3. Rude and Arrogant

Lucy’s POV

“What?” 

"We should consider our future agreement, Miss Hansley. But I have to leave now. I have to meet with one of my investors, and I don't want to lose millions of dollars every hour by staring at you all the time," he said. 

"So you promise to give the house to me in one condition?" 

"I'll talk to you again in another day. Please make an appointment. You're the same as everyone else, so don't feel special." He gave me a cocky wink.

After that, we both took the elevator to the next floor. As we got out of the lift together, I couldn't help but wonder what our agreement would be in the future. That house my dad left me is too valuable for me to lose. I will have nowhere to live and no job! Also, I can't rent in New York City because the last time I checked, the rent was too high.

Although I did earn a degree in interior design but I have been unemployed for three years already.

I wouldn't be this hopeless if all I did was think about the future.

I’m all alone and the only person I can rely on was myself.

Arman Romano walked to his car and glanced at me with a smirk on his face before he could get in.

I just stared at him blankly. He was so cocky that it made my blood boil, but I need to be nice to him. 

***************

There I was at the restaurant where I always eat before, but then I remembered that I need to save money because I only have twenty thousand dollars left in my bank account and I can't spend that on a thousand dollar plate. 

I stepped back and was about to go but I saw Peter with Jane. They were both taken aback when they saw me.

Jane raised an eyebrow at me, “Well, looks who’s here!” 

"I can't believe I'll see you today, Lucy." Peter said with disgusted face.

"So you're here to eat lunch?" Jane asked nicely. 

"No, I'm going somewhere else." I said with a sour smile. 

Jane grabbed the back of my arm and said, “Or maybe because you can’t afford to eat in a restaurant like this?” 

I removed her hand from my arm harshly and said, “So that’s why you’re with Peter?” 

She smiled at me, “I’m with Peter because she chose me over you. You are such a waste, Lucy. Just get lost.” 

Then she pushed away, "Get the hell out of here!" 

I glared at her angrily and was about to leave the restaurant when she said, "Maybe you can't just accept the fact that your boyfriend broke up with you because your dad had a heart attack and left you with nothing but debt. That's so funny. Also, it's too bad that your mom left you. Lucy, you are such a loser... I pity you so much!" 

I sent her a sharp glare and yelled out my anger. "What gives you the right to insult my dad after all he's done to your family?! Wow, you truly lack gratitude! You denigrate the one who lifted your family out of poverty?! I hope your parents are proud of you!"

Peter put himself in the middle and said, “Lucy, stop. Just go away and I don’t want to see your face again. If you want money, just ask for my parents. I'm sure they have penny to give you."  

I stepped back and wiped away my tears, “You disgust me!” 

The promise ring he gave me sprung to mind, so I pulled it from my finger and threw it to his face. Peter was mad that everyone saw what I did to him. That made him feel like his ego had been hit hard. 

“F*ck! Lucy, come back here!” 

Jane protested, "Just leave her alone."

Peter followed me outside and was about to hurt me when a strong hand stopped him. 

Jane gasped in disbelief as she recognized the man. 

I slowly turned my head to the man behind me and it was really Arman. I gulped hardly as I noticed he was still tightly holding Peter’s arm. 

“Mr. Romano…” I whispered under my breath and his cold eyes stared at me. 

He pushed Peter away from me. “Oh, boy…” 

Peter stepped back and asked, "What do you think you're doing?! And who the f*Ck are you?!” 

“Who the f*Ck I am?!" 

Jane grabbed Peter's hand and whispered, "He's Arman Romano!" 

Arman pulled me so close to him and that caught me off guard. "Get out of my territory. You're not welcome here."

Arman tried to warn Peter, but Peter ignored him and said, "F*ck you! I couldn't care less who you are!" Soon after, he tightened his fist and prepared to strike Arman in the face.

With a swift motion, Arman twisted Peter's fist like a doorknob. Peter screamed in pain, and Arman stared at him angrily without blinking. "Do you want to die?" 

Arman's voice sounded like a warning. That's why Peter stepped back in pain and grabbed Jane's arm. "Let's go." 

Jane scoffed loudly, “Wait… What? You don’t even know what this woman did to me and to my boyfriend.” 

“I don’t care about you and your boyfriend.” Arman replied calmly.

Then he glance at me and offered his hand, “Our table is waiting inside. Shall we?” 

Jane frowned angrily at me, and her face was written in disbelief, “What? I can’t believe this; you’re dating Arman Romano?!” 

I teased my leech cousin and said, “Oh, yes, I’m dating the owner and you're dating the mama's boy." 

The security guards escorted them out of the well known restaurant and the look of their faces looked so embarrassed in front of everyone.

I sat in front of Arman with a sighed and said, “Thank you for saving me–”

“I did that because I don’t have a choice,” he replied with an emotionless face.

I rolled my eyes, “Fine, but still, thank you.” 

“Alright.” he looked up and asked, “So what do you want to eat for lunch?” 

"To be honest, I'm not here to eat," I said with a shaky head. Then smiled at him, "You showed up just as I was about to leave. I... I have to go now." 

I tried to get up, but he grabbed my hand and said, "Stay."