ArabellaThe free day had flown by, and I was back in my cubicle, typing away. After spending time with Sky, I should have felt better but no – My lips were pressed into a tight frown as my fingers moved over the keys.Grandma had seen the eviction notice. The landlord even confronted her last night. She told me when I rushed home to grab my bag. Her solemn expression and the way her eyes watered burned into my soul.I told her not to worry and made sure she ate before I left, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then, as soon as I arrived at work, Dr. Khalid texted, asking if I'd deposited the money for Mom's surgery as her condition had gotten worse.As if that wasn't enough, the bank called. The loan I'd taken? It was time to pay up.Today had to be the worst morning of the month. Everything was caving in, and there was no way out. I was trapped and getting mocked by the very life I was trying to hold together.What do I do? I was at a dead end.The buzz of my phone drew me out o
Arabella"I hope I'm not interrupting something shamefully intimate?" Adrian asked, his voice calm but with a mocking edge to it.His eyes locked onto mine, and his lips twitched ever so slightly; I almost missed it. There was, as always, an unreadable expression on his face which made me wonder what was going on in his head.I didn't notice when Nathan had released his grip on me and stepped back but when I did, I quickly moved away from him, scowling as I rubbed the spot on my arm where he had tightly gripped."Don't stop on my account, Wilde. You put on a pleasant show which is rare these days. Please continue," Adrian said, and my eyes narrowed at him, my breath hitching when I found that he was staring back. His eyes were dark with an intensity that made me squirm in my spot and, for some reason, think to explain the situation."It's not what..." Nathan cut in before I could finish, his voice dripping with animosity. "What I do is none of your business, Davidson."Adrian's eyes
AdrianBella.It sounded foreign – I'd never really referred to her as that.She was the Bella who Grandma spoke so much about. So much so that she felt sad she hadn't seen her before getting discharged from the hospital. She'd even left her a gift. It was rare to see Hallie Davidson soft towards someone since her major trait was being deviously calculative. But Bella, somehow, made her a big pile of mush.I should have known that it could've been her since Sky worked at the hospital but I'd brushed it off, thinking Sky would never let her get close to anyone related to me.Though I'm betting she did try but Ara was either too stubborn to listen or Grandma was insistent – as always.But whatever it was, she'd launched herself into my world – again – the moment I received a mail with her name on it and picked her miserable little life apart. It took barely seven hours to find out what I wanted and twelve to walk in here and make her an offer that threw her off.I watched her, picturing
Arabella:My whole body tensed as the door clicked shut. He was gone but his words were still ringing in my head. I closed my eyes, taking in a deep, shaky breath to calm myself, but that didn't work. My thoughts were spiraling.Ten million.The amount made my heart race. Ten whole million just to get married to him, or in his words, pretend to be someone who was in love with him. The offer was tempting. So fucking tempting that if it were anyone else and not him, I would've taken it without a thought.But it just had to be him.It was laughable that after all my efforts to manage the situation didn't prevail, the only ray of hope I finally got was from the man I despised the most. A deprecating snort left my lips.The sound of hurried footsteps clicking against the marble floor, followed by Mr. Hart's overly excited voice, snapped me out of my thoughts."Bella, I don't know how you did it but the most expensive piece from our latest collection has been purchased"Mustering up a small
Arabella:Javier Ramirez was the kind of man you didn't want showing up at your doorstep because when he did, it meant trouble.I was in trouble.I'd taken money from him. It was a desperate, reckless decision that kept me afloat. If he was here now, it meant a year had already passed and he was here to get back his money."Won't you let me in, amor?" He asked smoothly, his thick Spanish accent unmistakable. His voice was laced with something that sent a shiver down my spine.I gripped the door tighter, my pulse hammering against my neck. Letting him in was a mistake but keeping him outside might be worse. He was a dangerous man.Standing face to face with him now, one question bugged me. What was I thinking going to him for help?His gaze remained trained on me as he waited for me to decide. Swallowing hard, I took a step aside silently inviting him in. He stepped inside with the deliberate grace of a man who knew he owned any room he walked into. Only then did I notice another man t
AdrianI watched as her jaws tensed and her nostrils flared as she tried to keep herself together. But I wasn't lying. She did look like she'd pass out, soon. She looked different from the composed woman I'd met the previous day. Her face was pale despite the flush of the skin, her hair tussled, and her eyes were filled with exhaustion.This made me wonder what happened within the twenty hours after our discussion that forced her to change her mind.My eyes trailed from her face to her upright posture, her muscles were stiff. I knew she didn't want to be here but she had no choice. Her defiance though, was still there, a fire that I wasn't used to seeing from her. One I would have to quench because although I needed her, she needed me the most.The door opened and Lana walked in, holding a tray carrying a glass of cold juice. She closed the distance and placed it in front of Ara before leaving.Ara stared at the drink for a moment, scowling as she pushed it to the side."I don't need
