~Bella’s POV~
The moment I stepped inside the room I share with Sandra, she stepped away from the window and she gazed at me before averting her gaze to the shopping bags in my hands. I couldn’t help but wonder why she was standing by the window at this hour.
“Hey, Sandra,” I greeted with a smile as I shut the door, then I stepped fully inside the room.
“Hey,” Sandra replied with an expressionless face as she walked to sit on a nearby couch.
“You look sort of moddy,” I said as I set down the shopping bags, then I sat beside her. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to you?”
“I’m fine, Bella.” Sandra replied with a smile.
“Are you sure?” I asked, with my gazed fixed on her face.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “I’m totally fine.”
“Okay.” I muttered, knowing fully well that she was lying about being fine. I knew Sandra too well, and I knew she was angry about something, but I decided not to press further.
“By the way, I saw you coming out of professor Blake’s car,” Sandra said, and I nodded.
“Yeah, we went somewhere together.” I said, my lips curling into a smile as I recalled the moments I spent with professor Blake.
“And where did the both of you go?” Sandra asked, and I couldn’t help but notice the slight frown on her face as she asked that question. But I decided to ignore her frown and answer her question.
“Well,” I began, adjusting myself properly on the couch. “Professor Blake and I first went shopping together, then we had dinner at a restaurant, and after, he brought me home. It was really fun and romantic.” I had a smile plastered on my face as I narrated how I spent my evening with my lovely mate.
“Ohh, you must have had lots of fun.” Sandra said, and I nodded, maintaining my smile.
“Yep. I had so much fun and I enjoyed every minute I spent with him.” I replied, my smile widening.
Sandra took her gaze off me and she looked at the shopping bags close to where we sat, then she asked, “Did professor Blake buy all these for you?”
“Yep,” I replied with a nod as I diverted my gaze to the shopping bags on the floor.
“Wow! You must be really lucky to have a caring and handsome mate,” Sandra said with a smile. “I really envy you,” sh added, and I chuckled.
“Well, you also have a caring and handsome mate.” I said, and she scoffed.
“You mean Ryan?” She asked with a slightly raised brow.
“Yeah, of course,” I replied. “Or do you have another mate apart from Ryan?”
“Well, Ryan is caring and handsome, but he’s nothing compared to professor Blake.” Sandra said.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion.
“What I mean is, Ryan is great, but he doesn’t compare to Professor Blake,” Sandra clarified, her tone indicating a hint of admiration.
“Why do you say that?” I inquired, genuinely curious about her perspective.
“Well, Professor Blake just seems… different. More attentive, more romantic,” Sandra explained, a wistful look crossing her features.
“I suppose everyone has their own way of showing affection,” I mused, considering Sandra’s observation.
“Yeah, but still… you’re lucky to have someone like him,” Sandra admitted, her gaze drifting back to the shopping bags.
“I guess so,” I acknowledged, feeling a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty about my relationship with Professor Blake.
“Anyway, enough about me. How are things with you and Ryan?” I redirected the conversation, wanting to shift the focus away from my own romantic entanglements.
Sandra sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Honestly, things have been a bit rocky lately. We’ve been arguing a lot.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I sympathized, reaching out to pat her hand reassuringly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Sandra shook her head, offering me a weak smile. “Thanks, Bella, but I think I just need some time to figure things out.”
“Of course, I understand,” I assured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it.
Silence settled between us for a moment, filled only by the soft rustle of the shopping bags beside us.
“The main cause of the problem in my relationship with Ryan is the fact that he lives abroad,” Sandra said after a few seconds of silence. She continued, “You know Ryan has been living in Rome for the past six year after we mated. The distance between us is causing a strain on our relationship, and it’s also weakening our mate bond.”
I could feel the hurt and pain in Sandra’s voice as she spoke, and I couldn’t help but feel sad for her. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze before speaking, “I know how much you love Ryan, and I know how much your long-distance relationship is affecting you, but keeping it to yourself won’t do you in any good. I think you should talk to Ryan about it and let him know how you feel about it.”
Sandra let out a soft sigh, then replied, “I’ve discussed it with Ryan several times, but we always end our conversations with arguments. Each time I bring up a conversation about our long distance relationship, he either changes the conversation or look for an excuse to hang up.”
