When I was a little girl, my mother would bring me to dance classes on the weekends. I loved the music, the movement, and the sense of community that dancing provided. But right now, the same dance was a reason for my growing anxiety.Mr Arnold, curse that man to hell and back, he was smirking. I mentally decided to step on his foot in the name of this dancing dare. I smiled and asked for his hand, uh not for the marriage purpose of course, but as a dance partner.I must admit that I was a little nervous, but the feeling of his hand in mine was calming, and at the same time, exciting. I felt the pull of gravity on my body as he pulled me close. He placed his arm around me and then placed his hand on my neck and whispered, "Why to take the pain of dancing, you could have kissed me and the dare would have been finished within a second."My face felt hot at his shameless words. And as if he was asking for it, I stomped on his foot. He gritted his teeth to suppress the urge to curse and I
The next morning, I woke up with a smile. The previous night's events flashed through my mind, and I remembered how much fun it was to spend the evening with Mr Arnold. I couldn't think of anything else besides him.The thought of seeing him again made me feel excited and happy. I felt like doing cartwheels down the hallway but controlled myself.The hell is wrong with me?I got ready in a white top that had sheath-like sleeves and a high neck. I paired it with a pair of black leggings and a black turtleneck sweater. I decided to put my hair up in a bun. I looked at the mirror and smiled. A thing I'd been doing a lot since last night.Lastly, I wore the pearl earrings Mr Arnold gave me as a present. They were simple but elegant. They made me feel like a princess which I definitely wasn't. I knew he'd feel happy that I wore them.I walked to my kitchen and started to make myself a coffee. I looked at the time on my phone. I had to leave in half an hour. Kia's school is off so Mr Arnold
The next four days passed in a blur. I spent most of my time with Kia.Aiden, Tara and Evans would often come to visit, and we would spend time together, but Kia and I spent hours on end together, talking, exploring about one thing or the other, and generally just enjoying each other's company.I knew that if I spent time with her, I won't be able to let go but I didn't know I'd get so used to her presence. I found myself becoming more and more attached to her every day, and I knew when the time would come. I'll cry, and I'll miss her, but I'll be OK. I've signed a deal and I can't push its limits.But a small part of me is reluctant to let go. I made the deal because I thought he was a bipolar, rude, impolite, inconsiderate, and self-centred person, and I found him so infuriating. I thought he was a selfish bastard who had no consideration for others.However, I am happy to say I was wrong as if he had flipped a switch in him, he was nothing compared to the first two times I met him.
The next morning I woke up groaning, my back and neck hurting like hell. Apparently, I slept on the loveseat itself.The first thing my eyes caught sight of was Aiden, who was sleeping on the foot of the sofa, his head on the floor while his legs were securely held up by the sofa. Who would think this guy is the CEO of a multinational company?And how the f*ck did he manage to even sleep like that?Next, I saw Tara and Evans who were sleeping next to each other on the same sofa. They looked peaceful. Beside them was the small sofa where Kia was asleep peacefully. She seemed to be so exhausted from the previous night and the dancing she did.I ran my gaze across all the furniture once again but Mr Arnold was nowhere in sight.Where the hell did he go early morning?I groaned and braced myself to stop lazing and getting up but I couldn't.I hadn't realized that there was a weight on me.Mr Arnold!I looked down, Mr Arnold's head was resting on my lap. He had a calm smile on his face as
It's been a week since Mr Arnold..no Nicolas left for his business trip. And things have been quite boring and lifeless since then. Kia has been not the same energetic and bubbly kid I've been seeing her till now. She's more on the silent mode and that's bothering me very much.During the daytime, she stays with me and in the evening a driver comes who picks her up to take her to the mansion but personally I feel she doesn't like being away from me. The other day Aiden had to come and take her with him to the mansion since she started crying so bitterly saying she'd not go. Although a part of me feels the reason is she doesn't like being there.Nicolas has also been ridiculously busy. He didn't even make one call when he was supposed to. Kia has been feeling sad and depressed since he left and that's also a worry because it'd affect her health.I sighed and looked at her who was right now watching Spongebob Squarepants but that's the difference she was only staring at the screen, she
NICOLAS ARNOLD's POV"No sir. We missed him again."Damn it!It's been a f*cking week that I've been here in London. Away from everyone, mama, Kia and her.Amore.I never thought that I'd fall in love with someone, that too at the very f*cking first sight. The day I'd seen her for the first time, hugging Kia, I felt like I was just struck by lightning.She was the only person with whom Kia got so close at the very first meet. I still remember how she kicked Aiden when he met her first.It's crazy how destiny made me meet her. After having that silly argument, which was just a way for me to have a conversation with her. When I offered her money, the death glare she gave me, I was left amused, the way she shut Kia's ears and cursed me.I was so desperate to see her again that I followed her to Halcyos. I contacted my friend who was the owner of the place and told him to keep a cabin ready for me and send her as soon as she enters the building.Jesus Christ! And I called her a stalker.I
