Richard's POV
The loud voice startles me, making me stop for a moment to listen and hear where the voice is coming from.
I'm out here searching for Arabel. Not to eavesdrop on anyone's conversation. With this in mind, I make sure to continue searching for her when the voice comes again, this time sounding just like the voice of the woman I am searching for.
"Ashley, who is getting married then?"
Ashley?
She gasps. “You? Not Richard?”
Suddenly, a scream leaves her mouth. “Oh girl, I am so happy for you. Is it that same guy you told me about?”
I don't hear what the person from the other end is saying as I approach her figure under the tent, walking stealthily with the crutches.
They are so tiring, but I have no choice since my mother was so against having me use a wheelchair instead.
“Richard's friend? Which of them?”
“Really? I don't know him. So I guess you have finally gotten rid of your crush for your boss, right?”
She laughs heartily.
“Yes, I agree.”
Then silence follows, and I stand behind her, expecting her to notice my presence.
“Really?” She gasps again. “I'm so honored, Ashley. When is the wedding again?”
“That's two months away. No problem. What about…?”
The person at the other end cuts her short and she remains silent for a while.
“Richard?” I look up with curiosity. Why does she keep mentioning my name at intervals? Is she speaking with Ashley, whom I know, and is this Richard she is talking about me? “Did your fiance ask him already? You know what? Never mind. Don't worry, I am going to give you a call first thing tomorrow so we can talk better. I must return to the party before your girl begins to search for me everywhere."
“Sure. Bye.”
She turns around to leave when she jumps back in fright.
“Richard?!”
“I heard my name from a distance, so I came to answer…” My sense of humor is weak. I can see that in her expression. “Sorry.”
“What are you doing out here?” She demands from me.
“Looking for you.”
“Why?”
“I want us to talk,” I inform her, with the expectation of a chance to say something.
“Richard, tonight is not the right time…”
“I know, but I have to be back in New York first thing in the morning. I can't leave without doing this. Just hear me out; I promise I won't ruin your night.”
She folds her arms and stares at me for a moment before going back to sit. I walk over with the crutches, feeling totally helpless. I can't wait to get rid of them as soon as possible.
After dropping the crutches to the floor, I managed to take a seat without any help.
We face each other squarely, but no one is saying a word.
“Thank you for coming all the way to Germany to check up on my health. It means a lot…”
"I had to do it because I was with your mom, and I didn't want her to put me in her black book if she had one."
She is still pretending to me. She has no idea I know she must have admitted it to my mother already.
Even when mother came to apologize to me for her behavior before we finally made the decision to come here for the birthday, she refused to say a word to me about it.
She only assured me that everything would be fine soon, and that gave me hope.
I watch Arabel's hair expertly curled around her shoulder with a thin layer of makeup, enhancing her natural beauty.
Her dress sits flawlessly against her skin, and she takes my breath away, reminding me solely of what I have missed and lost.
When she clears her throat, I know it is a cue for me to get on with it and let her go.
“I'm sorry for last night and the other night at the hotel. I didn't mean to upset or ruin your night. I guess I didn't know how best to present myself to you or show my emotions. I'm really sorry for ruining Daisy's birthday too.” I apologize with a sincere heart, watching her feel reluctant to say a word.
“It's fine.”
I note her impatience as she folds her arms.
“And I am sorry for everything that has happened between us. If you don't want us to talk about it, then it's fine with me. If you feel pretending is the best way to get over the aches I must have caused, I will endure it till you are ready to hit me for my misdeeds. Henceforth, I promise I won't bother you, upset you, or make you uncomfortable. If I am doing any of this unconsciously, please let me know. I'm sorry once again and thank you for everything.”
Tears water in my eyes.
This isn't what I intended to say. However, knowing the situation at hand, I had to improvise. Arabel will never listen to me anymore. She will never admit it, not now.
Doing this should be the best. I should give her time to get over it. I would allow her to accept the fact that I know her real identity before letting her come out clean.
It is just a matter of time. This is just like what my mother said.
As long as she doesn't stop me from talking with Daisy, I am cool. I'd watch her from the sidelines. I admire her from afar. And wait till she is ready to forgive me.
I deserve it all.
And even more.
Arabel looks away from me, her eyes fixating on the ground. I stare at her beautiful features and realize how hard this must be for her.
She gulps down loudly and gazes up to say something when someone interrupts.
“Ma'am. Mrs. Brown wants to leave, you should see her before she goes,” the woman I assume to be one of her domestic staff informs, bowing at me in courtesy.
“Oh!” Arabel stands up instantly, relief rushing through her at the interruptions, while I bite my lips and ball my fist in wonder of what she wanted to say.
This is bad timing.
I am damn curious to know how she would have reacted to everything I said and what she would have muttered back in response.
"I should go," she says, turning back before heading straight into the house, leaving me sitting under the tent in complete silence with nothing but my conscience.
When I realize there is no hope in ever convincing her to talk to me when she isn't ready yet, I stand up, accepting my fate with the determination to wait.
I have been waiting for five years now. For her to appear. For me to beg her. I can survive waiting a few more months or days.
Definitely.
With the crutches, I walk towards the exit. I am no longer in the mood to go back to the party. I should go home to my apartment, which is an hour's drive from here.
I don't intend to inform my mother about my departure. I will let her know as soon as I am back home.
The guards at the gate open the door for me, assisting me a little till I am close to the car, which is open for me to get in.
The driver takes the crutches, and I place one hand on the car seat while the other hand holds the door to assist me in sitting.
Managing to sit, I shift further into the car before taking the crutches from him and leaning backwards with my gaze outside.
A flashy car catches my eye.
A man ducks his head before stepping out and taking a photograph of Arabel's home.
My blood boils, and I am about to instruct the driver to step out and open the door for me when I see the guy whose face is not clear going back into the car.
When seated, he ducks his head out again and takes another picture before igniting the car engine and driving off.
Upon seeing his reflection, my heart begins to race.
It is Alex.