"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
"That was perfect! You two are absolutely amazing," Sophie praised while clapping her hands, as everything ended well.Arabella gently smiled, as her cheeks were still flustered by everyone's attention and camera lights around her, "Thank you, sister." After the photo shoot, Arabella and Xander were the talk of the evening. The images were breathtaking, capturing their intimacy and chemistry in every frame.Sophie's staff couldn’t help but praise them, whispering how good the pair of Xander and Arabella are, "they both like a couple from a fairytale!" "I agree with you, it's too hard to believe it's true!" Each compliment seemed to send Xander over the moon as he always wanted to hear such by being Arabella's side, but Arabella only smiled politely, trying to stay out of attention."Thanks for your hardwork," Sophie politely thanked Arabella, to which Arabella smiled in return, "pleasure is mine." Sophie whispered in Arabella's ear, "I'll send you the best dress by the weekend a
"A lawsuit?" Rosaline was surprised staring at the person in her shaking hands with a full of rage.Neil narrowed his eyes with frustration filled in his face. "What have you done now, Rosaline? Who would send you this notice? With whom you messed with time? Don't tell me you went to the club for gambling again, did you?" Rosaline’s mind flashed to Veronica’s warning the other day, she was threatened by Veronica about taking a legal action against her for insulting Arabella, she thought it was just a simple threatening but nothing serious, here a legal notice was sent straight to her house for defamation and assault against COO of starlight jewels.Rosaline knew very well that, she can't bring up about Veronica's involvement in this, because if he found out she had tangled with the Rodriguez family, it would be disastrous, so she decided to settle it by herself, "no, I can't say the truth to Neil, so it's better for me to hide this for my safety." "What happened? Why aren't you open
"Mommy... Mommy, can you wake up?" Abigail's gentle and small voice woke up Arabella from the deep sleep, "please wake up Mommy." While rubbing her eyes, Arabella glanced at her daughter standing right beside the bed, still half-asleep, Arabella groaned. "What’s wrong, Abi? Why are you waking me up? Do you want anything sweetie? why don't you let me sleep for some more time?" Abigail looked a little anxious, as she started speaking, "There are some people here to see you, they want to meet you." Arabella sat straight on the bed with a confused expression. "Some people? Who are they exactly? Didn't your aunt Zara talk to them? She can speak to them, right?""It's done, but we aren't sure about them, even aunt Zara doesn't know any of them," Abigail said with a calm tone. "They said they're here for you and that you have an appointment with them, they even have your business card, that's why we allowed them in, currently they're in the living room, aunt Zara sent me to wake you up fo
"Of course, it's Natalie, the so-called white lotus bitch," Xenon's voice came from the entrance, as Arabella looked up towards him, she was surprised to see his appearance out of nowhere, "Xen, what are you doing here?" Xenon smiled glancing at her from top to bottom, "I heard you were attending a wedding, going to a wedding all alone isn’t fair, dearie. Let’s enjoy the delicacies together." Rebecca and her team grinned, hearing his playful tone.Arabella sighed at his words, "Xen, really?" He glanced at Rebecca and her team, "Thanks for your hard work in getting her ready, I was tired of seeing her look like a homeless girl despite taking a high amount of salary, people used to think, I'm not even paying her salary and exploiting her, at least now, she looks like a proper lady." "Excuse me? Homeless girl?" Arabella glared at him, but Xenon just laughed. Rebecca turned to Arabella and said with a bright smile playing on his face, "It was a pleasure working with you, Ms. Arabella
"I invited her, do you have a problem with that?" Olivia's voice made Rosaline to step back immediately, everyone's concentration became more intense, Rosaline who couldn't hold back anymore sighed, "Mother, how could you allow a disgrace like her to be here? What do you want others to think about us or our Bellchester family?" Minerva let out a soft chuckle while speaking, "A disgrace, you say? Oh, dear, what kind of joke is it?" She turned to the crowd introducing Arabella indirectly to everyone, "Our Arabella, the youngest in the family is the COO of Starlight Jewels, she is a true pride of the family. Hardly a disgrace."At that minute, the whispers around them grew louder once again."COO of Starlight Jewels? Now, it's truly exciting," one of the women gasped hard. "Who knew the so-called adopted daughter would be the real star, one day?" chimed in another, sending a dagger-sharp glare in Rosaline’s direction, "no wonder, Rosaline's daughter is always jealous of Arabella, like
"Stop it!" This loud voice got everyone's attention and everyone turned towards the entrance, the entire hall became silent, as tension filled in the air thickly.Arabella also glanced back, "What's happening here?" She mumbled within herself curiously.Everyone's concentration is on the group of people at the entrance, one can say people are both surprised and stunned by the appearance of the police officers and tax department agents who entered the venue seemed like storm clouds on quite a sunny day."Mr. Thompson, tax officer, what must've brought him to a place like this?" Leonardo spoke to himself, but Arabella heard it clearly, "tax department?" Leonardo nodded with a smile, "I know him very well, he is a good friend of my father, and also an efficient and sincere officer, do you want me to introduce him to you? I'm quite close to him, I can introduce you to him," he looked excited to impress Arabella, while Xenon sneered at Leonardo's enthusiasm, "for your kind information, sh
"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