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
"Bella, I'm sorry," Viola apologised for hiding the truth, she held Arabella's hand with pleading eyes, "I didn’t tell you about the reunion party because I thought you wouldn’t come if you knew, dirty for her hiding about this from you."Arabella rolled her eyes and pointed at the table, "Almost everyone here is one of Natalie's followers, don't you know about that? How can I be here knowing their prejudice and hatred towards me?" Viola knew it already but doesn't Arabella leave because she knew this will be the opportunity for Natalie's true nature to be revealed, this can happen only if Arabella joins this reunion party, "Bella, that was in the past. You’re here now, in the present. Things aren’t the same anymore, you were obedient back then because of your family, but you don’t have to be obedient to anyone now, just be yourself and let them face the reality."Arabella considered Viola’s words and realized she was right. It wasn’t her who needed to be scared of people messing wit
Natalie snatched Daisy's phone, her face frozen in shock as she read the news article about herself. Before she could fully process it, a voice cut through the tension, "You all were quick to accuse Arabella, but what about this hot news? Natalie’s being called out as a liar, accused of stealing songs to become a popular singer and even stealing someone’s husband to have the title of most eligible bachelor’s fiancee."As they turned to see the person, it was none other than Zayn White standing there. "Long time no see, Arabella," he greeted her warmly with a gentle smile. Arabella, surprised by his sudden appearance, just smiled back hiding her surprised look.Viola, who had been watching the scene decided to make it interesting by involving Zayn, "Come on, senior. You better let them know you’re here with an invitation, if not they’ll accuse you also of being shamelessly barging into someone's reunion party."Zayn crossed his arms, unbothered by others' perspective, just smirked, "Th
Arabella and Zayn looked up to see who had grabbed Zayn's hand, it was none other than Xander. Arabella was startled to see him, and Xander turned to Zayn, with a sharp tone and reddened eyes, "What exactly did you do to her?"Zayn was already confused by the presence of Xander, not only that his anger got him terrified, making him almost stammer, "Huh?"Arabella quickly tried to intervene clarifying the relation in between her and Zayn, "He’s my senior; he didn’t do anything, Mr. Xander. Please let him go," she pleaded wanting him to calm down.Xander let go of Zayn's hand and gently wiped the tears from Arabella’s cheeks. "If he didn’t do anything, then why are you crying? Who made you cry?"Forcing a smile, Arabella replied, moving away, "It’s nothing, I’m okay now."Xander wanted to know what had upset her so badly, but he knew, he couldn't force her to speak, instead, he gently said, "Alright, let’s get out of here, you don't need to stay in a place which made you sad."He reache
Xander was caught off guard by Arabella's question, and he smiled nervously, trying to find the right words to cover up. "I mean, girls are mostly sensitive, right? That's what I meant, since I've witnessed my sister being sensitive most of the time," he stammered, clearly cursing himself for slipping his tongue.Arabella, gazing at the sky, hummed softly, "Girls are sensitive, yes, but only when there's someone to protect us. When we realize there's no one by our side and that we need to take stand for someone else, we learn to be strong eventually. That's how I became strong too." The wind blew her hair gently, making the unshed tears in her eyes glisten like crystals.Xander tucked her hair behind her ear, softened his tone for her. "There’s always someone you can depend on," he said staring into her deep eyes, "You just need to notice them."Arabella quickly turned away to hide her blush, smiling as she agreed with him, "You're right, Mr. Xander. I do have someone I’ve always depe
Arabella was deep in thought about Xander, but when the door suddenly swung open, causing her to bump her head against the door. She winced in pain, "Ahhh!"Viola who heard Arabella's scream quickly apologized rushing to check on Arabella, "Bella, I'm so sorry babe." Arabella rubbed her head as she walked inside with a sigh. "How on earth did you open the door without checking the other side, Vio? Ahhh this is so painful like hell.""I didn't expect you to be standing right outside, Bella, if you're to go in, rather than entering why on earth are you standing right behind the door?" Viola questioned her with a curious look. Arabella sat down on the couch still rubbing her head and noticed Abigail and Alexander standing nearby, Zara offered a glass of water and ice pack to Arabella.With a curious glance, Abigail approached her. "Mommy, why didn't you come with Aunt Vio? She said you were with someone else. Who was it?"Arabella was caught off guard by Abigail's sudden question about X
Arabella was deeply focused on her work when she got a message from Xander asking, "Can we meet today in the afternoon?" As she read the message, a smile spread across her face without her even realizing it. Zara, noticing the smile, can't help but to be curious to find the reason behind that smile, "What made you smiling like that?""Was I smiling?" Arabella asked, a bit surprised by Zara's question. Zara quickly turned on her camera and showed Arabella her own reflection. "Look at that beautiful smile of yours with gentle crimson share on your cheeks," Zara teased her.Arabella was a little surprised, not quite understanding why a simple message made her smile like that. She quickly lowered her head while asking Zara, "Do I have anything important scheduled for this afternoon?"Zara shook her head checking the schedule. "No, you're free this afternoon, are you going out?"Arabella nodded looking at her laptop screen. "I need to meet Mr. Xander, so I'll be leaving this afternoon. If
••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
"This can't be happening," a loud scream from Natalie after hearing from the maid that her grandmother agreed for Arabella's marriage with Xander.Natalie’s anger fueled dangerously, the maid informed, "Old madam said, you and your parents are not allowed for the wedding my lady.""You bitch!" Natalie slapped her, "are you looking down on me now?" The maid lowered her head with teary eyes, "no young lady, I would never look down on you." Natalie shouted at her, "just get lost from here," just as Natalie ordered, the maid rushed out of the room.The idea of Arabella taking a place in the Rodriguez family was like poison running through her veins. She had spent so many years believing that Arabella was nothing, someone to look down on, and yet, here she was marrying Xander Rodriguez, becoming the daughter-in-law of one of the most powerful families in the country. It felt like her world was crumbling, as Arabella who is supposed to be inferior is getting a princess treatment despite b
"A welcome for you, my love!" Xander said, standing proudly by her side, holding her hand with love. Arabella stared into his eyes, "a welcome?" He leaned closer, his voice full of warmth and excitement, "A grand welcome just for you, after all you're the youngest daughter-in-law of this house, do you like it?" Arabella blinked in surprise, glancing around at all the happy faces surrounding her. Her previous marriage had been filled with insults and humiliation, her ex-mother-in-law or her ex-husband's sister, never cared about her presence just like her ex-husband, to them she is nothing but a maid whom they look down on with disdain but here, things were so different it almost felt like a dream. Sophie stepped forward first, with a bright and warm smile on her face, "We are so glad that you’re here, Arabella! Welcome to Rodriguez mansion," she said, hugging her with open arms.Just then, a group of three elegant women and two handsome men joined them. One of the men stepped forw