“Where are you going?”
Bella’s steps abruptly halted. She had already prepared to hurriedly leave the dining room. Truly, Bella wanted to play it safe. She was afraid Edward might call her to discuss last night’s incident.
“I’m going back to my room, Sir.”
“Back?” Edward’s eyes narrowed reflexively. He gazed at Bella, who at that moment looked down as if afraid to meet his gaze. “Didn’t you finish your food?”
Bella immediately looked up. In her heart, she cursed her own foolishness for not being able to give a convincing answer. After all, if she wanted to play it safe, why not just say she had a stomach ache or urgently needed to use the restroom? Surely Edward wouldn’t ask or give a lengthy response.
“Y-yes. I, uh—”
“What’s wrong? Is there something important that made you stop eating?”
Furthermore, Edward wasn’t blind. He could clearly see that there was still a lot of food left on Bella’s plate. Even if she was full, why take an excessive portion from the beginning only to end up wasting it like this? Truly, Edward despised anyone who wasted food.
“There are vitamins and some medicine left in my room that I need to get immediately, Sir.”
Edward sighed. He looked at her coldly, his expression incredulous. If one thought about it, Bella’s answer did sound ridiculous to him.
“Why not ask Clara to get them for you? Isn’t she the one who prepares all your needs?”
Bella nodded awkwardly. Now, what should she say?
“I-I just felt bad, Sir. Plus, Clara is busy in the kitchen.”
Edward sighed again.
“In case you forgot, Clara is paid handsomely to serve all your needs. She is expected to be inconvenienced by your orders.” The man seemed to push his chin forward. “So, please sit back down and finish your meal. Besides, there’s something important I want to ask you.”
At that moment, Bella felt a sudden rush of anxiety. Despite her efforts to remain calm, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
“Sorry, what do you want to ask about?” Bella was genuinely nervous and anxious. Moreover, she had never sat at the same dining table with Edward before. So, it felt awkward to face him directly like this.
“It’s about last night.”
Damn!
Apparently, Edward did want to confirm what had happened last night. Despite Bella repeatedly praying to God for him not to realize and simply forget about it.
“Last night’s incident?”
Edward nodded.
“I—”
“Sir.”
From another direction, Brigitta, who was the head assistant housekeeper at Edward’s residence, appeared. The 50-year-old woman approached, interrupting Edward who was staring seriously at Bella.
“What’s wrong?” Edward had to reluctantly avert his gaze.
“Sorry for disturbing your breakfast time. But, Mr. Axel is here outside and is waiting in the living room.”
Edward glanced briefly at the circular watch on his left wrist. Then, he got up and left the dining room. He immediately headed to the office with Axel, who had come to pick him up.
“Sir, is there a problem?”
Axel deliberately inquired as they arrived at the Nebula building. This wasn’t the first time he had found his boss lost in thought as if pondering something.
Axel didn’t intend to meddle. However, he was worried and wanted to offer help in case Edward was facing a significant problem.
“No…” Edward responded as they entered the room. “Actually, there’s no major issue.”
“Are you sure?” Axel asked to make sure. “I’m worried that something bad might have happened to you. If you need anything, just say the word. I’m ready to carry out any task you assign.”
In his seat, Edward remained silent for a moment. There had indeed been something bothering him since earlier. However, Edward was unsure of what action to take.
“Axel, do you remember the investigation about the woman that Julia assigned to you a while back?”
Immediately, Axel reacted.
“You mean, the woman Julia wanted to pay to be a surrogate mother?”
Edward nodded. After all, it was Axel whom Julia had tasked with investigating Bella’s background before deciding to use her as a surrogate mother who would carry their child.
“Yes, that’s right. Do you still have a copy of the investigation results?”
“Of course,” Axel replied promptly.
“In that case, can you give it to me right now? There’s something I need to double-check.”
Although Axel had given him the investigation results earlier, Julia had already asked Edward to read and review them in order to make a decision. But, from the beginning, Edward had been lazy and entirely uninterested in his wife’s proposal of using a surrogate mother. He didn’t bother and handed everything over to Julia. Now, however, he was curious and wanted to check Bella’s background himself.
“Wait a moment, Sir. I’ll fetch the file for you right away.”
A few minutes later, Axel returned to Edward’s room with a light brown folder in his hand. He handed it to Edward for him to read and double-check.
“Here you go, Sir. Please check it.”
Edward took the file that Axel handed him. He was about to start reading when his phone rang. Checking it, it turned out to be Julia calling.
“Darling…”
The call sounded affectionate. Usually, every morning and before bed, Julia often called Edward.
“Are you at the office?”
“Yes. Just arrived,” Edward replied briefly.
“I just woke up. And now I’m getting ready for the fashion show today. You know? Last night, I even shared the stage with Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. God, I’m so happy.”
Edward seemed indifferent to Julia’s story. He listened casually. Not even a hint of enthusiasm.
“Congratulations. I’m happy and proud to hear that. So, when are you coming back to London? Two weeks from now, right?”
“Ah, about that…” Julia’s words hung for a moment. “I seem to be unable to return on time. Dior has rescheduled their show. So, instead of going back and forth, I have to add about a week to stay here.”
“You’re really insane!”
Edward sounded displeased. There was a hint of disappointment, clear in the words he uttered.
“Four weeks is not a short time. And now? You’re adding another week? Why don’t you just move to Paris?”
“Oh, come on, Darling. Don’t be angry like this. Weren’t you the one who said you’d be the number one supporter of all my dreams?”
