Outside the officers' residential building, Noah told Bella, "Alright, good night. We'll meet again soon."
Bella smiled and nodded in response. Noah walked into the building, while Ethan stayed where he was. Bella turned to head toward the cadets' building, but stopped when she heard Ethan's voice.
"Bella."
She turned around. Ethan said softly, "Good night."
Bella looked at him in surprise. "Good night." Then, remembering the jacket she was wearing, she quickly began to take it off to return it to him. Ethan stopped her.
"Keep it on. It's cold."
Bella protested, "No, you should take your jacket back. If someone sees, how will you explain it?"
Ethan smiled, shook his head, and replied, "What is there to explain? I'll just say she's my wife. She has every right over me and my things."
For a few seconds, Bella froze—eyes wide as she stared at him. Then, snapping out of her daze, she stammered, "I… I'm… feeling sleepy…" and hurried away.
Watching her rush off so flustered, Ethan couldn't help laughing.
The moment Bella entered her room, she slipped off the jacket and hung it inside her cupboard. Her heart was still beating fast from Ethan's words. Moving quietly, she climbed onto her bunk; Ellena and Norah were already asleep. Lying down, Bella stared into the darkness, wondering what kind of game Officer Ethan was playing. She didn't even realize when sleep finally pulled her under.
The next day followed the same routine. After training, exhausted, she sat down on a bench.
Ellena groaned, "I'm going back to the room. I need a shower. All this sweating is making me feel suffocated."
Norah stood up too. "I'm coming with you." Looking at Bella, she asked, "Are you coming?"
Bella shook her head. "No, you two go. I'll come in a little while."
"Okay," Ellena said, and they both left.
Bella stood up and walked toward the vacant ground when two low voices caught her attention.
"I told you already—when the truck arrives, load that stuff into it," one man said.
The other replied, "It's not that easy. There's checking in and out."
Whoever they were, they stood behind the thick banyan tree—hidden well enough that Bella couldn't see them, and they hadn't seen her either. She only heard their voices, quiet and tense.
When the men finally walked away, Bella remained behind the tree, frowning.
What were they talking about… what kind of stuff was that?
*****************************************************************************
In the evening, Bella stood outside Officer Ethan's office, hesitating before finally knocking on the door.
A voice came from inside. "Come in."
Bella entered at his response. Ethan's eyes were fixed on his laptop. When he finally looked up and saw her, he asked,
"Cadet Bella, do you need something?"
Bella gave a small smile. "Why? To meet my own husband, do I need to make up an excuse?"
Ethan froze, stunned. Then he stood up from his chair and walked toward her.
"What did you just say?"
Bella hesitated. "I… I came to return your jacket."
She placed the jacket on the table beside her and turned to leave, but Ethan caught her arm and pulled her back.
"What did you just say?" he repeated.
Bella looked straight into his eyes. "Why? Are you the only one who knows how to play games?"
Ethan's lips curved into a smile. "What game?"
"This one," Bella said, "whatever it is that you're doing."
Ethan tightened his hold on her arm and pulled her closer.
"What exactly am I doing, Ms. Bella Ethan Gray?"
Bella froze at the words leaving his mouth, staring at him as if caught in a trance. Ethan smiled and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Startled, Bella tried to pull her arm free. Ethan's grip only tightened.
"Someone might come," she whispered. "What are you doing?"
"Romancing my wife," he replied matter-of-factly.
Bella gave him a pleading look. "Please… let me go. Ellena is waiting for me in the ground."
At that, Ethan finally released her. Bella rushed out of the office, nearly running.
"Why are you breathing so heavily?" Ellena asked when Bella reached her.
"It's nothing… I was just… you were waiting…" Bella managed, still flustered.
"Come on," Ellena said. "Let's go to the cafeteria. Norah and the others are already there."