n the quiet night. Her heels dangled from her fingers, and the faint scent of perfume and nightclub s

urther inside. The soft glow from the living room lamp illuminated Bel

hout saying a word, she playfully pushed Sonia's hea

kicking off the tiredness for a moment. "W

appiness, closed one eye in a

, smirking. "I'm smelli

f. "Get some sleep

. "You met someone, did

ught. "Yes... yo

g!" She settled in more comfortably, clearly eager to h

aid softly, "He's a Bla

idened. "Girl, you're cr

huckled

head. "Okay, so

Bella answered honestly, glancing

waiter?" She raise

ed and nod

rm smile spreading across her

sk again? Is there something wrong? Or wer

hoice, Bella. Just... be careful. Get to know him well before you let your heart fal

ymond. I don't know... I just have this fee

ight. I'm so tired, thoug

reshen up,"

aymond is the right man, she thought. Why do I feel this special connection already? She tapped her forehe

Her heart sank when he wasn't. She sighed, lying back on the sofa, h

room, glancing at her screen eve

eep, she fin

tification buzz

ening. It w

y texted back, Good evening, her

e you're good. How was y

nd you? Bel

ually stressfu

of concern. So sor

feelin

asked,

ust don't feel li

you don't upset your

g emoji. I can't have

herself. I know you ar

ill, Raym

ou do, s

ut you?

have to, too-or I won't

Raymon

e

to see your face... and hear

s fluttering in her ch

thed her hair, took a deep breath, and answered. She kept her

een, and his eyes lit up. "Hi," he

ed. "Thank

. "Can you say

think. "What line

you don't remember,

all

es

ou don't want to eat? If you don't

t again. I like the way

m...

I won'

hy

u don't wan

aughed.

think I'll just s

If you don't eat, I won't be your fr

ly. "Yes. But tell

I don'

ou li

ed. "I'm just get

aymond sa

r throat. "So...

at

the food so I can

, disappearing from the screen for a minute. When

"I can see that

Would you

so giv

pen your

ing as Raymond lifted a spoon

tasted it. "Wow! S

hed. "How di

hin. "Because I kn

. "Okay, what a

dancing, watching m

leeping... and I love

la said, he

t like cooking for people who don't know

lling in love with someone w

nny. So what would you cook for me if

re you a go

bring out the spices. Well, if the food's as good as that char

m, I

. can I hea

itated. "

Please,

singing softly, her

e lit up. "Wo

I g

es

ly voice filled the air. The sound was soothing, gentle-so much so that

he silence. She opened one eye and peeked at the s

So he has fallen asleep. Okay...

Damn! What did I just say? She

whispered softly

falling for him. She closed her eyes, whispering to herself, "I believe I'll miss y