We shall think of crossing that river when we get there

At the dining table, various foods were served. "Do we have a feast in here?" Bella commented as her jaw dropped.

"None, but dear Charles’s lover was so happy to meet you and wanted to please you through meals so she instructed the cook to serve the best and various foods for you to choose from, so my dear foodie wife can have as much as she wanted" Miguel said laughing as he pulled a chair for Bella.

"It was the first time that old prick finally made some good choice of woman for his grandson. I am really happy he did because I was thinking maybe he’ll get him married to an ugly bum like the one he left me for” Mrs Odette was obviously teasing Miguel.

"Stop with your nonsense there or otherwise Bella will complain to you tomorrow morning for dropping those words.Don’t you know she has won over your Charles’s heart?" Miguel commented while grinning wickedly. Bella on the other hand hid her flushing face. She was outspoken but seeing a great talkative made her feel like a big fool. 

After their wonderful dinner, the three of them went on the balcony with luxurious high end outdoor furniture with some pillows to enjoy the moon and the night sky. There was also a fire pit to keep them warm.

They were drinking wine as the chatting continued.

Miguel was enjoying while he listened at the two women who did most of the talking. During the meal, Bella had tried her best to adjust to the talkative woman. 

A minute later, she started yawning and Miguel noticed it.

"Let's get you inside the room, you have said enough for the day" Miguel spoke.

Bella shook her head and said, "I am fine. I want to stay longer here." She positioned herself on the sofa as she laid her head on Miguel's lap and continued talking. 

"Go on Odette Mama, I love to hear stories about Miguel's childhood especially those embarrassing ones, and of course yours and your Charles’s love story" she commented while smiling at the old lady who so enthusiastically narrated Miguel's funny moments during childhood.

"Miguel grew up with Charles but I don’t know much because I left when Miguel was just seven. I had to stay that long with them because of the great tragedy that befell Charles. He lost his wife and not too long after, he lost his only son and his daughter-in-law leaving him with Miguel. Charles really pamper him even more than his cousin since Miguel was the only son left to succeed him” She paused, “On his new day at school when he as bullied, I remembered Miguel fought with his classmates that he came back home with bruise”

"What happened then," Bella asked while she was fighting the urge to sleep because of her curiosity.

Miguel who was caressing and stroking her hair interrupted and said, "Yeah, grandpa hated it whenever I got hurt so I was locked up in my room for one month with nothing to do but to study and eat, without any gadgets even the television and music, he took everything away from me. I am literally with just the books and my bed."

"It's not that bad for a punishment. I thought you'll be starved or locked up in a warehouse full of darkness." Bella laughed as she was starting to close her eyes.

"The boredom will kill you." Miguel commented. Mrs Odette who noticed Bella was already fallen asleep signalled Miguel to remain quiet.

Miguel gently lift up and carried Bella inside the room before he went back at the balcony.

"What's your plan now? Are you planning to leave her here forever? Charles said her father is out to get you at any means and she was also sent to you as a spy, who knows what else she’ll do?” Mrs Odette who had known everything that happened at Liverpool asked with concern. 

"Nope, I will just wait and see what she’s capable of. But what I know is that Bella will never do anything that will affect me in any way. We have been married for more than 5 months now, I know what Bella could do” replied as he sipped the wine.

"Child, it may be easy as it looks – that she can easily spill out everything she knows about you to her father. You don’t know Carter more than I know him. When your mother…..” Mrs Odette stopped but Miguel nudged her to continue. “When your mother left him for your father, I know what he did then but he was not that lucky because Charles supported. If his daughter turns out to be like him then It won't favour us in any way.  So don't expect her to trust you because she can see you are capable on protecting her. Instead, reduce your trust in her" Mrs Odette voiced out his opinion on the matter.

Then she continued, "Even if I will be at her position, I won't risk it and just go with the flow as I was instructed to do."

The woman noticed that Miguel's face darkened. She was aware that Charles Rodriguez raised and trained Miguel to fight with power and brains.

"Never use your fist! Become stronger and a powerful man then no one can definitely bring you down. Agatha is not built with fist, it was built with brain and love" That's what Charles always tell him since he was a child and yes no one had brought Miguel down from that moment on. But right now, it seems like a woman would succeed to do so.

Miguel was at loss for what to do but he sighed, “We shall think of crossing that river when we get there”