Chapter 0006

Arabella.

Throughout the whole day, I was thinking Ashton was perhaps taking me somewhere romantic to have a nice date with me. I was thinking that he wanted to reconcile with me and get our relationship right back on track but who would have thought that none of those things were what he was planning?

After ignoring me the whole ride to this unknown place, his driver stopped the car in front of this majestic building that I was currently staring at. One look at it and I can tell that this wasn’t a restaurant, and it wasn’t somewhere private either.

Ashton stepped out of the car but I didn’t bother moving from my seat, I wasn’t going to move until he came over and opened the door like the true gentleman that I married. And I also won’t step out of the car if he doesn’t tell me where I am.

I can make a few guesses as to where I am—with different luxurious cars parked outside the gigantic building and some people putting on tuxes and beautiful evening gowns, I could tell that he brought me to a party. But why?

Why make me feel he was taking me out; a dinner for just the two of us, when he clearly knew that wasn’t the plan.

The view of the building got blocked from my sight, I brought my head up to see Ashton glaring at me.

“Aren’t you going to step out?” He asked, looking angry.

Well, he shouldn’t get angry not after bringing my hopes up only to get them crash down like nothing as a breakable plate.

“No,” his brows raised.

“No? Look Ara I don’t have time for your drama tonight. Get your ass out of this car or I wouldn’t hesitate to drag you out,” he whispered but I could hear him.

He looked around to see if anyone was watching us and only brought his gaze back to me when he didn’t see anyone.

So someone still cared about his reputation.

“If you don’t tell me where the hell you brought me then I’m not going to leave this car,” I told him.

I haven’t stood up to him like this for the past months and I don’t know where the sudden courage came from but I liked it.

Ashton should also know that I’m not his pet that he can control every single time and day.

“Don’t test me, Arabella,” here we go again in calling each other our full names.

“You are going to leave this car and come with me into this building like the good wife that you are,” he said sternly.

I watch him with tired eyes. I’m fed up with this, his attitude towards me.

“Why did you make me hope you were taking me out on a date, Ash?” I asked only to get a scoff from him.

“I did not make you hope, Arabella, you hoped for it,” he snapped and I nodded, biting my bottom lip.

He’s right, I was the one who thought he was taking me out. He never mentioned anything about taking me on a date but yet I had hoped it was a date.

“Aren’t you going to tell me where you brought me….at least?” I asked again, this time more calmly.

I have the right to know this since I was already here.

“It’s a party Arabella since you’re too dumb to know that,”

Ouch.

This was the second time he’s done this; calling me names.

“Whose party?” I asked and jumped when he suddenly hit the roof of the car.

“What the fuck Arabella? I did not bring you here to question me, you do what I say you do remember?” I gulped knowing what he was talking about.

“But I….I just want to know. You don’t expect me to go in there looking like a fool without knowing whose party this is. What if someone asked and I have no idea, who do you think would look like a fool?” I asked, using his reputation to blackmail him.

That is the only thing he cares about.

“Fine. One of the oldest families in the country, the Castillo’s, is the one holding this party to welcome their grandson and it’s also his birthday,” he explained after letting out a tired sigh.

Castillo? Why does the name sound familiar?

I have heard the name somewhere but I can’t really remember where.

“And we have to be here because?”

“Because this is my fucking key to be part of their team Arabella, this is….” He paused and glared at me.

“Why should I explain myself when you know nothing about business,” he added.

“Let’s go,” I stepped out of the car since I had already gotten my questions answered.

I pulled the dress up when I saw my cleavage was showing too much. I regret wearing this dress now. I would have worn something more reserved than this dress, but you wouldn’t blame me, all this while I thought it was a dinner between Ashton and me.

I held Ashton's hand with his hand wrapped around my waist as he led me into the gigantic house. I couldn’t stop roaming my eyes around as we got in, the inside was more prettier than the outside. It looked like a freaking castle, it’s so beautiful that I couldn’t stop staring at it and if it wasn’t for Ashton pinching me a bit I swear I would have kept on staring at it.

“Mr Smith, you made it,” I heard an unfamiliar voice and turned to where it was coming from.

A man in his late sixties or seventies walked up towards us. He was putting on a tux that looked tailored for his body, he looked….young.

“Mr Castillo, I can’t miss something important like this.” They shook hands.

“Happy birthday sir,” Ashton said and the man pat his back.

“Thank you son, and I guess this must be the famous Mrs Smith,” he said as he looked at me.

I smiled at him. “Good evening and yes, I’m the one,” I brought my hand out for a handshake but was surprised when he hugged me instead.

“Thank you for honoring my invitation Mrs Smith,” he said as he pulled from the hug.

“Thank you for having us here and happy birthday,” I wished him and his smile widened.

“Come on, both of you, let me introduce you to my grandson,” he said, gesturing to the other side.

Ashton nodded and we both followed him to the east part of the hall, right in front of him was another man.

“Alejandro, I would like you to meet Mr and Mrs Smith,” he said and then I blanked out.

Did he just call his grandson Alejandro?

I know that name too well but I can’t believe it's the same person I knew before. Two or more people answer the same name right, so it couldn’t be him, right? Right?

My questions were answered when Mr. Castillo's grandson turned slowly and looked at us, for a moment it felt like everything around me stopped moving when I stared into those green piercing eyes again.

It’s him. It’s truly him, Alejandro Castillo, my high school sweetheart.