Arabel's POV
Alex's jaws clench, and his nostrils flare up in anger. Pretending not to notice, I grab Daisy's hand roughly before rushing back into the house.
Richard is becoming a pest. Should I be regretting this partnership before its inception?
I know he just did me a favor by bringing me my medications, but I know he used that to his advantage too.
I already told him I am not Arabel. Why can't he just leave me the hell alone? Why does the past have to come haunting me now when the wound is almost healed?
Time was what I gave. For me to heal completely. I did everything I could to ensure it happened. It is happening already, but he turned out to be my worst nightmare when I saw him at the anniversary as my partner.
I wanted to flee. I wanted to scream. I wanted to hit him in the face and run off.
But it was my dream.
Having this feat is the only thing I have been on my list to achieve to take me to greater heights. Richard's company is one big industry, and having to be partners would bring in more opportunities for me and my new branch in New York.
Because I didn't want him close by, I had to halt the idea of the new branch. For now, I will let things be. I don't mind going to New York every single week and coming back home to London. But my initial idea to be fully back in New York has been scrapped because of him.
"Bella," Alex calls from behind as soon as we are indoors. I close my ears, knowing full well that he is upset and that he is about to talk to me about my ex-husband's presence here in the house.
I whirl around to face him squarely, letting go of Daisy's hand.
“What was he doing here?” He demands with authority, making me raise a brow.
“What do you mean by what he was doing here? I thought I explained myself a few minutes ago that he came to drop off the medications we forgot at the hospital?” My tone is harsh, but I don't care.
I am mad at everyone.
Mad at Daisy for going out without letting me know, giving Richard the opportunity he was looking for to talk to me outside office hours.
Mad at Richard for thinking he can get to me through my daughter.
Mad at Alex for wanting to pry.
I didn't tell him about Richard because I wanted him to pry. I only did it because he insisted and I needed someone to talk to. He was there at the right time. He was a friend, and I trusted him.
Alex's expression slowly changes into that of shock.
“Your ex-husband is not only your boss, Bella, but also coming here to drop off your medicines? How does that even sound to you?”
“What do you mean?” My brows furrow in total confusion. Mixed with pure rage at what he is insinuating.
“Isn't it obvious?” He spread his arms out wide in demonstration. “Perhaps there is something going on between you two, and you don't want me to know…”
“Alex!” I snap, my hands clenching into a fist. If I were close to him and not a few distance away, I would have slapped him. I am boiling. My insides are in disarray. My heart is irking at the reminder.
Staring back up at him, I warn. “Don't you dare!”
Instantly, I turn back and rush towards my room. On my way, I see Daisy already scooping the ice cream into her mouth, and it makes me feel worse.
In order not to raise her suspicion, I begin to take long strides towards the room, and as soon as I am in, I slam the door shut, my back hitting the door, and I break down into tears.
Slowly, I drop down and let my head hit my knees, whimpering in pain.
Why does Richard have to be my boss? Why isn't it someone else's? Someone who wouldn't remind me about the past? Or my failure to present a good, responsible man to my daughter as a father figure.
If I wasn't too hurt by the sudden divorce, my desperation to make Daisy happy and feel included in school would have forced me to enter a contract marriage. I've noticed that contract marriages are becoming increasingly common these days.
But I told myself I was done with heartaches, and I wouldn't give any man a chance to make me cry.
Now here I am.
I don't even know if Richard is responsible for my anger or Alex's utterance. I just know I am hurt at both, and I wish I could scrape out all the scenes racing through my head.
Scenes from seven years ago. Happy, sad, bad, rough, and tough memories. The happy days were few. I know I didn't deserve such marriage, but the sudden divorce caught me off guard.
It cuts through me like a sharp blade.
I am nowhere close to forgiving him, but every single act, every conversation is douching my willpower. Seeing him again without expecting it is driving me crazy, eliminating my strength.
Richard is my nightmare. My greatest fear. I thought I hated him the moment he mentioned Eve and the divorce papers, but now I am beginning to think what I feel is beyond hatred.
I just can't figure out what the emotion is or what to call him.
My heart always pounds so hard that I feel it will burst out. I always feel rage bubbling inside of me, as well as the temptation to get back at him for what he did to me.
But I can't.
The thought of Daisy wouldn't allow me to do anything.
My conscience also won't let me.
It makes more tears roll down my eyes, at my helplessness and anger. I wish I could make it all disappear. The anger, the memories, the thought of him, and even the fact that we are now partners.
For a moment, I think of giving up on all of this and going back to London before it is too late.
Just then, my phone rings, jerking me back to life.
I look up immediately to see Alex's name flashing across my screen. I am mad at him for what he said, but I can't be mad at him forever.
He is still better than Richard in every way. I know Alex would never hurt him. Not in the way Richard did.
Alex put a roof on my head when I had no one to turn to. He gave me a shoulder to lean on and cry on, and he promised to always be there whenever I needed him.
The call ends before I reach a decision to answer or reject.
My mind drifts back to Richard. I can't believe I am crying right now. I can't believe I'm breaking down because of him, after vowing never to shed a tear for him or any other man again.
The ringing sound reaches my ear once more as I make a resolve to never let this happen again.
Richard and I are total strangers now. No more anger. No more attitude. No more rudeness, no more rage.
Strangers.
Two new people.
That is what we are.
I pick up the call immediately, wiping my tears and standing upright. “Hello.”
“I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it…”
“It's fine." I cut him short abruptly. I knew that was what he wanted to say the moment I picked his call.
Silence ensues, and I know he is trying to figure out what to say to me next.
“I came to tell you about my trip…” he pauses. If it were another time and not this time when I am still trying to get over my anger, I would have exclaimed loudly and expressed my disappointment at the short notice.
We met yesterday and even this morning at the hospital, but he never said a word about travelling.
“I will be back before you know it, Bella. I promise”, he falls silent again before asking. “Am I forgiven? Can I go?”
“Sure.”
My reply is straight-to-the point. There is no reason to say more. I have no right to ask him where he is going and for what reason.
I hear him sigh. “Ok. See you soon.”
“Thank you.”
I am about to disconnect the call when I hear him mutter calmly. “Please take care.”