Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Good riddance
"Bella, tell me the truth," Scarlett suddenly turned serious, folding her arms across her chest and narrowing her eyes like she was cross-examining a criminal. "How did that stingy, cold-faced guy agree to let me stay here? You didn’t sacrifice your body for me, right...?"
Bella blinked, her big round eyes fluttering like a confused bunny. "Why would I sacrifice my body?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. "He said himself you can stay here." She smiled innocently, asa if the idea was completely outrageous.
Scarlett stared at her in pure shock, her jaw slightly open. Was this girl for real? Could someone actually be this... untainted?
"Wait—Bella," she leaned forward slowly, suspicion growing in her voice, "did you and Leo have umm... anything?"
Bella’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. She lowered her eyes and shook her head quickly. "No, no... we didn’t do anything." Her voice was small and shy.
Scarlett nodded slowly, about to say something teasing but then she stopped.
Because Bella’s entire face had suddenly turned pink. Not just a cute blush, but full-on strawberry mode. Her ears, her cheeks, even the tip of her nose looked like it had been dipped in rosewater. Scarlett blinked. She was speechless for a moment.
"You haven’t kissed?" she finally asked, unable to help herself. Her tone wasn’t mocking, just genuinely stunned.
Bella looked even redder, if that was possible. She lowered her head and clutched Berry tightly to her chest like the plush bunny could protect her from embarrassment. Then, quietly, she shook her head.
Scarlett’s lips parted, then closed, then parted again. "Wait—what?! Not even a little kiss? On the cheek? On the hand? Nothing???"
Bella gave her the softest, most helpless look like a squirrel caught stealing nuts. She didn’t say a word, just hid her face behind Berry with a small squeak.
That night, one of the maids politely knocked on the door and informed them that dinner was ready. Bella and Scarlett followed her downstairs, chatting and giggling the whole way like mischievous teens on summer break. The dining table was quiet—Leo didn’t join them, though his place was set. Bella glanced once at his empty seat but said nothing.
Scarlett, of course, had plenty to say.
"Stingy Ice King skipping dinner? Tsk. Does he survive on air and attitude?"
Bella tried to stifle her laughter but failed, nearly choking on her soup as Scarlett continued making faces at Leo’s empty chair. It felt good. Easy. Warm.
They finished dinner in peace, walked back to Bella’s room, and began their little sleepover. Scarlett claimed one side of the bed like it was her personal throne and demanded to know all of Bella’s secrets.
Bella laughed until her stomach hurt.
Later, Scarlett braided her hair while they sat cross-legged on the bed, and Bella painted Scarlett’s nails with a tiny glitter polish she had bought but never used. They whispered like sisters under covers, telling stories from their childhoods and silly hacker adventures from the past.
Bella had never had a sleepover before.
No one ever stayed the night with her like this. No one had ever held her hand while laughing so loudly, or teased her so freely without making her feel small. And as they both curled under the blanket, Scarlett already half-snoring and stealing most of the pillow, Bella smiled to herself.
Her chest felt light.
For the first time in a long time... she fell asleep grinning, heart full, as if she had finally found the kind of friend who felt like home.
However, as all good things do, their joyful time came to an end much too soon.
Just two days after arriving, Scarlett received an urgent call from her workplace—a major technical crisis had hit the system she managed. Her face dropped the moment she heard the details, and Bella could sense it even before Scarlett said a word.
"Ugh... I have to go back." Scarlett looked genuinely upset as she packed her things. Her usual loud, teasing energy had dimmed, replaced by guilt and frustration.
Bella stood by the door, watching her with a soft, quiet expression. She didn’t say anything for a while.
"I’m so sorry, Bella Bell," Scarlett finally said as she zipped up her suitcase. "I didn’t want to leave like this. But you know how strict my boss is, and they’re useless without me."
Bella quickly shook her head and gave a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "It’s okay. I understand."
"No, you don’t," Scarlett walked over and hugged her tightly. "You’re too understanding for your own good. If I was you, I would’ve cried and made me stay."
Bella chuckled softly, but her arms clung to Scarlett a little tighter.
"I’ll call you the moment I land," Scarlett said, brushing Bella’s hair gently. "And if anything—even a little bit—feels off around that Ice King or anyone in this house... you call me. I’ll hack their blood report."
Bella laughed again, but her eyes were glossy now.
"Be safe," she said quietly, "and don’t forget about me."
Scarlett pulled back and grinned. "Forget you? You’re my favorite soft little genius. I’m just a call away."
And with one last wave, Scarlett rolled her suitcase out the door—leaving behind silence, and a girl who suddenly felt the villa a little too big, and the air a little too quiet.
Leonardo was perhaps the only person in the entire villa who looked genuinely...relieved.
Standing on the second-floor balcony of his private room, he leaned against the black marble railing with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. He wore nothing but a deep navy bathrobe, loosely tied around his waist. Drops of water still clung to his dark hair, freshly showered, slicked back messily. The morning sun painted a warm glow on his sharp features, highlighting his chiseled jaw and broad shoulders.
From up there, he watched Scarlett’s taxi pull away through the curved driveway. Her suitcase was stuffed to the brim, her hand dramatically waving out the window. Bella stood at the gate waving back with both hands, her expression bittersweet.
Leonardo sipped his coffee slowly, his gaze cool and unreadable.
Good riddance.