CHAPTER SIXTEEN – CHANGING MY LIFE

If she had known that in one night her life would change this much, Stella would have at least made sure she had Brandon's phone number. They weren't a couple, not enemies, not quite friends either. To Stella, they were a question mark loaded with tension. She longed to feel Brandon's presence, and her instincts told her he felt the same. But tension could dissipate, and emptiness could be filled. She couldn't and wouldn't let her life hinge on these uncertainties. If her friends were asked, they'd say having a boyfriend wasn't a life-altering decision. Maybe they were right, but why should she make a choice that could alter the course of her life? Just because she was a teenager didn't mean she had to act recklessly.

Taking a deep breath, Stella continued gazing out of the window. Her father had called her shortly after Brandon had left. He was on his way to pick up Stella and take her to the city. She'd protested, of course, but arguing with a worried and panicked parent wasn't very effective. As soon as Stella hung up with her dad, she called the girls to let them know she was heading to the city. Their disappointed and saddened faces weighed on her, further dampening her mood. But Stella understood her parents' concerns, and with her school transitioning to online learning at just the right time, it seemed like the logical move.

"Do you want us to stop for coffee, dear?" her father asked. Luna couldn't leave work, so only one of them had to come fetch her. Radius didn't want to argue; he wanted to see the mysterious box for himself. "Yeah, dad, I'd never say no to coffee," she murmured. A part of her wanted to go to the city; she'd missed her parents, and seeing them once every three months wasn't enough. They were the best parents she'd ever seen, always so careful when it came to their daughter.

As Radius smiled at his daughter, he couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise. He'd half-expected Stella to somehow convince him to turn back alone, but she was already packed and had checked everything in the house to ensure there wouldn't be any trouble while she was away. Even though Mimi would come by to check and clean the house three times a week, Stella had even spoken to the neighbors about looking after the dogs. His surprise deepened; he hadn't fully grasped just how much Stella had grown up and learned to shoulder her responsibilities. When he found her waiting outside, the dogs forming a protective circle around her, he knew there was nothing left for him to do but help Stella load her things into the car and take a look at the box that had been sent to his daughter.

"Here you go, baby," said Radius, handing her the venti-sized coffee mug. Stella silently thanked the heavens that her parents were indulgent. Everything in their lives was chosen with purpose and care, just like this Tesla. She took in the aroma of her coffee before setting her cup in the holder between her seat and her father's. "Thanks, Dad. I've only had two today," she admitted. Radius rolled his eyes, a twinkle in them. "That's actually a sufficient amount, honey, depending on the size and strength of the coffee." Stella regarded her father as if he'd sprouted horns. "Dad, do you want to see me cry?" Radius chuckled at her response. He knew just how much coffee Stella consumed, which was why he'd secretly switched all the beans, capsules, and granulated coffee to decaf. Of course, Stella remained blissfully unaware. "I only want to see you smile, sunshine," he replied, giving her a warm smile. Unaware that his choice of nickname sent shivers down Stella's spine.

"Your mom would probably be late, do you want to go to the office and see her or?" Radius inquired, his eyes fixed on the road as he awaited Stella's response.

"We can go see her. I've missed her," Stella replied, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"She missed you too, baby. She was so excited you were coming, she got a week's worth of work done in just three hours. She really wants to spend more time with you," Radius shared, a warm smile gracing his features. Stella felt a rush of warmth at her father's words, her mood already beginning to lift.

"Do you think it would be too much trouble to change high schools and move to the city, Dad?" she suddenly asked, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Radius brought the car to a gentle stop and turned to look at her, studying her carefully, trying to gauge if she was serious and comfortable with her decision. If this was a decision, he didn't want to rush her.

"Stella, nothing you want can cause trouble for us or for you. We'll make sure of it," he assured her, his eyes filled with sincerity. Stella's eyes welled up with tears, gratitude swelling within her. "Thank you, Dad," she murmured, her voice filled with emotion.

"We've been so worried about you, baby. You being in Gardenia, so far away from us, without the protection of a parent. Putting everything else aside, knowing that you're not sleeping peacefully at night because of some lunatics..." he paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Trust me, even if it were trouble, we wouldn't mind at all. This is a trouble we were willing to face from the beginning, honey." Stella nodded in understanding. She'd been pondering this decision for days now. It wasn't merely a reaction to a mysterious box showing up on her doorstep, filled with information about her. Which it was downright creepy.

