After four or five rings, the phone finally connected, and a cheerful voice came from the other side. "Hey, Ethan. What's up, bro?"
Officer Ethan looked at Bella and signalled with his eyes, urging her to speak.
Bella sighed, then spoke, "It's me, Bella."
At first, Noah was stunned by the sound of her voice, then he said, "Hey, Bella, you're calling from Officer Ethan's phone?"
Bella glanced at Ethan before answering, "Yeah, I told him I needed to talk to you."
Noah laughed. "You missed me, huh?Wild Cat,"(the nickname Noah had given Bella).
Bella responded with a simple "Hmm," her grip on her arm tightening. She looked at Ethan, who was staring at her intently. When their eyes met, he quickly looked away.
Bella knew that if she didn't say something convincing to Ethan now, her whole plan would unravel. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Ethan, then brought the phone closer to her lips.
"Noah, I miss you. I've been wanting to see you," she said, her voice soft and almost flirtatious.
Hearing this, Ethan stood up from the couch and walked over to the desk. On the other end, Noah's heart skipped a beat as he heard her words. He quickly replied, "I miss you too."
He said more, but Bella couldn't hear anything else; her focus was entirely on Ethan's back as he stood, trying to keep his composure.
Ethan, eyes closed, was taking deep breaths, struggling to control the storm brewing inside him. After a long pause, he finally said, "Time's up."
Bella, hearing his command, quickly said, "Bye, Noah," and ended the call. She placed the phone on the table in front of the couch and, without another word, dashed out of the office, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
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After dinner, Ellena pulled Bella aside to a quiet corner where no one could hear them. She looked at Bella intently and asked, "What did Officer Ethan say to you? Did he find out?"
Bella glanced at Ellena and shook her head. "No," she replied, before adding, "Let's go to our room. I'm exhausted."
The next day, during their Theory class, Officer Ethan was giving a lecture on how cybercrime is used in terrorism when his gaze landed on Bella. She seemed distant, lost in thought.
Noticing her lack of focus, Officer Ethan's voice cut through the silence. "Cadet Bella, your attention is not on the lecture."
Startled, Bella snapped her head up to look at him. Officer Ethan, not missing a beat, said, "Then you'll be the first to say you didn't understand anything."
"Sorry, Officer," Bella muttered, trying to regain her composure.
He sighed, a hint of frustration in his eyes, before continuing his lecture.
Once the theory class ended, Bella walked out of the classroom, but before she could leave, an announcement came over the speaker. "Cadet Bella Holland O'Brien, your presence is required in Head Ace's Room. Kindly report immediately."
Bella heard the announcement and made her way to the office. As she walked, Ellena caught up with her, breathless, and asked, "Did Officer Ethan complain to Head Ace about what happened yesterday?"
Bella gave her a reassuring smile and shook her head. "No, nothing like that."
Ellena nodded, visibly relieved, and they both continued walking together.