Arabel's POV
If there is anything I hate, it is a seed of doubt.
It tends to grow bigger with each passing moment, until I find myself dropping Daisy off back at Ashley's and coming here to LaRosa Club.
I would also be spending the night at Ashley's. I can't go back to the penthouse. The thought of Alex coming back scares the shit out of me.
As soon as I enter, I realize how deafening the loud music is. I wave my way through the crowd, feeling silly for coming here and wanting to catch Richard pants down with Eve.
Richard never cheated in our marriage. But he can do that now. We aren't even in a relationship yet, so why am I doing this?
If this is true, Richard will never see me again. I won't let him take me for a fool again.
I move closer to the bar, signaling to the bartender to get me a drink. He flashes a smile, tempting me to ask him if he has seen anyone like Richard around.
That is even more silly.
Grabbing the glass, I gulp it all down, whirling around to scan through the crowd for the sight of Eve or Richard.
With no luck, I ask for another glass, and another until I have five glasses down. After waiting for a little more than twenty minutes, I'm beginning to think this is all a bad idea, and I shouldn't have come.
A total waste of time.
I shouldn't have listened to Alex. I guess he got to me once again. He might even be out there, laughing his ass off at my stupidity.
Quickly, I jump down from the stool, almost losing my balance.
How does Alex even know all of this? Has he been keeping tabs on Richard? How did he come to know about Eve as well?
As I try to find my way out, a familiar scent swifts past my nostril, making me come to a halt.
Richard.
I turn around to see him walk past me. He didn't see me. My head was bent because of how I was staggering to keep my balance.
Without thinking, I follow him.
Just when I thought this was all a lie, he showed up. My heart constricts painfully in my chest when I think of the possibility that what Alex said was nothing but the truth.
But why is he doing this? Why does he want to hurt me again? Didn't he say he loved me?
He moves towards a quiet section, making me feel relief from the banging in my head which was a result of the deafening music.
Then I see her.
Eve Rogers.
Clad in a red sexy dress, showing off her back and cleavages. Her dress is so short, it could pass for a stripper's dress.
She is sitting there, legs crossed, as she sips on her wine. When she looks up to see him approaching, she shoots to her feet, dragging Richard into a hug.
She is beaming as he pulls away, and I can't help but want to see Richard's expression too.
Is he here because he wants her, or is it for something else?
Ashley is so convinced Richard loves me, so does her husband. Then why is he here?
Richard goes to the other side to sit, keeping his distance from her, which makes me raise a brow. I step further so I can see everything.
Every single thing they are doing. I want to see it all.
They talk in low tones for a while, until Eve bursts into a round of laughter, moving closer to touch his thighs.
Richard stiffens.
What? Am I imagining his reaction or is this real?
Suddenly, Eve begins to lean in, making me think she is going to kiss him but Richard jerks upright, fishing out his phone.
He glues the phone to his ears, before excusing himself. He follows the back door out, while Eve waits.
For a moment, I contemplate following him so I can talk to him. But what good will that be when he is already here? I need to know what he is up to.
Against my head, my legs betray me as I stagger out through the side door, leading to the back of the club where Richard obviously is.
I've been here before. With Ashley.
“Leo!” Richard's loud voice halts me. “Where is it? I need it now.”
There is silence on the other end and I wait until he mutters beneath his breath. “Is it indeed Alex?”
Alex? What has Alex got to do with this? Did he discover that Alex came to see me and told me about his meeting with Eve?
I step closer, and a crashing sound makes me jerk back with my eyes wide open. This is when I realize I just kicked some bottles out of my way unconsciously.
Who the hell kept the bottles here?
The thought of Richard hearing the sound makes me quickly turn back, ready to slip away, but his cold voice stops me. “Who are you?”
Shit!
I make to run, but a strong pair of arms grab me, whirling me around to come face-to-face with the man I love.
“Arabel!” He shouts, making me shut my eyes. I shouldn't have followed. I should have waited so I can see everything. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Nothing,” I yank his hand off me and take a step forward, only to find myself falling before he grabs me again.
“Shit! You are drunk!”
Suddenly, I am off the floor and in the arms of Richard. My eyes are becoming smaller as he takes long strides towards the corridor, leading us out of the club.
“For a moment, I almost thought it was Eve. Thank Goodness!” He mutters, making me force my eyes back open.
“Eve, your wife, right?”
He laughs. “Of course not. She is not my wife, and she never will.”
I want to say more, but I can't think straight. As soon as he is out and I see his car parked right outside the entrance, I fall into a deep slumber.