**There's a switch of POVs in this chapter for which I'm extremely sorry**Nicolas Arnold's POVF*cking hell!It's been a whole f*cking seventeen hours.Seventeen hours and still I don't have any idea how's she. I've been trying to calm and convince myself that nothing will happen to her but with every second, I'm getting more unnerving. Only if I hadn't left for the search of my pathetic brother, I'd have been with her.I f*cking promised her that I'll not let anyone hurt her as long as I live but I broke the promise.She, on the other hand, kept it with her life. Her life. "I promise you with my life, I won't let anything happen to her, you're present or not." Jesus Christ! I'm longing to hear her voice, I'm dying to listen to her cursing me."Nicky uncle.", Kia came up to where I was sitting like a depressed soul." Will Ari die like my mommy?", My heart went into a spin when I heard her voice."Kia.", mama yelled at her startling her. She wrapped her little arms around my neck, h
Remember when we were kids and used to fall ill. It felt like our mom's whole day revolved around us, looking after us, asking if we wanted anything or going out of their way to do something for us special. Our Mumma used to make us feel extraordinary during all those times.I felt the same love, yes love.I felt the same love as when I was a kid and I was with my Mumma. It felt like my Mumma was there with me and she was waiting to make sure I was ok in disguise of Nicolas' Mama.Mama, as she made me call her, didn't let me get bored for even a second. She kept on conversing with me as if I was her daughter, her real daughter.It's been three days since I've been in this hellhole i.e. Hospital. And even for a minute didn't she let me feel alone. The whole night and evening Nicolas stays in the hospital and in the morning it's Mama who needs to kick him out of my room. Kia, Tara, Evans and Aiden also come to entertain me during the daytime. They were so sweet.Similarly today too, Ni
Arielle's POVItalics: Flashback"Mumma, please don't leave me." Tears streamed down my face as I held onto her hand with a death grip. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, were now dull and lifeless, pools of sorrow reflecting the storm within her. I leaned in closer, my heart aching with a pain so deep it felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack. "Mumma," I whispered, my voice a mere breath against her cheek. "I can't live without you."The sterile hospital room was a tomb, the hum of machines a relentless dirge.I felt the cold, hard grip of her hand, my trembling like a leaf caught in a cyclone.Her words echoed, a haunting melody of regret and sorrow. "My Ari,""Mumma, please," I begged, my voice a desperate cry. "Don't give up. Please fight."She closed her eyes and smiled painfully, breathing, a difficult dance with death. I squeezed her hand tightly, my heart a heavy stone in my chest."I would fight wars for you, my child," she whispered, her voice a fragile thread in
Something seems amiss. I can't shake off this persistent sense that an unforeseen event is looming on the horizon.Something dreadful. The feeling is like a stubborn itch that won't go away. I cannot keep happiness in my heart as this sense of impending doom looms. The looming sense of impending doom creates a cloud of uncertainty that casts a shadow over my present and with me, my husband's happiness.He has tried to talk to me but how do I explain this feeling to him when I, myself am not sure about it.I don't know why.Why am I feeling this way?Everything has been going fine.These past eleven months have been smooth sailing, without a single hiccup. Then why am I feeling this way?Maybe I am just overthinking.It was Nick's and I's first wedding anniversary and the whole family was pretty excited for the same. That's a low-key term to define their excitement.They resemble cumin seeds in oil, bubbling with happiness and anticipation. I, on the other hand, could not shake off
"Nick you can't hide like this, I'm telling you. Once I find you, you will regret starting this game." I shouted as I searched for all the places he could hide. "With you, I've never regretted anything, my love."The echo of his words bounced off the walls, making it difficult to pinpoint his location. The anticipation grew within me, fueled by anger, excitement and curiosity. I knew Nick was skilled at hiding, but I was determined to find him. I mean, who does he think he is? He can't just use the charm of his words and melt me all the time. He'll be punished this time and that's final. No more letting his words melt me. I need to toughen up and stand my ground. This game of hide-and-seek has turned into something more, a war. And Arielle Summers Arnold, you'll not be easily swayed this time. "Amore you won't be able to find me."It was clear that the game of hiding and seeking had taken a romantic turn for him. Nick's words, both teasing and affectionate, echoed through the room,
