Unforgettable

Chapter 4 I "You and I."

„You're kidding me, right?" I laugh, fearing that tears would spill soon if Bella won't stop with her stories.

"No, I'm not. He grounded me on that yacht for two weeks in the middle of the sea. I couldn't eat a thing for three days without throwing up." We both laugh again. For the past five days, Isabelle and I had the time to get to know each other. We had breakfast, talked and I watched her cook almost every meal we had. We actually became friends. I told her some things about me and she sticked to any topic that wasn't related to her oldest brother. I still kept in mind that her brother is the reason I was stuck in this house, but since he didn't show his stupidly handsome face anymore, I could just spend my days with his sister.

Bella told me all about her crazy storied growing up. She got into trouble a lot and her father didn't know how to punish her anymore, so eventually she got grounded on a yacht for two weeks, struggling with sea sickness.

"No offense, but that still isn't a punishment." I laugh and take a bite of my food. Bella made pasta again and it was absolutely delicious. Since I wasn't locked up in my room all day long anymore, I got my appetite back. Going for walks in the huge gardens, or helping her cook made me eat again. And thank god, because her food is out of this world. "By the way, where did you learn to cook like this? You can't just blame this on your Italian heritage." I ask her.

"Mhh, well growing up, I didn't have a lot of friends that weren't my parent's friend's children and spoiled as fuck. And unlike Imanuel and –" she stops herself before mentioning the devils name in front of me. We reached that moment a few times already, but every time, it causes me to tense up. I knew her brother would return at some point, I just hoped it wouldn't be anytime soon. "Well, my brother's were both busy with school and working with my father, so I spend a lot of time at my Nonna's. She taught me how to cook." She shrugs.

"Is she still alive?" I ask.

"Oh no. She died a few years ago but she was almost 97 by that time, so she got to live a long, happy life." A small smile lightens up her face. I can sense that her grandma meant a lot to her, but hearing she got old and died happily, is good to know. Silence overcomes us. But unlike the first time we talked, it isn't tense and uncomfortable anymore. We got to know each other, and I consider her a friend by now. So as she goes ahead with preparing dessert, I start thinking.

The past days I got to know her perspective. She grew up in this environment that I got kidnapped into. Still not knowing what exactly her family does, I know she isn't truly happy with her life. I know she feels bad for me too. She hasn't told me that, but I can read between the lines. Last night, I made the decision, of shooting my shot. Maybe, there was the slightest chance of her helping me escape.

"Bella, can I ask you something?" I start hesitantly. She has been nothing but kind to me so far, and I knew my question was a little betrayal of her trust and our newfound friendship.

"Of course, always." She looks up quickly to offer a smile, before she goes back to decorating the Tiramisu with cocoa.

"Do you have a phone I can borrow?" She stills at my request. We both feel the tension rise again. Our friendship hasn't been tense after our first talk. That's rare for two strangers, but with Bella it was easy. My question possibly ruined this.

"You want to call someone?" She hesitantly wants to know. I knew calling the police was very risky, so I opted for a slightly better option.

"Yes, I wanna call my sister. It's her birthday today." It was a lie. I didn't have any siblings, but when I came up with this plan, I told her I had a sister.

"Oh." She mumbles. We both knew her brother wouldn't want me to have a phone. He didn't tell her, but it was obvious: Don't give the prisoner a phone. "So you want to wish...your sister- uhm a happy birthday?" She looks me in the eyes when she says sister, clearly understanding my motive. She knew. She knew I was going to call someone to help me escape. Bella wouldn't unlock the door for me, but in this moment, I saw it in her eyes. Bella would help me by offering me her phone.