The moment Bella stepped onto the cruise, her eyes widened like a child seeing snow for the first time.
The white, glistening deck stretched far ahead, polished so perfectly that it reflected the soft morning sunlight. Crystal railings shimmered along the edges, and elegant white parasols were arranged near the lounge area where smooth, tan couches waited. Flower arrangements—fresh lilies and ivory roses sat in vases by the entrance of the upper deck lounge. The breeze carried a soft scent of saltwater and something faintly sweet, like citrus perfume lingering in the air.
She turned slowly in place, completely mesmerized by the luxurious sight. Her voice slipped out before she could stop it.
"Wow..."
Leonardo, who was just one step behind her, heard it.
He looked at her.
The way her eyes sparkled, her mouth parted in awe, and her fingers clutched the strap of her purse like she was afraid of breaking the dream.
A quiet smile curved his lips. It was rare, barely there but real.
As they stepped further in, the crew straightened instantly. Bodyguards at every exit and corner gave a respectful bow. A few staff greeted Leonardo with soft, formal voices.
"Mr. Moretti."
"Everything is prepared, sir."
Even the captain came down from the upper deck to welcome him with a slight nod, his voice smooth and practiced. "It’s an honor, Mr. Moretti."
Bella blinked at the attention he received, her gaze shifting between him and everyone around.
So calm. So commanding. So used to this world.
And yet... he turned slightly to look at her, like checking if she was keeping up.
That single glance made her heart thump softly.
The crew led them through the corridor of the cruise’s lower deck, past decorative glass walls and shining golden lights that lined the ceiling like twinkling stars. The scent of fresh linen and sea breeze drifted together, wrapping everything in a soft, clean calmness.
"This way," a staff member said, stopping in front of two sleek wooden doors side by side. The elegant gold room numbers gleamed under the light.
Bella blinked as the door opened, and her lips parted in silent amazement.
The room wasn’t as big as the ones back in Leonardo’s villa—but goodness, it was still breathtaking.
A queen-sized bed with snowy white sheets sat at the center, covered in soft beige throws and fluffy cloud-like pillows. The walls were painted a gentle cream with touches of dark wood trim. A glass wall stretched across one side, giving her a full view of the endless blue ocean. The curtains were sheer and swayed slightly from the breeze coming through the tiny open vent.
A small table with a rose in a silver vase sat near the window, beside a velvet armchair. The lights on the wall were dim and golden, giving everything a dreamy warmth.
She walked further in, her shoes barely making a sound on the floor. "It’s... so pretty," she whispered to herself.
The room beside hers—right next to it—was his.
So close.
For some reason, that made her ears go warm.
Just as she stepped back out to look around, she saw Leonardo standing by his door. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
He looked calm... like always. But she thought she saw the tiniest twitch at the corner of his lips again. Maybe a smile. Maybe not.
She looked down quickly and fidgeted with the strap of her purse.
"I’ll come get you when it’s time," he said in his usual low voice, then entered his room and shut the door gently behind him.
Bella stood there for a second, her heart still beating faster than usual.
She looked at the door beside hers, then at the ocean outside the hallway window.
Everything felt new. Strange. A little scary.
But also... a little bit like a dream.
Bella locked the door gently behind her, placed her purse on the chair, and lay back on the soft bed, letting her body sink into the mattress.
The cruise was gently swaying, not enough to make her dizzy but just enough to feel like she was being rocked to sleep by the sea itself. The silence felt peaceful, like a small pocket of calm carved just for her. She closed her eyes, letting herself rest in that quiet moment.
Knock knock.
Her eyes fluttered open.
She sat up quickly and padded barefoot to the door, fixing her hair with her fingers before opening it just a crack.
Standing outside was a young woman dressed in a neat black dress with a headset clipped to her ear. "Ma’am, it’s time to get you ready for the shoot," she said politely. "If you’ll follow me, please."
Bella nodded with a soft smile, slipping her feet into her sandals. She glanced once more at the cozy room behind her before stepping out and locking the door.
The woman led her through the hallway, their footsteps quiet on the carpeted floor. Bella’s heart was beating faster—not from nerves, but from excitement. The kind of fluttering excitement she’d only felt once as a child when she was picked to play a flower fairy in a school play.
They stopped in front of a double door, and the assistant pushed it open.
Inside was a bright, softly lit room filled with mirrors—tall ones, round ones, makeup mirrors with glowing bulbs. A few stylists were already there, setting up brushes, palettes, hair tools, and gown bags hung neatly on a rack nearby. Someone was steaming a dress. Another was untangling delicate hairpins.
"Please have a seat, Ma’am," the woman said again, gesturing toward a plush chair in front of one of the mirrors.
Bella walked slowly toward the seat, her hands folded in front of her as she took everything in.
She sat down carefully, smoothing the hem of her dress.
"Don’t be nervous," one of the stylists said kindly as she approached. "Today’s going to be beautiful."
Bella nodded, her fingers playing with the edge of her sleeve. "Okay..."
In the mirror, her own wide-eyed reflection looked back at her.
She didn’t know what kind of photoshoot this would turn into... but something in her heart whispered—it was going to be special.