Chapter 306 - Now or Never

Hanxi woke up to the sight of Isabella's radiant face, merely a meter away. He thought he was dreaming. It surprised him completely how relaxed she was sleeping in his room. 

He knew too well how she feared to be in the same space with another man, but then again, he was not a stranger to her. Surely after a year of friendship, he must be someone she had gotten used to and be comfortable with. 

Turning around, he grabbed his phone from the bedside table and quietly took a picture of her sleeping face. He then scanned his other photos and recognized it was better than the last one he took when they were in Italy. 

Matteo had woken and began to play on his face, pinching his nose then putting a finger on his lips. "Shhh, uncle mommy is very tired. Don't wake her up."

Grinning at him, Hanxi softly replied, "Okay. Do you want to meet the twins?"

Matteo nodded while looking up to him. They both calmly got up and just before heading out, Hanxi fixed themselves up. He took out the boy's bag and changed his shirt. 

It was already late in the afternoon when they woke up and Hanxi knew the twins would be by the garden, playing. Karen and Pilar were there looking after them and Andrea was carrying Angela. 

"Wow! Cute babies!" Matteo exclaimed. 

Hearing Matteo, everyone turned to him, and the twins ran towards Hanxi. "Uncle! Uncle! Play! Play!"

"Slow down Chevre and Brie!" Hanxi kneeled in one knee to hug both the twins. He then introduced Matteo to them. 

"Hi babies! You are so cute! Uncle, I want to play with them," requested Matteo, while looking up to Hanxi. 

"Where is Bella?" Andrea asked as she walked towards them. 

"She is still asleep. She is exhausted. I'm very surprised she even fell asleep in my bedroom," he said after giving a peck to the cheeks of Brie and Chevre. 

"You should go up and look after her. We  will take care of Matteo - "

"No, she will be fine there - "

"Hanxi," Andrea called his attention saying, "This is the time. This is the right time. Talk to each other, please."

He felt his heart raced. Just the thought of telling Isabella. However, his nerves were quickly replaced by concern as he heard the children yell loudly. 

Matteo and the twins ran to the middle of the garden as he spoke with Andrea. The caregivers were quick to go after them and Hanxi became at ease.  They were calling each other at the top of their lungs as they ran around. He turned his attention once more to his sister. 

"Hanxi, there is no harm in talking to her. At least you tried and you clear things up. Please, Hanxi," Andrea pleaded while putting a hand on his shoulder. 

He quickly put a hand behind Angela's neck for support and it made Andrea laughed thoroughly. She said, "You are so fatherly. Haha. Don't worry about Angela. She may be three months old but she is strong. She has already started to lift her head."

He took a deep breath and said, "I don't know if I could live a life without this, Andy. I'm so used to the twins and you and even bro Fang - "

"Again you are thinking way ahead. You are making conclusions without trying to talk things out. Learn from me and Fang, we always talk it out… in bed. Haha!" Andrea went into a hysterical laugh as she held Angela to her chest. 

Hanxi shook his head. He was finally beginning to understand the meaning behind her words.  He called out to Matteo saying, "Matteo! I'm going to check on your mom. Stay with aunt Andrea and your new friends!"

"Okay, uncle!"

He reluctantly left the garden and went back to his room and as he walked, he noticed his heart beating faster and faster. When he opened the door, he found Isabella was still sound asleep. 

Isabella was facing the left side of the bed and he slowly walked towards her. He sat next to her and as he carefully studied her, he gently brushed his fingers through her blond hair. He noticed they were very soft. 

Isabella turned to his side, giving him a good view of her beautiful face. It made him smile adoringly at her. His eyes gradually scanned her brows, to her long lashes, her slender nose until his eyes were glued to her pink lips. 

Caressing her face lightly, Hanxi could literally feel his heart coming out of his chest. He got excited of the idea of kissing her succulent lips. "Bella. Bella, it's already late in the afternoon. Wake up."

Since she did not hear him, he remained to stare at her. He felt a force behind him wanting to touch her lips with his that he gulped knowing he would not be able to stop himself. 

Slowly, he leaned forward and called her name again, "Bella. Bella?"

His eyes narrowed on her lips and leaned even closer. Eventually, his lips met hers, giving merely a peck as his eyes closed. It was just a second, but he felt her softness and he really liked it. 

Isabella wanted to cry outright. She asked herself as she continued pretending to be asleep, 'He kissed me? He kissed me! That meant he liked me?' 

Hanxi lazily sat back and saw she was still resting. He told himself, 'One more. Just… One more.'

Leaning forward, he gulped, nervous that she would wake up soon, but he saw her inhale deeply while slightly turning her head to the side. He figured she was still asleep. 

When his lips touched hers, he suddenly felt her hands on his face that he pulled away and their eyes met. Panicked, he sat up hastily and was about to stand while saying, "I'm sorry. I did not know what came over me. I'm sorry - "

"No, Hanxi!" He felt her arms around his waist, pulling him back to the bed. "Hanxi, no. Please, let me hug you. I beg you, let me hold you even just for a minute."

Hanxi was confused with what to do at that point. Moreover, Isabella's actions puzzled him the most. He could not tell how long they remained in the same state but every minute that passed by, her hold became tighter and tighter until he heard her sniffing. He could tell she was crying. 

"Hanxi, I've fallen in love with you. Please, please tell me you love me too," said Isabella while closing her eyes, her face resting on his back. 

Isabella did not care anymore. She had been holding her feelings for him for several months now. If she could not tell him today, she may never have the chance to do so. She knew it was now or never.