25. Bella
Chapter twenty-five
Bella
I wonder if this is how Cinderella felt when the prince put the glass slipper on her foot.
My heart is going a million miles an hour, yet I feel like I’m floating.
He’s organizing charity events.
More dances.
To dance with me.
I burst into giggles as he opens the door to his little sports car for me. I slide in, and he quickly hops into the driver's seat.
“You don’t have to do this,” I tell him as he pulls away from his own event.
“Mike agreed he could handle it,” he says. “Ellen’s sticking around a little while longer before she comes to the show. I bought us both front-row tickets to cheer you on.”
My heart swells. I never thought I could feel so much!
He’s amazing.
And all the confusion clouding my thoughts melts away.
Some men would buy their partners jewelry. Some might write heartfelt letters to express their feelings. Many women would cherish both of those gestures.
But Aaron? Aaron sees me enough to know what I truly value. I want time with him. Moments and memories that we can make together.
I want his support and care, but I don’t want to be the only thing he loves. I want him to have his own passions and dreams. I envision us having our own worlds—ones we can open up and share with each other.
I want… this.
Someone who genuinely cares. For others as well as for me.
At the start, when he came to rescue Ellen and me from Steven at Castleton, I felt like the damsel in distress. The princess in the tower in need of rescue.
But I was scared. I feared that once I was out of the tower and no longer in need of rescue, he’d lose interest.
I’m realizing just how wrong I’ve been.
“I was afraid of so many things,” I blurt aloud as we get closer to my show. “But I’m not afraid anymore. I love you.”
Aaron’s grin is brighter than the sun. “I love you, too. I wasn’t going to say it. I—”
“Wanted to give me time,” I finish for him.
A sense of peace sweeps through me.
“I needed that time,” I tell him. “I needed your patience. Thank you, Aaron. You’ve been so amazing. I don’t know how to tell you how much all of this means to me.”
He reaches for my hand without taking his eyes off the road. “You don’t have to tell me anything. I love you and you love me. That’s enough.”
I bring his hand to my lips, kissing his palm softly.
“I’m not afraid anymore,” I whisper. “I feel as though I can do anything when I’m with you.”
I can’t hold my emotions back any longer. As we pass beneath the warm glow of streetlights, the fullness of my heart keeps swelling, more than I thought was possible.
“Aaron,” I begin, “tonight… everything you’ve done. I can’t thank you enough.”
His cheeks grow red. “I only did what I felt was right.”
“And don’t you see? That’s exactly why I can’t thank you enough. You’re good and kind. You’ve shown me that you don’t have to be perfect in every aspect of life to do great things.”
Aaron laughs. “I’m not perfect? That’s a blow to the ego.”
I bite my lip, but his teasing tone is too light for me to take him seriously. “Nobody is perfect.”
“I’d beg to differ, but I’m not really into begging.”
We come to a stoplight, and he winks at me.
Then his expression grows more serious. “That isn’t to say I’ve done all this by myself, Bella. Ellen had to tell me that I needed to do something so that you’d know I was here for you. I would have waited forever if she hadn’t pushed me.”
“And that’s as much my fault. I’m the one who asked you not to reach out, which I shouldn’t have done. I thought that you reaching out was the same thing as demanding my attention.”
“Because that’s what you’re used to,” Aaron murmurs.
I nod, wincing. “I have a lot to unlearn. I can’t promise it’s going to be easy. And I know it’s going to take time. Longer than I want it to.”
“I can be a patient person.”
The light turns green, and he has to concentrate on the road again. It gives me the chance to study his profile.
He is strikingly handsome, with a strong jawline, captivating eyes, and a head of hair that invites my fingers to run through it.
We arrive at the venue, and though I feel a twinge of sadness as our alone time comes to an end, Aaron drops me off at the front entrance before heading off to find a parking spot.
I rush in and hurry backstage.
As anticipated, delightful chaos ensues as everyone scurries around, ensuring that every detail is perfectly in place.
Imogen directs the flow of the models, her movements precise and confident, like a conductor leading an orchestra.
I quickly join her, focusing on the last-minute details—after all, that’s where everything can go awry.
“It’s time for you to go on,” I whisper to her after a moment.
I know this part well; Imogen will dazzle the audience with her charm as she introduces each design, and the models will strut down the runway like stars on a red carpet, showcasing the creations with flair and confidence.
But this time, she unexpectedly grabs my hand.
“You’re coming out with me,” she says, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Trust me, it’ll be fun—like a rollercoaster, but with more fabric and fewer safety precautions!”
My eyes widen. “But there’s still work to be done—”
“And it’ll be done. We got those two temp assistants for a reason, eh?” She winks at me.
With her arm around my waist, she firmly steers me onto the runway. The lights are blinding. It feels like every spotlight in existence is on me.
I wasn’t expecting this! I’m not worthy—but then I remind myself that Imogen is the designer I respect most in this world.
Who am I to question her judgment?
Imogen starts off by thanking everyone for coming. I can hardly process her words; I’m filled with so many conflicting emotions.
As my eyes adjust to the brilliance of the lights, I spot the faces I most long to see. Aaron and Ellen sit in the front row, with Ellen practically glowing as she bounces with excitement.
Next to her, Aaron wears a warm smile. Even in the dim light, I can see the spark in his eyes, full of encouragement and pride.
My heart soars at the realization—he truly loves me!
“And now, my protégé would like to say a few words,” Imogen announces.
She steps aside as the crowd politely claps.
I step to the microphone, my nerves fluttering in my ribs like a flock of confused butterflies, unsure if they should take flight or sit this one out.
“Hello, everyone. Most of you don’t know me, so let me introduce myself. I’m Bella. I’m the kind of person who usually shies away from the spotlight, so I promise to keep this brief.
As my eyes scan the crowd, they find Aaron, and a wave of calm washes over me, filling me with newfound confidence.
“Mostly, I just want to express my heartfelt thanks,” I continue, my voice gaining strength. “Thank you to everyone who believed in me more than I believed in myself. Without your unwavering support and encouragement, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
The crowd claps more enthusiastically now.
I beam.
This is exactly what I want—to stand here, ready for my work to be judged on its own merits.
“So without further ado,” I call, “let’s get this party started, shall we?”
Laughter erupts in the room. I turn to Imogen, who is clapping enthusiastically. She loops her arm through mine, and together we hurry backstage once more.
“Was that a good introduction?” I ask anxiously.
Imogen smirks, taking my hands in hers. “It was perfect, Bella. Just perfect. Now hurry! We have a lot of work to do.”
I sprint to my station, my nerves swiftly replaced by the whirlwind of tasks ahead. But one thing remains unwavering: a burning certainty in my chest.
This show is just the first of many, and every design in the next will be inspired by one special place—Castleton, where I found the man I love.