Chapter five: And she's gone

 As Bella slid into the waiting car, she let out a heavy sigh, leaning her head back against the seat. Gina, sitting beside her, noticed the tension in her friend’s demeanor and furrowed her brows in concern.

“What happened, babe?” Gina asked, her voice full of genuine worry. Bella managed a small smile, though her mind raced with the events of the previous night. She couldn’t bring herself to confess what had happened—not to Gina, not to anyone. *How could I possibly tell her that my first kiss was stolen by a drunken idiot?* Bella thought, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She clicked her tongue softly, trying to push the memory away.

“Just a stressful night, that’s all, babe,” Bella replied, turning her gaze toward the window to avoid further questions. Gina studied her for a moment, sensing there was more to the story, but decided not to press further.

“Okay then, if you say so… Everyone can’t wait to see you,” Gina said, attempting to lighten the mood. Bella’s lips curled into a small smile as she nodded.

“Yeah, it’s been years since I was last home,” Bella laughed softly, trying to focus on the positive.

The drive to her father’s mansion was quiet. Gina, usually full of chatter, understood that Bella wasn’t in the mood to talk. Under normal circumstances, she would have bombarded her with a barrage of questions, but today, she respected Bella’s need for silence. The calmness in the car gave Bella the space to sort through her thoughts, though the events of the previous night lingered in the back of her mind like an unwelcome shadow. 

            A few minutes later, the car pulled up to the mansion. The estate was nothing short of grand—an expansive property surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens and tall wrought iron gates. The mansion itself was a magnificent structure, with tall, white marble pillars supporting the large, sprawling entrance. The windows were vast, adorned with intricate designs, and the doors were heavy, dark wood, giving an air of timeless luxury.

As Bella stepped out of the car, the security guards by the door stood at attention, nodding respectfully as they welcomed her home. The grand entrance was just as she remembered, a sweeping staircase leading up to the upper floors, with the marble floors polished to a gleaming shine. The chandelier above the foyer sparkled with hundreds of crystals, casting a warm, inviting light.

Bella took a deep breath, the familiar scent of home filling her senses. She walked through the grand entrance, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor, and made her way to the living room. As she entered, she was greeted by the sight of her parents, both of whom were sitting on the plush, velvet sofas. Her mother was the first to notice her, a wide smile spreading across her face.

"My darling, Bella!" her mother exclaimed, rising to her feet with open arms. Her father, who had been reading a newspaper, looked up and immediately set it aside, his face lighting up with joy.

"Bella, my little girl," he said warmly, standing up to embrace her.

Bella felt a surge of emotion as she was enveloped in their love, the worries and stress  As the weight of the past few days melted away, Bella felt a deep sense of comfort being home. "Mom, Dad..." she smiled warmly at them, pulling them both into a close hug.

Her mother returned the smile, kissing Bella’s forehead. "Good to see you again, my dear."

Her father, still holding her close, asked, "Gina mentioned you spent the night in a hotel. Why didn’t you just come home?"

Bella sighed softly, her expression turning playful as she put on a puppy face. "I was just too tired. I couldn’t wait to sleep."

Her father chuckled and cupped her cheeks in his hands. "It’s fine, dear. Your brother isn’t home, by the way."

Bella's brows furrowed slightly. "Oh? Where is he?"

"Business," her father replied with a reassuring smile. "He’ll be home soon, though."

He gestured to the staff, and within moments, Simon and the other men moved swiftly to take Bella’s luggage to her room. "Thanks, Simon," Bella murmured gratefully.

Turning back to her parents with a broad smile, her mother asked, "How was Paris, my dear? You look healthy, and that’s always good to see."

Her father nodded, curiosity in his eyes. "Tell us all about it."

Bella chuckled softly, a twinkle in her eye as she began, "Well..."

                        Meanwhile, At Excelsior hotel.

Luca groaned as he sat up on the couch, his head pounding from the alcohol he had consumed the night before. He rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the lingering haze. Across the room, Anya began to stir, a lazy smile on her face as she reached out for him.

"Morning, handsome," she purred, attempting to drape herself over him.

But Luca wasn’t in the mood. He pushed her off gently but firmly, his expression cold. "Get dressed and leave, Anya. I’m done with this."

She blinked, confused and a little hurt. "What? Why? We were having such a good time last night."

Luca stood up, his irritation growing. "That was last night. I’m not interested in continuing it. Just go."

Anya’s face twisted into a scowl as she realized he was serious. "You’re such a b*st*rd, you know that? You can’t just toss me out after you’ve had your fun!"

Luca rolled his eyes and walked away, heading towards the bathroom. "I can and I am. Goodbye, Anya."

She muttered curses under her breath as she gathered her things, stomping towards the door. "I hope you choke on your arrogance," she spat before slamming the door behind her.

The moment she was gone, Luca leaned against the bathroom counter, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to clear his thoughts, but the memories of the night before kept flooding back—especially the moment with the woman next door.

*What the hell was I thinking?* he wondered, running a hand through his hair. He quickly tied his bathrobe around his waist and decided to make amends. Maybe a sincere apology would make up for his drunken intrusion.

He walked over to the door, hesitating for a second before stepping out into the hallway. Luca moved to the room next door and knocked softly. "Hey... it’s me from last night. I just wanted to apologize," he called out, hoping for a response.

But there was only silence.

Luca frowned and knocked again, this time a bit louder. "Look, I’m sorry about everything. If you don’t respond, I’m coming in to apologize properly."

Still nothing.

Annoyance and concern crept into his mind. He swiped his Mastercard and pushed the door open, only to find the room empty. The bed was neatly made, and there were no signs that anyone had stayed there. She was gone.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he stood in the doorway, staring at the vacant room. *Just my luck,* he thought bitterly. He closed the door behind him and headed back to his room, feeling the weight of his actions settle on him.