"If you don't want to face further consequences, retrieve your hand back, Mrs. Bellchester," Veronica’s reddened eyes are quite evident when she warned Rosaline startling her.Everyone in the room got became stunned too and started paying attention to Veronica immediately while Rosaline took a step back in fear retrieving her hand back, her confidence started melting unsure of how to react to this sudden interference of Veronica.Arabella immediately became concerned, as she glanced at Veronica taking a stand for her, "it’s okay, I'll handle this," Arabella doesn't want to involve anyone in the argument of Rosaline as she knew what kind of a foul person Rosaline is.Veronica shook her head sternly bring protective of Arabella, "No dear, she forgotten what is meant by manners and how to keep manners in check at a place like this, so let me remind her on behalf of you," evryone can see the frustration on Veronica's face though they couldn't understand what made her angry to this level,
"Well, what I meant to say," Veronica stammered, caught off guard by her own words as Arabella is quick to catch everything, "actually you're a good friend of Xenon. I've heard you looked after him like family over the past six years, so you're practically like family to us, that's why I said after all we are a family." Arabella smiled warmly at her words, "Thank you for considering me as a family, but to be honest, he's the one who took care of me all the time, whenever I needed help, it was Xenon who stood for me. He is a great friend, and I'm really grateful to him. I haven't done anything for him, though he is the reason why I'm here, that's why I don't think I can claim those praises." Veronica can say that she is clearly impressed by Arabella and her nature, "You're so kind, sweet, and humble just as he said." She paused for a moment, knowing Arabella might misunderstand the person she is talking about, so immediately with a sly smile, she said, "it's Xenon, he told us about y
"Xander?" Both Arabella and Veronica said in a low voice at a time, turning toward the door where Xander stood by barging into the cabin once again, Arabella held her head slowly muttering under her breath, "this man, when will he understand that my cabin isn't his bedroom or anything to barge in anytime he wants!" Xander rushed to Arabella, with extreme concern filled expression on his face, he asked. "Why did my mother come here?" Arabella looked at Veronica standing right beside her, as she couldn't understand why Xander was asking her rather than asking Veronica.Looking at Arabella's confused expression, Veronica hit on Xander's hand with a glare, "Just because I showed up unannounced, you’re not even going to greet me? What kind of behaviour is this Xan?" Xander gave an awkward smile, clearing his throat. "So what? What made you to come here? Why did you even come here?" Arabella quickly intervened not wanting him to speak like that with his mother as she is worried he must'
"She's ridiculous and, worse than anyone's imagination, I wouldn’t call her an elegant lady from a prestigious family, she is far worse than a street side crazy woman," Veronica sighed remembering the annoying behaviour of Rosaline. "Thankfully, Arabella isn't her biological daughter, that's why she is more elegant and decent unlike that woman."Xander hummed hearing to Veronica, "Looks like she messed with the wrong person, her family has no other work apart from messing with her." Veronica nodded rubbing her temples, and explained everything that had happened earlier, making Xander frown."She crossed all the limits this time, I won’t let it slide, Mom. I’ll have the legal team handle it for sure, I'll make sure none of them would escape now." "Good to hear that," Veronica smiled while tapping on his shoulder, "I’ll be going now, your Grandma must be waiting to hear updates about your future wife, so I need to go immediately, for now, you can go and comfort her."Xander nodded and
"Yes, shopping for your ex-husband's wedding," Xander smiled at Arabella giving his answer.Arabella sighed looking at Xander who was smiling at her mischievously. "Why would I go shopping for my ex-husband's wedding?" She couldn't understand the reason behind his insistence about taking her on a shopping for her ex-husband's wedding.Xander grinned playfully holding her hand, "no need to discuss all those now, just follow me for now, then you'll understand everything." Arabella raised an eyebrow at his stubbornness, but she doesn't have any kind of energy left in her to argue with him.It had been a long day already making her tired, and knowing about Xander very well, she knew he wouldn’t stop until she agreed to what he wanted.She finally gave in with a soft sigh and followed him out of the company, "fine...fine, let go of my hand, I'll come along with you." Xander nodded with a pout but felt happy that she agreed, Arabella couldn't understand the behaviour of Xander, being the
