"I want you."
I threw the duvet that I'd pulled over my head to escape those three haunting words. Why the f*ck did I go there? Why in God's name did I meet that devil's son and what in the world did I do to land up in this situation.
The last few hours were the most traumatizing hours of my life. Why?
Let me recap.
As soon as Mr Bodyguard left with Kia, Mr Arnold turned to me, his jaw ticking like a time bomb making me scoff.
I was about to take a step towards the door when his voice echoed stopped me dead in my tracks. "I want you."
"I'm sorry what?"
"You heard that.", he seethed.
I was angry was an understatement. I was furious. What does he think I'm, a f*cking object? My fists clenched ready to punch the brains out of him but I controlled myself. Violence is the second option.
I walked to him and kept one hand on his bicep and stood on my tippy toes, tough move Ari! He stiffened when I kept my forehead against his. His eyes watched my every move intently and for that moment I felt conscious. "Do you think your fever has reached your brains?"
He blinked once, twice and thrice. "Who told you I've fever?"
"Then why are you acting like a mental?"
"You think I'm mad?", he looked into my eyes, his fingers dug into my skin and that's when I realized how he had held me with his arm around my waist. All of a sudden my all confidence drained, again I repeat I'm more of a girl to crush on fictional characters than real personalities. But now there was no way going back. This man had angered the living daylights about me.
I gasped, keeping my act." Mr Arnold you don't have to worry. It's fine we will see a doctor or better I can help you with seeing a witch. She's really great wi..", my words were cut off by him pulling me flush against his body.
"I'm not mad, you mad woman.", he roared, his eyes practically trying to bury me 6 feet.
"I beg to differ that.", I sassed and got out of his grip ready to move out of the room when he pulled me by my elbow and the next second I was pushed on the visitor's chair.
He trapped me completely by keeping his palms on the arms of the chair. I'm not lying, I swear at that moment I felt as if he did a magic spell not allowing air to go into my lungs.
"I tried to tell you patiently.", I scoffed at his words. Patience and he don't go in a single f*cking sentence. He gripped my chin making me look into his eyes."Now listen carefully Miss, I want you for Kia as her babysitter. Tell me how much you'll take and we can seal the deal."
This time it was me who blinked once, twice and thrice.
"But I don't want to work for you." See the reason was absolutely clear. I liked the kid since the moment I met her but I hated this man since the moment I gazed into his eyes. I would have been more than glad to take care of her only if she was not related to Mr Arnold.
"How much?"
I frowned."You really think your money can make everyone dance on your tips?"
"1200 dollars a week."
I rolled my eyes making him lean towards me." 1500?"
"Make it 15000 and still I won't work for you.", I retorted and pushed him. I walked to the door and gave him one glance."Next time when you talk to me, make sure you keep all your richness aside. That's one thing that I never want to see you again, you self-centred CEO."
"We shall see."
Every time I close my eyes, all I see is a pair of steel grey eyes. Curse that man to the seventh circle of hell. Who the hell does he think I'm, one of his minions who would do anything at the snap of his fingers?
I sighed and looked at my wall clock. It was around six so I decided to go for a walk. That man doesn't deserve to raid my thoughts like that. Why the f*ck do I have to be such a top-level overthinker?
I gave myself a quick glance in the mirror, I rolled my eyes looking at my appearance. Yes, I'm one of those people, who don't change when stepping out of the house. I was wearing a black basic tee and a pair of palazzo pants. Absolutely wonderful for a run.
I locked the door and started making my way towards the park near my house. Trust me when I say that, in the evening it was the best place to visit considering the number of positive vibes that surrounds it. Every time I visit the park I smile to myself reminiscing the moments I spent with Mumma here.
I'll walk around the park for some time, grab an ice cream and then head home. That's the plan for the evening.
For the next thirty minutes, I walked in the park, listening to some good music. The walk surely helped me in getting my mind in place that Mr Arnold had managed to mess up very well. Stupid man.
I walked to the ice cream vendor, paid for my black current cone and settled on a nearby bench. Who would say that I'm the same girl who was cursing someone a few minutes back?
I was happily devouring my ice cream when I felt a soft hand touch my arm. I looked to my side and it was the same little girl.
Kia?
Kia is present means Mr Arnold would be around too.
Mr Arnold= angry me
Angry me= Violent me.
I was snapped out of my reverie when I felt something moist on my hand. I looked down only to witness my ice cream melting. I quickly held it aside in order to save my clothes from being sticky.
"Kia baby are you with someone?", I asked softly but her attention was on the ice cream, I chuckled and lifted her into my arms."Let's get you ice cream and then we'll talk, okay?", she gave me a swift kiss making me brush my nose against her.
I brought ice cream for Kia and handed it to her. She wasted no time in licking it. I chuckled looking at her getting all excited."Now tell me, baby, how did you get here?"
"Nicky uncle.", she mumbled and again her attention was back on her ice cream. I sighed, just when I thought my mood was going to be good he came to the same park where I came.
"And where is Nicky uncle?"
