Rejected

Chapter 21 - Ariana

Picture above : The waterfalls where Xander took Belle.

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"We're here." Xander said pushing a few branches out of the way so that Belle could see what's behind.

The sight that greeted her is a paradise straight out of a book. It was a gigantic water fall falling straight into a crystal-clear lake. It wasn't as big as the place Kyle and Luca showed her before. The lake is hidden by towering walls of rocks covered by flowery shrubs and vines.

The sky above is like a big spotlight focused on the lake making it twinkle  under the sunlight.

Amused by the look of amazement in Belle's eyes, Xander silently took her hand once again and led her towards a grassy clearing.

"I can see that you love it."

Belle didn't even realize that they were already standing by the lake till Xander spoke.

Clearing her throat, she said. "It's amazing."

"This is probably not as amazing as that place where my father and Kyle took you." Xander commented making Belle turn to him.

Seeing the hint of sadness on Xander's face she turned to him so that they are facing each other. Squeezing his hand, Xander looked at Belle and surprised by the happiness shining there.

"I'm a nature lover, places like these cannot be compared to one another, they each have their own beauty to show. But you know what makes a place special?"

Hoping he knows exactly what Belle wanted to say, Xander smiled at her and answered.

"What?"

"It's the person standing beside us." Belle answered making Xander pull her into a tight embrace.

This time Belle did not hesitate to hug him back and when Xander felt it, he hugged her tightly.

"I was so stupid." He said. "My stubbornness almost cost me my mate. I hope you could forgive me Belle."

Belle closed her eyes and felt Xander's heart beating in his chest and for once she felt safe and at peace being with him. There's nothing more to forgive, because she knows deep down, she could never hate Xander.

= 0 =

They both sat at the picnic cloth that Xander has spread to the grass and he happily opened the basket of food he brought.

Belle's eyes turned wide at the sight of so many food inside it. Sandwiches, fruits, packed juices and even lunch boxes.

"You don't expect us to finish all that do you?" she asked.

"No of course not." Xander answered. "This is only so you could have options since I don't know yet what food you like."

Belle chucked and then said; "If you weren't so full of surprises you could have at least told Maia and she'll tell you."

"I just didn't want to risk anyone spoiling the surprise." Xander said rubbing his kneck.

Belle smiled at him and turned to all the food spread out between them.

"So," she said. "Which one would you like me to try first?"

= 0 =

After eating most of the food Xander brought, they both sat side by side and watch the water fall smoothly into the lake below.

They've been silent for a while now but it was so comfortable that none of them tried to break it. Then out of nowhere a sudden wind blew at them, it startled Belle and she had to keep her eyes close to keep anything going into her eyes, but all the wind did to Xander is have him almost get knocked over by Belle's scent that the wind blew in his direction.