"I'm sorry, we shouldn't have disturbed you in your busy time," Arabella stepped forward, looking apologetic as Xander came here because of her, and she doesn't want him to face scoldings because of her.Hearing to Arabella's voice, she glanced at her and looked back at Xander with a questioning look on her face, "so you didn't come here alone?"Xander shook his head with a grin, as he pulled Arabella a bit closer to introduce Arabella to Sophie. "I brought a good friend of mine, Arabella, the COO of Starlight Jewels and your son’s best friend is here as a guest, I hope you'll treat her well." Arabella looked nervous as she was forced to smile not understanding if it is okay to get introduced like that or not, Sophie raised an eyebrow trying to speak playfully with Arabella. "So, you’re the one who used to help my son to escape from his blind dates, aren't you?" Arabella blushed, clearly embarrassed because of the topic brought by Sophie. "I’m so sorry about that."Sophie chuckled a
"Someone special?" Arabella was surprised by the unexpected question of Sophie at an unexpected time, before she could say further, Sophie has a teasing smile on her face as she mentioned about Zayn, "Weren’t you on a dinner date with Zayn White the other night?"Arabella chuckled, as shook her head because of the misunderstanding, "Senior Zayn? Oh my goodness! Not at all, he’s just a senior of mine. I attended his birthday dinner with my family and a friend, nothing like that in between us." Though she said it out, deep inside she felt, "even I thought the same till now, but unexpectedly he expressed his feelings for me expecting more than a senior and junior thing." "Ah, I see," Sophie said with a smile playfully looking at Arabella. "He’s so handsome, I thought maybe you two were dating, since a beauty and a handsome, both make a good pair." Xander, who had been quietly listening, clenched his jaw but stayed silent feeling sad inwardly, "this sister of mine is worse than a devil
"Just an angel?" Sophie playfully teased him with a wide grin on her face, "look at her carefully my dear, don't she look more beautiful than an angel?" Xander nodded his head unconsciously, while his gaze struck to Arabella, and he couldn't take his eyes away from her, "Yes... yes, even an angel can’t compete with her beauty, she is that beautiful." Sophie chuckled, watching her brother gaze at Arabella like some teenager who has seen his crush for the first time. For a moment, she couldn’t help but to see him as a kid peeking at his crush with a lot of love, "this little brother of mine never grows up!" "Do I look weird?" Arabella asked checking herself, as she noticed how Xander was staring at her without uttering even a single word about her.Xander laughed at her words and shook his head trying to praise her mesmerizing beauty, "Anyone who says you look weird must be a weird species, even a blind person or a retarded person could see how beautiful you are! So there's no way I
"It's Ruby, Joseph's sister," I said, while clutching my mobile hard.Viola’s smile faltered, replaced by a furious look, "That witch, why is she trying to contact you? What does she want now?" "She tried to blackmail me yesterday," I explained, recounting the encounter of yesterday which I almost forgot until this message of that bitch popped up, "She threatened to bring out the things that happened back in the past, and the shameless method they used to get rid of their house, using those photos, she is trying to demand money from me, and wants me to get back with that bastard, the most funniest thing is, she said I should be grateful for her brother’s forgiveness." Viola crossed her arms with a scoff, "That woman is really audacious, how dare she to threaten you? I swear if you had taken me with you yesterday, I would've punched that bitch's face until she couldn't speak again, if she wasn’t already miserable, I’d make her life a living hell for daring to mess with you."Her fier
••ARABELLA POV•• "I know," I said softly, feeling the warmth of his hand on mine."So, you knew it," Xander repeated, with a low yet slightly frustrated voice, "yet you went alone?"I never saw him being angry with me, this is the first time, I've seen him like this, I don't know why, but I kind of feel nervous by this behaviour of his.Before I could respond, his mother stepped in, with a light tone, "Stop it, Xan, you're scaring her, can't you see that?" "Me? Scaring her?" Xander frowned, glancing between us."Yes, you only," She sighed, gently slapping on his shoulder, "you shouldn't speak in such a harsh tone even if you're worried about her, first apologise to her." I tried to intervene, "it's okay, mother," but she stopped me, "it's not okay sweetheart, you shouldn't allow anyone to bully you, even if it is your husband." "I'm sorry," Xander apologised, lowering his head, I mumbled, "it's okay." She looked at me with a softened expression, "forget about him, let’s get you t
••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