Dallas’ PovI looked at the clock after reading the message Sean sent me. He had already prepared the hunting grounds and asked me to come today. I didn't refuse. I smiled a little, already envisioning victory in my hands. "You'll be humiliated there, Sean."He had too much courage to challenge me to a hunt even though it had been a very long time since he had come to the young entrepreneurs' gathering that was regularly held. I was busy at work, but I never missed those activities to strengthen relationships with other companies. Sean relied too much on himself and hasn't changed until now."You have to pay for the impudence you did to Bella with this, and I can never imagine seeing her as long as I live." I was determined while storing the gloves in my pants pocket for me to wear once I got there. I would do everything in my power to hunt Sean out of my and Arabella's lives.I chuckled as I recalled his words that started the bet. He seemed too confident to get Arabella back. It was
Dallas PovI entered the forest in a different direction from Sean, not wanting our hunting grounds to get mixed up with each other. I wanted to defeat the man immediately and hunt multiple animals at once without any interference. Besides, if we came simultaneously, the animals might have already run away when they realized we were making noise with each other.I rode far enough until I came to a sturdy-looking tree and a more open sky than the side of the forest I passed through. "Over there...." I muttered softly, keeping an eye on one of the birds that seemed perched, unaware of my presence, and cleaning the inside of its wings.I shot the bird after a perfect aim, then approached it. It turned out to be quite a bit smaller than I had imagined. I held the bird's carcass in disappointment. "This size is not enough." I gritted my teeth.There should be plenty of deer or rabbits roaming around the forest, but I hadn't seen those two common animals since earlier. There were many birds
Sean’s PovI took a different path than Dallas and rode slower in search of the game. It had been so long since I'd hunted that everything about this hunt felt foreign. Luckily, I'd set our stakes so I could prepare before today.I practised for two full days, confirming the gathering point of the animals and familiarizing myself with the long-barreled rifle I would use. I practised shooting elsewhere to strengthen my weak experience until I was fully prepared as I am now.The sound of leaves rubbing together made me stop. A squirrel looked up at me and took off running, jumping into another tree before disappearing. I rode back, looking for a part of the more crowded forest with larger animals. "There should be a pond around here," I muttered, trying to remember.There were many pond spots in the hunting grounds, each in one region but located quite deep from the starting point. I was still looking for the game around me when I finally found one deer that still looked young but quite
Sean’s PovI helped Dallas out of his horse-ridden condition. The man's horse seemed to faint for a moment but woke up as soon as we tried to wake him up. The horse immediately clung to my horse and didn't go anywhere.I turned to Dallas, who was checking on his condition but had not spoken since earlier. "Are you okay?""Of course not. I'm just grateful to have survived death." Dallas said flatly, picking up his rifle to sling over an uninjured shoulder and visibly limping as he tried to keep his balance.I noticed that his other shoulder was seeping blood from underneath his white polo shirt, as well as the side of the man's face, which looked scratched by gravel and reddened. He was in a much better state compared to the one where he was almost finished off by a wild boar, but not much better since he was injured quite badly.I patted the saddle of my horse while looking at Dallas. "Get on my horse, I'll walk to lead us to the starting point.""Whatever." He replied briefly but ste
Arabella’s PovI saw Dallas's car entering the fence, not long after the man entered the house and looked straight at me. I was a bit surprised by his battered face and cast leg, but I didn't say anything. I was still angry with him, and his injuries must have been his own fault. I didn't want to know.Dallas greeted me first. "Did you have dinner?""Already. Your share is in the fridge." I stared at the television, trying to ignore Dallas's gait, which was still limping despite his crutches.I could see his smile from Dallas's following words. "Are you worried about me? I fell off my horse and was nearly killed by a giant wild boar.""What?" I watched Dallas incredulously, but I understood that the wound was that bad. He'd been hunting a lot before but never came home in such a horrible state. "No wonder you're battered. That's good, worth it for the animals you killed."I grunted in satisfaction, folding my arms under my chest as I watched television. I could stay home and watch all
Arabella’s Pov"Good morning, Andrei." I greeted the housekeeper for the first time since I returned to live here.The man looked surprised but returned my greeting with a smile. "Good morning to you too, Miss Bella. You're up earlier than usual.""I slept well today," I replied, noticing the breakfast looked festive and more complete than usual. "Looks like you changed the breakfast menu."Andrei usually only provides a breakfast menu consisting of lots of protein, such as meat and beans for Dallas, while I cereal with milk or various variants of sandwiches. This time, the almost middle-aged man prepared a lot of healthy food that looked delicious on the dining table.She nodded. "That's right. It was Mr. Dallas who asked her to eat more nutritious food. I hope you can still enjoy this breakfast, Miss.""Thank you, Andrei. I'll enjoy it." I started eating the food on my plate, looking at the outside courtyard that looked even more beautiful than usual.After calling Sean last night,
Arabella Pov"So, what excuse can you give me now, hm?" Dallas asked, looking at me and Sean sitting next to each other on the long sofa. He'd apparently gotten home earlier than the message he'd sent me and had finally found us in bed.I was grateful that there hadn't been any incidents that had caused a scene in the house. At the very least, Sean and I had both dressed and cleaned ourselves beforehand, as well as changed the bedding we were using so as not to leave any suspicions, but still, the incident this time had similarities to that time.I could only look down, playing with my hands uncomfortably, as I couldn't find a reason to defend myself. I was the one who invited Sean to the house and was looking for an opportunity to spend time with him without my brother's supervision. But, apparently, I had the wrong strategy.Dallas tapped a finger on his cell phone. I could feel his piercing gaze even as I looked down while Sean quietly clasped my hand tighter between our thighs. We
Arabella’s PovWe gathered together at the dining table for breakfast. I couldn't stop smiling as I looked at Sean sitting next to me, eating his food with relish. He chewed and then turned to me, smiling slightly as he reached out to touch my lips. "There's some sauce splattered."I deliberately licked Sean's finger, which was still lingering there, smiling seductively. "Oops."Sean looked stunned for a moment, surprised at my unusual behaviour and then laughed at my expression. "You're such a sweet doll, Bella. Should I have kissed you earlier?""Just kiss now." I closed my eyes, thrusting my face at him so it could be done immediately.Dallas cleared his throat so loudly, immediately ruining our moment, that I clucked. He gave me an annoyed look. "Please behave yourselves. Am I still here, or do you two think you can get away with anything in this family home?""You can just pretend you didn't see." I grumbled back at Dallas, annoyed that I had felt Sean's breath touch my cheek, bu