Arabel’s POV
Richard is petty.
I can't seem to figure out what just happened now. Did he just act petty, or am I imagining it?
I thought he was going to take the cue and leave, so I wouldn't have to argue back and forth with Alex about staying in the same apartment as my ex-husband.
There's absolutely nothing I can say to him to convince him that I moved in without knowing we were neighbors.
Alex will conclude in his head that he was right all along, and that Richard is indeed a stalker.
With Richard gone, I open the car seat to pick up Daisy. She is fast asleep. I lock the cars and head towards him. He doesn't move an inch, and he looks really annoyed.
I don't know who told him I lived here. He must have his ways.
“Hi,” I greet politely, watching him shift his attention to the sleeping Daisy in my arms. For a minute, I think he is going to help me with her, but he doesn't.
When he isn't saying anything, anger begins to shimmer within me, so I walk past him.
The one who should be angry here is me, not him. His girlfriend insulted me, leading to my subsequent resolve to leave and never consider returning to his apartment.
Of course, he must have told her something about me.
Acting angry because he saw me with Richard just now is also a petty act. I never knew he was this ill-tempered.
The elevator dings open, and he rushes in. It takes us up in complete silence.
I intend to let him into my apartment, but I won't say a word until he does. And if he questions me in a way that he shouldn't, I will ask him out.
I don't care if this is going to be the end of our friendship. Whether I am back with Richard or not should not be his concern, since he has a girlfriend.
He should focus on her, not on a woman like me who has a child without a father. That was obviously what his girlfriend was insinuating.
When we get up, the elevator dings open, and I walk out with Daisy still in my arms and Alex right behind me.
Richard isn't out; I feel a little relieved that he is inside his apartment. I open the door, leaving it ajar for Alex to come in as I walk in, in a hurry to put Daisy to bed.
It is evening already.
Once she is asleep, even without dinner, she won't wake up for dinner anymore until the next morning, when she wakes up with hunger pangs.
I'm sure she would be the one to wake me up in the morning for food. I don't have an appetite either, so I will just work a little by answering my unread emails before heading to bed.
I am pretty exhausted, perhaps from all the crying.
“You now live with your ex-husband?” Alex’s voice is a bit raised, and I shoot him a glare in warning. “What?!”
“Are you here for this?” I snap at him. “If you are, then I am in no mood to argue, you might want to excuse me.”
“You are asking me to leave?” He demands with shock written all over him.
“Don't I have the right to? After all, your girlfriend did the same to me days ago!” I snap again.
“Really? Is that it? Are you jealous or what?!”
I snort. So this is it. This is what it's about.
“Jealous of her? In your dreams,” I mutter and slouch to my sofa. “If you are here to visit, take a seat. I won't argue with you tonight.”
He falls silent, contemplating whether to sit or not.
Alex’s recent behavior is surprising. He doesn't seem like a toxic guy, but now I am beginning to think he is.
“Bella, why did you move out without letting me know?”
I know this was the only bad thing I did, and guilt fills my insides.
I don't know what to say or how to justify my actions, even though our last argument led to me reaching that decision.
“I'm sorry. I had overstayed my welcome. We agreed that you would house us temporarily until we settled, allowing me to secure my own apartment. I guess getting this place is all for good.”
"I wasn't complaining," he says, forcing out a growl from his mouth.
“You have a girlfriend, Alex, so when I say it's all for good, believe me,” I assert quickly.
How exactly am I supposed to tell him she threatened me? How am I supposed to tell him that I changed my mind and returned to his apartment only to meet her there, hurling abusive words at me?
“Janet does not have a problem with that,” he manages to say, looking flushed. “I already told her about you.”
“I see.” I only mutter.
“She understands…” He trails off, and I nod again. “Are you coming back home?”
“What?! Of course not. I am fine here. Thank you.”
“Does he live here as well?” I know immediately that this is about Richard.
“Perhaps, you should ask him yourself…”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, rage bubbles inside of him. “Really?”
“Yes.”
After sparing me another harsh glance, he stalks to the door with a red face. Guilt settles deep inside me at the turn of events.
Three years ago, we were best friends. Until a month ago. Now, Richard's involvement is coming between us.
It isn't my fault, but his, for always jumping to conclusions and not hearing me out. He has shown me his true color, and I am not willing to let him humiliate me any further.
I appreciate everything he has done for me. But I don't want to be a burden anymore.
When he gets to the door, I am about to call him back, apologize, and give him one of my endearing grins in an effort to prevent our friendship from being severed in this manner.
Suddenly, he halts.
I think he is having the same thoughts as me and he wants to apologize for his behavior.
He grits his teeth as he slowly turns around to meet my gaze. "Do not run to me when that scumbag once more tramples on your heart and treats you like garbage!"
My jaws drop.
I wasn't expecting that.
I am utterly speechless and shocked to the bone at his statement. I can see a flash of hatred on his face, and I stumble backward with my mouth still agape.
Quickly, Alex takes the door out, and I suddenly feel suffocated, overwhelmed by tidal waves of emotions.
When a tear slips down my eyes, I find myself rushing to the closet and grabbing a box to pack my things in a hurry.