CHAPTER 352: CHAPTER 352 SOMETHING EXTRA

Isabella walked inside, her steps small and careful as she looked around. The apartment was quiet—almost too quiet—not a sound except the faint sound of the air conditioner. She could smell something faintly clean, like pine and new paper.

Leo followed her in and closed the door behind them, the click echoing through the stillness. He slipped his hand into his pocket and walked past her toward the living room, switching on a few lights. Warm light spread across the space—simple, modern, not crowded with decorations, yet everything looked neat and expensive.

"Wow..." Bella murmured softly, her gaze drifting toward the large windows that stretched across the wall. "It’s beautiful."

Leo nodded slightly, walking to the counter to drop his car keys. "It’s peaceful. I come here when I need quiet."

"You live here sometimes?" she asked, walking toward the window to look down at the city. The streets looked so far away.

"Sometimes," he said. "Not many people know about this place. I keep it private."

Bella turned to look at him, blinking. "And you brought me here?"

He looked back at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You’re not people," he said simply, and walked toward the small kitchen to pour himself some water.

Bella rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "You always talk like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you mean something else but never explain it."

Leo smirked faintly as he leaned against the counter. "Maybe I do. But I like when you try to figure it out."

She frowned, crossing her arms. "You’re confusing."

"I get that a lot," he said, still calm, his tone soft but teasing. "Come here, I’ll show you around."

Bella followed him quietly as he led her through the apartment. The place wasn’t overly large, but the layout felt open and warm. The living room connected to a small study filled with books, and the bedroom door stood half open at the end of the hall.

"Everything here feels like you," she said honestly. "Quiet, neat... kind of serious."

Leo chuckled lightly. "You make it sound boring."

"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Not boring. Just calm."

He looked down at her, and for a moment his face softened. "You like calm, don’t you?"

She nodded, smiling faintly. "Yeah. It feels safe."

There was a small silence. Then Leo said quietly, "Then I’ll make sure it stays that way."

Bella’s eyes lifted to his, but before she could reply, he walked back toward the kitchen. "You hungry? There’s food in the fridge."

"Maybe a little," she said, still smiling.

"Good," he said, walking ahead. "Because I didn’t bring you here to faint halfway through the tour."

Bella laughed softly. "You sound like a guide."

He looked over his shoulder, his lips curving slightly. "Then follow the guide properly, bunny."

Bella opened the fridge and found a row of fresh fruits and bottled drinks. She took a bright red apple, her eyes lighting up as she bit into it with a happy crunch. "Mmm... sweet," she mumbled, her voice muffled with a full mouth.

She leaned against the counter, munching happily, while Leo stood beside her with his hands in his pockets, watching her with quiet amusement. She looked so at home, so easily pleased by something as simple as an apple, that he couldn’t help but smile.

Then he led her out again. When he opened another door and showed her the main bedroom, she froze mid-bite. The room was spacious and warm, the curtains half-drawn, sunlight spilling over a perfectly made bed. On one side stood a wardrobe, and when she peeked inside, she saw clothes already arranged neatly on the shelves.

Her mouth fell open. "When did you prepare all this?" she asked, still chewing her apple in disbelief.

Leo’s tone was calm, almost casual. "Yesterday."

Bella blinked at him. "Yesterday? You asked your employees to work overnight? Leo, that’s not good! Everyone needs rest." She looked genuinely upset, her brows knitting together as she pointed the half-eaten apple at him like it was proof of guilt.

He turned his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I didn’t force them, bunny. They got paid very well for it. I’m sure they’re resting comfortably right now."

"That’s not the point!" she said, glaring up at him with her cheeks puffed in frustration. "Money can’t fix everything."

"It can buy better pillows," he replied casually, crossing his arms.

Bella gave him an annoyed look, but her lips twitched at the corners. "You always have an answer for everything, don’t you?"

Leo just shrugged, amusement flickering in his gray eyes. "Only when you ask the questions."

She sighed and turned back to the wardrobe, pretending to inspect it again, but he could tell she was smiling.

"Perfect," she said softly after seeing everything in the room, and Leo just nodded.

She walked toward the bedside table, her fingertips brushing across the wood. A small black box sat neatly beside the lamp.

She frowned, curiosity pricking at her as she reached out and lifted the lid slightly. The corner of her eye caught a glimpse of something she instantly recognized—glossy, heated couple photos decorating the packaging. Her whole face turned crimson.

Why would he even keep something like this here? she thought, mortified. Her fingers trembled as she shut the lid quickly and tried to look normal, but her cheeks burned bright pink.

Leo turned from the closet, frowning when he saw her standing stiffly by the nightstand. "What’s wrong?" he asked, walking toward her slowly.

When she didn’t answer, he came behind her and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. His voice dropped low against her ear. "What’s wrong with you, hmm?" he whispered, his nose brushing the side of her neck as he spoke.

Bella swallowed hard and pointed a shaky finger toward the box. "T-that thing..."

Leo followed her gaze, and his expression changed in an instant. Oh, for God’s sake. He hadn’t put that there. Then, like a switch flipping in his mind, he remembered his manager’s strange, knowing tone when he said he had "prepared something extra" in the room.

He cursed silently, his jaw tightening, though his expression stayed calm.

"Well," he murmured finally, his tone smooth, "what do you think it is?"

"I-I don’t know..." Bella stammered, biting her lip. The air felt suddenly heavier, his chest pressed against her back, his breath warm on her skin.

Leo leaned down until his lips hovered near her ear. "We’re alone here, bunny," he said in a voice so deep it almost rumbled against her spine. "No Jay. No maids. No interruptions."

Bella froze, her pulse skipping.

He tilted his head slightly, his breath ghosting over her skin. "Just you and me," he said softly, "a husband and a wife. What do you think should happen?"