Chapter 140: Family Time
Briella’s gaze lingered on Bener, her eyes narrowing as she studied him beneath the golden morning light. The sunlight bathed his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the curve of his cheekbones.
The sun’s rays danced across his unruly hair and caught in the playful glimmer of his eyes, lending him a boyish charm that contrasted with the strength in his stance. In the daylight, he seemed even more captivating—confident yet approachable. Each subtle shift of expression only deepened the impression that he was someone impossible to ignore.
"My name is Bener," he said, his voice low and inviting, each syllable rolling off his tongue with an easy warmth. As he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkled slightly, making his already striking features even more disarming.
"Bella," she whispered, her voice as soft as a breeze. Her long lashes fluttered downward, casting delicate shadows across her face. There was a shyness to her posture, a soft, practiced demureness that made her seem fragile. The pink flush on her cheeks deepened as she lowered her gaze, the corners of her mouth curving ever so slightly.
Behind them, four pairs of eyes rolled in unison.
Bella? Lara’s brow arched. Wasn’t her name Briella? The sudden shift in identity sent warning bells ringing in her mind. Why the deception?
Letting out a quiet, exasperated sigh, Lara tugged on Gideon’s sleeve as they walked away, her voice slightly irritated. "Does he always behave this foolishly around women?"
Bener was still fumbling for words, his usual confidence unraveling like a loose thread in the presence of a pretty face.
"Half the time," Gideon replied dryly, not even bothering to look back.