The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Hampton estate as twilight settled in. A soft breeze carried the scent of flowers across the garden, blending with the faint aroma of a delicious meal being prepared. Inside the mansion, Bella moved quietly into her room, her steps light with excitement and anticipation.
It had been a long and emotional day, but tonight, she wanted to create something special—a celebration of sorts. A moment of peace and joy after so much uncertainty. Alone in her room, she stood before her mirror and gently began styling her hair, pulling out her afro and shaping it with care. Each curl was given attention, each motion an act of self-love and serenity.
She followed it with her usual skincare routine, her skin glowing under the warm lights of the vanity. Her fingers moved with familiarity, applying creams and oils that left her skin soft and radiant. Then came the dress—a long, red velvet gown that hugged her figure gracefully. A bold slit ran up the side, revealing just enough of her thigh to add elegance and allure. She completed the look with a simple pair of short high heels, ones she could easily walk in around the house and garden without any discomfort.
Once dressed, she moved to the kitchen and started working on dinner. She carefully fried Irish potatoes, blending them with tender pieces of seasoned meat. The aroma alone was mouthwatering. She prepared a vibrant mix of passion fruit juice, lemon, orange, and pineapple—a tropical blend with just the right balance of sweet and tangy. She fried a colorful plate of greens—spinach and dodo—seasoned just the way she liked them. The garden table had already been set beneath the wide branches of a flowering tree, twinkling fairy lights draped above to give the evening a soft glow.
Bella glanced over the setup with a smile. It was simple, intimate, and heartfelt. She asked the chef to prepare whatever the staff wanted to eat and encouraged them to enjoy the evening without worry. This moment wasn't just for her and Jr.—it was a time for everyone in the household to feel light again, to take a deep breath and relish their regained sense of peace.
Lisa, Bianca, and Bonita had already eaten and taken their baths. The three little girls, still buzzing with leftover excitement from the day's events, eventually drifted into peaceful sleep, unaware of the gentle joy blooming in the garden outside.
As the sky darkened into a rich blue canvas dotted with stars, Bella picked up her phone and sent a message:
"My heart, where are you?"
The reply came swiftly.
"Am on my way, baibe."
Bella's face lit up, and without wasting another second, she dashed to the garden to make sure everything was perfect. The warm lights flickered like stars above the table, and the scent of the food filled the air.
Five minutes later, headlights appeared at the gates of the estate. Jr. arrived in his usual convoy, his guards flanking him silently. As soon as he stepped out of the vehicle, Bella met him with a bright smile. She walked over, took his bag and coat without hesitation, and led him inside. Her embrace was warm, firm, full of affection and quiet relief.
"My heart," she said softly, "go shower and find me in the garden."
Jr. raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's in the garden?"
Bella gave him a playful smirk. "You'll see."
He chuckled. "Where are my little princesses?"
"They're sleeping," she replied. "They must have played their energy away today."
Jr. nodded. "Makes sense. They've had quite the day."
"Now, please go freshen up," Bella added gently.
"Alright, alright," Jr. said with a grin, allowing her to guide him upstairs.
While he showered, Bella returned to the garden, adjusting a few things and lighting a couple more candles. The night was quiet except for the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets in the background. It was peaceful—something she hadn't truly felt in what seemed like forever.
A few minutes later, Jr. appeared, casually dressed in sweatpants and a white T-shirt. He looked around the garden, visibly impressed by the setup. The candlelight flickered across his face as he walked toward her.
"By the way," he said with a smirk, his voice low and warm, "I hadn't seen you properly before... You look absolutely gorgeous." He gently pinched her cheek, his eyes soft with admiration.
Bella smiled, slightly flustered but happy. "Thank you, my heart."
Jr. glanced at the table, then back at her. "So… what's all this? Are we celebrating something?"
Bella laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "Yes. We're celebrating freedom."
Jr.'s smile widened as he looked at her. "Freedom, huh?"
She nodded. "Freedom for the girls to play outside without fear. For me to breathe deeply and feel safe. For all of us to live without constantly looking over our shoulders. You gave us that."
Jr. took her hand, his expression softening. "You give me purpose, Bella. You and the girls... you're my whole heart."
They sat down at the table and began to eat. The conversation was light but meaningful, filled with shared memories and future dreams. They talked about the girls' upcoming school activities, ideas for a weekend getaway, and even silly things like who could make a better cup of coffee.
After dinner, Jr. leaned back in his chair, sipping the fruity juice blend Bella had prepared.
"This is amazing," he said. "Honestly, everything about tonight... I'll never forget it."
Bella reached across the table and took his hand. "Neither will I."
The night wrapped around them like a comforting blanket, the stars above watching quietly as the two sat there, content in the warmth of each other's presence. No guards, no reporters, no threats—just two souls basking in the rare stillness of peace.
For the first time in a long time, love didn't feel like something that had to be protected or hidden. It was simply there—alive, breathing, and glowing in the garden under a canopy of light.
It was freedom.