Chapter 12

Arabella's POV

After our lunch, the Jones' decided to take a dip at the pool. I protested at first, saying I didn't bring my swimsuit or change of clothes. Then Collette said since when was it a problem with us? She can always lend me her swimsuit and her clothes since we are almost the same size.

She called her fiance, Todd, and asked him to come over so she can introduce him to me. My daughter Sophie was so excited to take a swim in the pool. The only problem is she doesn't have her swimsuit and change of clothes as well.

So, Mrs. Jones called my mom and asked her to bring us our swimsuits and clothes to change. My mom happily agreed, and after a few minutes, she came with our packed bag. She didn't stay long, though, because she said she had errands to attend to in town.

Collete brought us to the guest room, where I usually stay when I came over for a sleepover all those years ago. I changed my daughter, Sophie, first before I checked what my mom brought for me.

To my horror, she chose my very skimpy red bikini. I didn't even know why I bought that. I guess I was just attracted to it when I saw it, but I never really wore it.

How can I go out wearing this? I could kill my mom for doing this to me. Then Sophie started dragging me to the door. She wanted so bad to go to the pool.

I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my body before we went out. I guess I'll keep it wrapped around me; no need to go to the water. Yeah, I can watch Collette and Sophie play in the pool.

When Sophie and I arrived at the pool, everyone is already there. Collette, Liam, and Taylor are already in the water while Mr. and Mrs. Jones are in the lounge chair watching them.

" Mommy, can we go in the water now?" Sophie asked me excitedly. I don't have the heart to say no to her, but I am so nervous about taking off my towel. I've never shown so much skin before. It's always shorts and a t-shirt for me whenever we take a swim.

" Yeah, come on, Bels. The water feels so good, take off your towel and get your cute butt in here." Collette shouted, and I feel more pressure. Before I can say anything, my naughty little princess took the towel off me, and I suddenly felt so exposed.

I heard everyone gasped, and I dared not look around me. Instead, I kept my eyes down and followed my daughter. She's dragging me to the pool.

" Wow, Bella, you are smoking hot. I've never seen you wear this kind of swimsuit before. Why were you hiding that gorgeous body, momma?" Collette teased, and I splashed water her way.

" Oh, my little Bella, you are not so little now, hon. You've grown a lot, mostly in the right places, right, Liam?" Mrs. Jones exclaimed, and my face turned as red as a tomato.

Liam was quiet, and when I stole a glance at him, he was staring at me differently. Taylor was seething beside him and turned her blazing eyes at me. She hit Liam in the chest, and he was startled as if he woke up from a trance.

" You okay there, son? It looks like you saw a ghost." Mr. Jones joked and chuckled. Liam looked away and was blushing. Taylor was glaring at him, and he looked confused.

Taylor is wearing a black bikini, and she had the body of a runway model. I don't know why she feels threatened by a tiny woman like me. They had a heated argument at the other end of the pool, then Taylor went out of the water and went back inside.

"Come on, baby, come to auntie Collette. I'll teach you to swim like a mermaid." So Collette took Sophie from me, and they started playing. I was left by the side of the pool, sitting on the steps. So I watched Collette and Sophie play, and I did not notice Liam came closer to me.

" Aren't you coming in, Bella?" He asked, looking up at me, smiling.

" In a minute, I'm just testing the water first," I said shyly, not looking at his eyes.

" Are you still scared of the water?" He asked again. He remembered. When I was a little girl, I used to be scared of getting in the pool. I don't know how to swim, so I always stay close to the steps.

" Come on. I'll hold your hands, and we won't go too deep, promise." He said, offering his hand to me.

' I'm okay, Liam. You don't have to worry about me. I'll get in, in a minute." I answered him declining his offer with a smile.

" Bella, come on. You are not a little girl anymore, babe. See, even Sophie is having fun, come on." So there he goes again with that babe thing. As usual, I'm blushing like a schoolgirl. f**k my life! So I decided to take a dip to hide my scorching and red face.

" Finally! You are such a baby, Bella." Collette rolled her eyes and teased me. I stick my tongue at her, and Liam laughed. I didn't notice he came closer to me. I pretended to swim to the other side, sticking to the side where it's shallow.

Liam followed me and, still laughing, " why are you running away from me, Bella?" He whispered that only the two of us could hear.

" I'm not running away, Liam. I am enjoying the water." I answered him, still walking around the pool.

" Yes, you are, babe. You won't stop walking." He chuckled behind me and grabbed my waist underwater. He turns me around to face him, and he stared at my very red face.

" And you are blushing. You don't have to feel shy around me, Bella." He said. Both hands are holding my waist, keeping me still.

" I am not shy, Liam! I only want to swim around the pool, that's all." I replied, still not looking at his face.

" If you are not shy, then look at me in the eyes and stop blushing, babe." He chuckled again. This crazy guy is killing me! So instead of answering him, I dunked underwater to stop myself from blushing and avoid his eyes.

When I came up, he is standing too close in front of me. I wiped my face and combed my hair, then stared at him.

" There you are," he whispered, and I was startled.

" Liam, what are you doing? Your girlfriend might be watching, and your family is watching." I told him in panic.

" I'm not doing anything, baby, not yet. You shouldn't have worn this bikini if you didn't want my attention, babe.'' He whispered again and came closer. But before he can go any more closer, Taylor's voice boomed.

" Liam Jones, what the hell are you doing?!" We were both startled and looked at Taylor beside the pool with her hands on her waist, glaring at us. I pulled away from Liam and went to Collette's side. Collette is smirking at me, and I gave her a warning look.