Chapter 106

"Mom... can you pleaseeee turn?" I croaked my cheeks burning.

"What now Bella? I'm busy here. Shall we ask your Nana to try this survey as well? Mathew needs a good gift for taking such good care of her. What do you think?"

Gag me now. Thinking about my Nana's boobs is not on my to-do list. Now or ever. The thought itself makes me feel like a perv. I don't want to think about the cringe James emitted beside me.
"That's it! I'm outta here," I grabbed his hand and turned to go.

"No Bella wait," Mom turned and met my eyes, looking not at all surprised at James standing beside me.

"You knew!! You knew he was here. Oh god," I groaned in my hands feeling stupid.

"Of course, I knew"

"You did all this to humiliate me? God, mom, you can be so dangerous when you are pissed. I know I was wrong but I was worried about James, Mom. When I heard the news, I couldn't think about anything but him. Sorry, mom for not answering your calls. Can you please forgive me and promise not to ever do this again?"

I pointed to that graphic website behind her.

"Can you promise not to ever anger me again?" Mom asked me to fold her arms.
I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"Fine!!! But no more talk on my boobs or yours or anyone else's for now. At least not before James," I cringed internally. What must he be thinking of my family!

"Why not? If he wants to be part of this family he has to learn to listen to all kinds of stuff. Why James, is that going to be a problem?"

Mom angled her eyes at him, giving him stern direct eye contact as if daring him to contradict her.

"Not at all, Mrs. James. If you don't mind me saying, you look perfect," James threw a killer smile to mom that melted my insides.

I can practically witness the halo that surrounded the crown of his head and can hear the chorus of angels from behind. That is the look mom gave to James.

Where did he learn to butter up? Not that I'm complaining since it has the added effect of Mom melting as well. She patted her hair, giving the air of haughty sophistication all the while her lips threatening to twitch.

James sure knows where to hit. Mom had always a sore spot at praises because it was always given to Nana. Except for dad. He doesn't count because he has to, poor guy. For the first time perhaps, Mom is praised first. She is going to write down the date in her diary.

[if she has any, not that I know about it or tried to find its hiding place. Ok, maybe a little. But... do you know she writes all the yucky stuff she does with dad in it? That's just... ya since then I never dared to search for her diary again. Not even when I saw that brown leather book before my eyes that beckoned me with its hidden wiles. Point being- Never try to find your mother’s diary. You won’t like what you saw, especially when it comes to the kinky part]

Anyways, Mom composed herself enough to reply, "I knew it all along. But it's good to see someone noticing it as well"

Mom shrugged a shoulder as if listening to such praises is a common occurrence. I can see myself in her. Will I be this woman in the next 20 years? Gosh, I hope not. At least I shouldn't sound that desperate to gobble up the praise when it happens to me.

"Does that mean you are ok with us being together?"

"I'm getting there. Perhaps if he would accompany your date to Josephine's marriage then I could be persuaded," Mom sure knows how to pimp one out.
"This is extortion and you knew it"

"Don't I have the right to take advantage of your boyfriend?" Mom asked without batting an eyelash.

"Jeez, Mom-"

My words are cut off when dad barged in looking thunderous as he bellowed, "who is taking advantage of whom?"

Mom looked sheepishly at me. Dad stood folding his arms before James almost toe to toe. Scott, Nana, and Mathew soon followed him.

Great!!! The whole family is here. Don't they have their own homes? How am I going to convince them!

"Mr. James-"

Before James could utter another word, I stepped between them and addressed the whole family.

"Guys, I know you were worried about me and I'm sorry. I also think James is not the right guy for me but what can I say? He is my air folks. I can't... I can't live without him. I know this is pretty intense but for once, for once I want you guys to trust me. I know what I'm doing and whom I want. And it is him. It is always him. I couldn't see anything beyond him."

"Trust me, I tried to forget to date someone else but it was him who stayed in my heart, his thoughts who disturbed my sleep. I can't say how much he means to me... I have no words that can describe this incredible feeling and when I learned that his jet went missing... my world literally collapsed around me. That is when I realized how stupid I was being by pushing him away. We have only one life and I don't want to miss not even a second of this anymore. I want you all to be happy for me but... but in the end, I want him above anything else. Can you please give him a chance? For my sake?"

