Chapter 36 Sterling's Birthday
Owen was holding this old-school pocket watch, perfect for Sterling's vibe. It was a killer birthday gift.
Bella had totally spaced on Sterling's birthday until Owen gave her a heads-up. She couldn't remember him ever celebrating it.
"Mr. Windsor hasn't done birthdays since his family passed. He probably links it to his parents," Zoey guessed, and Bella thought it made sense.
Bella felt a pang of sympathy for Sterling. It seemed like Owen was the only one who remembered and got him a gift. Now, Owen was giving Bella the chance to hand it over.
She glanced at the pocket watch and then at Owen, who was all smiles. "Thanks, Owen. I got this."
Bella took the gift box and headed upstairs. She knocked on Sterling's bedroom door, and his angry shout came right back at her.
"Get out!" Sterling's roar made her jump.
Bella almost chickened out, but Zoey and Owen were at the staircase, giving her thumbs up.
She forced a smile and knocked again. "Sorry, I should've thought about your feelings first."
The door flew open, and there was Sterling, looking all cold and distant.
Sterling's stare was intense, making Bella's knees weak. She could barely breathe under his gaze.
She couldn't bring herself to say "Happy Birthday." She glanced back at the staircase, hoping for more support from Owen and Zoey.
But they were gone.
Bella awkwardly looked back at Sterling, who was now eyeing the box in her hand.
"What's that?" he asked.
Bella quickly handed over the gift. "It's a birthday present I picked for you. Happy Birthday!"
Sterling looked shocked, staring at the box and then at Bella.
They stood there in silence for a few seconds before Sterling took the gift.
"I'll take it. As for Anna's family, I'll think it over," he said, then slammed the door shut.
Bella stood there for a bit before heading back to her room, feeling defeated.
A few minutes later, Sterling's door opened again. He'd changed clothes and was heading downstairs.
Zoey and Owen met him in the living room.
"Mr. Windsor, you got the gift from Mrs. Windsor, right? We're sorry we forgot your birthday, but Mrs. Windsor remembered," Zoey said, trying to cover for Bella.
Owen nodded along.
Sterling sighed, "Owen, you don't have to go through all this for Bella. I know she didn't buy that gift."
Owen and Zoey's faces went red with awkwardness. They didn't expect Sterling would catch on so quick.
"I'm heading out to grab a drink with Micah and the crew. Later," Sterling said, walking out of the Windsor Villa.
Owen watched him leave and sighed, "I've watched both him and Bella grow up. How did it end up like this?"
Zoey nodded, "Yeah, a simple 'I love you' could fix everything, but here we are."
Sterling had no clue about Owen and Zoey's constant griping about his love life. He rolled up to the Nightshade Bar, and when he got to the private room, Micah and Colin were already there.
Micah had a mask on, but Sterling could tell he was in a foul mood.
"What's up? Who ticked you off?" Sterling asked, plopping down next to him.
Colin chuckled, "He's got a cold, and the doc said no booze. I got him some other drinks, and he's not thrilled."
Sterling noticed a box of kids' yogurt on the table.
"You're messing with him. Surprised he hasn't chucked that yogurt at you," Sterling said, shaking his head with a grin.
Colin shrugged, "He already did. I bought two boxes."
Sterling caught a whiff of yogurt in the air but shrugged it off.
Micah shot Colin a dirty look, then turned to Sterling. "Why are you here drinking again? Did your wife boot you out?"
Sterling grabbed a bottle and took a big swig.
Micah didn't expect his joke to hit home.
"I'm telling you, man, you gotta sweet-talk women. Fighting all the time ain't it," Colin added.
Sterling rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone to call Debra.
Not long after, Debra showed up at the Nightshade Bar.
Even though Micah had promised not to spill the beans to Sterling about the last incident, Debra still had her doubts.
When Sterling called her to come over, Debra was stoked.
Before she left, Mira reminded her to get Sterling to a hotel once he was drunk.
If Debra could get pregnant with Sterling's kid, the Foster Family would be saved.
Debra had the same plan, so she dolled herself up and doused herself in some seductive perfume. She was sure no guy could resist her now.
Just like she thought, when she walked into the Nightshade Bar, every guy's eyes were on her.
Those looks were full of hidden greed and lust, like they wanted to strip her with their eyes.
Debra felt those stares and wasn't scared. She even thought it meant she was winning.
But she was wrong about one thing: Sterling wasn't that kind of guy.
After she arrived, Sterling just asked her to drink with him. He didn't even glance at her cleavage.
Debra was bummed. For the first time, she doubted her own charm. But then she got a pleasant surprise when Sterling, after downing drink after drink, finally got wasted and slumped onto her shoulder.
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