Natalie's question caught Joseph off guard, as his whole body stiffened momentarily making him to sweat hard, still he tried his best to act normal, "What do you mean by that stupid question? Of course, they're mine, I cracked a great deal with my hardwork, that's why my grandfather made me CEO, you knew it, don't you?" Natalie folded her arms, with a questioning look, "If that's true, then why haven't you had another successful project since then? Why can't you impress anyone anymore? After that particular deal, I've never seen you crack a big deal, why?" Joseph, trying to divert the question, "I'm no longer in my grandfather's testing period, I'm the CEO now, so I don't need to do that anymore, we have designers for that, why are you even bringing this up now?" "Just making sure it was really you and not someone else," Natalie said with a sly tone making him jump with nervousness, "What if that person decides to claim credit and sue you for stealing? Not everyday is ours, so chec
Arabella ignored their protests and began serving breakfast for herself and the kids, "I think 15 minutes is more than enough for you both to finish your breakfast," she said, while getting seated in her place, "after that let's go straight to the car.""Mommy, did you even hear what we are saying?" Abigail was still in disbelief that her mother was turning deaf ears to their protest, Alexander also looked upset, "Mommy should pay more attention to her children."Arabella took a bite and glanced at her watch, "Why does the time on my watch move so fast? At this rate, in no time we will be leaving the house." Both Abigail and Alexander got up from their chairs trying to show off their anger, "We starve ourselves, we boycott breakfast until Mommy listens to our demands.""No worries," Arabella replied casually taking a sip of her coffee, "It will just take me a moment to tear up the paper from the agency, and it's very easy to mail back the documents without a signature, right?" The k
Kevin rocked with his response while the children stood there, shocked. Arabella, still trying to grasp what was happening since she couldn't understand whether she heard right or just imagining things, but heard Kevin saying, "Until now, we only had rich kids in this kindergarten, but for the first time, we are going to have geniuses here, how could I miss this golden chance?" "I'm so grateful for your consideration," Arabella replied being extremely happy to hear his words, Kevin smiled at her being excited, "we should be the one thanking you for bringing these geniuses to our kindergarten." Arabella hummed while praising her luck deep inside, "Should I fill out the admission forms?" She can't waste anymore time before Kevin changes his mind. Kevin shook his head taking the forms into his hand, "Let me handle that, all you need to do is sign them," Arabella nodded looking at the admission forms in the hands of kevil, while Kevin continued, "So, are they starting their classes fro
"Abi, how long are you going to grieve over something that already happened, sweetie?" Arabella sighed, watching her daughter who was still sick but sobbing over the same thing for the past week. Abigail threw her tissue dramatically, expressing her pain, "You wouldn't understand my pain, he was right in front of me, and before I could get his autograph, he just left, I missed a golden chance, I can't accept this Mommy." Xander Rodriguez, the crush and idol of Abigail, was the reason for her tears. Arabella brought her the cough syrup and made her drink it, "It's okay, Abi, if not today, one day you'll meet him. It's not like he's leaving the country or planet. Take it easy, sweetheart, since you couldn't get his autograph this time, maybe there's a huge opportunity waiting for you, this positive baby." "Oh no! It's so painful even to remember," Abigail pulled her blanket over herself and cried. Arabella laughed at Abigail's gestures, "I'm sure in the future my daughter will
•XANDER POV•I've been feeling restless lately, like something precious is just out of reach, my heart is racing as if I'm near something or someone important, but there's nothing in sight that stands out.The lecherous women around me, like leeches trying to cling and crawl on my body, making things worse. It's the main reason I hate attending these events but I'm forced by my big brother, I was desperate to leave, and while Nova insisted on keeping me here, I have my ways to leave.As I was about to leave, I bumped into someone, pulling them with me to keep from falling but she ended up on top of me, her lips brushing against mine. A sweet fragrance filled the air, making me want to stay close to her, to hold her longer because of that softness of her body, but why? I had never felt this way before, I was lost in my thoughts until she got up, wiping her lips and apologizing hurriedly, "I'm so sorry" before I could even speak something, she ran away from there.It was her, the woman
Arabella rushed inside not even glancing back at him, her face flushed with embarrassment, Zara noticed her flustered state and was concerned, "What happened? Didn't you go to answer the call? Why are you running like that as if someone is chasing after you?""Nothing, I'm okay," Arabella replied, sitting down while holding her head thinking where it went wrong and how she ended up in such a situation, she couldn't shake the embarrassment of what had just happened outside.No matter how hard she tried, Arabella couldn't forget the incident. Everything about it felt strangely familiar, despite telling herself it was her first time meeting him, her heart acted as if it knew him already, and she couldn't forget the scent of his cologne or the taste of his lips.Tracing her fingers over her lips, she still felt the lingering taste from the accidental kiss. Just then, she was called on stage to receive an award from the man she had kissed earlier."Mommy, are you okay?" Alexander asked in
