Chapter 138: Chapter 138 Archer Wyatt
Her heart thudded at the thought — not because she wanted anything from him, but because a tiny, silly part of her wanted him to see her the way she truly was.
But then she reminded herself to stay quiet. No one needs to know. It’s enough. She smiled again, softer this time, as she took a small bite of her breakfast, her eyes flickering once more toward the cold, serious man standing only a few feet away yet feeling like a thousand miles apart.
After breakfast, Bella headed upstairs, feeling happier than she had in days. She skipped up the last step, humming under her breath, and went into her room. Grabbing her laptop, she sat down and started working.
When she checked her dashboard, her eyes widened.. someone named SweetTooth had purchased all her products. She covered her mouth in surprise, then squealed softly into her palm.
Without wasting a second, she typed out a warm thank-you and added a special discount for the next product.
Meanwhile, Leonardo sat in his study, one leg crossed over the other, his back straight as usual but his sharp eyes were focused on his phone, not work. The moment he saw her thank-you message pop up, the corner of his lips curved upward just a fraction.
Sweet little fool, he thought. He hadn’t expected her to notice so quickly but of course she would.
Her website had a built-in chat feature, so without hesitating, he typed out a short message:
SweetTooth: Hi
Not even a second later, her reply popped up:
BellaZone: Hi!
He could almost picture her innocent face lighting up as she typed. He let out a small huff of breath, a tiny, rare smile flickering across his face.
SweetTooth: I liked your all products. They are good.
Sitting at her desk, Bella read it, her heart squeezing with delight. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she replied:
BellaZone: Thank you, SweetTooth!
Bella stared at the screen, her chin resting in her palm, a soft smile on her lips. She saw SweetTooth was typing again.
SweetTooth: Do you make all these yourself?
Her eyes lit up. She quickly typed back.
BellaZone: Yes! I design, edit, test, everything.
Upstairs, Leonardo leaned back in his chair, his sleeves rolled up just enough to show the veins on his strong forearms as he tapped his phone lazily. He imagined her little fingers working away at her keyboard.
SweetTooth: You’re talented. Do you plan to make more?
Bella grinned, her cheeks turning pink.
BellaZone: Yes! I’m working on a new cinematic LUT pack and some overlays. It makes me happy when people use them.
He narrowed his eyes, picturing how she probably looked so proud of her little business.
SweetTooth: It’s good you enjoy your work. Do you take care of yourself too?
Bella blinked. That... felt personal. She giggled, tapping her lips.
BellaZone: Haha, yes! I drink lots of water and eat sweets when I’m sad.
Leonardo’s jaw ticked as he read that. Sweets when she’s sad? He typed slower this time.
SweetTooth: And if someone bullies you?
Bella paused. She didn’t expect that. She bit her lip, then typed honestly.
BellaZone: Hmm, I have good friends who protect me. And I try to be brave.
Leonardo’s chest felt tight for a second.
SweetTooth: Good. You should always have people to protect you.
Bella giggled again. She typed:
BellaZone: Are you a sweet tooth in real life too? Do you eat lots of candy?
Leonardo let out a quiet laugh — rare for him and shook his head. He typed:
SweetTooth: Not really. I like sweets only when they’re worth it.
Bella smiled shyly at the screen, completely unaware she was chatting with the cold man in the house.
BellaZone: I hope my products are worth it for you.
Leonardo’s eyes darkened with amusement. He leaned forward, typing slowly.
SweetTooth: They are.
And somewhere in her room, Bella’s heart fluttered for no reason at all.
***
"Mom!!! I don’t want to marry anyone!!!" Alexa screamed, her sharp voice echoing off the walls as she hurled a crystal bottle of expensive perfume across the room. It smashed against the dresser, shards of glass and floral scent exploding in the air.
Reyna flinched but stayed seated on the edge of Alexa’s velvet bed. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. She didn’t want this either but what choice did they have?
Archer Wyatt... that boy who used to follow Alexa around like a loyal puppy when they were kids. He’d left for the States when he was only six, And now he was back — all grown up, a powerful businessman with clean suits and an obsession that hadn’t died.
He loved Alexa. He always had. Reyna knew it. She’d seen the devotion in Archer’s eyes when he visited last week. He’d watched Alexa like she was some goddess that only he could worship.
But Alexa didn’t care about any of that. She never did. She wanted Leonardo.
"Mom!!!" Alexa shrieked again, snapping Reyna out of her thoughts. Her daughter’s face was red, her hair a mess, mascara smudged under her eyes. She looked like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. which, in truth, she was.
"Alexa," Reyna said softly, pushing down her exhaustion. "Marry Archer."
Alexa froze, lips parting. "What!?"
Archer??? Her Childhood friend???
Reyna forced a sweet, fake smile even though it hurt to lie to her own flesh and blood. "Listen to me, baby... If you say yes to Archer, maybe — just maybe — Leonardo will feel a sense of crisis. Out of jealousy... he might come back for you. He’ll realise how much he needs you. How much he wants you."
Alexa’s eyes widened as the idea seeped into her shallow mind. A spark of wicked hope glimmered there.
"You think so?" Alexa whispered. Then she grinned, a twisted smile stretching her lips. "You’re right! He’ll see me getting married and realise Bella can never compare to me. He’ll come to me... he’ll beg me to come back!"
Reyna’s stomach twisted. If only you could see how pitiful you look now, she thought bitterly, but she only nodded. "Of course, darling. Leonardo can’t stand the idea of losing something that’s his. You’re the one he truly wants, not that girl. Bella is nothing."
Alexa laughed, tossing her hair back, her mood flipping like a switch. She twirled in front of the mirror, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. "Poor Archer. He thinks he’s won. But he’s just my bait. My sweet little plan B."
Reyna stood up slowly, patting her daughter’s shoulder with trembling fingers. "Get ready, Alexa. Archer will come to take you for dinner. Be sweet. Be the good girl he thinks you are."
Alexa’s reflection in the mirror glowed with sick satisfaction. "Don’t worry, Mom. Soon, Leo will be mine again. Bella will regret ever stepping into my world."
And Reyna turned away, her eyes empty as she whispered in her mind — If only you knew what love really was, my foolish child...