••ARABELLA POV••"Please, Bella, you know I have no one but you, so don't give up on me like this," Xenon pleaded me with a pitiful face, but I'm not going to buy it. I sighed, feeling the weight of the familiar words as always. "Xen, you've been saying the same thing for years. How long do you plan to keep doing this to me? Do you think I'll fall for this sentimental melodrama again and again?""Just this one last time, Bella," he insisted promising this will be last time, but I can't even count how many 'last times' I heard till today. I shook my head firmly being not ready to fall for his tricks again. "No, not anymore. I can't keep doing this, Xen. You better need to find someone else, since, this I'm completely stern about my decision."But instead of letting go of this matter, Xenon clung to my arm, hugging it tightly like a child while keep on pleading me. "Please, Bella, don’t say no. I only have you, don't you feel pity for this poor guy?"Pity, my foot! By pitying this guy t
••ARABELLA POV••"For me?" The words slipped out before I could stop them as I can't help but to say those words because of him. However before Mr. Xander could respond, Xenon spoke on behalf of him, "He must have listened to your voice from outside and rushed in, thinking you needed some help. Am I right, uncle?"Mr. Xander nodded, though I couldn't help but to feel he nodded so reluctantly. Maybe I was just imagining it.I hummed in return, and Xenon turned to him, "Uncle, weren't you here to discuss something with me?" Mr. Xander nodded again, almost expressionless. "Yeah.""Ah I'm sorry, then I’ll leave you both to have your conversation," I said, starting to walk away, but Xenon stopped me, "Bella!" I turned back with a sigh, raising an eyebrow, "What?" He handed me the file. "You forgot this here only."I want to slam my head to the wall because of my disease of forgetting everything, here once again I forgotten something important. Xenon asked looking at the file, "Are you p
••ARABELLA POV••"Mommy, look out!" Their loud scream brought me back to my senses, and I stepped hard on the brakes being horrified after seeing the person coming straight towards me. But it was too late already, I had almost hit someone with my car. I closed my eyes tightly while my heart was racing with anxiety, because of pulling the car into sudden halt.Once I managed to get back myself to normal state, I quickly looked at the kids in the backseat. "Are you okay?" They nodded their heads with a frightened look, I gently caressed their faces, "everything is fine, stay in the car, until I come back," I instructed, then stepped out to check on the person I nearly hit.As I checked, it's a man, he is lying on the ground next to his motorcycle, I can see him clearly shaking, but fortunately no obvious injuries. He managed to stand up on his feet, shouting at me in a furious tone, "Where exactly did you keep your eyes while driving the car? Did you keep your eyes on your head or what
••NO POV••"Huh?" Arabella raised an eyebrow, surprised by Aaron’s words. Aaron smiled warmly at her with a tender gaze on her. "You remind me of someone I used to know. She used to be a great jewelry designer, just like you. I used to admire her works back then, but unfortunately she dropped her career in the middle, and now fortunately you came just as talented as her, so I can't help but to admire your work now, very refreshing and creative." Arabella smiled while trying to think about the jewelry designer he is talking about but as far as she remembers there are many famous jewellery designers but she doesn't remember anyone dropping their career in the middle. "I see," she said, while taking his business card and offering him her card in return. "I hope we get a chance to meet again, Ms. Arabella, it's a pleasure meeting you," he sounded as if he was looking forward to meeting her again."Same feeling," Arabella agreed with a hum, pulling a smile on her face, "And once again, t
••NO POV••"Exactly, I agree with you aunt Vio," Abigail said, agreeing with Viola and her words, Arabella who came out of the room just then, happened to hear Abigail's words, out of curiosity, Arabella asked, "Agree, what?"Abigail and Viola looked at each other in nervousness, while thinking about what to say, however Abigail as always being quick witted, replied with a smirk, "Oh, it’s just a little secret between us girls, Mommy!"Arabella crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow, "A secret between girls? And what am I? A boy?" Abigail quickly bit her tongue because of her tongue slipping, chuckling nervously. "Ahh, you're right! You’re a girl too, obviously! It's just a mistake Mommy."Viola intervened, attempting to solve it smoothly. "Well, it's more like a secret in between two friends, I think you understood what I'm trying to say, do you? So you shouldn't question two friends about their secret conversation." Arabella couldn't help but to question Voila because of her words,
••NO POV••"Who?" Viola asked looking at Arabella's frustration filled face, Arabella pointed at the caller ID on her mobile, "who else can annoy me apart from that Natalie!" Viola sighed clenching her fist in anger, "That bitch!"Arabella gently tapped Viola's hand, reminding her about Abigail, "Watch your tone and language in front of kids.""I’m sorry," Viola smiled awkwardly while scratching her head.Arabella turned her attention to Abigail with a gentle smile. "Abi, take these cookies and milk to your room and give them to Alex." Abigail nodded and left with the snacks obediently, once she was out of the living room, Viola didn't waste a minute before starting her questions, "Why is she calling you?"Arabella shrugged. "I have no idea Vio. Let’s find out from them only," she answered the phone keeping it on loud speaker, only to be greeted by Rosaline’s angry voice. "Bella, you damn bitch!"Arabella rolled her eyes being habituated to something like that from Rosaline, "Actual
••NO POV••"Yes?" Xander repeated her voice making his voice ring up in her ears. Arabella immediately hung up and turned off her phone, screaming at herself out of embarrassment, “Ahhh, Bella, what have you done? You must've gone crazy?” Zara rushed into the room, being worried by Arabella’s scream in the middle of the night. "Are you okay? Why did you scream like that? Did anything happen?""Did I truly scream that louder?" Arabella asked in an awkward voice, Zara nodded while talking about Arabella's crazy behaviour, "thankfully kids are asleep, if not they would've rushed too here, that loudly you yelled!"Arabella gave her an awkward smile as she couldn't understand how she got ended up in such an awkward situation. "Umm I'm sorry, by the way do you think I and my behaviour being weird lately?" Zara sat down on the bed across from her. "To be honest, you’ve been pretty strange these days, looks like you realised too, I'm quite worried about you." "I know, right?" Arabella sigh
"No wonder, Mr. Xander Rodriguez is the nation's husband for a reason," Zara chuckled as she watched from the beginning the way Arabella sneak out of the house like a teenager, careful not to alert anyone, "All the things you're supposed to do when you're young, you're finally doing them now. At last, you're seeking for happiness, happy to see you like this," she felt within herself being delighted for Arabella's happiness, and decided to wait for Arabella's return to know more.Meanwhile, in the car, Xander was driving while Arabella sat quietly beside him, lost in her thoughts. She couldn't get to a conclusion regarding how she had rushed out of the house in the middle of the night just because he called her or how she felt so comfortable going out with a man whom she had only met a few times. It baffled her how much she had come to trust him, within their small meetings."Am I that handsome?" Xander's voice broke the silence filled in the car."Huh?" Arabella was startled by his s
"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