“Yes,” Edward acknowledged. “Haven’t I been supporting you? I’ve spent a lot of money to support you becoming a professional model. But the longer it takes, the more you seem to be engrossed in your own world.”
“Darling…” Julia’s voice softened. “Come on. I don’t want to argue. I promise, this will be the last time I leave for a long time. After that, I’ll never leave you for so long again.”
Edward didn’t care. In fact, before Julia finished speaking, he ended the call. His mood instantly turned sour upon realizing the reality of his wife’s extended schedule abroad.
***
“Miss Bella, what are you doing?”
Clara sounded concerned. Her face looked worried upon seeing Bella entering the kitchen and searching for some ingredients in the fridge.
“I’m bored and I feel like cooking dinner for myself tonight.”
Clara’s brow immediately furrowed.
“Cooking? What do you want to eat? Just tell me. Let me prepare it for you.”
Bella smiled. Instead of listening, she continued to search for something in the fridge. Shortly after, she took out some frozen meat from the freezer and various types of vegetables and fruits.
“No, Clara. Please allow me to cook it myself. I miss eating my own Lancashire and Roast Meat.”
“But, Miss….”
“Just this once.”
Bella looked at Clara pleadingly, hoping she would allow her to cook and prepare her dinner herself just this once.
“Please,” Bella said again.
“Alright. But just this once. If Miss Julia finds out, she’ll be angry.”
Bella smiled happily. After getting permission, she quickly started preparing the ingredients she had taken from the fridge.
Because she had been accustomed to cooking since she was a child, Bella became skillful in cooking various kinds and types of English dishes. Even some Italian and Asian dishes were also frequently cooked by her.
Intending to serve her dishes to the other occupants in the house, Bella intentionally cooked a considerable amount. Humming, she enjoyed cooking in the kitchen without wanting any help from Clara.
When she finished, Bella arranged and served her dishes neatly on the dining table one by one. As she poured water into the glass, she heard noises from outside as if there were guests who had just arrived.
“Oh my God, Edward. What has your maid cooked? I’m not lying, but it smells so good. I’m getting hungry from the aroma.”
Indeed, it was Edward who had just arrived. He came home with his friend.
“Who knows. I don’t even know what they’re cooking. But if you’re hungry, just eat before you go home.”
The man smiled happily. Following along, he followed Edward as they walked towards the dining room. Then, both of them were equally surprised to find Bella arranging food on the table.
“Edward… why is there a beautiful woman in your house?”
Edward’s friend asked, full of surprise. Without hesitation, he approached Bella who stood by the dining table.
“Are you a new assistant at Edward’s house? I’ve never seen you before.”
Bella fell silent, confused. Instead of answering, she glanced at Edward, hoping he would help her so she wouldn’t give the wrong answer.
“Kairos.”
Edward immediately interjected. “Aren’t you hungry? Eat quickly, then go home right away.”
Kairos laughed, ignoring Edward, and instead, focused back on Bella.
“Let me introduce myself, my name is Kairos Maxweel. If I may ask, what’s your name?”
Kairos extended his hand, smiling cheerfully, confidently inviting Bella to introduce herself.
“No need for formal introductions.”
Edward immediately reached for Kairos’s wrist. He pulled him, inviting him to sit at the dining table. Then he glanced at Bella, signaling for her to leave the dining room.
“Oh, Lord, Edward. Why are you so stingy? Besides, since when is there a beautiful woman in your house? Is she a new house assistant? Or perhaps she’s your mistress?”
Kairos bombarded Edward with many questions. He seemed curious, eager to know who the beautiful woman he had just seen was.
“No need for so many questions. If you’re hungry, eat quickly and then go home. I need to rest after this.”
“But, Ed—-”
“If you’re chatty and still have many questions, it’s better to just go home.”
Kairos pouted. Since he was indeed hungry, he just ate what Edward offered him. After finishing and feeling full, he was really driven out to go home.
Edward himself, after finishing his meal, went straight to the second floor. Seeing Bella happen to come out of her room, he hurriedly approached her and pulled her back inside.
“Sir.”
Bella kicked in surprise, especially when Edward closed the door with his foot. Then he pushed Bella’s body slightly until it leaned against the wall.
“Our business from this morning isn’t finished,” Edward reminded.
“Which business? Actually, what do you want to discuss?”
Edward stared at Bella intently. He locked onto her blue eyes, then spoke softly.
“When I was heavily intoxicated, I vaguely remember you helping me to my room, didn’t I?”
Bella was confused whether to answer truthfully or deny it. But it seemed difficult to deny.
“Y-yes. I helped you to your room.”
Edward remained silent for a moment. Then, a few seconds later, he took a slow breath, then spoke again as if wanting to make sure of something. “Did I do something wrong to you? I mean, did I do—”
“No,” Bella quickly interrupted, as if knowing what Edward meant. “You didn’t do anything wrong last night. So, don’t worry.”
“Are you sure I didn’t do anything wrong to you?”
Bella nodded repeatedly. She made sure Edward believed her words.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Alright then,” Edward replied afterward. “In that case, I’ll take my leave.”
Edward hurried out. Meanwhile, Bella immediately closed and locked her bedroom door.
While holding her wildly beating heart, Bella took several deep breaths. Deliberately boasting so as not to get involved in complicated problems in the future.
Moreover, Bella also didn’t want Edward to know that they had engaged in inappropriate relationships and then become awkward with each other. Even if Edward truly forgot, Bella would keep that secret to herself.