Flirting with Belle

"Belle, pack five pounds each of these greens, pumpkins, beans, eggplants... all sorts of vegetables. I'm taking them to Cynthia Wu's house." Lily Evans grinned as she instructed Belle to pack up the produce. Cynthia Wu was newly pregnant, so she deserved the best. Lily split some of the fresh vegetables meant for her own family to bring to Cynthia.

"Madam, it's all packed!" Belle finished up and cheerfully handed the bag to Lucky.

The heavy bag felt feather-light in Lucky's hands. He grabbed the bag with one hand and gently held Lily Evans's hand with the other. The two walked hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, toward Cynthia Wu's house.

Belle leaned against the doorway, watching the sweet and loving Lily Evans and Lucky. She couldn't help but feel a little envious.

"What are you looking at?" Suddenly, a voice piped up behind her. Eugene Warren poked his head out with a sly grin. "Belle, are you watching those two and wishing you could get married too?"

"Pfft! What nonsense!" Belle's face turned bright red. She seized the moment when Eugene Warren wasn't paying attention, stomped on his foot, and dashed off proudly. "Keep talking nonsense and I'll tear that mouth of yours next time!"

Eugene Warren hopped around clutching his foot, but couldn't hide his grin. He shouted after Belle, "Ouch! So fierce—you're a real tigress! Hey, tigress, if you want to get married, marry me! I promise I'll dote on you just like Lucky dotes on Miss Lily!"

"You... you shut up!" Belle, blushing and flustered, dashed into Margaret Evans's room.

Margaret Evans saw Belle's flushed face and covered her mouth, laughing. "That young Eugene Warren is teasing you again, isn't he?"

Belle's face grew even redder. She spat and muttered, "Madam, how can there be someone like him—never serious, always talking nonsense!"