First Love

Michael

Matt froze at the sight of Nathan and the secretary he was talking about his wife being pregnant. Nathan glanced at him and grinned "Come, over here Matt"

He walked towards them silently and then smiled faintly at the girl " Hi, I'm Matt"

She smiled back." I'm Diane"

"Yeah, she's Diane. A preggy Diane." Nathan commented. "Belle will be out for about three minutes from now. Jack just phoned her." he smiled at Matt and continued talking with Diane.  

Matt didn't have to guess what he meant about learning something from Diane. He has a  huge guess it was all about pregnancy, since Angel was confirmed that she was pregnant a few days ago.

The door opened and Belle stepped out with her radiating beauty. She looked around and met his eyes. She grinned at him and walked towards him.

  "So, we're on smiling terms now." he said with a grin.

"Oh!" she said rather confused. "You don't want me smiling at you? Fine, no smiles then." her face turn to neutral soon as she said it.

He shook his head. "That's not what I meant...It's just that you were angry at me the last time we talked."

"Well, you shouldn't have known you were forgiven because you took care of me and the effort for finding a key that only a resourceful person should found." she said trying not to smile.

"I think that was my geniusness you have to thank for." Nathan interjected.

"Nathan, is that even a word?" Belle raised an eyebrow at him with glinting eyes.

Nathan laughed. "I don't know. It just came to mind as something like an adjective saying I'm a genius."

Belle rolled her eyes. "And why are you flirting with Diane?" she raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm not flirting, Miss Belle. He was just asking about pregnancy because his wife is pregnant." Diane defended.

"Oh my God, you even got her to defend you." Belle shook her head at him. "Seriously, Nathan? Hands off Jack's employees."

Nathan scratched his head. "I wasn't really flirting, I promise and vowed to love only my wife and just my wife. I swear to God. I did."

Belle laughed and soon Matt also followed.

"Belle." Someone called.

They both jerked around to see Belle's father, Michael staring at Matt.

If looks could kill... Matt thought. You'll be dead by now.

Michael strode towards Belle and grabbed her by the elbow. "Hey, dad, what are you...it hurts." she flinched as she tried to let go of his hold.

"Uhmmm..." Matt trailed watching the two.

"Michael," Jack called. "What are you doing with Belle? You're hurting your daughter."

Michael, still staring at Matt let go of Belle. "Go home."

"What are you saying?" Belle frowned at him rubbing the part where he clutched.

"I said go home." Michael said.

"Why the hell are you ordering me?" Belle looked at him with a confused expression. "And why are you drilling holes into Matt's body with your stares?"

Michael looked at his daughter. "What do you think is the reason?"

She stared at him. "Mind to answer? I don't have any clue, dad and since this is the first time you met...you probably doesn't have any much reason unless...you met from another lifetime."

Nathan raised an eyebrow at her for her remarks.

"I don't need your sarcastic remarks, Belle." Michael snapped at her. "Now go home."

"I'm not a child for you to order around. I make my own decision and concern myself with things I should be involved with." Belle said with dignity.

"Belle," Michael sighed. "I don't want you anywhere near this guy. The fact that I see you with him is hard enough to handle. What's more with me finding out that he stayed at your house last night." he scolded. "You're not a child you say but why aren't you being responsible with your actions."

"Seriously?" she frowned at him. "Are we going over this? This I-don't-want-him-for-my-child thing?"

Matt watched the two silently then said, "Michael, sir, I can-"

"Shut up," Michael glared at him. "You're not on this."

"He is since we are talking about him." Belle said, irritated with his father. "I'm going home."

"Good, let's go." Michael said.

"I mean my home, my condo. Not yours and mom." Belle said.

Michael frowned at her. "But-"

"Dad, stop it." she said.

"He's not coming, is he?" Michael asked glancing at Matt.

"That's none of your business who I let inside my house." she said. "I can even let in a stalker, criminal, murderer for all you care."

"Belle," Jack warned.

Belle glanced at his father's hurt expression. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

He shook her head. "I know. I understand." he said. "I wasn't with you when you were little...I'm not allowed to judge how you live since I didn't before-"

"Dad, you don't understand. That's not what I meant." she pleaded.

"I know. I understand. I'm sorry." he said and walked away.

Belle frowned. "I'm a mess."

"You shouldn't have fought with your father." Matt commented.

Belle raised an eyebrow at her. "Duh, I fight for the sake of love." she rolled her eyes then walked away.

"Wait, what?" Matt asked but she was gone. He took a step to follow her but Jack and Nathan stopped her.

"Let her think..." Jack said. "and talk with her father." He went inside his office and then Nathan punched him on the shoulder playfully.

"What the hell!" Matt said after regaining his composure.

Nathan laughed. "Dude, get your mind off the gutter. We rejoice!"

"Rejoice?" Matt raised an eyebrow at him. "Rejoice for what?"

"Idiot, Matt." Nathan shook his head with a grin. "She just said she loves you."

Matt was silent for a moment thinking back about their conversation. "She did?"