Chapter 8: Paint the town red

Bella was ready just in time, and Gina, who was lounging on the bed, greeted her with a grin. “Well, look who’s finally ready to take on the day,” she teased, her eyes twinkling.

Bella rolled her eyes playfully. “Seriously, Gina? You barely let me sleep, and now you’re dragging me out to shop. I might just pass out in the middle of the mall.”

Gina huffed dramatically, waving a hand in the air. “Oh, come on! You had a whole night to relax in that fancy hotel bed. It’s not like you’ve been running a marathon.”

Bella shook her head with a small laugh. “I’m not so sure about that. My sleep wasn’t exactly the best, but whatever, let’s get this shopping spree over with. I could use some new outfits and maybe a snack or two.”

“That’s the spirit!” Gina exclaimed, snapping her fingers and throwing a wink in Bella’s direction. “We’ll shop for clothes, food, and maybe even hit up a game or two. And who knows? We might even stumble into a party later. It’s going to be a blast!”

Bella walked over with a sly smile. “You know, it’s been oddly peaceful around here lately. It’s like everyone’s in a good mood or something.”

Gina leaned in, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. I mean, I’m not exactly deep into what your family’s up to, but from what I can tell, things seem pretty chill. Your dad’s been taking your mom out a lot lately.”

Bella raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Dates or business?”

Gina shrugged, smirking. “Now that’s the million-dollar question. But let’s not dive into all that serious stuff today. I’ve missed you! Let’s spend the day enjoying ourselves, and tomorrow you can dive back into whatever world-domination plans you’ve got going on.”

Bella laughed, running a hand through her hair. “Helping my dad, huh? You make it sound like I’m just some errand girl. You know you’re the manager, right? Stop downplaying your role!”

Gina grinned, nudging Bella with her elbow. “Alright, alright, you got me. But today, I’m just your partner-in-crime, ready to help you make the most of this day.”

“As you should, you know…”

“Yeah, if you say so. But honestly, you look absolutely stunning as always. If I were a man, I would've married you ages ago," Gina teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Isabella chuckled, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "I don't think any man could handle a woman like me."

Gina clicked her tongue, not letting Isabella’s self-doubt slide. "I've known you for years, Isabella. You’re tough, sure, but you're also kind. You’ve got a heart of gold. One day, you need to let someone in, to let yourself feel loved, truly loved."

Isabella laughed, though there was a hint of deflection in it. "I’m already loved by you, my family, and I’ve got Lex too. Who else do I need?"

Gina rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "You're too hard on yourself, babe. Not cool. You deserve to experience being loved by a man, being cherished, and treated like the queen you are. Imagine that—getting princess treatment from someone who adores you."

"I can do all that for myself. I’m my own boss, Gina. You know that," Isabella responded with a slight scoff, her confidence radiating through her words.

Gina groaned softly, shaking her head. "Girl, you’ve got some serious attitude, and not always in a good way."

Isabella smirked, her tone confident and unapologetic. "Strong women don’t have attitudes, Gina. We have standards. Simple as that."

Gina nodded, conceding the point. "You're right, but being so tough… do you really think you'll find a man who can match that?"

"Either I’ll find him, or I’ll make him. But honestly, I don’t need a man. I finance myself, I keep myself focused. I don’t need someone else to keep my thoughts distracted," Isabella declared, her resolve unshakable.

Gina couldn’t help but grin, leaning in slightly. "You know, if you ever fall in love, you’d be a total lover girl. The smallest thing would have you thinking about him non-stop."

Isabella paused for a moment, considering Gina’s words before brushing them off with a light laugh. "We’ll see about that."

"Let’s just say his touch, his warm embraces from behind, and those kisses..." Gina teased, her voice dripping with playful mischief. The mere mention of those intimate moments sent a surge of memories flooding through Isabella’s mind, memories of Luca that she had tried to push aside.

“That’s enough, coach. You’ve hit your target,” Isabella cut in, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation and lingering warmth as she shook off the thoughts. With a determined smile, she reached out, pulling Gina up from the bed with a firm tug. “I’m ready, so let’s get going before you try to turn this into a romance novel.”

“Yes, madam,” Gina laughed, her tone light and teasing as she followed Isabella out of the room, both of them sharing a conspiratorial grin.

As they stepped out of the bedroom and made their way down the grand staircase, the sounds of conversation grew louder, signaling the presence of her family and the Antonio family in the living room. The room was bathed in warm light, the elegant decor adding to the cozy yet refined atmosphere. As Isabella and Gina entered, the room quieted, all eyes turning to them.

“Good morning,” Isabella greeted them with a polite smile, her voice carrying a note of formality. Her father, sitting comfortably in a plush armchair, looked up from his newspaper, his face breaking into a welcoming smile.

“Morning again?” he laughed

“Isabella. Gina,” he responded, nodding in acknowledgment to Gina as well.

Isabella hesitated for a moment, catching her father's gaze before speaking again. “Dad, Gina and I are heading out for a bit. We’ve got a few things to take care of.”

Her father’s eyes softened as he regarded her, understanding the unspoken message behind her words. “Of course, go ahead. Just make sure to stay safe and be back in time for dinner.”

Isabella nodded, a grateful smile tugging at her lips. “Will do, Dad. Thanks.”

With the pleasantries exchanged, Isabella and Gina turned and made their way toward the front door. The cool metal of the door handle was a stark contrast to the warmth of the living room as Isabella pushed it open, the crisp morning air greeting them as they stepped outside.

Waiting in the driveway was a sleek, luxury car, its polished surface gleaming under the soft morning light. Gina couldn’t help but let out an appreciative whistle as they approached the vehicle. Isabella, ever the composed one, simply smiled and unlocked the doors with a press of a button.

“Now this is how you make an entrance,” Gina remarked with a grin as she slid into the passenger seat, her fingers trailing over the smooth leather interior. Isabella joined her in the driver’s seat, the powerful hum of the engine coming to life with a simple turn of the key.

As they drove through the gates of the estate, the lush greenery and towering trees lining the driveway gave way to the open road ahead. Isabella’s grip on the steering wheel was firm, her thoughts a whirlwind of anticipation and lingering memories.

“Ready to paint the town red?” Gina asked, her voice filled with excitement, as she adjusted her seatbelt.

Isabella glanced over at her friend, a small smile playing on her lips. “Always.” With that, she pressed down on the accelerator, the car smoothly picking up speed as they merged onto the road, leaving the familiarity of home behind for the day’s adventures.