Arabel's POVMy make-up is intentional.After exfoliating my face and body in the bathroom, I spray rose water over my face before applying my face cream and make-up.On a normal day, I would have applied light makeup but for no genuine reason, I take my time in beautifying myself today.I don't want to think about Richard or what he will feel when he sees me today but I know I want him to see what he is missing. I want him to know I am no longer the Arabel from four years ago who would nod meekly like a dove to everything she is being asked to do.I am an independent woman.The fact that he asked if I was married made me flare up in anger. Controlling my anger has become an impossible thing to do these days. I am sure he is suspecting that I am just pretending.He asked if I was married to confirm his suspicions and I also feel he asked that simply because he wanted to know if my new status and identity was as a result of my re-marriage.I really do not know why men take women who ar
Richard's POVMy curiosity had me searching for every tiniest bit of information about Bella Portillo and so far, I haven't been able to conclude if she is indeed my ex-wife or someone else.She started Eagles Home online three years ago while in the University with no employee but herself and now, she has several employees and two different branches in London and Norway.The new branch in New York would make it the third.“Mr Portillo?” The guy beside her turns to her in confusion, his anger from early on slowly dissolving.She shifts uncomfortably before grabbing his hands and flashing me one of her joyless smiles. “Good day to you too, Mr. Giodano.”I nod at her with a smile, impressed by her acting skills. Whenever she is around me, I am fully convinced she is Arabel. The clumsy side of her is still present. The way she avoids eye contact with me and the way she looks mad for a second and good another second makes it all the more plausible.Aside from that, this guy is obviously n
Arabel's POVDampness forms beneath my arms at the question. It makes me wonder if he is seeing underneath the pretences and how many doubts he has about me being Arabel.He looks a bit upset. Perhaps upset that I am pretending to be someone else.Last time I checked, the one who was used and dumped like a piece of rag was me and I am the one who has every single right to be upset, mad, infuriated and angry.He has no right to be.I never thought I would see him again. Not after all these years when he doesn't even know he has a child with me. I was hoping it would be a secret I would keep till the very end.Just when I was healing. Just when I was getting to forget about his existence even though Daisy reminds me so much of him, he showed up.If Daisy had been a boy, he would have been a carbon copy of his father. For a second, I am grateful for that. Daisy looks more like me but she has her father's eyes and hair.Blonde hair. Blue eyes.His eyes are staring intensely into mine, the
Richard's POVChallenge is what I take Arabel's denial as and I am not one to shy away from challenges.I'm just trying to get an understanding of where she is coming from and what she stands to gain from all of this. Being mad is ok and expected but having to pretend is totally out of it.I can't deny the fact that I was upset when she denied it again. It thought it was finally time for her to come clean. I was ready to go on my knees and plead with her for forgiveness. I was ready to get yelled at, slapped in the face and hit in the chest.She didn't do any of that. Instead, she said to my face that she wasn't Arabel but Bella.Shooting to my feet and grabbing my phone, I move to the window searching for a name. As soon as I see it, I dial the number and place the phone on my right ear, my left hand in my pants pocket.He picks at the second ring. “Hi, boss.”“Where are you?” I demand immediately just in time to see Arabel out glancing around, probably to see if her husband is still
Arabel's POVThere is a party going on.Glad that I had Lucia look after Daisy after she stubbornly insisted on coming for my appointment, I stare down at my dress and shrug.It isn't a dinner gown but it is ok for this unannounced party.I am surprised too. My secretary didn't mention it nor did Griffin when we spoke this morning on my way to London.Glancing around for the familiar face, five large fingers appear in the air, waving and signalling to me to come. When I see his face, I smile.It is Griffin.Majestically, I walk towards him, hoping we can have at least thirty minutes for the scheduled minute before I book the next available flight back to New York. Considering my new partnership, I know I won't be stable in London for now.Five years is a long time. Not for the contract but it is a long time to be going back and forth and seeing the face of the man who left me on the sidewalk of life with a child growing inside of me.I really wish I had the balls to tell him I am no l
Richard's POVAs she throws a cold glare my way, my body shudders but not for long.The sight of her dress spilling over her thigh, her hair relaxing over her shoulder takes my breath away.Her eyes sparkle despite the anger in them. Her skin is so soft and smooth, and temptations to trail my hands over them run through me.Suddenly, she steps away, diverting her gaze from me. A man appears in front of her, and I recognize him.Griffin.They talk for a second before he leads her upstairs, making me raise a brow in curiosity.What the hell is he taking her there for? Why is he taking her upstairs?I did not have time to tend to the jealousy flaring up inside of me when Leonard taps my shoulder with a soft triumphant chuckle.I twirl around in anticipation to face him.Even without a word, the truth is obvious. It is her. Every fiber in me can attest to that. Everything about her is familiar to me. There is no denying that she is the one.But I wanted my doubts cleared. I wanted no more
Arabel's POV My shoulders sag as soon as the car parks in front of the fountain, making me release a lungful of air I had no idea I had been holding in.Realizing my sudden consciousness, I almost let out a tear as the snippets of our memories together raced through my head; both good and bad memories. The good ones were few while the bad ones were a lot.Was it the night I had to wait up for him in the hope of having him try my new recipe? Was it the nights he had promised a date out and I had myself made up like a Barbie doll waiting till the clock struck 12 am and I eventually had to force myself to wash off the silly makeup and head up to bed?Was it the unapologetic smile he usually threw my way after returning home leaving me disappointed from his late nights out and his never-ending forgetfulness about one thing or the other which he promised and never happened?Or was it the part where we finally consummated our marriage and a few days after, having him return to his cold sel
Richard's POVShrieking excitedly, Daisy jumps into my embrace, tossing the bouquet away.The action jerks me out of my reverie, making me wonder if she knows I am her father just like I just got to know tonight.It makes my heart tug in pain. Seeing Arabel again reminds me of what I have lost; love, a good, kind, and submissive woman, and a beautiful baby like Daisy.“Hi,” I wave awkwardly at Arabel who has confusion written all over her as to why I am here. She does not reply to me.Instead, she asks. “Did you follow me here?”I should have known she would ask that. Everyone would have asked that but I didn't.Just before I can defend myself, Daisy cuts me to it.“You made it,” Daisy screams again, making Arabel open her eyes wide to stare from me to her daughter.Daisy took my number that day at the anniversary. It was as though the Heavens were working for me tonight.As soon as I figured out that there was a high possibility that she was mine, I thought of tracing Arabel to her h