Arabella’s P.O.V “ Is he okay?” My mom asked the nurse, over five times which felt like the hundredth time as she was pacing around the room. I could barely focus, I just sat in the waiting room chair, unsure of what to feel, I just hated the sight of hospitals as it reminded me of Ryder, his last moments were spent in the hospital, and the thought of it made me cringe."He's stable now," she began, her eyes locked on my mom's anxious face. "Hopefully, he won't have another seizure. You all can see him, but please, one at a time." She paused for a bit, as her eyes shifted to me then back to my mom, and was contemplating on what to say."He's been transferred out of the ICU room to a private room, but he's still being closely monitored. The doctor wants to see you, Mrs. Arabella, to discuss his condition and the next steps." She said as she left.My mom didn't hesitate, rushing to my dad's room, while I headed towards the doctor's office. As I entered the doctor's office, I took in a
Ashers POVI stood frozen at the hospital entrance, my feet seemingly rooted to the spot. Thirty minutes ticked by, and still, I hesitated. Memories of the last experience I had in the hospital came into my mind like a nightmare I had been trying all my life to run away from."Damnit," I cursed under my breath, my eyes screwed shut in frustration. “Why did hospitals always have to bring back the fear? And why on earth, was I here?”I took a deep breath, trying to steady my pounding heart and my trembling fingers. "I'll just hop in and hop out, I would barely spend up to ten minutes," I whispered to myself, trying to assure myself that it was no big deal.But it was all futile as my heart beat faster than usual, it felt as if it would burst free from my chest any moment from now. My hands trembled, and my legs felt like jelly. But I knew I had to do this. I had to see her, to check on her father and more importantly to appease my father, he would create a big issue out of this. I have
Arabella P.O.V I struggled to stand up but my legs felt heavy for they could barely lift me up, I just stayed in my bent position for a while to get myself back. Maybe this was happening due to the shock of seeing Asher have what looked like a panic attack that had drained me and also my lack of sleep, I just needed to rest my leg for a bit."Are you okay?" Arlo asked, his hand fidgeting while staring at the ceiling but pointing toward my dad on the sick bay. I knew what he meant: How are you holding up after hearing about your father's illness?"Yes, I am," I replied. Silence settled between us, thick and uncomfortable. After what happened today at the pub, he had barely looked at me."I... I'll be out of town for a while tomorrow, I only stayed because of my brother's wedding and …you but I have pressing things to attend to," Arlo said, his words fumbling and his fingers twitching.“Why, so soon, can't it wait?” these were the questions I wanted to ask him but I couldn't bring myse
Chapter 20Ashers P.O.VI looked at the ceiling for as long as I could barely remember, I hated this awkward silence, I needed to start up a conversation.“ You…” I tried saying something, but the words got stuck in my throat“Damnit, why was I stuttering in front of her” I thought and why did I have to pretend as if I was asleep, just to avoid her?"You...okay" was what came out of my mouth; I could hardly understand a word I said, but that is what came out.“ Y..eah”Arabella said.I turned away, my face burning with embarrassment. My mind raced with thoughts of Arabella, and how I'd treated her. Last night had changed everything. Scarlet's breakup, still fresh in my mind, made me see Arabella in a new light. But why was I stuttering in front of her? Why did my hands tremble when our eyes met?I lay in bed, unable to sleep, as memories of our past encounters haunted me. Our first meeting, where I'd been cold and harsh. The first time she came to my house. And yesterday...oh God, yest
Arabella’s POVAs soon as the nurse entered, Asher raced out of my bed and went to his, as he immediately pretended to sleep, I was too flustered and shocked by the kiss that I didn't care less about the nurse coming in, I held my lips, trying to process the thoughts that I have been kissed by Asher, Asher kissed me. The Asher that I know. I touched my lips, still tingling, my heart racing with excitement, but as I took stare of the nurse, with the way the nurse stared at me as if something was wrong, I looked at myself and I was half naked, she was suspicious but she was silent, about it.“ Your dad is having another seizure and your mother is going ruckus, can you please calm her down” she said, as she left in a hurry.Asher who had been pretending to be asleep, immediately flung out of the bed as he heard, he looked at me to see if I was okay, but I was.I immediately tried to zip my clothes, as I proceeded to leave the room. But I took a look at Asher, he was sitting at the edge
Asher’s POVStaring at the hospital bed, I couldn't help but feel excited"I'm done, at last, I am free from this hell". Who gets admitted to a hospital because of a panic attack? Me and me alone, because of my father's meddlings and the fact he is a billionaire. I knew that he wanted me around Arabella, after the stunt I had made but what was his motive for this? One thing was clear - money was in the mix. The man had never cared about me and the only reason he started caring was because I made him richer and I was too important to his company. Anything I did could affect his image, his precious image mattered too much to him.I glanced at Arabella, who was packing her bag with the things Miss Thompson had brought for her. We hadn't spoken much since... everything. I didn't know what to say to her. My mind was blank. I just packed my things, trying to avoid eye contact. As I headed out, I turned her and said“'I'll be sitting outside waiting for you. The driver is already there. So
