chapter 7

Jace pov

"Thank you Bella I promise you won't regret this"

With that said, I signaled the waiter over to take Bella's order, and he approached our table with a practiced smile. Bella glanced at the menu, then back at me, she seemed a bit overwhelmed by the extensive list of dishes.

"May I take your order,MA ?" the waiter asked politely.

I gave him a nod and he walked towards me I turned to Bella. "Don't worry, Bella, allow me take care of this ." I couldn't help but notice the uncertainty in her eyes, and I wanted to put her at ease.

I began to order, choosing some of the restaurant's signature dishes. "We'll start with the lobster bisque for appetizers, followed by the filet mignon for the main course. And for dessert, how about the chocolate fondue?" I glanced at Bella to make sure she was okay with my choices.

Bella nodded, her smile growing. "That sounds perfect, thank you, Jace."

The waiter jotted down our order and left with a courteous nod. I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction that I could make Bella feel comfortable in this unfamiliar setting, it's the first step to a successful seduction.

As we sat there waiting for our orders to arrive, I decided to steer the conversation toward our upcoming birthday. "So, Bella," I began, "your birthday is coming up soon. Any special plans?"

Bella's expression shifted, and she looked down at her hands for a moment before answering, "Not really. I usually just go about my normal routine, perform my chores, and then hang out indoors with my friends. Nothing too extravagant."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt knowing that Bella's birthdays had been far from the grand celebrations I was accustomed to. It was clear she hadn't experienced the kind of luxury and extravagance that surrounded my own life.

Before our conversation could delve deeper into her birthday plans, the waiter arrived with our dessert, the chocolate fondue. The sight of it made Bella's eyes light up with curiosity.

The waiter set up the fondue pot and placed an assortment of fresh fruits and marshmallows on the table. "Here you go, sir and madam. Enjoy your dessert," he said with a warm smile before leaving us to savor the treat.

I picked up a strawberry, dipped it into the melted chocolate, and offered it to Bella. "Care for a bite?" I asked with a playful grin.

Bella hesitated for a moment, then accepted the strawberry from me. As she took a bite, her eyes fluttered closed briefly, savoring the taste. When she opened them again, she met my gaze with a genuine smile. "This is amazing, Jace. I've never had anything like it."

I felt a sense of satisfaction in introducing her to new experiences, and it warmed my heart to see her enjoying herself. This was a side of Bella I had never witnessed before, and I was determined to keep the pleasant surprises coming, this way she'll never be able to get over me.

There's no better time to initiate the plan of inviting Bella to my party than now, and with our dessert before us, I decided to broach the subject. "Bella," I began, my voice soft but determined, "how about we celebrate our birthdays together this year?"

Bella's eyes widened, and she nearly choked on a piece of marshmallow. She coughed, regaining her composure, and stared at me in astonishment. "Together? But... Jace, that's not... I mean, I'm not..."

I reached across the table, gently placing a hand over hers to calm her nerves. "Bella, I know it's not what you're used to, but I promise you'll love it . I'll make sure of it. You deserve to be treated like a queen on your birthday, and I won't settle for anything less."

Her gaze met mine, a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and something else I couldn't quite decipher. "Jace, I appreciate the offer, but it's just... Your parties are always lavish, I've never been part of such extravagance before . I'll feel out of place."

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "Bella, you won't be out of place. You'll be right where you belong, by my side as my birthday mate . Trust me, I'll ensure that everyone shows you the respect you deserve. Besides, it's about time you experience something different from what you're used to everyday, something extraordinary."

Bella hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching mine for sincerity. Eventually, she nodded slowly. "Alright, Jace. If you're sure about this, then I'll give it a chance."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. Convincing Bella to celebrate her birthday was a small victory, but it was also the beginning of something much larger-a chance to change the way she saw herself and her place in our world.

