Chapter 281: Chapter 281 Dorabella
Bella rolled around in bed, hugging her pillow, her heart aching with how much she missed Leo. Finally, she grabbed her phone and decided to call him.
Ring.
Ring.
No answer.
She bit her lower lip, puffing her cheeks. "Hmph... meanie!" she muttered softly to herself.
Then she quickly snapped a picture of Moonbeam, Berry, and her fluffy Snowball lined up like her little army and sent it to him. Within seconds, she saw the message marked as seen.
Her lips parted. "So he is looking! He’s ignoring my calls on purpose..." she whispered, guilt crawling into her chest. He must be angry with her.
She felt bad now. With a sigh, she hit call again.
Still no answer.
Bella’s shoulders slumped. Then, with sudden determination, she jumped up and opened her laptop, clicking on the video call instead.
And this time he picked.
Her breath caught.
On the screen, Leo appeared sitting in a dark office, the light falling in sharp angles across his face. His black shirt stretched across his broad chest, the shadows making his cheekbones and jawline look sharper, hotter, almost dangerous.
"Who are you?" he asked coldly, his deep voice rumbling through the speakers.
Bella’s eyes widened, her lips trembling as she tried to hold back her laugh. "D-did you lose your memory?" she asked dramatically.
Leo didn’t reply. He just furrowed his brows and looked away, playing along with infuriating seriousness.
"You don’t remember me??" Bella asked, leaning closer to the camera, her eyes sparkling as she tried not to giggle.
Leo finally turned his head back, his gray eyes narrowing with a calculating look.
"Well," Bella said with a little proud smile, "I am Isabella. I am nineteen years old. I’m your wife. You always used to listen to me, and we’re a loving couple. Back then, you used to chase me." She giggled at her own words.
And finally, she saw the corner of his lips twitch, his expression softening.
"Oh really?" he drawled, leaning back in his chair, his smirk deepening. "You’re my wife? Hm. I don’t recognize you. I’ll need proof."
Bella blinked. "Proof??"
"Yes. Proof." His voice dropped lower, smooth and taunting. "Something that convinces me you’re mine."
Her cheeks flushed. "Wh-what kind of proof??"
Leo just arched a brow at her.
Bella hurriedly pulled up the marriage certificate she had on her phone and flashed it at the screen. "Here! Proof enough?"
He chuckled lowly, the sound curling heat in her stomach. "Oh, anyone can fake papers these days. I can’t trust this. What other proof do you have, hm?" His eyes gleamed with dangerous amusement as he leaned closer to the screen.
Bella pouted, her face turning red. "If you don’t recognize me now..." she huffed, "I’ll just make new boyfriends!"
Leo’s smirk faded instantly. His expression turned sharp, dangerous. "What did you just say?" His voice was ice.
Bella, trying not to laugh, quickly grabbed Moonbeam, Berry, and Snowball and showed them to the camera. "Look! My boyfriends!" she announced proudly, before leaning down and kissing each one dramatically.
For a second, Leo froze. Then his jaw tightened, his knuckles clenching against the desk. His gray eyes darkened, his possessiveness pouring through the screen.
"Cute," he said coldly, "but you’re not the only one with lovers."
Bella’s smile faltered. "W-what?"
And right in front of her shocked eyes, Leo leaned out of frame and came back holding a huge pink bunny plush.
He set it on his lap, his large hand stroking its floppy ears like it was the most precious thing in the world. Then he tilted the camera so Bella could see him lift the bunny, pressing a mocking kiss to its forehead.
"Meet my girlfriend," he said smoothly, his smirk widening. "Her name is Dorabella."
Bella’s jaw dropped. "Oh my god! Where did you get such a cute girl??" she cried, her eyes wide as saucers.
Leo chuckled darkly at her reaction, his gray eyes glinting as he whispered, "You’re jealous already, aren’t you, little bunny?"
Bella’s jaw was still hanging open as she stared at the screen. "Y-you really gave her name Dorabella?? That’s too close to my name! You’re cheating on me with a stuffed toy!!!"
Leo leaned back in his chair, the bunny still in his arms, his smirk deepening as he stroked its ear. "Well, unlike you, Dorabella doesn’t ignore my calls. She gives me attention whenever I want."
Bella’s cheeks puffed like a little squirrel. "That’s because she has no phone! She’s just soft cotton!" she shouted, pointing at the screen. "She can’t even cook you pasta like I do!!"
Leo chuckled low, his voice dripping with amusement. "True, but she’s soft. And quiet. And always lets me hold her at night." He hugged the bunny, closing his eyes as if enjoying it.
Bella slapped her own pillow in outrage. "You—! You big bad wolf! You’re stealing my place with a bunny!"
"Not stealing," Leo corrected smoothly, opening one eye to look at her. "Just replacing, since my little bunny is too busy with her ’boyfriends.’"
Bella gasped. "That’s different! Moonbeam, Berry, and Snowball are just babies!!"
Leo raised a brow. "Then why did you kiss them in front of me?"
Bella froze. Her whole face went scarlet. "T-that was—! That was to make you angry!!" she admitted, covering her face with both hands.
Leo’s smirk widened, his voice dropping to a teasing growl. "Congratulations. You succeeded."
Bella’s face turned blossom-pink. She whispered, "Okay, so no more making Dorabella your girlfriend... when you come back give her to me, okay?" She tried to sound casual but her fingers trembled with the plan to steal the bunny.
"I can see what you’re planning, little bunny. Dorabella is on my team. You already have too many." Leo folded his arms, pretending to be stern.
Bella pouted so hard it was almost an offense to cute faces everywhere. "Too many? That’s impossible. My plushies are my children. You can’t have team members who don’t have moms!" She crossed her arms and stared at the screen as if daring him.
Leo let out a low laugh that was equal parts fond and dangerous. "All right," he said slowly, enjoying the moment.
"I’ll make you a deal. When I come back, maybe I will give Dorabella to you. But..." he leaned closer to the camera, and his voice went softer, almost velvet, "you must give me a proper welcome. No more ignoring my calls. No more disappearing for a day. You owe me that."
Bella’s eyes lit up. "That’s easy! I promise. Pinky swear." She held up an imaginary pinky to the screen, grinning.