CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42 I WANT TO GO OUTSIDE

"...Do you want an invitation now?" he asked over his shoulder, voice flat and cold. His hand slowly moved to pat the side of his coat, where his gun was holstered.

Isabella’s eyes widened instantly.

"N-No! Don’t take out your gun, I’m coming, I’m coming!" she squeaked, quickly lifting her gown and rushing after him. Though she still kept a cautious distance, like he might fire at her shoes next.

Leonardo stopped and stared at her.

Speechlessly.

He didn’t speak, just turned his gaze back ahead and casually patted invisible dust off his jacket.

The car ride back was silent with tension.

Isabella sat perfectly still, hands in her lap, not daring to shift even an inch. Her eyes stayed fixed on the tinted window, pretending to admire the blur of city lights, but her mind was elsewhere—angry.

He hadn’t asked.

Not once.

Not why she had left the hall.

Not what had happened.

Not how she felt after being humiliated in front of so many people.

She had been mocked, laughed at, tripped, called weak and all he cared about was that she hadn’t listened to his instructions.

Her jaw tightened. Stupid mafia world.

When the car pulled into the villa driveway and the doors opened, Isabella didn’t even wait.

The second her heels touched the ground, she gathered her gown and hurried ahead, not glancing back once. Leonardo stepped out behind her, but she had already slipped through the main door.

Aunt Clara, who had been waiting near the door, smiled gently. "Welcome back, dear. How was the—"

"I’m tired," Isabella said quickly, trying to sound polite but firm. "Really tired, Aunt Clara. I think I’ll just go lie down."

Clara blinked in surprise but nodded.

Isabella didn’t wait.

She turned and ran up the stairs, her gown brushing against the steps as she rushed toward her room, heart pounding from frustration.

As Isabella stepped into her room, the door clicked softly shut behind her. The quiet was comforting—no heels clacking, no sharp stares, no heavy gazes or cold voices. Just her.

She carefully slipped out of the lavender gown, folding it neatly and setting it aside. Her fingers moved to her hairpins, undoing each one, letting her thick brown hair tumble down her back in soft waves. The weight of the night slowly fell away, piece by piece.

In the bathroom, she ran warm water and poured in her favorite lavender-scented bubbles, watched them grow into soft, playful mountains of foam. She dipped a toe in, then slowly sank into the bath, her body finally relaxing.

The warmth hugged her.

She leaned back, eyes fluttering shut for a second. Then she smiled.

She scooped a handful of bubbles and blew softly—watching them float and dance in the warm air.

She giggled.

So silly.

But it made her happy.

After nearly an hour in the warm bath, Isabella finally stepped out, her skin pink from the heat, and her hair wrapped in a towel. She padded across the room and slipped into her favorite new pajamas—a soft, flower-print set with tiny blue and pink petals scattered across the fabric. It was loose, cozy, and made her feel like a sleepy kitten.

She climbed into bed, sinking into the soft mattress with a sigh of pure relief.

On her nightstand was her new phone—the one Lina had gifted her. It had a light blue cover with tiny stars on the back, something simple and sweet, just like her.

She unlocked it and checked her contacts. There were only a few names saved:

Lina

Jay

Leonardo

Aunt Clara

...and a couple of kind maids.

It was a small circle, but each name made her feel just a little less alone.

She opened her email next, casually scrolling through until one message caught her eye.

EliVFX Studio.

They had written to her directly.

Hello Bella,

We’ve been following your work quietly for a while now. Would you be open to visiting our studio next week for a possible collaboration? Your eye for digital textures and LUTs is impressive, and we think you’d enjoy our environment. Let us know!

Isabella stared at the email.

Her heart fluttered a little.

They wanted her to visit... their studio?!

They had asked her many times before, but each time she refused.

She hesitated—if she said no again, she’d sound outright rude. And she hated that. The last thing she wanted was to upset someone because of her own refusal.

She sat up in bed, holding the phone tighter.

She couldn’t just go anywhere. Not without permission.

And the thought of asking Leonardo made her curl up a bit. He was still angry from earlier... and he didn’t exactly like her running around.

So maybe...

She would ask Lina tomorrow. Lina always listened. Maybe she’d understand.

For now, Isabella smiled faintly and locked her phone, sliding it under her pillow.

I’ll reply tomorrow... she whispered in her thoughts as she closed her eyes, snuggled into the blankets, and drifted off with soft hopes and quiet dreams.