Arabella gently held Alexander's hand and introduced him to Xander, "This is Alex, my son," Alexander and Xander exchanged calm looks, but Xander's tender gaze was fixated at Alexander, while Alexander hid behind his mother, with a smile Arabella said, "He's shy with strangers, so please don't mind him."Xander nodded and took out a pen and paper, handing Arabella an autograph she asked for, with a bright smile Arabella accepted it, "Thank you so much, Mr. Rodriguez."Just then, Zara came over, looking for Alexander and Arabella, she leaned in and whispered to Arabella about her ex-husband. In an instant, Arabella's expression darkened into a frown from smile, and she glanced at Xander, "Sorry, but I need to go now."Before Xander could stop her, Arabella left with her son and Zara, leaving Nova and Xander puzzled.As they walked out, Alexander pulled Arabella's hand curiously, "Mommy, why were you talking to him? Do you know him?" Arabella shook her head, "I don't know him in person
Arabella got back to her house after all the ruckus, followed by Viola. As soon as she stepped inside, Abigail rushed to her with a bright smile, "Mommy, you're back?""You didn't sleep yet?" Arabella asked being worried about her daughter, while Abigail shook her head giggling, with a sigh, Arabella checked Abigail's temperature, "Looks like it's gone down fomally," she took a breath in relief.Abigail hugged Arabella's hand happily since they returned home early and she has been missing them, with a small peck on her cheeks, Arabella handed her the autograph she brought, "Here, your favorite actor's autograph."Abigail jumped and screamed with excitement hearing to word of autograph, "You got this for me?" Arabella nodded with a smile looking at the happiness of Abigail, who is jumping with the autograph in her hands, Abigail started showering kisses om Arabella's cheeks, "Thank you so much, Mommy! I love you and you're the best!"Arabella chuckled ruffling Arabella's hair, but then
••ARABELLA POV•• "That's it?" I asked with a sarcasm raising my eyebrows.I faced Ruby without any fear right now, I scanned her from top to bottom, full of pride, and confident, she must be thinking, she can summon me and demand something so outrageous as if I'm the same Arabella who used to be begging for their forgiveness and mercy. Ruby smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder, while taking a few steps towards me, "Yes, Bella, that’s it, you give us what we need, and we’ll pretend nothing happened, simple, isn’t it?" This woman, can't she even understand the differences in between the sarcasm and normal words, I never expected her to be a fool like this.I chuckled at her delusion, and the sound of my chuckling spread everywhere quickly because of deserted silence surrounding us, "You think you can blackmail me again? After everything you and your brother have done to me? After your brother stole the hardwork of mine and rose to CEO position, do you still expect me to be a
••NO POV••Arabella felt tears welling up in her eyes at his words, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe this man is truly in love with her, and wants her to be in real relationship with him, she was out of words and been silent for a minute.Her silence pierced Xander's heart, as he expected an approval from her."It’s okay," Xander said gently, with a faint smile, "I don’t want to force you." Arabella could see the bitterness in Xander's face, and Xander is also upset as her silence almost felt like a refusal to him."It’s not about force," Arabella held his hand, "I knew you and your feelings are sincere, it’s just... I can’t answer you right now, can you give me some time?" Xander felt happy hearing to her words, though she didn't accept his proposal, at least she didn't reject him, so with a smile he said, "As long as you don’t reject me, anything is fine." Arabella doesn't understand why he is so gentle and understanding towards her, though she
••ARABELLA POV•• "Are you crazy?" I sighed with a reddened face, as his shameless words are still echoing in my ears and I couldn't let it go.He just laughed, totally unbothered, as if he hadn't just teased me to the point of embarrassment. Sometimes I wondered if he remembered this was just a contract marriage or if he was trying to make it a real one.Well, I don't blame him either because from the past few days with him, I truly got to know the meaning of love and family warmth, thanks to him and his family, my kids are enjoying the love and affection of a family, still I'm not ready to increase my hopes because of my past.The car ride to the hotel was filled with extreme silence apart from the sound of soft music playing in the background. Xander spared glances at me occasionally, and I caught myself doing the same as him, wondering what was going through his mind. When we arrived at the hotel, a table had already been reserved for us. I can say that the dining hall is very