I chewed my lip meeting their eyes. I never voiced my thoughts or stood opposing them. This is a first but for James, I'm ready to do it.

They all looked shocked for a second and then Mathew smiled slowly giving me a nod. Nana cocked her eyebrow at James analyzing with her laser eyes. Uh-oh, there is something brewing in those eyes.

Scott's shoulders slumped, regretting that he lost the chance to beat the shit out of James.
"Ah man...you are crazier than I thought to stick to my sister. Especially after listening to this.
Well... nothing can be done now. You are one of us. Welcome to the family," he sauntered and clasped James's hand in his, patting his back.

"That's it?"

"Isn't this what you want?"

"Yes."

"Be happy sis that I love you"

"Thank you, Scott. It means a lot"

I looked at everyone. They all looked happy except...

"Dad?"

"I don't like it. Don't like one bit of it"

"Dad please"

He raised his hand to stop me.

"I can understand your sentiment, Mr. James. But I promise to take care of your daughter till I draw my last breath. I can’t profuse those long speeches where the male declares their love because I feel that a few words are not enough to declare how I feel about Bella"
Butterflies threatened to explode in my stomach hearing his declaration.
"Do you love her?"

"Yes, I do," James said simply.

"And the problems she faced before? Are they going to be repeated?"
James's countenance didn't miss a beat.

"Everything is taken care of. There won't be a problem from now on. Everything is going to be fine"

I looked at James. How can he be so sure? From what I know about his ex, she is one cunning woman. She won't give up easily. Perhaps, he must be saying to placate Dad.

A muscle in Dad's jaw ticked. We all waited with bated breath. Dad closed his eyes, warring with himself.

"Mr. James, if I may. I found out about how much you like your fishing trips with your friends. It must be tiring going up and down taking such a long journey every time and returning on the same day. Sorry for taking the matters in my hand," James didn't look sorry at all, "but I bought a small cabin near the fishing expedition so that you can relax, have a boys' night out there. The cabin is yours fair and square. I hope you don't mind my leniency in thinking you will accept it"
Scott whistled behind us. My eyebrows shot up, touching my hairline.

Bravo. I didn't even think about it. I feel like standing on my feet and clapping my hands. What a good job has he done! Sigh. Can he get any more perfect? Yes, girls, stew on that. I have a perfect boyfriend.

"A cabin you say?" Dad rubbed his chin and then replied, "very well. You can be one of us. Good luck with handling my daughter. You will need it"

My mouth hung open as Scott snickered behind him. I can literally hear the thump of the hammer as someone shouted "sold!!!"

Even a pig gets more love from its owners before getting slaughtered. I threw a disgusting look at them which they completely ignored.

After that, things became normal as if James was part of us since the beginning.
When we finally parted ways, I was silent on the drive, my mind niggling with doubt.
It all seemed so... easy as if they have practiced it.

I don't get it. Why does it look so simple? Have you ever seen a lion giving a cordial smile to a cow? I feel like that. Not that I'm agreeing to be a cow, but jeez, you get the gist.

Anyways, where was I? Yes! Not that I'm complaining but I can feel it in my bones that something is brewing in the evil minds of my family and I intend to find out. A friendly tip- If ever you need an enemy, look no further than your family. They know all your secrets (a solid blackmail material). If they seem to smile at your mistake then beware! It means sinister things are about to take place.

I turned and said, " what you said at my parents’ home.... you said with so much conviction that I too believed that everything is going to be fine from now on"

"Because it is true"

I snorted. I couldn't help it. It won't be. Not until his ex leaves our lives. I don't want to ask but my mouth didn't get the memo when I blurted out, "what about Jacqueline?"
"She won't be a problem anymore"

"You couldn't be sure of that"

"Yes, I'm"

"You know something, don't you?"

"Do you know where I flew the other day? To meet Tank, my bodyguard. He met with an accident a few months ago"