OFF LIMITS

The truth in her eyes

Bella said nothing.

For the first time, Maria was somehow getting on her nerves. Bella didn’t even bring her up. She simply looked at Ammy and asked,

“Where are you going to practice?”

“In the room?”

“No. I don’t think we can practice there. Let’s go to the roof.”

“Okay.”

Bella followed Ammy upstairs.

As soon as they reached the rooftop, they started practicing. The sun was harsh, and after a while, Ammy wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at Bella.

“I think I’ll sit for a bit. You keep practicing.”

Bella nodded.

“Okay.”

Ammy moved to the side while Bella continued.

Down in the garden, Noah stood watching her.

Bella noticed him too.

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

But Bella didn’t stop.

If anything, her movements became sharper. More controlled. More attractive.

Noah watched her for a few seconds longer before finally turning away and leaving the garden.

A while later, he appeared on the rooftop.

“Ammy, your mom is calling you. She said you need to go. It’s an emergency.”

Ammy immediately stood up.

“Seriously?”

Noah nodded.

“Go.”

Ammy looked at Bella. “Then I’ll see you in some minutes.”

Bella nodded.

“Yeah.”

As Ammy walked away, Bella continued practicing for a few more seconds before she finally stopped.

She could feel Noah standing there.

But she refused to look at him.

She picked up her things and started walking past him.

Noah caught her hand.

Bella stopped.

Before she could turn around, he pulled her back, making her face him. He stood close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body.

“Baby girl…”

His voice was low.

“What else are you going to do just to get my attention?”

Bella stayed silent.

She took a slow breath, trying to gather herself.

Then she finally looked at him.

“Noah… maybe you didn’t hear what was said at the store today.”

Noah said nothing.

He simply looked into her eyes.

Then the corner of his lips lifted.

“Your eyes are saying something else, Bells.”

Bella’s heart skipped.

“Your eyes want my attention.”

He paused, his gaze staying on hers.

“They want me.”

Bella’s expression tightened.

Noah leaned slightly closer.

“You can keep denying it, but you’re not very good at hiding what you feel.”

His voice dropped even lower.

“That’s cute, baby girl.”

He moved closer to her ear.

“I like tough girls.”

A brief pause.

“Especially…”

His lips hovered near her ear.

“Girls like you.”

Bella looked straight into his eyes.

She could feel the heat between them.

Noah was standing incredibly close, his body almost touching hers.

Bella swallowed.

Then she placed her hands against his chest and tried to push him back.

“Noah…”

“What?”

“Move.”

She glanced toward the rooftop entrance.

“If someone sees us, what will they think?”

Noah gave a quiet laugh.

“Be?”

His smile widened.

Then he leaned closer again.

“I noticed you’ve had a pretty dark expression since what happened in the hallway.”

Bella’s eyes flickered.

Noah studied her face.

Then he asked softly,

“Are you jealous?”

Bella held his gaze for a few seconds.

Then she looked away.

“No. Why would I be jealous?”

She tried to pull her hand away.

“And why are you keeping me here like this? Let me go.”

Noah’s smile faded slightly.

He didn’t let her move past him.

Instead, he looked directly into her eyes.

“Bells…”

His voice was calm now.

“You’re pushing me away right now.”

He paused.

“Trust me.”

A faint, almost mocking smile returned to his face.

“Soon enough, you’ll be the one begging me to come closer.”

Bella stared at him.

“What are you trying to say, Noah?”

Noah didn’t answer.

He simply kept looking at her for a few seconds.

Then he stepped aside.

Bella immediately walked past him and headed downstairs.

But once she was gone, she stopped.

She stood there like she’d forgotten how to move.

A few moments later, Ammy returned to the rooftop and found Bella standing there.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Bella didn’t respond.

Ammy walked closer.

“Why are you standing here like a ghost?”

She looked worried.

“Are you okay? You look really stressed.”

Bella finally blinked and looked at her.

“Ammy…”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t feel good. Can I go home today?”

Ammy frowned.

“But at least meet my mom before you leave.”

“No. Not today.”

Bella picked up her things.

“I’ll come another day.”

Ammy sighed.

“Okay, but don’t disappear. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Bella gave her a small nod before heading downstairs.

She crossed the hallway quickly, wanting nothing more than to leave.

Then someone caught her hand from behind.

“Where are you going, Bella? You didn’t even say goodbye.”

Bella turned around.

Maria.

