Chapter 9
1181 Words
Moving Into The Reality House.
BELLA
I'm wheeling my suitcase out of my apartment when something happens that has never happened to me before.
And I mean never.
As part of the reality show's launch, Ava had informed us that an introductory segment would be filmed this morning before the official relationship announcement went live tonight.
Which is the only reason I'm up and about at seven-thirty in the morning. My body still isn't convinced this is acceptable.
I drag my suitcase down the apartment stairs, one hand wrapped around a cup of iced matcha, mentally preparing myself for the long day ahead.
Then the world explodes.
Flashes erupt from every direction. White light blinds me, as voices crash into each other. It's a cacophony of questions and shouting, with a massive crowd of people pushing forward.
"BELLA!"
"BELLA, ARE YOU SECRETLY DATING CHASE CARTER?"
"BELLA, IS THE REALITY SHOW CONFIRMED?"
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER?"
"BELLA!"
My heart slams against my ribs, as I freeze for a moment. Because standing outside my apartment building are reporters.
There are cameras, microphones and news vans.
What the hell?
I stumble backwards, panic surging through me while someone calls my name again. The camera flashes intensify. My pulse spikes. I spin around and practically sprint back inside.
The door slams shut behind me, as I lock it immediately. Then again. Just to be sure.
The sudden silence feels deafening. My chest rises and falls too quickly. I pull out my phone, dialing my emergency contact.
Nora answers before the third ring.
"Bell…"
"Please come get me."
Silence. Then her voice softens instantly.
"I'm coming."
*********
CHASE
The reality house is bigger than I expected. Much bigger.
Ethan whistles as he helps me unload my luggage from the trunk.
"Damn."
I glance up. The property stretches across several acres. Modern architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows, landscaped gardens.
There's even a pool sparkling beneath the morning sunlight. And farther in the distance sits a private ice rink.
I stare in awe. Okay. That part is admittedly impressive.
Ethan follows my gaze.
"You could practically get lost in this place."
I nod. The house is enormous. Large enough that Bella and I could probably go days without seeing each other.
Assuming fate decides to be kind.
Which seems unlikely.
My attention shifts to my watch. It's 8:00 AM, and Bella still hasn't arrived. We were instructed to be here by seven-thirty.
It's either she's legitimately late, or maybe she's trying to make a statement.
With Bella, either possibility feels equally likely.
Ethan and I head toward the front entrance. Then I stop walking.
"What the hell?"
Towering above the entrance is a massive promotional banner of me and Bella.
My stomach immediately drops, as I realize it's that photo.
The one from yesterday. The one where I'm holding her against me. One hand beneath her thigh, the other tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, with our eyes locked and faces inches apart.
Jesus.
I stare at it. The chemistry practically radiates off the image. I hate to admit it, but If I didn't know the truth, I'd believe it too. Anyone would.
Beside me, Ethan goes strangely quiet. I glance toward him. His jaw has tightened.
Hard.
"What the hell is this picture?"
His tone catches me off guard.
"It's from the photo shoot."
He continues staring, expression unreadable.
"You two look..." He pauses. "...intimate."
I shrug.
"That's the point."
His mouth flattens. Something flickers across his face. Gone before I can identify it. Then he looks away. For some reason, the reaction unsettles me.
Before I can think about it further, a car pulls into the driveway.
Bright yellow. The passenger door opens, and Bella steps out. Immediately, I notice that something is wrong.
She's wearing oversized sunglasses despite the cloudy weather, and a black scarf covers most of her hair. Her shoulders are tense and rigid. Like she's bracing herself for impact.
Nora exits behind her. I watch as Nora grips both of Bella's hands. She says something, and Bella closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. Then another. It seems like she's carrying out breathing exercises.
The realization that something must have happened settles heavily in my chest. And judging from the look on her face, I can tell it wasn't good.
My attention shifts when Ethan suddenly mutters a curse. He kicks a loose stone and immediately regrets it as his face contorts in pain.
"Ow. Shit."
I raise an eyebrow.
"You okay?"
"Fine."
Clearly not.
Just then, Bella walks past us without looking up. Without looking at me. Not once.
Nora follows beside her, carrying one of her bags.
I don't know why the sight bothers me. It shouldn't.
But yet…it does.
******
Hours later, Ethan and Nora are gone. And Bella and I are officially trapped together.
The realization hits harder as we sit in the living room listening to Ava explain production logistics.
There are cameras everywhere. Mounted above doorways, hidden between bookshelves. Positioned near televisions, and even tucked discreetly into decorative fixtures.
Every time Ava points one out, another appears. I stop asking.
At this point, I'd probably feel safer assuming every object in the house contains a camera.
"Some additional cameras are hidden throughout the property," Ava says.
Bella visibly stiffens. I can't blame her.
"Nothing invasive," Ava adds quickly.
"Just enough to capture natural interactions."
Natural. Right. I almost chuckle.
Because nothing screams natural like being monitored twenty-four hours a day.
Ava finally claps her hands together.
"Good news."
Neither Bella nor I look convinced.
"We have enough footage for today's introductory episode."
Thank God.
"You can settle into your rooms. Filming resumes tomorrow."
I start to relax.
Then Ava turns toward Bella.
"And Bella..."
Bella looks up. Ava's smile softens.
"I'm sorry about the reporters."
Something shifts across Bella's face. It's barely noticeable.
"The photos from yesterday exploded online."
Ava hesitates.
"We still don't know how they got your address."
Bella nods once. There's no anger, no sarcasm, no sharp response. Just a nod.
The silence worries me more. Because Bella Moreno always has something to say.
Ava continues.
"The internet is obsessed with the photo shoot."
My eyes flick toward Bella. Her fingers twist together at her sides.
A tiny movement that's easy to miss. I don't know why I don't.
Now I understand why she came late. This morning probably wasn't just overwhelming, it scared her.
I've spent years living in front of cameras. Years dealing with interviews. Comment sections. Speculation. Public scrutiny.
Even now, it still gets under my skin. And I know that the attention can f**k with anyone who isn't used to it. Bella's been on the other side of the lens her entire life.
No wonder she looks exhausted. Ava eventually leads us upstairs.
Our rooms are directly opposite each other. I glance tow
ard Bella.
She follows silently. Head lowered. No arguments. No sarcastic comments. No challenges.
For the first time since I met her…Bella Moreno says absolutely nothing.
And somehow, that's what worries me most.
- Writer