"Then I want to. Move to the city with you, I mean," she spoke softly, her gaze meeting her father's. Radius's smile lit up his face, and he pulled Stella into a tight embrace. At one point, she had to ask him to ease up a bit so she could catch her breath. Her parents did have a tendency to hug until it felt like suffocation.

"Your mom won't be able to work once she hears about your decision," he said, already dialing her number to share the momentous news.

Stella lay on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in her thoughts. She had just hung up the phone with her friends, and it was safe to say they hadn't taken the news well. She had hoped for more understanding from them, but she knew they needed time to process her decision. They were upset that she had made this choice because she felt alone, even though they had done their best to make sure she never felt that way. They had spent countless hours with her, trying to fill the void left by her absent parents. But deep down, they all knew that nothing could replace the presence of her parents by her side. Taking a deep breath, Stella turned her attention to her surroundings, studying her new room. It couldn't be considered entirely new, as she had spent every holiday and break here. She walked over to the large window, gazing out at the view. As she did, her mind began to wander, pondering what else she may have forgotten to bring. This train of thought led to another, one tinged with regret. She knew she would see her friends soon, as they had all made plans for college. While they didn't all want the same things or even attend the same college, Stella was confident they would reunite in the city.

But what about the certain brunette she hadn't had a chance to say goodbye to? Would she even have the courage to do so if the opportunity arose? Brandon had tried to convince her to move with her parents once he realized she wasn't safe in her home, let alone in town. Stella couldn't quite fathom why he was so fiercely protective of her. Yes, they shared a strong and tense connection that made her heart race at the mere thought of it. But, there was a critical 'but' – they had only just met. Stella yearned for his touch, to see his face up close, and so much more. Yet, she recognized that her desires were rooted in a curiosity to unravel the enigma that was Brandon. She knew her boundaries, but Brandon seemed to hover dangerously close to those limits. She needed to take a step back, to clear her head, especially with the approaching SATs demanding her focus.

"Hey, baby? Can I come in?" Luna's voice pierced through Stella's thoughts. She snapped her attention to the door, realizing she hadn't answered her mother. "Oh, sure, sure, come in," she replied, a smile gracing her face. Luna entered Stella's room, her own face lit up with excitement. "I still can't believe you're here. Just a couple of steps away from us!" Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm as she enveloped her daughter in a tight hug. "My baby girl."

"Mom, when do you think you're going to get used to it and stop saying these things to me?" Stella asked, chuckling at her mother's endearing antics.

"You'll understand when you become a mother," Luna replied, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Anyway, honey, we have a dinner reservation tonight at Cheri's," Luna continued, releasing Stella from the embrace and settling onto the couch by the window.

"Oh, I love that place!" Stella's voice rang with genuine delight, further supporting her mother's spirits. "We know, which is why we arranged our business meeting there," Luna said with a mischievous grin. Stella's face fell slightly. "Mom, it's a bit rude to inform me about a dinner I won't be joining."

Luna chuckled at her daughter's protest. "Baby, you are joining if you want to. We made this reservation weeks ago, and you know how hard it is to secure a spot at Cheri's."

Stella nodded; she always tried to secure a reservation at Cheri's before visiting her parents. "Anyway, we made the reservation for our new business partners." Luna's announcement prompted Stella to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "Congratulations, Mom. Maybe it's better if I stay home, or I could go to the cinema and you and Dad can pick me up after dinner?" Stella suggested.

Luna took Stella's hand and pulled her to sit beside her on the couch. "No, Stella. This is a family meeting. Your father and I like to connect with our business partners on a personal level. Sometimes we invite them to our home or accept their invitations. It's the best way to foster strong business relationships."

Stella watched her mother speak about their work with pride and affection. "I'll come, Mom. I'd love to be there. You both work so hard, and I want you to know I support you."

Luna looked at Stella, overcome with emotion. They had always known they had raised an exceptional daughter, even though it had been so challenging at first. After all, they had become parents at such a young age. "You are such a good kid," Luna said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Mom, less drama, please," Stella teased, a warm smile on her face. Luna hugged Stella again, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I have to go and tell your father that you'll be joining us. And I should call Anne and Allison too. Perhaps their kids would like to come along."

As her mother left the room, Stella couldn't help but feel a slight anxiety about the prospect of mingling with the kids. They were not exactly her cup of tea, often proving to be a challenge to converse with. She sighed and turned her attention to her partly open wardrobe, contemplating the perfect ensemble for an evening at Cheri's.