The next morning.
Wearing her college uniform , Bella was getting ready to go to college. However, before she could even leave the house, Bella's mom was standing at the door, the smell of alcohol wafting through the room.
–Mom get out of the way, I have to go to class
–Have you paid electricity bills yet
–Yes I have already
–And water bills?
The young woman frowned , I have paid everything already. What do you want now ?
– Great, Today I'm going to buy ingredients to cook. Give me some money.
– Mom , I gave you some money yesterday
– It's finished, I have a life here too, don't I ?
Bella sighed, she doesn't understand how her mom who was once so loving, has changed so much.
– I don't have any money mom, I need to pay my monthly fees.
– What do you mean, you work so much , you hardly stop by home, why did all that money go ? You don't even have anyone you have to support.
– The young woman bit her lips , but I do, don't I ?. And all the household expenses. All of that is my responsibility.
How much do you want , Bella asked exhaustly
– As much as you have
–I can't, I already said I need to pay for college
To protect her money , Bella keeps almost all in her bank, if she had cash in the house her mother would take it all.
– I have a meeting with friends, Give me at least a thousand.
– Whatt, a thousand , you can't spend money like that , you already collected two thousand yesterday!
– Why? can't you support your own mother?, how ungrateful.
Give me money now , I need to pay some debts
"..."
–Quick.. Bella's mother snapped
Bella's hope of having a peaceful day disappeared right there, and when she finally left the house , she saw the sky was cloudy, announcing a storm , she needed to hurry, not only to avoid traffic but to also avoid a pushy neighbour named Noah who always wanted to give her a ride .
On the other hand , Kayden woke up calmly, reading the news , drinking his black coffee. As always he did everything calmly.
He had almost forgotten about Bella, until by coincidence, he saw her running to take shelter from the rain at the university's bus stop. Kayden was there only to take care of some personal matters for his younger sister.
– Is she still studying, Kayden said to himself
He decided not to care ,as it was none of his business. After resolving his commitment, when he passed the same path again , he no longer saw Bella. Perhaps she was lucky and managed to get home before the rain got heavier .
However, as soon as he stepped out of the university, he saw the young woman, huddled together , arms crossed at the bus stop. There was no room for her to shelter from the rain as the place was packed with people. Kayden frowned
"It's not like I'm interested in her , buh as a older person , seeing that bothers me" , he said trying to convince himself .
Yes, Because Kayden normally don't like to get involved in other people's problems. But her situation was hard to ignore , especially when Bella's white shirt was already getting transparent due to getting drained from the rain.
BIP!!
Bella was startled by the sound of the horn, she looked around and didn't notice who was calling , until Kayden horned again, People started staring.
Kayden hated attention, so if Bella continued to ignore, he would give up .
–Kayden ?
Bella muttered to herself, looking around until she found the man's gaze on her . Hesitancly she approached the car .
–Did you call me ?
– Obviously, Kayden answered with his face forward
– What do you want?
– Get in the car
–What?, Bella asked looking all surprised
– I will pay you if necessary, how much do you want to come in ?
– I don't do that kind of work. Bella replied coldly which made Kayden sighed
– I'm paying you to protect yourself from the rain, not to sleep with me.
"...."
– Come in now I don't like being the center of attention.
Bonita ended up sitting in the luxury car due to the pressure of the
situation – the looks from Kayden and the many people at the bus
stop made her accept the ride. But she didn't get into that car for
the money and, uncomfortable, she tried to make this clear as soon
as she managed to close the door.
— I didn't come in because you paid me, okay?
Kayden just gave a discreet glance, without responding. Instead,
he looked in the rear view mirror, put on the turn signal, and
accelerated, leaving the place quickly.
The rain outside was becoming heavier by the second, and the
frigid air conditioning made Bella, already soaked, shiver. She
rubbed her arms and tried to block the cold air with her bag instead
of adjusting the vent.
— Are you cold?
