As they entered through the heavy iron door, an expansive landscape that had been hidden from view outside welcomed them. The grounds of the Riverside Sports Club sprawled out before her, far larger and more intricate than she had imagined.
Nestled among the lush greenery were several interconnected buildings, linked by long walkways that seemed to weave through the serene setting.
Tall trees, their branches adorned with softly glowing lights, bordered the club’s sprawling lawns. In the distance, a tranquil river meandered lazily, adding to the natural beauty and serenity of the place.
A soft breeze carried with it the mingled scents of freshly mowed grass and the enticing aromas drifting from barbecue grills set up near the tennis courts. The air hummed with the joyous symphony of laughter, clinking glasses, and the animated chatter of mingling guests.
Bella looked around in awe. She had never thought such a place existed. The enormity of the club grounds, coupled with its tranquil ambiance and vibrant social atmosphere, surpassed her expectations.
"It’s huge," Bella murmured, almost breathless with wonder, her gaze sweeping over the scattered groups of people enjoying themselves on the grounds.
"Come on, let’s find my friends," Theodore gently prompted, breaking her reverie.
Bella nodded, her curiosity still aflame, and followed Theodore as he led her toward one of the buildings. Passing through a massive wooden door, they ventured further into the heart of the club
The room was abuzz with activity as members and their families gathered. The interior exuded warmth and camaraderie, with walls adorned with memorabilia and trophies.
A live band played a mix of popular tunes and classic hits, their music adding to the festive atmosphere.
Amidst the vibrant scene, Theodore and Bella made their entrance, their presence immediately drawing curious glances and hushed whispers.
Theodore, tall and commanding, exuded a relaxed elegance in his crisp white shirt and navy chinos, his demeanor poised yet approachable. Beside him, Bella appeared slightly overwhelmed, her demeanor a mix of timidity and curiosity.
Everyone wondered who was the woman beside Theodore. No one had ever seen him with a woman. Bella’s presence stunned everyone, speculations running wild among the guests.
"Theodore! Long time, no see." a man as tall as Theodore greeted them warmly, his eyes drifting to Bella with a hint of scrutiny.
Bella felt a wave of unease wash over her as she sensed something disconcerting about the man named Marcus. His smile seemed rehearsed, his gaze sharp with hidden intent despite the facade of friendliness.
"Marcus," Theodore acknowledged with a nod, his tone polite yet guarded. "Indeed, it has been."
"Who is she? Girlfriend?" Marcus didn’t stop scrutinizing Bella.
Theodore hesitated for a moment, torn between his desire to disclose their relationship and the promise he had made to Bella. "She is with me," he replied firmly. "Please treat her with respect."
Marcus flashed a knowing smile. "It’s rare to see you protective toward a woman. Certainly, she is special. What is your relationship with her?"
"Mind your own business, Marcus," Theodore hissed, his composure threatening to crumble. "We are in the middle of the party. Don’t trouble us."
Marcus held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Sorry if I offended you. I was only curious to know about this beauty. You never brought a woman before at a party."
Theodore’s jaw clenched, his frustration evident. he was losing his patience. "Is it a problem if I did tonight?" he retorted sharply.
"No, of course not," Marcus replied quickly, attempting to defuse the tension with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Bella, standing beside him, could sense his rising annoyance. She was afraid a fight would erupt between them. She had no idea what enmity Marcus had with Theodore, but she wouldn’t let them fight. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
"Theodore!" she whispered, tugging at his arm. She silently pleaded with him to stay calm.
Ignoring Marcus’s lingering gaze, Theodore guided Bella away with purposeful strides, moving through toward a quieter corner of the room.
Marcus watched the silent exchange keenly. He was certain that this woman was special to Theodore and his interest in Bella grew even more.
"By the way, what’s her name?" Marcus asked.
Theodore’s reaction was swift, his gaze meeting Marcus’s with a steely resolve. "You are not entitled to know her name," he replied tersely, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features before he turned away.
Marcus’s grin widened subtly as he sipped his wine, unfazed by Theodore’s rebuff. His eyes followed their retreating figures with a calculating gaze, thoughts swirling behind his composed facade.
Bella, sensing the tension and intrigue surrounding Marcus, couldn’t help but ask Theodore about him in a hushed tone. "Who is this man?"
"No one important," Theodore dismissed her question. He didn’t want to ruin his mood talking about that man. "Come with me. Let’s focus on enjoying the evening. There are people here I need to catch up with."
As they moved deeper into the bustling party, the lively ambiance and friendly faces around them provided a welcome distraction.
Bella looked at the couples dancing on the dance floor in the other corner of the hall. Loud applause drew her attention, and she moved her gaze to the singer, a charismatic young woman with a powerful voice.
She was so lost in watching her that she didn’t notice Theodore greeting someone.
"Theo, you make it." Loud laughter pierced through Bella’s hazy mind, pulling her attention away from the singer. She turned to see a middle-aged man with gray hair enveloping Theodore in a warm hug.
"How are you doing, Mike?" Theodore asked, his voice as cheerful as the man. His grumpiness vanished. The smile that lit up his eyes was a stark contrast to the fire Bella had noticed a while ago.
Mike seemed familiar to Theodore in a way that suggested a long-standing friendship or camaraderie. As they exchanged pleasantries, Bella couldn’t help but wonder who this man was.
"All is well here, but we all miss you," Mike replied. "Why don’t you start coming here regularly?"
Theodore’s smile, though genuine, carried a trace of bitterness as he recalled the accident that had forever altered his life. He used to come here on a regular basis and practice boxing. He was formerly a champion, winning numerous competitions. However, following the accident, the doctor advised against ever entering the ring again. He sustained a serious head injury, and it was unsafe to fight.
He smiled, bitterness creeping into his throat. "I’ll come," he assured him, "but only for warm-up, not fighting anymore."
Mike’s expression softened, the lines of concern etching deeper as he absorbed Theodore’s words. He had heard the word that Theodore wouldn’t be fighting anymore. He initially thought it was just a rumor, but it turned out that it was true.
"I understand," Mike nodded solemnly, choosing not to press further on the matter. Redirecting the conversation, he turned his attention to Bella, who had been standing quietly beside Theodore throughout their exchange.
"Who is this beautiful lady?" Mike inquired warmly.
"She is my date."
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