Chapter 113: Chapter 113 Thoughtful
But I didn’t bring any extra clothes, she thought, hugging her knees for a moment. She looked around the cozy cabin it’s looked neat, luxurious, but unfamiliar. Her eyes landed on the tall wardrobe in the corner.
Curiosity nudged her up from the bed. She padded over on bare feet, tugging the handle gently.
When the wardrobe doors swung open, her eyes widened with a small gasp. Inside, several neatly folded outfits hung on soft hangers was simple dresses, cozy cardigans, and even comfortable sleepwear. All in soft colors she liked, all new. And all exactly her size.
Her fingers brushed the fabric, they are smooth, warm, fresh-smelling. The tiniest smile bloomed across her lips.
Did he... think of this? She imagined him telling someone to make sure she wouldn’t get cold or uncomfortable, even if he never said it out loud.
Leo never said much. Never smiled. Never praised her. Yet somehow, he seemed to remember every little thing.
She hugged the edge of a soft cotton sweater to her chest, pressing her cheek into it for a second.
"...So thoughtful," she whispered under her breath, a shy warmth blooming in her chest.
She quickly chose a simple pale-blue lounge dress and a cardigan. After changing, she felt clean, fresh, and safe again.
Bella stepped out into the narrow hallway to see situation, hugging her soft cardigan tighter around her shoulders. The low hum of the ship’s engines mixed with the muffled roar of the rain outside. She walked to the small window at the end of the hall and peeked out.
Her eyes widened when she saw just how heavy the storm was — black clouds swirling like an angry sea monster above the restless ocean. The ship swayed gently beneath her feet, a reminder that they were far from shore.
One of Leonardo’s bodyguards stood near the corner, looking calm but alert. When he noticed her small figure staring out at the storm, he stepped closer.
"Ma’am, it’s better if you stay inside your room," he said, his voice respectful. "It’s cold here."
Bella looked up at him, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "But... where’s Leo?" she asked softly, then pouted a little. "And why are you outside then? Aren’t you cold too?"
The guard’s stoic expression softened just a touch. "Sir is in his room, Ma’am. I’m outside because it’s my job to keep an eye on things. Please don’t worry."
Bella nodded, pressing her lips together. "Okay. Thank you."
She turned back down the hallway, her slippers padding on the floor as she stopped in front of Leonardo’s cabin door. She stared at it for a moment, teeth nibbling her lower lip.
Should I knock? What if he’s sleeping? she wondered, picturing him stretched out on bed, eyes closed, face calm. I just want to ask... when are we leaving this cruise?
Her hand hovered... then dropped back to her side. But after a second, she shook her head and balled her small fist, knocking anyway—soft, hesitant knocks that still echoed in the hush of the stormy corridor.
She waited, heart thumping. Finally, she heard the sound of the lock click. The door cracked open, then swung wider and Bella’s eyes went round as coins.
Leonardo stood there, his hair slightly damp, wearing nothing but a low-slung white towel around his hips. His chest and abs were on full display—hard, lean lines glistening faintly in the dim light of the cabin. A faint mark on his temple caught her eye like he’d fallen asleep leaning against the arm of his chair.
Her gaze flicked to the chair behind him, then straight back to the powerful lines of muscle curving along his torso. Her lips parted, her face turned pink in an instant.
She squeezed the edge of her cardigan sleeves. So pretty, she thought helplessly. And so... strong. Her own stomach was soft, a tiny bit round when she bent forward—nothing like the hard ridges of his abs.
"I—um—sorry," she squeaked, her eyes flickering to his and then back to his chest again. "I just... wanted to know... when we’ll leave the cruise?"
Leonardo raised one brow slightly, the ghost of a smirk playing at the corner of his lips when he caught her staring. He didn’t move to cover himself, only shifted his weight so the light brushed down the slope of his shoulder to the faint lines cutting down his hips.
"Depends on the storm," he said calmly, his voice a low rumble. "Why? Are you that eager to run away already?"
Bella’s cheeks burned. "N-no! I was just asking..."
He watched her for another moment—then his eyes flicked to the hallway behind her. "Go back inside. You’ll catch a cold."
She nodded quickly, backing away before she could embarrass herself further. But her wide eyes couldn’t help one last shy glance down at his towel, then she spun on her heel and scurried back toward her room.
Behind the closing door, Leonardo watched the faint flush creeping down her neck, the way she hugged her sweater like a small, flustered rabbit. The corner of his lips curved upward, barely noticeable, gone in a blink.
***
After hurrying back to her room, Bella sat cross-legged on the bed with her tablet propped up on a pillow. She tried to focus on her notes, scrolling through her drafts and to-do lists for her BellaZone shop, but the screen blurred every time another roll of thunder rattled the windows.
She let out a tiny frustrated sigh. I should’ve brought my laptop, she thought, pouting at the tablet’s small screen. I can’t work properly on this... But even then, she knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate anyway — not with the ship swaying and the storm beating like angry drums against the walls.
Outside her window, the ocean looked pitch black except for when lightning forked across the clouds, flashing the waves in stark, ghostly white. The wind howled so loud it almost drowned out the sound of her own breathing.
Bella’s fingers trembled slightly as she tapped at her tablet, then put it away. She pulled out a blanket and wrapped it tightly around herself, biting her lower lip as she shrank deeper into the warm nest of fabric. The next thunderclap cracked so close that she jumped, her heart slamming against her ribs.
"...So scary..." she whispered, curling her knees tighter to her chest.