“I love you no matter what. As long as you’re with me, everything will be alright. Even if you don’t love me, I will stay with you till the end of the world. If I have the person whom I love the most by my side, I will then die with no regrets,” Frederick Addington declared.
“Let’s fight against Wilson. Do what you must,” Stella Grace said softly. Without another word, she bowed her head and continued to eat.
The waiter came over with the bill. Stella took out her wallet from her bag.
“Ah Madam, someone has already paid for your table,” the waiter said with a smile.
Stella looked at Frederick.
“It’s not me,” Frederick said.
Stella’s eyes sank as she turned towards the door.
If it was not Frederick, then it must be Jasper Milton.
She was already having dinner with Frederick. Why did Jasper pay the bill for them?
She was like the old Stella, completely at a loss whenever it came to Jasper.
“Who paid the bill?” Frederick asked.
Stella shook her head. “I don’t know. Forget it, let’s go.”
She got up and walked out the door.
A gust of wind blew past her, and it was a little chilly. She wrapped her arms around her chest.
Frederick took his coat off and wrapped it around her.
It smelled of his cologne, fresh and cool.
She enjoyed it as much as the old Stella.
Frederick crossed the street.
Stella turned around and saw Jasper.
He stood by the window of the private room and looked at her meaningfully. When their eyes met, she quickly turned away and clenched her fists.
Frederick moved ahead to open the taxi door, and both of them got into the taxi.
Frederick sat next to her.
Stella handed him his coat and turned to the driver. “Sir, please go to the Yale City International Hotel.”
Frederick got straight to the point. “Stella, I want to spend the night with you. Could I?”
Stella refused. “My relatives are here. Not today.”
Frederick gave her a devious smile. “I’m not in a rush anyway. I’ve been waiting for three years, what’s another week?”
Stella lowered her head. “I’m used to sleeping alone.”
Frederick silently turned away with a frown, his eyes sullen.
The car was so quiet,
they could hear each other breathing.
Frederick’s chest rose and fell unsteadily. He turned around to face Stella.
She was leaning against her seat, taking a nap.
Frederick stared at her keenly. “What if I insist on staying in the same room as you do?”
Stella looked at him. “Okay,” she said thinly.
He was not expecting that.
Frederick couldn’t understand her. “Are you agreeing?”
“Yes,” Stella said gently and leaned her head on Frederick’s shoulder.
Frederick’s heart fluttered. He put his arm around her.
She closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes brushed against each other, melting his heart.
Frederick leaned down and kissed her forehead.
She did not respond, as if she had fallen asleep.
Frederick kissed her eyes, nose, and lips.
She didn’t move at all.
“Stella.” Frederick’s voice was a little husky. “Let’s get married early, okay?”
Stella didn’t say a word.
Frederick thought Stella was acting strangely. He started to panic. “Stella? Stella?! Wake up, Stella!”
Stella stirred but did not open her eyes. “You’re so noisy. I just fell asleep.”
Frederick breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Sleepyhead. It’s only been a few minutes.”
“Mm…” Stella hummed but did not bother to respond, she continued to sleep.
When the car stopped at the International Hotel, Stella opened her eyes.
Frederick handed a 100 dollar bill to the driver.
Stella opened the door and got out of the car.
Frederick picked up his coat, caught up with Stella, and put it on her. “It’s quite chilly, don’t catch a cold.”
“Okay,” Stella replied as she walked to the hotel.
Frederick did not check into another room. He followed Stella to the 21st floor.
“Are you sleeping outside or inside?” Stella asked.
“Outside…?” Frederick replied, puzzled.
He had been with countless women, but Stella was the only one who gave him butterflies in his stomach.
Only when Stella opened the door did he realize what she meant.
“You’ve booked a presidential suite?” Frederick couldn’t hide the disappointment in his tone.
“The service is better, and the room is well-maintained. I’m still very sleepy. I’ll take a shower first. Good night.” Stella went into the inner room and locked the door, cutting him off.
Frederick still had something to say, but he could see that Stella was very tired. Thus he didn’t stop her. He walked into the bathroom outside.
When he didn’t knock on her door, Stella went into her bathroom and silently stared at herself in the mirror. Suddenly her phone rang, making her jump.
She calmed down and picked it up. Frederick’s caller ID flashed on the screen. “What’s wrong?”
“I just wanted to hear your voice,” Frederick said softly.
“Then record my voice now. Don’t call me when I’m sleeping, I’ll get moody if I was rudely awakened. I’ll get a headache too,” Stella said disinterestedly.
“In that case, say something nice. I’ll record it.” Frederick pressed the recording button.
Stella paused for a moment. “Why did they call you Commander?”
“The president conferred the title on me. The place you went to last time was one of my bases. My main job was to monitor the officials,” Frederick explained.
“You work for the President?” Stella asked doubtfully.
“Strictly speaking, yes.”
“What if he gets voted out?” Stella asked.
“That won’t happen. Jasper is no longer running. And when I blow the lid on Katty, Zoah will be disqualified.”
Stella was puzzled. “But Zoah is your uncle.”
“Stella, I’m putting myself at your mercy by telling you this. I want to trust you. I’m not Nina’s biological son. Her biological son is dead, I’m adopted,” Frederick said with a smile.
Stella frowned. “In that case, how did you know that Wilson killed your father?”
“I saw it with my own eyes. I hid in the cabinet and watched it happen. I’m sure of it,” Frederick said firmly, a murderous look in his eyes…