"So what are you doing tomorrow?" Chris asked, his eyes still fixed on the road.
"I'm working. Early flight," Bella replied.
"An early flight?" he repeated, brows knitting.
"Yes, sir," she teased, flashing him a smile.
Chris glanced at her, shaking his head. "There you go again. Bella, drop the sir. I told you I don't want it outside of work. Be comfortable with me. Please."
"But you're still my boss," she said with a playful smirk.
"Who cares?" His lips curved into a rare grin. "I'm your boss... and I'm in love with you. So what?"
Her heart skipped. Butterflies stormed her belly at his words. She tried to focus on the blur of city lights outside, but her cheeks burned.
"People already think I got into Hampson Airways because of you," she whispered. "Most of them dislike me because of th..."
"So you don't want to get involved with me romantically?" he cut in, his tone suddenly sharp.
Bella shrugged, not trusting herself to answer. Silence hung between them.
Chris cleared his throat. "I've been wanting to ask... what made you decide to become a flight attendant?"
Bella smiled faintly. "I don't know when the interest started, but I remember when I made up my mind. I traveled with my grandma when I was about six or seven. The flight attendants were so kind, so caring. I told myself, that's who I want to be when I grow up.
"I've always wanted to help people old or young, black or white. I wanted to share love everywhere, not just with my family. And now... my dream finally came true." Her smile dimmed. "I just wish Grandma was still here. She would've been proud of me."
Chris's voice softened. "She's watching, Bella. Smiling down at you right now. Proud of her only granddaughter."
"Who told you I'm her only granddaughter?" Bella smirked. "I have an aunt in Toronto. She has two daughters."
"Oh? So you've been hiding family from me?" Chris teased, relief in his eyes.
"Apparently," she said, chuckling.
Bella tilted her head. "I heard you became a billionaire at twenty-three. Is that true?"
"Twenty-two," Chris corrected, grinning.
Bella blinked. "Wow. That's insane. I mean... you were two years younger than me, and already a billionaire? That's incredible."
"Want to know how?" he asked, clearly enjoying her amazement.
"Obviously."
He leaned back, voice calm and proud. "My parents bought shares for us as kids. I sold mine when prices spiked in 2009 and invested in crypto. Ten billion coins. They were worthless at first... but in 2015, just after I became CEO of Hampson International, they exploded.
"I'd also been creating software since I was fourteen. My first game made me a multimillionaire before I could even drive." He gave a small shrug. "So yes, I had help starting out, but everything I am today I earned."
Bella's mouth fell open. "You never cease to amaze me, Chris."
He studied her. "Can I ask you something now?"
"Go on."
"You think I'm cold. Distant. Why?"
"Because that's how you act," she said honestly. "But when I'm with you... you're nothing like the man in the tabloids. You're funny. You're caring. You're..." she paused, flushing, "...nice."
Chris smirked. "Did you just say I'm nice?"
"Yes. Nicer than what people believe."
His expression sobered. "I put up walls, Bella. People I trusted betrayed me. If I let people see this side of me, they'll use it. So I keep my distance. It's easier that way."
"But Chris," Bella said softly, "not everyone will betray you. You can't punish the world for the mistakes of a few. Let people see the good in you. That way, when you're gone, they'll remember more than the walls you built."
For a moment, his gaze softened in a way that made her chest tighten.
"Okay, coach," he said with a crooked smile. "You'll be my first friend, right?"
"You don't have to ask. Even though you're my boss, I see you as a friend."
Chris shook his head. "No, Bella. I don't want to be your friend. I want more." His voice cracked with honesty.
Her throat tightened. "But why me? There are beautiful, powerful women out there. I'm not a model. I'm not rich. I have a mum to support, two brothers to help raise... Chris, our worlds are..."
She didn't finish.
Because Chris had pulled the car to a sudden stop, leaned in, and kissed her.
It wasn't gentle...it was a shut-up kiss, urgent and demanding. And before she could think, her arms were around his neck, pulling him closer, kissing him back like she'd been waiting years for this.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Chris pressed his forehead to hers.
"You're wrong," he whispered. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I don't need an influential wife, or another billionaire on my arm. I have wealth, I have power but I want love. I want you. A woman who makes me laugh, who makes me work harder, who calls me out when I'm wrong. Bella... please. Stop putting up walls between us. Give us a chance."
