Chapter 271: Chapter 271 Fun
Scarlett dropped her handbag on the sofa and stretched her arms. "Yeah, well, it’s still a mess. Look at all these boxes." She pointed at stacks of cardboard labeled clothes, books, and random junk. "Help me unpack or at least keep me entertained while I do it."
Bella giggled, spinning around once to take it all in before plopping down on the sofa. "I’ll cheer for you! Go, go, Scar!"
Scarlett laughed and threw a cushion at her.
"I’m joking, I’ll help you," Bella said with a little giggle as she clapped her hands. She bounced toward the pile of boxes with all the confidence in the world.
Scarlett folded her arms, watching with amused eyes. "Really now? All right, show me your muscles, Bella. Pick one up."
Bella puffed her cheeks, as if that alone would give her strength. She bent down, hugged a big cardboard box to her chest, and tried to lift. The box barely budged. She groaned, her face turning red from effort, then finally pulled it up only to wobble backward like a penguin about to fall. "S see? I told you I could... ahhh!"
Scarlett snorted and swooped in quickly, steadying the box with one hand and Bella with the other. "You’re going to crush yourself, idiot," she said, laughing as she rubbed Bella’s head affectionately.
Bella looked up at her with sheepish doe eyes, smiling weakly. "Hehe... maybe it was a little heavier than I thought..."
"A little?" Scarlett raised her brows, smirking. "You almost rolled back like a bowling ball. Next time don’t act like Superwoman, all right?"
Bella pouted, placing the box down with a thud. "But I wanted to be helpful."
"You are helpful," Scarlett reassured, tugging lightly on Bella’s cheek until she squeaked. "Just not with heavy lifting. Leave that to me."
Bella rubbed her cheek, still smiling. "Fine. I’ll do the important jobs like opening boxes and arranging things. That’s my specialty!"
Scarlett chuckled and handed her a pair of scissors. "All right, Miss Specialist. Get to work."
After unpacking, both of them were completely drained.
"Scar... you brought so many clothes," Bella groaned, sinking into the sofa in the weirdest half slouched position, her head tilted to the side like a wilted flower. Her arms were stretched out.
Scarlett, sitting cross legged on the floor, wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "I had to. You don’t understand, Bella. Every time I try to pack lightly, I end up regretting it. So this time, I thought, why not take everything?" She chuckled, shaking her head at herself. "If I leave even one jacket behind, I feel like the universe will punish me and I’ll suddenly need it the very next day."
Bella blinked at her with wide, innocent eyes. "So you’re saying you brought your entire closet just in case fate tries to bully you?"
"Exactly!" Scarlett laughed. "You get it!"
Bella let out a soft giggle, then rolled onto her stomach on the sofa, hugging a pillow like a plushie. "You’re crazy, Scar. But the good kind."
Scarlett leaned her head back against the wall, still smiling. "And you’re not exactly normal either, Bella. Who else spends half an hour deciding what to name a plushie?"
Bella gasped, hiding her face in the pillow. "Shut up! That’s important work. Names give them identity!"
Scarlett laughed even louder, shaking her head. Then her phone buzzed. She glanced at it and sighed. "Okay, good news at least—I ordered some takeout. Should be here soon."
Bella peeked out from behind the pillow, her face lighting up instantly. "Thank you! You’re my savior."
"No problem," Scarlett said warmly, stretching out her arms until her joints popped. "After today, I think we both earned a feast."
Bella nodded enthusiastically, already dreaming of food. Her stomach growled loud enough to make Scarlett laugh again.
After the food arrived, both of them devoured everything like two starving wolves. Bella especially enjoyed it, licking her fingers shamelessly while Scarlett teased her for having sauce on the corner of her lips. But to Bella, the best part wasn’t even the food — it was simply spending time with Scarlett, laughing and chatting after so long.
"I think I should leave now," Bella finally said, glancing at the time on her phone. Her shoulders slumped a little, clearly reluctant.
Scarlett instantly frowned, her dark brows pulling together. "Why? Can’t you stay here overnight? I mean, I have a spare bed. Or the couch. I’ll even share my blanket if I have to."
Bella giggled softly at her dramatics. "I want to, Scar. Really. But I need permission," she said, her voice soft but firm.
Scarlett sighed heavily, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance before finally nodding. "Fine. Rules and permissions. You’re such a good little wife now."
Bella puffed her cheeks, embarrassed. "Stop teasing me!"
They both laughed again before Bella called her driver, Uncle, to come and pick her up. Scarlett walked her downstairs, chatting the whole way.
Bella laughed and hugged her tightly once more before the car pulled up.
When Bella reached home, she slipped into her most comfortable clothes, tied her hair up in a loose bun, and flopped onto the bed with a sigh. Just as she reached for her plushie, her phone started ringing.
Her eyes widened when she saw the caller ID. Leo.
She quickly picked up. "Hi," she said softly.
On the other end, his deep voice carried a lazy chuckle that made her ears warm. "It’s amusing... the same little bunny who sat on my suitcase this morning, blocking me like I was her prisoner, didn’t even bother to call me once the entire day?"
Bella’s cheeks flushed. "I-I was busy!" she defended, hugging her plushie tighter.
"Busy ignoring me?" His tone was low and teasing. "Do you know how strange it feels to leave my house quiet without you poking me every five minutes?" She had only poked him that night, but he had hugged her tightly afterward, so she hadn’t poked him much.
Her heart skipped. "I didn’t poke you every five minutes!"
"You did," Leo said smoothly, his voice turning darker.
Bella bit her lip, her face red. "...You sound so dramatic, Leo."
"I’ll take that," he chuckled, and the sound was rich, hot, and dangerous. "But next time, Bella, if you dare ignore me again, I’ll collect interest when I come back. And trust me, I always take my payment in full."
Bella’s eyes widened. "W what does that even mean?" she squeaked.
Leo only laughed quietly. "Think about it tonight."
And before she could say more, he hung up, leaving Bella hugging her plushie.