Chapter fifteen(15)
351 Words
Chapter 15
At the restaurant
The table fell into an uneasy silence as they settled in.
Bella forced a small smile. “You guys are acting like I’m dying or something.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”
“I eat,” Bella replied defensively. “Just… not a lot.”
Clara watched her closely, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Are they overworking you?” she asked.
Bella hesitated. “It’s normal.”
“That’s not an answer,” Oliver said firmly.
Bella leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “Look, it’s just how the industry works. You either keep up… or you get replaced.”
Clara’s hands clenched under the table.
“Bella…”
Bella glanced at her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Clara opened her mouth, then paused.
She couldn’t say it.
Not after everything.
“I just wanted to see you,” she said softly.
Bella studied her for a moment, then sighed, her expression softening. “Lair…”
For a second, it felt like things might go back to normal.
But they didn’t.
Olivia glanced between them, sensing the tension, but said nothing.
After a while, Bella pushed her chair back.
“I have to go.”
⸻
Outside
Clara nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Bella leaned in slightly, her voice softer now.
“I missed you.”
Clara’s throat tightened. “I missed you too.”
Bella turned toward the door.
“Bella!” Clara called.
Bella stopped but didn’t turn around.
“Yes?”
Bella forced a small smile. “Miss me already?”
Clara let out a quiet laugh. “What if I told you to quit and leave that industry?
Bella blinked.
“I was just joking,” she added lightly.
Bella swallowed. “Alright. See you some other time.”
Clara nodded.
And just like that—
She was gone.
Clara stood there, staring at the door long after it closed.
The warning from last night echoed in her mind.
This time, louder.
- Writer
