Twisted Ties of Love

After Izabella and Casey signed their contracts, the directors found out from Casey that Izabella didn't fancy Japanese cuisine. So, they thought about inviting her to another place, but Izabella shot them down straight away.

The directors didn't try to persuade her anymore because they clearly saw that Izabella and Casey were now close. If they intruded, they would look like they lacked self-awareness.

"We're going to head out then." As Jerome and Randy were about to stand up and see them off, Izabella rushed to stop them, "You guys don't have to walk us out. We don't want to draw attention." Jerome stopped in his tracks, "Alright, take it easy then."

Izabella packed up the contract and then put on her hat and mask. Casey took the initiative to carry her bag and held a cup of coffee.

As they left, their hands naturally intertwined. Izabella slightly opened her hand, and their fingers laced together, palm against palm, radiating warmth like a human heart.

They were together now, but the most intimate thing they've done was hold hands. But that skin-to-skin contact was already enough to make Casey jittery.

They exchanged smiles, and Casey took the lead to bring the coffee up to Izabella's lips.

Izabella slightly nodded and took the coffee to sip. Their actions were smooth and practiced as if they'd done it countless times before.

"You're about to start working soon, I'll find you an assistant."

"No problem, you can handle that."

"By the way, you want to come over to my place today?" Izabella looked at him, her gaze serious and determined.

Casey accidentally stepped on his own foot and almost tripped, "I can come over?"

"Watch your step. What are you daydreaming about?"

Casey's ears were beet red, and it was clear he was thinking of something naughty.

"The film's about to start shooting, and we should get familiar with the script, wrap up ASAP, and aim for a summer release next year. Leave most of the time for special effects and sound production." "Can I stay at your place overnight then?"

"Are you always this greedy?" Izabella rejected him, "You should spend more time with your mom."

"She has my dad. She doesn't need me."

"Who said that? As an actor, you rarely go home. How ma times can you go home in a year? You should spend more time with her when you're free, don't wait until she gets old and you can't accompany her like me." Izabella stopped and tightened her grip on Casey's hand. She raised her left hand to pat his head, "We'll have a lot of time together in the future. After the movie starts shooting, we'll be together every day for two months."

When Casey heard Izabella's words about "can't accompany her," his heart ached. His girl had been bullied when he was not around.

Casey thought of Bunny again. He might still be stuck in the past if it wasn't for her words.

"I'll listen to you."

Izabella's new house wasn't ready yet, so she was still renting. She took Casey to the east gate of the community, which was usually the least crowded.

Each entrance had a person in charge. The person in charge of the east gate, Victor, had great eyesight. Even with Izabella in a mask and sunglasses, he could recognize her.

He and Izabella had become quite friendly recently because she received a lot of packages at his place.

"Izabella," Víctor called out to her.

"Víctor," Izabella looked at Victor's face, and her gaze became serious, "Another package for me?"

"Yeah, still from the same guy, here's today's."This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Víctor bent down with difficulty to bring the package up. Like always, there was a large bouquet of red roses and a box. The box contained either jewelry, a high-end bag, perfume, or designer clothes. All were selected based on Izabella's preferences or, more accurately, her past preferences.

The person sending these items every day was Brett Windham. He was trying to win back Izabella's heart with this intense pursuit.

Izabella looked visibly irritated. It had been a week of daily phone calls asking her to accept the packages, but she always returned them. The next day, a new package would arrive.

"So, like usual, toss the flowers and return the goods?"

"Yep."

"Alright, come sign for it, then I'll help you arrange the return."

Izabella walked over, "Thanks, Victor."

"No problem." He was also paid to store these items, so no matter how troublesome, as long as there was money involved, it was never too much trouble.

Izabella took the pen to sign.

"Are you going to check what's inside?" Victor asked.

Izabella shook her head. But Casey, standing next to her, seemed wary.

There was a note on the bouquet with initials that clearly belonged to Brett.

Casey held Izabella's hand, stopping her from signing, "What's wrong?"

"Brett has been sending you stuff constantly?"

"Just since last week."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not a big deal, and I just send it back."

Casey muttered a curse at Brett under his breath, calling him shameless.

He took the beautifully wrapped gift box, "This won't do. It'll just give Brett the green light to harass you again and again."

Izabella put the pen back, curiously asking, "So what should we do?"

Casey began to open the gift.

Victorreminded him, "If you open it, you can't return it."

Casey ignored him, opening the box to reveal the brand. Although Casey wasn't interested in handbags, his mother loved them. After messing up, his father's go-to move to get back in his mom's good graces was buying her a bag, claiming that a bag could cure all upset.

His mother's closet was filled with bags from this brand, each one worth at least $30,000. This one was adorned with diamonds, exquisite and expensive, a limited edition that his mother had tried to snag just last week but failed. Brett must have really gone all out to get this.

