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
Abigail and Alexander were stunned by the unexpected voice at an unexpected time, since they knew no one would enter in their room without their permission, as they glanced at the door it is Viola, leaning against the doorframe, Abigail whispered to Alexander, "Who is she?""She’s the one who helped Mommy earlier in the event," Alexander whispered back pulling Abigail closer, Viola chuckled looking at their interaction, which made both the children to glance at her, Abigail frowned at Viola laughing, "Why are you laughing?"Viola knelt infront of them, reaching out gently to caress her hair, "I'm sorry for laughing, but you both reminded me of your mother and me when we were kids. We used to do the same thing when we wanted to share secrets," she said remembering the past once she shared with Arabella, Alexander looked up at her with curious glances, "Are you a friend of our Mommy?"Viola smiled gesturing him to come, "We used to be best friends." "Then why didn't you ever come to me
"Well..." Viola began, stretching out the response, the delay in her response made kids' faces became sad, disappointment being evident on their faces, but then she gave a surprising news with a smile, "he's coming, he informed he'll be there for sure, moreover he said, he can't wait to be a part of that reunion party," both childrens' faces filled with happiness and immediately ran to hug Viola."Aunt Viola, you're amazing!" they exclaimed hugging her tightly, Viola laughed, hugging them back gently, "You can just call me Vio, no need for it to be lengthy," she suggested, trying to be closer to them without any distance."Okay, Aunt Vio!" Abigail and Alexander agreed enthusiastically, with her, Viola then guided them to bed."It's pretty late, you two need to sleep now, if not you can't wake up early tomorrow," she said gently, tucking them in and pulling the blanket over them. The kids were satisfied that their first plan had worked out perfectly, they drifted off to sleep with smil
Xenon was still mumbling to himself, but Xander made his way to leave the room, Nova was about to follow, but Xenon grabbed his arm, pulling him back, "Is there something you're not telling me?" Xenon raised his eyebrow questioning Nova.Nova retrieved his arm back from Xenon's grip, "There's just something you don't need to know, so better don't think more," with that, he left the room to catch up with Xander, leaving Xenon frowning with his thoughts."What are those two up to? Especially my uncle, he’s definitely plotting something. But why is he so involved in Bella’s situation? Could he be the one... No, that’s impossible," Xenon shook his head, trying to dismiss the thoughts disturbing his mind, but still a doubt lingered, "Why couldn’t he be the one? He’s a man too, after all, so all my assumptions are they real or not?"Xenon wants to bang his head to walk out of frustration, "arghhh, this is driving me crazy, why isn't anyone tell me what’s really going on?"While Xenon was an
Arabella's cheeks were already redder than usual and especially his husky tone made her blushing quite oblivious, she tried her best to act normal. Nervously licking her lips, she repeated his words, "A favor?"Xander nodded staring at her intensely,, "Yeah."Arabella awkwardly smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, "What kind of favor could someone like me do for you, Mr. Rodriguez?" Xander leaned in closer, making her heart race faster than a sportscar, "Only you can do this," he spoke softly as he pulled a small piece of paper from her hair. Arabella felt overwhelmed, not sure why she was reacting this way, but every action of him and even that simple touch made her feel familiar with him, In a gentle tone, he continued, "I don't have anyone else to ask for this kind of favor, so I thought maybe you could help me."Arabella’s mind was spinning with wild guesses, by his indirect words, "what does he mean by only I can do it? Is he sane or crazy to speak words like that? wha
Arabella and Xander both shot a glare at Xenon for his foolish question, making him swallow nervously, "Why are they both so mad at me?" he wondered not understanding their anger which is sinking perfectly, Arabella sighed pointing out his mistake, "You're the one who opened the door, causing me to stumble, thankfully Mr. Xander caught me like a gentleman.""Yeah," Xander added supporting Arabella's words, "she was about to fall, so I helped her. It's just basic decency as a part of humanity."Xenon’s eyes widened in disbelief at their arrows of blames towards him, "Gentleman? Decency? Humanity? Are you saying I’m the bad guy here?"Nova jumped in teasing Xenon, "Of course you are," Xenon looked over at him in confusion, "Did you just hear what I said?"Nova scoffed with a smile, "I’m not deaf."Xenon rolled his eyes and looked at Arabella arguing with her, "So, am I the one at fault here?" Arabella nodded with a gentle hum, Xander continued the rest, "You should apologize to her. If