Arabella. POVAfter what felt like forever, of staring out the car window and occasionally drifting into restless sleep, we had finally reached the place. While in the car my mind had been racing the whole trip, filled with worries about what might happen. Would this trip be okay? Going on a field trip with Asher was it going to work out?As we pulled up, the first thing that caught my attention was the beach view. I had never been to the beach before because of my parents. They had this odd belief that beaches were for crazy people, a place where you were just asking to be drowned. Ever since childhood, it has been my dream to go to a beach.As I stepped out of the car, my heart raced with excitement and a bit of nervousness. Without thinking or even looking at Asher, I ran straight toward the beach, arms spread wide, feeling the wind rush past me. I closed my eyes as I inhaled very deeply, savoring the salty, fresh scent of the sea. It was like a moment of connection between me and
Asher POVI couldn't help but stare at her as we ate. She was a good distraction from Scarlet, and she had my full attention.“Asher, Asher,” she called my name, tapping my hand.“Are you okay? Your hands are hot,” she asked, her voice full of concern.“Oh, yes, I am,” I replied, feeling my hands. They were warm, but it had been like this ever since I left the hospital. Maybe it was the time I spent there.“You’ve barely eaten,” she noted, her eyes flicking to my untouched plate.“I’m not hungry,” I said, still staring at her. She hardly looked at me, and I doubted if she was comfortable around me.“Since you're done eating, let's head somewhere more fun—the painting room. I love to paint. It takes me away from the world. Maybe painting could help you come out of your shell,” I suggested as I got up. The painting room in the suite was one thing that made me love this place.Maybe painting will distract me from these thoughts. I remembered the long time I stayed away from this suite, a
Ashers POVI took a deep breath as I opened the door of the study room door. I knew he was already inside, waiting for me. As soon as I opened the door, a bottle came flying in my direction. I barely managed to dodge the bottle. Typical. It would be a lie if I said I hadn't expected it.I dust my suit, as I walk closer to him, with my eyes on him as he stands by the desk, he actually couldn't wait to pounce on me but not this time. He took a step forward, his hand raised. He was going to slap me, but I caught his wrist before he could land on my cheeks.“Not this time,” I said firmly, as you stared at him squarely. “I’ve let you do this before, but not anymore,” I said as I pushed his hands away.For a moment, he just stood there, shocked that I had stopped him. I could see it in his eyes, he wasn't just shocked but he was terrified. He tried saying something but he didn't, he just glared at me, as he went back to the desk. I couldn't hide the smirk on my face, I love seeing this sid
Arabella's POVIt had been ten minutes since we entered the car and he hadn't said a word to me, it was clear that his mind wasn't there. He looked nervous, he was worried. I didn't know what to do or say and I did not want to sit down in silence. I adjusted my seat, as I moved my seat close to him and I placed his hands on my stomach.“Can you feel the baby kick?” I asked as I put my head on his shoulder “Our little one’s restless today.”For a moment, he paused, his brow furrowed in concentration. Then, I saw it—the moment when he felt the baby’s tiny movement. His eyes widened in surprise.“Wow,” he breathed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “The baby kicked.”I laughed, the way he reacted was funny. He looked at me and turned away then he looked again, and I knew he saw the tears in my eyes. I tried to brush them away quickly, but it was too late. He had noticed.“ Are you okay?” He asked I turned my face away, suddenly feeling exposed, I was trying to comfort him and not make
Asher's POVIt’s been over thirty minutes since Asher left without saying a word or even any phone call from him yet, I honestly was tired of all this. His unnecessary silent or frequent anger over little things was starting to annoy me, the worst was that he wouldn’t open up to me, he wouldn’t just simply talk about what was bothering him despite how I tried to make him talk and in the end, he caused enough trouble to get us disqualified from the competition and still wouldn't talk about what happened. And this was just so tiring and frustrating for me, I really didn't know what to do about it. The idea of just going home felt a relief to me, I just couldn’t wait to go home. Because everything had been going downhill since the competition began. Asher had changed, and I couldn’t quite figure out why. He was distant and unpredictable, and his mood swings were wearing me down. I needed a break, some space to clear my head, but that didn’t seem likely to happen here anytime soon.I lo
