Deprived Love - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Third person's pov
Bella leads Chris through a narrow, winding path lined with tall, leafy trees. As they walk, the sound of birds chirping grows louder, and the scent of blooming flowers fills the air. They step through a stone archway draped with ivy, and suddenly, the path opens into a breathtaking garden.
The garden was a riot of colour, with vibrant flowers in full bloom, their petals catching the sunlight and creating a dazzling display. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the trees, carrying the sweet scent of jasmine and roses. There’s a small, crystal-clear pond at the centre, surrounded by lush greenery, with delicate lilies floating on the surface. A stone bench sits nearby, partially shaded by a weeping willow, its branches gently swaying over the water.
Bella stopped for a moment, turning to watch Chris's reaction. His eyes widen in awe, taking in the serene beauty of the place. She smiles softly, knowing this hidden paradise is unlike anything he’s ever seen before. They walk further into the garden, hand in hand, the tranquillity of the surroundings wrapping them in a peaceful embrace. As they sit on the bench, the world outside seems to fade away, leaving just the two of them in this perfect moment.
“Bella, it's breathtaking. I fucking love it!” Chris said, gaping at the beauty in front of him.
Bella's heart skipped a beat looking at Chris's reaction. She knew that Chris would be surprised but his reaction came out more interesting.
“I know.” Bella said smiling.
Chris smiled. His heart bubbled with happiness. Everything seemed normal, as he can actually live a normal life once in a while. He stared at the girl sitting beside him who was staring at the beautiful flowers blooming in the garden.
It felt magical to him, the last time he remembered he was this happy was maybe back then, when he was a child. That too was with Bella. If he could think of what was missing throughout all his miserable years, it must be Bella.
Time spent with Bella can never be miserable for him.
She was a firefly to his darkness...
He had enough money when he became the leader, he had loyal workers beside him who could die for him. He received brotherly love from Liam. He indeed felt happy when they used to drink till they passed out. But this… this feeling seemed magical, indescribable, something Chris could die for.
Every moment spent with Bella gave him happiness. When he thought this was the most beautiful feeling Bella comes with something new that made Chris believe that it was limitless happiness with Bella.
Bella seemed to be a single blessing gifted by the angels in between millions of curses, cursed by the devils…She seemed like the last drop of water in between the dessert…. She seemed like the last breath of oxygen in between the breathless oceans… she seemed like the one ray of sunlight in between the darkness surrounded in the depth of the oceans.
Many more such examples… many more interpretations that Chris could think of.
Bella was the muse to his art, she was the common topic of his every poem, she was the theme of every architecture he makes. In other words whatever Chris does Bella will be there, maybe as a purpose, maybe as a conclusion, maybe as an inspiration but she will be constant.
“Chris, I think it will be raining.” Bella mused.
Chris raised his head up to glance at the sky.
The sky darkened slowly, as if a giant hand had drawn a curtain across the sun. Clouds, once wispy and white, now gather into a thick, heavy mass, their edges tinged with an ominous shade of grey. The air grows still and thick, charged with anticipation, as if the world itself is holding its breath.
Far in the distance, the first low rumble of thunder rolls across the sky, a deep, resonant sound that seems to vibrate through the ground. The wind picks up, cool and sharp, carrying the scent of earth and wet leaves. Trees begin to sway, their leaves rustling in the growing wind, and the first drops of rain, fat and cold, splash onto the dry ground, leaving dark spots in the dust.
The horizon blurs as the rain intensifies, turning the world into a watercolour painting, soft and undefined. The clouds, now thick and brooding, seem to press down on the earth, making the sky feel closer, more intimate. Flashes of lightning dance in the distance, illuminating the churning clouds for a brief moment before the sky is swallowed again by the impending storm. All around, nature pauses, waiting for the deluge to begin in earnest.
And the horizons of the cloud broke from the limitless sky. And rain started pouring.
Bella and Chris looked at each other with a smile. Bella got up and dragged Chris with her in between the garden. The cold rain drenched both of them.
Bella's blonde waves of hair started damping on the surface of her milky skin and Chris's raven locks became wet too.
Chris smiled, glancing at the chirping blonde girl. She looked carefree and Chris wished that the girl would always live like that- carefree and happy.
Bella wrapped her hands around Chris's neck.
“I enjoyed a lot today, Chris, I loved it.” Bella uttered slightly, raising her voice to be audible against the rain.
“Me too, darling.” Chris said smiling.
Chris gently leaned in and kissed her forehead, Bella smiled. He then trailed kisses along the blonde's cheeks. She chuckled and then he leaned in and pressed his lips against the girls.
He captured her lips in a sensual kiss, Bella's tummy erupted with butterflies and her heartbeat fastened. Chris gently squeezed her waist and pressed his tongue against Bella's teeth asking for permission.
Bella opened her mouth granting him permission. Chris's tongue explored Bella's mouth. After some minutes he withdrew from the kiss.
“You taste delicious darling.” Chris uttered.
Bella lowered her head, blushing. Her cheeks were covered in a scarlet hue.
Chris chuckled and made her face him by placing his index finger against her chin.
“Blushing are we?”
“S-stop.”
Chris chuckled and their lips met again. Bella intertwined her fingers in his raven locks and pushed him towards her to deepen the kiss.
They withdrew from the kiss after some minutes. They glanced around to see that the rain stopped, they didn't even notice that.
Chris sat on the ground leaning on a tree and patted the space in between his legs gesturing Bella to sit. She smiled and sat between his legs. She leaned against Chris's chest, her back pressing Chris.
Chris wrapped his arms around Bella.
“I feel lucky that you gave me a chance.”
Bella stared at the sky filled with clouds.
“Chris, I realised that maybe we are meant to be. Maybe it's destiny. I feel drawn to you even if I try to hate you. So I not only gave you a chance but I gave a chance to myself too, to be loved.”
“You deserve all the love in the world, darling.”
Bella smiled and closed her eyes leaning on Chris's chest.
The silence in the garden was comfortable but the silence was soon replaced by a horn. A van stopped right in front of the garden and several men dressed in black came out of it.
Chris stood up and dragged Bella to his back, protecting her. He cursed himself for not bringing weapons with him. How could he be so careless?
The men barged towards them to take one of the couples with them.