The day before her scheduled dinner with two different people Xander and Viola for two different purposes, Arabella found herself unable to decide whom to choose and whom to decline. Worried and unsure, she sat deep in thought in front of her laptop screen, that's when her children, Abigail and Alexander, noticed her concern and came over to help."Mommy...Mommy, what are you thinking about so seriously?" Abigail asked playfully, hugging her from one side. Alexander hugged her from the other side, "Why do you have a frown on your face, Mommy?"Arabella smiled at them, trying to explain her current dilemma, "I promised someone I would go to dinner with them, but now Vio also wants me to join her for dinner on the same night. They’re both important, and I can’t decide who to choose, since I'm worried about hurting one of them if I'm to decline one from them."Abigail and Alexander exchanged knowing looks, understanding that Viola’s invitation wasn’t just a random dinner but a reunion pa
Nova felt guilty seeing the sadness on Xander's face, so he explained everything Arabella had told him, "She’s upset too, Xan, but it seems like her hands are tied because of other commitments. After all, she’s a busy COO. She apologized as well and also worried about you misunderstanding her.""Oh," Xander responded quietly, Nova handed him his phone understanding the disappointment in Xander, "Here, this is her number."Xander took the phone while asking, "So, when does she want to meet me?"Nova replied with a smile, "She said any day is fine except tomorrow, so you can choose a date and inform her," Xander nodded and immediately messaged Arabella, asking if she was okay with meeting him in two days. She quickly responded positively as if she is waiting for his message."She said yes," Xander grinned, showing the message to Nova, finally looking a happy expression on Xander's face, Nova took a breath in relief while inquiring, "So, should I reschedule the dinner plans?" Xander nodd
"A pregnancy test kit?" Viola repeated in disbelief.Arabella nodded silently, her lips pressed together in nervousness.Without hesitation, Viola stood and left the room, a few minutes later, she returned, holding the pregnancy kit Arabella had asked for.Arabella’s hands trembled as she took the pregnancy kit test from Viola.The room felt suffocating as she walked into the bathroom, her heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. After taking the test, she sat on the bathroom floor, staring at the result, her hands still shaking in anxiousness. When she finally stood up and stepped out of the bathroom, her face was pale, while there was a turmoil of mixed emotions brewing up inside her, a wave of happiness, sadness, and disbelief.Viola had been pacing the room in nervous anticipation. The moment Arabella stepped out, Viola rushed over. "What happened? What’s the result?"Arabella didn’t say a word, she simply showed the positive in test result.Viola’s eyes widened and the
Veronica reached out, taking Arabella’s hand in hers. "Because he was scared, Bella. Scared that the truth would push you away just like how it is today, he thought keeping it from you was the only way to protect the love you both have for each other, though it wasn't the right choice, but it was made out of love, not malice."Arabella pulled her hand away, with teary eyes, "Love?" She scoffed. "How can I believe that it is love when everything he has done feels nothing but a lie?" "Bella," Veronica said gently, glancing at Arabella with a warm smile, "at this moment I can clearly tell how you feel, but all I want you to know is, Xander has never stopped loving you. These past six years, not a single day has gone by where he didn’t think about you, to him you means everything, you and kids are his world, so don't take any rash decisions Bella, after many years I seen him happy only when he is with you, I hope you'll consider your decision once again.' Arabella turned away, hiding th
The night was sleepless for both Xander and Arabella, both of their minds consumed by the memories they shared together.Arabella sat on the bed, staring at the wedding ring she had left on the bedside table, she held it gently in her hands, the cool metal feeling heavier with every thought.She remembered the day she first met Xander, how he made her heart stop beating with his charm and quiet intensity.The nights they spent together, his whispered promises, and the warmth of his arms, but now, those memories felt like a nightmare, reminding all his betrayals."Did he truly loved me as he claimed? If so he would've told the truth, but he didn't, so it was never love," Arabella thought, her heart aching as tears filled in her eyes.She clutched her pillow tightly, trying to suppress her sobs. "Why does it hurt so much though I knew he is nothing but a cheat who made me a fool?" She whispered into the darkness.On the other side, Xander sat in his study, with a drink in his head, and
"If I ever loved anyone in my life, it'll be only her," Xander said with his voice breaking slightly, "but I'm fighting to respect her decision, if staying with me only brings her pain, then maybe… maybe letting her go is the only way to give her peace." Nova frowned at Xander, "don't think such kind of crap, Xan, this isn’t about respecting her decision, it’s about you running away because you’re scared of facing her anger, and her disappointment, if you truly love her, you’ll fight harder than this."Xander looked down, with trembling hands, "Do you think I don’t want to fight? Do you think I haven’t heard the words she said, do you think I haven't witnessed every tear she shed? She hates me, Nova, she looks at me like I’m a monster, like I’m the one who destroyed her life, and maybe she’s right. Maybe I don’t deserve her forgiveness for what I did, after all I'm the one who collapsed her dreams and life." Xenon let out a frustrated groan, leaning forward. “Listen to me, uncle, yo
