The Line Between Us - Alejandro Balde Love Story

Chapter 21: A Work Date

The early morning sun streamed through the large windows of the sleek café, and I sat across from Alejandro, doing my best to focus on my notes. This was supposed to be a simple work meeting, planning our upcoming photoshoot and brainstorming ideas. But with Alejandro sitting across from me, his presence making my heart race, it felt less like work and more like... something else.

I glanced up from my notebook, catching Alejandro watching me with that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. His lips curved into a smile, making me feel warm all over. I quickly looked back down, pretending to flip through my notes, trying to ignore the way my stomach flipped every time he looked at me.

"So," I began, determined to keep this professional, "for next week's shoot, we need to lock in the location and the wardrobe."

But before I could continue, Alejandro leaned forward slightly, his voice smooth and teasing. "Isabella, do we really have to talk about work right now?"

I looked up again, meeting his gaze, and felt my cheeks heat up under the intensity of his stare. There was something in the air between us—something I wasn't ready to acknowledge, but it was impossible to ignore. I bit my lip, trying to find the right words.

"We... we should focus," I replied, though my voice came out quieter than I intended.

Alejandro smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I can focus," he said, his eyes never leaving mine, "but it feels like this is more than just work, don't you think?"

My heart skipped a beat. He was right—it did feel like more. The way our knees brushed under the table, the way his gaze seemed to hold onto mine longer than it should. I wanted to laugh it off, to pretend I didn't notice, but the truth was, I was feeling it too.

I forced a laugh, trying to deflect. "You're imagining things."

"Am I?" Alejandro asked, raising an eyebrow. His smirk softened into something warmer, more sincere. "I don't think so."

I could feel my face getting hotter. It was impossible to look away from him. His confidence, the way he always seemed to know exactly what to say, was both infuriating and... captivating.

Before I could respond, Alejandro leaned in again, his voice dropping just slightly, as if he was sharing a secret. "You know, Isabella is a beautiful name, but I think Bella suits you better."

"Bella?" I repeated, my heart fluttering.

"Bella," he echoed, his eyes twinkling as he said it again. "It means 'beautiful' in Italian, and I think it fits you perfectly."

I felt my entire face go warm as his words sank in. Bella. Beautiful. I had never been one to blush easily, but hearing him say it like that, with such ease, made me feel like my cheeks were on fire.

"I—" I started, but my words faltered. What was I supposed to say to that?

Alejandro chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on me. "You're blushing."

"No, I'm not," I protested, but I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

He leaned back in his chair, that teasing smile still on his lips. "Yes, you are. And it's cute. You're cute"

I didn't know what to say. My heart was pounding in my chest, and all I could think about was the way he had called me Bella, the way it made me feel. Like I was more than just another girl in his life—like he really saw me.

We sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of his words hanging between us. I could feel the tension in the air, the undeniable pull that I had been trying so hard to ignore. But now, with him sitting there, looking at me like that, it was impossible to deny.

He leaned forward again, his voice soft and low. "You don't have to pretend with me, Bella."

Hearing him say it again—Bella—sent a rush of warmth through me. My resolve wavered. For a second, I wondered what it would be like to stop fighting the connection between us, to just let myself fall. But I knew better. I had to stay focused.

Clearing my throat, I tried to steer the conversation back to work. "So, um... about the photoshoot..."

But Alejandro wasn't letting me off the hook that easily. "We can talk about the photoshoot," he said, "but first, let's just admit that this," he gestured between us, "isn't just about work."

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. He was right. This wasn't just about work anymore. It hadn't been for a while.

Before I could find a way to respond, the server brought the check, and Alejandro reached for it, sliding it toward himself.

"I've got this," he said, his tone casual but his eyes still locked on mine.

I didn't argue. I couldn't. My thoughts were too tangled up in the way he had called me Bella, the way he had made me feel something I hadn't expected.

As we left the café and stepped out into the cool morning air, I couldn't help but steal a glance at him. He walked beside me, close enough that our arms brushed every now and then. Each small touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Good meeting," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alejandro glanced down at me, his eyes warm and full of something I couldn't quite name. "Yeah, Bella," he said softly. "It was."