EPISODE SIX

EPISODE SIX.

RYKER'S POV.

I watched Jenna wrap her hands protectively around Arlene, and for a moment, my heart fucking tugged.

It's such a nice moment, to see Arlene so relaxed in any other arms asides me.

Maybe she's trying to deny herself the fact that Lana is no more, and it hurts like crazy, she doesn't deserve all of these, we don't deserve her.

"What?" Jenna scoff, she tuck in her lips which bare lip gloss and stare at me like I'm some sort of maniac. I can't believe I just blurted out that we should tie the knots, which makes everything more unbelievable and suspicious for her.

"You want the wedding? I will give it to you, but I'm assuring you that you won't opt out of this contract with me paying a dime."

Her eyes darkened again at my words. "What makes you think I want your goddamned money?"

"Then why are you so hell bent on marrying me?" I question again, her expression livid. "Wait, don't tell me you're actually in love..."

"You're out of your mind, Ryker." Jenna cut me off angrily, her face flushed with embarrassment.

If not for the intensity of the situation, I would have laughed my ass off.

Her expression is ridiculous.

"What do we do about Arlene? Fuck, I don't even know what she likes or how Lana was to her." She said in a concerned tone.

It's at the bridge of my lips to tell her that Lana was a horrible mom as well but I keep my mouth shut, I don't want to ruin the stellar image of her beloved sister to her, it will break her more.

I know I lost a wife whom I had no connection with but Jenna lost her only sister which is definitely taking a toll on her. I shouldn't add to her trauma.

"Just act normal, be like an adult around her and don't try to gain her favour."

"What? I'm not trying to do all of that." She stuttered, her hands pulling her hair to the back of her ears.

"Arlene is always an independent kid, it takes her lots of effort before she tells you what she wants. So, just let her be."

"Okay, am I supposed to start living here?" Jenna blurted out, I froze immediately.

I've never thought of what our marriage will be like, even though, the relationship doesn't go beyond a piece of paper, we have to act responsible in the public and with Arlene which means we have to be cordial.

"You want to start living here? I thought you can't stand me for a second." I teased.

Scoffing, she folds her arms under her breasts and raises her lips in disdain."Of course, I can't stand your presence, you're so suffocating."

"You have a funny way of maneuvering words." I shook my head and walked towards the stairs to attend to Arlene because for some reason, I can't help but find myself drifting in crazy thoughts with Jenna around me.

Getting there, she was already on her bed, reading from some kiddies books with her attention fully on it.

I knocked on the door and peeped through the little space, she softened the moment she saw me. I love it so much when I'm with Arlene, it makes me feel so different, like I'm not the asshole everyone paints me to me.

"Hey." I mumbled and sank my weight on her tiny bed, she snuggled into my arms immediately. Her body relaxed in mine for a while but she tensed up again, I know she's about to ask for something and her fear of me rejecting her has creeped in again.

I've learnt to turn down Arlene's requests so many times because of Lana.

"Dad, we have a free day at school tomorrow, I want to spend time with my friends." Arlene's voice surged through the room and I felt her wrap her tiny hands around my wrist.

"Of course, Arlene. You're free to go, Do you mind if I drive you there, I know you don't..."

"I would love to!" She cut me off happily and wrapped her hands around my neck.

A sigh of relief escapes my throat, knowing that she's much more comfortable with me taking her to school now.

We almost got into an accident months ago because I was arguing with Lana in the car while driving, Arlene has been scared of me handling the wheels since that time.

"I love you,Arlene." I mumbled into her neck.

"I love you too Dad." She croaked out tearfully.

After putting her to sleep and hoping that Jenna is gone, I walked downstairs to meet a quiet room, bare of her presence.

I proceeded to prepare Arlene's dinner and after an hour, I whipped up something good for her, she came downstairs to have her food and take her supplements then I attended to some work issues.

I've been away from work for the past one month and it's been taking a toll on my workers, barely into the work, a soft knock came on the door.

A crazy thought came into my mind but I quickly scrapped it because there's no way Jenna is back here again after walking away in a feisty manner earlier.

She's not that crazy. Carefully, I trugded to the door and checked the person knocking.

Surprisingly,it was Jenna. Guess that she's crazy to come back here again.

With a heavy sigh, I opened the door and glared at her. "What the fuck are you..." A tear spilled from her eyes, causing me to cut off whatever I'm about to say.

Fuck. Why's she crying?

"Are you going to stand there and let me freeze outside?" She bitched at me and throw a cursory glance at me, trying to avoid my gaze.

"Fine." I pushed the door,including myself aside and let her walk in.

"Why are you here again? We're yet to set out our terms straight." I pressed on, making her release an exasperating huff, showing her desperation.

I'm careful enough not to ask her why there are tears on her face, I'm an asshole to her, I should not give her another impression of me.

"I don't give a fuck about your terms, Ryker. I have to start living here."

"What? You have to start living where? Don't piss me..."

"Of course! I don't want to piss you off but what am I supposed to do when my ex boyfriend kicked me out of my own company?!" Jenna yelled at me angrily.

Her body shakes in sobs as she collapses on the floor and for the first time, Jenna cried so hard.