Chapter 296: Chapter 296 Familiar
Bella nodded quickly, trying not to fidget, returning the smile, grateful for the receptionist’s kind demeanor. She seemed efficient, not the sort to make anyone feel out of place.
The receptionist made a note on her system, her expression calm, but her thoughts wandered for a moment as she typed. She remembered vividly what her boss had told her earlier that morning. The description had lingered in her mind, partly because of the unusual detail, partly because of the tone.
Brown eyes... deep, warm, like honey. That was what he had said. Cheeks so soft and inviting, lips delicate like rose petals. A smile bright enough to light up an entire room. A man who wears stylish, modern clothes, not formal ones.
The receptionist’s fingers paused briefly on the keys as a faint blush touched her cheeks. The way sir said it... it hadn’t sounded like a briefing. It had sounded like admiration. Obsession. She quickly cleared her throat, hiding the flicker of warmth on her face, and returned her focus to the monitor.
"Yes, you may proceed upstairs," she said professionally, handing Bella a visitor pass.
Bella nodded with relief, clutching the badge before heading toward the elevators. She had no idea that the receptionist was silently replaying her boss’s words in her mind, words that had sounded less like instructions and more like a lover whispering about someone they couldn’t stop thinking about.
"I come, I come!!!" Jeffery burst into the lobby with his usual dramatic energy. The guards had already alerted him and the boss that Isaac had arrived, and he looked as if he had run down the hallway just to get here first.
"Hey! My name is Jeffery!!" he announced proudly, thrusting his hand out toward Bella with a grin.
Bella blinked, her lashes fluttering as she hesitated, then slowly extended her hand. The moment their palms touched, her grip tightened deliberately. Her delicate fingers pressed with surprising strength as her eyes narrowed in a sharp glare. Because of you
, she thought furiously, I got caught yesterday."Issac," she said flatly, her tone clipped as she introduced herself.
Jeffery froze. His grin faltered for a split second, his mind short-circuiting. Something about this "Isaac"—the curve of the cheeks, the softness in the eyes—looked so familiar. Why... why does this Isaac remind me of boss’s wife? The thought slammed into him, leaving his eyes blank for a moment.
Bella noticed the flicker and squeezed harder, forcing him to focus. Jeffery winced slightly, his thoughts scattering. Wait—what?! Why is he squeezing my hand like this? Is this a dominance thing? Is he... flirting?? His cheeks colored faintly at the idea, and he quickly shook his head, pushing away the wild thought.
Recovering fast, he pasted on his usual flattering smile. "O-oh! Yes, Isaac, welcome! Please follow me this way!" His voice cracked with forced cheer as he gestured dramatically toward the hallway.
Bella’s lips twitched faintly, half in annoyance, half in amusement. She tugged her hand back and straightened, her bag tight against her shoulder as she walked behind him.
Jeffery marched ahead, puffing his chest as if he were some grand escort, but inside his brain was spinning in chaos. Why does he look like her? No... impossible. If boss finds out I even thought that, I’m dead.
Behind him, Bella’s eyes glinted with silent satisfaction. She had made her point.
Jeffery and Bella made their way into the elevator.
The elevator chimed softly as it carried them upward. Jeffery stood stiffly in the corner, sneaking glances at Bella every few seconds. His fingers fidgeted at his sides, his mouth opening as if he wanted to say something but losing courage each time. His nerves were obvious, though Bella didn’t bother sparing him even a glance.
She stood tall and calm, her expression cool, her attention fixed entirely on her second phone. Her thumbs tapped quickly as she messaged Scarlett, ignoring the way Jeffery kept darting his eyes toward her.
"Sir..." he finally blurted, his voice hesitant. "That... that wild coding style you used... where did you—"
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open before he could finish. Jeffery swallowed his question, sighing in relief as he stepped out, motioning quickly for Bella to follow. His shoulders slumped, but he led her down the corridor to the boss’s office, each step echoing against the polished floor.
Bella, on the other hand, felt her heart speed up. Her fingers tightened around her phone. Just ahead... Leo.
Her chest fluttered, not entirely from fear. This morning’s memory had crept back uninvited—the sight of him in that violet shirt she had bought, the shock of watching him lean down and kiss Dorabella’s plush forehead, whispering goodbye with a wink. Her lips puffed into a pout just thinking about it.
He kissed Dorabella. Not me.
A tiny spark of indignation lit up inside her, quickly fanned into mischief. If he needs me here so badly, maybe I should trouble him a little. Her eyes glimmered with a playful idea.
"Bella, don’t you dare," her good Angel appeared, arms folded, looking grave. "Did you forget how he gave us our dream room? The PC room, the doll room? He’s already spoiled you more than enough!"
But almost instantly, her bad Angel popped up, puffing her cheeks in defiance. "Don’t listen to her, Bella! He kissed Dorabella! Not you! This is unacceptable!"
Her good Angel gasped. "Don’t blame Dorabella, she’s innocent! She didn’t ask for that kiss."
"No! I don’t want to hear you both!!" Bella muttered under her breath, swatting at the invisible angels bickering in her head.
Jeffery blinked at her, his brows furrowing in confusion. "...Sir?" he asked cautiously, wondering if this Isaac fellow was talking to ghosts.
Bella quickly straightened, coughing lightly into her fist, pretending she had said nothing. She fixed her expression into one of calm dignity, ignoring the heat creeping into her cheeks.
Jeffery squinted suspiciously but wisely decided not to comment. Instead, he smoothed his jacket nervously and raised his hand to knock on the door at the end of the hall.
"Boss?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his nerves. He cleared his throat and tried again, louder this time. "Boss, Isaac is here."