CHAPTER 4

Arabella's POV

FOUR YEARS LATER

A painful lump blocks the flow of oxygen to my lungs as I dart my eyes around the hall, searching for Daisy.

She was just here.

I was too engrossed in my conversation with the Secretary of Earthbound Corporations to realize she had gone off.

I shouldn't have been brought here.

I shouldn't have.

I know this is no time to blame myself. I need to find her. She doesn't know anyone or anywhere around. We just got to New York two nights ago and I have been so busy trying to fix things up for the launching of the partnership with Earthbound Corporations.

This is the major reason why I came back to New York. In an attempt to meet up with the CEO, I decided to attend the company's third anniversary.

And Daisy is nowhere to be found.

“Have you seen her?” Ashley, the secretary I was speaking with before Daisy disappeared asks me.

I shake my head, trying to calm my nerves and not burst into tears. The fear is back. Ever since Daisy's birth, I had always had this fear; of losing her.

I have no idea what would happen if something bad happened to her. I can't live without my sweet girl.

“Should we check the restroom? She mentioned something about using the restroom earlier, remember?” Ashley reminds me.

That is true. But that was thirty minutes ago. I totally forgot about it. 

I told her to stay calm so I could take her myself as soon as I was done conversing with Ashley. I never knew our conversation would take that long because she was an easy person to converse with.

She is friendly too.

I haven't made any friends in a long while. Perhaps, this is the reason why I see a friend in her.

Quickly, I stride towards the direction leading to the restroom. The hall is already swarmed with guests from various countries. The CEO must be a wealthy man considering the rumors I have heard about him.

This is not the only company he has. In fact, Earthbound is the fifth company in over five years.

We get to the restroom and I halt, turning back to see Ashley right behind me. I am scared of pulling the door open to see someone else in there so I decide to knock.

Turning to face the door, I raise my trembling hand to knock slightly, shutting my eyes and wishing to hear her tiny sweet voice answering with a “Yes”.

Silence ensues.

I flicker my eyes open, my heart drumming hard as I knock again, this time louder. 

If Daisy isn't here, then I have no idea where else to find her. She doesn't know anywhere. Where could she have gone? Did something trick her out? Did she see anyone her age that she thought could be her friend?

Daisy is my total opposite. I don't make friends easily but she does. I am too quiet and reserved but she isn't. I don't smile without a reason but she does. I am not jovial but she is.

Everyone is Daisy's friend, including Ashley, someone we just met thirty minutes ago.

“Oh, God!” I facepalm myself, my body trembling as I force myself to step back. I know she isn't there.

“Calm down, let's split. Go back to where we were standing before she disappeared while I go check outside, ok?” Ashley's soothing voice does not do anything to reduce the sour feeling spreading in my stomach.

I feel like a bad mother who can't watch over her child. In just 48 hours of being in a new city, my daughter has gone missing. What does that make me?

A bad mother.

Ashley nudges me, bringing me back to reality. I am already thinking of the worst things that can happen to my dear child.

I can't lose Daisy.

I went through a lot to have her. I can't lose her.

Like a mad woman, I race past Ashley as though we are total strangers. I am not in my right senses until I see my child.

Uncaring about the crowd, I race back into the hall, holding onto my long dinner gown so I won't trip. I glance around to see if I will catch sight of her amidst the crowd but she is nowhere to be found.

Forcing the knot forming in my throat, I try to calm down as I stop racing so as not to attract attention. With long strides, I walk back to the second section of the hall where Ashley and I were standing with Daisy earlier on.

We were there because she wanted me to meet with her boss before our meeting tomorrow.

I wouldn't have come to the ceremony if I wasn't in charge of the ceremony's decorations. I wanted it to be perfect, hence my presence. 

Leaving it to my crew will have me going up and down with worry until they are back. I wanted to make a good first impression so I decided to come.

I don't know how they got to know me but they extended a hand of partnership which I took instantly. Partnership with companies like this is what I need for the huge success of my new company in New York.

I stop dead in my tracks when I catch sight of the familiar baby pink coloured gown Daisy is on. She is talking and demonstrating with her hands at the same time.

In front of her stands a man in an Armani black suit whose head is down, staring at her with a smile tugged on his face.

Relief washes through me. I facepalm myself muttering appreciation to the Almighty for letting me see her. Without wasting much time, I amble towards them.

Daisy whirls around immediately and our eyes meet. 

“Mommy”, she screams, waving excitedly at me before pointing to me and turning to the man behind her.

I am guessing she must have told him about me. Mothers are known to always talk about how smart, and beautiful their kids are as a show-off but in my case, my child shows me off to the world.

When I look up, I stop dead again. This time, with dread stretching up my throat, my pulse spiking and a sudden headache hitting my forehead at the face before me.

Richard.

My worst nightmare.

The main reason why I didn't consider the idea of opening a branch of my company here in New York for over three years. The same man I was hoping and wishing to never cross paths with ever again.

The anger from four years back hits my nerve-ending, making me ball my two hands into a fist.

What the hell is he doing with my child?

His face is expressionless but I won't be surprised if he doesn't recognize me anymore. 

Quickly, I step forward, my gaze leaving him eventually. When I get close to Daisy, I grab her hand and walk past Richard without a word.

Just before I get to the door, my head spinning with a lot of memories of our life together as a couple for three year, his voice stops me.

“Arabel?”

The same voice from four years ago. The same rich and authoritative effect. The same tone of arrogance and pride.

He hasn't changed a bit but I know I have. A lot has happened in just four years. A lot of things that changed my type of person and my mentality.

Richard is the only one who calls me Arabel. In London, everyone knows me as Bella. I doubt if Daisy even knows my real name is Arabella.

I shut my eyes, hold Daisy tighter, happy she isn't questioning me about my behavior. I continue to the door and another voice stops me. 

“Mrs. Bella?”

Instantly, I know it is Ashley. The quilt steers my insides. I was too mad to remember we were both in search of Daisy. 

I turn around, plastering my signature smile on my face. “I'm sorry Ashley, I need to go.”

She is standing right beside Richard and it tempts me to look over to him to see his expression. Before I can do anything, he exclaims loudly. “What?!”

I shift my gaze to him to see the shock written on his face as his mouth drops agape. 

“She is the CEO of Eagle Homes & Interiors?” He questions his secretary.

Suddenly, my annoyance died a quick death as a smile spread across my entire face in pride.