In the end, Scarlett chose the silver dress, the fabric hugging her figure in a way that felt both graceful and confident, and Bella could not stop smiling at how stunning her friend looked. After the purchase, they wandered through nearby shops, browsing accessories, shoes, and small decorative trinkets, their steps unhurried, the afternoon soft and warm around them.
As they walked past a costics store, Scarlett suddenly rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone. "By the way... Bella, I was looking at Alexa’s social dia," she said with a scoff, shaking her head. "God, I cannot believe her. For popularity, she is actually filming a movie during her pregnancy."
Bella blinked, glancing at her curiously. "She is still filming?"
"Not just filming," Scarlett continued, her tone sharp with disbelief. "She is using her pregnancy as part of the movie plot. She even made a huge deal out of it, and now many people are taking her side just because she is pregnant. She knows exactly how to milk attention. Every post, every photo, every update. It is all calculated."
Bella’s expression softened, thoughtful. "She always knows how to stay in the spotlight," she murmured quietly. "So people do not see life as monts. They see it as opportunities."
Scarlett huffed lightly. "And sohow, it always works for her."
Bella looked down at the shopping bag in her hands, then up at the bright street ahead. "Let’s not think about her today," she said gently, offering a small smile. "This is our day."
Scarlett smirked, slipping her phone back into her purse. "Deal. Today is about dresses, food, and pretending annoying people do not exist."
Bella laughed, their conversation drifting into lighter, happier things as they continued down the lively street together.
"By the way, have you heard anything from Zeke?" Scarlett asked casually as they slowed near a jewelry display. "He has not replied to any of us."
Bella shook her head gently. "No... I have not heard from him in months," she admitted, a faint crease forming between her brows. "He used to reply at least sotis."
Scarlett sighed, tilting her head. "He is probably buried in Sinclair business affairs again. That family never lets him breathe."
"Yeah," Bella murmured softly, though a quiet worry lingered in her eyes. "He always disappears when work gets heavy."
Scarlett nudged her lightly. "Do not overthink it. He will pop back out of nowhere one day, acting like he never vanished."
Bella smiled faintly at that.
"Hey, beautifuls."
The voice was light, playful, and completely unexpected.
Bella and Scarlett stopped at the sa ti, both turning toward the source. A small boy stood there, no older than eight or nine, his hair slightly ssy as if he had been running around all day. He held a single black rose in one hand and a neatly wrapped gift box in the other, the dark paper matte and elegant, tied with a thin silver ribbon.
Scarlett blinked, startled. "Hey...?" she said slowly, bending a little to et his height. "Who are you?"
Bella’s first instinct was concern. She glanced around quickly, scanning the busy shopping street. "What are you doing alone?" she asked gently. "Where is your mom?"
The boy grinned, clearly amused by their worry. "Relax, beautiful," he said with a confidence that felt oddly rehearsed. "I am not lost. My dad works here." He pointed toward a cozy café two shops away, where a barista could be seen moving behind the counter. "He sells coffee. I hang around all the ti."
Then he lifted the gift box toward Bella, his expression suddenly serious.
"But that uncle gave this," he said, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "He told I need to give it to the beautiful lady with brown eyes. That is you."
He turned slightly and pointed over his shoulder.
Bella and Scarlett both followed his gesture.
From a distance, inside the café near the window, a man sat alone at a nearby table with his back to them. He wore a navy blue suit that looked expensive and perfectly tailored, the fabric sitting effortlessly on his fra. His dark hair was neatly styled, and even from behind.
He did not turn around.
"Who is he?" Scarlett whispered under her breath, eyes narrowing.
"I do not know," Bella murmured, her heart giving a small, uneasy thud.
Before either of them could say more, the boy suddenly stepped back.
"I gave it to you," he said quickly, already turning away. "That is all."
"Wait," Bella called out, instinctively reaching forward.
The boy darted off into the crowd, slipping between people with the ease of soone who knew the place well. Bella imdiately broke into a quick jog after him, and Scarlett hurried behind her, heels clicking against the pavent.
They reached the edge of the street, but the child was gone.
Vanished.
Bella spun around, searching for the man in the navy suit.
He was gone too.
The chair where he had been sitting was empty, the table already being cleared by a waiter who looked completely unaware that anyone suspicious had ever been there.
A faint chill crawled up Bella’s spine.
Scarlett exhaled sharply. "That was... weird."
"More than weird," Bella muttered, eyes still scanning the area. "It felt... planned."
They returned to an empty table outside the café and sat down, the gift box resting between them like a quiet, dangerous secret.
"Maybe we should check CCTV footage later," Scarlett said, lowering her voice. "We will find out who this person is."
Bella nodded slowly. "Yeah..."
Scarlett leaned closer, her curiosity starting to outweigh her caution. "Then why do not you open it?" she whispered, eyes sparkling despite the tension. "This looks like a love scene straight out of a drama."
"Scarlett," Bella warned softly, nudging the box away from her. "Do not joke about it."
Too late.
Scarlett had already untied the ribbon with careful fingers and lifted the lid.
Inside lay a ring.
A beautiful, minimal design, the diamond clear and sharp, catching the light in a quiet, refined way that made it feel intentional rather than showy.
And beneath it, a folded note.
Scarlett unfolded it slowly and read aloud, her tone shifting as the words sank in.
"This diamond could never shine as brightly as your eyes, my butterfly. I keep looking, but nothing compares to you.
—Your SP"
For a mont, neither of them spoke.
Scarlett’s eyes widened. "What the heck...?"
She turned the note toward Bella, who stared at it in stunned silence, her pulse suddenly racing.
"SP?" Scarlett whispered. "Who even is that?"
Bella swallowed, her eyes wide.
"I do not know," she said quietly.
User Comments
0 comments from readers