Francis was sitting in his couch trying to forget what happened the night before. He had made some coffee and tried to eat something but his mind was working fast and his appetite was nowhere to be found. When he heard the doorbell he heard the footsteps of one of his servants rushing towards the door next he heard the polite words of a typical Englishman.

Wearily Francis rubbed his forehead; he really didn't want to see Arthur now. He should have mentioned this to his maid but he didn't think he of all people would be disturbing him.

"Good morning." He said a little distracted as if he was expecting someone else.

"Bonjour." Francis said trying to be polite but when he saw the way Arthur crinkled his nose to the word 'Bonjour' as if he heard something offensive, Francis sighed.

"What do you want?"

"Where is Belle?" Aha, so it's her he needs. "I don't know, don't care." Francis said as nonchalant as possible, taking the newspaper next him so he could pretend he really couldn't care less.

"Of course."

Francis looked up from his newspaper, the way he had said the word 'of course' it was filled with disgust.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Never mind."

At that moment Francis heard footsteps coming from behind him, he expected it to be his maid but when he saw Arthur's expression he knew it was someone else. She was still here?

"Belle." Arthur said and he walked over to her, his eyes filled with compassion.

"Hi Arthur." She said, trying to sound cheerful but there was something sad in her voice.

Francis got up and turned around to see her. "You're still here?" He asked her without really thinking, Arthur turned around, narrowing his eyes. Belle didn't answer him; she averted his gaze and kept staring at her feet.

"I'll take you home." Arthur said, putting a protective arm around her and leading her to the door.

"Goodbye." Arthur said and gave him a short nod. Francis waved at him sarcastically and when the door closed he went back to his couch. "Merde." He muttered.

"I was worried sick about you!" Arthur said when they got in the car, Belle sighed.

"I was safe. You know Francis, he wouldn't hurt me."

"You were drunk, who knows what he did to you, he's a pervert!"

But Belle wasn't really listening to Arthur ranting about Francis. Belle could only think about the night before. The way Francis had made love to her still made her breathless, he was passionate but not too rough, gentle but still… Belle softly bit her lip.

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Arthur asked annoyed by Belle's reaction, normally she would hang on to his lips, fascinated by everything he said, now she was staring out of the car window, her eyes glossy.

"Sorry." She whispered, a blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Belle." A familiar voice came from afar, Belle turned around to see her brother with an amused expression. "What is up with you?"

Belle shrugged, she was still thinking about Francis. Maybe she could call him? She had been rude to him.

"Look if you want to hang out some other time, that's cool." Lars said after she had been drifting away in thoughts for the 5th time.

"Can I tell you something?" Belle asked her brother, could she tell him? Would he understand?

"Sure."

Belle took a deep breath. "I had sex with Francis."

Lars stared at her for a few seconds, his expression blank. For a country that wasn't afraid of prostitutes and other kinky stuff he looked like he was in shock.

After what seemed like an hour he began to speak.

"Was he good?"

"Lars!"

"What? It's just, what am I supposed to say? You're a grown woman, do whatever you want."

Belle sighed. "It's just, I think I insulted him."

"Always tell a man he has a big…"

"LARS!"

Belle punched him on the arm. Sometimes her brother could really be such a, well the word he was going to say.

"He asked me what I wanted for breakfast and I told him that he didn't have to do this, I assumed it was a one night stand and I kind of have the feeling he was confessing his love for me."

"Oh. Well that's awkward." Belle nodded and her brother pulled her closer in his arms.

"What does your heart tell you?" Belle shrugged. "I don't know, I've never seen him as more than a friend."

"Let it all sink in. Maybe make a list." Her brother smiled and gave her a light kiss on her forehead.

Belle hugged her brother, she was happy to have him. "Thanks grote broer."

"No problem, zusje." He said and he winked at her.

Francis was staring at the phone, he could call her.

No, she has to call him. Francis sighed.

When the phone began to ring, Francis jumped up.

"Belle?" He said, hoping to hear her voice.

"Not Belle, Ludwig speaking."

Francis couldn't hide his disappointment. "Oh, I'm sorry; I was expecting a phone call."

"So it seems."

"How can I help you?"

But Francis already had an idea why he was calling, the same boring stuff as usual. It felt like this man never took a day off.

After the many details Ludwig wanted to discuss he hung up and slumped back to his couch.

Francis tried to think of the first time he saw her. He thought she was an annoying little girl, always running behind his nemesis. Either it was Arthur or Antonio, but she was always against him.

But he loved her. He always did, always wanted her but she kept running away from him.

When arriving at the conference room he couldn't help but to look around to see if he could find her.

Then he saw her, talking to her brothers.

Should he talk to her? Ignore her?

Then she saw him, she smiled at him. Francis wanted to smile back but he couldn't, he was still a little mad at her.

Belle took all the courage she had, excused herself with her brothers and walked over to Francis.

"Hi."

Francis didn't look at her but he simply nodded.

"Okay, you're ignoring me, but I really need to talk to you."

"Not now, meeting is about to start but afterwards we can talk." He said and for a moment she thought she saw a smile on his face.

Francis was waiting for her outside, he was nervous and couldn't help but to light up a cigarette to ease the nerves. When Belle got outside he straightened up but tried to hide his nerves.

"So, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?" He asked her, trying to sound cool.

"I want to apologize. I'm so sorry for what happened the other time and I hope you can forgive me?"

Francis closed his eyes. "Sure." When he opened his eyes again, he couldn't help but smile, he can't stay angry at the lovely lady in front of him.

"But you need to do me a favor before I can forgive you." Belle narrowed her eyes.

"Yes?"

"Go on one date with me." He didn't know why he asked her this, maybe to show her the real France, country of love.

Belle smiled to his surprise.

"I'd love to."