The next morning, Isabella took a warm bath and changed into a simple, cream-colored dress. She sat on her bed and looked at her plushies with a sleepy smile. She gently patted their heads.
"Good morning, Moonbeam... Berry... And you," she added, lifting her new seal plushie, "Good morning to you too, snowball."
She missed waking up with Scarlett around—her loud morning rants, her weird compliments, and her unpredictable questions that always made Bella laugh. The room felt a little too quiet without her.
Still thinking about it, Bella made her way to the dining room. She had a light breakfast with toast and jam, and a little fruit on the side. But just as she finished, the front doors opened and several people walked in.
Her fork froze in midair.
She looked around in panic.
Who are these people??
More than five of them—some were wheeling in big suitcases, some had shoulder bags, and a couple were holding folders and tablets. Were they here to... attack? Rob? Take her away?
Bella was halfway ready to hide under the table when a maid behind her leaned down and whispered gently,
"They are the stylist team, Miss. The shoot will happen on the cruise. They’re here to leave first."
Before she could finish, Leonardo stepped into the room from the hallway. He was dressed sharply—tight-fitting dark trousers and a burgundy shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to show his watch. His hair was styled, damp at the ends like he had just showered, and his sharp jawline was so dangerously clean it could cut air.
He looked at the team, exchanged a few brief words with the bodyguards, and they nodded—handing out access passes to the stylists.
The stylists nodded respectfully and soon left through the back entrance. Bella blinked.
"...Cruise?" she whispered to herself.
Leonardo turned to her, walking closer.
Too close.
Bella’s breath caught in her throat.
Then he stepped forward—slowly, deliberately until he stood in front of her, so close that she could feel the faint heat from his skin, smell the subtle hint of his cologne.
"Wear something nice," he said, voice deep and unreadable. "We’re doing the wedding shoot today. On the cruise."
Bella nodded, her fingers gripping the edge of her plate.
But he didn’t move.
He tilted his head, looking down at her with those sharp eyes. "Answer."
She blinked up at him, flustered. "Y-Yes... I will."
Still, he didn’t look away.
His eyes traced her face for a second longer than necessary, and Bella suddenly became hyper-aware of her thin dress, her messy hair, her bare arms.
"I’ll wait for you," he said finally, his voice quieter now.
Then he turned, walking away.
Bella swallowed, her heart pounding. Her legs felt like jelly.
She sat there frozen for a moment.
After finishing her breakfast, Bella returned to her room with quick steps. Her heart was still fluttering.
She took another warm shower—just to calm her nerves and changed into a light sea-blue sundress with soft frills at the hem.
Her hair was tied loosely with a white ribbon, a few soft strands falling over her cheek. She gave a quick glance in the mirror, then turned to her plushies.
Leaning over, she kissed each of them on the forehead.
"Wish me luck," she whispered. "I’ll come back soon..."
She picked up her cream-colored purse and carefully placed her tablet, phone, and a small pouch of candies inside—just in case she got nervous or hungry. The purse was big, but it made her feel safe, like carrying a piece of her world along.
When she finally stepped out into the hallway, her eyes immediately found him.
Leonardo.
He was seated on the living room couch, one leg crossed over the other, completely absorbed in his phone. His brows were slightly drawn together in concentration, and his finger rested on his lips—lazily, but elegantly.
Bella’s breath hitched.
He wasn’t doing anything. He was just sitting there.
But how could any man look so effortlessly... gorgeous?
The sunlight from the window hit his features just right—the sharp jawline, the clean cut of his burgundy shirt, the faint gold of his wristwatch. His damp hair had dried a little now, falling naturally across his forehead.
She bit her lip and looked away quickly, trying to hide the small, silly smile forming on her face.
Bella hugged her purse tighter and softly walked toward him.
Just then, Leonardo looked up from his phone and their eyes met.
He didn’t smile.
But for some reason... Bella’s heart flipped anyway.
"Let’s go," Leonardo said as he stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket with a soft click. He gave her a short nod before walking toward the door, his tall figure as calm and unreadable as ever.
Bella blinked and followed him quickly, hugging her bag tightly to her chest. Her heart was already fluttering from the thought of being on a cruise. She had never stepped foot on one before. Not even close.
She glanced at him again.
He didn’t say much, but the fact that he was going with her—spending a whole day just to take photos was making her chest feel warm.
The driver opened the car door, and Bella quietly sat beside Leonardo in the back seat. The soft leather of the seat felt cool under her skin, and the entire space smelled faintly like cedarwood and his cologne.
Leonardo didn’t speak.
He just looked out the window, one hand resting near his jaw, his other hand playing with the buttons of his sleeve like he was thinking something important.
Bella, meanwhile, was trying to look outside too, but her eyes kept drifting back to his hands... and then his wristwatch... and then his profile.
How could someone look so serious and still make her feel so...
She turned her head away quickly and tried to focus on the road.
Their car moved quietly through the streets, and finally, they reached the private cruise dock. The soft sound of waves filled the air, and Bella gasped softly when she saw the large white cruise gently rocking in the water.
Her eyes widened in awe.
The crew members were already waiting. A small team stepped forward, holding the equipment and escorting them toward the boarding ramp.
Leonardo stepped out of the car first. Then, he turned around and offered his hand.
Bella looked up, startled.
He didn’t say anything. Just stood there. Waiting.
She placed her hand gently in his.