Chapter 7
1244 Words
BELLA GASPED when she felt his hand move downward from her arm to her waist. He stared at her seriously while doing so. Meanwhile, she remained frozen in place, unable to even protest. Their eyes locked as if both were weighing the moment, silently waiting for a signal on what would happen next between them.
“L-let me go…” Bella stammered, her voice weak when she finally managed to speak. But instead of complying, he pulled her even closer and smirked again. Bella tried to resist by pushing against his chest, but all her efforts seemed useless. In fact, it only made things worse as she found herself completely trapped in his embrace.
Bella’s attention was suddenly caught by a feather design tattoo on the left side of his chest. But before she could dwell on it, he spoke again, bringing her focus back to him.
“Curious?” he asked, referring to the tattoo.
“N-no!” Bella quickly denied and attempted to push him away again. “Can you let me go? It’s getting late! I have to go back to the villa!”
But it was as if he didn’t hear a word she said. The man smirked at her again, and in an instant, she found herself locked in his arms once more.
“What are you doing?” Bella asked hysterically.
“I’m keeping you warm. Aren’t you cold in the water?” he said playfully, still holding her gaze.
She frowned. Truthfully, she was feeling cold. They had been in the water for quite some time. But for some reason, Bella suddenly felt warm at his words, as if they carried a deeper meaning. With nothing else to say, she met his gaze in defiance. When he suddenly laughed, Bella frowned in irritation.
‘Is this jerk making fun of me?’
“What’s so funny, mister? What are you laughing at?” She glared at him, completely annoyed. “Let me go this instant,” she ordered. “Or else…”
He raised an eyebrow at her, as if challenging her. “Or else… what? You’ll scream?”
Bella bit her lower lip in frustration. That was exactly what she intended to do if he didn’t let her go. And she was even more annoyed that he wasn’t taking her seriously. She didn’t know whether he was provoking her or simply playing games. What frustrated her even more was that, despite wanting to scream, she hesitated. It was as if she didn’t actually want to.
It seemed like she liked the feeling of their bodies touching. She still wanted to hear his voice that sent shivers down her spine.
Bella shook her head at the thought, scolding herself in her mind.
‘Oh. My. Gosh. Really, Isabella Fortes?’
‘You’re feeling that way about a stranger?’
‘You don’t even know his name, for Pete’s sake!’
“Just… Just let me go. I… I don’t even know you,” Bella pleaded. “Let’s pretend this never happened. This didn’t happen, and we’ll both forget about it. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. We both don’t exist. Okay?” she tried to convince him.
“No, no. Definitely not, baby. We can’t just forget this moment.”
“Please… Just let me go, and we’re good. I know what I did was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
“Yes, it was wrong. But you should’ve thought of that before you followed me here,” he said with a smirk. “It’s your fault that I’m turned on now. And I can’t let you go just like that, baby…”
‘What? What is this guy even saying? Is he insane?’
Bella was about to say something in reaction to his words—words she was struggling to process—when, in an instant, she suddenly found herself being kissed by him. And it wasn’t just any kiss; it felt like it carried something more. It wasn’t gentle, nor was it rough. It was everything in between.
Bella’s eyes shut tightly as she tasted the alcohol on his lips. When she opened them again, she found his eyes locked onto hers. He had been watching her while kissing her. Bella tried to push him away, but it was no use.
‘No, I can’t just submit to anyone. Not to a stranger.’
But fighting back was difficult when her own body wasn’t cooperating. Her mind and her body wanted different things. Just a little more, and all logical reasoning would disappear.
‘Oh no! I’m doomed!’
They were both breathless when he finally pulled away. Bella wanted to slap him, but she was too weak to lift her hand.
“Y-you… why did you do that?” she asked accusingly. “Are you really crazy?”
Bella froze when she saw the trace of anger in his eyes. She had no idea where it came from.
“Maybe I am. Or maybe you are!” he said furiously.
“Wait a minute! Why are you mad? And why am I suddenly the crazy one? Huh?”
“You! You could’ve put yourself in danger by meddling in a stranger’s business! Are you always like this? I don’t know if you’re just plain stupid or what!”
Bella’s mouth fell open. She wanted to say something, but no words came out. She was still processing what he had just said. The man had just boldly judged her. And it hurt deeply. She wanted to get angry at him, but she also realized that he might be right. Maybe she really was stupid for deciding to approach him. Why did she interfere? He was right—because of what happened, she ended up in trouble.
‘You’re so stupid, Bella!’
“What if I was a bad person? Huh? I could’ve done something bad. Really bad,” he said angrily. “And you didn’t even scream for help? How pathetic!” he added before turning his back on her, his fists clenched as if he was trying to control himself.
‘But what is up with him? Why do I feel like I’m being wronged?’
Bella tried to piece together everything that had just happened between them. She felt like crying. Couldn’t she just ignore what he said? But why did every single word he spoke feel like it was piercing not just her heart but her very soul? She had no idea what to do anymore. She just wanted to leave. She just wanted to disappear.
“I’m…” Bella’s voice trembled. She wasn’t even sure where that single word came from. But before she could continue, he turned back to her and raised a hand.
“Don’t say anything. Don’t explain yourself.”
“B-but…”
“Just go. Or are you really going to wait until I do something bad to you?”
Bella shivered at the fear creeping up inside her. The man was really mad. But she still didn’t understand why this was such a big deal to him.
In the end, Bella decided to do what he wanted. Maybe it was best to leave without saying anything to defend herself.
‘Why bother? He’s already judged me.’
With a heavy heart, Bella turned away from him. Finally, the tears she had been holding back started to fall. But before she completely walked away, she managed to whisper one last word.
“Sorry…”
- Writer
