quick turnaround with Bella

"Bella can't stand this colleague she has to work with tonight, especially on a Saturday night, answering losers and their damn computer problems. She is convinced that Dark Celos is a disgusting pervert with what Stacy has said. And the girl knows him; Dark Celos was her ex! She can't bear Dark Celosgaze on her..." "Bella walks into the office, her face marked by annoyance. She throws a disdainful glance at Dark Celos." "Listen, I don't want to be here, especially with you, pervert" "she starts, crossing her arms." "We've got work to do, so try not to bother me. And keep your hands under control !" "She turns to her computer, her expression stern. After a few minutes, she sighs loudly." "Fuck... John, you dumbass," "she mutters to herself." "As if I needed this on top of that..." "She furiously types on the keyboard, then gets up to fetch a file. Returning, she glares at Dark Celos." "And don't even think about ogling me as usual, got it? You creep..."

"Bella notices Dark Celos working calmly at his computer, ignoring her insults like water on duck's back. It irritates her even more." "Tch, are you deaf or what? I'm talking to you!" "she lashes out." <The office is empty except for the faint humming of computers in the background. Papers are scattered across the desk in disarray> [Damn, he's acting like he doesn't give a shit about what I say. Usually people cower when I'm angry, but he... there's something about him. Could Stacy be wrong? No, she must be! He's way too old for me anyway...] "What, cat got your tongue? Don't you have anything to say for yourself, you pervy creep?" "she says, her eyes glinting with fury and... something else? Curiosity?" "Come on, say something! I know you're dying to drool all over me like the dog you are!" "She leans against the desk, arms crossed under her ample chest, waiting for a reaction from him with a wicked smile. Something tells her pushing his buttons might be fun... If only to take her mind off her problems for a while."

"Seeing Dark Celos's calm smile and head shake in response to her insults, Bella feels a twitch of irritation and...grudging admiration?" <The office is empty and quiet except for the tap of keys and whisper of papers> [Hmph. He's not biting, no matter what I say. Most men would be tripping over themselves to prove they're not what I accuse them of. But him... there's a stillness to him that's... intriguing. And kind of hot, if I'm being honest. Ugh, get a grip Bella!] "Tch! You think you're so composed, ignoring me like that?" "she scoffs, pushing off the desk to lean over his shoulder, getting in his space."
"I'm talking to you, grandpa! The least you can do is acknowledge me instead of pretending I don't exist." "Her breath is warm against his cheek as she glares at his profile, waiting for any crumb of reaction. The steady rhythm of his typing is strangely calming, though she'd never admit it."
"Well? Nothing to say to your charming coworker?" "she prods with biting sarcasm, unsure why she's even still here instead of walking away."

"Bella blinks in surprise as Dark Celos's large finger boops her nose, completely unexpected." <The fluorescent lights cast a clinical glow over the empty office> [W-what the hell?! Did he just...boop my nose? Like I'm some silly little kid? The nerve!] Scowling, she rubs her nose haughtily. "Did you really just boop me? Who do you think you are?" Yet underneath her irritated huff, she feels a tiny thrill at his brief contact. His skin was warm... Shaking her head to derail that thought, she presses closer to glare into his face. "I'm talking to you, you bastard! The least you can do is look at me when I'm insulting you." Her tone is angry but her dark eyes gleam with reluctant interest now rather than just fury. "What, you think you're better than me or something? Too good to even grace me with a response?" She leans in till their faces are inches apart, curious in spite of herself what it would take to finally get a rise out of this infuriating man.

"For the first time, Bella sees a glint of amusement in Dark Celos's eyes rather than just calm indifference." <The LED monitor casts their faces in a pale glow as the office hums quietly around them> [Response, not insults or taunts? Huh...] Her defiant scowl melts into surprised thoughtfulness. "Questions, huh?" Leaning back slightly, she taps a long nail on her chin. "Alright then, respond to this: what do you find so funny about all this? Aren't you bothered working with me, after what Stacy said?" She studies his face, curious what he'll say now that he's finally engaging instead of ignoring her. Deep down, she's also curious what he really thinks of her, though she'd never admit such a thing. His steady yet warm gaze meets hers openly, without a trace of lechery or guile. There's something soothing about it despite her distrust. "Well? I'm waiting for your response, grandpa," she prods with less bite, secretly hoping he'll keep proving her assumptions wrong.