**

The next morning, golden sunlight spilled through the wide villa windows, gently waking Isabella from her sleep. She stretched her arms with a yawn, feeling strangely well-rested and light. Today felt... soft.

She chose a cute pink flowy dress with tiny white flowers embroidered near the collar. It made her feel fresh, like a cherry blossom in spring. After brushing her hair and tying it in a loose half-updo, she headed downstairs, her slippers making quiet tap-tap sounds on the polished steps.

As she entered the living room, her eyes sparkled.

Fluffy pink hair.

Curled lazily on the sofa, phone in hand, sat Jay casually playing some loud, flashy mobile game, the sound effects echoing like mini explosions.

"Jay?!" she called out happily, her whole face lighting up.

Jay glanced up just in time to see her flying toward him, her little dress swishing as she moved. His eyes widened and he quickly dropped his phone on the cushion, standing up with mock alarm.

"Ahahaha—little sister-in-law! Why is your car running in high speed this early in the morning?" he teased dramatically, gently steadying her by her shoulders as if she might crash into him.

Isabella blinked up at him and giggled. "Hehe..."

"Would you like to have coffee?" she asked sweetly, already tilting her head toward the kitchen.

Jay placed a hand over his heart. "Of course! I’m addicted to your handmade coffee now—didn’t you notice last time? I drank two cups!"

Isabella, proud and happy, skipped toward the kitchen like a cheerful bunny.

Jay sighed exaggeratedly and followed her with a grin, muttering, "That girl has way too much energy in the morning..."

Inside the kitchen, the chef respectfully asked if she needed help, but Isabella waved her hand politely.

"It’s alright! I’ll make it myself today!" she chirped, already pulling down mugs from the shelf.

Jay leaned on the counter, watching her hum as she prepared everything.

While the coffee brewed, Isabella was already moving around the kitchen like a little whirlwind of cuteness—pulling out ingredients, slicing fruit, toasting bread, and even preparing eggs with little smiley ketchup faces on them. She hummed softly to herself as she arranged the food on two white plates with pastel pink edges, placing everything just right.

When she was done, she turned with a proud smile and carried both mugs and breakfast plates to the dining table. Jay followed behind her, curious.

"Here!" Isabella beamed, placing a coffee mug and a neatly arranged plate in front of him. The toast was cut into perfect heart shapes, eggs were sunny and cheerful, and the fruits were arranged like a tiny rainbow.

Jay blinked. "This... looks like something out of a cooking magazine."

He stared at the plate like it was a piece of art.

"...I’m scared to ruin it."

Isabella giggled, placing her own plate down. "It’s okay, Jay. I made it for eating, not worshipping."

Jay narrowed his eyes dramatically. "You say that, but I feel like Mona Lisa is staring at me in egg form."

Still, the warm, rich aroma of coffee and buttery toast eventually broke his fake hesitation.

With a dramatic sigh, he picked up his fork. "Sorry, art world," he said, "I must betray you for taste."

The first bite made him close his eyes. "Okay. Yeah. This is betrayal worth committing."

Isabella smiled cutely, sipping her coffee.

For a girl who used to eat cold leftovers in silence, this felt like sunshine.

"...Jay, where’s mom?" Isabella asked as she sipped her coffee, her voice softer than before.

Jay leaned back in his chair, stretching. "She was called for an important meeting. Left early this morning," he replied casually.

Isabella’s lips pressed into a pout. Her mood dipped instantly, like a balloon deflating. She had wanted to ask Lina for something important today.

Jay noticed. He tilted his head, smirking. "But hey... you can tell me anything if you need something," he said with a wink.

Isabella’s eyes lit up just a little. Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her dress.

"...I want to go outside," she said in a small voice, barely above a whisper.

Jay blinked. "That’s all?"

She nodded with a sigh. "Yeah... but he doesn’t let me go out without permission..."

"He?" Jay raised an eyebrow, leaning forward, lips twitching mischievously. "Who’s he?"

"Jay... you know," Isabella huffed, glaring at him.

"I don’t know!" he said, pretending to be confused, "Who am I supposed to know, huh?"

Isabella’s face turned red with frustration. Her cheeks puffed slightly, and she looked like a kitten ready to swat someone.

"Of course he—my husband, Leonardo!" she said, half-shouting.

But suddenly she froze. She could feel someone standing behind her.