Tears streamed out of her eyes as she narrated her relationship problem. As Sandra’s tears began to fall, my heart ached for her. It was clear that the strain of her long-distance relationship with Ryan was taking a toll on her emotional well-being.
“I’m so sorry, Sandra,” I murmured, reaching out to wipe away her tears with the sleeve of my shirt. “It must be incredibly difficult to feel so disconnected from someone you care about.”
Sandra nodded, her shoulders trembling slightly as she struggled to contain her emotions. “It’s like… no matter how much we love each other, the distance just keeps pulling us apart,” she confessed, her voice thick with sadness.
Listening to her words, I couldn’t help but reflect on the challenges of maintaining a relationship across continents. The physical separation, the time zone differences, the lack of shared experiences – all of these factors could contribute to feelings of isolation and frustration.
“I wish there was something I could do to help,” I offered, feeling somewhat helpless in the face of Sandra’s pain.
“Just being here and listening means a lot,” Sandra replied, managing a small smile through her tears. “I don’t have many people I can talk to about this.”
“Well, you can always count on me,” I reassured her, giving her hand another comforting squeeze. “And maybe… it might help to seek out professional support. A couples counselor or therapist could provide some guidance and perspective on how to navigate your relationship challenges.”
Sandra nodded thoughtfully, considering my suggestion. “You might be right. Maybe it’s time we sought some outside help.”
I nodded in agreement, feeling hopeful that Sandra and Ryan could find a way to overcome their obstacles and strengthen their bond.
“I feel like a heavy burden has just been taken off my shoulder,” Sandra sniffed, her voice tinged with relief as she wiped away the tears on her face.
“I’m glad I could be here for you,” I said softly, offering her a gentle smile. “Remember, you’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together.”
Sandra nodded, a glimmer of hope shining through her watery eyes. “Thank you, Bella. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“We’re roommates, friends, and sisters in spirit,” I replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for the bond we shared. “And we’ll always have each other’s backs, no matter what.”
With a deep breath, Sandra composed herself, the weight of her emotions gradually lifting. “You’re right. I won’t let this distance tear us apart. Ryan and I will find a way to make it work.”
“That’s the spirit,” I encouraged, giving her hand one final squeeze before releasing it. “And remember, I’m here for you every step of the way.”
“That aside, are you prepared for Professor Blake’s party tomorrow?” Sandra asked, adjusting herself on the couch.
“Absolutely,” I replied with a smile. “In fact, his upcoming party is the reason I went shopping.” I dragged the shopping bags closer to us, eager to share the excitement with Sandra. With a sense of anticipation, I began rummaging through the bags, revealing the array of dresses Professor Blake had bought for me.
“Wow!” Sandra exclaimed as she gazed at the dresses. “They look really beautiful.”
“Professor Blake chose them for me.” U said with a wide smile.
“Wow, he really went all out,” Sandra exclaimed, her eyes widening in admiration as she inspected the dresses. “These are gorgeous!”
“I know, right?” I agreed, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Professor Blake for his thoughtfulness. “He has impeccable taste.”
As Sandra and I sifted through the dresses, discussing which one would be perfect for the occasion, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me.
“I feel sleepy, Bella,” Sandra yawned, rising to her feet. “Goodnight.”
“Yeah, goodnight,” I replied, watching as she made her way to the bedroom.
Alone once again, I turned my attention back to the dresses spread out before me. Each one was more stunning than the last, and I couldn’t help but grin widely as I gazed at them. The vibrant colors, intricate designs, and luxurious fabrics filled me with excitement for the upcoming party. Just imagining myself wearing one of these beautiful dresses made my heart race with anticipation.
With a sense of giddiness, I carefully examined each dress, picturing how it would look on me as I danced the night away with Professor Blake. The thought of the festivities to come filled me with joy, casting aside any lingering worries or doubts that had clouded my mind earlier.
As I finally selected the perfect dress for the occasion, I couldn’t contain my excitement any longer. Tomorrow would be a night to remember, and the fact that I’d be spending the night with professor Blake made me feel much more excited.