Chapter Four

Arrow shook his head, a smile curling at his lips as he stood on the balcony of the estate's west wing.

It's been three days since he last saw Lorna–three long days since she'd run out of his quarters after he kissed her.

He had been shut in his room for far too long, buried in work and endless business calls even though this was supposed to be a holiday.

He needed a break, yet he wasn't getting one.

“Jasper.”

He heard his middle name called from inside the room. He knew that voice. Lauren.

She always called him by his middle name, reasons best known to her. Arrow walked back into the room and, as he suspected, found her there.

Lauren smiled softly staring at her brother's tired eyes, he really did need rest. He was the busiest person she knew, yet he always made time to be with family.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Arrow chuckled, pulling her in for a bear hug.

Lauren shrugged, inhaling her brother's familiar musky scent with a deep breath.

“I've just missed you alot, entered the earliest flight just to get here when mom told me you were coming.” She pulled back slightly, eyes gleaming with excitement. “Did you bring anything for me?!”

Her sudden excitement made him burst into laughter. He had missed her too and now that he was finally here again, he planned to stay for as long as he could.

“As a matter of fact, I did. But, I haven't unpack that luggage yet, the black one. So be my guest, help yourself.” he pointed to the king sized closet on the left side of the room.

Lauren excitedly rushed into the closet, pulled the luggage out, and dragged it straight to the bedside before opening it on the floor.

She gasped, staring at all the goodies he’d brought. A Birkin bag?! He really does know his sister.

“I saw you rant about that bag to Luke last summer. I decided to get you one–this one's a limited edition, you know,” Arrow said, feeling like a proud older brother.

Lauren shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. He was an intentional man, indeed.

“He already got me three of these but then again, this is so sweet of you–I'll let him know you got me an additional one.” She tucked it away neatly, moving on to the next item.

They both heard a gentle knock on the door, it was soft, but in the quiet corridor, it echoed loudly.

Lauren stood up to answer it, muttering “She’s finally here.”

Arrow's brows furrowed as he wondered who his sister was referring to. He watched her walk back in, someone trailing hesitantly behind her.

The figure finally stepped into the view–

“Lorna.” his insides twisted intensely as he stared at her standing right in front of him. An unfamiliar feeling of yearning pulled at him–a forbidden desire.

Lauren glanced from her brother to Lorna who was avoiding eye contact and shifting from one foot to the other. They’ve met before?

“You both know each other already?” Lauren asked, sensing the tension between the both of them.

Lorna quickly looked at Arrow, silently pleading with him to stay quiet.

“Mother had assigned her to my room the night I arrived–to cater for me.” Arrow explained briefly.

“Ohhh, that makes sense. Mother must’ve been in a good mood then.” Lauren said with a smile, gesturing to Lorna to come closer.

Arrow frowned slightly, wondering what she meant by that statement. But he brushed those thoughts aside, his attention now on Lorna.

Only her presence in the room mattered. He couldn't get her off his head since that night.

“I thought to myself that I couldn't have all of these alone so I'd be sharing it with Lorna and her friend. If that's okay with you, big brother?” Lauren asked, seeking permission from him before proceeding.

Arrow gave a nod for her to carry on.

Lauren screeched with excitement as she began pulling everything out of the luggage. It was indeed filled with high-quality women's wear and accessories.

She reached into her pocket for her phone– only to find it missing. Where could It be?

“Oh! I must have left my phone on my bed when I rushed to your room. I'll be right back, Lorna.”

She dashed out of the room before Lorna could say anything.

Left alone with Arrow, Lorna panicked and automatically turned to leave but he gripped her wrist.

“Don't leave.” he said, his voice rough and low.

Lorna froze, a flutter started in her chest. She felt weak under his hold, unable to resist his touch. Something in his eyes made her stay rooted to the spot.

Just like the other night…he had this strange effect on her she couldn't explain. She spun around to face him.

“Sir…”

“It's Arrow or Jasper–whichever you want to call me, just… not sir.” he said, his voice softer now.

“We..we cannot do this,” she stuttered, her voice unsettling. “My job's on the line, and–”

Arrow's expression hardened with seriousness, cutting her off gently but firmly.

“Yes, we can.” he said. “I know we just met but I'm willing to be patient. I'll do whatever it takes to make this work out between us.”

He took a step closer, closing the space between them, his energy both calming and engulfing.

“I'm just a lowly maid, working on a farm. What makes me worthy of your presence?” she whispered, her gaze met his–those intense grey eyes.

“You.” he said softly. “Your presence alone makes mine worthy.”

Slowly lifting her hands to his lips, planting soft, lingering kisses on them while maintaining eye contact with her.

Was this really her? willing to give up her painfully earned peace for a man who was still a stranger?

She let out a soft gasp, a jolt of electricity rushing through her.

“What’s your answer?”