Chapter 6 Bella's Birthday

Bella stood outside the door, hesitating for a few minutes before finally pushing it open.

“It's okay, just relax.” She whispered to herself, finally mustering up the courage to step into the room.

The room was dark and no lights were on.

“Sterling, are you there?” Bella asked softly, her voice trembling a little despite her efforts to remain calm.

She thought, 'Sterling probably isn't here, and that would be great, but I don't think I saw him leave the cottage.'

At that moment, she wished Sterling wasn't in the room so she could leave.

Bella gathered her courage and walked towards that background on the bed. Just then she heard Sterling's steady breathing. She stopped in her tracks, wanting to turn around and walk out, but thought of James and the fuming look on Sterling's face.

She bit her lip, but gently lifted the covers. As long as she slept next to Sterling for the night, the nature should be the same, shouldn't it?

As Bella slipped under the covers, she felt the warmth of the comforter and Sterling's body heat and couldn't help but think, 'This mattress and comforter are much more comfortable than my bed.'

Just as Bella was about to fall asleep comfortably, her neck was suddenly pinched, only to hear Sterling's cold voice.

“Who are you?”

Bella held Sterling's hands with both of her hands and struggled to squeeze a word out of her throat.

“It's me.”

Only then did Sterling release her.

It was only then that Bella was able to regain her breath and cough heavily, but Sterling's icy voice came from above her head.

“Don't you think it's too late for you? Get lost and don't disturb my sleep.”

Sterling's words sounded very rude, but to Bella, the 'fuck off', was so pleasing to her ears.

She㤺 got up busily, “Sorry to bother you.”

Then quickly turned and ran out of Sterling's room. As the door closed behind her, she took a deep breath and happily ran back to her storeroom.

What Bella didn't know was that after she left Sterling's room, his voice was muttering to himself in the darkened room.

“Still can't make up my mind. Oh well, I'll wait until after her birthday.”

Sterling pulled the blanket over himself and for once actually closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The next day, Bella slept through a rare night, happy and ready to go to school.

By this time, Ryan was driving up to the house and happened to see Bella out the door.

“Ms. Gray, good morning. Mr. Windsor is very concerned about you. Seeing that it's inconvenient for you to ride your bike in the snow, he specially had the road cleared of snow overnight.” Ryan greeted Bella and flirted with her a bit.

She was surprised to find that the road was cleared of snow.

But she couldn't believe that Sterling would be so kind since he had nothing but hate for her. Clearing the snow was probably just so he could drive his car without slipping.

Bella didn't say anything, just smiled politely and rode her bike towards school.

Bella was very happy today and she didn't want to let what happened to Sterling get to her.

It was Bella's birthday and she was looking forward to what kind of present her best friend Anna would give her.

In addition, Zoe had told her even better news this morning - Sterling was going to be out of the country again.

As long as he wasn't home, Bella felt much freer in the air.

Bella had just arrived in class when she received her birthday present from Anna. It was a necklace and it looked very pretty. Just when she couldn't wait to try it on, Anna pulled out another present.

“This is from James. I really don't understand why that guy suddenly decided to leave the country.” Anna said, still a little disgruntled.

Of course Bella knew why James had left school, but she couldn't say.