The next few days on the island seemed to pass by in a blur for Bella. Reid's presence remained somewhat elusive, as he was either immersed in business matters or engaged in leisure activities with her father, Richard.Bella saw Reid only sporadically during this time, and their interactions were limited to polite exchanges and casual greetings. He appeared preoccupied, his attention divided between important business deals and leisurely pursuits.Some evenings, Bella would catch glimpses of him from afar, engage in intense discussions with her father or challenge him to a game of pool. She couldn't help but admire the ease with which Reid navigated both the corporate and leisure aspects of their stay.While the separation between them provided Bella with some much-needed emotional respite, it also left her with a sense of longing. She found herself yearning for the moments when they had shared conversations or were spending time by the pool while she was swimming and he was working.

The weeks seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye for Bella. Her summer vacation was a blend of productive solitude and joyful reunions with Lily. She spent long hours each day writing diligently on her novels, pouring her creativity and passion into every word.Whenever she wasn't typing away on her laptop, Bella met up with Lily to discuss their exciting plans for university. The prospect of attending the same institution filled both of them with boundless enthusiasm. They dreamed of sharing a new chapter in their lives, and their friendship grew stronger with each passing day.One sunny afternoon, while sipping iced tea at their favorite café, they delved into the details of their upcoming adventure. Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement as she shared her idea.Lily: "Bella, I've been thinking. Since we'll be attending the same university, why don't we rent an apartment together? It'll be like our own little adventure."Bella's face lit up at the suggestion. The idea of living with

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

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

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