"Here.", I jumped in my place as soon as I heard his voice. Kia's ice cream touched my cheek but right now all I cared about was to rush to my house and to save my evening from getting spoiled.
"Nicky uncle.", Kia smiled, her eyes twinkling with happiness." You were right, she's here.", she said and Mr Arnold smirked. The f*ck? He knew I'd be here.
"You are stalking me now, you scoundrel.", I whisper-yelled at him trying my best not to make a scene in front of people.
"Scoundel?", Kia questioned in her baby voice and Mr Arnold glared at me.
"Your uncle is one.", I smiled sweetly at the little girl.
"Are you uncle?", Kia questioned Mr Arnold but he continued firing looks at me making me smirk even more.
"Kia..", he was about to say something when a young man came towards us. He was around 5'10 and had slight dimples on his cheeks. Once again I got conscious due to the way he smiled at me.
"Is there any problem miss?", he asked giving a sceptical look to Mr Nicolas. I was surprised that he didn't come with his bodyguards but as a normal local person. He gave a death glare to the man who gave him a confused look.
"No no problem.", Kia said giving a glare to the man too. Like uncle, like niece.
"Okay.", he shrugged."But you might want to wipe that ice cream off your face.", he said bringing his hand to my cheek but before he or I could even react, I felt a callous thumb on the corner of my lips. Mr Arnold's to be precise.
His gaze dropped on my lips and I couldn't help but clear my throat. Why must he touch me, I would have done it myself.
"Thanks.", I said to the man, he gave me a last look and smirked at Mr Arnold making both of us doubtful.
"So what have you thought about the deal?"
"What do I need to think. It's still a no.", I said looking for something to wipe my hands when a handkerchief came in front of my view.
I rolled my eyes, I swear the number of times I roll my eyes due to his presence, I'm afraid one day my eyes would roll back in my head.
"No thank you.", I turned to leave when he pulled me gently towards him and cleaned my hands as if I was a kid.
"You act like a kid. Maybe my decision to make you Kia's babysitter was wrong." Oh, he didn't say that!
"You Mister.." before I could curse him I heard a cry.
"Kia wants her to be her nanny and no one else. Nicky uncle bad, Kia angry.", she stomped her foot on the ground.
And then things started threading together. It was Kia who requested him to appoint me. Of course, he also can't tolerate my honesty. He wants people who look at him with respect not who argues with him every single minute like me.
I kneeled down to Kia's level and gently pulled her into my arms." Nicky uncle is right Kia. I'm not good for you. He'll find someone better for you. Someone who can take care of you better than me, hmm.", I wiped her cheeks."Don't be angry and go with him like a good girl okay?"
She frantically shook her head."I want you and only you."
I sighed. I won't work with him and that's final."You should go home now okay baby."
I was aware of Mr Nicolas's steel grey eyes which were boring holes at my back.
"No, you tell me first, that you'll be my new babysitter.", she cried and her lower lip quivered.
Sh*t! I can't see someone crying.
"Kia go in the car, I'll talk to her now.", his eyes bored into mine and something in them told me I'm gone now.
Once Kia was out, he took a step towards me. The lights of the park lit up due to the sun going down completely.
"I expect you at sharp nine in my office, Arnold Industries.", he said and without giving me a chance to speak. He left.
He f*cking left.
Bastard!
Shut up! Stop tormenting this poor soul early morning!Ding! Ding! Ding! *Click* Click* Click* Click*I groaned in dismay and tumbled down my bed in a pure clumsy manner. But who cares. I'm alone and no one can see me embarrassing myself. That's the only thing that matters. I let out a heavy sigh and closed my eyes but regretted it the very next moment.The noises from outside my house grew louder. I could hear people calling out my name and that made me frown and confused since I knew no one here.Not personally for sure.My residence was in a good neighbourhood, safe for sure and that was a good thing since I lived alone.Tring!My mobile phone rang loudly and the frown on my forehead grew deeper. Who the heck is calling me? Me? The loner who hardly talks to anyone. It's not like I don't want to but again I say I have high heights of trust issues and when I say high I mean my benchmark is beyond the sky.My doorbell rang again. Bloody hell! Curse that person to the seventh circle of
I glared at him witheringly urging him to start with his "talk". He peered at me, uncomfortable with the silence, and finally said, "You know this is your mistake right?"I didn't say anything in reply, just looked at him, staring him out with utter disbelief. This man is the most infuriating specimen I've known and I'm quite sure I'll ever know. "So I was saying it's your mistake these people saw me with you. Only if you hadn't thrown those nonsensical tantrums and had accepted my offer of babysitting Kia, I'd have not come to that park and you and I wouldn't have been spotted together."I shot him an extra sweet smile and turned to open the door but he ceased my movements by holding my left wrist. "Jesus Christ! Why are you so stubborn?", he grumbled under his breath.Me?I'm the one who's stubborn.What a joke?"See Mr Arnold.", I took a deep breath."I'm actually trying my best to control my anger but if you do not stop with your outrageous comments I'll definitely lose my calm. If
