Bold Bella (Book 4)

Chapter 13:

I slid the key into the lock and twisted my hand. Hearing the satisfying click of the door unlocking I pushed the door open. I stepped into the large foyer and immediately turned around closing my eyes.

            “Okay, um, explain!” I demanded. “And put some pants on!”

            “What are you doing here?” Liam asked surprised. I had just walked into the foyer when a butt-naked Liam was walking across the foyer.

            “Me?” I asked in disbelief, “It’s my house! What are you doing in my house? And why are you naked?”

            “Okay it’s safe,” he said and I turned around with my hands over my eyes just in case. I peeked through and though he was still shirtless he had the towel wrapped around his waist.

            “I am scarred,” I told him.

            “Are you saying I don’t have a nice body?”

            “I do not feel obliged to answer that question and you never answered mine,” I told him as I dumped my suitcase at the side of the door. I looked around. The iron chandelier with crystal teardrops hanging off it, the hardwood oak floors and the cream coloured walls. Linda must’ve ordered a few floral arrangements because in a huge vase that sat on a stand next to the door was huge white lilies and roses.

I looked through the open planned house. A huge doorway was framed by the two curved staircases that led to the second level and through the doorway I saw the heavy, wooden framed couches with gold cushions and arm rests around a antique French, wooden table that had a lot of detail.

            “Reminiscing?”

            “Just been a few months since I’ve been here,” I smiled, “See this chip on the wooded rail?” I asked going to the staircase railing where a good chunk of the wood was missing.

            “Yeah,” he said running a finger over the inch long scratch.

            “I was wearing down the stairs and I slipped and I tried to save myself by grabbing the railing but I was wearing gloves and a very chunky bracelet and it kinda pulled a chunk out of the wood.”

            “It would’ve been funny to see.”

            “I know April and Liam laughed at me for about a week meanwhile I had a massive bruise on my ass and a lecture from dad about the wood.”

            “Sounds about right,” Liam said.

            “Yeah, good times,” I said shaking my head, “Anyway where’s Niall?”

            “I’m hurt.”

            “Oh come one I didn’t drive all this way to talk to you,” I said rolling my eyes.

            “Mean. Anyway I think he’s outside with Louis and Hope,” Liam said.

            “So you all tagged along?”

            “Yeah oh and Hope and Lou brought the kids. I hope that’s okay?”

            “Oh my God! How could they bring the kids? Like I just can’t believe that,” I said in a sarcastic voice as I made my way to the huge arch way that led to the living room and then through to the huge sliding doors that led to the backyard.

            “So it’s okay? I mean it’s a really nice house.”

            “I grew up here,” I reminded him, “It’s kid proof. Besides I’ve got enough money to repair any damages.”