Chapter 16 - 16

16.

"Ben. Why don't you put Sapphire to sleep. It's past her bed time actualy" Elizabeth asked her son after the dinner

"Sure Mom" Benjamin said with a smile, picking up a drowsy Sapphire in his arms.

Sapphire laid her head on her uncle's shoulder and clutched his collars in her chubby little fists.

"I shifted her cot to our bedroom Ben. Put her to sleep there tonight" Elizabeth added and Benjamin nodded in understanding.

Isabella's spine stiffened in nervousness as she heard what Elizabeth implied by that.

Her mother had scared her before leaving, telling her about wedding nights and marital relationships. The thought that Sapphire would be there, as an ice breaker, with them at night had been her only reassurance.

As soon as Benjamin left with Sapphire Elizabeth turned to Isabella with a smile.

"Come. I will take you to your room"

Isabella stopped on her tracks, looking at the bedroom in horror.

The bedroom was decorated with roses and scented candles. It was not the elaborate wedding night style setting. But yet, it was giving her the palpitations.

"Isabella, I know this marriage had been so unexpected for you. But I hope you both will try and make it work" Elizabeth said and helped Isabella on to the bed.

"Uh... yes Mom" Isabella said feeling awkward at the romantic setting of the room.

"If you have any problems here, you will tell me. Okay?" Elizabeth asked

"Yes Mom" Isabella nodded like a doll

Elizabeth pressed a little kiss on her daughter in law's forhead and left.

As soon as Elizabeth left, Isabella got off the bed and started pacing the room.

She heard the bedroom door opening and held her breath.

"What the f*ck" Benjamin cursed seeing the setting of the bedroom and then he saw the nervous look on Isabella's face.

Benjamin took a step towards her and Isabella took a step back nervously.

Benjamin took another step towards her and Isabella clutched her dress tightly on either side of her.

"Why are you stepping back Isabella? Remember, you are my wife now" Benjamin said

"Yes" Isabella nodded with a gulp

"And wives never deny their husbands anything. Didn't your mother tell you that?" Benjamin asked as he stepped closer to her.

Isabella could feel hear her heart slamming against her rib cage. She saw him leaning towards her and she closed her eyes tightly.

The weird sensations in her stomach was back and she could feel a thrill of both fear and excitement at the same time.

She opened her eyes when she heard him chuckle.

"Look at your face. As if you were being taken for execution" Benjamin teased

"You were teasing me?" Isabella accused

"Was I??"

Isabella huffed

"Did I scare you?" Benjamin asked gently

"A little" Isabella said in a low voice

"Why? Am I that repulsive?" Benjamin asked

"No. I didn't mean it that way" Isabella hurried to clear his misunderstanding but saw him smirking and realised he was again teasing her.

"You are so bad. I don't want to talk to you anymore" Isabella said with a pout

"Okay okay. Jokes apart. I'm sorry I scared you Bella. But you have nothing to be scared of. Remember what I told you earlier? Our relationship will go according to the pace you are comfortable with" Benjamin said making Isabella smile.

"Thank you" Isabella was grateful for his understanding nature.

"And don't take what your mother said seriously. Maybe in their generation, it must have been like that. But we are living in the twenty first century. And we are living in London, one of the most progressive places in the world. A woman is her own person. Nobody has any right over her, if she do not wish it. Not even her husband. Do you understand?" Benjamin asked

Isabella nodded feeling herself lucky to have found such and understanding and caring man as her life partner.

"You must be tired. Why don't you change into something comfortable? Your luggage has arrived right?" Benjamin asked

"Yes. Sandro fratellone brought a few sets of clothes. He told me I could pack the rest tomorrow when we go there" Isabella said

"You take a shower and change. I will use the washroom in the guest suite" Benjamin said.

When Isabella came out after the shower, Benjamin was already on the bed, reading some book.

He looked up when he heard her. He closed the book and placed it on the bedside table and took off his glasses.

"You read?" Isabella asked

"I like reading" Benjamin said

"Me too" Isabella said excited at having a common hobby

"Oh that's great. We could share our books" Benjamin said

"What were you reading?" Isabella asked as she sat on the bed facing him.

"The Battle of Belonging"

"What is the plot? Is it action genre?" Isabella asked

Benjamin chuckled

"It's not fiction Isabella. It's a book on patriotism and nationalism. Written by a famous politician." Benjamin said and Isabella made a face

"Isn't that boring? How do you read all that?" Isabella couldn't understand how anybody could read anything other than fiction.

"So what type of books do you read?" Benjamin asked indulgently

"I like rom-coms. My favourite is Mills & Boon" Isabella said dreamily.

"You mean those books which has a couple having sex on the cover page?" Benjamin asked with a naughty smirk

Isabella started blushing furiously

"I'm feeling sleepy. Good night Benjamin" Isabella said hurriedly and laid on the bed, pulling the duvet over her head. She heard Benjamin laughing and cursed herself for telling him what stories she preferred.

Benjamin switched off the light and laid down next to her.

"You don't have to be embarrassed about anything in front of me Bella" Benjamin said softly and Isabella pulled down the duvet from her face and looked at him.

Benjamin moved closer to her and placed his arms over her stomach.

Isabella's eyes widened at that.

"Do you feel uncomfortable with this Bella? If you do, tell me. Okay?" Benjamin asked

He is doing everything to make her feel comfortable and welcome. Why can't she make a little effort too, she wondered.

"No" Isabella whispered and moved closer to him

"I feel secure with you" Isabella said.

Benjamin smiled hearing that.

"Sleep Bella" Benjamin said and they fell asleep in each other's arms, thus marking the beginning of a beautiful future.