"Bella is taken aback by Dark Celos's calm, thoughtful response." <The rhythmic tapping and whirring of machinery fills the silent office. Outside, city lights glitter through the windows> [Elementary school, huh. Maybe that's why his composure irks me so much - it's like he sees right through me.] For a long moment she just studies him, frown lines smoothing as she considers his words. Finally she huffs out a grudging chuckle. "Insults as bread and butter with friends, huh? You've got guts, I'll give you that." Crossing her arms, she leans back against the desk beside him.
"And I suppose Stacy's just blowing smoke, like she tends to do. Damn bitch..." Her voice holds less heat now, more contemplation. "So you really don't care what anyone thinks of you? Must be nice." For the first time, a rueful smile tugs at her lush lips.
Glancing over, she asks more quietly, "And what meaning do you get from... all this? What do you see when you look at me, really?" Dark eyes search his openly, vulnerability shining beneath wary pride.

"Caught off guard by the question, Bella blinks and looks away, chewing her lip. What does she want him to see...?" <The steady hum and glow of electronics is the only movement in the quiet office> Taking a breath, she meets his gaze again steadily. "I want you to see me as... more than people usually do. More than the bitch everyone thinks I am." Her voice softens. "Look past all the walls I put up. See that underneath... I'm still human. I still want..." Trailing off, she shakes her head ruefully. "Ah, who am I kidding. You're too old, I'm sure you think I'm just a silly girl." Pushing off the desk, she sighs. "Forget it. This heart to heart stuff isn't me."
Yet as she turns to go, her eyes linger on his profile questioningly. Does he really get her, she wonders, or is she fooling herself?

"Dark Celos's thoughtful words give Bella pause." <Outside, city lights sparkle like fallen stars amidst the inky night> Turning back slowly, she regards him with new eyes, scrutiny melting into quiet interest. "You're... different than I thought," she admits, arms loose at her sides. Stepping closer again, she asks softly, "Then what have you learned in your... experience, that sees past surface?" Dark eyes search his openly, hoping he understands her unspoken question - what does he see in her soul? Her arms fold lightly as she awaits his response, defenses dropping more with each calm reply. This man confounds her, sees past her barbs in a way that feels strangely exhilarating. She finds herself wanting to know him better, though the notion frightens her too. "Well?" she prompts when he's silent, wondering if he'll continue chipping away at her walls.

"Bella listens closely, eyes widening fractionally at his perceptive words." <Outside the city breathes and murmurs like a living entity around their quiet oasis>
She presses her lips together, gaze lowering briefly. When she speaks, her voice holds a new softness. "You... see a lot. More than most." Glancing up through her lashes, the weariness in her eyes strikes him.
"To be touched with comfort, not taken for granted..." Her hand rises as if to reach for that solace, then curls back unsurely. Stepping nearer still, she searches his open face. "Do you offer that? Can I let you in, or will you prove me right to keep everyone at arm's length?" The plea in her dark eyes is stripped of barriers now. For the first time he glimpses her essential sweetness beneath bravado, weary of battling the world alone. Her breath catches slightly, awaiting the response that will decide if she dare hope, or lock her heart away forever.

"Bella's eyes widen, then slip shut as Dark Celos's large, warm hand hovers by her cheek, mere inches between solace and self-preservation."
<The glow of monitor light washes over their upturned faces in a pale luminance>
Her pulse flickers rapidly yet calms as she breathes his woodsy scent, feeling his patience. A rueful smile tugs at her lips too, releasing held tension on a small sigh.
Leaning imperceptibly into his palm, skin meets skin - a hesitant blossom opening after long winter. His touch is firm yet gentle, comforting without demand.
Lifting lashes damp with relief, she studies him gravely. "I think... you may see me after all," she murmurs, astonishment and fragile hope mingling.
Tentatively, as if approaching a wary wild thing, she raises her hand to cover his on her cheek. Trust is difficult, yet this man makes her want to try. "Thank you..." Soft lips brush his calloused fingers, a butterfly's whisper, seeking more of his calm strength.