Eight years ago.
"Why do you have to go home so quickly? You're not Cinderella who turns ugly after midnight."
"Because I promised Aunt Ruth. You know she's meaner than a prison warden."
"She should have married that old Woody Wilson, instead of giving him years of empty hope. If she marries, she won't have time to manage other people."
Bella laughed. "Don't be like that, Reef. After all, she's my father's only family. Aunt Ruth took care of him when my grandmother died in an accident."
Reef sighed. "Though I'm still not satisfied spending the night with you. Earlier, by the river, it's so great. I didn't think you were so...."
"Reef, please don't discuss it." Bella's face warms with embarrassment, remembering her hot kisses in the back seat of the car parked by the river, where they used to picnic. Bella had never been like that before. She didn't understand either what was driving her. Maybe it was because Reef was so handsome that night. And he was wearing his new suit that fit his tall, athletic body perfectly. Most of the girls at the party couldn't take their eyes off Reef. However, Reef's gaze was only for her.
"Hey, it's okay. I like you that way. Just do it often. We should make the most of our time together before you leave for New York."
"Hmm. Maybe to Brunswick," Bella smiled.
"That's even better! It's closer than Saco."
"Are you sure you're not applying to college this year?"
Reef smiled a little. "I have to find a job. Make some money first. You know, since my dad got fired...."
"Of course, Reef." Bella nodded. Grabbing his hand and squeezing it lightly was a sign that she understood, and would always support him.
Reef pulled Bella into his arms. Bella looked up. Her face was so close that Reef could feel Bella's warm breath on his neck. Bella's delicate fragrance was irresistible. Reef cupped her face with both hands, and kissed Bella's parted lips. Those lips tasted sweet and intoxicating, and their kisses were getting as hot as they had been by the river earlier. Reef wanted her again and again.
Suddenly the moment was shattered by a knock on the car window.
"Holy shit!" Reef was the first to break away. A face pressed against the glass. A face that scowled and glared fiercely. Aunt Ruth was staring at them.
"Oh, no." Bella quickly fixed her tangled hair and clothes. "She's going to kill me."
"Why? We're just kissing."
"Don't you know? She's more puritanical than people in Victorian era!"
The tapping on the glass sounded again. "I have to get in," Bella said as she opened the car door hurriedly. "See you tomorrow, Reef!" she called as she hopped out.
Her father's aunt, Ruth, walked behind her as Bella crossed the yard to the front door and opened it.
"I promised I'd be home on time, Aunt Ruth. You don't have to wait for me to open the door."
Aunt Ruth closed the door behind her after they entered. Bella didn't even have time to wave at Reef. Aunt Ruth gave her a sour look. "Whenever your parents aren't home, I'm in charge of watching you."
"Geez, Aunt Ruth. I'm already eighteen!" Bella walked past her to find a drink in the refrigerator.
Aunt Ruth followed her. "I thought you broke up with that boy."
"With whom, Aunt Ruth?""
Reef Davis, of course. Who did you think you were kissing earlier?"
Bella's face heated up. Being caught kissing by her parents was fine. However, if it was Aunt Ruth, it was a different matter. This old virgin will definitely bring it up continuously until the end of time.
"Why do you think I'm going to break up with Reef?"
"Well, you're going to Columbia University soon."
Bella took a sip from the bottle of mineral water she had just taken from the refrigerator. "I don't know, Aunt Ruth. I'm also considering Bowdoin College. They also sent me a Letter of Acceptance. Then, Brunswick is closer to Saco than Ithaca.
"What do you mean?" Aunt Ruth snarled. "You're going to throw away an Ivy League college for Reef Davis? Do your mom and dad know about this?"
"I'll tell them when they get home."
"Silly girl," Aunt Ruth grumbled. "They'll be very upset. Especially your mother, she won't approve."
"I'll persuade her. My mother's not that hard."
Aunt Ruth sighed. "Bella..." Her tone softened. "You should think about it carefully. What is useful for your future, take it. You're beautiful and very smart. Don't waste your chance on someone who doesn't deserve it. Don't sacrifice yourself for anyone if you don't know anything about the world and life yet."
"You mean, Reef is not worthy of me?"
"If you want me to put it plainly, yes. He's not worthy of you."
***
Nowadays.
If possible, Bella wanted to fly straight back to New York that night. She never wanted to see Reef Davis again. It felt so torturous to see him again. She knew she should feel guilty and ashamed for what she had done to him, but instead she was mesmerized by Reef's charms. Just like before, she was ensnared and lulled. And the worse is Bella let Reef mock and insult her without resistance.
"Damn it!" Bella took off the Jimmy Cho high heels she was wearing roughly, and kicked them to the corner of the room. The poor shoes hit the wall, making her realize that they were her hard-earned limited edition shoes. "Bella, you idiot," she hissed as she bent down to pick up the shoes and place them properly. She wasn't going to sacrifice her favorite good shoes just because she was upset with Reef Davis.
Bella catches her breath. Inhale and exhale. It was a new habit she had picked up to calm her emotions. Once she calmed down, she was able to look around her room. It was nice and comforted her a little. It was quite large, with windows overlooking the pool and the hills in the distance. The interior was shades of brown, white and beige. It was clean and chic.
The Greenwood Motel consisted of a two-storey farmhouse with a series of outbuildings of additional rooms, overlooking the swimming pool. The motel was new, not yet established when she was living in Saco. Her room was in an outbuilding. She booked it through an online application.
Brenda was surprised that Bella didn't choose some hotels or motels whose owners she had known since childhood. Brenda said they would probably give her a big discount or even free. "You were the darling of this town," Brenda said. "We lost the most popular girl in town when you left."
"That's not true!" argued Bella in astonishment. "What's popular? Mariel is the prettiest one here. A blonde girl with big blue eyes, with a body like a Spanish guitar. She's also very sociable. Mariel is a Barbie doll incarnate. I'm just the introverted redhead who follows her around."
"That was before you dated Reef Davis," Brenda pointed out. "When it was just you, there was nothing special. But when you paired up with Reef, wuzz! You two are as charismatic and compatible as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Your charm radiates everywhere."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Never mind, Bren. I'm over those days."
However, she was lying. Bella had never forgotten all her memories with Reef. And, her departure that hurt Reef was unforgivable. Strangely enough, she was hurt when Reef treated her arbitrarily at Mariel's wedding. Being cold, then being sweet. Then being affectionate, then turning cynical, full of mockery and anger.
Yes. Bella should have packed her suitcase and flown straight to New York that night. However, now there was something holding her back from leaving immediately. That house. Red House. The house that holds the memories of her childhood with her late father, mother, and Aunt Ruth. Bella wanted to see it again. She wanted to have it back. If Reef could be persuaded to sell the house to her.
Bella had just finished taking a shower. A towel is still wrapped around her wet hair, when her cell phone rings on the nakas. An unknown number appeared on the screen.
"Do you still want to see the house?" Reef's voice was light and casual. There was no trace of his anger at the party.
"Red House? Of course."
"Did you have dinner?"
"Not yet. I was just about to order a pizza."
Reef laughed softly. "You're staying at Redwood, right? Brenda told me. I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes. We'll have dinner before we go to the Red House."
Reef hung up, before Bella could say anything more.
***