2. EXES AND GOODBYES

“You did what?”

“Banged a handsome, despicably rich stranger, she said,” Mackenzie answers Angel for me with a smirk.

I scowl at her. I didn't say anything about the stranger being rich, but it's undeniable that he was rich. That hotel room that glittered like gold is enough proof that there is no way a regular person could afford that. Also, there was some kind of air of power her exuded. Like a man who was used to commanding, who had power and was not worried or afraid to use it.

“Okay, back up,” I start to argue. “I never said anything about the stranger being ‘despicably rich’. I just said he was handsome and looks like he is rich.”

“Well, for your sake, I hope he was,” she mumbles taking a sip of her champagne.

Obviously I missed out on her daughter's baptism, and after hours of relentless begging, Mackenzie said I'd have to bribe them with girl's night out. I know that was just a way for her to have an excuse to leave the house before she goes crazy. I don't blame her though. Postpartum depression is a bitch.

I roll my eyes at her. “Anyways, that's besides the point. The point is I had a one night stand— which for your information I never do— and for some reason the stranger knew my name.” I pause, replaying that moment in my head. The way his deep voice called my name in a sexy, calm way. Arabella, he'd said. “Isn't that weird?”

Angel frowns, pondering the coincidence. Mackenzie being Mackenzie, shrugs nonchalantly and then downs her drink. “Maybe you told him your name in your drunken haze the previous night?”

I shake my head in disagreement. “Except, I didn't. It happened so fast. One minute, I was at the bar and gulping down drinks and the next, there he was and then we started talking and next thing we went to the hotel and…”

I shiver, an ache spreading between my legs as I remember how his expert mouth ate me out. Even my ex boyfriend who loved to brag about how he was a beast in bed wasn't even quarter as good as him.

“Or you were too drunk to remember telling him your name?” Angel offers once again. “It happens. Alcohol makes you say and do things that you forget the next day. If you're unlucky, you remember the embarrassing things.”

Mackenzie bellows out a laugh at her words and tells her, “tell me about it. I'm a testament to that.”

I roll my eyes at them as Angel joins her. Here I thought they would share in my scepticism. Anyways… already done with the subject, I divert the talk to Mackenzie's daughter.

“How is our little firefly doing?” I ask, wiggling my brows at Mackenzie who groans.

“Don't remind me. That child is the reason I need half bottle of alcohol every morning. She hasn't even started sitting or crawling and she's already making me want to rip my head out.”

Laughter bubbles out of me at her complaints. “Thanks for the birth control speech. Now I've got another confirmation on why I don't want a child. Yet.”

Mackenzie gives me a mischievous smile. “Let's hope though that Mr. Hot shot millionaire didn't get you knocked up.”

“No need to hope. I'm stingy with my womb.” I give her a smile back.

“Okay, let's stop talking about kids and one night stands and actually talk about the elephant in the room.” Angel being an Angel moves the subject to something else and I want to kiss her.

I'll save it for later though, I promise myself.

*****

My mother has been in the hospital for the past six months now undergoing chemotherapy. She's had breast cancer since I was eleven and after years, the doctor had cleared her up for being cancer free. Except the cancer like a plague, came back with a vengeance a year and eight months ago. It's gotten worse over the years and I see the life getting sucked out of her as years go by.

It's unfortunate that we're starting to lack the money to keep funding her treatments. Getting a well paying job even though I'm a business graduate, but I'm not giving up.

I smile at the receptionist in the hospital who returns one back and I make my way to my mum's room. The moment I open the door with a smile, that smile falls when I hear the voice I vowed never to hear again.

What the hell is that lying, cheating bastard doing here? Asking for a death wish?

Opening the door with much force than intended, I step into the room, glaring at the unwelcomed guest who looks over at me with a smile. A smile I want to wipe off.

“Arabella. Baby,” he purrs and I lose it.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I whisper yell, not minding my mother is watching the whole exchange.

He stands to his feet with a sigh, like I'm being unreasonable. “I came to see your mum. Because we broke up doesn't mean you're both not still my family.”

“What a manipulative bastard,” I grit, running a hand through my hair so as not to punch his perfect white teeth out. “Well in case you didn't get the memo, you and I —” I point at both of us. “— are done. Like Taylor Swift's ‘we are never ever getting back together’ done. Get out of here before I call security.”

“Could you calm down, Ara?” Mum chastises me with a meek, tired voice. I focus on my anger and not on the fact that she sounds resigned. Must be all the pain meds. “Eric here is just here to see me. Give the guy a break.”

“Well, mum, the only break I'm giving him are his knees and a restraining order if her doesn't leave this moment.”

Eric groans, throwing his hands in frustration. “Will you fucking grow up, Arabella? I cheated on you once during a spur of the moment, big fucking deal. I've been apologizing and you still are adamant on forgiving me.”

Someone gasps— mum— and I feel guilty for not telling her. I shoot her an apologetic look and turn back to Eric.

“And I never will, Eric Manchester. Get out of here or I won't be responsible for what I do next.”

He rolls his eyes, muttering a whatever and grabs his denim jacket, walking out of the room without a backward glance. It's only when the door shuts that I can let out a relieved sigh.

“Don't think you're off the hook, Arabella Chase. You have some explaining to do.”

Uh-huh.

Mum is sure not going to let me hear the end of this.