Arabella's Pov"I can join, right?" Dallas asked, but sat down next to me without waiting for an answer. He sighed casually. "You guys look so cool that I can't wait to join in. Come on, keep talking so I know what's going on."I looked at Dallas, hiding my lingering annoyance with him by simply nodding and ignoring him again. Jonas looked confused at my unfriendly reaction, but I didn't care. My brother, of course, was equally indifferent and looked at me and Jonas in turn, investigating our now silent behavior."Well, since you're not talking, can either of you explain what the relationship is between you that you're this close?" Dallas asked again, looking up at Jonas, who towered over me. "I just saw you with Bella for the first time. You can't be a staff member at this cafe because I've been here several times and never seen you. Admit it."Dallas gave Jonas a sharp look but had yet to do anything other than speak in a threatening manner that I didn't know whether to be grateful
Arabella's Pov"We'll meet Sean at the entrance to his office," Dallas said.We walked side by side towards the entrance while I admired the interior of Sean's very nice office. It looked amazing compared to when Jonas drove me here after a walk alone and then replaced Sean so we could go home. The busy office atmosphere made me feel familiar but also different, without the smell of cooking like at a beach cafe.I'd almost forgotten about Emma arriving at Sean's office first, alone without me and Dallas. Still, I was instantly reminded when I saw the two men and the woman walking out of the elevator. The woman looks at me and tries to quickly grab Sean's arm to get close."Sean, I'd love for us to stop by the newly opened cafe downtown. My friends haven't stopped persuading me to try it these days." Emma was heard to speak spoilingly, bringing her head closer to Sean's shoulder for not managing to grab his arm. "Instead of going to a restaurant with heavy food, it's better to go there
Arabella's PovI was glad that Sean chose to stay by my side and not force himself to be with that ignorant woman. Her haughty attitude made her even more pathetic, especially when Dallas caught up with me and, Sean, who was walking first. I was already hungry because I hadn't eaten since this morning."We're not late, are we?" I asked Dallas, holding back my nervousness because Sean and I were walking side by side, and he was also trying to hold my hand several times. My brother seemed to be checking his cell phone and watching until he finally turned to me.He looked at me, confused. "Late for what? I was matching the time on my phone with my watch.""We're not late." Sean helped Dallas answer my question, pointing out the e-mail on the man's phone screen. "I made sure that we wouldn't be late even though we just left a few minutes ago."I nodded in understanding but wondered again as I remembered something. Expensive restaurants like the one we were at now were very time-sensitive,
Arabella's Pov"Why are you blaming me?" Emma looked upset. She looked at Dallas and then turned to Sean as if looking for support. "You guys heard what she said. Did I do something wrong to you that she would dare to talk to me like this?"Dallas sighed, calming the ignorant woman who looked like she was about to cry. "No, I don't blame you at all. Please forgive Bella's words because she doesn't know you well, Emma."I rolled my eyes, already not caring if Dallas was scolding me. "It's only natural that everyone should respect what she does, while she doesn't do the same? You always taught me that, Dallas. What's so special about her that it doesn't have to be that way?" I looked down at Emma, who was looking down while occasionally wiping her eyes that weren't wet, fed up. "You don't have to apologize to me because I didn't mean it that way to her.""Arabella, calm down." Dallas moved to calm me down, but I didn't care what he said.I knocked on the table near Emma's bowed head. "D
Dallas’ PovBreakfast was tranquil. I could only feel relieved that Arabella was still eating well and still greeting Emi as usual. She just stared at her food and then occasionally at the cell phone she had deliberately brought today instead of chatting to me and the others. I couldn't even look at her face. Last night's situation must still be upsetting my sister."I'll go first," Arabella said softly and hurried upstairs to her room.Not long after, Sean also did the same without saying much. Emma, who was sitting next to me, looked like she wanted to catch up with him even though the food wasn't finished yet, but I quickly stopped her before she moved on. "I have something to talk about.""Can't it be later?" Emma sounded pitiable, but I confirmed my words by shaking my head and tightening my grip on her wrist. She pouted even more. "I'm going to catch up with Sean, Dallas. You know I don't have much time here, right? My work schedule awaits."Emma did point out her busy schedule
Dallas’ PovBoth of them looked startled at the sound of my voice. Sean looked awkward. He immediately released his hand grip from Arabella and put some distance between them, while my sister immediately looked away even though she didn't say anything."You're just being annoying. I don't want to be near you, Dallas." Arabella said firmly without even looking back at me. Her body position was now switched to my back so I couldn't see her facial expression. I paused, hesitating to step into her room.Sean stood up, walking towards me to pat my shoulder before walking away. He deliberately gave my sister and me some space to talk. "I'll wait outside. Talk to him."I thanked him, looking at Arabella, who still had her back to me as she walked over. "Are you okay?" I was already near her but didn't dare to touch them when I saw how tense my sister's shoulders were. "Sorry I didn't check on you last night because I didn't want to disturb you.""Who wants you to check on me? I don't even wa
Sean’s PovI felt myself suffocating from Dallas's grip near my neck. I pushed his hand away and coughed, but it didn't erase the intense stare he was giving me. I sighed, admitting half of the truth. "I was just calming Bella down. She was crying because she was too upset with Emma, and I was there to listen. Other than that, there wasn't anything else I did to her.""Since when were you guys close?" Dallas repeated his unanswered question. I shrugged.I remembered our meeting that wasn't good, but it gradually improved after I took her to the beach and let Arabella do whatever she wanted. The same goes for the nights we spent afterward. I swallowed when I remembered that we hadn't had such passionate nights since Dallas and that woman had arrived.Dallas almost grabbed me by the collar of my shirt if I didn't stop him. His eyes looked fiery. "What were you thinking, damn it?" His question made me fully realize the man's instincts were so terrifying that I couldn't let my guard down.
Sean’s PovI went downstairs to look for Arabella but didn't find her. Emi was busy with her work as usual, while the car Dallas had given her sister was still in place. I called the woman's cell phone, but it wouldn't connect."Where is she?" I was just about to send a message when a message from Arabella entered my cell phone notification. She asked about my whereabouts and informed me that she was now in the room.I looked up to the second floor, searching for the whereabouts of the man who had caught us together in the room by accident. Dallas was nowhere to be seen, but I chose the safe way by entering my room. There's no telling what a protective older brother would think if he saw his younger brother in bed with his friend.Another notification popped up on my phone screen as I entered my room. 'Are you okay? How was your talk with Dallas?' A sticker with a worried expression was sent from Arabella.'I'm fine. How are you?' I replied to the message briefly. When Arabella left,