Kayden noticed the discomfort, but didn't know how to start a
conversation. The question was simple, but in the tense atmosphere, it didn't feel out of place.
— Yes.
The driver and owner of the car reached over to reduce the intensity of the A/C. The cold wind softened, and Bella felt a little better, but not much.
— There's a coat in the back seat. Grab it and put it on.
— What?
— The coat behind you. Put it on.
— It's not necessary.
Kayden narrowed his eyes.
— Do I have to pay you to put on a coat and stop shivering?
— N-no.
Bella shrank back, embarrassed. Reluctantly, she turned to grab
the coat. When she unfolded it, she immediately recognized that it
was extremely expensive — the fabric, the brand, the fragrance.
— What now?
Kayden glanced sideways, seeing Bella hesitate.
— The A/C is already low. If you're still cold, the only option left is
the coat.
Bella sighed softly.
— This coat is expensive. I'm afraid of ruining it. You can drop me off at the next stop.
Kayden frowned. Leaving a small student, drenched and shivering, alone in heavy rain? he wasn't particularly attached to Bella, but He wasn't heartless.
— Just wear it.
— But it's expensive…
— I told you to wear it, not buy it. Does the price matter that much?
"…. ."
Bonita fell silent. Then Kayden realized he'd been a bit too sharp.
— Sorry. I'm rude sometimes.
Bella raised her brows, startled by the unexpected apology.
— I'm not used to hearing that… apologies or thank-yous.
He hesitated.
— And I didn't want to wear the coat because… if I ruin it, I'll owe
you.
Kayden sighed.
— It's not that expensive. I bought it because I can. If you ruin it,
it's not a big loss.
He wasn't bragging — he was just stating facts.
— I understand you're being kind, but—
— If wearing it keeps you warm, consider it payment for the coat.
— Huh?
Bella didn't understand. She and Kayden were from two different worlds. Kindness without a motive was dangerous — she'd learned that the hard way.
Too many people were kind because they wanted something.
But Kayden was a little different. he helped simply because he wanted
to.
And that terrified Bella the most.
— If you don't want to wear it, at least cover yourself with it.
This time his tone was gentler.
Bella stopped resisting. She pulled the coat around her body and
immediately felt warmer.
Now that she was comfortable, her mind wandered. She stared out
the window and frowned. If she went home before work, she might
not arrive on time.
— Kayden…
Kayden's eyes shifted toward her.
"..."
— If you want to speak, speak.
— But you didn't answer me…
— I need to?
— Well… if you stay silent, I don't know whether to continue talking or not.
— Even without answering, I can still hear, can't I?
— Yes…
Kayden didn't like Bella's overly cautious appearance. He hadn't
done anything to scare her.
— Why do you seem afraid of me?
— I'm not. I just… respect you.
— Why?
— Because you gave me a ride…
— You got in the car to avoid the rain. The destination wasn't mine.
Don't call it a ride.
Bella blinked.
— Right… that's true.
— And?
— I wanted to ask if you could drop me off at the next bus stop.
Kayden frowned. He hadn't intended to abandon her
"…"
– I have to work
– same place ? Kayden asked
– Yes
– With those clothes ?
– I have others at the bar
–hmm
Silence filled the car , the bus stop was just ahead, and Bella was carefully folding his designer coat to return it. She was getting ready to get out when she realised Kayden wasn't slowing down .
– Kayden
– Yeah I know
– Andd
— Now this is a ride. Because we're going to the same place.
When they arrived at the bar, it hadn't opened yet. Buh the staffs where getting ready for customers to arrive.
Bella got out and bowed politely.
— Thank you for driving me.
— Hm. What time do you finish?
— When the restaurant closes.
— Fine.
— Do you have business here?
— No.
— Then why—
— My only task was to bring you.
— What?
— Why are you surprised? Go work.
— Yes…
— Take the coat with you.
— What?
Kayden frowned. Why did this girl always question everything?
