CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 218 STRANGE LEO

Leo didn’t look back once. His steps were long and forceful, dragging Bella through the crowd. His jaw was set tight, his profile harsh and chiseled, the kind of face that made people step aside without question.

Bella bit her lip, guilt tugging at her chest. Isn’t she actually lying to him? He had defended her so fiercely, without hesitation, without doubt. Her fingers curled slightly in his grip as she looked up at his sharp, unreadable profile. Her stomach twisted.

"Have you had lunch?" Leo asked as they walked side by side through the mall, his deep voice carrying easily over the background chatter.

Bella shook her head. "No..." she murmured, her fingers brushing the strap of her bag.

Without hesitation, Leo placed his hand lightly on her back and guided her toward the food court. It wasn’t the crowded middle section where groups of teenagers laughed and families gathered—he led her all the way to a quieter corner where a small café-style restaurant stood, tucked away with cozy lighting.

Bella noticed immediately that people were staring. Some girls giggled as they passed. Others glanced at her, trying to figure out who she was to be walking with such a man.

Her cheeks grew warm. She lowered her head, suddenly shy, clutching her bag tightly. Why are they all looking?

Leo, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered at all. His hand stayed firm on her back, as if shielding her from the crowd.

He pulled a chair out for her in the farthest corner before taking the seat across from her.

"Order whatever you like," he said, his voice calm but carrying that subtle authority.

Bella nodded quickly and picked up the menu, though her hands trembled slightly. She could feel his eyes on her, steady and unblinking. She lifted the menu higher, trying to hide her face, her lips twitching in nervousness.

After Bella placed her order, she noticed Leo give the waiter a simple nod. "The same," he said without even glancing at the menu.

Bella blinked at him. "So... you already brought what you want?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Hmm." Leo leaned back against his chair, his long fingers resting loosely on the table. His gaze was steady on her, dark eyes calm yet unreadable.

Bella frowned softly. "You didn’t even look at the menu..."

"I didn’t need to," Leo replied smoothly, his lips curving just a little. "Whatever you eat, I’ll eat."

Her heart gave a nervous jump. She quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her bag on her lap. "That’s... not how it works, you know. What if I ordered something terrible?"

"Then I’d eat it anyway." His tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. "I don’t mind terrible things as long as you’re sitting across from me."

Bella’s lips parted slightly, caught off guard. Heat rushed up to her ears. "Y-you’re saying strange things..." she muttered, hiding her face by reaching for her glass of water.

Leo didn’t press. Instead, he rested his chin on his hand, watching her with the kind of calm intensity that made Bella’s chest tighten. Even when she tried to act normal, she could feel his gaze lingering like a quiet flame.

The waiter returned with their dishes, breaking the moment, but Bella’s heart was still racing as she glanced at Leo. He hadn’t looked at the food at all—his eyes were still on her, as though she was the only thing worth noticing.

Bella picked up her fork and poked at the dish in front of her. She blew gently on the steam before taking a small bite, and her eyes lit up. "Mm... it’s actually really good!" she said happily.

Leo, without hesitation, reached across the table and took a bite from her plate with his fork.

Bella gasped, eyes widening. "H-hey! That was mine!"

Leo chewed slowly, his expression maddeningly calm. Then, with the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips, he said, "Didn’t you say it was good? I had to check if you were telling the truth."

Bella puffed her cheeks and glared at him. "You could’ve just eaten your own portion!"

"I told you." His voice was deep, smooth, and annoyingly steady. "Whatever you eat, I’ll eat. So, naturally..." He leaned a little closer across the table, lowering his voice, "I’ll taste yours first."

Her face turned hot, her hand tightening around her fork as she tried to think of a retort. "Y-you’re shameless."

"Maybe." Leo’s eyes softened, and for a moment his teasing dropped into something gentler. He noticed a small spot of sauce at the corner of her lips. His gaze lingered before he reached out with a napkin, brushing it away with surprising care.

Bella froze, her breath catching.

"You should be more careful," he said softly, his fingertips grazing her skin for just a second longer than necessary. Then he leaned back casually, as if nothing had happened, and began eating from his plate.

Bella lowered her eyes, her fork suddenly feeling heavier in her hand. Her chest thumped wildly.

As she left the mall with Leo at her side, Bella’s smile stayed in place, but her mind was running far ahead. What would she do the next time she had to step into William sir’s company? The smaller processes she could still handle at home—hidden away behind her screen but the real, main work would require her presence in that building again. And with Leo’s sharp eyes always on her, how was she supposed to keep him from finding out?

She drew in a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She had to do something—anything—so Leo wouldn’t suspect her. She couldn’t risk him discovering Bellatrix_019. Not now.

Her heart beat faster at the memory of William’s earnest face, his hope resting on her shoulders. He had trusted her with his billion-dollar project, and in return she would be paid one million. One million. The number echoed in her head like a lifeline. With that money, she could finally settle her debts, even pay Leo back everything he had ever spent on her, and then... she could walk away freely.

A faint smile touched her lips at the thought. She could finally buy her dream house.