As we continued our dinner, the waiter brought our main dishes, and the aroma filled the air, enticing our senses. Bella, while savoring her meal, turned her gaze to me, her expression softening with gratitude.

"Jace," she began, her voice sincere, "I wanted to thank you for what you did that day when I broke the vase. You saved me from your father's anger, and I'll never forget it."

I offered a faint smile, my gaze meeting hers. "You don't need to thank me, Bella. I did it because I wanted to, not because I had to."

Bella nodded appreciatively, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and curiosity. "Speaking of your father, how's everything going with you since his withholding it until you find your mate."

I sighed, my fork pausing mid-air. "Yeah, that's the situation. He's adamant about it, but I guess I'll just have to keep waiting."

Bella's brow furrowed in concern. "Waiting for your mate? That can't be easy, I feel terrible knowing its all my fault."

I chuckled lightly, trying to downplay the complexity of the matter. "Well, it's not ideal, but I've learned to deal with it. In the meantime, I focus on my duties and other aspects of life."

Bella's gaze lingered on mine, a hint of empathy in her eyes. "I hope you find your mate soon, Jace. It must be tough to bear the pressure."

I nodded, acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead. "It's a struggle, but I'll just have to keep waiting. Maybe fate has something in store for me that I'm not aware of yet."

After our meal, I signaled for the bill, taking care of it without a second thought. As we left the luxurious restaurant behind, I turned to Bella, a mischievous glint in my eye.

"You know, Bella," I began, "I have something to show you. Something that's very important to me."

She looked at me with curiosity, her expression a mixture of intrigue and anticipation. "What is it, Jace? I'm curious now."

I led her through the night, away from the bustling city streets, until we reached a serene and secluded pond. The moonlight shimmered on the water's surface, casting a soft, ethereal glow that bathed us in its silvery light.

Bella took in the tranquil scene, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow, Jace, this place is incredible. It's so peaceful."

I smiled, my gaze locked on the moon's reflection in the water. "This is my spot," I confessed, my voice quiet and reflective. "Whenever I need to find some peace, I come here. It's like my sanctuary."

Bella turned to me, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's beautiful, Jace. Thank you for sharing it with me."

I felt a sense of vulnerability as I looked at her, standing there beside the pond. This was a side of me I rarely showed anyone, and yet, I wanted Bella to know this part of me.

"It's not something I share with just anyone," I admitted, my voice soft. "But I wanted you to see it, to understand a little more about me."

Bella's eyes met mine, and she smiled, a genuine and appreciative expression that touched my heart. "I'm glad you trust me enough to show me this, Jace."

As we stood there by the pond, beneath the moonlit sky, I couldn't help but feel that our connection was deepening. This night had been full of surprises, and I was beginning to see that there was more to Bella than I had ever imagined.

As we stood by the tranquil pond, the moonlight painted shimmering ripples on the water's surface. Bella's presence felt like a magnetic pull, drawing me closer with every passing second. We exchanged glances, and her eyes held a myriad of emotions: curiosity, vulnerability, and a hint of desire.

Without hesitation, I closed the gap between us, our lips brushing together softly. It was a delicate connection, a silent conversation between our souls. The kiss carried a promise, a promise of something beautiful yet unexplored. But to my surprise, I retreated slightly, my heart racing with uncertainty.

"Bella," I breathed, my voice quivering with raw emotion, "I... I don't want to rush this. I want you to be certain." The words hung in the air like an unspoken question, seeking her response.

However, Bella had her own agenda. With a fervor that took me aback, she surged forward, her lips meeting mine with a passionate intensity. It was a kiss that defied hesitation, a kiss that conveyed her unspoken desires. It left me stunned, my heart pounding, and my senses reeling.

As our lips finally parted, Bella's cheeks glowed with warmth, and her eyes sparkled with an intensity that mirrored my own. I offered her my jacket, realizing that the night had grown colder. She accepted it with a grateful smile, and the simple exchange spoke volumes about our growing connection.