chapter 15

Hadpter 15 – The Dinner Invitation**

The dining room shimmered beneath a crystal chandelier, casting golden light over the long, polished table adorned with fresh lilies, gleaming silverware, and fine china. Bella smoothed down the front of her dress, a soft lavender satin chosen by her mother. Despite the elegance surrounding her, she couldn't shake the knot in her stomach.

Her parents were all smiles, especially her mom, who had been unusually giddy since getting dressed.

"I hope you girls hit it off," she whispered to Bella. "Her daughter is younger but very well-behaved. A real sweetheart."

Daughter?

Bella had been expecting a boy—the woman's son, who was apparently around her age. But it seemed she had a daughter too.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Her father went to greet their guests.

From the grand hallway, Bella heard polite greetings and laughter—and then a voice. A boy's voice. Deep. Smooth. Too familiar.

Her stomach fluttered again.

She stood when their guests entered. First came the elegant woman her mother had described—tall, with poised shoulders and a gentle smile.

Then, walking beside her…

Bella's breath caught.

He looked different outside of school—dressed in a tailored white shirt with sleeves casually rolled and dark slacks. His hair, though still effortlessly tousled, was neater. Polished. Like he belonged in this refined setting.

Ethan.

He locked eyes with her the moment he stepped into the room.

His expression froze—just for a second—before it softened with a hint of surprise. Then came the smirk. Subtle. Intrigued.

So it was him.

Of all the boys in school… the son of her mother's new friend had to be Ethan.

Bella forced herself to smile politely, though her heart raced wildly.

"Bella, this is Mrs. Vivian Carter and her children—Lila and… Ethan," her mother introduced casually.

Ethan nodded with smooth charm. "Evening, Bella."

His voice was like velvet—low and playful—as though he already knew this was going to be fun.

Before Bella could respond, a small figure stepped out from behind Ethan. A girl—maybe eight or nine—with soft curls and big, curious brown eyes. She clutched a little stuffed bunny, looking both shy and excited.

"You're so pretty," the girl blurted, stepping closer. "I like your dress."

Bella blinked in surprise, then crouched down slightly to her level. "Thank you. I like your bunny."

The girl beamed. "Her name is Fifi. She only talks to nice people."

Bella giggled. "Well, I'm honored to be included."

They both smiled, and just like that, an easy bond began forming between them.

As they all took their seats, Bella ended up beside Lila, with Ethan seated across from her—his gaze flicking over occasionally, amused, curious, unreadable.

Throughout the meal, Lila leaned toward Bella constantly, asking questions, giggling at her jokes, and even offering her a bite of her dessert. Bella found herself genuinely enjoying the little girl's presence—her sweetness and innocence made her feel grounded.

But the air around Ethan buzzed with a tension she couldn't ignore.

Her parents and Vivian Carter kept up polite conversation, exchanging stories about travel and business. Andrew, seated near the end, kept giving Ethan subtle side glances—not hostile, but definitely protective.

Bella tried not to meet Ethan's eyes too often, but it was impossible. Every time she looked up, he was already watching her—not in a mocking or flirtatious way, but with an intensity that felt different. Focused.

When dessert was served, her mother leaned over and whispered, "Isn't this lovely? I had no idea you two went to the same school."

Bella nodded slowly, her spoon paused midair.

Yes. Lovely. Unexpected. And complicated.

As the evening wore on, small exchanges continued between her and Ethan—none loud or obvious, but each laced with something unspoken.

By the time the guests were leaving, Lila clung to Bella's side. "Can I see you again?"

Bella smiled and nodded. "Of course."

Ethan raised an eyebrow at his sister. "You sure move fast."

Lila pouted. "You don't own all the nice people, Ethan."

He chuckled, and when his gaze returned to Bella, something softer lingered in his expression.

"I guess I'll be seeing you around, Bella."

And with that, he was gone.

Bella stood by the door long after they'd left, Lila's tiny voice echoing in her ears, Ethan's smile still carved in her thoughts.

One thing was certain.

This dinner had changed everything.

Dinner had moved into the living room, where coffee and pastries were served in delicate china cups. The adults had drifted into a cozy conversation about investments and old memories, laughter echoing softly in the background.

Bella found herself seated beside a small girl with caramel curls and bright green eyes — a miniature version of Ethan, minus the confident swagger.

"Bella, do you draw?" the little girl asked eagerly, scooting closer with a crayon in her hand.

Bella blinked, caught off guard. "Um… yes, a little. Why?"

The girl beamed. "I love drawing too! Ethan says I'm the best artist in our whole neighborhood, but I think he's just being nice."

Bella couldn't help but smile at her. "What's your name again?"

"Lila," she said proudly. "I'm eight and a half."

