Reconciliation
678 Words
As it turned out, Luke's black shirt wasn't only a match for her red dress. It paired just as well with Sophia's white dress. Luke, however, didn't spare Bella another glance. When Chris dashed towards him, Luke took Sophia by the hand and made for the exit. Sophia glanced back at Bella before leaving, clutching Luke's wrist so tightly, as if to guard against Bella snatching him away.
Bella simply looked on at Sophia's small gesture and let out a laugh, devoid of any true mirth.
-
Bella seeking him out wasn't a surprise to Luke. Upon seeing her at the airport, he knew she hadn't come to the northern city without reason. But when Bella revealed her purpose, Luke's gaze turned icy, as if encased in a millennium's frost, brimming with cold disdain.
He looked at Bella with a venomous intensity, utterly disgusted by her brazen behavior. "Bella, you've certainly reset my impression of you."
Bella's lush, curving lashes fluttered slightly, though her expression remained steady, "Let's get back together."
She lifted her phone with a defiant air, "Otherwise, I'll send this to Sophia."
Luke was truly infuriated. "Bella!"
He gripped her wrist so tightly it was as if he intended to break it. Bella frowned. It hurt, but she didn't let the pain show, just gave Luke a steady look, "She won't accept that you've been with me, with her high and mighty attitude!"
Her eyes, which naturally seemed to carry the allure of colored contacts, softened as she gazed at him, full of implied depth, "Luke, let's be together for a month. After that, I'll leave the northern city and won't bother you again."
Her tone softened at the end, a plea reminiscent of the past. This Bella reminded Luke of the times when she'd playfully cajole him, her voice tender, sticky sweet, tugging at his heart as if a cat's paw were gently scratching it.
Whenever Bella would act coquettishly, Luke would have moved mountains for her, would have plucked stars from the sky. But now...
Luke suddenly let out a cold laugh, "A month ago, you said the same thing."
"Bella, do the words 'reliable' and 'honest' even exist in your vocabulary?"
Faced with Luke's harsh words, Bella simply smiled. She looked up at him, an expression of helplessness on her face, "I didn't want to."
"My darling husband has been cheating on me with his first love behind my back."
Her tone was as light as if she were asking if he had eaten yet, so casual, "You know my nature. I always repay an eye for an eye. He's turned green with his first love, so I have to turn it back with his first love, which is you."
Luke couldn't help but laugh out of sheer exasperation at Bella's words. "So, I should thank you?"
Bella's playful smile surfaced, "Well, Mr. Huo was my first love after all."
She lifted a hand and playfully tapped Luke's chest, her eyes enchanting like a fox spirit tempting the soul, "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have bothered you."
Luke raised a hand to Bella's chin, his gaze sharp as a knife's edge, "You really haven't changed at all."
"Still as willful and reckless as ever, never considering the feelings of others."
Five years ago, she had barged into his world without his permission. Just when he had gotten used to her presence, she kicked him aside without a second thought.
Of all the women he had known, Bella was the most ruthless!
As Luke's mocking gaze pierced through her, Bella felt a sting in her heart. Her 'abandonment' must have hurt him deeply back then. 'I'm sorry, Luke, for not being there when you needed me most. If none of that had happened, would we have...?'
Suddenly, Bella stepped forward and embraced Luke, whispering like a lover, "Luke, just one month, let's give it another try."
"I promise, this is the last time."
For Amy, she would always find a way.
After all, no one knew Luke quite like she did...
- Writer
