The promise/pledge

bella pov

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the grand windows of my room. My body ached as I swung my legs off the bed, wincing slightly as I stood. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn't eaten much the day before. Hunger took precedence over everything else.

I headed to the washroom, splashing cold water on my face and brushing my teeth. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and straightened the Minnie Mouse pajamas I had found folded neatly in the closet—how they got there, I had no clue.

Feeling a little more awake, I padded out of the room and made my way down the long hallway. As I descended the grand spiral staircase, the rich aroma of food caught my attention, making my mouth water instantly. The scent of freshly baked bread and something savory wafted through the air. My stomach growled louder, urging me to follow the trail.

It led me to the kitchen, a space that felt both cozy and sophisticated. The counters were spotless marble, and the cupboards were a warm, polished wood. The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating everything in a golden glow. And there, standing by the stove, was a woman in her sixties, her back turned to me as she expertly flipped something in a pan.

My heart skipped a beat. "Grey?" I called softly, unsure if my eyes were playing tricks on me.

The woman turned around, and the warm, familiar smile on her face confirmed it. "Bella, darling!" she exclaimed, her voice as nurturing and comforting as I remembered. She immediately set the pan down and hurried over, pulling me into a gentle hug, mindful of my injuries.

It had been years, but Grey hadn't changed much. Her silver hair was styled neatly, and her soft, motherly expression made me feel like a child again. She had always been a second mother to me during the times I'd spent here when Leo was still my best friend.

"Grey," I whispered, my voice catching slightly as a wave of emotions hit me. "I missed you so much."

"And I missed you, my little Bella," she said, pulling back to look at me, her hands still on my shoulders. "Look at you, all grown up. But why are you up and walking around already? You need to be resting!"

"I couldn't help it," I admitted sheepishly, rubbing my stomach. "I smelled the food and... I was starving."

She chuckled warmly, shaking her head. "Of course. You always had an appetite. Sit, sit. I'll fix you a plate."

I didn't argue, letting her guide me to the kitchen island. As she worked, humming softly, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. Being with Grey felt like a tiny slice of normalcy amidst the chaos.

"Wait," I said, pausing before taking a bite. "You knew I was here, didn't you?"

Grey shook her head with a small smile as she placed a steaming plate of pasta in front of me. "No, I didn't, Bella. All I knew was that some poor girl had been hurt. It wasn't until I saw you just now that I put the pieces together." She tilted her head slightly, her expression soft and curious. "How have you been, my dear?"

I looked at her, warmth bubbling in my chest. "I've been good," I said, though it felt like a half-truth. But then, with a playful grin, I added, "But can I just say I love you with all my heart? You made me my favorite dish, and I swear I was just craving this!"

Grey laughed, a sound that felt like a balm to my soul. "Well, you've always been easy to please, Bella. Now eat up before it gets cold."

I didn't need to be told twice. Picking up my fork, I twirled the pasta expertly and took my first bite. The flavors burst on my tongue, and I let out a satisfied hum. "Grey, you're a magician. This is perfect."

Just as I was about to dig in further, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Enzo and Matteo walking into the kitchen, their casual swagger unmistakable.

Matteo was the first to speak, his sharp eyes landing on me. "Well, hello, Bell," he said with a cheeky grin. "How was your beauty sleep last night? I see you've got quite the appetite. Or should I say, you're carbo-loading for a marathon of doing absolutely nothing?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, suppressing a smile. "Good morning to you too, Matteo. And for your information, this is self-care at its finest." I pointed at my plate. "A girl needs energy to survive in a house full of lunatics."

Enzo smirked, leaning casually against the counter. "She's got a point, Matteo. Though I think the real question is—did she actually sleep, or did she spend all night plotting her escape?"

Matteo gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Bella, tell me it's not true! Have you been scheming behind our backs?"

I rolled my eyes, laughing despite myself. "You two are insufferable. Can I eat in peace, or is this your way of saying you're jealous Grey didn't make you pasta?"

Grey stepped in with a playful glare at the two men. "Leave her alone, boys. She's been through enough already."

Matteo held up his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But only because Grey scares me more than anyone in this house."

I shook my head, grinning as I twirled another forkful of pasta. It was chaotic, but for a brief moment, the kitchen felt lively and warm. It reminded me that even in the most unexpected places, a sense of family could be found.