Arabel's POVDespite the tremor in my heart, I am determined to go along with this. The idea from the start was to pretend to be someone else. Being angry, showing my displeasure at every single thing he does or says, or even restricting him from being friends with Daisy, who is obviously attached to him for a reason I can't place, is a bad idea.This is why I have decided to let things be. Continue with the pretense. Stop being mad. Act like everything is fine. Fake my laughter and smiles.And then maybe, everything will be much easier for me to take.I couldn't sleep last night. I kept tossing in bed, indecisive about whether to go with them or not and whether to allow Daisy to go or not.He already concluded on coming to pick her up even before I made a decision. That leaves me with either going with them and seeing everything they do together and everything they say to each other, or staying back at home while guessing and wondering what they must be doing.This is really bad.Dai
Richard’s POVA lump sticks to my throat at the question. Before I can recall asking her the same question a few days ago, I wonder why she asked.Eve.She must be curious about Eve and how our relationship turned out.This is it. An opportunity. The right opportunity was what I was looking for.A smile touches my lips as I reply with a shake of the head. “No, I am not. Why do you ask?”“Pure curiosity," she answers sharply, as if expecting me to question why she asked such a question out of the blue.“Are you sure?” There is a look of amusement on my face. I am amused that she is curious about me. I am amused that she is doing a very bad job at pretending to be someone else when everything else screams her name.She doesn't reply. “Are you sure it's not because I also asked you this same question some days ago?” I demand, leaning backward and taking note of Daisy's focus on my phone as she continues to munch on her donuts.I brought her here so I could get another opportunity next t
Arabel’s POVDaisy is a heavy sleeper. She slept all through the ride back home, leaving Richard and I in a complete and awkward silence.As soon as he stops in front of the gate, I see Alex come out with his two hands in his pants pocket, a cold glare directed towards Richard, who rushes to get the door for me.Feeling guilty for no reason, I step out immediately with Daisy in my arms. I didn't sit at the back of the car this time since Daisy was asleep. I sat right next to Richard with the sleeping girl in my arms."Bye.” I wave at him awkwardly before rushing towards Alex. “When did you arrive?”The question comes in a whisper.He only snarls and walks back inside, making me embarrassed to turn back and see the expression on Richard’s face.With humiliation and a mixture of anger, I follow him.Alex has been a good friend to me and to Daisy. I have never seen his anger until now, but I won't let him ridicule him like he once did ever again.Just because he gave out his home for me
Richard’s POVThe penthouse greets me with silence as the sound of my foot echoes against the marble floor.Just before I can get to the foyer of the living room, my phone rings, breaking the stillness and quiet of the house.Dumping my briefcase, I fish out the phone to see my mother's name flashing across the screen. I pick as I slouch on the sofa.“Mom?”“Are you home yet?” She asks with a concerned tone, making me wonder what could be wrong.Our relationship over the years has gone from bad to worse to good. When my father died, she wanted me to take over his company, which I did. I did everything she wanted, including my choice of study, my university, and even marrying Arabel. I was a bad child then.But when I divorced Arabel, our relationship became worse. We fought each time we met. She detests seeing me, so she said.When she fell ill, I was at her bedside. I left the company and everything else to tend to her, which led to the downfall of my father's company. I cried every
Arabel’s POVI come to an abrupt halt, a cold dagger of fear running through me at the sight before me.His eyes are widened too, like he was surprised to see me here. It brings my uprising anger to a stop because, for a second, I am thinking he is stalking me.“What are you doing here?” He asks with shock evident on his face.Speechless, I look down at the luggage, thinking that moving out of Alex's home is actually the right thing.I have been in search of a house for a week now. Finally, I got a positive response from the agent here, and here I am packing my belongings out before Alex shows up tonight.“Hey, is everything okay?" He grabs my shoulders instantly, watching me with concern.I nod, flashing him a smile.“I just moved here," I announce, not revealing the reason behind it. I was bound to move anyway.The idea from the start was to stay at Alex's till I was done with the branch office before finding an apartment for myself, considering how long it has been since I came to
Richard’s POVGlad is an understatement for how I feel. But it is ruined by the heavy downpour, which starts as soon as I step out of the garage where I went to get the files I forgot behind.I race back up, concerned about getting wet by the rain.When I get to the elevator, I smile to myself at this golden opportunity. Everything is working to my advantage, and for the first time in years, I believe in fate.This is an opportunity to make things right, and I am not willing to mess it up. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine being neighbors with my ex-wife. The apartment has been empty for too long. I never saw the need to give it out until my mother mentioned it three months ago.I told my agent, and he promised to let me know when someone wants it. I have been staying here alone for four years. The silence and peace it brings didn't want me to give out the second apartment at first.But I was healing. Now, I guess the reason for my healing is because of this. It is time to
Arabel’s POVIndecision ripples across my face as Ashley speaks, telling me about Richard’s call. I overheard their conversation, and judging by his tone, something is definitely wrong.If I hadn't heard his voice, I would have assumed he saw me with Ashley and decided to do this just to have me come back to the apartment. But I know he isn't that much of a prankster. Even if he were, he would never indulge in something like this with his secretary.Ashley even looks more worried than me, making me confirm my suspicion that she has a crush on him. At that thought, I wave the idea of following her away as I step down with Daisy. It is just drizzling now, so Daisy and I hurry into the house after waving the anxious Ashley bye. For a second, I am thinking of getting a car soon to avoid inconveniencing anyone, especially not Alex, Richard, or Ashley anymore.She must have her own life, too.Getting an apartment and a car were among my plans and budgets before I came over for the partn
Richard's POVSo disoriented, I rise from my misery when a chuckle reaches my ear, making me flicker my eyes open to see a pair of brown eyes that remind me of Arabel.It isn't Arabel. It is my mother. “Finally, someone is awake,” she murmurs before passing me a cup of coffee, which I take quickly to quench my thirst.When I gulp down everything, I raise a brow in question. “What happened?”She watches me for a while before asking with concern. “You don't remember?”That causes me to shake my head and feel like I've just recovered from a severe hangover.Was I drunk? I wasn't.It's been a while since I drank, so why can't I remember a thing?I stare at my mother as I try to remember when it hits me. It was raining. I was outside when it rained. I called Ashley. Then what happened?"You were out by the time I arrived," she tells me, judging from my expression that I remember everything now.“Oh!” I mutter.I called Ashley to get my mother. I must have lost consciousness before mother