Early in the morning, soft sunlight spilled through the large villa windows, casting a golden glow across the floor. Isabella stirred awake, her brown eyes bright with excitent. Today felt different..lighter, sweeter.
She slipped into a soft pink dress with puffed sleeves and tiny lace details, sothing simple but sweet. Her hair was tied into a loose bun that bounced lightly as she walked.
"I’m going to bake that cake today!" she said to herself with determination, rembering the cute online video she’d watched last night—a layered strawberry cloud cake with whipped frosting and hidden jam hearts in the center.
As she entered the kitchen, the warm sll of butter and freshly baked bread greeted her. The head chef looked up from where he was kneading dough and blinked in surprise.
"Miss Isabella? You’re up early," he said with a warm smile.
"I saw a cake online, and I really want to try making it!" she said, already placing ingredients on the counter. "It might turn into a disaster... but I’ll fix it if it does."
The chef laughed lightly, clearly chard. "Well, the kitchen is yours today. Just let know if you need anything."
Isabella bead but then paused, glancing down at her dress. "Oh! I forgot my apron."
Before the chef could say anything, she darted to the cabinet, pulled out a floral apron, and quickly tied it on with a determined look on her face. "Okay. Now I’m ready."
"You look like you belong here already," the chef said with a chuckle.
"I’ll do my best!" she chirped.
After an hour of carefully whisking, layering, and piping cream with trembling focus, Isabella finally stepped back and looked at the masterpiece on the counter. The cake stood tall and delicate, a strawberry cloud cake with fluffy whipped frosting gently rippling around the edges, pale pink jam hearts hidden inside each layer like secret love notes.
Her eyes sparkled with pride. She couldn’t believe she had actually done it. It looked just like the video.
She wiped her hands on her apron and turned to the chef, cheeks slightly flushed from both the heat and her excitent.
"I did it!" she bead.
The chef nodded, impressed. "It looks beautiful, Miss Isabella. You really have a talent."
Isabella grinned and softly leaned over the cake, admiring the swirl she’d made on top. Then she turned toward the chef with a smile and said, " and Jay will only have one slice each... and please give the rest to all the staff mbers, alright?"
Her voice was gentle but full of sincerity.
"They’ve been working so hard, and I want everyone to try it."
The chef blinked, touched by her thoughtfulness, and gave her a small bow. "Of course, Miss. They’ll be very happy."
Isabella nodded happily, taking off her apron and gently poking the cake’s edge with a fork. "Now... let’s see if it tastes as good as it looks."
Isabella took a small forkful and brought it to her lips. As soon as the fluffy sponge and light whipped frosting touched her tongue, her eyes lit up.
"Mmm..."
It wasn’t overly sweet. In fact, it was just right. The cake had a delicate balance—soft and creamy, with a fresh strawberry tang that gave it flavor without making it heavy. She smiled to herself as she chewed thoughtfully.
"I knew it," she whispered happily.
She had been careful with the sugar. Instead of dumping in full cups like the original recipe called for, she had swapped so out for mashed ripe strawberries and a touch of honey. For the frosting, she used a blend of lightly sweetened whipped cream and cream cheese to keep it light but flavorful.
"I don’t want everyone to get tired of too much sugar..." she said to herself. "So people have sweet tooth, but if it’s too sugary, they can’t eat more."
That’s why she had experinted with natural sweetness—fresh fruit, a drizzle of honey, and just enough sugar to bring it together. It still tasted like a treat, but it wasn’t heavy or overly rich.
She glanced at the cake again, feeling proud.
Then she giggled softly and whispered to the cake, "Don’t worry. They’ll love you."
When Jay ca downstairs, his hair a little ssy and his steps lazy with sleep, the first thing he noticed was the soft sll of strawberries and warm cream floating through the air.
He blinked, rubbing his eyes. "Mmm... what’s that sll?"
As he stepped into the kitchen, his eyes widened.
Isabella was already at the counter, placing a perfect slice of strawberry cloud cake on a little plate, and right beside it, his favorite coffee, already poured and steaming.
"Good morning, Jay Jay!" she said sweetly, turning with a bright smile. "I made sothing special today!"
Jay’s jaw dropped just a little. "You made that? This morning??"