He looked over at Izabella, her face expressionless.

"Do you like bags from this brand?"

"They're okay," Izabella wasn't short on money; she could buy one whenever she wanted, but she didn't need to.

"I have a collaboration with this

brand. They have a new winter collection coming out soon. I get them to send them to you, and you can pick out what you like."

"You're letting me pick before it's even on the market?"

"As long as you like it, of course, you get first pick."

This was Casey's way of showing affection. If she rejected him, he'd feel insecure and disappointed. Men love competition, especially when they're facing a rival.

Lately, Izabella had also been getting to know the brands Casey liked. Exchanging gifts was part of the fun for couples.

She nodded in agreement, then pointed to the bag on the table. "What do we do with this? You've opened it already. How do we return it?"

"Leave it to me." Casey turned to Victor, "Victor, you can do whatever you want with the flowers. We'll take the bag. If anyone asks, just tell them the truth." Victor looked confused, just staring at them with curiosity in his eyes.

"Izabella, who is this?"

"He's my boyfriend," Izabella answered.

Victor didn't react, but Casey's cheeks turned red. His mask hid his blushing face, but his ears were bright red.

"So he's your boyfriend?" Surprise flickered in Victor's eyes as he openly sized up Casey.

"Not bad, not bad."

"We're going upstairs now." East Gate was usually quiet, but it was the weekend and lunchtime, and they didn't want to get caught by any returning residents. "Sure, you two go ahead."

Izabella took Casey's hand and headed in, Casey carrying the bag. He didn't tell Izabella what he planned to do.

"Doesn't the bag bother you?"

"Of course it does. That's why I will sell it on the second-hand market."

Brett would be watching to see if Izabella accepted the bag.

Casey took a few photos of the bag, downloaded an app for second-hand luxury goods, and listed the bag.

[Girlfriend's bag, $25,000, serious inquiries only.]

After he finished, Casey set down his phone and turned to Izabella, who was reading her script.

"Do you have any food at home?"

Izabella sat on the porch swing, legs crossed, script in hand, not looking up as she answered.

"Check the kitchen, and I don't think there's much in the fridge. See what we need? We can go out and buy it later or order online for delivery." "Let's order online, and it's the weekend, the supermarket will be crowded." Casey got up and walked to the kitchen.

Izabella nodded.

Just like Izabella said, the fridge didn't have much fresh food. Casey poked his head out of the kitchen and asked, "Bella, what do you want for dinner?" "I'm not picky, just nothing too greasy. I'll eat whatever you make."

Casey pulled out his phone and started shopping for groceries. He decided he'd make something light for dinner.

He planned to go home later that night, so he might as well prepare breakfast for tomorrow. Izabella liked soup in the morning and was fond of crab cakes. Casey ordered a few crabs, planning to use them for the crab cakes. Hopefully, he could finish them tonight so Izabella could enjoy them when she woke up. After ordering the food, Casey looked up, his gaze naturally falling on Izabella.

In mid-October, R City started to get smoggy. Everything outside was shrouded in the gray mist, gray clouds floating in the sky, a faint halo around the edges. Izabella was engrossed in her script, looking peaceful and sweet, sitting comfortably in the swing.

Izabella's face was very delicate, but the most captivating part was definitely her eyes.

Her eyes were slightly upturned at the ends, her eyeshadow a peachy color.

Her lashes were long and curled. A simple glance from her was both bright and enticing.

What Casey liked was Izabella herself, not just her face.

He watched her intently, wanting to etch her soul into his memory. That way, no matter what, he'd always recognize her.

Izabella was always focused when she worked, which Casey found incredibly attractive.

He liked people who took their work seriously, and he liked Izabella's smile. He liked when she reached out to hold his hand, when she leaned in close to him when she

openly declared to others that he was her boyfriend.

How great it would have been if he'd met Izabella sooner. To meet the most wonderful person in your prime that's the best thing in the world.

Although this wasn't bad either, he

wished he could be part of every moment of Izabella's life. To watch her grow, to laugh with her when she's happy, to offer his shoulder when she's sad.

"Did she accept it this time?" Brett's hand was on the edge of the table, his fingertips tapping lightly. After getting confirmation, he muttered a "thanks". After hanging up, Brett stared at the caller ID displaying Izabella's name. He called her every day, but all he ever heard was the cold automated message. Ever since Casey's car accident, Izabella had called him once, then blocked him. She hadn't unblocked him since.

Izabella was decisive. Her past tolerance for him was only because she liked him.

He used to take advantage of Izabella's feelings for him, betraying and bullying her repeatedly. Now that Izabella no longer liked him, what did he have left?

A knock came on the door, "President Windham, may I come in?"

"Come in."

In walked Liam, a stack of paperwork in his hands. Seeing Brett looking a bit under the weather, he casually asked, "Everything alright, President Windham?"