The moment she saw her, the image of Maria standing with Noah in the hallway flashed through her mind.

Her irritation returned.

“Maria, I’m going home. I don’t feel well.”

Maria immediately placed a hand against her forehead.

“Darling, what’s wrong?”

She looked genuinely concerned.

“Tell me. What happened?”

Bella gently moved away.

“I just don’t feel good.”

“You can’t go home like this. Stay here and rest for a while.”

“No, Maria.”

Bella shook her head.

“I don’t want to stay. I’ll come another day.”

Before Maria could say anything else, Bella walked away.

She hurried toward the gate and stepped outside.

She was waiting for a taxi when an SUV suddenly stopped in front of her.

Bella stared at it.

The rear door opened.

Noah was sitting inside.

He looked at her.

“Get in, Bells.”

Bella froze.

“Noah?”

“Get in.”

After a moment of hesitation, Bella climbed into the car.

The SUV pulled away.

Neither of them spoke.

The silence between them felt heavier than it should have.

Finally, Noah broke it.

“You left because of me, Bells?”

Bella kept looking out the window.

She didn’t answer.

“Bells.”

She still didn’t look at him.

“I’m talking to you. Can you hear me?”

Bella finally spoke.

“I already told you. I don’t feel well, so I left.”

Noah let out a quiet breath.

“That’s bullshit.”

Bella turned toward him.

Before she could say anything, Noah gently caught her chin and turned her face toward him.

“Bella, I know you like me.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“But why won’t you just admit it?”

He held her gaze.

“Why do you keep lying to yourself, Bells?”

Bella stared at him.

“When did I ever tell you that I like you?”

Her voice was defensive.

“I never said that.”

Noah smiled faintly.

Then, in one quick movement, he pulled her onto his lap.

Bella’s eyes widened.

For a moment, she couldn’t speak.

Her hands instinctively landed on his shoulders.

They were face to face.

Bella’s breathing became heavier.

Noah looked straight into her eyes.

“This dress. This look…”

His gaze moved over her for a moment before returning to her eyes.

“You can tell me whatever you want, but your eyes always give you away.”

His hand settled lightly at her waist.

“Baby girl.”

Bella couldn’t look away.

Noah pulled her a little closer.

“But if you look me in the eyes right now and tell me you don’t want me…”

He paused.

“I won’t force you.”

Bella’s breath caught.

“If you really hate me, then say it.”

He waited.

“Say it now.”

Bella stared into his eyes.

Nothing came out.

Not a single word.

She didn’t know what she was supposed to say.

Her mind felt completely blank.

Noah watched her silently.

Then he smiled.

The car suddenly slowed to a stop.

Bella didn’t even notice.

She was still looking at him.

Noah tilted his head slightly.

“Do you plan on getting off my lap?”

Bella blinked.

“Or are you planning to sit there like this for the rest of the ride, Bells?”

Only then did Bella realize where she was.

She immediately pulled away.

Her face burned with embarrassment.

She opened the door and stepped out without looking at him.

“Thank you, Noah.”

Then she hurried inside her house.

The moment she entered her room, she shut the door behind her.

Noah watched her disappear.

A small smile appeared on his face.

“Silly baby girl.”

Bella threw herself onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow.

“What is happening to me?”

She squeezed the pillow tighter.

“Why was I that close to Noah?”

Her face burned again.

“Was that really necessary?”

She groaned into the pillow.

The embarrassment was unbearable.

But then her mind betrayed her.

She remembered Noah’s hand around her waist.

The way he’d looked into her eyes.

The warmth of his body so close to hers.

Bella slowly lifted her face from the pillow.

She couldn’t get him out of her head.

“What is wrong with me?”

She stared at the ceiling.

Then the question came to her before she could stop it.

“Am I really falling in love with Noah?”

Bella immediately covered her face with the pillow again.

“No…”

But even she didn’t sound convinced.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Ammy.

She was asking if Bella wanted to go to a nightclub with her that night. Apparently, there was a good club nearby that Ammy knew.

Bella stared at the message.

Should she go?

Maybe getting out for a while would help her stop thinking about Noah.

After a few moments, she finally replied.

“Yeah.”

By evening, Bella was ready.

She wore a short black dress with her hair left open. Her makeup was light, and around her neck was the same pendant she always wore.

She looked at herself in the mirror for a moment.

Her phone suddenly rang.

Ammy.

Bella answered.

“Hello?”

“I’ll be in front of your house in twenty minutes,” Ammy said.