"Kia where are you? If your devil of a", I heard a voice come from the corridor behind me but I couldn't see the owner due to how tightly this little girl was holding me. I was astonished by her vice grip on me but at the same time my heart was touched seeing her affection towards me, it was the first time after Mumma that someone hugged me. "Don't leave me again.", she mumbled, her head in the crook of my neck. Can someone get attached to someone within a few minutes? This was just so surreal for me that for a moment I thought as if it was some kind of two-hour movie going on. Unrealistic at its height. "I won't.", I whispered to her running my hand up and down her back to soothe her tense muscles. "Come on, show me that pretty smile of yours Kia." She pulled back and her face lit with a toothy grin. The kid was too precious. "Kia.", the voice came again. She peeped across my shoulder, my eyes watching her actions intently, and she gave a quick wave to the person behind me. My ey
Turns out I underestimated the job. Kia was a notorious kid, you won't know what she'll do or say next moment. Pretty unpredictable! And as if she has freaking wheels under her feet, the girl can't stay at a place for more than a moment."Kia baby stop running. You'll get hurt.", I yelled for the third time. We still were in Arnold Industries. While Mr Arnold was cooped up in his cabin or may be working, I was running behind the kid on the same floor. Her laughter was echoing in the corridor. "Ari catch me.", she peeped from another cabin which I got to know belonged to Mr Ryan, Mr Arnold's secretary. He was around his late twenty and sported light brown eyes with blonde hairs. I took a deep breath, bless the child but right now she seems a devil incarnation to me.I kept my hand on my waist and dragged myself to his cabin. In my defence, I was never good at sports and as much as I hate to publicize my weakness, I have got low stamina. I can't exercise for long even if my life depend
Now the scene was I, meaning the clumsiest and most unfortunate person on the earth was lying right beneath Mr Arnold and curse me if I'm lying, he was really heavy on top of me, and that was why I was having some pain in my head and why was I dizzy. I wanted to get up and make my escape, but I was caught in a very awkward position, no, I got myself caught in a very awkward position, I had my arms pinned to my sides and my legs were pressed to the ground by his weight. Goddamnit!I tried to get up but I couldn't. I tried to move my legs but they were getting tangled up with his. Mr Arnold's head was right beside my neck and then I heard him mumble."Coconut."What the-? I hit my head on the ground, why is he being the insane here? That's another thing, he always acts like this.Weirdo!"Wait Ms Summers.", he grumbled then placed his hand on my waist. Heat crawled my neck as I looked up at him. I saw he had his head tilted to the side and a small smirk on his face. "So clumsy.", he a
"Please don't hurt her. I'll do whatever you want. Just don't hurt her. I can't take it if you-ah!", her screams rang in the air."Mumma", I screamed. I could still see the man's hand reaching for her, but it didn't matter anymore. I closed my eyes trying to erase those nightmares that left me traumatized for years. I knew that opening my eyes would only make it worse, so I clamped them shut and waited for darkness to pull me in but, bloody hell it never did.It's been four years still the wound is as fresh as then.Four years for that dreadful day.Four years of me running from my past.Four years of carrying the guilt that I was the reason for her not being with me.She was the best Mumma in the world. She was like the sky and the wind and the earth all wrapped into one. When she smiled at you, the sun came out. When she hugged you, the world was a better place. But when she was gone, the sun turned dark and the winds turned cold and the earth became the ground.I looked at the cloc
The mall was buzzing with smiling faces and loud conversations as families took advantage of the pre-Christmas shopping rush. After a long week of working hard, it was all worth it. There was a sense of excitement in the air as everyone ran to buy the perfect gift for the ones they love. It was a great time to spend with those you care about.Kia, Evans, Aiden and Sienna were all excited to go Christmas shopping. They had so many people to buy presents for this year unlike me who once again is going to spend her holiday in a blanket with a tub of cookie dough ice cream or crying over the fact that this year also I couldn't make a friend.Pathetic I know!I shrugged my depressing thoughts and looked ahead only to witness Tara and Evans holding each other's hands and strolling down the aisle looking for a gift for each other.The love!I smiled and looked down at Kia who was again whispering something in Aiden's ear. What's with these two?I walked to a jewellery shop nearby where I tho
Mr Arnold looked at Kia and I was damn sure, he'd throw a fit or yell at me for making Kia work in a garden or worst hang me to death, okay that's an exaggeration but you get my point.Mr Arnold is who he is.But believe me, I'd to pinch myself, Mr Arnold didn't say anything. Like not a single damn thing, instead, he took the chives from Kia's hands and started planting them in a row, well I don't know if he planted them but he sure put them in a row. I couldn't help but chuckle."Oh no we don't do it like that." I said and moved towards them. I crouched beside him and took the cuttings from his hand, ignoring the feeling of his fingers on my palm."We put chives in a pot, we keep them in the cool room, we give them little fertilizer and all that stuff. We don't plant them in rows or anything like that." I finished planting them and turned to look at Kia but she was nowhere in sight. It was only him. I turned back to my plants."How did you get here?""I was about to ring the doorbell
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