••ARABELLA POV••"Who loves whom?" I was stunned to see Xander standing behind us, he crossed his arms staring at us, with a raised eyebrow, "what's happening here?" I gulped hard and took the initiative to answer, "nothing, just randomly talking with Xen." "From where exactly did this guy come?" He pointed at Xenon, while Xenon rolled his eyes, "I came to meet my darling Bella, it's not your concern uncle." Xander clenched his fist, "this brat!" But Xenon hid behind me, I don't understand why this guy always messes with others, then comes to me for protection.However before Xander could say another word, Xenon prepared to run away, "Let’s talk later, Bella, take care," he said in a soft tone, and left from there leaving me and Xander alone.As he disappeared from that place, I turned to find Xander standing some distance away from me, still with his crossed arms, and an expression of faint concern on his face. "What exactly were you two doing here?” He asked once again with a c
"Yes, he is my so-called ex, with whom I broke up," Xenon said with a sad tone, as if he is almost ready to burst into tears, Arabella pulled him to nearby place and both of them sat together.She offered him water to drink, "relax no tension, and have some water." "I know very well about you, all this is out curiousity to know more, right?" Xenon asked while taking a sip of water.Arabella chuckled and looked embarrassed but curiosity is quite evident on her face to know more about Aaron and Xenon, "So, are you going to tell me everything now? I mean, what made you to punch him? And what you meant by he is the guy you broke up with? When did you both even date to break up now?" Xenon leaned back, running a hand into his hair, as he literally hated talking about that past of his, "It's a long story, Bella, I don't even know where to start." She gently placed her hand on his, with a smile. "Start from the beginning, we are not going anywhere until you tell me everything, moreover I
"Bella, my dear," Veronica gently smiled at Arabella, "I'll take care of the kids, you and Xan, can go for shopping." Xander sighed at his mother, "mom, why need of going out when we can get them to house?" Veronica couldn't understand how she gave birth to someone so foolish, slapping on his hand, Veronica whispered in his ear, "you idiot, it's something romantic, groom and bride choosing outfits, groom praising bride for her beauty, specially choosing the wedding gown for her, all these are romantic things, you fool!" "Romantic?" Xander questioned his mother, to which Veronica nodded her head eagerly, "yes romantic, so don't spoil my plan, just go with her, and act like a gentleman with romantic scenes, if not she'll run away from you." Xander shook his head with a determined smile, "I'll not let that happen, I'll make sure to impress her," Veronica have a proud pat on his shoulder, "my blessings are with you." Arabella who noticed their conversation exchange but couldn't under
"How long do I have to suffer like this? It's all because of that little bitch Arabella!" Joseph sat on one of the chairs, seething with resentment in a prison room with oppressive walls. His mind occupied with anger and desperation as he awaited for his sister’s arrival. When Ruby finally appeared, looking defeated and no signs of positivity only got his anger to be increased.Ruby sat down opposite him, slightly with a disappointed look on her face, "I tried my best brother, but I don't think I could do anything at this moment, all the ways has got seized." "What do you mean by that?" Joseph leaned forward with a frustrated look, "When am I getting out from this damn prison? Did you talk to the lawyer? Why did you come alone?" Ruby shook her head, with tears filled in her eyes, as she isn't sure how to say something like this to her brother, but she knew he should know about their situation, "We don’t have that much money, brother, our house and everything within in our house was
"This can't be happening," a loud scream from Natalie after hearing from the maid that her grandmother agreed for Arabella's marriage with Xander.Natalie’s anger fueled dangerously, the maid informed, "Old madam said, you and your parents are not allowed for the wedding my lady.""You bitch!" Natalie slapped her, "are you looking down on me now?" The maid lowered her head with teary eyes, "no young lady, I would never look down on you." Natalie shouted at her, "just get lost from here," just as Natalie ordered, the maid rushed out of the room.The idea of Arabella taking a place in the Rodriguez family was like poison running through her veins. She had spent so many years believing that Arabella was nothing, someone to look down on, and yet, here she was marrying Xander Rodriguez, becoming the daughter-in-law of one of the most powerful families in the country. It felt like her world was crumbling, as Arabella who is supposed to be inferior is getting a princess treatment despite b
"A welcome for you, my love!" Xander said, standing proudly by her side, holding her hand with love. Arabella stared into his eyes, "a welcome?" He leaned closer, his voice full of warmth and excitement, "A grand welcome just for you, after all you're the youngest daughter-in-law of this house, do you like it?" Arabella blinked in surprise, glancing around at all the happy faces surrounding her. Her previous marriage had been filled with insults and humiliation, her ex-mother-in-law or her ex-husband's sister, never cared about her presence just like her ex-husband, to them she is nothing but a maid whom they look down on with disdain but here, things were so different it almost felt like a dream. Sophie stepped forward first, with a bright and warm smile on her face, "We are so glad that you’re here, Arabella! Welcome to Rodriguez mansion," she said, hugging her with open arms.Just then, a group of three elegant women and two handsome men joined them. One of the men stepped forw