Arabella POV
Just ignore my brother, he's always been a bit of a firecracker," a smooth voice said from behind me, as he stretched his hand towards me, as he offered to help me up, which gave me the opportunity to get a better look at him, his piercing blue eyes, his blonde hair was perfectly messy, and his charming smile made my heart skip a beat. I tried to play it cool, but my gaze lingered on him a little longer than necessary. He was undeniably handsome. "Thanks,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Good luck with the marriage, I'm really rooting for you," he said with a nod before turning to leave. His parting words left me feeling a mix of emotions. A drop of tears rolled down my eyes. Today was awfully bad. I didn't expect that the man I was going to marry would hate so much to get irritated by my presence. I could hear footsteps. It was my mom that was coming, the sounds of heels made it obvious. I quickly cleaned my tears and rinse my face in water, in other not to make it obvious that I have been crying not that she cared anyway, but I just didn't want her to see my like this "Arabella, where have you been?" she asked, obviously irritated that I was gone for too long. "Your husband has left, and his father left shortly. I wanted him to take one last look at you before he went, but he was in a hurry." She paused, "Anyway, Arlo is waiting for you downstairs. He'll take you home." she said. Oh his name was Arlo, I thought Maybe that's why he was so angry when he pushed me away, I thought as my mind raced with reasons why he left. Arlo was already by the door, his eyes twinkled as he smiled, then he greeted me. "Sorry about the delay," I said, feeling a little awkward. "No problem, my lady," he replied, his voice low and soothing, as he offered me his hand. I took it, feeling a spark of electricity as he helped me into his car. As we drove, the silence was comfortable, until Arlo broke it. "I know you're probably wondering , what the hell have my parents got me into?" he said, his eyes not leaving the road. "Don't worry, it not all that bad, my brother doesn't bite... that hard," he added with a chuckle, as he continued "He can be an asshole sometimes, but he's definitely manageable. That is why I haven't cut him off as my brother yet. And if he dares hurt you, let me know, and I'll shred him into pieces." His serious face made me laugh. "Thank you," I said softly. Arlo smiled. "No, thank you for saving the Blackwood sons from being roasted by reporters." His eyes twinkled with amusement. “We are almost at his house, do you want to ask any questions” he asked I said no even though my mind was racing with thousands of questions , I just could not bring myself to ask. A few minutes later, we arrived at Asher's mansion, where there were a lot of reporters. Arlo drove the car around the back way to avoid the attention of the reporters who were waiting at the front gate. He was able to get us to the house without the reporters noticing by using a different entrance. He was trying to protect me from the media attention. "We've arrived," Arlo said, as his eyes twinkled at the corners. "I would have loved to come in and give you a tour around the house but I'm running behind my schedule, I am already so late. Maybe next time, we can have a proper chat, and I can get to know my sister-in-law better." he said, as he watched me step out of the car, then he zoomed off. I looked at Asher's house in dread, I barely managed to open the door, and I was welcomed with a warm voice that greeted me. "Good afternoon, dear. You must be Asher's new wife, aren't you?" she asked I looked at the woman closely as I admired her silver hair styled in a neat bob. "Yes, ma'am, I am," I said, my voice struggling to stay steady as my heart raced in fear, this was all strange to me, a new environment, a new home. "No need for formalities, dear. I'm Thompson, the housekeeper," she said with a gentle smile. "I'm Arabella," I replied, my eyes taking in the opulent decor. "You might want to freshen up. The master bedroom is that way," she said, pointing towards a staircase and where the master room was. "Just be quiet, dear. Asher isn't in the best of moods." Her voice was laced with concern. I nodded, my heart panting, as I grasped my wet hands, trying to calm my nerves and I made my way upstairs. As I entered the bedroom, I found Asher sitting on the bed, a bottle clutched in his hand. His eyes were bloodshot, his face pale. He didn't look up, his gaze was fixed on some of the bottles. There was something wrong, but I doubt if I can be of help to him, he despises me and doesn't want anything to do with me but I wanted to help,I just stood and stare, then came closer to him, with trembling hands, patting his back. “is ..go..ing to be okay” I managed to say, still patting his back. He came closer to me and gave me a hugged “ it is all gone, everything, gone just like that” he said. I barely knew what he was talking about, I wondered what to tell him, my mom said sorry could heal wounds but yet no amount of sorry I said had made her forgive me, maybe sorry could work for him “Sorry” I said Then he looked at me, “ What the hell, do I need your sorry for, maybe your body can compensate” he said as he drew me closer, his body closed to mine and he tried to kiss me, I closed my eyes in fear, he just pushed me aside. “ I did rather kiss a buffoon, then kiss you, do me a favor and stay away for me” he said before he leftAshers POVIt was all over, everything seemed to have fallen away. The least I cared about right now was not my supposed wife whose presence just infuriated me. I just needed a drink, more drink to clear my head, and maybe Scarlett might be helpful. I just could not handle being at home with Arabella, she has been nothing more than a pain in the neck. I staggered to where my car keys were and I took my car keys.“ What is wrong Asher, you have been acting strangely ever since you came? She asked, I could hear from her voice that she was concerned but I wasn't ready to take any lectures, especially from a housekeeper.“ can you please stop all this questions and do what you fucking employed to do, stop acting like my mom, I don't even know who gave you the right to act like my mom, always concerned about my life more than what you are paid to do” I said angrily with my tone raised a little, as I smashed a vase, I could see her shock expression, she held her chest where her heart was
