Lina, who was standing nearby with her usual calm poise, chuckled when she saw Bella’s frozen expression. She stepped forward and touched Bella’s arm lightly.
"Bella, meet Alessandro," Lina said warmly, her eyes soft with pride. "He’s my husband... and your father-in-law."
Bella’s eyes widened even more. "F-Father-in-law?" she stammered, blinking fast. She almost bowed on instinct, hugging her arms to her chest like a flustered kitten.
Jay, sitting on the couch nearby, nearly burst out laughing at her expression. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, grinning like a cat who got the cream. "She thought it was Leo from the back," he teased, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Right, Bella?"
Bella’s cheeks burned. "I... I did not—!"
Alessandro raised one dark eyebrow, a small smile ghosting over his lips. His voice was deep, smooth, and carried the same dangerous calm Leo’s did but warmer somehow. "So you’re the little one my son married?" he asked, his eyes scanning her gently from head to toe — not judging, but weighing, seeing.
Bella nodded shyly, her fingers twisting together. "Y-Yes... nice to meet you, sir."
Jay snorted and leaned closer to Bella, stage-whispering with a teasing grin, "Bell bell, I know he looks scary, but don’t worry — he always listens to Mom. So don’t get scared, okay?"
Lina narrowed her eyes at Jay, her voice calm but sharp. "Quiet."
But Alessandro chuckled softly, reaching out to pat Bella’s head — a surprising, fatherly gesture from a man who looked like he could snap someone in two with just a look. "Don’t let them bully you, ragazza," he said with an affectionate tone that made Bella’s eyes widen even more. "Come. Eat breakfast with us."
Bella smiled shyly, feeling her shoulders relax just a bit as she stepped closer, this warm but intimidating man already felt like someone impossible to dislike.
And then Leonardo appeared at the dining room entrance. Bella felt it before she saw him, that cold wave in the air, the way the room went just a little quieter. He was wearing a black shirt today, the sleeves rolled up just enough to show his strong forearms. His hair was still a bit messy, like he’d just run his hand through it, and he looked so effortlessly handsome Bella almost forgot how to breathe.
But she didn’t look at him. She kept her eyes on her plate, her lashes lowered. She could feel his stare, though... heavy, searching, like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how.
He took his seat without a word.
Alessandro sitting at the head of the table like a king cleared his throat and turned back to Bella with that warm but commanding voice. "So, Bella," he asked, his eyes kind but sharp, "tell me — what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Hobbies?"
Bella blinked at him, surprised by the question. "Um... I like playing guitar," she said softly. "And I like editing videos and photos... I do some colour grading too."
Jay nearly choked on his juice. He looked at her with wide eyes, then at his father. Alessandro only nodded slowly, clearly interested. "Good, good," he said, his deep voice gentle. "And what’s your favourite colour, ragazza?"
Bella’s shoulders relaxed a little. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks warming. "Mm... I like lavender... and white."
Alessandro chuckled, nodding again as he lifted his coffee. "Simple and soft. Just like you."
Bella’s shy smile made Jay grin. But inside, he was in shock — he leaned back in his chair, eyes flicking between his father and Bella like he’d discovered a family secret. This man used to scold me and Leo for every little mistake... but with Bella, he’s acting like a gentle old cat!
He shot Leonardo a teasing look across the table but Leo didn’t react. He only sat there, his fork in his hand, staring at Bella with an emotion no one could read.
And Bella... never looked his way once.
Bella found herself relaxing more and more. She liked Alessandro, he might look scary at first glance, but he spoke so gently, with a deep voice that didn’t make her feel small or stupid. He didn’t rush her, didn’t mock her when she stumbled over words. Instead, he nodded, asked more, and listened.
Lina sat beside them with a soft smile, chuckling quietly when she saw how easily Bella started to talk. "Looks like you two will get along well," Lina said, her tone warm.
Alessandro gave a small shrug, sipping his coffee. "Why not? She’s a sweet girl. And she likes guitar — I do too."
Bella’s eyes widened. "You play guitar?"
"Mmm," Alessandro hummed, his dark eyes twinkling at her surprise. "And piano too — though I’m out of practice."
Jay, sitting across from them with a piece of toast halfway to his mouth, nearly dropped it. He gaped at his father like he’d grown horns. What?! he thought, nearly saying it out loud. Dad — you know how to play instruments? All these years, he’d thought his father only knew how to play with guns and knives!
Jay pouted dramatically, shooting Bella a jealous look. So unfair... He scolded us like soldiers, and now he’s a gentle old musician for her?
Meanwhile, Bella just beamed, hugging her warm mug of coffee to her chest. She liked this. She liked this so much that for a second, she almost forgot Leonardo was sitting at the same table, silent, fork frozen in his hand, watching her with that strange, unreadable look.
And Alessandro leaned closer to Bella with a small, fatherly grin. "If you’d like, ragazza, I’ll show you some chords next time. Maybe you can teach me something too."
Bella’s eyes sparkled, her head bobbing in a quick nod. "I’d like that."
After breakfast, Alessandro stood up first, placing a warm hand on Bella’s shoulder before leaving. "Eat well, ragazza. We’ll talk more later." Then he gave a sharp nod to Leonardo and Jay, his calm voice turning all business again. "Let’s go — the meeting won’t wait."
Leonardo gave Bella one last unreadable look before he followed his father out. Jay stuck his tongue out at her playfully when he passed, whispering, "Don’t miss me too much, Bella-bell!" She giggled despite herself and waved him off.