Chapter Six:The Collector
898 Words
The moment Noah left the dining room after whispering, “Good decision,” into Bella’s ear, an unfamiliar silence settled over the house.
Noah disappeared into the kitchen moments after breakfast, loosening the cuff of his shirt as he exhaled quietly.
Maria followed him with a small smile.
“You haven’t left for the office yet.”
He walked to the sink, washing his hands before leaning against the marble counter.
“I’m not going today.”
Maria looked at him in surprise.
“You? Missing work?” She let out a soft laugh. “That’s unlike you.”
Her smile faded into concern as she stepped closer.
“Are you feeling alright?”
She reached up, placing the back of her hand lightly against his forehead.
Noah caught her hand before she could pull away, lowering it gently.
“I’m fine, darling.”
His voice was calm.
“I just don’t feel like working today.”
At that exact moment, Bella walked past the kitchen after washing her hands.
She wasn’t trying to look.
She truly wasn’t.
But somehow, her eyes wandered inside.
Maria stood only inches away from Noah.
To anyone passing by, they looked like a happily married couple.
A strange heaviness settled inside Bella’s chest.
She looked away immediately and continued walking.
“Bella, darling.”
Maria called after her.
Bella stopped and turned around.
Maria smiled warmly while slicing fresh fruit.
Behind her stood Noah.
He hadn’t moved.
His gaze rested quietly on Bella, calm and unreadable.
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
“Emmy’s waiting for you upstairs,” Maria said.
Bella forced a smile.
“Alright.”
As she climbed the staircase, something made her glance back.
Maria continued cutting fruit, completely unaware of the silent exchange unfolding behind her.
Standing behind her, Noah had one arm draped loosely around her waist, his face resting near her shoulder.
To anyone watching, it was nothing more than a quiet moment between husband and wife.
Except…
His eyes weren’t on Maria.
They were locked on Bella.
Calm.
Possessive.
Almost as though he had forgotten everyone else in the room.
Noah was still looking at her.
Their eyes met for the briefest moment before Bella quickly disappeared upstairs.
Emmy looked up from her phone the second Bella entered the room.
“There you are!”
Bella smiled.
“What happened?”
“I have a plan.”
Bella folded her arms.
“That sounds dangerous.”
Emmy laughed.
“I have a photoshoot today.”
“A family one?”
“No, silly.”
She shook her head.
“I do solo shoots once in a while.”
Bella nodded.
“So?”
“So…” Emmy grinned. “You’re joining me.”
Bella stared at her.
“What? No.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve never modeled before.”
Emmy walked over and gently held Bella’s hands.
“You’ve always wanted to become a model, haven’t you?”
Bella fell silent.
“…Yes.”
“Then trust me.”
Emmy smiled encouragingly.
“Who knows? These pictures might be the beginning of something.”
Bella thought for a long moment.
Finally…
She nodded.
“Okay.”
Nearly an hour later, Bella stepped out of the dressing room.
She wore a soft butter-yellow dress that flowed elegantly around her knees.
Simple.
Graceful.
Beautiful.
Her makeup was light and natural, enhancing her features without taking away their softness.
Her long hair fell freely over her shoulders in loose waves.
Even Emmy couldn’t hide her smile.
“You look gorgeous babe.”
Bella laughed shyly.
“Stop.”
“I’m serious.”
Together, they headed downstairs.
Maria had gone upstairs to rest.
Bella’s eyes instinctively searched the house.
Noah was nowhere to be seen.
For reasons she refused to acknowledge, disappointment quietly crept into her heart.
The photographer arrived shortly afterward.
The spacious garden glowed beneath the afternoon sunlight.
Flowers swayed gently in the breeze as the first few photographs were taken of Emmy.
Then the photographer turned toward Bella.
“Miss Bella, could you stand beneath that tree?”
She nodded.
Several portraits later, he asked her to sit on the grass with a book resting in her lap.
Bella followed his directions.
Almost absentmindedly, she looked up toward the balcony.
Her breath caught.
Noah stood there.
With no shirt, his dark hair slightly messy from the wind.
One hand rested in his pocket while the other leaned against the railing.
He wasn’t looking at the garden.
He was watching her.
Bella quickly looked away.
The photographer lowered his camera with a satisfied smile.
“Miss Bella…”
He looked through the photographs.
“You have remarkable camera presence.”
Bella blinked.
“Really?”
“I rarely say this…”
He smiled.
“But you have real modeling potential.”
Emmy clapped excitedly.
“I told you b***h!”
The photographer pointed toward a large oak tree.
“Let’s take a few more over there.”
“I’m taking a short break,” Emmy said, stretching her arms. “You two continue.”
As she walked back toward the house, the photographer’s assistant stepped forward.
“May I adjust the fabric slightly?”
Bella nodded politely.
The adjustment was quick and professional.
From the balcony…
Noah watched the entire interaction.
His expression didn’t change.
But something unreadable settled behind his eyes.
- Writer
