Chapter 281 - Her punishment

"How was your first day at your new school?" Leo asked.

"Dad, you didn't go to work?" Belle was stunned to see him.

Leo was already walking towards her.

She hugged his waist and he patted her hair softly.

"Nope. Your mom's legs got a bit swollen and we went to the hospital. They scolded that I'm not letting her walk freely just like I always did when she's pregnant.

The effect this time is the swell. We've been exercising together all day." Leo explained.

Belle pulled back and smiled at him. "Where is she?" She asked.

"Sleeping, so I see it's time you return and come to wait for my baby." He said dottingly and both walked towards the couch.

"Thank you, daddy. Where is Mia and my big guy?" She asked.

"Sleeping with their mom. We're all helping her massage her leg, and they fell asleep after." He replied.

"I missed the fun." Belle pouted.

Leo patted her head. "Now, tell me how your day went. Are you comfortable with the school?

Anything that needs repairing that I could support with?" He asked.

"Dad!" She scolded.

"I will just ask a random person to give it to them, without revealing my identity." Leo said.

He will never change. Belle mentally facepalm.

"Everything went well. The building was nice and the food tasted good. The teachers are good and students are accommodating." She said and Leo smiled, his heart eased as he studied her expression and it looked smooth.

"Daddy, I made friends. They are so cool." She said with excitement. Her body wasn't calm on the chair, she bounced up and down as she explained their encounter to Leo.

He took in every tiny bit of information and realized the girls seemed to be good, but the part where the girl stood for her when someone tried to invite her to their seat was mistakenly included.

"So, no boys?" Leo asked.

"Ha! Well, there's one." She said.

"Tell me about him." Leo asked in an understanding tone. He's the type who listens.

Belle didn't hold back and explained to him.

He was silent for a while.

"I think you should apologize to him. You're a beautiful girl and anyone would be attracted. I'm glad you didn't let that get to your mode of thinking.

But like I will always say to you, don't rush things because you want to do what your mates are doing. Follow your heart.

Let the chemistry click and heart speak to you. Okay? If you like him, you can start by being friends and study buddy to further know the type of person he is. See where it leads, but make sure you keep being the good girl that you are, okay?" He looked into her eyes for assurance and Belle nodded her head.

"Thank you, Daddy." She jumped to hug his neck.

"Thanks for always listening and being supportive." She added, burying her head in his neck line.

"Belle!" Daniel's tiny voice was heard.

Belle peck Leo's cheek one last time. Her heart felt light.

She pulled back and ran to meet her brother who had started running after confirming it's her.

"My big guy." She picked him up and turned her face left and right, receiving a peck on each of them.

He clung onto her neck as she began heading to her room.

He still looked like he wasn't done sleeping. She also needs to rest as well, so showering and sleeping is the aim at the moment.

Leo watched them leave.

Most parents would have acted strict after hearing what she told him, perhaps warn her to stay away from boys, but Leo knows it doesn't work like that.

She's at a daring age. She might do as he says at first, but all it will take to change her mind would be a persistent boy and her heart falling.

It will become something a part of her would want to try, but secretly.

Leo knew if she had a boyfriend at school, and she planned to keep it secret, he wouldn't know since he wasn't following her around.

Without any pressure now, she will open her eyes and take it slow. Follow his advice since he didn't scare her.

She is a sensible girl and his support alone will make her not want to let him down.

She will be sixteen in 3 months, which is supposed to be 21, if she was raised on earth and not the ancestors' realm.

...

Belle got to school the next day and her friends were waiting for her by the gate.

It felt like a dream, but they acted so naturally and she also loosened up.

She didn't act awkward.

They talked about how they spent their day after school, while walking into the main class premises.

"Well, good morning newcomer that got all the attention." They heard someone say from behind and laughing followed.

They turned around and it was those six girls whom one of them liked, Michael.

The girls took a defensive stance in front of Belle, but she wasn't easy to bully.

Maybe weak emotionally, but not physically. Only if the situation tackled her emotional state, would she look helpless and tired.

In her former school, they only get to badmouthed her, none of them took the initiative to start a fight.

She's not really nice when it comes to beating up someone.

She's really good, thanks to Leo's men, before Leo told them to go into the world and explore, fall in love and live their lives.

She missed them, but she learned a lot from them. Those who refused to leave Leo after they discussed it, were now staying near the villa.

They reported to look over his and his family safety every day, while still taking care of the family they've built.

Everyone was happy.

Belle touched their shoulders and winked at them. They were stunned by her confidence, but still let her through and were ready to butt in if the need arose.

"What do you want?" Belle asked the girls who looked at them with their gaze full of mockery.

"Why are you all taking this so personal? We're just saying hello." The one who seems to be their leader, said.

Belle smiled. "Hi." 

That was all she said and turned to her friends, "let's go." She added and they began to leave.

"You're so badass. By the look in the others' eyes, they definitely came to cause trouble, but chicken out." Tracy said and Belle smiled at them.

She doesn't want trouble, but wouldn't let herself be pushed over.

The Belle rang and they all walked to their classroom. She wasn't as scared to talk to Michael as before.

She told her friend that they would go for the long break without her and they cheered for her.

They seem happy that someone from their group got Michael.

The lecture was received and Michael didn't stare like he did the previous day.

He actually beat her in answering questions and solving solutions for the whole class to see.

He's very smart.

She was intrigued by everything he did and felt like she's staring at a worthy opponent.

After their lecture, everyone was eager to leave the class and breathe fresh air as usual.

Michael was sorting some notes and making sure he mastered what was thought, while he waited for his friend.

The girls winked at Belle and she blushed.

Now her heart is racing again.

She summoned the courage and packed her bags, walking towards him.

He felt a presence and looked up.

Belle thought it would be awkward or he would play hard to get, but he quickly got up on his feet.

"Hey!" His face beamed with happiness and disbelief.

"Hey!" Belle responded in a soft tone, looking into his eyes and further noticing how much he's handsome.

The other students looked at them as they walked out, but the duo was lost in each other's eyes.

His palm felt sweaty.

He grimaced and looked left and right, before using his kerchief to wipe the seat beside him.

"You mind sitting down?" He asked.

"Sure." Belle replied and sat beside him.

To ease the tension, she looked at his text book and the note he's jotting on.

"Need help?" She asked, pointing at the book.

Michael smiled at her. "I'm good, just pretty stubborn in seeing the in and out of something before doing something else." He said and Belle nodded.

"You were cool earlier." Michael said and Belle replied that he was cool as well.

"So, well….." She trailed off.

Michael now understands why she's here. She might have been told that he wasn't wayward.

"It's alright." Michael said.

"No, it's not. I owe you an apology. I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. The truth is, I was finding you kind of nice and was thinking that I've got a friend, but suddenly think about the possibility of you doing the same with everyone and it somehow annoys me. 

I hate people who toy with others. I'm sorry I misunderstood you. I pushed you, so push me back." She said the last part with a grimace and Michael burst into laughter.

"I have other ways to make you pay for that." He said.

"Huh?" Belle was confused.

"Yeah. You will accompany me to the library after the short break for a month. We study together and talk about things that come to our mind. For now, how about showing you around the school premises." He said and Belle could feel her face warm.

"You blushed a lot, don't you?" He teased.

"Show me around." Belle avoided his question.