FRAGILE : A Lovestory

Realisation - 19

Isabella's POV :

As we rushed into the kitchen, the sweet aroma of freshly baked cake enveloped us, and my gaze immediately fell upon the scene before me.

Will stood looking sheepish, his hand badly blistered, and the cake, although miraculously still intact, lay on the floor.

I quickly retrieved the cake and placed it on the kitchen island, while Maria sprang into action, efficiently cleaning up the mess.

My concern, however, was focused on Will's injured hand. "Oh god!" I exclaimed, gently taking his hand and holding it under the cold tap.

"What possessed you to use your bare hands?" I asked, my worry evident in my tone. Will's silence was unusual, and his downcast eyes only added to my concern.

As the water ran over his blistered skin, Will finally spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I thought you wouldn't share the cake with me since I took your mint chocolate." His words hung in the air, and before I could respond, he abruptly pulled his hand out from under the tap and headed outside.

Maria, having finished cleaning, held out a spoon and gestured for me to serve the cake. I nodded, and together we indulged in the sweet treat, the taste momentarily distracting me from my concern for Will's well-being.

Despite the brief respite, my mind kept wandering back to Will and the unusual behavior he had displayed.

I gazed at the cake.

I realised, Will wanted to eat the cake too. I got up to bring him some cake.

I went out to the living room. Despite his injured hand, he was engrossed in playing games, awkwardly clutching the controller.

I snatched it away, exclaiming, "Are you serious? Why are you still gaming when you can barely hold the controller?" He shot back, "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

I fell silent, realizing I'd overstepped. Maybe I'd gotten too comfortable around him, forgetting he didn't owe me any favors.

I set the plate down and went to fetch a first-aid kit.

Upon returning, I tried to take his hand, but he resisted. Stubborn as ever, I managed to gently pry his hand loose.

"This might sting a bit," I warned, applying ointment to his wound. He didn't flinch, prompting me to ask, "Doesn't it hurt?" With a knowing smile, he replied, "You forget, I'm from the mafia. I can take a bullet; a little ointment isn't going to faze me."

His smile seemed tinged with sadness, though I couldn't quite read him. There was a hint of pain behind his eyes, though.

"Eat this," I said, placing the plate on the side table before leaving.

Sometimes later ~

With nothing on my hands, I drifted into the library and picked up a book, but the words blurred together as my mind wandered. Boredom crept in, and I found myself wishing he'd be around so we could bicker senselessly - at least that would've been entertaining.

"The house feels so empty without him," I murmured, quickly covering my mouth as if to catch the words back.

"Isabella, you can't fall for him!" I warned myself. But my inner voice countered, "Why not? Is it a crime to love?" I was taken aback.

Was that really my conscience speaking? "It's in the contract," I defended, trying to rationalize. "But once the contract ends, you can definitely win him over," my inner voice encouraged. I forced a painful smile, thinking, "The contract lasts a year; surely my feelings will fade by then."