Chris didn't hesitate. The moment Bella stepped outside, he strode toward her in long, determined strides and swept her into his arms.
His grip was strong, desperate almost, as though letting go of her would mean losing something he wasn't ready to lose. He buried his face into her hair and breathed her in.
"I missed you," he whispered, voice rough.
Bella froze. She hadn't expected this Chris Hampson, the youngest billionaire in Europe, clinging to her like a man starved. For a heartbeat she didn't move, but slowly, almost against her will, her arms lifted and circled him back. A strange safety wrapped around her. Around him, she always felt... protected.
"Chris?" she murmured softly. "Are you okay?"
He didn't answer. Instead, his hold tightened, as if silence was safer than words. When he finally drew back, it was only to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Bella blinked up at him, shocked again. Twice in one night, he'd caught her off guard.
"Why have you been ignoring me?" Chris asked, his tone now laced with concern rather than anger.
Bella dropped her gaze, guilt curling in her stomach. "I wasn't ignoring you... not intentionally. I've just been busy. My schedule is really tight." The lie slid out smoothly, even though deep down she knew she had been avoiding him on purpose.
Chris studied her face but didn't push further. "How are you coping?"
She lifted her chin with quiet pride. "I'm coping really well. One of my strengths is my ability to work under pressure."
He smiled faintly. "I'm glad you finally achieved your dream, Christal."
Bella's chest warmed at the sincerity in his voice. To cover the feeling, she asked quickly, "Have you eaten dinner?"
"No," Chris admitted.
"Then let's go in." She grabbed his hand before she could second-guess herself and tugged him toward the house.
"Are you sure that's okay?" he asked, hesitant for the first time.
"Of course," she said with a smile.
When Bella opened the door, the whole family looked up in surprise.
"Hi everyone," Chris greeted, suddenly looking a little less like the intimidating CEO and more like a polite guest.
"Hi, Chris," Vera answered warmly.
"Christian," Joe said, giving him a nod.
"Hi," Raquel, Jayden, and Kayden echoed, though the twins' voices were noticeably flat.
Bella ushered him in, and soon Chris and Joe were deep in conversation. To her surprise, they clicked immediately two workaholics finding common ground in business jokes and even the same comedy series. Laughter echoed from the living room while Bella and her mum busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing Ofada rice with sauce.
As Bella sliced onions, her gaze wandered unconsciously toward Chris. Distracted, the knife slipped.
"Ahhh!" she cried out.
In a flash, Chris was off the couch and beside her. "Are you okay?" His hand closed over hers, lifting it gently.
Vera scolded, "Ella, why are you so careless?"
Joe muttered, "Sorry," though it was clear his eyes were more amused than angry.
Raquel rushed in with the first-aid kit. Chris took it from her, kneeling as he cleaned and wrapped Bella's hand with surprising tenderness.
Bella's breath caught. No one had ever cared for her wounds like this since her mother. Her eyes locked with Chris's, and suddenly the room disappeared. His gaze was steady, magnetic, pulling her deeper until she forgot the sting of the cut.
"Thank you," she whispered, unable to look away.
"Get a room already!" Raquel teased, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Bella flushed scarlet and snatched her hand back. Chris only chuckled softly, the corner of his mouth lifting in a knowing smile.
Dinner was soon ready. Vera set the steaming dishes on the table, and they all gathered.
"This smells delicious," Chris said sincerely as he sat beside Bella.
"It's spicy," Vera warned with a grin. "Ofada rice one of my favorites. Thought I'd share it with you."
They prayed before eating, which startled Chris. He bowed his head respectfully, but Bella noticed the flicker of curiosity in his expression.
The meal passed pleasantly, the family chatter filling the room with warmth. But mid-bite, Bella's phone buzzed.
"Hi, Suzy," she answered quickly.
On the other end, her colleague's voice was nervous. "Ella, are you free tonight? I hate to ask this, but... my daughter's sick. Bacterial infection. I was scheduled for the Birmingham flight, but I can't go. Could you possibly cover for me?"
"What time?" Bella asked.
"11:45 p.m."
Bella hesitated only a second. "Okay. I'll do it. Take care of your daughter. I wish her a quick recovery."
The relief in Susan's voice was palpable. "Thank you so much, Ella. I owe you."
After hanging up, Bella turned to her family. "I need to get ready for work."
"I'll drop you," Chris said immediately.
"No, it's fine. I'll take a cab," she countered.
"You know I don't take no for an answer," Chris said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Let him drop you," Jayden cut in, smirking.
Chris smiled at Vera and Joe. "Thanks for dinner. I really enjoyed it."
An hour later, Bella came downstairs in her crisp uniform. Chris was still there, chatting easily with Vera and the twins. The sight was strange him fitting so naturally in her home but she didn't dwell on it.
"Am off, guys," she said, waving before stepping outside.
Chris's car tonight was different again, sleek and commanding. She slid into the passenger seat, shaking her head.
"Do you get pleasure out of changing cars all the time?" she teased.
"I'm a sucker for cars," he admitted, pulling into the road.
Bella clicked her tongue. "Tsk, tsk. Some people collect stamps. You collect luxury cars."
