A date

After dropping Rachel off at school, Lucas remained in the driver's seat for a moment, pulling out his phone. Dialing a number, he waited until a voice answered.

"Arrange for pest control at the house," he instructed. "Make sure it's done while I'm out with Bella. I don't want her to notice."

The bodyguard acknowledged the order, and Lucas smirked slightly, satisfied with how smoothly this would go. He knew Bella would never call pest control herself, and after seeing her jump onto the table in fear, he wasn't taking chances.

Once back home, he asked Bella to get ready for his surprise. Still unsure, Bella huffed but went to change, eventually slipping into the passenger seat of his car. As they pulled out of the driveway, she studied his face, trying to gauge his intentions.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" she asked.

"No." He answered, keeping his focus on the road ahead.

Bella sighed dramatically, then changed tactics. "Then at least tell me why you're smiling like that?"

Lucas smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. "Just thinking about how my wife was ready to go to war with a cockroach this morning."

Bella groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I still feel gross just thinking about it."

Lucas's grin widened. "You jumped onto the table like your life depended on it."

"It did!" she argued. "Do you know how terrifying those things are?"

"They're just bugs, Bella."

She shot him a glare. "Then why were you going to kill it?"

Lucas didn't miss a beat. "Because it dared to scare my wife."

Bella blinked at him, momentarily stunned into silence. He sounded so casual, yet there was something undeniably warm about the way he said it. If he continues to say these things so often, then she might start taking this marriage-because-of- pregnancy seriously.

Clearing her throat, she turned to look out the window, fearing that she might expose her reddened cheeks to him. "Whatever. Just tell me where we're going." Lucas chuckled. "Nope."

Bella sighed again, but the small smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. She knew he was up to something, but for now, she decided to let him have his moment.

Little did she know, as they drove off, his bodyguards were closely following her and the pest control team was already inside the house, ensuring no unwelcome little creatures would dare invade her space again.

An hour later, Lucas was driving, Bella seated beside him. She crossed her arms. "Where are we going? Are we going out of the city?" She asked for the nth time.

Lucas kept his eyes on the road before replying calmly. "It's a surprise."

Bella frowned. "You do realize that not telling me makes me even more suspicious, right?"

"Exactly."

She sighed, giving up. Then, suddenly, a thought struck her. "Wait…" she turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "You're not taking me somewhere to learn self-defense against cockroaches, are you?"

Lucas burst into laughter. "Tempting. But no." Bella huffed, looking out the window. "What tempting, huh? There is no place where they teach self-defence against bugs. At least give me a hint."

Lucas glanced at her, his smirk softer now. "You'll like it."

Bella studied him for a moment. Despite his teasing, she could tell this wasn't just a random trip. He had put thought into this.

'But why a week day? It will be more fun if Rachel is here too....at least she had topics to talk about.' Bella thought. That realization made her unknowingly glance at him. She exhaled and rested her head against the seat. Maybe, just maybe, she was looking forward to this.

The car rolled to a stop in front of a modern glass building, its sleek structure reflecting the bright morning sun. Bella's eyes scanned the entrance, noting the name elegantly displayed in gold letters— Elodia Art & Botanical Exhibit.

Her lips parted slightly in surprise. Lucas exited the car first, walked around, and opened her door. "Come on." She stepped out, still staring at the building. "An art gallery?"

Lucas hummed. "And a greenhouse garden."

Bella turned to him, brows raised. "You brought me to an art and garden exhibit?"

Lucas smirked. "You like art exhibitions, don't you?"

"Well… yeah." She hesitated. "But how did you—" She remembered.... him knowing about interest in painting but she never mentioned her love for art galleries.

"Rachel mentioned it once."

Bella blinked. Rachel? Lucas tucked his hands into his pockets, his tone casual. "Few days back when I was looking at the painting you made she came to me said you used to bring her to small galleries when she was little. And that you liked staring at paintings for hours. So for your comfort and privacy, I've booked this whole place for today."

Bella's chest warmed at the memory. Back then, she couldn't afford grand museums, but she had always loved art, and she wanted Rachel to experience it too. She looked at him. Lucas remembers whatever he knew about her. A soft, unfamiliar feeling settled inside her. "…Thank you."

Lucas met her gaze for a moment before shrugging. "Let's go."

The exhibit was peaceful, with soft classical music playing in the background. The walls displayed various paintings, ranging from modern abstract to intricate Renaissance-style portraits.

Bella took her time admiring each piece, her eyes lighting up with fascination. Lucas, on the other hand, watched her more than the artwork. At one point, Bella stopped in front of a painting—a softly detailed image of a woman cradling a child. She stared at it for a long time.

Lucas, standing beside her, finally spoke. "What are you thinking?"

Bella exhaled, a faint smile on her lips. "It's just… beautiful. The way she holds the child—it's like you can feel the warmth through this painting."

Lucas glanced at the painting. Then, without thinking, he said, "It reminds me of you."

Bella turned to him in surprise. "Me?"

Lucas kept his eyes on the painting. "You looked like that when you held Rachel last night and the night before that too. You look like this everytime you hug Rachel."

Bella's breath caught. He hadn't just noticed. He had remembered. Maybe it's just his habit to observe everything and keep note of them afterall he is the best businessman in the city. But still the thought that he remembered so many things about her made her heart flutter. A beat of silence passed between them.

Bella looked away, her heart betraying her with a soft, quickened pace. Lucas cleared his throat. "Come on. There's more to see."

After the gallery, Lucas led her to the attached greenhouse garden—a breathtaking space filled with flowers, hanging vines, and small fountains scattered throughout. Bella's eyes widened in delight. "It's beautiful."

Lucas tilted his head. "You like it?" She turned to him, nodding. "How could I not? They are so pretty."

They walked slowly, taking in the scents of fresh flowers and the quiet hum of nature. But after a while, Lucas subtly observed Bella. Her steps were slightly slower than before. He frowned. "Are you tired?"

Bella hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm fine."

Lucas gave her a pointed look. "Bella."

She sighed. "Okay, maybe a little. But I'm—"

Before she could finish, Lucas had already placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her toward a nearby bench. "Sit," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Bella let out an exasperated sigh but obeyed. "You're again acting like I'm made of glass."

Lucas crossed his arms. "You're pregnant. That's close enough." Bella rolled her eyes but hid a small smile. A few moments passed in comfortable silence before she spoke again. "You know, you don't have to be this careful."

Bella had always been an independent woman so when Lucas kept worrying about her, she felt secure and vulnerable both at the same time.

Lucas arched a brow. "Oh? So, next time you feel tired, I should just let you faint?"

Bella glared. "That's not what I meant."

Lucas smirked. "Exactly."

Bella sighed in defeat. He was impossible. She can never understand him. But maybe… she didn't mind this kind of care. After spending a little more time in the garden, Lucas suggested they head back.

As they walked to the exit, Bella glanced at him. This wasn't just a simple outing. It can be called a date. Their first real one. Without Rachel, without any other person. And somehow… that thought didn't scare her.