Previously : "That woman. Is she someone from your family" Ellie asked,
Bella didn't know what to say. Her mind went blank, and she had no idea how to answer Ellie's question.
Bella being silent a few moments
She didn't know how to respond to Ellie's question, but Bella felt a bit scared, wondering if Ellie had overheard everything from her conversation with Alice.
"Since when u been there? Did u hear everything?" Bella asked, Her face looked frustrated.
"Not too long, I don't want you to misunderstood. Just to let you know if I'm not the type of person who likes to eavesdrop. I just accidentally heard because I was just want to checking on you." Ellie replied.
"And your door was a bit opened" Ellie added.
Seeing Ellie's expression, Bella thought she hadn't heard the whole conversation between her and Alice, which gave her a bit of relief.
"Nevermind" Bella replied.
"I think that's the same woman I saw with you at the supermarket before, is everything ok?" Ellie asked with a bit concern.
"Why do you care about someone else's business?" Bella said, sounding frustrated.
Bella frustration showed that she was still a bit scared to open up about her true identity—the fact that she was attracted to women. Bella was just trying to cover up her fear with anger.
Ellie noticed that maybe Bella wasn't comfortable talking about that woman at this moment.
"Sorry, U don't need to answer me if u won't." Ellie replied
"Feeling any better now?" Ellie asked with a soft voice, trying to change the topic.
Suddenly, Ellie's question about her condition made Bella feel guilty. After all, Ellie was the one who took care of her last night when she was sick. Bella remembered how Ellie helped bandage her hand, finished her salad, and even made her congee this morning.
But deep down, Bella didn't want to be mean to Ellie. She was just too scared to open up about herself. Just thinking about it already made her anxious.
Bella had never come out to anyone. Not even to her family. She chose to just ran away from them instead.
Maybe her parents already had a feeling, Maybe they knew why she left—but no one ever talked about it, not even her.
With that feeling, Bella's face changed—she didn't look frustrated anymore, just guilty.
"Yes, I think I felt better than last night" Bella replied.
"That's good. You haven't eaten yet?" Ellie asked, glancing at the congee was still there.
Bella could tell Ellie was probably wondering why the congee she made was still there.
"I just woke up. Did you make this? Thank you," Bella said, her eyes looking down try to avoiding ellie's eyes.
"Don't worry, I think it's already cold. I'll heat it up for you so you can eat it." Ellie replied,
Ellie walked into Bella's room and took the congee to reheat it and back to Bella's room.
"Here, eat this" Ellie said, while giving the bowl of congee in front of Bella.
Bella try to take it, but her hand still hurt from last day. She's almost to drop it maybe because it's also a bit hot to handle it.
But Ellie can still to take a bowl that Bella almost drop it, but a bit congee is spilled on Ellie hands, it's quite hot but Ellie handle the pain.
"Is it hot? I'am sorry" Bella said, with a bit concern.
"Hahaha, it's okay," Ellie said, smiling a little.
"Why you smiling?" Bella replied, frowned.
"It's nothing, but if you're really sorry, would you like to visit my restaurant sometime and have dinner with me?" Ellie asked.
"All of a sudden, you're asking me a weird question?" Bella replied.
"Actually, it's not weird. I've been thinking about inviting you to eat at my restaurant when I open it." Ellie said.
"Maybe it's better to invite someone else, like a friend." Bella said.
"I don't have many friends here anymore. Most of them have moved away or are busy with their own families." Ellie replied.
When Ellie said that, Bella really understood how she felt. They were kind of the same. Bella didn't have any close friends either. She always kept people at a distance because she was scared—scared that if someone got too close and found out she liked women, they'd see her differently. Maybe even feel disgusted by her.
Bella went silent, her mind racing as she thought about Ellie's invitation.
"Don't overthink it, just go. It's free, after all" Ellie said, smiling a bit.
Bella didn't respond, but her expression showed that she was okay with Ellie's invitation.
"Okay, your silence is an agreement for me, anyway let me checked something just to make sure " Ellie said.
Ellie suddenly placed her hand on Bella's cheek, checking her body temperature. Bella was a bit surprised when Ellie's hand touched her cheek, but she froze, unable to move, as her mind went blank in that moment.
"I think you're getting better. You're not as hot as you were last night" Ellie said.
"Anyway, I haven't seen you leave for work." Ellie asked, Curiously .
"I'm a teacher at an elementary school, and it's currently summer break." Bella replied.
Ellie was a little surprised. She never expected that from Bella. For someone who seemed so cold, Bella being a teacher for kids felt unexpected.
"What a suprised" Ellie said, smiling a little.
"Is something wrong?, are u mocking me?" Bella replied.
"Of course not. You have a cool job. I just didn't expect you to be a teacher for kids. Maybe there's something more to you that people don't see—like, you seem cold on the outside, but maybe you're actually soft inside." Ellie said with a warm smile.
Bella's expression shifted—just a little shy. She didn't expect Ellie to say something that sweet, especially after how she had treated her.
"What now? Are you shy?" Ellie asked, teasing Bella with a playful grin.
"Nope," Bella replied, trying to sound cool.
"You're such a liar. I can see you're shy," Ellie said, pointing her finger at Bella.
Suddenly, Bella grabbed Ellie's hand and pulled it to her face. Their faces were really close now—so close that their noses touched.
Ellie's eyes widened, surprised by what Bella just did. She swallowed hard.
Her heart was pounding loudly.
Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump
"What's happening with my heart lately? I hope she can't hear it," Ellie thought.