Chapter 6
1328 Words
After their talk in the library, I excused myself. I needed to rest.
Everything suddenly felt heavy. I didn’t expect to leave San Miguel. I didn’t expect to transfer schools. I knew marrying Enzo would change everything. But I didn’t think it would mean leaving my town. Leaving Dad’s house.
Still, I had no right to refuse him. I needed him now. Without Enzo, I’d be on the streets.
I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled my knees up. Wrapped my arms around them. Emotions crashed into each other. Grief. Fear of the new life waiting for me.
But a small part of me felt something else. Excitement. At being with Enzo. I couldn’t explain it.
A knock sounded on my door. I sat up fast.
"Who is it?" I called out.
"Bella, come down. Dinner's ready," Nanny Lucing said from the doorway. She peeked in.
Disappointment hit me before I could stop it. I thought it was Enzo knocking.
"Okay, Nanny. I’ll change first," I answered and stood.
"Ah. Bella," she called when she stepped inside.
I paused and glanced at her. Nanny Lucing had been with us since I was a child. She was family now. Especially after Mom died when I was three. Cancer took her early.
Dad remarried when I was seven. That was when Aunt Imelda came into our lives. She became a good stepmother to me.
"Enzo told me your plans," she started. "You’re getting married?"
I nodded.
She smiled and stepped closer. "You made the right choice, dear. Agreeing to marry Sir Enzo. He’s a good man. His mother used to tell me stories about how good he was as a boy."
I just smiled.
"Your parents will be happy with this marriage," she continued. "Their wish is finally coming true. That you and Sir Enzo would end up together."
My brows pulled together. "What do you mean?"
"I used to hear your Aunt Imelda and your father talking about you and Sir Enzo. They talked about your future. Your parents wanted you two together. Your father believed Sir Enzo would take care of you. And Sir Enzo’s mother believed you’d take care of him. He was just too busy back then to visit when his mother asked him to."
She kept talking, smiling like she was reliving something sweet.
"They even said that after you graduated, they’d formally introduce Sir Enzo to you. So he could court you properly," she added, eyes twinkling.
I only smiled. Didn’t know what else to say.
"Okay, Nanny Lucing. I’ll change and come down," I said to cut the story short. I felt awkward hearing things like that.
While I picked out clothes, I thought about what she said. Maybe that was why Dad made that letter. Maybe he and Aunt Imelda planned this all along. A way to make us end up together. Dad knew Enzo wouldn’t refuse.
If they were still alive... would Enzo have followed their plan? Would he have courted me?
Probably not.
I chose a white crop top and short shorts. That’s what I always wore at home. Comfortable. Easy.
I went down the stairs and saw Enzo in the living room. He sat on the couch, flipping through a photo album. I made noise on the steps on purpose so he’d look up.
He did.
His eyes hit my legs first. My shorts were short. My legs were bare. I felt something shift in the air when he looked. My knees felt weak.
His gaze traveled up. Past my thighs. To the hem of my shorts. To the small strip of stomach, my top revealed. Then to my chest. I knew they weren’t big. It's just right for my frame.
He paused there longer. Then his eyes moved to my lips. To my face. Then I met mine.
I reached the bottom step. I didn’t understand why he was studying me like that. I was studying him too, but I kept it hidden.
I noticed his chest rise. Then he closed the album and put it back under the table. His eyes came back to me.
"D... dinner’s ready," I stammered.
"Yeah," he said and stood.
We walked to the dining room together. Nanny Lucing greeted us with a big smile. She prepared a lot of food. Chopsuey, my favorite. Sinigang na baboy. Fried chicken.
"Join us, Nanny Lucing," Enzo invited her.
I was surprised. I didn’t expect him to invite the housekeeper to eat with us.
"No, Sir. I’ll eat later. I already ate," Nanny Lucing said, shy.
"There’s too much food. Bella and I can’t finish it," Enzo said.
"Oh, Sir. Bella may look small, but she eats a lot," Nanny Lucing laughed.
"Nanny," I warned softly.
Nanny Lucing just smiled and excused herself. She said we should eat in peace.
Enzo and I ate in silence. I took small bites. I felt self-conscious. Didn’t want him to think I ate like a pig.
But Enzo ate well. He seemed to like Nanny Lucing’s cooking. Especially the sinigang.
We were almost done when Nanny Lucing came back.
"Your cooking is really good," Enzo told her. She beamed and thanked him.
"And Bella cooks well too," Nanny Lucing added proudly. "She inherited her mother’s talent for cooking."
I choked on my water. Coughed.
"You okay, Bella?" Nanny asked.
"Y... Yes," I managed.
"Thank you, Nanny Lucing, for the dinner. I’m full," Enzo said. "And it felt like home. I’m tired of hotel food."
"Whenever you’re here, Sir, I’ll cook for you," Nanny Lucing said proudly. "And once you and Bella are married, she’ll cook for you too."
Enzo glanced at me. "I’ll see if Bella’s cooking is really good."
My eyes widened. I don’t know why, but I didn’t hear "cooking." I heard something else. His eyes on me said something else.
Did he mean my cooking... or me?
I felt heat crawl up my neck. Something strange stirred in my chest. I’d never felt this before in my life.
"Want coffee?" I asked when we moved to the living room.
"No. I’m leaving," he said.
"Leaving?" I asked, surprised.
"I’m still staying at VincElla Hotel until after the wedding, Bella," he said. His eyes stayed on mine. Deep. Intense.
My chest tightened. Butterflies in my stomach.
"Ah... I see," was all I could say.
"Anyway, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. For our wedding."
I nodded.
He stepped closer. I tilted my head up. My heartbeat sped up.
"Bella," he said my name. His voice was different. Lower.
We stared at each other. Our eyes spoke. Only one step separated us now. I’d never been this close to Enzo. I could smell his cologne. Expensive. Clean.
I saw him lean down slowly. I wanted to move back, but my feet wouldn’t listen. I could feel his warm breath on my face now.
Was he going to kiss me? Why?
"I’ll make coffee for—" Nanny Lucing’s voice cut through the air.
It broke whatever spell trapped us. I pushed Enzo away fast. My hands burned where they touched his chest. Like I got shocked.
"I’ll do it later," Nanny Lucing said quickly, probably seeing what almost happened.
I exhaled and stepped back from Enzo. He did the same. He ran a hand over his jaw, eyes following Nanny Lucing.
Disappointment was written all over his face.
Because we didn’t finish what he started?
"I’ll go," he said.
"Okay."
"See you tomorrow morning."
I nodded. Couldn’t meet his eyes.
"Goodnight, Bella,"
"Goodnight, Enzo."
I walked him to the door. Watched his sports car drive out of our gate.
I hugged myself. Disappointment hit me again.
"Too bad. That was supposed to be my first kiss," I whispered.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Lyca was calling. She’d definitely ask about Enzo.
"Lyca," I answered.
"Bella, let’s go out," she said.
"Ah?"
"Patty’s inviting us to VincElla Bar."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Okay, pick me up."
"Sure."
- Writer
