Chapter 38: Chapter 38

BELLA

Diana, Lucy, and Katie were at the doorpost when Jayden dropped me off. He wanted to say hi to them but I stopped him. I knew Dia won't ask so many questions and doesn't take no for an answer. "Good night sweety," Jayden said and kissed my forehead

I gave a fake smile and moved backward. "It's late. You should leave. You won't want to keep Ethan so worried"

He waved to me and finally drove off. I turned to see Diana walking closer to me. I groaned. Can't she just wait at the doorpost and let me come closer instead?. "Someone seems happy now," she said, stopping right in front of me

I rolled my eyes. "Should I be sad?"

She folded her hands and shrugged. "This wasn't your expression when you left some hours ago"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Well, I need to know what transpired between you two. It seems to be good news"

"I ain't saying anything to you, ok?"

She smirked and I knew something isn't right. "I guess you will want to say it to mum then" she answered

"Mom?. She's here?. Is she the reason we are here?. Why is she here?. What did she say?. Why..."

"Hey, too many questions for a simple me"

I sighed. "Talk to me. Did she give her reason for being here?"

She shrugged. "None I can remember. But I think...". She was interrupted by Katie.

"You both shouldn't keep mom waiting"

I felt my heart begin to beat so fast. "Katie. Did mom give her reason for coming?"

She shook her head. "None, I could remember. We should go in. She seems very furious"

I tried to take a deep breath. But my nerves were jumping so badly I wondered why I was still standing. Why is she here?. Did I do something wrong?. Is there something Katie and Dia aren't telling me?. Different thoughts ran through my mind as I got lost in deep thought. Dia flicked her fingers across my face and I blinked. "Hey, thinking of him?" She chuckled and I frowned.

"I am not thinking about him, ok"

"You were, darling. It was writing all over you"

I groaned. There is no point arguing on this with Dia. I sighed. "Can we get going already"

She frowned. "You haven't answered me"

"First you did not ask a question so you need no answer and second, I have better things to deal with than argue all night with you"

Katie laughed and Dia glared at her. "Really?. You both are ganging yo against me, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Katie why isn't Lucy here?. I mean why is she standing over there and not here?"

Katie shrugged. "Maybe you should ask her yourself"

I nodded in agreement. "I will do just that"

I left Dia and Katie and walked closer to Lucy who seems to be launching too. "You both are leaving behind, huh?" Dia yelled

I turned to see Katie following me. I chuckled. "You can have fun alone, Dia. The weather is so nice" I yelled

Katie chuckled. "I think Bella is right"

I could not hear what Dia said but I knew she was so angry and won't stop talking. I shrugged. I wasn't too bothered about her because I know we can always get past that. I was more bothered about mom. The reason she was here, and why she wanted us in this hotel. The hotel is the most expensive here. My mind drifted back to Jayden's reaction when he drove me here. I rolled my eyes. Why would mom want us here?. To make Jayden know I came from a rich family?. I batted my lashes. Jayden doesn't know much about me, except the fact that I finished my first and second degrees at an early age.

I held my clammy hands together. What will be his reaction when he finds out?. That I am the daughter of a well-known contractor. How will he feel when he finds out I used to be a lecturer, a well-known professor?. Will he still love me as he claims?. Will he... I was short of words. Katie held my hand and I sighed. "It's going to be alright, ok?"

I nodded in agreement even when my heart had refused to believe everything she said. It was difficult to believe it will be alright when it doesn't look like it. I shrugged off the feeling and decided to go see mom irrespective of what I thought might be her reason for coming here. Seeing her is the only way to find out.

**

Katie walked closer to the door and made to open it. I blinked. "Wait" I whispered. Dia scoffed and I frowned. "Can't I take a bit of fresh air before going in, huh?". Dia ignored me and moved closer to the door. "Are you planning to open the d...". She opened the door and I glared. "Hey..."