"She's also a little hurricane," Ethan said from behind them, suddenly appearing with a soda in his hand. His voice was calm, his tone lighter than usual. "Careful, Bella. She might recruit you into her secret art club."

Bella rolled her eyes, but there was no malice in it. "I've survived worse."

Lila giggled. "You should join! You're already better than Ethan. He draws like a potato."

Ethan smirked. "That's rich coming from someone who once drew a cat with six legs."

Bella bit back a laugh, but her smile gave her away.

For a brief moment, things didn't feel so complicated. The Ethan in front of her — the playful older brother, the boy gently teasing his little sister — didn't match the image of the heartbreaker she'd been warned about. There was no smirk dripping with arrogance. No smug gaze traced her features.

Just… him.

Real. Quiet. Observant.

When Lila got up to show Bella one of her sketchbooks, Ethan lingered a little longer.

"I didn't know you were that Bella," he said under his breath.

She looked up at him, confused. "That Bella?"

He shrugged, glancing at Lila. "The one Mom's new friend kept talking about. She said you're smart, kind, artistic — the whole golden girl package."

Bella flushed. "You must've been disappointed then."

He tilted his head. "Not at all. You're… different. In a good way."

She stared at him for a second, unsure of what to say. But before she could come up with a reply, Lila returned, proudly holding up a page of doodles.

"This is Bella," she announced, pointing to a cartoon girl with long hair and sparkles around her. "And this is Ethan beside her. I drew you both at prom!"

Bella and Ethan shared a startled look.

"Prom?" Ethan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Wow. Jumping ahead, aren't we?"

Lila just giggled and plopped down between them.

Bella's heart fluttered.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

She wasn't supposed to like him.

But as the night wrapped up and the guests finally said their goodbyes, Lila hugged her tightly and whispered, "I hope we visit again."

Bella watched them leave, her fingers still tingling from the girl's warmth.

And Ethan…?

He turned at the door.

"See you at school, Bella," he said, softer than she expected. "And thanks… for not pushing me away tonight."

Then he was gone.

Leaving Bella with a heart that beat just a little too fast — and a mind that didn't know what to make of it.

Bella couldn't sleep.

She lay on her bed, the soft hum of the night pressing against the windows, her ceiling fan swirling slowly above her. The house was quiet, but her mind wasn't—especially after that dinner.

She replayed the entire evening over and over: Lila's bubbly laughter, the way Ethan's eyes lingered longer than they should have, and how he said her name as if it belonged to him.

It wasn't just a coincidence anymore. The universe clearly had a sense of humor.

Of all the boys her mother could have met through a new friend… it had to be Ethan.

And worse—he wasn't arrogant or rude that night. He was polite, charming, and composed. The Ethan she saw at school, teasing and careless, had been replaced by a version she hadn't seen before. It unsettled her.

Was it an act?

Was it just another part of his game?

She didn't know.

---

The next day, during lunch break…

Bella sat with Sarah, Alex, and Emily under their usual tree. The sun peeked through the branches, dappling the grass with gold.

"So," Sarah said, stirring her yogurt with a smirk, "you were awfully quiet in the group chat last night. Something you want to tell us?"

Bella hesitated. "We had guests for dinner."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"They're… new friends of my mom's," Bella said, trying to sound casual. "And it turns out their son goes to our school."

Alex narrowed her eyes. "Okay, weird detail. Which boy?"

Bella paused to take a breath. "Ethan."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

Then Emily choked on her juice. "Ethan Ethan?"

Sarah dropped her spoon. "You're kidding."

"I wish I were," Bella muttered. "He's her son. And he came for dinner with his little sister."

Sarah looked like she'd been hit by lightning. "So you had dinner with the school's biggest heartbreaker and his family?!"

"Not by choice," Bella added quickly. "I didn't even know until they walked in. I was as shocked as you are."

Alex leaned forward. "Okay, but… how was he at dinner?"

Bella looked down at her hands. "Different. Not at all like he is at school. He was calm, polite, and his sister is adorable."

Sarah frowned. "That's the trick, Bella. He knows how to play people. He's not just charming—he's strategic. You've seen him with other girls. He draws them in, then drops them when he gets bored."

"I know," Bella said softly. "And I'm not falling for it."

Emily looked skeptical. "But it felt different, didn't it?"

Bella bit her lip, not answering.

Sarah reached over and touched her hand gently. "I just don't want you to get hurt. He's good at making people feel special… but when the novelty fades, so does he."

"I get it," Bella said. "And you don't have to worry. I'm not planning on falling in love with Ethan Carter."

But even as the words left her lips, her heart betrayed her.

Because somewhere deep inside, a small flicker had ignited.

Not love. Not yet.

But curiosity.

And sometimes, curiosity was more dangerous.