— It's payment for sheltering from the rain.
— I told you, I don't—
— I'm not giving money. I'm giving something in return.
"…"
— What do you do when an adult gives you something?
Bella frowned. Kayden didn't even look much older.
— Thank you. I'll go now.
But instead of taking the coat, she dropped it inside the car and ran.
Leaving Kayden frustrated.
Bella was bold — no one outside his family dared disobey him.
After returning to his condo, Kayden was still upset, Bella was the first person aside his family to disobey him in many years
"She's just a student, why does she work so much?"
The doubt won't leave his mind, so he asked one of his subordinates to look into it
Later that night, Kayden received a report.
(The area is a bit dangerous, but she arrived home safely, sir .)
— Fine.
(But before she entered, a man approached her. She seemed scared. Shall I keep an eye on him?)
— Do what you want. I didn't tell you to. He was acting nonchalant.
Kayden went back to focus on the news he was reading, his days has always been work, reading, and learning to expand his horizons
Three days later, Kayden returned to the restaurant. Lin had gathered their friends there.
And by coincidence, Kayden was free that night .
– I hope Bryan doesn't act nasty today , Kayden said
Lin laughed, " hes not coming with us today, don't worry" .
In fact upon learning that Kayden would be there, Bryan refused .
– He asked me to apologise on his for what happened.
– I do not accept
– why , Lin asked laughing gently
– He has my number, why can't he call to apologize directly, why send a message ?
Lin nodded in agreement, True
During the meeting with his friends, Kayden stepped away to go use the restroom. However something made him stop half way , the sound of muffled crying coming from there .
As Kayden walked toward the restroom, he froze — he heard crying from the female side.
He stood waiting for the culprit to come out
The bathroom door opened.
Bella stepped out, tears on her face, wearing the skimpy outfit
assigned that night.
— Kayden?
Bella quickly wiped her face.
— Who made you cry?
— No one.
— What do you mean? I heard you clearly.
— It was nothing.
— A customer? Your house? Your boyfriend?
— I don't have a boyfriend.
— That didn't answer my question.
— Excuse me, I have to go.
Bella tried to escape, but they were scheduled to meet again in the VIP room.
— Do you want the usual drink? Bella asked
— Who made you cry?
— Let me work, please.
Kayden signed loudly, showing his dissatisfaction. He didn't like not getting answers, he didn't like being ignored by bells and most of it all , he didn't like the fact that he was too involved in her problem.
After work, Bonita stepped out of the restaurant—this time in
regular clothes—but someone leaned on their car horn.
— Kayden ?
— It's me. Who did this to you?
Bella flinched.
She had hidden her bruises well… or so she thought.
— Why do you care?
— Your look says it all.
– maybe my looks is rude
–Silence.
– Listen, thank you very much for your concern,but I really don't want to talk about it. I hope you understand.
Hearing this , Kayden expression relaxed a little, his stubborness was difficult to change
— I'm asking as someone who has a sister, I don't want you to think I'm interested in you for any other reason
Bella blinked.
— I know you're not interested in me.
— No. You don't know.
"…"
– I'm leaving
– Drive carefully
– And you, how are you getting home ?
– My friend will take me home
– What friend? Huh?
"....."
In fact Bella was lying , her best friend hadn't gone to work that day and she would have gone home alone.
– I'll wait with you , don't get me wrong please
– Understood
– And when is your friend coming?
"....." ehm ..
Kayden narrowed his eyes, has anyone ever told Bella she's terrible at lying.
– Let's wait in my car for her.
Bonita hesitated.
– Don't make me pay for you to get in the car babe, Kayden said in a tone that show he's losing his cool
Kayden received a message from his assistant:
(Sir , I know you might not want to know but Last night she was attacked by someone in her family.) he sent the message like Asif he knew Kayden was curious
Kayden's hand tightened around his phone.
I only care for her because I have a sister , nothing more
No matter how he denied it, he cared.
He cared a lot.