"Are you coming in or do you want me to drag you"

I frowned. "You will what?. You..." She dragged me in. "Hey!!!". The room was dark and I wondered why?. "Dia. Dia, why is the room dark?. Dia..." The light came on and I closed my eyes quickly. I had to open my eyes slowly to adjust to the light.

"Happy birthday!!!" I heard them say. I looked around the room. There were about ten people. I batted my lashes.

Mom walked closer to me. "Happy birthday my darling". I rolled my eyes. This is kinda strange to see mom here to wish me a happy birthday.

I faked a smile. "Thank you, mom". I decided to hug her. "It's good to see you"

"It's good to see you too, darling"

I looked at the faces in the room. Most of the faces weren't familiar to me, except Lucy, Katie, Diana, and of course mom. "Who are they, mom?" I whispered and she chuckled.

"My friends from, Asia"

Friends from Asia?. When did she visit Asia?. "Mom, when did you visit Asia?"

"Today is not about me, it's about you, ok?". I rolled my eyes. She is not going to tell me why she visited Asia and when. Which country did she even visit?. I sighed. I should just let it slide. I should be happy she was here for my birthday and not for some trouble. I chuckled when I remembered my reaction when Dia told me mom was here. I had thought she was here to make me go back or maybe give me reasons why I shouldn't accept Jayden. I smiled. Talking of Jayden, I should call to know if he's home safely. I made to leave but mom held me.

"Not so soon, young lady"

I pointed at the door. "I just want to make a call outside" I whispered

She frowned. "And leave your guest unattended to?". I groaned. They are not my guest but hers. Why did she bring them here in the first place?. I don't... A finger flicked across my face, jolted me back to reality. "Are you listening to me at all, Mirabella"

I rolled my eyes. "It's Bella, mom"

She folded her hands. "Or Bell as you like to be called"

I batted my lashes. Did she just say Bell?. "What did you say, mom?" You heard me

I furrowed my brows. Did she know about Jayden calling me Bell?. I don't think so. I decided to pretend not to understand what she was talking about. "No one calls me Bella. It's Bella" I defended

"Even the young school boy?"

I raised an eyebrow. Hope she isn't talking about Jayden?. "Young school boy?. I don't get you"

"Jayden. Your student you are all over heels for"

I blinked. Does she know Jayden calls me Bell?. How come?. Nobody knows. Not even Dia. Or has mom been spying on me?. Is that even possible?. "Mom, have you been spying on me"

"Someone finally accept to be in love with her student"

I frowned. She shouldn't try to change the topic. "That isn't the point here mom. Have you been spying on me?"

"Knowing your student calls you Bell, is that called spying? Huh?"

I sighed. Maybe I am taking it to far. I am just been afraid mom will not accept him. I don't want her judging him like she judged others. "I'm so sorry, mom. I just..."

"Want to fight for what is yours?. I know. But..."

"No but mother. You don't want to spoil your daughter's mood on her birthday"

Mom smiled. "You got me on that". I chuckled. "Enough of the chat. Let's get you your gift"

I widened my eyes. "You got me a gift?"

"Anything for my baby girl"

I rolled my eyes. It's surprising to hear that. It isn't like she doesn't buy me gift. It's just kinda surprise. "That's good to hear, mom. I can't wait to see it"

"Attention everyone. So this is my beautiful daughter, Mirabella"

I rolled my eyes. "Cut the introduction mom and show me the gift already" I whispered

She smiled. "Can we all go downstairs to see the wonder gift that had been kept for her. Just for her birthday". Shout erupted and I rolled my eyes. What's the shout for?

The shout died down and we finally headed downstairs. Mom led us to the parking lot. At one side was a car covered with a flowery veil. Balloons were used as decoration. I batted my lashes. Mom bought me a car?. Why?.

"Happy Birthday sweetie. This is my gift to you today". The veil was removed from the car and my eyes widened in shock. "What!!!!"