As the weeks flew by, Bella settled into a comfortable routine that she found surprisingly enjoyable. She dutifully attended her classes, even though they weren't her true passion, but she knew that her parents were monitoring her performance. The structure of her schedule made her feel grounded and purposeful, and she was determined to excel in her studies.In the evenings and on weekends, Bella had two main outlets for her energy and creativity. First, she spent quality time with Lily, who was her confidant and partner in many California adventures. They explored the city, tried out new restaurants, and occasionally attended social gatherings together. Bella was grateful to have Lily as her companion, a friend who had always been by her side, both during her quiet, introverted years and now as she ventured into this new phase of her life. From time to time, she crossed paths with Alex, the handsome stranger from her first party, who continued to ask her out and flirt with her, but e
After the exhausting hours of flying, Bella's heart swelled as she stepped through the familiar front door of her family's grandiose mansion. Lupe, the family's long-time housekeeper and the closest thing to a mother figure she'd ever had, greeted her with a genuine, affectionate smile. Bella had missed Lupe dearly."Lupe, it's so good to see you again," Bella said, embracing the older woman."Oh, mi niña," Lupe replied, hugging Bella tightly. "You've grown so much. We've all missed you."As Bella pulled away from the hug, she asked, "Where are my parents? I thought they'd be around."Lupe's expression soured slightly. "Your father is still at the office. He said he would be home late again tonight. And your mother, well... you know how she is. She's away running some errands or on another shopping spree or spa, as usual."Bella sighed, feeling a mix of disappointment and familiarity. Her parents' perpetual absence was something she had grown used to. In a way, it was what had driven
Bella led Reid to one of the empty guest rooms. The door closed with a soft click behind them, and the sudden silence in the room, after they had withdrawn from the noise and chatter of the party, made Bella's heart skip a beat. She turned to face Reid, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. In the dimly lit room, their eyes locked, and Bella felt a surge of emotions, making her breath catch.Reid, ever cold, composed and enigmatic, looked at her with a curiosity that mirrored her own. For a moment, they stood there in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Bella knew that she couldn't delay any longer, and it was time to share her feelings with him, no matter the outcome.Taking a deep breath, she finally broke the silence. "Reid," she began, her voice trembling ever so slightly, "there's something I need to tell you, something I've been holding back for a long time."Reid's expression remained unreadable, but he nodded for her to continue, urging her to spea
Bella's phone rang the next day, the familiar tune of Lily's ringtone filling the room. She glanced at her phone, her swollen eyes feeling heavy. She knew she had to talk to her best friend, but her voice was still raw from all the crying the night before. Bella couldn't find it in herself to answer just yet. She simply let the call go to voicemail, not having the strength to explain her emotions.After a few minutes, her phone pinged with a new message. It was from Lily. Bella picked up her phone to see what her best friend had to say.The message simply read, "Are you okay?" Bella stared at those words for a moment.She wasn't sure how to respond. "Okay" felt like a distant and unattainable concept right now. She finally managed to type out a response, her fingers shaking, "Not okay."Lily replied almost instantly, "I'm on my way." Bella knew her friend would come running to her side, as she always did in times of need. She didn't respond to Lily's message but was grateful for the u
As the days flew by, Bella's 19th birthday approached faster than she had anticipated. Her birthday fell on the 21st of May, and it felt like the past year had passed in a blur. It was a strange feeling to be on the cusp of adulthood, and she couldn't help but reflect on the whirlwind of experiences that had brought her to this point.Lily, her ever-supportive friend, was the one to remind her of the upcoming milestone. They sat in their shared apartment, sipping on cups of tea, when Lily suddenly perked up, her eyes widening with excitement."Bella," Lily said, her voice filled with enthusiasm, "your birthday is just around the corner! We have to plan something special."Bella blinked, the reminder jolting her from her usual routine of studies and writing. She was almost taken aback by the realization that she had nearly forgotten her own birthday. It seemed like the chaos of life had pushed her special day to the back of her mind."You're right," Bella replied, a faint smile tugging
Bella's birthday had arrived, and it happened to fall on a Saturday this year, which was perfect for their party plans. As the sun's rays gently filtered into her room, she was roused from her sleep by the sense of someone's presence. When she finally managed to open her eyes, she found Lily standing beside her bed, holding a tray filled with breakfast and a bunch of birthday balloons. Lily was singing "Happy Birthday" loudly and enthusiastically.Bella couldn't help but laugh at her friend's infectious enthusiasm. The balloons bobbed above her head as she set the tray down on the bed."Happy birthday, Bella! I hope you're ready for an amazing day!""Thank you, Lily! You're the best!"They dug into the delicious breakfast and chatted about the plans for the night. Bella was looking forward to the night club party, and with Lily by her side, she knew it was going to be an unforgettable birthday celebration.As Bella lay in her cozy bed, basking in the warm glow of Lily's unexpected bir
The night at Oasis was a whirlwind of lights, music, and cocktails, and Bella was swept up in the intoxicating atmosphere. Lily was unstoppable, ordering round after round of delicious and colorful cocktails, each one more tempting than the last. As the alcohol flowed, Bella's inhibitions melted away, and she lost herself in the sea of people on the dance floor.Hours passed in a blur. Bella danced with a sense of abandon, moving to the rhythm of the music like she had never danced before. The sensation of freedom and escape from her everyday life was exhilarating, and the alcohol blurred the edges of reality, making everything seem surreal.Amid the pulsating beats and flashing lights, one of the guys who had been casting longing glances in Bella's direction finally made his move. He edged closer to her on the crowded dance floor, his hands finding her waist, and he began to dance provocatively, pressing his body against hers.In her alcohol-induced haze, Bella found herself in a dil
Reid locked the door to the VIP office and turned to face Bella, his expression dark and filled with a simmering anger. He couldn't believe the recklessness he had just witnessed on the dance floor and the danger that she was just in. Bella looked flustered; her cheeks flushed from the alcohol coursing through her veins. She tried to stand her ground, despite the overwhelming intimidation she felt when confronted by Reid's stern gaze.With a hint of irritation in his voice, Reid demanded, "Bella, what the fuck were you doing down there??"Bella swallowed hard, the alcohol making her responses less controlled. She tried to assert her independence, even though she knew she was in the wrong, plus that she was still angry and hurt by his rejection that happened several months ago."Reid, I appreciate your help, but it's not your business to pry into my personal affairs."Reid's anger flared, and he couldn't hold back his frustration. He stepped closer to Bella, his voice laced with irrita