"Xan, just don't give up, I don't think it's too late," Nova said while Xenon agreed with him, "Nova is right uncle, Bella will understand for sure if you try to explain, so don't take any rash decisions." But Xander looked the same with disappointment and sadness, Nova and Xenon took Xander home, as he is already drunk totally.Xander isn't even sure when he fell asleep on the way.In the morning, Xander woke up with a heavy hangover in his own house as he was brought to his place instead of his parents house by Nova and Xenon.Since they doesn't want to worry Xander's parents, they hid the situation going on in between Xander and Arabella a secret."Here take it," Nova offered strong coffee to Xander to get rid of heavy hangover.As he was about to take a sip of coffee, Zara entered the living room with a usual serious demeanor, but her hesitating face is quite visible as walked in with a file in her hands.Xenon glanced at her curiously, "what are you doing here Zara? What's that
"Bella?" Viola opened the door after hearing to the calling bell and was surprised to see Arabella at her door in a time like this, "what are you doing here?" Arabella spoke with a voice not even barely audible, "can I stay here tonight?" "Of course you can, come inside first," Viola said inviting Arabella inside and gestured her to sit on the couch.Tears filled eyes, pale face, and heavy breathing, uneven gasps of Arabella made Viola to understand something is wrong with Arabella.Immediately going into the kitchen, viola returned with a cup of hot coffee, and sat beside Arabella hoping it would bring some comfort, "Bella, drink something warm, you'll feel better." Arabella shook her head, to which Viola sighed, "You’re going to make yourself sick like this." Arabella let out a bitter laugh that quickly turned into heavy crying, "Does it even matter, Vio? I’ve already lost everything, my life… it’s a joke already, isn’t it?" Viola frowned being confused by Arabella's words, ge
Xander stood frozen, Arabella’s words echoing in his ears, the weight of her accusations sinking deeper than his thoughts.The vibrant setup he had affectionately prepared now felt like a mockery of his intentions. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself, but his emotions threatened to spill over, still he doesn't want to speak anything harsh which might hurt Arabella's heart."What do you mean by that, my love?" Xander managed to ask almost like a pleading painfully.Arabella turned sharply to face him, with an eyes full of anger, "Stop it! Stop calling me like that," she shouted using her trembling voice, "please stop faking it! I'm already tired of all these." Xander flinched hearing to her loud voice and teary eyes, "Bella, I don’t understand anything dear, what exactly are you trying to say? What do you mean by I’m faking it?" Arabella’s laugh was bitter and sarcastic despite seeing the desperation in his eyes, "Your love," she spat with a cold tone, "aren’t you faking
Xander woke up earlier than usual, as he is so excited about the surprise. The conversation with George last night had been revolving in his mind throughout the night, and he was determined to do whatever it takes to make things right with Arabella. "She deserved more than just a few simple words, she needed to feel loved and appreciated. I couldn't even give a grand wedding to her, at least this grand gesture of mine should remind her of the love I've towards her." After a few phone calls and careful planning, Xander arranged everything for the surprise. It wasn’t just a simple outing; it was a day meant to bring them closer and show Arabella that he is extremely serious about them and their relationship.He spent entire the morning setting everything according to his plan, arranging a private area in the theme park, filled with her favorite things. A beautiful romantic setup arranged at a secluded spot, with flowers, candles, and her favorite food. Once when everything is done
"Did you call me, love?" Xander asked as he stepped out of the shower wiping his wet hair. Arabella shook her head, avoiding his gaze, "nothing." Noticing her turning of face away, Xander felt it's out of shy and approached her to hug, but Arabella stepped back abruptly leaving Xander confused."I’ll sleep with the kids tonight," she said with a low and steady voice.Xander frowned, and he is extremely about sudden change in Arabella's behaviour. "What happened? Are you okay?" "Nothing," she replied coldly, and her voice sounded distant expressing her interest in getting away from him.He took a step closer, trying to study her expression. "Are you on your periods? Is something bothering you, love?" She avoided his concerned eyes and repeated the same thing, "as I said it’s nothing," and left the room without any further word.Xander stood frozen in confusion, watching her leaving, her sudden change in behavior puzzled him as he couldn't understand whether it's really nothing o