Arabella:I stared at my reflection, barely seeing the dress clinging to my body. A simple white maxi, silver stones trailing to my ankles. My hair was pulled into a sleek bun, my makeup subtle, making me look like the perfect bride.The dress was beautiful, elegant, and perfect. Too perfect for something so fake.But fake or not, it was happening. I was going to walk down the aisle with Adrian Davidson. It was ironic that I'd once dreamed of this moment with him but now, the thought left a bitter taste in my mouth."I must say that of all the women he has brought for me to dress, you are the most stunning," A heavily French-accented voice said behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts. Lifting my eyes, they clashed with Brigitte's sharp gaze through the mirror.As Adrian's stylist, she had done a good job transforming me into his perfect bride. And now, I also know that she'd dressed numerous women for him. For some reason, that made my stomach tighten.Brigitte scanned me in approva
Arabella:I froze when I opened the door to my apartment. Sky and my grandma were pacing about in the living room area with their phones glued to their ears and when they saw me, their movements halted.My heartbeat quickened, my hands shaking on the door handle. What was Sky doing here? I wasn't ready to face her yet."Bella, where the hell have you been?" Sky asked, her face softening with relief as she dropped her phone. "Ruth has been worried the whole day"My gaze shifted to my grandma, who was staring at me inquisitively, then to the clock on the wall behind her. I noted the time. I had been gone for almost seven hours. She was bound to be worried, especially as I'd run out this morning without saying a word to her."I just stepped out for a while to get something done. You shouldn't have called Sky to bother her about this" I tried avoiding Sky's sharp gaze, scanning me as I walked into the house. My steps almost faltered as I stepped around her.I thought she'd be at work. I w
ArabellaI straightened up, trying to look casual, but the heat still burned on my face. "I wasn't... eyefucking you," I shot back quickly, my voice a little sharper than I meant it to be.Adrian's gaze was still pinned on me, and that infuriating smirk was in place, reveling at the sight of the shame consuming me. I was probably redder than a tomato, and still my eyes couldn't stop wandering to places it had no business.Except, those places were right before me. Bare, glsiern, huge... and right there!His lips curled, and he tilted his head, a hint of amusement and something else I couldn't name dancing in his eyes."You're still doing it now, Ara. If you have a little bit of decency, please take your eyes away from my crotch." My entire face burst into flames, and I swear I felt my soul almost jump out of my body. If the ground could open and swallow me, I would've thanked it.My gaze met his, my body burning with embarrassment. "I'm not staring at your... crotch." My voice was ov
ArabellaThe next morning, I woke up earlier than expected. Sunlight leaking through the blinds, brushing warm fingers across my face. For a second, I just lay there, confused. I never woke up this early. Then it hit me. I'd slept early.After meeting with Dr. Khalid last night, Ruth and Sky had practically dragged me out of the hospital and sent me home. When I got home, I didn't bother pulling the sheets over me as I hit the bed.A yawn escaped my mouth. My head didn't throb like it usually did when I woke up, and my muscles were relaxed. Huh. So that's what rest felt like.I dragged myself out of bed, stretched until my joints popped, and headed straight to the bathroom. A long, warm shower later, I threw on a simple pair of shorts and a huge t-shirt that nearly swallowed me whole. Comfort over everything.As I stepped out of the room, I sent Ruth a quick text: How was your night? Then paused, scanning the hallway.Silence.No trace of life anywhere. Again.I moved through the hous
ArabellaMy steps were unhurried as I walked through the hospital hallways. My movement was laid-back but my face was twisted into a frown.Mark had sent me more work through email, and he insisted I send the results to him early tomorrow.So much for a good night's rest tonight.The past week and a few days had been quite hefty both at home and at work.I didn't know how I managed to pull through the day at work today. Despite the flurry of meetings and the dull ache that settled in my spine, I was still poised — like I hadn't spent the previous night in a stiff hospital chair watching my mother for hours. She underwent a successful surgery last night.I was happy. Really.Finally, Ruth would stop worrying all the time and my mom would leave the hospital. She'd been admitted for almost five months.Even I could relax after so long. For the past year, all I did was worry about covering bills and paying debts. It felt good to be free.Family aside, Steph had been out of town for a week