Chris smirked. "And maybe beautiful memories too."
Her heart skipped, but she quickly looked out the window, pretending she hadn't heard.
By the time Chris's car pulled into the airport, it was already 11:30 p.m. Bella's pulse spiked. She was supposed to have checked in fifteen minutes earlier.
She leapt out of the car, dragging her box behind her. "Thanks for the ride!" she called over her shoulder, already running.
"Be careful!" Chris shouted after her, but she didn't glance back.
Inside the aircraft, she hurried down the aisle, breathless, only to hear whispers sharp enough to cut.
"This girl is so useless and irresponsible," Tracy muttered under her breath, though loud enough for Bella to hear.
"She's unprofessional. I despise her," Ria hissed to her colleague.
"I don't even know why Susan would call someone like her to cover."
Bella heard every word. A sting hit her chest, but she didn't flinch. She refused to give them the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, she straightened her shoulders and went about her duties.
When the passengers began boarding, Bella performed the safety demonstration with her usual warmth and confidence. Her cheerful tone, playful gestures, and radiant smile instantly captured the passengers' attention. Several pulled out their phones, recording and leaving glowing reviews online.
"She's the reason the ratings keep going up," a businessman whispered to his wife, impressed.
Bella's placement that night was in first class, covering for Susan. It was her first time stationed there officially, and she poured herself into the role.
As she moved through the cabin, a young man caught her eye. He was strikingly handsome, his features sharp and refined. His silver-grey eyes glimmered beneath the dim cabin lights, and when he lifted a hand to signal her over, she felt momentarily caught in his gaze.
"Hi," he said with a warm smile. "I'm Neil. And you are?"
Bella blinked, realizing she'd been staring too long. She forced a smile. "Christabella Walter, sir. But you can call me Ella."
"Ella," Neil repeated smoothly. "I like that."
Before she could reply, she noticed an elderly passenger struggling with her luggage overhead. Bella excused herself with a quick smile. "One moment, sir."
She hurried over. "Let me help you, ma'am." She retrieved the suitcase with ease and offered it politely. The woman beamed. "Thank you, dear. You're an angel."
Passengers around them murmured approvingly. Bella's kindness had not gone unnoticed.
But jealousy simmered nearby. Tracy and Ria exchanged dark looks.
"Look at her, acting like she owns the cabin," Tracy sneered.
"She's making us look bad," Ria snapped. "Not for long."
Later, as Bella pushed the trolley toward first class with neatly arranged meals, Tracy blocked her path.
"You can't go in there," she said coldly.
Bella frowned. "And why not?"
"You're a rookie. You lack experience. We can't let you ruin the company's reputation with your incompetence," Ria added, stepping closer.
Bella squared her shoulders. "I may be new, but I know my job. I've been here two months, and I've done my duties perfectly."
Tracy's eyes flashed. "So now you think you can talk back?"
Before Bella could answer, slap!
The sound cracked like thunder. Pain shot across Bella's cheek, leaving it stinging and hot.
She froze, utterly stunned. Her tray rattled in her trembling hands. Ria quickly snatched it away, and Tracy shoved the trolley past her with a smirk.
Humiliation burned hotter than the pain. Tears welled in Bella's eyes despite her desperate attempt to hold them back. She pressed her palms to her reddening cheek, her chest heaving with quiet sobs.
A voice startled her.
"Are you alright?"
She spun around. Neil stood there, his expression dark with fury. He reached up, brushing his thumb near the swelling. "Who did this to you?"
Bella shook her head, forcing a small smile. "No one. I'm fine."
"You're not fine," Neil said firmly. His silver eyes blazed. "Tell me. Who hit you?"
"No one," Bella repeated softly, refusing to drag her colleagues into it.
Neil's jaw clenched. He exhaled sharply, then bent closer, blowing gently over the sore spot like one might soothe a child's scrape. His unexpected tenderness broke down the wall inside her.
"Cover it with makeup, put some ice on it," Bella murmured, trying to sound composed.
Neil studied her for a long moment. "If you need anything, anything at all, you come to me. Understood?"
Bella nodded, grateful.
After he left, she slipped into the restroom. The mirror revealed the truth: a red handprint blazed across her cheek, angry and swollen. Her neck and arm bore faint marks too, from where she'd been shoved.
She dabbed concealer over her skin until the marks were faintly hidden, then straightened her uniform. She wouldn't give Tracy and Ria another victory.
The return flight to London was worse. Tracy and Ria took every opportunity to shove, sneer, and corner her with threats.
"You say a word about this," Tracy hissed, "and you'll regret ever stepping foot in Hampson Airways."
But Bella had made up her mind. The moment her shoes touched London soil, she would report them. Not just their cruelty the assault.
By the time she finally reached home, the house was dark. The company bus had dropped her off. She slipped quietly into her room, stripped off her uniform, and stepped beneath a cold shower. The water numbed her skin, but not her spirit.
Afterward, she picked up her phone, raised it to her face, and snapped photos of the bruises her cheek, her arm, her neck. Evidence. Proof. Even if they denied everything, the truth would be undeniable.
Bella stared at the images. Her hands shook, but her resolve hardened.
This time, she would not stay silent.