Chapter 68

**Bella-Rose POV**

"What's your last name?" I asked in all seriousness.

James appeared to be releasing his breath he was not aware of holding.

"What? It's important. Don't you think, I must know your full name before I can go anywhere with you?" I said with a smile as I poked fun at him

"His, Red! You almost scared me", James said as he visibly relaxed.

"Are you expecting something else? Something I should know about?" I asked with a frown between my eyes

"Nothing that needs to be discussed now. It's McKenzie. James McKenzie", James said as he led me outside holding my hand. He looked expectant as he said it. As if I should have recognized it from somewhere. If so, then he is deeply mistaken.

"What?" I asked looking at his confused expression

"You don't recognize it?" James asked hopefully

"Should I? FYI, you are looking at the world's clueless person. I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't follow the news. I know from your influence that you must be a well-known person. Other than that I have no idea who you are. Disappointed?"

"Hardly. It's like fresh air", James said with a satisfied smile.

I looked at the car James came in. It screams money. Honestly, I would be scared of sitting in that car for fear of accidentally scratching it somehow.

"Where are the oars?" I asked James pointing to the gigantic car.

"It's not that big Bella", James cajoled me as he understood my meaning

"Nope. I'm going nowhere in that giant boat, James. Anyways, where are we going?", I said folding my arms and if James is not looking sternly at me, I might have stomped my feet too.

"Where do you want to go?" James inquired me instead

"Can I pick the place?", I asked, clapping my hands in excitement. James gave a laugh at my childish behavior and said,

"Why do I feel that I won't get any say?"

"Oh, you will. It's just I won't listen. It's a good thing that you are understanding the dynamics of our relationship now itself", I said as I tapped him on his arm consolingly.

"So, if not this one, shall I bring another car?" James said oh so casually as if we are discussing clothes not expensive cars.

"Woah...hold your horses, cowboy. How many do you have? Wait. Don't answer it. I want to enjoy my day. Not hyperventilate thinking about your wealth. Let's go in my car", I said as I steered him in the direction where I parked my car.

"Yours?" James tried hard to hide his grimace when he looked at my car. Poor guy. He must not have seen a car in this condition let alone rode in it.

"It's not much. But it's my baby. If you don't like her, then we may have a problem James", I said as I gently laid my hand on the hood of the car as if I'm petting it.

"It's both or none?", James asked as if he was mulling over the options. Seriously! Does he have to think that hard?

"Absolutely", I said with a glare as he tried to hide his wince.

"Can I get to make some adjustments to it?" James tried the route of negotiation.

"Nope. You don't change their character and love them. You love them just the way they are. Take it or leave it", I said narrowing my eyes as I dared him to choose another option.

James' eyes heated when I said the word "love".

"If there is love involved then it's best, I choose option 1", James said coming closer to me. Before he can corner me once again, I said,

"Hop on. Clear your schedule for the day. We are going to have fun. And since you wrinkled your nose while looking at my car, you won't get to drive it", I said with finality. James thinking about my determination thankfully didn't argue on that.

Once on the road, I called his name softly to get his attention. "James"

"Hmm"

"Have you ever felt that difference in our social standing?" I probed, not looking at him as I asked that.

"It's not that big of a deal Bella. Remember what I said about money?" James said slightly leaning towards me, as he gave me his full attention

"Ya....ya. Why are you so adamant that we will have issues, James?" I explored his ascertaining as I looked at him for answers. Surely, it's not written that we will have issues. What does that mean to our relationship if he has this kind of mindset?

"Watch out!", James shouted as he steered me clear of the upcoming vehicle. It all happened in seconds. The car's tire screeched in protest as it was turned violently at the last second.

One second, I was talking to him and the next one a truck was almost upon us. If not for James's quick reflexes, we will be in a ditch, fighting for our lives.

I sat in shock; the car parked carelessly on the side of the road as my body digested what could have happened. What almost happened! Oh god, my negligence would have cost a life.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! I'm so sorry. Are you ok? James?" I was visibly shaken up by the close call. As it is, it took me a few minutes to get my bearings.

"It's not your fault Bella", James said as he cuddled my shivering hands in his big ones.

