Jayden's POV

My breathing became ragged when her body touched mine and her arms encircled around my head firmly in an embrace.

Isabella and I have never been that close before except on our wedding day.

Noticing my still body, she pulled away immediately and apologized. I have been thinking about it since I left her in the kitchen to cook but I don't know what to think of what happened between us.

I have never given any other woman my attention apart from Helena.

"Let's go and eat outside", she suggests as she comes out of that kitchen with the food. I love potatoes and I made sure madam Cassandra got enough potatoes for me during the grocery shopping she did for me yesterday.

She is my maid and she usually comes to clean every week or whenever I need her to shop for me in preparation for my arrival.

I have never come here with anyone, not even Helena. I bought this house after Helena died and I felt like the mansion was suffocating the hell out of me.

Everything about the mansion reminded me of her and I left the mansion down to this place. Buying this house was my escape from the reality of the misfortune that had befallen me.

I was planning to make potato pinwheels before but now that Isabella has cooked with potatoes, I will go for something else tomorrow.

The food looks delicious and I can't wait to have a taste of it.

"You have never eaten out whenever you visited, right?" She peers down at me in curiosity and I nod and get up from the chair I am sitting on.

"We can give it a try."

"Yes, I saw two cane chairs outside. Do you have a coffee table or a small stool around here?" She asks and I nod and point to the coffee table beside the tv.

She picks it up. "This meal will be nice with red wine, do you have any?"

I take the table from her and keep it on my left hand while I pick up the tray of food with the other hand. "There is one bottle of wine in the fridge. Check."

"The fridge?" She looks surprised. "How come I didn't see it?"

"Maybe you should check the second door. I will be waiting outside", I say to her and move out.

I am no longer excited about being here like I was when we were on our way here. The thought of coming with my fake wife who has turned into a friend over the days was overwhelming but now, considering what happened between us earlier, the excitement is gone.

I don't know why she isn't saying anything about it but I feel there is more to that hug. I could feel her heartbeat before she could pull away.

I stroll out and drop the table between the two large cane chairs and drop the tray of food on the table. Then, I flop onto the first chair, just in time for her to appear with the cutleries, two glass cups, and a bottle of wine.

"I can't wait", she squeals in excitement as she opens the wine and pours some for me and some for her.

Instinctively, I wave the thought of everything bothering me away so I can enjoy the food. I take a sip of the wine and face her so I can use my cutleries to cut a piece of the crispy baked potatoes.

Using my fork, I take a bite and the taste settles heavily on my tongue. I moan in delight.

I nod my head in satisfaction and pride.

"This is delicious", I compliment, taking another bite.

She beams in happiness. "I love it better with sauce."

"I'm sure it would taste great. The crispness is out of this world."

"Thank you", she says in appreciation and we eat in silence.

After a while, she raises her head and asks. "What would you have cooked if you were the chef for tonight?"

I shrug. "I had potatoes in mind, actually."

"Wow, really?" She gulps down the remaining content of her wine.

I nod.

"I had something else in mind but I couldn't find chicken…"

"Yeah, I eat the weirdest things whenever I am here. It is an opportunity for me to try my hands on my formulated recipes but chicken is never available but I will keep that in mind to bring it from town when next we come here."

"I would appreciate that", she drops her cutlery and leans backward in her chair. "The weather is really nice. I love the lake and I wish I can go close."

"I won't advise that", I look up. "It seems like it is going to rain pretty soon."

"Can we just move closer before it rains? I want to know what it feels like…"

"Isabella?" I interrupt her but she pouts.

"Please, I've never seen a lake before. This is my first time and I would love to have something good to say about the experience here."

Even though I don't like the idea, I sigh and give in. She jumps up and drags me off my seat and I laugh at her.

We both walk towards the lake and when we are close, she squats down, insisting that I do the same. I squat beside her and she dips her hand into the water with her eyes closed.

I watch how relaxed she looks despite being far away from home and being new here. Unconsciously, I plunge my hand into the water too and a cold sensation runs through me.

I remove my hand but Isabella's hand is still there, she is twirling her fingers around, playing with the water, a smile now on her face.

Before I can tell her the time is up and we should head back inside, it rumbles above and before I can look up, it starts to rain.

"Isabella, let's get back inside", I say with a tone of urgency as I hastily help her up.

I have experienced storms in this place and they can be really bad. Without any arguments, she holds my hand as we race back towards the house.

The rain droplets make it difficult to find our way back but with constant rubbing of my hand on my face, it becomes easy while I hold Isabella's hand firmly in mine.

By the time we get into the house, we are already wet and the rain has become heavy.

I lock the door from behind and Isabella watches the rain from inside, sniffing, her eyes closed again.

Suddenly, I remember we left the plates outside and I let out a sigh. The whole thing will be gone with the storm by tomorrow and I can't go out.

I get cold easily.

Without telling Isabella, I walk to the bedroom and bring out a new pair of t-shirts and pants for me to wear.

"You should go on inside, I will sleep on the sofa", I tell her and she twirls around to face me squarely.

"Sofa? Why?"

"There is just a bedroom, you should take it and I will sleep here. Goodnight", I say to her before she can protest.

Even though we sleep on the same bed at home, it shouldn't be the same here since we are alone.

Sleeping with her on the same bed at home is something I do because I have no choice. I just hope the storm will end before tomorrow morning so we can find our way back home and I can resume work tomorrow morning.

I slouch to the sofa, wondering why I am suddenly avoiding her. I am cold and I don't think it will be a good idea to talk about anything else other than going to bed. It is late already.

Isabella does not say anything and I am about to raise my head to see if she is still there when I hear her say a low. "Good night."

****

Why has he suddenly gone cold again? I thought he was beginning to open up to her till all the ice has been melted.

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