Arthur's POV
Our table was usually filled with drinks, laughter and drunkenness, yet today, it was filled with concern and curiosity. All eyes were on Jackson, who was seated slumped at the counter of the bar, nursing his invisible wound.He had not taken a single drop since he walked into the bar, but one would think that from the way he looked; dejected.“What's wrong with Jackson?” Ben finally blurted out, his eyes flickering from Jackson to me. Beside him, the couple, Carol and Ian, nodded in unison, their eyes peaked for some gossip.“Break up,” I simply said, my voice flat.They all laughed, not of mockery but something else. “So, they finally broke up?” Carol said.“Good riddance, I say. It was expected, wasn't it?” Ian added.“No one liked that Shelly, anyway. She was never good for Jackson,” Ben chimed in.I offered a tight-lipped smile. It was Shelly's and Jackson's relationship, and I certainly was noSierra's POVThere were a lot of things I expected when I asked that question, but it was never what Jackson said. Shelly was in love with Arthur? And she was ready to pose as a friend to Yvonne, who wanted to be his fiancée.“When did you find out about this?” I asked.“A long time ago,” Jackson's voice was flat as he leaned back on the couch.“And you still dated her?”“I loved her. And when I asked her out, she accepted. I thought she would forgo her love for him. She might not have cheated with him, but she did with others,” he explained.“You never doubted any of them?”“Arthur, yes. Shelly, no,”I didn't have to ask for him to explain as he did so. “Arthur never entertains any lady who pleases his parents. If he did, he was never aware. Shelly was quite forward about it, scrapping her off any chance,” he said.“What do
Sierra's POV“What did you say?” Arthur asked, his brows raised, his expression a mix of anger and shock.I shook my head. I should not have said that. “It's noth-” I tried to speak, but he stopped me.“It's okay. Let's go back to our table,” he said, taking my hand and leading me back to our table.As we walked, I could only see the back of his head. I was glad he dropped it, but I wasn't sure about his reaction. When we got to our table, he took out a chair for me, leading me to sit.“I need to do something. I'll be back,” he said.I gave him a soft smile, which he responded to and left. My gaze did not leave the direction he walked away in as I tried to wrap my head on if he was going to ask again once he returned.I didn't want to talk about it. Arthur returned to the table with an apologetic smile as he took a seat across from me. “I'm sorry. Where were we?” he said, sig
Sierra's POVArthur sounded believable. I wanted to believe he was saying the truth. After all, Jackson's words still rang in my head, but I could not completely take it. What if Arthur had changed his mind last minute and did not inform Jackson?I knew I shouldn't care. This has nothing to do with me. It was his life. His relationship and, most importantly, his fiancée. “Let go,” I tried to pull my hand off his grip, but he only tightened his grip, pulling me and walking.After a while, he stopped and pushed me to the wall. “Where are you taking me?” I asked.“You want the truth, right?” he asked, his gaze fixed on me.“I don't need the truth. It's your relationship,” I told him.“I will show you the truth,” he said, then turned around, pressing the button of the elevator.He faced me once again. “Sierra, allow me show you the truth. Please,” he pleaded.
Arthur's POVSierra struggled to get her hands free, but failed. I wrapped my hand around her waist, pulling her in. The look in her eyes shifted from fear to relief, but then to irritation.“Let go,” she said, pulling her hand.A smile spread across my face. I let go of her hand but not her waist, pulling her even closer. Pinching her chin, I raised her head to look at me. “You accepted my offer,” I said.“I didn't,” she said, looking away in a huff.“But you're here,” I teased.“I could leave,”“I'll drop it,” I quickly said. She came, and that's what's important.I was almost scared she wouldn't come. It was thirty minutes past our agreed time and sitting at our table, waiting calmly, was off the window at ten minutes past eight o'clock.I came out to cool off and almost admitted defeat at her nonattendance until she showed up, walking past me in
Sierra's POV Arthur's kiss lingered more than I would want to admit to myself. The look in his eyes and his words were sealed in my mind. It was hard to get rid of. I didn't want to, but my body yearned for him.And his invitation was making me think things I shouldn't. Shaking my head, I pushed the door to the house open, stepping into the living room. Placing my keys on the table, I took off my jacket.“Where's Elvis?” I asked Dad, who was seated before the television, watching a game.“In his room, taking a nap,” he replied.I nodded, heading for the stairs. “Sierra,” Dad called. “Come sit,” he tapped the space beside him.He paused the game, his expression serious. Once I took a seat, he sighed. “I promised your mother I would not bring it up, but I'm worried,” he said.My brows furrowed, confused. “What is it, Dad?” I asked.“What truly happened in California?”My heart sank, and a knot formed of
Sierra's POV My heart raced as I stepped forward, darting my eyes around the crowded space. “Where… where…”My voice trembled. I ran over to my parents, who were having a conversation. “Mum, where's Elvis?” I asked, barely keeping it in control.“He-” she raised her head, pointing in a direction, but then she paused, rising when she found Elvis was not there.“I'll find him,” Jackson said, running off.“You can't even care for your own child. What's the use of you?!”It returned. Vance's scolding. His words that hurt in ways I could never explain. “What exactly can you do right?!”I shook my head, tears escaping my eyes. “Elvis!” I called out, my voice hoarse.“Calm down, Sierra. We'll find him,” Dad consoled.I nodded, but I was losing my mind. Where could he have gone? I should have taken more caution. My chest felt tight, and my body shivered. Not from the cold, but from fear.From Vance's