"Are you kidding? Don't tell me you're serious?" Nova chuckled at her words, making Arabella to feel bad for a minute.But looking at her expression he immediately shook his head with an explanation, "I'm sorry I don't mean to make fun, it's just I felt your words to be funny, did you say, bad luck? Arabella, you’ve got it all wrong. Honestly, I’d say you’re more like a lucky charm to anyone." "Lucky charm?" Arabella felt thrilled to hear that word, "I never heard anyone calling me like that, you're the first person to say that." Nova understood how much Arabella was suppressed by everyone, which is making her to be happy even to the little things such as kind words, "those people truly don't deserve you," he felt inwardly before speaking out."Do you remember your ex-husband? He was nothing but an illegitimate son not cared by anyone but he became a CEO after you married him, he became the most doted heir of Brown's family, what do you want to say about this?" Arabella looked away
"Good night," Nova said to Arabella, and Arabella hummed with a smile, while glanced back at Xander and children one last time before leaving the room, as she thought it's best to let them be like that only, undisturbed.As she got into the room given to her, laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling with a gentle smile, "maybe things are changing for the best, should I give a chance for myself?" Whether it's due to tiredness or happiness within her, Arabella fell asleep immediately, she slept so peacefully even by forgetting the time.None woken her up, and she was in her peaceful sleep, as her mobile rang, in that sleeping position only she answered the call, "hello!" "Still sleeping?" Zara asked with a confused face, "from when onwards you learned to sleep this long?" Arabella frowned as she checked the time, it's already afternoon, and she slept like a pig till now in the house of someone else, "I'll call you later," she immediately hung the call and rushed into the bathroom to
"I called you my dear daughter, don't you like it?" Veronica have a sad expression making Arabella guilty, "I didn't mean that Mrs," as Arabella about to call her Mrs. Rodriguez, she raised her eyebrow making Arabella to say, "I mean, au...aunt, that I was just surprised." Arabella even forgotten what exactly she wanted to speak, so she simply ended it with two words, Silvia gently scolded Veronica, "Veronica, stop teasing your daughter-in-law, look at her, she is already nervous, if you tease her more, what if she runs away?" "You're so cute Bella, so I can't help but to tease you, I hope you're not scared," Veronica smiled at Arabella to which Arabella shook her head, "no, I'm okay, I can understand." Veronica placed her arm around Arabella's shoulder, "see mother, I told you right, she is so polite and respectful, look at her how elegant and beautiful she is, and I also have four sons, nothing but useless, a daughter much worse than sons, why am I not blessed with such a daughte
"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,
"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