Chapter 5 Watching Stella and Michael's Affection
After a night of tossing and turning, Isabella finally woke up late the next morning.
She couldn't find her clothes anywhere, so she just wandered out of the bedroom in her pajamas.
Ava was standing by the bedroom door and asked if she needed anything.
Isabella glanced down at her pajamas, feeling a bit embarrassed, and asked Ava to help her find the clothes she wore yesterday.
Ava mentioned they might be in the walk-in closet and led her there.
Isabella had always thought the walk-in closet was just a regular wardrobe.
But when she walked in, she was blown away. This was no ordinary closet!
There were clothes of all styles and colors neatly hanging everywhere.
All four walls were lined with shelves, packed with bags and accessories.
'Michael must've really spoiled his ex-girlfriend,' Isabella thought, feeling like she was starting to get it. 'Michael really likes Stella, but seeing her cheat on him broke his heart. Now he wants to be a real couple with me, probably to get back at John and Stella.'
Isabella felt a twinge of sadness. She didn't want to use someone else's stuff, especially Stella's. So she picked the plainest T-shirt and jeans she could find.
After showering and changing, she found the clothes fit perfectly, especially the jeans, which hugged her curves like they were made for her.
Ava took her downstairs for breakfast, and Isabella finally got a good look at the house.
There was a spiral staircase, smooth handrails, soft carpets, beautiful crystal chandeliers, and simple yet sophisticated furniture. The place was luxurious, grand, understated, and opulent all at once.
Isabella tried to find the right word to describe it but came up empty. She just knew that the villa she had visited at John's house was nothing compared to Michael's place.
After a day of running around and not eating, Isabella was starving.
Ava set out breakfast for her, a sandwich and milk, which was her usual breakfast.
Isabella felt oddly at ease and thought, "It seems Michael's taste is similar to mine. At least when it comes to food, I shouldn't cause him too much trouble."
Michael, who had crossed half the city early in the morning to buy breakfast, suddenly sneezed. He felt like someone must be thinking about him.
After eating, Isabella sat in the living room playing on her phone.
The butler, Robert, brought in a tall, voluptuous woman dressed in elaborate, luxurious clothes.
The woman exaggeratedly swayed her hips, like she was on a runway.
'She must think the living room is a catwalk,' Isabella thought.
"Isabella, we meet again," the woman greeted her warmly.
Isabella was confused; she didn't remember ever meeting this woman.
"Mrs. Johnson, this is Ms. Hall... Mr. Johnson's..." Robert hesitated, unsure how to introduce Stella to Isabella.
Isabella figured Michael's friends had nothing to do with her, so she politely nodded and said, "Hello."
Stella burst out laughing and said, "Isabella, you still don't remember who I am? Do you want me to take off my clothes to help you remember?"
As she spoke, she took off her coat, threw it on the sofa, sat down, and looked around the room, exclaiming, "Who would've thought, you ended up being the first woman to live in Michael's villa."
Isabella remembered now; this was Michael's ex-girlfriend, Stella, the one who slept with John.
Feeling annoyed, Isabella said to her, "Thanks to you."
Isabella thought, "Michael treats her so well, yet she cheated on him."
Thinking about it, Isabella had no patience for her.
"You really should thank me. With your average figure, no man would want you," Stella said, looking Isabella up and down.
Isabella was furious, thinking, 'Stella shamelessly tramples on Michael's love for her, and she still has the nerve to say such things!'
She stood up and said to Stella, "Leave. You're not welcome here."
Stella crossed her legs on the sofa, smiling smugly. "This is Michael's house. I come and go as I please. You don't get to decide."
"We're married. This is my home too, and I don't welcome you," Isabella retorted.
"I'll leave if Michael tells me to. As for you..." Stella snorted disdainfully.
"Just go. He probably doesn't want to see you," Isabella said, not knowing where Stella got her confidence.
"How do you know Michael doesn't want to see me?" Stella asked curiously.
Isabella thought for a moment and seriously said to Stella, "Mr. Johnson loved you so much, but you cheated on him right under his nose and broke his heart. Why would he want to see you again?"
Just then, Robert walked over and said, "Ms. Hall, Mr. Johnson wants to see you upstairs."
Seeing Isabella's incredulous expression, Stella couldn't help but tease her further, "Isabella, you don't understand. Men are just like that. I have what it takes to make him unable to resist."
After saying that, Stella puffed out her chest proudly and followed Robert upstairs.
Isabella thought, "Michael forgives her so quickly?"
Isabella was both angry at Michael's decision and wondering if his forgiveness of Stella meant she could leave.
Thinking of this, she felt she should be happy, but why did she feel a bit sad?
A few minutes later, Stella came out of Michael's room, holding a file folder.
Isabella didn't want to see her, so she turned her face away, pretending not to notice.
Stella had other ideas. She deliberately walked over, sat next to Isabella, and opened the file folder to show off. "Michael is really nice. Look, he gave me a car, a house, a check for a million dollars, and he's going to help me achieve my dream by recommending me to a big director."
Isabella felt a pang of sadness and a bit of resentment towards Michael. She thought, 'If you can't let go of Stella, why not get back together with her? Why make me watch you being so affectionate? Michael, you're blinded by love and are hopeless!'
"How can you be so shameless?" Isabella said angrily. "You did something so wrong to Michael, and you still have the nerve to take his things."
Stella was pleased to see Isabella angry. "Oh, I didn't want to, but Michael insisted on giving them to me. I couldn't refuse!"
Isabella sighed inwardly, 'Whatever, if Michael wants to give her money, what does it have to do with me?'
Seeing Isabella had lost her fighting spirit, Stella found it boring and waved her hand as she walked away.
After a few steps, she remembered something and came back, leaning close to Isabella's ear, saying, "Isabella, listen, Michael's a great guy. Stick with him. John is a scumbag, not worth it. He's poor, bad in bed, and has no stamina."
After saying that, Stella walked away gracefully.
Isabella thought to herself, 'I know Michael is great, but unfortunately, his heart is only for you.'