I officially hate my friends.Here I was in a crisis and they were messing around. It was the worst time for them to joke around and not take things seriously.I had never felt so betrayed in my life.My friends were laughing hysterically, but I was in no mood for their antics."This isn't funny, idiots." I shouted as I walked to Mama and laid my head on her lap as she glared at the two of them."Both of them, if you don't stop now I will kick your asses out of here."This made them shut up."I'm still unable to wrap my head around the fact that you, a charmer managed to get a girl so angry she slapped you... twice.", My face twisted in shame and embarrassment as the morons started to laugh again."Two slaps and a punch in the gut, Mama.", Nicolas F*cking Arnold, as Arielle used to say in the past, seemed perfect for the moment to me.Bastard!The reason I was so mad was not just because they were making fun of me, but also because, f*ck I felt too furious, how could that woman, that st
It has been two years and five months since our marriage. Life with Arielle has been full of loving and memorable moments. Although I've said it before I can't help myself but say it again, I'm blessed to have such a wonderful wife.I'll forever be grateful to my Mama for giving me the wisdom to wait for the right woman.Arielle is the one, and I love her with all my heart.I looked at my wife's face which was tucked into the nape of her neck, and with the tip of my finger, I traced the outline of her face. I reached up to run my fingers through her hair, I can't seem to keep my hands off her.A small whine left her lips and I felt a rush of love for her again. She is so responsive, so giving. I leaned down to place a soft kiss on the top of her head. I softly massaged her neck and shoulders as she quietly snuggled in closer to me. I breathed in the scent of her hair. I feel a sense of comfort in being wrapped up like this. It's something so simple but it feels so right.I pressed my
Peace.It's been peace with him. Every single day has been a reminder of how lucky I'm to have a great husband like Nick.How these six years passed, I couldn't know. It's not like it was a straight line. It was more like an unpredictable track. I guess it was the best part of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.I was really proud of my husband. He had successfully overtaken his other company and his vision of getting Arnold empire back in Mama's hands was completed. And as much as I was feeling bad for his father, he hurt Mama and however hard we try, it's impossible to forgive his deeds.Anyway, Caleb and Kia's bond had grown, Kia had always been smart and intellectual for her age but as she grew up, she accepted him as her father but that doesn't mean it affected her relationship with her Nicky Uncle, all it did was get stronger.He was genuinely happy when Kia told him that she accepted Caleb as her father doesn't mean she loved him more.He was the one who gave her the l
Today I learnt a new emotion about human beings.JEALOUSY.Jealousy is an emotion that can consume a person entirely, leaving them blinded by their insecure feelings. It can be as simple as wanting to be more beautiful, or as complicated as wanting to be better than someone else.But right now, all I wanted was to rip that clingy woman off my husband and crush her with my bare hands. Woah! Arielle, crazy much. Relax, she's just a random woman and you're his wife. His legal wife.Nick loves you, why are you being so violent?Nick and I had arrived at the birthday party of one of his closest friends, the owner of Halcyos. Nick was dressed in a black suit, looking hideously dapper. I was dressed in a black off-shoulder gown. We came inside and Nick got indulged with a business friend, we didn't even get to meet the person for whose birthday we came, I'd just stepped to a side to admire the decoration when that woman came along. I tried to ignore her, just like I ignored all the other w
It's been three weeks since our wedding and I've been the happiest since then would be an understatement.These weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and I think I've been on cloud nine more times than I can remember. I feel so blessed that I get to wake up next to the man I love every single day.My husband is the most amazing man I've ever met in my life, sometimes I feel I'm living my own fairytale with him. He not only respects my choices but also my emotions. I don't think I've ever felt so loved and accepted by anyone. And sometimes I genuinely feel that he's too generous to be real.Just to make sure I don't get uncomfortable, he waited for a whole bloody week before making a public appearance with me which was a big deal since along with it, he was also going to announce the company he built in name of Kia and Amara."Arielle Summers Arnold, my wife." His words are still fresh in my mind and it makes me smile. The look of pride he had when announcing the same was something I
I was anxious, nervous and excited as I entered Nick's room, now mine too. It was not the first time I'd entered his room, but today I didn't step in as Arielle Summers, his love.Today I stepped in as Arielle Summers Arnold, his love as well as wife.My heart was beating so wildly that it was almost painful. I could feel my cheeks burning as I walked up to the mirror and stood in front of it. I had never been tenser in my life. It's not like I haven't slept with him before, but he never tried to start anything with me.He always kept me before himself, my comfort, my feelings and as much as I was ready to give all of me to him tonight, a major part of me felt scared.I looked at the gifts in front of me, I couldn't help but smile. I picked up the black box with gold lettering and walked towards the bed. I stopped in front of it and opened the box. I took the ring out of the box and held it in my hands, it was so beautiful.It was given by Mama. I smiled as the precious gem sparkled i