GROWTH

Chapter 4

"You did great miss Walters"  Ferguson smiled congratulating Bella for winning a case they tested her with.

She smiled taking in a deep breath. "I thought I was going to slack but I can see the heavens are with me just like always"

Ferguson nodded understanding where she was coming from. Throughout his first case he was nervous, he still gets nervous when handling cases. He was impressed with how Isabelle smoothly took the case.

Her beauty did not only attract the court, her arguments did too. To Ferguson she was too perfect to be just an intern. After she graduate he was sure going to make her a partner at the firm or an employee.

"Can I buy you lunch?" He asked looking over to Isabelle who was busily packing her files.

"I will never turn down free food but I've a lunch date with Stanley" she said

"Stan? My Stanley?" He frown.

"Yeah, he's really a cool man" she smiled sheepishly
Stanley and Bella has grown fond over each other for a month now.

For now they are just friends who enjoyed each other's company. Ferguson hid his disappointment and faked a smile "okay have fun"

Bella found it weird with his tone but quickly brush it off. Indeed Ferguson was attractive and all but she wasn't about to have any relationship with the man aside work relationship or maybe friendship.

She messed up her hair a bit and made her way out the court alone since Ferguson had already left. Her phone kept buzzing while she drove, she was sure it was her family, they had always been supporting and sure was going to congratulate her, someone like Rosa would also call among other people she considered as colleagues.

"Hey Ma'am, you look good" Stanley said hugging Bella. She smiled as he pulled a the seat back for her.

"Ain't you such a gentleman, and no ma'am please"

"I know you don't like formalities babies" he smirk "by the way you did great, congrats"

"How you know?" She asked

"It was all over the news Isabelle"

"Wow I was thinking it was a minor case but I see it wasn't" she shrug "and thanks ugly"

"Urgh, I'm hurt" Stanley said faking a hurt. Bella gave him a weird look. He nervously looked away and cleared his throat.  "What is my princess having" he immediately asked holding her hand.

She smiled about saying something but they were interrupted by a waiter. Being the man he was he made worth of it by admiring the beautiful woman in front of him. Within this short period of time he has grown into her, although she was difficult to read she was communicative when necessary. She loved food and didn't say much while she ate. She loved soul, rap and rnb songs. Not much of a  dancer but she had moves. She preferred white wine compared to red wine. She was unique and rare. A beautiful soul, a mature independent woman.

"Good afternoon ma'am and sir, can I start you off with some drinks" he said in a professional fashion.

"I'd have red wine and white wine for my lady" Stanley ordered

The waiter nods moving to get their drinks "your lady huh" Bella smiled

"Yes" he smiled
"I believe we know what we are doing, I mean we two grown folks but then know boundaries because I know them" Bella said

"I know Isabelle, I would never trade what we have, you're so special to let go. A soul rare to find and one to keep when blessed with." He kissed her hand

"Hmmm, never say never man." She joked

The waiter came back with the drinks, they ordered food which it was served moments later.

"So are you leaving back for work, if not can we spend the rest of the day together" Stanley said

"I've the day off and I would like to but I am not up for more outing now but we can spend the rest of the day at my place" she smirk

"I have no problem with that miss Walter, anything for you"

"Of course you don't" she said rolling her eyes.

•

"Get comfortable, imma right back, got to get comfortable too" she said when they got to her place.

He took off his armani suit and hanged it.

Stanley looked around in awwe admiring the simple but yet elegant living room with all sort of paintings and other art works.

One that got him more was a nude African plus size woman. She was just perfect like Isabelle. She smiled and said "God bless plus size beauties"

"I heard that, we are blessed though" Bella smiled

"You're right mamacita" he cleared his throat noticing the beautiful woman in front of him wore nothing but shorts and bra top. He wondered if that's what she referred to as comfortable.

"So what do you want to do, I've tons of movies and funny videos clips" she said in excitement sitting in the fluffy sofa.

"First of all I like how you've decorated your place, let's do whatever you want"

"Well my mom did all of this with my help of course, thank you." She laughed "okay you get to select the movie since you're my guest while I make popcorns and some juice" she said entering the kitchen.

Stanley shook his head and went through movies on the big screen, he saw one that he wanted to watch and was sure it would interest Bella as well.

An hour through the movie she began to dose off, Stanly slightly shook because her phone rang non stop.

She quickly answered "mom I'm alright, trust me" she said knowing big princess calls nonstop when she's extremely worried.

"Okay lil princess, congratulations we love you" Missy said on the phone "guess what, De'andre wanna be like his big sissy" she added

Missy rub her eyes out of habit and said "awwwnn but tell him his big sissy says he can be whatever he wants, I love him so much and Ahyoki too"

"Your dad is on a business trip he says he's taking you out when he arrives--"

Bella could hear her mom smile and pout at the same time. They talked awhile until they said bye.

"I like how y'all relationship is" Stanley said

"Trust me I love it too, family is everything" she smiled. "Tell me about yours though"

"They are late babe but I have a sister though. She's two year older" he sigh. "She's the only family I got, she's a recovering drug addict" he added sighing again

"Oops, if you don't mind I know better therapists who can help her recover quick." Bella said

Being a touchy subject for Stanley he didn't say anything else.  He kept playing with Bella's hair. She also said nothing enjoying the feeling it gave.