The Bracelet
850 Words
“…That’s impossible.”
Alexander’s voice was barely above a whisper.
He stared at the delicate gold bracelet in his hand as though it shouldn’t exist.
Isabella frowned.
“Alexander?”
He didn’t answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the bracelet.
The delivery rider shifted awkwardly.
“Sir… is something wrong?”
Alexander snapped back to reality.
“Who gave you these flowers?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“The order was placed online this morning. I was only told to deliver them to Miss Isabella Rossi.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“Did you see the person?”
The rider shook his head.
“No, sir.”
He handed Alexander a delivery receipt.
“That’s all they gave me.”
Alexander glanced at it before folding it and slipping it into his pocket.
“Thank you.”
The rider nodded and left.
The crowd slowly dispersed, disappointed that the drama was over.
Emma hurried over.
“What did the card say?”
Isabella quickly folded it.
“It was… nothing important.”
Emma raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing important doesn’t make Alexander look like he wants to strangle someone.”
Alexander looked at Isabella.
“Can we talk?”
She nodded.
“Sure.”
A few minutes later…
They sat on a quiet bench in a small park just outside the university.
The evening breeze rustled the trees.
For the first time all day…
Neither of them spoke.
Finally, Isabella broke the silence.
“Why did you react like that?”
Alexander looked down at the bracelet in his hand.
“It belongs to my sister.”
She blinked.
“You have a sister?”
“I had one.”
His voice softened.
“When I was twelve…”
“…she passed away.”
Isabella’s heart ached.
“I’m so sorry.”
He gave a small nod.
“This bracelet was buried with her.”
Silence.
Isabella felt a chill run through her body.
“If it was buried…”
“Exactly.”
Alexander closed his hand around it.
“It shouldn’t be here.”
Before she could ask another question…
His phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
“I have to take this.”
He walked a few steps away.
Isabella wasn’t trying to listen…
But his voice carried.
“No.”
“…Don’t tell my father yet.”
“I’ll handle it.”
He ended the call.
When he turned around, the warmth in his eyes had returned.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
He looked at the bouquet beside her.
“Don’t keep those.”
“What?”
“Throw them away.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like where they came from.”
She nodded.
“I will.”
He smiled faintly.
“Good.”
That night…
Isabella stood on her balcony.
The city was quiet.
Across the street…
Alexander stepped onto his own balcony with a mug of coffee.
He looked up.
She smiled.
He smiled back.
“Better day?” he called softly.
“A little.”
“You?”
“I’ve had worse.”
She laughed.
For nearly an hour…
They talked.
About childhood memories.
Favorite movies.
Dream vacations.
Their most embarrassing moments.
By the end of the conversation…
Talking to Alexander felt as natural as breathing.
When she finally yawned, he smiled.
“You should get some sleep.”
“So should you.”
“I will.”
She was about to go inside when he called her name.
“Isabella.”
“Yeah?”
“I was wondering…”
He hesitated.
“Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
Her heart skipped.
Was he asking her on a date?
She smiled.
“I’d love to.”
His smile widened.
“Good.”
“Then it’s a date.”
Her cheeks turned pink.
“Goodnight, Alexander.”
“Goodnight, Isabella.”
She went inside with a smile she couldn’t hide.
Across the street…
A pair of eyes watched from the shadows of the De Luca mansion.
Victoria slowly lowered the curtain she had been peeking through.
Her lips curled into a cold smile.
“So…”
“It’s finally happening.”
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
The call connected almost immediately.
“It’s me.”
She looked across the street toward Isabella’s apartment.
“They’re getting closer.”
A pause.
Then Victoria smiled.
“No.”
“I don’t want to warn her anymore.”
Her voice turned icy.
“I want to ruin her.”
The person on the other end said something.
Victoria nodded.
“Tomorrow night.”
She ended the call.
Then opened a drawer.
Inside…
Was a folder.
Across the front, in bold black letters, was written:
ISABELLA ROSSI
Victoria slowly opened it.
Inside were photographs…
Class schedules…
Home address…
Names of friends…
And one recent photo of Isabella laughing with Alexander outside the café.
Victoria gently traced Isabella’s face with her finger.
Then whispered,
“Let’s see if you still smile after tomorrow.”
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