Isabella nodded shyly, holding out the plate. "Try it! I only added a little sugar... so it won’t be too sweet, I promise."
He took the plate like he was holding treasure. "I could marry you for this."
She giggled. "Too late."
Jay took a bite and imdiately made a dramatic sound like he was floating. "It’s soft! It’s fluffy! And it’s not too sweet! What is this magic?!"
"I watched a video," she said, tilting her head sweetly. "And I used fruit instead of full sugar. I didn’t want to give everyone a sugar crash before noon."
Jay blinked at her, then shook his head. "Leo has no idea how lucky he is. You’re like a cinnamon roll who bakes actual cinnamon rolls."
"Hehe! You’re so funny, Jay Jay," Isabella giggled as she carried the plate and coffee to the dining table, her soft pink dress swaying with each step.
Jay followed behind.
They sat together, chatting lightly, laughing between bites, and finishing breakfast in that warm, sleepy comfort only morning can bring.
After they finished eating, Isabella wiped her mouth with a napkin and glanced at Jay with a little sparkle in her eyes.
"Um...Jay Jay, can I tell you sothing?"
"Of course," he said, already sipping the last of his coffee.
She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’ve... I’ve started a little sothing online. It’s called Bella Zone."
Jay tilted his head. "Bella Zone?"
She nodded, then quickly pulled her phone out of her pocket and typed in the link. "It’s my own digital shop. I make LUTs, texture packs, color grading filters... small stuff for video editors and designers."
When she passed the phone to him, Jay’s expression shifted in real ti—surprise, then disbelief, then shock.
"...Wait—wait a second—you made this site? All this? Alone?" he asked, staring at the screen with wide eyes.
Isabella nodded shyly. "I built the site myself. All the design, layout, coding... everything."
Jay slowly looked up at her like she had just revealed she built a spaceship in her closet. "This is a high-tech website, Bella! This looks better than half the stuff I’ve seen made by companies with ten developers."
Isabella blushed, her fingers playing with the edge of her sleeve. "It’s not that great... I just kept it clean and minimal. Simple to use."
Jay put the phone down and placed a hand over his chest. "You... are a hidden genius. A dangerous, adorable genius."
She laughed softly.
Jay leaned forward seriously. "Do not let Leo know about this yet. I need ti to recover from this shock."
Isabella giggled again.
"Jay Jay! That’s why I went yesterday to the studio..." Isabella said as she rested her chin on her hands, eyes sparkling with excitent. "It was a big studio, really cool. They make short films and animations and all kinds of fancy stuff."
Jay raised a brow as he leaned closer, clearly intrigued. "Oh? You went without telling ? Bella! I thought we were besties now."
Isabella giggled, not looking the slightest bit guilty. "I told you I was going out, didn’t I?"
"But you didn’t tell where." He pouted dramatically.
She grinned and went on, "Anyway! I t guy there. He had fluffy light blue hair! Like, really pretty. I think you two would make great friends..."
Jay squinted suspiciously. "Uh-huh..."
"I an it!" Isabella chirped. "You have pink hair, he has blue hair—you’d look like cotton candy best friends if you ever stood next to each other!"
Jay gasped. "Excuse ! Are you pairing up based on aesthetic?"
"Yup," she nodded proudly, her smile innocent but mischievous. "You’d look perfect in photos together."
Jay clutched his chest. "I’m being used for aesthetic value now..."
"You should et him! His na’s Rumi. He’s funny and dramatic like you," she teased.
Jay narrowed his eyes playfully. "Bella... I’ll et your blue-haired friend, but only if you make another cake. Deal?"
She blinked. "You’ll love him. He laughs like boing boing when his hair bounces!"
Jay stared. "...You are choosing your future friend group based on ani physics, aren’t you?"
Isabella nodded with zero sha, and they both burst into laughter.
Leonardo, who had surprisingly decided to work from ho that morning, descended the stairs slowly, dressed in a sharp black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing the veins and the luxury watch on his wrist. His expression, as usual, was unreadable, sharp, composed, cold.
But just as he reached the last step, he paused.
Laughter.
Bright, soft, and warm. It rang through the air like chis in spring.
He recognized the voices imdiately—Isabella’s light, cheerful giggle and Jay’s exaggerated dramatic laugh following right after.
His brows twitched slightly.
User Comments
0 comments from readers