Morningstar

Chapter 10: Right, He Shouldn't

Damiens POV

Bella came home around six at night and Cleo was with her. She was laughing as she told her to just take the bag.

They shared a hug and then Cleo headed down the street to Nathan.

Grandfather won himself another game of chess and I smirked at him, "You only won because you've had more years of experience." I said to him.

Bella walked in and tossed a backpack on the floor giving us a sheepish look, "I was thinking I could make dinner." She said looking to Grandfather.

He gave a nod, "Id love that." He said proudly to her.

I noticed the red and bruising on her knuckles and eyed them over. "Quit eyeballing Bella." Grandfather whispered to me.

Giving him a confused look he cocked an eyebrow at me, "Yeah." I said instead while I watched him stand, "I'm going to watch the wrestling channel. You suck at Chess." He said bluntly before getting up and going to the living room.

That's depressing.

I laughed and stood, resetting the board.

Cerberus walked toward the kitchen giving me a look before going in.

This fucking idiot.

Following him inside, I watched Bella stare down at him and smile telling him the meal wasn't for him.

She was chopping vegetables and still wearing her pajamas. "Did you go through the entire town in your pajamas?" I asked a bit amused.

Bella looked down at them and blushed, "Honestly it wouldn't matter. I think I've got the most embarrassing reputation that if I walked out there in a duck suit and my hair in a Mohawk no one would blink an eye." She said placing a pan on the stove and turning the stove on.

She held a carrot out to Cerberus and he took it gleefully.

Her eyes moved up to me as she chopped the peppers now, "Do you get annoyed with people calling you Satan's son?" She asked focusing back down on cutting.

I walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer, "Not really, I think it's a bit useful. It keeps Bible hugging people away." I admitted while she laughed.

Her laugh was nice.

She stopped cutting and stared up at me, "They're all sinners. They just hide their sins better than I do. My mom fucked some guy at a bar three years ago. Then my dad got addicted to gay porn, and my mom had a mental breakdown thinking he was gay. My sister had two abortions and Justin is only Christian because he likes dirty Christian girls." She blurted it all out with an annoyed tone before she covered it up quick with a small laugh.

I stared down at her bruised knuckles, "Did you punch him?" I asked moving to the counter across from her.

She eyed her knuckles and shook her head, "I punched Amber Mackenzie." She said sheepishly.

I wish I saw that, "She's the girl who began the rumor that I have sex with demons." I admitted, not knowing why I'm even telling her about myself.

Bella stared at me and laughed low, "Had I known that, I would've given her a second punch." She said to herself before grabbing the mushrooms and cutting them. 

Her long hair was back in a braid and little strands hung by her face, framing it. I spent a little moment just admiring her looks, her big eyes and rosie cheeks. She had one small freckle on her cheek bone, and two down by her jaw. The longer I stared, the more breath taking she became. "It's no wonder they want to destroy you so bad." I said quietly to myself.

She glanced up at me, "Huh?" She asked as I apparently snapped her out of her thoughts.

I shook my head, "Nothing. What are you making?" I asked taking a drink of the beer.

Bella smiled, "Chinese food. Spicy chicken with vegetables. You like spicy food right devil boy?" She asked smirking at me.

Damn. She made the nickname seem...tolerable. 

I broke into a smile and nodded, "Yeah. Need any help?" I asked her staring at the stove.

She made a thoughtful 'um' sound before pointing to the rice cooker, "Start the rice?" She asked and I gave a nod.

Getting up, I pulled the bag of rice out the pantry and began making the rice while glancing at her any moment I had.

She was effortlessly flawless in every move and breath taking.

What the hell was happening to me?

I stared down at Cerberus who was eyeing me over with annoyance. I know, back off.

Bella began cooking and I stepped away from the stove area to give her the space. "I lost my job." She said breaking the silence.

Then she glanced back at me, "I'll get another one but I was fired." She said eyeing Cerberus.

Shit, "Their loss." I replied while she laughed, "I think it's more my loss. I need a job so I can get a place." She said before placing the vegetables in with the chicken.

It smelt amazing.

"Where do you work?" She asked leaning back into the counter and not knowing how intimidating she was.

I didn't think, I just spoke "Hell." I said before realizing what I'd said.

Bella broke into a wide smile, "Of course you do." She said before focusing on the food, "I guess with my reputation I can go hit the corner streets." She joked.

It was a bit humorous at first, but the thought of her selling herself for a living bothered me. What the fuck is happening to me?

'Strip club.' Cerberus said aloud and in my voice tone.

Bella turned her head and laughed, "Oh yeah that's probably safer. Plus I heard they make a lot." She said cocking an eyebrow.

As she turned to the stove I scowled at Cerberus who I knew was grinning. 'Porn star.' Are you fucking serious?

She shook her head and gave me a small playful scowl, "I get it." She said focusing back on the food.

This fucker.

'Personal escort.'

She didn't turn around or laugh this time.

I stood and grabbed Cerberus pulling the muzzle out of the drawer and putting it on him while she turned and gave me a confused look.

"He shouldn't talk anymore." I said scowling at Cerberus.

Bella gave me a worried look, "Right, He Shouldnt." She said directing it toward me.

Fucking hell.

Grandfather walked in sniffing the air, "That smells delicious Bella, you should open your own restaurant." He said smiling over at her.

She smiled back, "That would mean I'd have to share my cooking with people I don't like." She said cocking an eyebrow at him.

He laughed and pat her shoulder, "Make sure to take some when you go home. I'm sure you made enough for your family too." He said going back out the kitchen.

Bella stared at him confused and I ran my hand behind my head nervously, "It's the Alzheimer's. He just forgot you're staying here." I said while she gave a small nod and focused back on cooking.

Clearing my throat, I pulled out three plates and some silverware placing them on the counter.

She was avoiding eye contact.

I felt like such a dick.