Chapter 252 The Trip to Oakridge
She decided to wait. She didn't want to mess up Sterling and the others' plans. She wasn't sure what they were up to, but as long as Anna wasn't harmed, it was fine by her.
The trip to Oakridge had been planned for days. Sterling, Colin, and Micah were in Sterling's office, finalizing the details.
Sterling looked serious as he asked Colin, "You think Anna's gonna tell Caleb about our trip to Oakridge?"
Colin nodded. "Yeah, she probably will. Caleb's been sticking to Anna like glue. Wherever she goes, he'll know."
Micah looked worried. "What if Caleb gets suspicious? What if he doesn't buy that we're just going to Oakridge for fun?"
"He won't," Sterling replied. "If any of us told him about the trip, he might get suspicious. But if Anna tells him, he'll believe it. That way, we can get some information out of him."
Sterling and Micah noticed Colin looking downcast, slumped on the couch, unusually quiet.
Micah nudged him. "Colin, you feeling guilty about using Anna?"
Colin didn't respond, but his expression gave him away.
Sterling sighed heavily. "If we don't use Anna, Caleb will deceive her even worse in the future. You said yourself that you and Anna have nothing going on. Don't hesitate now."
In truth, Colin was thinking about the previous night. He'd kissed Anna under the influence of alcohol. If it hadn't been for Caleb's call, who knows what might have happened? Maybe Anna had feelings for him too?
The thought made him want to strangle Caleb, but it also felt like a drunken dream, leaving his mind foggy.
Sterling and Micah exchanged glances, unsure of what he was thinking.
Micah nudged him again. "Colin, what's on your mind?"
Then he turned to Sterling. "Don't listen to him about not having feelings for Anna. He definitely wants to be with her. And we're not really using Anna. Caleb's responsible for the Powell family's bankruptcy. We're helping Anna see the truth."
Sterling sighed. He knew Bella wouldn't take it well if she found out they were using Anna. She'd definitely cause a scene.
"We haven't told Anna the truth," Sterling sighed.
Colin finally snapped out of it. "I know. We're keeping it from her for her safety. Right now, Anna's the only one who can get close to Caleb."
But Colin had another concern. He looked at Sterling. "Aren't you worried about taking Bella to Oakridge? It could be dangerous."
Sterling replied, "I know it's risky, but I can't just keep her locked up at home."
Sterling knew the trip might be dangerous, but he couldn't shelter Bella like a delicate rose in a greenhouse. He needed to be her protector, shielding her from the storm so she could thrive in the sunlight.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing happens to her. Besides, she's been cooped up in the hospital and needs a break. Bella loves Oakridge. This trip will be good for her."
With their plans set, they agreed to meet at the airport in two days.
Bella and Sterling arrived first, followed by Micah and Anna. Colin was the last to show up.
Bella and Anna noticed the three men weren't in their usual suits but dressed casually, each wearing sunglasses and looking like fresh-faced college guys, drawing the attention of many women at the airport.
"Well, look who cleaned up nice! I almost didn't recognize you three without the usual dumpster fire aesthetic," Anna quipped, never one to hold back.
Surprisingly, Colin didn't retort.
Micah spoke up instead. "Anna, do you even know how to give a compliment?"
Anna smirked. "You want a compliment? Sure, cash or card? I can compliment you into bankruptcy."
Bella and Sterling laughed, and even Colin chuckled. "Greedy."
Anna glanced at Colin. This was their first meeting since that night. She'd taken leave from work to avoid facing him. But today, there was no avoiding it.
She huffed. "Yeah, I'm greedy. So what?"
They both avoided mentioning that night, as if it had been a dream. But they both knew it was real.
Now wasn't the time to discuss it. The five of them boarded the plane, but there was a small hiccup.
Sterling and Bella sat together, while Micah and Anna paired up, leaving Colin alone.
First class offered them space to relax, but the peace didn't last long.
Just before takeoff, a tall woman in sunglasses hurried onto the plane. She headed straight for the seat next to Colin. "Excuse me, my seat's inside."
Colin looked up, their eyes meeting.
The woman recognized him instantly, her face lighting up. She removed her sunglasses, revealing a face with noticeable cosmetic enhancements. "Mr. Rivera? What a surprise! We're seated together!"
Colin was momentarily taken aback but managed a stiff smile. He moved his long legs to let her in. "Yeah, what a coincidence."
The woman didn't stop there. She kept chatting. "It's been over six months, right? Got a new companion? Where are you headed? Maybe we're going to the same place."
Anna thought, 'Idiot, this plane's going straight to Oakridge. Of course, we're going to the same place. What, you think the plane's going to drop you off mid-flight?'
Colin felt the weight of Sterling and Micah's curious stares. He forced a response. "We're going to Oakridge for a few days to relax."
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