Chapter 445 I Like You
Bella walked into the bedroom and saw obvious signs that someone had been sleeping in the bed, which meant Sterling had probably just woken up and rushed to find her. At this thought, she felt a bit uncomfortable - it was his bed after all.
"I'll just sleep on the couch," Bella said softly, trying not to sound too stiff. "It's only one night, I can manage. It's too late now, I need to get to sleep quickly. I have to get up early tomorrow to open the shop."
Just as Bella was walking toward the couch with determination, ready to make do for the night, Sterling suddenly grabbed her wrist, his tone firm and unyielding: "I told you, you sleep in the bed. Otherwise we sleep together. Your choice."
Bella was startled by this sudden move, her heart racing instantly. She tried to pull her hand away, but Sterling held on tight, as if afraid she would escape.
Bella took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, then looked at him firmly: "Sterling, you're putting me in a difficult position."
But Sterling remained as domineering as ever: "Choose."
Bella was too angry to speak. She tried again to pull her hand away, and this time Sterling finally let go.
Bella said nothing more and turned to walk into the bedroom. However, the moment she lay down, she was immediately surrounded by Sterling's scent. The sheets seemed to still hold his body heat and smell, making her feel both familiar and strange.
How could she possibly sleep in this environment? Being surrounded by his scent - what difference was there from sleeping with him?
Bella turned on her side, trying not to feel the lingering presence around her, attempting to relax. But the more she tried, the faster her heart beat, as if a little deer was bouncing around in her chest. She closed her eyes, trying to escape it all through sleep, but various images kept flooding her mind, making it impossible to fall asleep.
Just then, she noticed Sterling had already laid down on the couch. He was curled up, looking somewhat tired.
Bella couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt, and with all these emotions mixed together, she found it even harder to sleep.
After tossing and turning for who knows how long, Bella finally drifted off into a hazy sleep.
In the apartment, Colin stood by the couch, his brow furrowed, his eyes full of helplessness and affection. Anna was half-lying on the large couch, her hair slightly messy, her cheeks flushed.
Colin had clearly been worn out by the alcohol too: "Anna, are you awake? Look at me, let's talk."
After throwing up several times, Anna finally quieted down. She looked at Colin through hazy eyes, as if she had a thousand things to say but couldn't find the right words.
She smiled foolishly, looking at Colin with bold and direct eyes, as if in this moment, all her shyness and reserve had been completely dissolved by the alcohol.
"Why look at you? You're not money," Anna's words carried both jest and seriousness, clearly quite drunk.
Then she added: "Unless you show me your abs."
Colin's mouth twitched slightly at this, both amused and exasperated.
His abs weren't for just anyone to see. He remembered before, when they were in bed and he offered to show her, she was too shy to look. Now drunk, her courage had grown, making such bold requests.
Colin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He understood that Anna had lost her rationality, but even so, he wanted to get to the bottom of things: "Anna, look at me." His voice was low and firm, as if trying to awaken the consciousness deep in her heart.
However, Anna just continued to smile foolishly, her eyes full of playfulness: "Look at you? Do you want me to see how handsome you are? You are pretty handsome, but your abs are more attractive."
Colin shook his head helplessly. He knew that having a normal conversation with her was no longer possible.
But he wasn't ready to give up and decided to try once more: "I'll show you later. Right now I'm asking you a question, answer me honestly. Do you like me?"
At these words, the entire apartment seemed to fall silent. Colin's eyes flickered with anticipation and nervousness, while Anna froze for a moment, then laughed again, but this time, her smile seemed to carry more sincerity and tenderness: "Like you? Of course I like Colin. You're such an idiot. I've been so obvious, and you're only just noticing?"
The corners of Colin's mouth lifted slightly, his mood instantly brightening: "What did you just say? Say it again for me."
Anna's eyes became hazy and deep under the influence of alcohol. She tilted her head, trying hard to remember what she had just said. Finally, she shook her head helplessly: "Say what? I forgot. I want to sleep. You're not allowed to leave, not allowed to sleep with other women. Sleep with me!"
Colin felt helpless, knowing it was exhausting to talk to a drunk person, but her words made his nerves tighten.
Anna gripped Colin's hand tightly, as if afraid he would disappear without a trace the next second.
Colin suppressed that primal urge in his heart and gently lifted Anna from the couch. Her body was very light, as if weightless, which made him feel even more tender toward her.
Walking into the bedroom, he gently placed Anna on the bed and tucked her in. Her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes flickering with a hazy light, as if still wandering between dream and reality.
Colin sat on the edge of the bed, gently holding her hand, and said softly: "Okay, I'll stay right here with you. Go to sleep, I won't leave."
His voice was low and gentle, as if it had magic, gradually calming Anna's heart.
When Bella slowly woke up, it was already past eleven in the morning. She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding violently from the sudden awakening, as if she had just broken free from a long dream.
In the room, heavy curtains were tightly closed, completely blocking out the sunlight from outside, leaving only a dim and quiet space.
This environment undoubtedly provided the best conditions for her deep sleep, allowing her to slumber for so long without realizing it.
Just as Bella was hurriedly trying to get up and leave for the shop, Sterling's cool and magnetic voice suddenly came from the living room: "I called your shop and asked for leave for you. Take it as a day off."
Bella's movements paused. She let out a gentle breath, her tense nerves finally relaxing.
Then she walked to the mirror and tidied up her messy long hair, tying it up with a simple hair tie.
After finishing, she walked out of the bedroom. Sterling was sitting on the couch with a book in his hand, looking focused and serious. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling on him and coating him with a faint golden glow, making him look even more gentle and refined, yet unreachable.
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