Bella's eyes widened. She swallowed, a swirl of thoughts in her mind.
This place… it's not just big. It's its own world.
Bella's mind buzzed with thoughts:
He lives like this... alone? Why didn't he say anything before? It's not selfish. It's… brave? And inviting me here…
The quiet between them grew comfortable, charged with something unspoken. Bella realised she didn't want to fill it with words.
Later that night, Bella slipped into her room, closing the door softly behind her. The quiet was different here, returning from Yunho's world made her room, with its scattered notes and mismatched posters, feel cozy in a way it never had before.
She sank onto the bed, blinking up at the ceiling. She could still feel the echo of expectation and comfort from his home.
He gave me a glimpse of his world and trusted me to hold it.
Her chest fluttered again, that familiar warmth returning.
She pulled her knees close and let her senses drift back, late afternoon light in the mansion's hall, the soft hush of housekeepers, the smell of tea.
She smiled, whispering to herself,
He wanted me here.
This wasn't just about the house, it was about him, offering a slice of himself in every silent corner.
Bella woke the next morning to pale sunlight filtering through her curtains, painting soft patterns across her dorm room walls. Everything felt different, quieter, more intimate, as if the world had paused overnight just for her.
She lay in the stillness, thoughts drifting back to Yunho's house. The grandeur of his home, the hushed footsteps of housekeepers, the warm hush of rooms neatly arranged, it all felt like a gift, an invitation she wasn't sure she deserved.
Her hand rested gently over her heart, where something both comforting and disconcerting fluttered. He let me in, she thought, heart tightening.
She replayed his quiet smile, the soft way he guided her through wide, sunlit halls, the scent of tea and subtle trust that lingered in the air.
This wasn't just a tour of a house. It was letting me into a world he trusted me with.
A lump formed in her throat, too warm to ignore. She took a deep breath, sat up and felt the realisation wash over her: something had shifted. Not in a loud, dramatic way, but in the softest, most significant way.
Later that morning, her phone buzzed.
Jake 🏀:So… did the tour of the chaebol compound blow your mind yet?
Bella smiled, her fingers slipping as she typed back, "Something like that," before stashing the phone.
Up ahead, she saw Yunho crossing the courtyard. Catching her eye, he paused and gave her a gentle, unguarded smile, a simple gesture that sent a subtle jolt through her chest.
Bella felt the warmth rise again, not exhilaration, not nerves but a gentle recognition of something growing between them.
This is new, she thought. And I'm starting to want it.
Later that day, Bella met Emily for shopping who greeted her with a curious glaze.
Emily leaned in, voice low. "So, you're walking around with that dazed look again. Spill. What's going on?"
Bella hesitated, tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "Nothing's wrong," she lied gently.
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Sure. You look… different. Happier? And dazed. But like, in a good way."
Bella's cheeks warmed. She managed a small, genuine smile. "Maybe I just slept well."
Emily frowned playfully, uncrossing her arms. "Well, spill. If Yunho's behind it, I need details!"
Bella rolled her eyes but kept quiet. Emily decided not to drill her but instead asked her for her opinion on the new dress she's picked out.
As Bella showed up at the neighbourhood courts, the guys greeted warmly before going on with their game. Jake flopped down beside her, stretching his legs out like he always did, casual, familiar.
"So…," he said, glancing sideways. "you visited Yunho's place."
Bella didn't look at him, just shrugged lightly. "Yeah. It was… big."
Jake gave a low whistle. "Chaebol big?"
"Mm," she hummed noncommittally, hugging her knees.
He paused, then tilted his head toward her. "So… how does it compare to your place?"
Bella blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
Jake grinned. "Come on. I've been to your house, remember? You trying to tell me you're not used to marble staircases and fountains?"
She rolled her eyes, lips twitching despite herself. "I moved to campus to get away from all that."
"All that?" he repeated, laughing. "You mean the Sotheby's catalogued furniture, the gated driveway and the kitchen with two islands?"
Bella shoved his arm gently. "Exactly. All of it."
Jake leaned back on his elbows, eyes on the dusky clouds. "Guess that's why you never really blinked when people fawned over Yunho. He's popular for a reason. But it's not like it's new to you."
Bella was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, she said, "I came here to start fresh. I didn't want the kind of attention that came with… assumptions."
Jake nodded, understanding without pushing further. "Yeah. That's fair."
They sat in silence for a while, two longtime friends with more unspoken between them than either could admit out loud.
Jake finally broke it. "Still though… did his place pass your standards?"
Bella smiled to herself. "It was nice."
Jake smirked. "That's rich-people code for 'I approved.''"
She nudged him again, but didn't deny it.
And beside her, Jake quietly wondered, not for the first time, if Yunho really understood who Bella was beneath all that calm, quiet charm.