the heck with it.

Dean placed his elbow over the table, his hand placed on cheeks supporting the weight of his face. He smiled, " I want you to owe me favors."

Bella's face froze. It paralyzed her from the sudden...cuteness?!!!! She felt her heart beat faster, and blood rose upward to her face.

Her sudden redness caught him unguarded. He smiled brighter and rubbed his nose from embarrassment. He's a genius in academics but foolish when it comes to emotion. He doesn't care anymore if he's found out. He's very clear about what he's feeling. It's useless hiding it and acting cool.

'He's….flirting with…..me?!!!!' Her face became redder when she understood.

"Cough, Cough" Dean tried to shake the strange atmosphere.

She was not speaking, and he was sweating. He regretted it. Maybe he should have waited a little more so she wouldn't feel awkward. But he couldn't control anymore. He's willing to show this only to her. He felt foolish because he only read it in a book and he's inexperienced. He should have listened to his friends' boasting about courting girls.

Bella calmed herself slowly when she saw his ears were turning red. She liked this feeling. She's never been in a relationship, but she loved someone before…." She sighed. This reminds her of the traitor, her ex-fiancé.

Speaking of him, they should have called her about the engagement. In her last life, it should be any day this week. Well, it's better that they married sooner since they were together for a long time. When she was kicked out of the house, she found out that he and her stepsister, no, cousin were already in a relationship, before they betrothed her to him.

When he saw her complexion turned to normal but was lost in thought, he took the chance to change the topic.

He started explaining the importance of first aid. First aid is designed to help non-medical professionals deliver assistance in times of emergency. He praised her willingness to learn. The most common conditions are asthma attacks, burns, choking, poisoning, external bleeding, stroke, seizure, heart attack, diabetes, anaphylaxis, neck, head, and spinal injuries.

They were so absorbed with the lesson they forgot about the time. Two hours have passed, but they still haven't practiced martial arts. So he taught a few defense moves and exercises for another hour. He would continue if he didn't notice that Bella's smell gets stronger when she sweats. It was so pleasant that he wanted to pick her up, throw her on the bed, and kis 'ehem cuddle' her. They needed to stop this sweet torture.

Thank God he didn't bring her to his villa. If he did, he may not be able to control himself. On top of that, it would be bad for her reputation. A single woman in a man's house, only the two of them. That's why he brought her here.

When they finished, he directed her to the guest room so she could rest or take a shower. He also went to his room. To calm down, he used cold water when he bathed. He's drying his hair while recalling moments of their practice. Every move she makes embedded in his memory. He had the desire to take a video, with an excuse for recording it for future reference. But he didn't do it at the end. It seems strange, and he doesn't want to scare her. Anyway, there would be more opportunities since they'll see each other every day.

After she changed, she took her things and planned to wait for him downstairs. When she opened the door, she was a little shocked because a smiling old lady was outside.

"Hi dear!" Grandma greeted her cheerfully.

"Oh Good evening Grandma, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Isabella Chen." She bowed.

"You're so polite, dear! You don't have to be formal. Call me Grandma Dy from now on! Come, come, let's eat!" She held her hands and dragged her. Then she saw a beautiful lady and a good-looking man chatting at the end of the stairs.

She greeted them. "Good evening!" Then she bowed.

"Hi there gorgeous, I'm Dean's mother, Aurora Yang." She pulled her to embrace.

"And I'm his father, Sean." he smiled. 'Ho ho ho she's a beauty, like father like son!'

"I'm Isabella Chen, it's nice to meet you."She bowed. "I'm so sorry to disturb you, please accept my humble gift." She gave them each a bag of supplements that was kept in the guest room when they were training. 'Thank God I brought enough, I still have some in the car and in space.'

Aurora was pleased. She was not sure what's on her son's head, but at first glance, she's already elated to know her.

"How thoughtful of you! Come, let's sit while waiting for Dean" Aurora on her right arm, Grandma on her left. She doesn't know whether to cry or laugh. They guided her like she was a fragile vase that could crack with a simple bump.

On the long dining table seated were family members. One by one, they stood up and greeted her.

"Hi, I'm Dean's second Uncle, Desmond. This is my wife Mia Li and my daughters Dawn and Desiree."

"Hello" all three of them greeted each other, smiling brightly.

"Good evening! I'm Isabella Chen." she bowed and greeted nervously. They returned to their seat, and another batch stood up.

"Nice to meet you, Isabella. I'm Dean's Aunt Deborah, here is my husband Liam Zhao. And my twins, Devan and Danika."

"Nice to meet you all!" She bowed, and the teens giggled.

"You're so pretty Bella! Can I call you cousin?! Said, Danika

"Sssure?"

She felt warm and gratified. It's been a while since she felt welcomed by others. Sean moved the chair for her like a gentleman. Grandpa was already seated, smiling, and nodding at the same time.

They didn't wait long for Dean to arrive. He could hear their voices from afar, chatting happily, laughing without restraint. He was very satisfied with the scene. Like she's already part of the family. He's dreaming while walking. A dream where he comes home every day, where she's gladly waiting for him to return.

Not all of them were enjoying this harmonious occasion. In the kitchen, a girl wearing a maid's clothes was clenching her fist. She's so jealous of Bella. She liked Doctor Dean for a long time but couldn't get close to him. All of those who tried were fired or crippled. Rumors said that someone tried to climb his bed, but was caught and the girl was never seen again. That's why they could only admire him from afar.

'It's supposed to me!!!!' Looking at Bella menacingly, her eyes turned red from anger.

"Hey, what are you standing there for! There's a lot to do!" said the other maid.

She hides her emotions in seconds. Turning around in a smiling face and returning to work. Even so, someone still noticed it.