Chapter 324: Chapter 324 Getting ready (2)
Scarlett immediately pushed up her sleeves like a professional and tied her hair into a bun. "Alright, Miss Angel Face, no moving, no talking, and absolutely no sneezing. We’re going for divine hacker goddess tonight."
Bella giggled. "Okay, ma’am."
Scarlett started by pulling Bella’s hair back gently, clipping the front strands with tiny pink pins. Then came the skincare prep—dabbing toner, patting moisturizer, and smoothing primer over her soft cheeks. Bella’s skin was so naturally warm and glowy that Scarlett sighed under her breath. "Unfair. You already look like a dewy peach."
Bella laughed shyly. "Stop exaggerating."
"Exaggerating? Please. If I had your skin, I’d frame my face on a wall." Scarlett rolled her eyes dramatically, then grabbed her foundation brush. "Now stay still. Time for base magic."
She began blending, the soft brush gliding over Bella’s skin in gentle circular motions. Bella tried her best to sit still, but every few seconds, a tiny giggle escaped.
"Bella!" Scarlett groaned, though she was smiling. "You have to stop laughing! You’ll ruin the blending!"
"I’m sorry—it tickles!" Bella covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking as Scarlett continued applying foundation, concealer, and a dusting of setting powder.
Scarlett gave her a playful glare but kept going, layering blush on her cheeks, dusting highlighter over her nose, and finally brushing her brows upward with a spoolie. "Perfect. You look like you just walked out of a romance movie."
"Really?" Bella asked, eyes sparkling.
"Really," Scarlett said, softening as she looked at her. "You’re so pretty it’s actually making me angry."
Bella blushed. "Don’t be angry, Scar. You’re prettier than me!"
Scarlett snorted. "Nice try, but flattery won’t save you from the next step."
"What step?" Bella asked suspiciously.
Scarlett grinned wickedly. "Eyeliner."
"Oh no..." Bella whined as Scarlett approached with a tiny brush, laughing. "You look terrified! Relax, I promise I won’t stab your eyes."
The moment the eyeliner brush touched her lash line, Bella started giggling again. "Scarlett, stop, I can’t—"
"Bella Bell, if you move one more time, I’m gluing your eyes shut!" Scarlett said dramatically, trying not to laugh herself.
"Sorry, sorry!" Bella said, biting her lip as she tried to stay still, her cheeks glowing pink and her eyes twinkling under the warm light.
She was usually obedient when someone did her makeup for events, but with Scarlett, everything felt funny and alive.
Scarlett finally leaned back and admired her masterpiece. "Done! My living doll is complete."
Bella blinked a few times, then smiled shyly at her reflection. "It’s... so pretty."
Scarlett ruffled her hair affectionately. "Of course it is."
After some time, Scarlett had just finished her own makeup—red lips, winged liner, and a warm shimmer that made her tan glow like sunset. She turned around with a grin and held up a pair of sleek high heels for Bella. "Look what I got for you!" she said proudly, lifting them up. The dark color perfectly matched Bella’s dress, and a tiny golden charm glittered near the ankle strap. "They’re not too high, so you won’t break your cute little ankles trying to walk."
Bella’s eyes widened as she took them carefully in her hands. "They’re so pretty..." she breathed, smiling as she traced the soft leather with her fingers.
Scarlett winked and lifted her own pair—a dazzling red set of stilettos that could probably kill someone if thrown. "And these are mine. Hot enough to start a fire, right?"
Bella giggled softly, her cheeks glowing. "You look so pretty, Scar." She said it with such genuine warmth that Scarlett felt her chest tighten a little. Bella’s compliments were never casual; they always felt like they came straight from her heart.
Scarlett smirked playfully, but her tone softened. "Thank you, Bella Bell. You always say it like you really mean it."
"I do mean it," Bella replied simply, looking up at her with gentle brown eyes.
Scarlett paused for a moment, watching her—this sweet, unguarded girl who always spoke with honesty that felt too rare in their world. She’d met plenty of people, had countless friends and colleagues, but none quite like Bella. Her kindness wasn’t performative; it was instinctive. Still, that very softness worried Scarlett sometimes.
She’s too kind, Scarlett thought quietly. Too willing to see the good in everyone. One day, that might hurt her.
But instead of voicing it, she smiled and brushed off the thought. "Alright," she said, clapping her hands lightly. "Put those heels on, Miss Angel Face. We’re going to turn heads tonight."
Bella laughed softly and slipped into the dark heels. They fit perfectly—snug around her ankles, giving her just enough height to make her feel elegant.
Scarlett grabbed her own red heels, slid them on effortlessly, and gave a final look in the mirror. "Perfect," she said, flipping her hair. "Now let’s go melt some hearts."
Bella grinned and linked her arm through Scarlett’s. "Let’s go!"
"Why are you still here?" Scarlett complained as soon as they stepped out and spotted Leo lounging on the couch like a king who had nothing better to do. She planted a hand on her hip. "Aren’t mafia bosses supposed to be busy plotting world domination or, I don’t know, running a business? Why are you free all the time, huh?" Her voice dripped with teasing mockery.
Leo didn’t even look at her. His sharp gray eyes were fixed on the small figure trying to hide behind Scarlett’s shoulder—Bella.
She was fidgeting with the hem of her dark dress, pretending to look anywhere but at him. The soft curls falling over her shoulder shimmered under the golden light, and her cheeks were still faintly pink from the makeup Scarlett had brushed on. That innocent nervousness—her fingers twisting together, her lashes fluttering down—made something twist deep inside Leo.
God, she was beautiful.
His gaze lowered slowly from her flushed face to the delicate curve of her neck, to the way the dress hugged her small frame without being indecent. It took everything in him not to smirk at how she bit her lip and peeked at him once before hiding again. She was like a shy kitten, and he was absolutely gone for her.
Scarlett caught the look in his eyes and raised a brow, smirking. "Ohhh, I see now. You’re not here for business—you’re here for Bella business."
That finally made Leo glance up at her, his expression calm but dangerous. "You talk too much," he said flatly, his deep voice low enough to make Scarlett blink.
"Oh, so I hit the mark," she teased, refusing to back down.
Leo leaned back lazily against the couch, one arm stretched over the backrest, looking every bit like temptation carved into human form. "You call it hitting the mark," he said smoothly, his eyes sliding back to Bella, "I call it stating the obvious."