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
Arabel's POVThe moment I step out of the car, I feel his gaze on me. I look up immediately but I can't see him.For a second, I think to myself that this is just one of my imaginations.Richard would be busy by this time of the day, not slacking around watching me from somewhere. I guess his sudden visit to me yesterday brought about this impossible thought.The more I think about it, the more I can't figure out what his intentions are. I am his ex.Why does he want to relate with me now?It was apparent he didn't like me so why does he want to keep showing up in my life and doing things to stop me from going ahead with my plan to pretend to be someone he doesn't know.I know he has his doubts about me. More reasons why I am confused. His visit last night scared the shit out of me. The fact that he has been speaking with Daisy behind my back is even more scary.All night, I couldn't sleep.My eyes were wide open till the break of dawn when I had to take the available flight back to N
Richard's POV It's been two hours and twenty-five minutes since she lost consciousness.Despite the doctor's assurance that she is fine and just asleep, I keep pressing my hand on her forehead and putting a finger in the middle of her nostril at intervals to check for some more assurance that she is indeed fine and alive. I don't want her to disappear, as she did years ago.This is my chance to make things right. Seeing her fall to the ground with a thud got me extremely worried.With Ashley's assistance, we rushed her to the hospital affiliated with the company. The hospital is conveniently located near the company.My mother built the hospital there to care for employees in the event of an industrial accident.Suddenly, two pairs of brown almond eyes meet mine, making me take my hand off her forehead and sit upright. It's been two hours and thirty minutes. She has been out for that long.As I stare at her speechless, I notice beads of sweat on her forehead, reminding me of the doct
Arabel's POVMy phone has been vibrating continuously for over ten minutes, making me rush out of the bathroom with my towel hanging loosely around me.It must be urgent. It must be Stella.I almost slip on the marble floor just before I get to the dresser, where my phone is still vibrating. I curse loudly and pick up the call."Hello," I say, sticking the phone to my ears and shoulder so I can tie my towel well in case Daisy decides to storm into my room."Hi," the familiar voice says, making me stop halfway tying my towel, my jaws unhinged.Richard.“Hi”, I almost stutter, wondering why he is calling. I know I should have called to thank him for today, but I didn't want to. “Thank you for today, sir.”“Are you home?” He questions out of the blue, making me raise a brow in confusion.He can't be here, can he?At the remembrance that the surprise visit was in London and not here, I let out a sigh of relief. He doesn't know where I live, in New York.“Is anything the problem?” I ask ag
Arabel's POVA YEAR LATERA smile radiates from my face as I give my reflection one last check.Unable to ignore the blushes on my cheeks, I remain conscious of the excitement fluttering in my stomach, making me feel like a young adult getting married for the first time in her life.Because the first wedding wasn't real, it feels like the first time. We didn't tie the knot out of love, but this time we're marrying because we love each other.It took me birthing Andrew Giodano to realize what I wanted: to have a family with Richard.He never mentioned marriage to me again until a week after the birth of Andrew, when I asked him when he would propose to me again.His jaws dropped in surprise, but quickly disappeared as relief took over. Before I could do anything, he swept me up in his arms and spun me around.Before he could drop me back on my feet, I bit his shoulder.Everything feels surreal.This is indeed happening. This time, I won't stop myself from telling him how much I love hi
Richard's POVArabel suggested a family date night with mom, Ashley, Caleb, and Daisy present. I haven’t seen her for more than an hour because she is bent on supervising every single meal that comes out of the kitchen tonight.It makes a little smile dance across my face.Sometimes, the pregnancy takes a toll on her. Initially, she experienced morning sickness and constant cravings.At times, she exudes energy and happiness, and today is one of those days.She mentioned she wasn't like this with Daisy. Her pregnancy was stress-free except for the first three months, when she couldn't control her cravings and could barely devour any meals she prepared.When a car drives into the courtyard, I stand up to welcome our first guests, Ashley and Caleb. I still haven't gotten used to the fact that Ashley is no longer my employer but my friend’s wife.Caleb is gradually taking up the role of a best friend in my life. He is very supportive, just like Ashley loves and supports Arabel.He stood
Arabel's POVStella had just left my office, only to rush back in with a bouquet of flowers and a bright smile on her face.I raise a brow in question, dropping the pen in my hand and asking, “Who is that for?”"You, of course,” she replies, making butterflies erupt in my stomach at the thought of Richard.Is he back in London?I shoot up to my feet as she drops the bouquet on my desk. My eyes catch the little note stuck in between, and I grab it.‘To the most beautiful woman ever.’My heart begins to beat faster as I feel an instant burst of excitement. When I glance up, Stella is still standing with a grin on her face.Just as I am about to ask her to leave, she mutters. “He is waiting outside.”He is really here. My eyes widen as I drop the card, signaling for her to leave. As soon as she leaves, I attempt to maintain composure and avoid displaying excessive excitement before heading out.Richard has been away for two weeks now, and it feels like eternity. Just yesterday, I was tem
