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
Arabella's POVAs Asher lifted me into his arms, my initial reaction was to protest. I could feel the heat reach my cheek as I whispered softly "Asher, put me down" Everyone around us was looking at us. The smile was playful, but his hand squeezed against my fingers.“Fuck, let's give the media something to talk about!” he breathed, a teasing smile played on his lips. His words were soft and low, meant for my ears alone even though they held a promise that had goosebumps breaking out across my skin.I could not even help but smile at my own embarrassment. The way he smiled, he smiled in a way that made everything seem fun and exciting moments. People turned as we walked through the lobby, muttering after us. My face was buried in his shoulder, embarrassed and thrilled at the same time.Once we reached the suite, Asher set me down gently, his eyes never leaving mine. "You okay?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair from my face."Yeah, " I breathed out over a racing heart.He grabbed m
Asher's POVI walked up to the sight of Arabellas, face facing me and her soft breathing. I couldn't help but wonder if I truly loved her, if I couldn't let her into my heart, or if was I just using her to get over Scarlet. Speaking of Scarlet, I remembered she had called me. The urge to know why she called was so strong that I couldn't ignore it any longer. I wanted to know why she had called, I picked up my phone and l I dialed her number, and as the phone rang, my palms grew sweaty with fear of the unknown. Why did she call me and why the hell was I calling her early hours of the morning after having sex a few moments ago with my wife? I thought as I called her again.On the second ring, my mind flashed back to the memories of the last time we saw each other and how she screamed at me to get out. Then the memories of the sharp sting of her slap after our last kiss, her words echoing, "I hate you," as she hit my chest hard, tears flowing down her face, all this replayed vividly
Arabella's POVThe sound of thunder rumbling through the suite woke me up. The storm seemed to have come in full force, rain beating against the windows very relentlessly. I immediately turned to the side of the bed, to see if the sound of the thunder had woken Asher up just like he did or if he was still asleep. But rather than seeing Asher, I met no one on the bed but me, I couldn't help but be worried and wonder where he was."Asher?" I called out, my voice barely audible over the storm. No answer. I called his name louder, and the unease grew, tightening around my heart. Why the hell, wasn't he on the bad and what if something had happened to him? I thought, different things about what might have happened to him came running to my mind, I couldn't shake the possibility of it being true so I got out of bed to satisfy my curiosity as I headed to the restroom, hoping that he was there but he wasn't there, I decided to head out to look for him, I grabbed the umbrella by the door.
Asher's POVI woke up to a cold wet towel on my head. my eyes were blurry with sleep, I tried trying to grasp what had happened, I blinked repeatedly trying to clear the sleep. As I shifted my head it was greeted with Arabella kneeling on the bedside next to me. The thought of what had happened came to my mind. Had she been here taking care of me this whole time?I tried to sit up, admiring her pretty face, as I touched her cheeks, I noticed her body was hot and trembling. Immediately I couldn't help but panic. Why was she burning up like this? Her body was so hot. I gently lifted her, as I laid her down on the bed, in a more comfortable position. Her skin felt like it was on fire."Arabella, what happened to you?" I whispered, more to myself than to her, as I knew she was unconscious. She couldn't respond, to whatever I say.I needed to do something. I needed to help her. But as I tried to leave the bed to get a clean towel and some hot water, so I could clean her up and reduce the
Arabella pov"You're getting married next week, so prepare," he said casually, as if discussing the weather and not the fate of my entire life.I stared at him, shocked, while finding it hard to process his words. "Married? How? Why? Next week?". I asked, trying to make sense to all that he had saidHe continued eating while ignoring my questions, and then he said"Pass the sauce, this meal is bland."I tried to play calm, as I passed him the sauce. This was what he always did, taking up decisions about my life, without bothering to let me have a say in it, i turned to my mom, hoping for an explanation from her, but her lips were set in a thin, disapproving line, which wasn't shocking as she was against me questioning my father's decisions.After a few minutes of silence and no explanation from anyone, I summoned courage and I asked again, trying to sound polite. "But why am I getting married so soon? I haven't even had a chance to—" Before I could say another word, my mother's sha
Arabella POVThe days seemed to roll over quickly, after much preparations, today was finally the day my parents have been waiting for, the day I had dreaded, the day I will be getting married, the marriage was kept in a lowkey, as it was a request from the groom's family. I looked in the mirror and saw that I looked very elegant, and the dress did look good on me. The thoughts of what my husband would look like came into my mind, as I haven't met with him physically, he had been busy lately according to my dad. The idea of my future husband filled me with a sense of dread, a heavy burden I couldn't ignore. I struggled to imagine what he would be like - kind or cruel, supportive or controlling? What kind of life would we build together? Despite the arranged marriage being a necessity, a glimmer of hope flickered within me, longing for it to succeed, if only to escape this suffocating house, where I felt trapped and caged.Just as these thoughts swirled in my mind, my mom's voice int
Asher’s POVI felt irritated at my first glance at her, her overly made-up face and vacant expression which seemed more like a lifeless barbie doll than a living person who is capable of making her own decisions. She barely said a word to me. Scarlett, on the other hand, had a strong personality that drew me in, her independence and had a mind of her own always left me in shock , these were the qualities I admired and longed for in a partner. She didn't take crap from anyone and always looked out for her own interestsIf I had a choice, I would have chosen Scarlett over the girl my father had arranged for me to marry. But my father had other plans, forcing me to marry his friend's daughter in exchange for control over the prestigious Black Hood SuiteThe thought of losing the suite, which was my legacy and lifeblood, was unbearableI reluctantly agreed to the contract, aware that it was a business arrangement rather than a love match The arrangement was clear: the Black Hood Su