Bound To Fall

I Need Some F*cking Air

Isabelle

"You're quiet." I looked curiously at Sterling. "Why? I thought you'd be thrilled that this plan worked."

He opened the door to the penthouse and we stepped inside. He remained silent as he locked everything up and began to untie his tie. He then led the way to the kitchen where he grabbed a glass and poured himself some whiskey.

"Sterling?" I called his name in hopes that he would give me an answer.

"I am pleased it worked." He responded before taking a sip from the glass. "But I don't think it's time to start celebrating."

"I know." I nodded.

I knew he was right. Elise is probably pissed she doesn't get the satisfaction of taking the Tipton's down. However, the fact she really thought she stood a chance baffles me. It doesn't matter what your status is, everyone knows Damon Tipton thinks a step ahead.

"At least allow yourself to relax a little." I could tell just by looking at him he's still way too tense about this whole thing. "We've won at least one battle with her for now."
The only left to do was to figure out how to handle her getting information on my family. That honestly wasn't going to be too bad as long as I could get Alexandria on her own. All I needed was a little talking from her and I'm sure there would be something to get Elise to shut her mouth once and for all.

Sterling finished off the whiskey in the bottle. He poured himself another glass, not saying another word.

He was angry. I could tell he was. I've gotten to know his temperament extremely well, one perk of us being inseparable as kids. I also know, when he's quiet and angry he's plotting something.

I took a seat across from him at the kitchen island. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing important." He responded dryly.

"I can tell that's not the truth." I decided to continue pushing further, it's the only attempt I had at getting any details about what's going through his mind. "I know you too well, tell me what's going on."

He takes another sip from his drink. I can tell he's either trying to figure out what to tell me or how to avoid telling me. Whatever it is, I can tell it's bad.

Those icy blue eyes of his hold some sort of darkness. I can tell there's a storm brewing. His face is firm and emotionless, not giving me any details as to what's on his mind. This is all enough to let me know Sterling isn't just angry, he's furious.

"Sterling." I spoke softly as I tried to get his attention again. "Let me in, tell me what's going on in your mind."

He slammed the glass down on the counter. "I need some fucking air, that's what's going on in my mind."

He begins to head for the door leading to outside. I got up to follow behind him but he turned around to face me. His icy eyes still remained dark as he looked into my gray orbs.

"Alone." His tone was stern, letting me know this was something that wasn't up for debate.

"Okay." I nodded as I gulped down some air. "I'll be in the room if you need me."

Without another word, he turned back around to head outside. I watched him for a moment before I forced myself to head to the bedroom. He made it clear that he wanted to be left alone, I needed to give him his space.

Not that it meant I liked it.

I expected him to be at least a little happy that the Tipton's managed to beat Elise in her own game. It doesn't mean it's over but it at least proves to her they weren't going down without a fight.

Instead, he's just pissed off. Scratch that, if he was just pissed off he wouldn't have sent me away. It's serious when he sends me away, there are only two other times I can remember him doing something like this.

The first time was when we were just little kids at the orphanage. Someone accidentally messed up a project he made for me specifically. While he tried not to show it, he was extremely upset and went to sit on the swingset for an hour by himself.

The second time was when we were teenagers, before we confessed we liked each other. Sterling took me out with Mrs. Strahm's permission and some guy approached me and asked for my number. Sterling and the guy started to get into it, he took me home after and needed to be alone for a day or two.

I exhaled a low sigh.

Sterling can be easy to set off, however when I came back it seemed he was so numbed by Elise's antics that it was easier for him to not care. Now here he is, his old habits coming in full force.

I laid on the bed, scrolling through my phone to kill some time. I knew he'd come in when he was ready. Depending on how he acts when he returns would judge whether or not I press the matter further with him.

It took him about an hour and a half to finally come into the room. His face was just as emotionless as before. It still probably wasn't the time to ask, but it was beginning to eat at me what the matter was.

The only thought in my mind was, maybe Elise had done something I wasn't aware of.

"What did she do?" My voice was raspy as I asked my question. "Whatever it is, we can handle it together."

He kept his back to me as he began to strip out of his suit. "She didn't do anything new, not yet anyway."

I sat up on the bed, watching him. "Then talk to me. Tell me what's gotten you so worked up Sterling, please."

I just wanted to help make it better.

"Isabelle." He turned to face me, his eyes looked seriously into mine. "Not right now. Let's just go to bed and talk in the morning."

"Okay." I was hesitant to agree, but it was at least better than nothing.

He shut off the light and climbed into bed. His back was turned to me, I couldn't help but feel a little distance between us. My stomach began to knot up but I tried to ignore it. I could tell I was beginning to read too much into this.

It took awhile but we both finally fell asleep. When I woke up, I expected him to be by my side and ready to explain... but he wasn't.

There was only a note on his nightstand telling me to take a few days off.