When the gentle knock came, Bella quietly opened the door for the maid. She took the tray herself, careful not to make too much noise, and carried it to the small coffee table near the couch. The smell of the warm soup and steamed rice made her shoulders relax a little.
"Thank you..." she said softly to the maid, who only bowed politely before leaving them alone again.
Bella returned to the tray and made sure everything was just right – a bowl of clear broth, a plate of simple rice and vegetables, two bottles of water, and the fever medicine still in its neat little packet. She double-checked the labels, her small brows furrowed in concentration.
Satisfied, she picked up the medicine and water and padded back to the bed.
Leonardo hadn’t moved much. He lay on his side, his arm draped across his forehead, the dark strands of his hair falling over his furrowed brows. He looked exhausted and yet, even half-asleep and sick.
Bella stood by his side for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. Then she leaned down a bit, her voice gentle.
"Leo..." she called softly, but he didn’t stir. She frowned and reached out, her small hand hesitating above his bare shoulder before she lightly touched him.
"Leo..." she called again, this time with a tiny pout. When he didn’t respond, she gathered her courage, placed her palm more firmly on his shoulder, and gave him a gentle shake.
"Leo!" she whispered urgently. "Wake up—please."
His eyes snapped open, red-rimmed and sharp as a blade. He glared at her for a moment like he didn’t recognize her, his stormy eyes narrowing under the shadows of his damp hair.
Bella almost shrank back, but she held her ground. She tightened her hold on the water bottle, her lips trembling as she tried not to pout.
"Sit up," she said softly, her eyes full of innocent worry. "I brought you warm food and medicine. You have to eat something."
Leonardo’s eyes flicked from her face to the tray across the room, then back to her. He let out a low, rough sigh–equal parts annoyance and something he couldn’t quite name.
But he didn’t push her hand away.
He shifted to sit up, pushing back the blanket with a rough sigh. When he reached for the water bottle first, Bella’s eyes widened and she quickly leaned in, her small hand covering his wrist.
"No—no!" she blurted out, her lashes fluttering, suddenly remembered. "You can’t take medicine on an empty stomach... you’ll hurt your tummy..." Her voice trailed off into a shy mumble as she realized how motherly she sounded. But she didn’t back down, even as his sharp eyes fixed on hers.
Leonardo blinked once, surprised by her sudden boldness. Then, almost amused, he leaned back and let her hand drop. He let out a low hum, like he was annoyed but couldn’t quite muster the energy to argue with her.
"Fine," he muttered.
She let out a tiny puff of relief. Bella scurried over to the small table and set the plates neatly. He walked over, moving slower than usual, one hand brushing through his hair as if to hide how heavy his head felt. Still, his posture was stiff and cold as ever.
When he sat down, Bella took the seat opposite him, her eyes peeking over her plate as if she was worried he might vanish like a storm cloud if she looked away.
For a few quiet minutes, they ate together. The storm’s rumble outside was softer here, replaced by the soft clink of spoons against plates. Bella ate quickly, her small bites neat and fast because her stomach was quietly growling after all the nerves. She snuck glances at him in between, his broad shoulders bent slightly forward, the way he held his chopsticks with careful precision.
Leonardo ate slowly, only finishing half his plate before he dropped his chopsticks with a small click. He leaned back, his eyes narrowing at the medicine packet she’d placed on the table.
"Now," Bella said, her voice soft but firm. She handed him the water bottle and pressed the tablets into his palm with her warm fingers, her eyes locked on his like she was making sure he didn’t cheat.
He raised a brow at her, that cold, unreadable expression back in place. But he didn’t argue. He swallowed the pills in one go, washing them down with long gulps of water.
When he lowered the bottle, he saw her big brown eyes staring at him, bright with worry and relief all at once. Her shoulders dropped as if she’d been holding her breath the whole time.
"You’ll feel better," she whispered, a tiny, hopeful smile tugging at her lips.
For a moment, Leonardo just looked at her, so soft and gentle in her cardigan, her hair falling across her face as she tilted her head. And though he didn’t say a word, a hint of warmth flickered in his eyes, gone before she could catch it.
After taking his medicine, Leonardo stood up and slowly walked around the room, as if testing his own balance. He rolled his shoulders back, trying to ease the lingering feverish ache in his muscles. His steps were steady but just a little heavier than usual, a small sign only someone paying close attention would notice.
Meanwhile, Bella stayed curled up on his long couch, her legs tucked under her cardigan like a little bunny. The warm lights overhead cast a soft glow on her sleepy face. She watched him silently, her eyes following every step he took from one side of the room to the other.
A few minutes later, a maid knocked gently, then slipped inside to clear away the empty trays and plates. Bella thanked her politely.
When the room fell quiet, she let out a small sigh, puffing her cheeks as she peeked at him pacing by the window.
He ignored her, of course — or pretended to. He just stood there, arms folded, staring at the dark waves slamming against the cruise ship through the glass. The storm was easing, but the occasional rumble of thunder still rolled through the distance.