Asher's POVI stuffed my clothes into the suitcase, not bothering to even fold it. I just needed to get out of here. Every item I tossed felt like throwing away the last few weeks, all the hard work, the efforts, everything. Arabella was packing too, she didn't bother to say anything since all of this happened. I was glad she didn't ask questions. I couldn’t deal with her right now, couldn’t handle trying to explain what had happened. I glanced over at her. She was folding a dress, her hands were steady as she carefully folded the dress without any care of the word, as if we had not been thrown out. “Damnit!” I yelled as I couldn't hold it anymore. “ Damn that bloody Willams” I screamed as the sound echoed around the room. Arabella didn’t flinch, didn’t look up. Maybe she knew better than to try and calm me down right now. I needed to get away from this room, from the suitcase, from everything. I needed air. I stomped out, slamming the door behind me. I barely noticed where I was
Asher's POV I strolled down the garden heading to my room. I barely could contain my anger. I kicked at loose stones and scattered leaves, not caring where they landed. I hated losing. I hated looking like a fool, especially in front of everyone and worst still Willams was the cause of it all. He found a way to pull me down every single time, no matter how much effort I put into it, I get the fact I was the one who started this, but his actions are affecting the suite.I clenched my fists so tightly if only I could get my hands on him. I imagined the smirk on his face, his smirk irritated me the most. I wanted to wipe that smirk right off. I couldn't go back into the room. Not yet. Arabella would come there, I didn't want to face any more of her questions and curious stares. She would never understand me, Scarlet understood me better. At that moment I missed having Scarlet around.I decided to walk around the garden, just to clear my anger and then I saw him. Williams. He was standin
Arabella POVAs soon as I walked out of the room trying to keep up with Asher's pace. The cool breeze outside should feel refreshing, but it doesn’t. My mind is stuck replaying the last half hour, Williams’ questions, the exchange between him and Asher, and also the bad energy they have, ever since the competition began. Asher hasn't said anything but him and Williams, but I knew something might have happened between them. I glance at him, but his face is set in that calm mask he wears when he’s trying not to let anything show. But I can see through it—his clenched jaw, the way his hands curl into fists when he thinks I’m not looking. Something’s bothering him.“Asher,” I start, my voice soft, testing the waters. “What’s going on with you and Williams? I know there’s more to it than just him being a judge and doing his duty.”He keeps walking, his eyes fixed straight ahead. For a second, I think he was ignoring me, but then he let out a long sigh and slowed his pace.“It’s nothing fo
Asher's POVThe room is buzzing with energy, but all I can feel is the weight of Williams’ eyes on me. He hasn’t let up since this competition started. Every look, every word, it’s like he’s daring me to crack. I won’t give him that satisfaction. Not today.I glance at Arabella. She’s sitting beside me, her hands resting in her lap, looking more relaxed than she has been, I know the competition has taken a toll on her. Today’s challenge is different—a relationship-based task. It’s meant to test how well we know each other. Simple enough. But with Williams lurking in the background, I know it won’t stay that way.The first few questions come easily. What’s Arabella’s favorite color? Easy, blue. How does she like her coffee? Black with a dash of sugar, just like she always orders when we’re out. I can feel her starting to relax even more as we move through the questions. She’s smiling now, at least this challenge was nothing too serious compared to the last ones. And for a moment, I let
Arabella's POVI want to believe him, but something in his tone makes me doubt it. He’s not fully here. His mind is somewhere else, probably on Williams. I can see it in the way his fists keep clenching and unclenching at his sides. He’s angry, though he’s trying to hide it from me. But it was too obvious. “ I am still scared Asher” I admitted.He stops walking, turning to face me, and for a moment, I see the frustration flash in his eyes. Not at me, but at everything else. “You don't have to be.”His words should have reassured me, but he didn't, maybe it was because of how he said it.“ You look angry,” I said, finally mustering the courage to ask. “ Is it because of…Williams.”He doesn’t answer immediately, but he mutters a curse under his breath. “Maybe a bit, I just can't get my mind off what he did, after long hours of prepping for this, he just has to show off and act petty.”“Asher,” I say gently, stepping closer to him. “We’ll get through this. Don't let him get to you. Yo
Arabella's POVThe day after the introduction party, I woke up with a sharp pain in my stomach. Yesterday was really a stressful day, I doubt if I have the energy to prepare l for today's challenge. Today's challenge is a team strategy exercise, and couples have to solve a business problem together. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. Asher and I haven't worked together in this way. I don’t even know how much I can contribute. He’s the business genius, not me.When we arrive at the room where the challenge will take place, I scan the other couples. They didn't look out of place like me. My breath catches when I see one couple already discussing potential strategies before the challenge has even started. I wish I had that kind of confidence. But I don’t.Asher places a reassuring hand on the small of my back. "We’ve got this," he says softly, but his eyes were focused on something else, his jaw tightens and the way his fingers tighten as he sees Willams. He appears calm, bu