Bella was glowing with excitent, her forehead pressed lightly to the cool windowpane as the scenery shifted from crowded city roads to wide stretches of open farmland. The golden fields rolled endlessly like soft waves, dotted with grazing cows and trees that leaned toward the breeze. The sky above was clear and gentle, the kind of blue that made your chest feel warm and full. Bella whispered "Wow..." under her breath, her eyes glittering with childlike awe. Leo watched her from the corner of his eye, his chest aching with quiet affection.
But suddenly—
"STOP THE CAR!" Scarlett shouted, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.
Bella jumped in surprise, and the driver hit the brakes instantly. Scarlett threw the door open and stumbled out onto the grass, doubling over as she vomited. Zion, who had been silently observing her from the other side, imdiately got out too, his calm expression shifting into gentle worry.
Bella hurried after them, the wind brushing her hair as she stepped out. She rubbed Scarlett’s back softly, whispering encouragent, and handed her a bottle of water. Zion was already beside her, one hand steady on Scarlett’s shoulder, the other brushing strands of hair away from her face so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
"It’s alright, Scar," Zion murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Breathe slowly... it’ll pass soon... you’re okay."
Scarlett nodded weakly, eyes watery as she rinsed her mouth.
Leo stepped out slower than the others—reluctant at first—but the mont he saw Bella kneeling in the grass with worry in her eyes, he walked over as well. His expression was blank, almost indifferent, but Bella noticed the slight pinch between his brows that betrayed his concern.
Zion reached into his pocket. "I brought your dicine," he said gently, offering her the familiar tablets she always used for motion sickness.
Scarlett’s face flushed red, partly from nausea and partly from the fact that Zion rembered such a small detail about her.
"Thank you..." she whispered shyly.
Zion nodded once, soft and protective. "Co sit with , okay? I brought all your favorite things."
Bella watched, her heart warming at the sight.
Zion guided Scarlett back toward the car, carefully shielding her from the wind. He spread a blanket on the seat and helped her settle down before sitting beside her. Scarlett imdiately leaned into his chest, exhausted. Zion wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into the crook of his body with a tenderness that made even Leo pause.
From the first car, Dom and Casper pressed their faces to the window.
"Scarlett’s dying?" Jason asked dramatically.
"No, you fool! You forget... that she always gets motion sickness if she sits in a car for long," Dominic said, slapping Jason’s back. Jason let out a dramatic "ouch."
Inside the second car, Zion took out a tiny trinket that made soft, tinkling chis when shaken. He held it beside Scarlett’s ear, letting the gentle sound calm her. She closed her eyes, breathing easier as the delicate notes filled the quiet space. Then he unwrapped a small tamarind candy ball dusted with sugar and lifted it to her lips.
"Just a little," he whispered.
Scarlett opened her mouth obediently, letting him feed her like she was the most precious thing in his hands.
Bella lted on the spot.
Leo... blinked.
He glanced at Zion again.
Then at Scarlett resting on his lap like a kitten.
Then back at Zion, who was busy adjusting the blanket so Scarlett’s legs wouldn’t feel cold.
Even Leo had to admit—Zion wasn’t just in love. The man was gone. Absolutely gone. It was written in every movent he made, every soft touch, every stolen look he thought no one noticed.
Bella smiled softly, sliding back into her own seat.
Leo finally sat beside her, and Bella leaned closer, still peeking back at Scarlett and Zion with heart-eyes.
"They look so cute..." she whispered.
Leo grunted. "Hmph."
But Bella caught the tiny upward curve at the corner of his mouth.
And she shifted closer to him, almost unconsciously, like a little moon drawn to its own steady gravity. Her small body brushed his side before she nestled against him completely, her cheek settling on his shoulder with a gentle sigh. Leo felt her warmth seep through his shirt, felt her breath flutter softly against his collarbone, and sothing quiet inside him lted.
Outside the window, the farmland stretched endlessly, painted with sunlight and soft shades of yellow. But Bella didn’t look at any of it. She only looked at the view from his side, her eyes shining as if everything looked more beautiful simply because he was next to her.
"Your side is prettier..." she murmured, her voice soft and dreamy.
Leo’s lips curled at the corners, the smallest, warst smile appearing without his permission. He turned his head slightly so he could see her better..her lashes resting gently against her cheeks, her fingers curled around his arm as if she were holding onto sothing precious.
"Really?" he asked, his voice low, already knowing the answer.
She nodded, eyes still fixed outside, her head resting perfectly on his shoulder. "Mm... it feels prettier here."
Leo’s hand moved almost on instinct, sliding down until it rested on her arm. His thumb brushed the soft fabric of her sleeve in slow circles, as if he wanted to morize the warmth of her skin beneath it. His chest softened, his entire expression gentle in a way only Bella could draw out of him.
"Maybe it’s the company," he whispered, his voice brushing softly against her ear like warm breath on a cold morning.
Bella blinked, her lashes fluttering as she lifted her head from his shoulder. For a second, she simply looked at him, her eyes warm, her cheeks glowing from the sunlight slipping through the window. Then she smiled, small and shy and so sweet that Leo felt sothing sink and bloom inside his chest.
"I think you’re right... Leo," she said softly.
Leo’s smile vanished instantly.
His brows knit together in dramatic offense, and before she understood anything, his fingers slipped to her waist and pinched her gently.
Bella gasped, eyes widening. "H-Hey!"
Leo leaned closer, lowering his voice, pretending to glare even though the amusent was clearly there beneath it. "Back to Leo? Really? When little Bella was here, she used to call hubby."
Bella’s face turned red instantly. Her lips parted, flustered, and she stared at him with round, betrayed eyes as if he had exposed her deepest secret.
"I... I don’t know..." she muttered, shrinking a little, hiding half her face in his arm while sniffing his scent, that faint mix of light perfu and his own masculine warmth.
User Comments
0 comments from readers