AdrianThe elevator came to a stop with a soft ding. I stepped out, my mind reeling with thoughts as the lobby passed by in a blur. The cool city air hit me the second I walked out of the buildingMy jaw was tight. My fists were clenched like I needed to punch something, someone — myself, maybe.Sky was the last person I expected to see tonight.How long had it been since I last saw her? Five years? A hollow chuckle slipped past my lips. Pathetic. We used to be close – like two peas in a pod.She'd moved in with my grandparents around age ten. She was dumped there, actually. Her parents had a better child to raise, and thanks to their friendship with my family, Sky ended up with us. She became the little sister I never asked for and I'd never regretted it.When she said she wouldn't speak to me again back then, I thought it was another joke of hers. Turns out, it wasn't. I called a few times. Then stopped.I told myself I didn't owe her an explanation for hurting her best friend. A pa
Arabella"Why did you have to ask him to stay?" I sighed, turning away from the door where I watched Adrian speaking to Gabriel. He was giving the man some serious instructions while lounging comfortably on the couch."This is the least we can do to appreciate his help," Ruth murmured, twisting open a can of tomatoes. She was preparing her special recipe for pasta and meatball sauce. Simple, but always delicious."The help being what I'd earned," I emphasized the word earned. "The money I earned for being his fake wife, in case you've forgotten." Muttering under my breath, I reluctantly moved toward the boiling pot on the stove. Ruth paused for a moment, her lips curling into a lopsided smile."You weren't thinking this way when you were weeping in his arms," she teased, sighing dramatically. "Ah... I used to have strong arms for myself too, back in the day."A sharp gasp left my lips."What are you saying?" Heat burned my neck. For some reason, Adrian's scent — trapped in my memory —
Arabella"No! Don't touch her!" Ruth's voice cracked with panic, stepping between me and the man moving forward.But he didn't stop. None of them did.The largest of them grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me forward like I weighed nothing. My cry of protest got swallowed in the chaos — Ruth yelling, me struggling, his fingers digging in so hard I was sure they'd bruise."I said let go!" I shouted, jerking away, but the other man stepped in, grabbing my other arm."Stop it! Please!" Ruth's voice was shaking now. "Give us more time, please!"The man only smirked. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I was tossed forward. Pain stung my skin from the men's harsh grip, my eyes welling with unshed tears. Had Adrian even seen my text?It was funny. After all my efforts, I was still going to end up caged by this monster. My heartbeat was erratic, and a lump formed in my throat. The urge to let it loose was a tick away. I couldn't take this anymore.Just as they were about opening the door
AdrianA minute. That's all it took.One minute of silence. One call cut too quickly. One word — Amor.My fingers tightened around the phone. Something was wrong. The way her voice had dropped, the rushed tone, the way she snapped. And then that voice in the background."Sir, the call was traced to her apartment" Lana reported, walking into my office. My jaw tightened as I stood up slowly, the chair scraping against the floor. I barely noticed it."Ask Lennon to take over the meeting," I told her and she nodded, stepping aside as I headed to the door. My steps were fast and deliberate. I had to get to Ara as soon as possible.She said she wasn't in trouble. She lied.My heart pounded in a rhythm I hadn't felt in years. Not fear. I didn't do fear. But rage? That was second nature. And right now, it was clawing its way up my throat.The elevator ride was fast. Gabriel was ready with the car when I arrived at the underground parking lot. Lana must've informed him of where I was headed so
ArabellaI was anxious as I paced about, my phone against my ear. This was the third time I was dialing Adrian's number.I needed his help. No, I needed my money.From the corner of my eyes, I caught Javier smirking at Ruth, who had taken a seat on a stool in the corner of the room. She was glaring back, unimpressed that he was smoking right in her living room.He was perched on one of the armchairs, his legs in the air like he owned the world. It had taken a lot of pleas for him to give me some time. He had come prepared to forcefully take me with him.My stomach sank at the thought that that might happen if Adrian didn't...Adrian's voice cut through my thoughts, calm and amused. "Didn't think you'd ever call me. That too three times"Relief washed over me. I never thought hearing his voice would make me feel this way but here I was."Adrian, can you send the money we'd spoken about, now?" I said in a low voice into the phone, glancing back cautiously only to spot one of the hefty m
ArabellaI forwarded the last slide of the audit Steph had asked me to work on and slumped back on my chair, breathing out in exhaustion. It had taken me three whole hours to complete.My hand went to my back, massaging it to ease the ache. There was a dull throb forming in my temples. Damn. I needed a break.Speaking of break, I was the only one in the workspace. Celia had been gone for almost an hour to get lunch and I couldn't leave until she was back. Knowing how mean she could be, she was intentionally stalling.Grabbing my phone from my bag, I turned it on and there were three missed calls from Sky. Also, a text from her asking if I would be free for coffee.My eyes lit up.Sky and I hadn't spoken in two days. She'd not taken my call when I dialed her a day ago to tell her about the dinner at Adrian's place.I assumed she was still furious and so, avoiding me so I chose not to push it.Quickly, I texted back, saying I was available, and in a minute, she sent the address of the c