"What if I say no?" Arabella teased him, Xander chuckled, "then I'll be husband of Arabella," Arabella couldn't help but to laugh at his words but still there's a moment of nervousness and fear in her, "I don't know why I feel like everything is rushed, don't you think so?" Xander cupped her cheeks with a deep affectionate glance, "I know why you're thinking like this, but believe in me Arabella, I would never hurt you, we both understood eachother, and to understand eachother more, we even have a year time, so you don't have to feel pressured, and nothing is rushed here, we took a lot of time to understand eachother." "But the other day, your mom talked about fiancee of yours," Arabella brought it up again, making Xander to sigh, "silly girl, it's you only, my mom knows that I'm in love with you, that's why she came to meet you, but I don't know what you both spoke to eachother, however, I've no other fiancee, I used to have one when I was young, it's a girl chosen by my family but
"Britney enough is enough, we already lost our reputation, now all we have to do is think about how to save our left over reputation in the high society!" Milan said with a sly smile.Neil has been getting numerous calls, and he isn't lifting them, even after declining the calls, still they're continuously coming, as he sighed inwardly, "what the hell is wrong with this man? Why is he calling me again and again? It's not like I'm going to run away with his money, moreover my mother isn't in a good mood for me to talk about money, for now it's better to silence him." Thinking that, Neil went outside immediately leaving the living room, Milan cleverly signalled a maid to follow Neil and hear everything.As the maid followed Neil, Milan smirked, "I'm sure you must be hiding something from us my dear little brother, I'll make sure to get that truth out from you, and don't worry, I'll be the one to inherit everything from our mother but not you." "Honey, what's wrong?" Minerva glanced at
"Bella, where is my Bella? Where exactly did you people hide my Bella?" Xenon’s voice rang through the halls of Xander’s mansion. He noticed Arabella coming down the stairs, immediately he rushed over to her. "Bella, did my uncle kidnap you? Did he lock you in here? Don't worry I came to save you." "Hold your horses my dear nephew!" Xander smirked placing his hand around Arabella's shoulder, "you don't need to save my woman, she is mine after all, who the hell are you to call her my Bella when she is my beloved woman?" Arabella blushed at his words, while Xenon sarcastically commented, "come on uncle, do you think Bella is someone who falls for sweet and sugar coating words? She is far away from all these." Xander sighed and looked at Nova, "Who let this idiot in?" Xenon looked at Arabella, pulling her hand like a kid. "Bella, did you hear that? He is calling me an idiot, you have to get justice for me." Arabella let out a soft chuckle and looked at Xander. "Please, don’t say su
"Yes!" Xenon chuckled trying to tease Xander about the truth, Arabella is hiding from him, "Don't you know about this? Didn't Bella tell you already?" Xander looked confused at Arabella.Arabella glared at Xenon out of anger. "Xen, can’t you just stop it?"Xander couldn’t hold back anymore as he is getting left in darkness as he could feel that they're hiding something from him. "Xenon, just speak it out, who are these three, and what exactly is happening here?" Xenon glanced at Arabella with an apologetic face. "Sorry, Bella, but my uncle holds power here, so I'm supposed to take his side and I have to tell the truth." He turned to Xander with a sly smile on his face. "It’s her senior, Zayn White; attorney Aaron Green; and our business partner, Leonardo Silver, those three are pursuing her, thanks to her kids arranging a blind date for her with them."Xander looked over at Abigail and Alexander, who immediately darted behind Veronica to hide. "I thought we three are okay with each
••ARABELLA POV••"Why am I so nervous?" That was the first thought ran through my mind as I looked in the mirror, staring at my own reflection, today is the day we are going to greet my grandmother officially to get permission for my marriage with Xander, though I knew that grandmother is by my side, still I don't think Natalie or her mother would stay quiet watching me wedded into Rodriguez family, "what if Xander or his family gets insulted because of me?" I still remember how in my previous marriage with Brown's family went by, they didn't even care to come and meet my grandmother in person, just sent the butler and a maid for everything, but it's father, who pushed me into this marriage just to save his own daughter.I hope the history doesn't repeat again, I don't want someone like Mrs. Veronica or other people of Rodriguez family to go through any of bad things because of me.While I was lost in my thoughts, Xander stood behind me with a gentle smile. "Everything will be fine,
••ARABELLA POV••"Shameless? I don’t think so," he smirked with a flirty smile on his face. "After all, I’m your husband, and it’s my job to make all your fantasies come true, so it's one of my duties." "Yes, I read that, a good husband treats his wife well, and respects her," Abigail supported Xander's statement, holding up her phone, "how to be a perfect husband! It's an article Mommy, in that this content exists." Xander immediately leaned over, eyeing the screen. "Baby, you should show things like that to Daddy, not Mommy, I need to know how to impress her, she doesn't need to know how I'm impressing her! All she needs to do is to be impressed and to be ready to be impressed for the rest of her life." Abigail nodded and turned the phone toward him, "Oops, sorry, Daddy. Here, take a look and learn all the things from here." These two were both becoming a real headache to me, still his words always leave me surprised whenever he talks as if I'm everything to him, why is this man
••ARABELLA POV••"Oops, my bad!"Hearing that voice of my daughter, I quickly pushed him away and looked up to see Abigail standing at the car door, closing her eyes with those little hands of her's, she must have seen it, arghhh, this man always leaves me in an awkward situation. I stepped out of the car, feeling a rush of heat in my cheeks, and tried to compose myself not to make myself embarrassed like a clown, but Nova noticed immediately."Your face is so red, is everything okay?" He asked, with a teasing smirk."Yeah, everything is okay," I stammered, trying to sound normal while settling my messy hair, Xander climbed out of the car, looking completely unfazed, as if nothing had happened at all.How can this man act like this? After all he has been an actor for years, it's me who is a fool here!"You said everything is okay, right?" Nova glanced at me and shifted his attention to Xander with a mischievous smile. "It might be good if you wipe the lipstick stains off your lips bef
••NO POV••"Stop acting like a kid and let’s go," Arabella sighed pulling him to walk rather than flirting with her as everyone already went inside it's she and him are the only one who are still outside, but he held her hand firmly with a cheeky smile."Didn’t you see my dad and mom? This is how a couple should walk together." She nodded slowly with a gentle hum agreeing with him.Arabella had seen couples holding hands like this before, and always dreamt of holding like hands like this one day with her man, but she had never experienced it before. Her ex-husband isn't even interested to spare a glance at her, let alone walk by her side. The only time he had stood beside her was at their wedding, and even then, only for a few minutes.After that, Arabella has slowly given up on her dreams and wishes regarding the life she always wanted with her man."Back then it's just a mere wish but here, this man is holding my hand tightly as if I might run away from him," she thought, comparing
"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