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
Arabel's POVLeft to me, I wouldn't have come. The unease leaking into my blood is enough to make me regret it and stalk to the door in fear of what might happen today.I shouldn't have come.What if someone else recognises me? Do I have to keep denying to everyone that I am not her?I should probably have come with a little disguise. Forcing a weak smile to my lips, I gaze up with fake confidence, hoping no one would see through the facade.A step at a time gets me into the vast living room where the birthday is going on. I glance around for the sight of the woman who just clocked 60, but she is nowhere to be found.I might regret coming here, but I ought to.This woman means so much to me. My conscience forced me down here. I pretended and lied to her about not being Arabel. The least I could do was to come bearing her good wishes on a day like this.My team decorated the living room. Richard sent me an email two nights ago about the job; which was after his mother gave me the invi
Richard's POVIn just three minutes, she rushes out, dashing towards the exit. With nerves fluttering in my stomach, I run after her. I knew she was going to do this. I knew she was uncomfortable with all the questions and conclusions about her being my ex-wife.I know she is a shy person. Timid and soft.She can't take this. I know this, which is why I had to stay close to find out what she had decided.I wanted to suggest taking her back home to see if she was okay with it. I am also uncomfortable having to explain to everyone that she isn't Arabel.Telling them she is will cause a rancour, and I am not in to explain anything to any of them."Bella!" I shout out her name as she stops near a red car, which I assume is for that guy, until she fishes out a car key and opens the door.I rush forward to stop her.“What happened?” I question with confusion, even though I know what might be wrong.“Nothing, I just need to go home.” She almost rushes into the car, but I am quick to stop he
Richard’s POVI keep glancing at my phone, thinking she will call again, but the strange number from earlier does not pop up, even when the phone finally rings again.It is, mom. Not Eve.“Mom,” I pick up as I step down from the cab I ordered to pick me up from home since I left my car at my mother's.“Where are you?” She asks, her tone laced with concern, "I can't find Arabel either.""I took her home. She was feeling a bit down. I'm coming in now,” I say to her before disconnecting the call.As soon as I enter, Caroline attacks me again. “Richard, are you sure that woman isn't your ex?”“I told you no already!” I halt, turning to face her squarely in anger. She falls silent, biting her lower lips and watching me suspiciously. “If she isn't, then why are you mad?”I sigh.Without a word, I walk away, leaving her by the door. Caroline and I are always not on good terms. It sprung up from the fact that she was quite close to Arabel, and I didn't like their relationship.First, I felt
Arabel's POVDozing off with a novel in my hand, I decide to continue tomorrow, so I drop the book and step down from the bed.Before sleeping, I make it a habit to urinate before sleeping. This will prevent me from waking up in the middle of the night to do so.I do the same thing for Daisy.Before I can get to the bathroom door, my door swings open, and I whirl around with a frown.It is Daisy.Just the person I was thinking about.I know no one else can burst into my room without a knock, except for her. But seeing her in my room at 11 p.m, when she should be sleeping, makes me furrow my brows and move closer to her in concern.“Hey, what happened?” I inquire, watching her stop and pout.“I can't sleep,” she confesses, hugging my lower body and making me blink.I thought Nita mentioned that she was already asleep.I suspect that Daisy no longer wants to sleep alone in her room since we got an apartment in New York where we sleep in the same room.I haven't been to London in a while
Richard's POVMy balled fist hangs in the air when the door is thrown open by Arabel and Daisy, dressed for an outing.Before Daisy can notice my presence, my eyes connect with Arabel.The piercing sound of her scream jerks me back to life and makes me shift my attention away from Arabel's beautiful face.The more I see her, the bigger my regrets. The less I see her, the more I want her back with me."Hey, buddy," I say, squatting down to pick her up as she hugs my legs. “How are you doing?”“I'm fine. Why are you here?”My gaze meets Arabel again. Since they moved in, we haven't mistakenly bumped into each other or crossed paths. It was as if we were total strangers and not neighbors.That means one thing.She is uncomfortable with my friendship with Daisy, and she doesn't want Daisy to know I am next door.With a smile, I reply to Daisy. “I drove all the way here to see you.”“Really?” I nod vigorously to express my honesty.“Hi,” Arabel finally greets me, waving at me with a smile,
Arabel's POVI choked for real.“What?!” My exclamation does not come out right. My tone is too low, barely a whisper.I am melting down to my knees. Hot and irritated.With an unmistakably challenging gaze, he shifts backwards and bursts into laughter, making red crimson creep through my entire face.“Why do you look so shocked? I was kidding, I wanted to jerk you back to life!”If what I was feeling earlier was irritation, what I am feeling right now is pure anger. It bubbles inside of me, from a tiny atom until it springs full blown into rage.He tries to hold me as he laughs, but I jump down from the horse, almost losing my footing.Jerk.Idiot.Traitor.Who the hell does he think he is fooling? Why the hell would he mention such a silly statement?“Hey, Bella!” He calls; his voice is right behind me. I don't need to turn to see if he is closer than I think.Two more running steps bring him to me. He blocks my way, panting heavily. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean…” he trails off.What I
Richard's POVMy gut churns.As I rush out, I look around for Daisy, but she is nowhere in sight.Following my instinct, I rush back to the ice cream spot, glancing around for a glimpse of her wavy brown hair, but she isn't there.Quickly, I make my way back to the horse riding spot, my heart pounding hard at the thought of not finding her.I will be in deep sh*t.I didn't mean to kiss her. I didn't know what came over me.I should have paid closer attention to Daisy to be sure she was still in.Before I know it, I begin to run as fast as I can, hoping to find her there. I don't know where else to go, and I don't know what to tell Arabel.I feel so much like a bad father already. I need to find her, or I will never forgive myself for this.This is a child I am still getting to know. The same child was brought into the world without my knowledge. Just when I thought I was going to have a chance to right my wrongs, get closer to my child, and seek their forgiveness, this is happening.A