Richard's POVI open the door quietly to see Arabel standing by the window with her arms wrapped around her waist.She is so engrossed, she doesn't even know when I enter fully until I step closer to her and wrap my hands from behind around her stomach.She freezes.“Richard?!” She calls with surprise, and a low chuckle leaves my mouth.She turns around, allowing my hands to drop. “Who else would it be?”I pull her closer and give her a brief kiss on the lips.“What are you doing here?” She glances around her room, probably wondering if I came with someone. “What are you doing here this late?”“I miss you,” I admit in a soft voice.She chuckles and steps back, her arms still around her waist. “But we saw each other a few days ago, Richard. I thought you said you were okay with me being here in London.”I did.But I can't help it. She gave me a condition, and that condition is for her to go back to London.Her home was in London.I didn't give it much thought before giving in. I didn't
Arabel's POVFollowing my gut is the best thing I can do to reach a decision.I must decide whether to follow my heart's desires or not. For years, I have tried. I have tried to find other men attractive, but none have ever gotten my heart racing the way Richard does.I have tried to despise the man I bore a child for, but nothing has worked. Even though I harbored intense anger towards him for abandoning me, my love for him surpasses even life itself.The words he spewed at me that day, after announcing the divorce, began to ring in my ears.“Remember the agreement we had? Now that Eve is back, we should get a divorce so I can marry her.”The agreement!I thought he was talking about how he told me he still loved Eve. I never recalled him mentioning that our marriage was going to be temporary.I misunderstood him.My overexcitement made me overthink his words that day.And my refusal to feel bad about him having a girlfriend while we are getting married.How could I have thought he w
Richard's POVShe is wearing the dress.Emotions begin to spiral as I try hard to keep the tears from flowing.When she turns to me, I dart my eyes away quickly and focus on the road.Finally, she breaks the silence. “Where are we going, Richard?”The sound of my voice leaving her beautiful, inviting lips sounds so much like music to me. It prompts me to steal another glance at her beautiful face.She raises a brow, reminding me of the question.“You will see,” I only say, forcefully peeling my eyes off her and hoping she won't insist on knowing where I am taking her. “We are almost there.”Silence falls.The fact that she is wearing the dress I bought for her, which I left on the bed before sending her a text to get dressed because I have somewhere to take her, brings me immense joy.It's tempting me to grab her in my arms and slam my lips on hers.After a few more minutes of driving in silence, I pull over in front of the diner, nervousness sinking into my system.She looks out of t
Arabel's POVBy the time I drive into the open gates of Ashley's home, I can't keep my left hand from trembling with intense pain.My decision to drive here with one hand unbandaged and the other in cast is an impulsive one, but I was too desperate to be here to think of another alternative.I carefully park the car in the garage and exit, a wince leaving my mouth.I am not supposed to drive here myself, but the tension around Richard and I since I found out about my pregnancy has been so awkward.We haven't talked about it, and Ashley was the first person who came to mind. I could barely stay calm back at the hospital. All I was thinking of was Ashley and about coming here to see her.When I get to the front door, my phone begins to ring, but I ignore it as I hasten to go in.Ashley doesn't know I'm here. The moment I see her maid, I flash her a quick smile. “Where is she?”“In the living room,” she answers after greeting me politely.Without hesitation, I practically jog to the livi
Arabel's POVMy eyes drift open at the sound of Richard's voice. When I can't see him anywhere around, I lift myself up from the bed, wincing a little, and rest my back on the headboard.He arrives with a phone glued to his right ear.Our eyes lock.“I will have Scott come to you in a couple of hours,” he mutters, his gaze not leaving mine. “Good. Thank you.”He drops the call, and a smile creeps to his face.A frown is etched on my face as I begin to wonder how I got into bed.“Hey,” Richard says, closing the distance between us, his gaze not wavering. “Are you okay?”When I don't answer, he presses his lips on mine briefly before pulling away while I sit still, just in time for his phone to start ringing again.“Work?” I watch him bounce his gaze from me to his phone. He is indecisive on whether to pick up the call or not, probably because he thinks I will convince him to go back home again.“I will call her later, are you okay?” He presses the reject button, then digs it back into
Richard's POVThe ringing sound of my phone cuts my laughter short as I dig my hand into my pants pocket to fish out the phone with my gaze still fixed on Daisy watering the flowers.I glance at my screen and see that it is Amy, my secretary.She was employed after Ashley resigned. She is nowhere near as excellent as Ashley, but she is okay.Having been away from work for about a month, I wouldn't be this concerned if Ashley was still my secretary.Amy calls me for every single thing.I get that she is still new, but some of her calls are totally unnecessary. I'm thinking of asking Ashley to help me put her through some things while I'm here in London.“Amy?” As soon as I answer the call, Daisy turns to face me. I signal to her to continue watering the flowers before I move away.“Good morning, sir,” she says politely. “Are you back in New York?”“No, Amy. I told you I would be back next week, didn't I?” I remember telling her this a week ago, and two weeks ago, too.“The appointment