Her heart melted at the raw plea in his eyes. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. She didn't answer in words but the way she kept sneaking glances at him for the rest of the drive told him everything.
At her house, he parked and turned to her. "What time is your flight tomorrow?"
"Eight. I need to be at the airport by seven," she said.
He nodded, then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thanks for the ride," she whispered, her smile refusing to fade.
"It's always my pleasure," Chris said, watching her go, already aching for tomorrow.
Bella's alarm buzzed at 5:45am, dragging her out of sleep. She rubbed her eyes and couldn't stop replaying last night...the way Chris had kissed her, raw and desperate, and the way he had looked at her like she was the only woman alive.
She showered, dressed in her crisp uniform, and styled her hair neatly. For breakfast, she quickly poured herself a bowl of Rice Krispies, but even as she chewed, her mind was elsewhere. His words echoed: "Give us a chance, please."
Stepping outside with her suitcase, Bella froze.
Chris was leaning casually against his sleek black car, dimples flashing as soon as he saw her.
"Chris? What are you doing here?" she asked, glancing at her watch. 6:32am.
"What else? Picking you up. Isn't it obvious?"
Her eyes widened. "But it's so early... why would you even"
He cut her off with a smirk. "Isn't it obvious why?"
Bella folded her arms but couldn't hide her smile. "You know... you should smile more often. I never noticed you had dimples. They're... distracting."
Chris chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment." He took her luggage from her hands effortlessly.
"Chris, you really don't have to"
"Bella," he said, leaning close, "do you want me to shut you up again?"
Her cheeks burned at the memory of last night's kiss, and she quickly climbed into the passenger seat before he could see how flustered she was.
As he drove, Chris glanced at her, softer this time. "Thanks for letting me take care of you."
Bella smiled despite herself. "It's a pleasure."
At the airport, he parked smoothly. "What time's your flight back?"
"Five, if there aren't delays."
"Alright." He leaned in and kissed her cheek, sending heat up her neck. "Have a good flight, Bella."
She smiled, unable to hide it. "Thank you. And... thanks for the ride."
A few hours later, Bella stood in the aisle of the aircraft, heart racing. It was her first time being allowed to make the full passenger announcement. She gripped the mic and delivered the words with a bright, professional smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from London to Manchester..."
Her voice flowed smooth and confident. By the time she finished the safety demonstration, she caught a few approving nods from passengers. Pride swelled in her chest.
The flight landed in Manchester at 9am sharp. Manchester... her birthplace. Memories tugged at her, bittersweet ones of her father's betrayal and their forced move to London. She brushed them aside.
On her break, she slipped into a restaurant near the airport, only to spot a familiar figure by the window.
"Neil?" she said, surprised.
He looked up, smiling. "Bella. What a coincidence. Sit?"
She hesitated, then slid into the chair opposite him. They ordered fish fingers and beans for her, fish and chips for him and soon they were talking easily, laughter bubbling between them. They liked the same music, shared similar opinions, and for a moment Bella almost forgot her tangled emotions with Chris.
But after an hour, she excused herself. She had promised to see an old childhood friend before her return flight.
By 5pm, she was back in London. Rolling her luggage across the parking lot, she froze again.
Chris's car.
He lowered the window, gesturing for her to get in.
Bella sighed, sliding into the passenger seat. "Why are you here?"
Chris smirked. "Can't I pick you up again?"
"You really shouldn't. People will start assuming things. Everyone's obsessed with the life of Europe's richest bachelor. If I'm seen with you"
"You don't want to be seen with me?" His voice was calm, but his violet eyes searched hers.
Bella swallowed. "It's not that. People are ruthless, Chris. They'll drag me through the mud."
Before he could reply, her phone rang. Bianca.
"Hey, B." Bella answered.
"Where are you?" Bianca's voice was shaky, rushed.
"On my way home. Why? What's wrong?"
"Don't go home!" Bianca almost shouted.
Bella frowned. "What? Why not?"
"There are reporters everywhere. Outside your house."
"What? Reporters? Why?" Bella's voice cracked.
Chris stiffened in the driver's seat, his jaw tightening.
Bianca's next words sent Bella's heart plummeting.
"You're on the entertainment news, Bella. With Chris."