Changing clothes

"Hehe, hey Alex all the work is done?" Mike asked, hoping that Alex would not ask about the camera.

But he did,

"What are you doing ?" asked Alex, looking at the mobile flash on Mike's hard.

"I-i was taking the picture of the food. Yes, food. So that I can put it in my moments for Lily to see. Since you have denied her to join us. You know she was very excited to taste your cooking." he said in an overdramatic sad voice creating the lost puppy effect.

But Alex, who knew Mike since childhood, just rolled his eyes at his drama.

But Mike was not even a bit affected by it, since her mission to diverge their mind from the cute picture he had taken worked. Now he moved towards the food, for which he had come in the first place.

"Hmmm, Alex this smell was so mouth-watering. I think you have surpassed your level of cooking. Everything was looking so perfect. 

I am sure these recipes could even compare with Michelin star chefs, soon you will be a big star" he praised as the food was done so perfectly even the decoration and smell was yummy. He just could not wait to have it.

Alex bit his lip, he knew that food was made perfectly. He had seen each step done so perfectly. It was like a cookery show he was watching. The flow was so smooth. If he had not seen Bella watching the videos with concentration and had asked questions before and found her clueless. He would have thought that she was a trained Michelin chef.

"Mike Bella had cooked everything," he said, as he did not want to take the credit for others doing.

"Of course, I know she has helped you because she is here. Come let's take these things out before they turn cold.'' With that, he walked out without even listening to what Alex wanted to say.

Alex sighed as he followed Mike with the other dishes and the rest was taken by Bella.

"Look, brother, I have already set the table." Anna beamed, smiling.

"Hmmm" he nodded as they started putting food on the tables.

"Now both of you go and change, so that we can start the dinner." said aunt Sharon as she hung the final red and white socks on the tree.

That's when Alex noticed they all already had changed their clothes.

He nodded as he walked towards the room and Bella followed.

Alex took out the black suit Evelyn had gifted him and the red shirt Anna had bought for him.

Just then Bella entered the room, so he took out her red gown too. It was a halter neck knee length red gown that had black beads all around the border.

It looked like Evelyn had bought a red dress for everyone to make it a theme party. If only she would have been here.

"Bella go and change the dress in the bathroom, also take a bath if you want to, we are not in a hurry." with that he handed her the dress.

Bella looked at the dress and nodded. She entered the bathroom. Alex then looked at his face in the mirror. I can work without a bath right. He smelled his underarms, as he mumbled, "perfume will work for now." 

He took out a perfume which he uses on certain occasions. 

With that, he took out his pants and slid into the black trousers. He took out the belt from his pants and wore it. Then he took out his shirt, but just when he picked up the red shirt and opened his button to slide in, the door of the bathroom opened.

His eyes widened as he saw Bella coming out, the halter neck of her tight red dress was accentuating her cleavage, showing a little and leaving rest for the imagination.

Her hairs were left open as they fell over her face. Her face was looking red, due to the warm bath she had taken. The red dress added an extra hue to her face.

Alex was looking at her mesmerizingly when she said,

"You are not wearing the suit anymore Alex?" her eyes were taking over his body.

That's when he realised his shirt as still in his hands.

His hand instinctively covered her chest in a X form, letting the red shirt fall on the floor.

"Your shirt fell on the floor, Alex," she pointed, looking at the piece of cloth on the floor.

She took slow steps towards him. He widened as he saw the gap between them getting less.

"What-what are you doing?" he asked stammering as his grip on his body tightened.

Just when she stood in front of him he turned back, showing his naked back to her.

But Bella instead of looking at him or doing anything bent down and picked up his shirt.

"I was picking up your shirt for you, Alex," she replied, blinking her eyes.

Alex wanted to laugh at his mistaken assumptions. To him, what happened was something unbelievable. Why the hell was he even imagining things from this foolish little girl of his?! He should've known, more than anyone else, what this little girl was capable of doing or isn't. 

Why was he even imagining her kissing him? Was he expecting a kiss? He shook his head to come out of his leeching thoughts. Has he gone crazy or was it Mike that was affecting his mind now? Yes, that was the reason. He was spending a lot of time with Mike, listening to his endeavours. 

"Alex, your face is red," said Bella bringing him out of his thoughts,

"Ah, Bella, since you are ready, you can go out. Why are you standing here" he said through gritted teeth. His voice was pleading.

"I am waiting for you, Alex," she replied like it was the obvious answer. 

"I-i will come out. But please you go out first Bella." he pleaded but the girl just stayed there, staring at her.