Thunder storm

CHAPTER 6

“Give me your phone, Bella.”

Eric’s voice was cold.

Bella held the device tightly against her chest.

“It’s nothing.”

“Then you shouldn’t have a problem showing me.”

She looked out of the car window.

“Please, Eric. Just leave it alone.”

He stared at her for a moment before turning towards the driver.

“Take us home.”

The rest of the journey passed in silence.

When they arrived at the mansion, Bella hurried towards the entrance, but Eric caught her wrist.

“Not so fast.”

She turned.

“What?”

“You’re going to tell me who sent that message.”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

Bella pulled her hand free.

“You don’t own me, Eric. Just because I’m pretending to be your fiancée doesn’t mean you can control every part of my life.”

His jaw tightened.

“Someone is threatening you, and you expect me to ignore it?”

“I expect you to remember that this arrangement is supposed to be temporary.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Then perhaps you should stop asking.”

She walked past him and headed upstairs.

Eric watched her disappear.

He was used to people obeying him. Bella, however, seemed determined to test every bit of his patience.

He pulled out his phone.

“Daniel, I need you to trace a number. I’ll send it now.”

Bella was removing her earrings when a knock sounded at her door.

“Go away.”

“It’s me.”

She closed her eyes.

Of course.

She opened the door.

Eric stood outside, his sleeves rolled up and his tie loosened.

“What do you want now?”

“To talk.”

“We’ve talked enough.”

He stepped inside.

Bella immediately moved away from him.

“Eric, you can’t just walk into my room whenever you like.”

He stopped.

“You’re right.”

She blinked, surprised by the response.

Eric placed his phone on the dresser.

“Daniel is investigating the number. If someone is threatening you, I need to know.”

Bella looked down.

“They’re just people I owe money to.”

“How much?”

She said nothing.

“Bella.”

“It’s complicated.”

“How complicated?”

She swallowed.

“More than you need to know.”

Eric studied her face.

He noticed the fear she was trying so hard to hide.

“Are they dangerous?”

Bella laughed without humour.

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He hesitated.

“Because you’re living in my house, and I won’t have criminals threatening people under my roof.”

Bella folded her arms.

“Is that all?”

Eric frowned.

“What else would there be?”

She looked away.

“Nothing.”

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Eric stepped towards the door.

“Lock it tonight. If anyone contacts you, tell me.”

He left before she could respond.

Bella stared at the closed door.

She didn’t understand him.

One minute he treated her like an employee who had made a mistake. The next, he acted as though her safety mattered.

She couldn’t afford to misunderstand his kindness.

Not when everything between them was built on a lie.

At midnight, Bella woke to the sound of thunder.

Rain hammered against the windows.

She reached for the bedside lamp, but nothing happened.

The entire room was dark.

She sighed and climbed out of bed, searching for her phone.

A flash of lightning lit up the room.

Then another.

Bella froze.

She had never liked thunderstorms.

She found her phone and switched on its flashlight before stepping into the hallway.

The mansion was unusually quiet.

She walked towards the staircase, hoping to find someone who could help her locate the fuse box.

As she reached the bottom step, another loud crash of thunder shook the windows.

She gasped and stumbled backwards.

Strong arms caught her before she hit the floor.

“Easy.”

Bella looked up.

Eric.

His face was only inches from hers.

For a second, neither moved.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

She nodded, though her heart was racing.

“Yes. I just slipped.”

Eric’s hands remained around her waist.

“You’re shaking.”

“It’s cold.”

He glanced towards the window.

“You’re afraid of storms?”

“No.”

Another thunderclap sounded.

Bella instinctively grabbed his shirt.

Eric looked down at her hand.

She quickly released him.

“Sorry.”

He didn’t move away.

“There’s nothing to apologise for.”

His voice was quieter now.

Bella looked into his eyes.

Without his usual cold expression, he looked different. His dark eyes were softer, and a small crease appeared between his brows.

“Come on,” he said.

He guided her towards the sitting room.

Eric found a battery-powered lamp and placed it on the coffee table.

“Sit.”

Bella settled onto the sofa.

He disappeared briefly and returned with a blanket.

“Here.”

She accepted it.

“Thank you.”

Eric sat at the other end of the sofa.

For several minutes, they listened to the rain.

“Why don’t you like storms?” he asked.

Bella pulled the blanket closer.

“My father used to tell me stories whenever there was thunder. He said storms couldn’t hurt me as long as I was brave.”

Eric looked at her.

“Did it work?”

She smiled faintly.

“Not really.”

He chuckled.

It was a small sound, but it surprised her.

“I didn’t know you could laugh,” she said.

His expression changed.

“Don’t get used to it.”

Bella smiled.

For once, the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.

Then Eric’s phone rang.

He answered.

“Daniel?”

Bella couldn’t hear the other side, but she noticed Eric’s expression harden.

“What do you mean the number is unregistered?”

He listened again.

“Find out who owns it. I want a report tomorrow morning.”

He ended the call.

Bella looked at him.

“Any news?”

“Not yet.”

She nodded.

Eric studied her for a moment.

“You’re not telling me everything.”

Bella’s smile disappeared.

“I told you what you needed to know.”

“No. You told me what you wanted me to know.”

She stood up.

“Can we please stop doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Acting like we’re something we’re not.”

Eric rose too.

“You’re my fiancée, remember?”

“Only when people are watching.”

He stepped closer.

“Is that what you think?”

Bella looked up at him.

“It’s the truth.”

For a moment, his gaze dropped to her lips.

Her breath caught.

He was close enough for her to notice the faint scent of his cologne.

Neither moved.

Then Eric stepped back.

“Go to bed, Bella.”

She nodded and hurried away.

But when she reached the staircase, she glanced back.

He was still watching her.

The next morning, Bella entered the kitchen and found Eric reading a report.

“Good morning,” she said.

He looked up.

“Morning.”

She reached for a cup of coffee.

“Did you sleep?”

“Enough.”

Before she could reply, his phone buzzed.

He read the message, and his expression darkened.

“What’s wrong?” Bella asked.

Eric turned the screen towards her.

It was a photograph of her entering the mansion the previous evening.

Below it was a message.

You can hide her in your house, Eric. But you can’t protect her forever.

Bella’s cup slipped from her fingers.

It shattered against the floor.

Eric stood immediately.

“Bella?”

She stared at the photograph.

Whoever had sent it knew where she was.

And worse, they knew Eric was involved.

Eric moved between her and the phone.

“Look at me.”

She raised her eyes slowly.

“Who is doing this to you?”

Her lips trembled.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep running.”

Eric’s expression hardened.

“Then stop running.”

He picked up his phone.

“Daniel, cancel my morning meetings. We have a problem.”

Bella stared at him.

For the first time, she wondered whether accepting his offer had saved her from her debtors—or brought them straight to his door.