Chapter 3 Childhood friends

Ryder's pov.

"What????" Bella picked up in her sleep without opening her eyes and yelled at whoever was calling her on Saturday morning without listening to the other side.

" Hey baby girl ! I knew it . " I spoke, chuckling at her fuming at me "You forgot. Today you are supposed to come with me for my family lunch. Come on and get up quickly and get ready . I 'll be there in 10 minutes." She said over the phone .

"Whatever." Bella replied lazily and hung up. I knew her routine and imagined what she was going to do next.

She would have quickly got up and went to the bathroom. She only had 10 minutes. She quickly brushed her teeth and took a quick shower. She wore her only clothing which she usually wore when they went out , her faded jeans which had become so old and an old black t-shirt. She wasn't fond of dresses and she was happy in her old clothing as she had no one to impress.

After exactly 10 minutes, I was standing on Bella's door ,hitting on her door bell impatiently . After continuously ringing the bell for 15 minutes ,Bella opened the door .

" Okay I'm ready . Let's go..." Bella hurried up and pulled me with her, shutting the door at the same time.

" You are always late and now I'll be late for my family lunch ." I said, making a face, hurrying with her towards my truck.

"Oh yeah? Then, why are you here? Ask any of your girlfriends to accompany you on your family lunch. You know that I want to spend my weekend resting in my dorm room on my bed , sleeping full day. But still you love to bother me. " She said lazily.

"Oh no. You know that they are all bitches. They never behave properly towards my family and make it awkward. And ... I don't want to spoil my family lunch ..." I rolled his eyes and continued,

" In fact, they will be happy to see you there . My family is very fond of you. Mom was asking for her favourite daughter, you know ." I gave her a soft smile.

"Yeah ! Your family is actually very loving Ryder. I actually like to spend my weekends with them , while I am away from my home and I miss my family so much ." Bella said, as she was feeling sad as she missed her family.

She was her parents' only child and they loved her so much. They didn't want to send her away for her studies . But Bella was so ambitious, they didn't want to stop her from chasing her dreams .

After a few minutes of driving, we reached my family's house. It was a huge mansion with a beautiful garden and all the modern finishing. My mom, Savannah Knight and dad, Anthony Knight, were sitting in the living area. As we came into sight, my mom and dad came forward to welcome us .

Mom hugged Bella. " Hey sweetheart , It's been a long time since seeing you. "

"Yeah, Mrs. Knight, I was busy with my assignments. But I missed you all." Bella said with a genuine smile. She really missed them . My family treated her like their daughter. My elder brother and his wife were also nice to her. She was very comfortable with them. She greeted my father and took her seat as they were all waiting for her and me to join them so that they could start lunch.

"How's Jonathan?" My father asked about his best friend.

"He is fine Mr. Knight," Bella answered.

"When are they planning to come here and meet us? I must say he has forgotten me?" My father said ,fake annoying.

Bella chuckled . "Oh no. He misses you every day, but he is busy with his job. Maybe he 'll come sooner." She said, smiling.

At the dining table, while we were all having lunch, conversations were going on about their work and life with laughter and smiles. Bella liked to eat as she was always fond of home-made food and didn't get it more often as she had to live on takeout or cup noodles.

My mother said to Bella, " I really like that you eat like a normal human . Otherwise, Ryder's girl used to eat like she lives on air ..." Everyone laughed at that .

Bella looked over at me . "Oh Mrs. Knight, I love to eat . And I don't have a boyfriend who wants me to look like a model... right Ryder ."

."Oh, I never told any girl to starve till death . It's her choice." I furrowed. They liked to pull my leg.

"Oh my , how I wished that you were his girlfriend instead of those models like girls . " My mother said. Bella' s breath caught in her neck .

I annoyingly yelled at my mom, "MOM. . " She sometimes makes situations embarrassing.

"What? A mother can dream." My mom rolled her eyes. She was so dramatic.

"Anyway Bella, what are your plans for vacation? Are you willing to join us as a trainee?" Damon , my brother asked. He loved her as his little sister.

" Ummmm. I am going to join a company as an intern on vacation. It will give me experience and some earnings too." She said, smiling. Not that she needed money. But she preferred to be independent.

"That's great! Ask Ryder to refer you to some decent companies. He will guide you better as he cares for you most." Damon said.

Bella smiled, nodding her head.

We enjoyed a family lunch together. Chit-chat and teasing each other made the delicious lunch more interesting.

After lunch, my mom made Bella promise that she would visit them soon. We left after some time.

We went to my condo . We had made plans to watch a movie and order takeout for dinner . Both the friends were in a happy mood.

Bella changed into my t-shirt which was too big for her and went to her knees . I also changed and now we were both sitting on my couch in front of a huge TV.

I asked her to choose a movie and I went to make some calls .

We watched the movie on the couch and fell asleep together. Bella often spent her weekends at my place . I threw a blanket over them and wrapped my arms around Bella to avoid her falling to sleep .

There is no awkwardness between us because Bella was my baby girl and I had never seen her otherwise as she was ten years younger than me. For me, she was just a teenager. Out of my league.

We cuddled and slept.

Our relationship was so pure. It was pure and so innocent. Not everyone had this effect on me but Bella.

She had wrapped me around her tiny finger.

She only understood me. She never judged me for anything.

She has been with me since her birth. I loved her as a baby. I could do anything for her.

Only she had this place in my life. I didn't understand why I cared so much for her. But I knew she was my childhood friend .