<div> Chapter 20: Intriguing Questions Part 2
 Stella’s POV
 I disregard Carla’s question and talk to the cats as if they were infants.
 "Didn’t your boss tell you to avoid her flowers?" she said.
 I reach for the treat container in the kitchen and open it, giving Tucker, Luca, and Luna some cat foods. "Such lovely kitties. And it includes you, Luca. You’ve done a great job. Thank you."
 Carla begins warming our lunch by turning on the oven and a single stovetop burner in her apartment. "Come on, Stella," she implored. "Tell me, please. The bare minimum would suffice."
 "Not really important and if there’s an important happening in my life, you’re the first person will going to know about it," I reaffirm. "By the way, what have you been up to lately?"
 When she eventually decides to give in to the pressure, her countenance lightens and she shakes her head. "The kitchen of the famous chef hired me!"
 "This is mind-boggling. My sincere congratulations, Carla!"
 "Thanks. It’s not just me, Stella; this is a team effort. This restaurant is open three nights a week in the evenings."
 "Wow. Seems like, it’s too expensive to get there."
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 </div> Carla replies, "Upscale, Stella. I don’t think it’s too costly."
 "That’s right."
 "What I’m trying to ask is, do you get what I mean? Stella, your wish has been granted! Not a single item on his menu is less than $400. This is the big time for me. Right in front of my eyes, everything I’ve ever wished for is becoming a reality."
 "I’m ecstatic for you, Carla! I’m so happy for you!" I said with all the enthusiasm I’ve got.
 To be clear, I do not want to imply that I am not delighted for her. Certainly. I’ve been unable to feel much since last night. Even with all the flowers that Sebastian had bought for me, it wasn’t enough for me to be happy. They’re actually making things worse. They serve only as further evidence of what might have been. What I don’t understand is why Sebastian reacted in the way he did. I was a virgin at the age of twenty-two.
 As far as I’m concerned, it’s not a huge deal where I come from. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t tell him more than I had had to tell him. Otherwise, the night wouldn’t have ended so abruptly and left me with such an anti-climactic sense of melancholy.
 I’d lose my virginity as well. Confiding in him cost me more money than I expected.
𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 Would Luca be here today if I had permitted him to relieve himself in a public place like his balcony?
 "Stella?" Carla screams at me to focus.
 "Um..sorry...what?"
 "What happened to you? You’ve changed a lot since the party. Didn’t you hear what I said just now? There’s a voice outside your door, did you hear it?"
 "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. Sorry again."
 "Let me try it," I said."A platter of cucumber and tomato bits garnished with dill is placed on the plate. "Here. Start with them," Carla advises.
 With less than a second to spare, Carla is on her way and back. I’m not looking forward to seeing this person. With his companion, who is wearing the same spectacles that Sebastian wore the night before, Sebastian stands with his brother. I’m quite sure of that.
 When she returns to the stove, Carla says, "Someone’s come to visit you," and smiles like a schoolgirl as she points over to them.
 Sebastian says hello to me and smiles broadly. Sebastian said, "I’m not sure whether you recollect Louis from last night."
 I nod my head in agreement. It looks like Louis is more interested in Carla’s endeavor than my greeting. Fortunately, I’m not in the greatest of moods. Having Sebastian in the same room as you is not a good idea. Grabbing a piece of cucumber, I get to my feet and stand up straight. My class begins in twenty minutes, so I can’t waste any time. In any case, Carla has shown up. She’d just finished putting the finishing touches on the lunch she’d made. "You could stay and dine if you’d like. " I turn to face Carla. "Here are the keys," I say. "After you’ve locked up, could you please hand it over to the concierge desk?"
 "Definitely. Thank you for allowing me to remain," Carla says with a chirp.
 "Is there a place where we can talk privately?" As I leave the kitchen, Sebastian asks.
 "I’m afraid I’m out of time," I say as I dash to grab my bags out the door.
 "Carla is a great cook, in my opinion," Sebastian said.
 "I know. At the party, I suppose you spotted her. Thank you for the flowers, however, I’d prefer if I returned them. When I get home from class this evening, that would be ideal."
 When I ask him why he’s here, he replies, "I came to apologize. Last night..."
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 </div> "Look, I don’t need any more explanations from you and I don’t need to be made more miserable by your behavior. It’s understandable that you didn’t like it."
 "Not what I’m referring to at all. Let me finish if you don’t mind—"
 "Oh, you want me to let you finish?"
 " Yes. Please."
 "No more words are to be exchanged." I pick up my backpack off the floor and put it in my hands.
 "Carla, please make sure the cats are in their room upstairs before you leave," I said,
 "I’ll call you later," and then I walk away.
 "Okay. See you," Carla says and went back to the kitchen.
 "Stella...wait."
 "No," I respond, clenching my jaws. "And don’t follow me." I close the door behind me and head to the elevators and I don’t give it a second thought. I feel a wave of contentment flood over me as I make my way down the elevator. Anxiety that I had never felt before has taken hold of me. There is a part of me that has never expressed itself. It’s as cold as ice, too. Sebastian is responsible for the emergence of a new side of my personality in me.</div>
 

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Chapter 20: Intriguing Questions Part 2

Chapter 20: Intriguing Questions Part 2 Stella’s POV I disregard Carla’s question and talk to the cats as if they were infants. "Didn’t your boss tell you to avoid her flowers?" she said. I reach for the treat container in the kitchen and open it, giving Tucker, Luca, and Luna some cat foods. "Such lovely kitties. And it includes you, Luca. You’ve done a great job. Thank you." Carla begins warming our lunch by turning on the oven and a single stovetop burner in her apartment. "Come on, Stella,"...

Billionaire's Pleasure

Chapter 20: Intriguing Questions Part 2

Billionaire's Pleasure - Chapter 20: Intriguing Questions Part 2