Ashers P.O.V My anger boiled over as I slammed my fist on the table. "Are you kidding me? You think you can just arrange a wife for me like it's the Dark Ages or the nineties, where you wake up one morning and arrange a wife for me?" I yelled barely able to contain my anger " You would not raise your voice at me young man and this should be the last time you disrespect me or question my authority, you are getting married and that is final," he said as he pointed at the door dismissing me. " Do have a nice day," he said. I laugh at his words, always feeling he could have his way with me, he never learns from experience. " You know Dad, that no one, can force me to do a thing, I won't get married to whomever you have arranged for me because I am in love with someone else," I said. " And by that someone else, do you mean the bar girl, who you can't differentiate from a fling to love, right?" he asked, already angry as he squeezed his pen trying to suppress his anger. " Say whateve
Arabella POV A knock on the door startled me, as it woke me up. "Arabella, sweetie, are you up?" Miss Thompson asked, her voice was gentle, but my mind was foggy. What time was it? Where was I? My eyes scanned the room, trying to remember... Oh yeah, yesterday! The wedding! I got married to… Asher! I thought my memories were finally coming together but my heart skipped a beat at the thought of Asher, I looked around to see if he was on the bed, but thankfully he was nowhere to be found. "Is Asher here?" a deep voice asked, sounding like Arlo. "No, he's not," Miss Thompson's voice echoed through the door. "Arabella, you awake?" Arlo asked, he asked with his rich baritone voice that always gave me goosebumps whenever he spoke. Yes, I replied, my voice sounding rusty and my mouth feeling dry and sticky. "Great then! Get ready, breakfast is served," Arlo said before he turned to leave with Miss Thompson, telling her how difficult the ride was for him on the road, where there was
Ashers P.O.V "Just pretend I'm not here," I muttered, my eyes fixed on the unsettling scene before me. My brother's hands were on my wife's breast, I walked out quickly as I tried so hard to restrain myself from punching him. My mind was racing with thoughts about what I had just seen," What the hell were they doing so close". I needed a moment to myself, to reconcile what I had just seen. I retreated to my office, seeking solace in the familiar space. But Arlo followed close behind, his footsteps echoing in the silence. I knew he wanted to explain, to justify what I had witnessed. But I wasn't ready to hear it. Not yet, I had other big things to deal with. for just like always he always liked to own everything I owned, I shut the door behind me, and he followed me "Listen, I can explain. It's not what you think," Arlo said, desperation clear in his eyes. But I wasn't ready to hear it. "Oh really? Can you explain why your hands were all over my wife's boobs? My wife, Arlo! I might
Arabella's P.O.V " Are you okay?" she asked me "I.. think so" I muttered, I couldn't stop myself from shivering, as tears flowed from my eyes. What Asher did was shocking. Maybe I deserve it, maybe I was a whore, tears flowed through my eyes as I wailed. " Oh you, lesser thing." Miss Thompson said as she hugged me, I couldn't stop the tears, I already hated my first day as a wife, I would spend my whole life with someone who despises me. " Oh dear, dear, is going to be okay," she said while patting my back but the sob increased. I couldn't help but cry. "Asher is not on his best behavior these days, he is not like this, my Asher is a sweet soul…" Miss Thompson went on and on but I barely could register the words she was saying, all I knew was how she was calling him 'My Asher', it sounded strange. "Why don't you make Asher your delicacy today, he will come back very soon for his breakfast l, maybe that would lighten his mood," Miss Thompson said. The sound of that made my ear s
Asher's P.O.V "Damn it," I said, as I got into the car, " What the hell was happening" I thought to myself, I hated being this way, feeling like this, like a sore loser who needed someone to taunt so I could get satisfied. "Damn it, Asher, get yourself together," I said while hitting my head on the steering wheel, I drove to the office, I had barely been to the office ever since the I.A.S news and I knew I had a pile of work and more so I needed to talk to Arlo, as much as I hated to admit it, I needed his help, I drove to the office so fast as I could, I heard finally arrived at the office, I could see everyone stare at me, they were shocked that I came, as they thought I would be in honeymoon with my 'wife' " What the hell are you staring at?" I yelled because I was already getting irritated by their stares. I walked into my office and I heard Ray, " Call Mr. Arlo" I said, trying to be formal. The clock was ticking, it was exactly thirty minutes and fifty-nine, Arlo wasted befo
Arabella's P.O.V. I adjusted the delicate straps of my black floor-length gown, the silk fabric hugging my curves in all the right places. I felt like a princess because it was picked by Asher, which made my heart glitter. I needed to look good for him but the sentiment was short-lived. "Why do I even bother?" I thought to myself. "Asher won't appreciate it anyway." I checked the time - 5:55 PM. "Where is he?" I wondered, trying to push aside the thought of him not coming and maybe of me going to the ball alone. My phone beeped, I looked to check who was calling it was Miss Thompson " Hi dear, Asher called he won't be coming, so can you please come down Stairs the driver is waiting," she said, as she cut the call I took a deep breath before I left the room, trying to calm my nerves down. The driver was waiting, and we drove to the ball in silence. My mind raced with thoughts of Asher's coldness towards me and why he just couldn't stand the sight of me. "Why do I keep trying to
Asher POV " Th..ank you" I stammered, barely able to say a word, for all my focus was on Scarlet, I struggled to hold myself back from not leaving the podium without Arabella, I walked down the podium, my focus still on Scarlet and muttering a little thank you to people, I went to meet Scarlet not minding if I was with Arabella " What are you doing here?" I asked her, all curious. Then Devon comes " Oh, I have seen you have met my date?" he said, but let me give you a proper introduction " Meet Scarlet Harrison, my date for tonight and Scarlet meet Asher with his wife, they are the latest couple in town," he said I rolled my eyes while he introduced her, Scarlet stretched forth her hands to give me a shake. " Nice meeting you Mr. Asher and your wife looks pretty," she said as she pretended not to know me. " Not as pretty as you" I shook her hand and gave her a hugged then she muttered to me " Please behave yourself," she said as she let go of me and laughed, " Mr. Asher you