"It could have turned into a disaster in seconds, James. I'm so sorry. This never happened to me before. I wished I had listened to you and had gone in your car. What must you be thinking of me!" I groaned as I covered my face with my hands.

"Look at me Bella", James commanded as he circled the car and stood holding the car door.

I slowly dropped my hands as my tearful eyes met his stern ones.

"Mistakes happen. It's not your fault. That truck was on the wrong route. Don't let this darken your mood. I won't let anything happen to you", James said as he cradled my face and gently wiped the tear that rolled on my cheek.

"Promise?" I asked seeking comfort from him

"Yes. Now let me drive Bella", James said soothingly.

"I'm sorry for ruining our fun James," I said as I looked at my hands unable to meet his eyes.

"Hey, the day is long. It's just a beginning. Don't stress", James said as he carefully lifted me from my seat and put me on my shaky legs. I automatically clutched his arms as the adrenaline left me.

"Yes, but I should have been more careful. If anything happens to you, James...I don't think I can live", I said, still clutching him as my eyes welled up once again.

"Shh...that ban on death talk is for you too", James said as he lightly touched my lips with his finger.

"Ok", I said, my lips touching his finger in a fluttering caress as I spoke.

"So where to, princess?", James asked once we are tucked once again in the car

My cheeks turned red at his endearment as I said, "The Atlanta Fair"

"Are you serious? I was thinking of taking you on my yacht and you are asking me to take you to the local fair?" James asked disbelief written on his face. I laughed at his expression.

"Please? I want to experience the date as any normal couple does", I pleaded with him as I batted my eyelashes (though it might have looked like I'm struggling to blink).

"Is this a date Bella moi?" James however, heard the only thing important to him.

"It's not?" I asked embarrassingly. What a way to question it! Idiot.

"It's whatever you want it to be", James said reassuringly, squeezing my hand.

Just as I opened my mouth to answer him back Amanda called to my phone.

"It's one of my friends, Amanda. Excuse me", I addressed James as I answered the call.

"Finally!" I said to Amanda as a way of greeting.

"Where have you been Amanda? I was worried sick. It's not like you to ignore my calls", I ranted as I questioned her

"You wouldn't believe how busy I was working. Uhh". Amanda's tired voice replied to me.

"Since when do you work that much?" I was concerned about her welfare. From what Amanda shared, it's not like her company to push so much work towards her.

"Since my manager took extra notice of me", Amanda said bitterly.

"Are you ok Amanda? Is he misbehaving with you?" I asked tensely. Surely, there will be rules against such things in the corporate world.

"No. No. Nothing like that. It's just he likes to dump his work on me", Amanda said diffusing my worries.

"Oh, honey...I'm sorry you have to go through that", I said in an apologetic tone.

"Forget about me. As it is I have only 5 minutes before my break ends. Tell me about the ball. Why did you leave?" Amanda tried to dig.

I peered at James through my eyelashes. His mouth is set in a hard line as he looks forward concentrating on the traffic.

"I met James," I whispered to her

"Your James? The mail guy?" Amanda's screech was so loud, even James could have heard it.

"Yes. Him. Now lower your voice. He is with me", I chastised her to keep quiet.

"With you? Now? This early? What are you doing or shall I ask what have you done?" Amanda teased. I could imagine her wiggling her eyebrows while saying that.

"Nothing of that sort Amanda", I gave a mental groan at the garbage that is Amanda's brain. Though my brain was also not far from it for thinking about such scenarios.

"Let me be the judge of it. I want all the deets on it when we meet. By the way, how did he come to the ball?" Amanda asked excitedly

"It's James. So, he must have known someone in that ball", I said, looking at him to see if he was still hearing our conversation. And though he is feigning it, he is totally immersed in my one-sided conversation.

"Hmm. I feel like I know that name but couldn't point out from where. Can you tell me his full name?" Amanda asked confused

"It's James McKenzie", I said with a blush. Beside me, James's hand clutched the steering wheel tightly. Odd. He must be getting annoyed that I'm ignoring him and talking to my friend.

"Say again?" Amanda asked her tone suggesting discomfort.

"James McKenzie," I asked absentmindedly still thinking about the reason behind James's sudden silence.

"Are you sure Bella?" Amanda's tone sounded guarded. Her previous joviality has gone from her voice.

"Yes. Why?"