Richard's POV
From the way she tilts her head, staring darkly at her phone screen, I know something is definitely up.
I step down, and she raises her head to see me leaning against the railings.
“Hi,” she says, flashing me a smile before walking past me, leaving me with surprise fluttering all over.
Is this because of my proposal? Is she attempting to avoid me at this moment, or is there another reason?
I twirl around to grab her hand. “Arabel?”
“Yes?” She replies, pretending not to have walked past me like it was normal. She is damn good at pretending, but I always know when she is pretending.
“Are you upset at me or something?” I ask carefully, peering down at her brown eyes.
“Mad at you? What for?”
“Earlier…”
“Richard, I am so tired. I have a lot to do tomorrow with the branch's opening. I need to go to bed now.” She stops me from going further.
Feeling pain slicing through me at her excuse, I let her go. An emotion flashes across her face before she turns around to leave.
Shit!
What else am I supposed to do now? How do I make up for everything?
Pain, fear, and anger flow through me, making me slump down to the landing and sit with my head in between my hands.
Just when I thought I would be able to tell her. Summon the courage tonight to finally tell her about my memory; she is avoiding me.
What Caleb told me got to me. Arabel would be really pissed when she gets to know. So I made a decision to tell her. And also tell her my reasons for not informing her as soon as my memories come back.
“Richard.” Her voice jerks me up. I shoot to my feet, turning to see her signaling for me to follow.
Quickly, I obey, racing up the stairs.
When I get to the door, I don't bother to knock before pulling it open to enter. I see her sitting on the edge of the bed, staring into space, her phone still in hand.
“Was that Alex?” I ask her, and she darts her eyes to my face, surprise flitting past. It was high time he tried to contact her again, since his plan to make her believe I am in love with Eve already failed.
“Yes,” she says slowly. “He wants us to meet.”
I rush towards her, panic coating my voice. “Don't tell me you intend to meet with him.”
She stares at me for a while before shaking her head. “But what choice do I have when you haven't come up with a single solution to these problems?”
Her voice is harsh. But as soon as it comes out, she bites her lips in regret.
I sigh.
Leo has been unable to come up with anything concerning Eve. It makes me want to make a decision to meet Eve again. This time, I don't need to act like the Richard who has lost his memory, but like the Richard she knows.
I want her to lie in front of me and say that we are married. Then I will threaten to reveal her secret to the world. That way, she might come out clean.
Another alternative is reaching out to Jake. I'd like to know if they're divorced or not, and why they're no longer together. Perhaps that would also be helpful.
If they are still married, then this marriage is invalid. I am so sure she must have divorced him before doing this, but I still want to try my luck.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you!” She apologizes, staring at me with those soft, beautiful eyes.
I nod and sit next to her in silence.
For a moment, we didn't speak to each other. I have a lot to tell her. Ask her what she thinks of my proposal, and finally, tell her about my memory. I also intend to share my plans with her. She needs to know so she can help with Alex's details as well.
Every single thing she knows about him.
“Maybe I should meet with him, don't you think?” She demands, turning to me.
I shake my head. “I don't agree. He is dangerous, he can do anything…”
“He won't hurt me,” she mutters with confidence, making me scoff.
“Really? You believe that?”
She remains silent.
“Where is Daisy?”
“At Mom's.”
“You can't go,” I hold her hand. “Whatever he wants to tell you, he can do that over the phone.”
“Ok.” She agrees meekly.
“Are you avoiding me because of what I said earlier?” I demand from her, and she looks away quickly. “Are you?”
“No!”
“Then why?”
“Nothing. Just in a foul mood.” She replies sharply.
"I changed your apartment lock and I installed some cameras there, in case he decides to barge in there again.” I explain to her. "It can also serve as evidence."
“Oh, okay.”
Holding her face between my palms, I ask her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she answers, then suddenly smiles. “This isn't even supposed to dampen my mood. I was in a wonderful mood before I saw his text.”
“Really? What happened?”
“Ashley is expecting a baby,” she announces with a shriek, her earlier demeanor gone into thin air.
“Really? Caleb and I were together today, and he didn't say a word!” Arabel glares at me as I say this. “It's a woman's thing, right?”
She laughs. “I'm so excited for her. Motherhood is a beautiful thing. It reminds me so much of how I found out I was expecting Daisy. The first time I found out it was a girl, I was over the moon. I couldn't wait….” She trails off, making guilt sink deep into me. I wasn't there.
For a moment, we remain silent.
With her hand covering mine. "You don't need to have that look on your face every time I talk about what happened while we were apart. Everything is all in the past. I don't regret bringing her up all by myself.”
Relief washes through me. Dissipating my guilt. And the horrible feeling which was stirring inside of me earlier.
It makes me want to drag her into a tight hug. To show her just how much I love and value her. Just how much I am willing to do what it takes to change the narratives. To make things work out between us.
If she can't accept me because she is scared of confessing how she feels for me, I will show her what she truly means to me.
Suddenly, I grab her face and possessively claim her mouth in a demanding kiss, ready to give her all of me. To express what I feel. And willing, she would give in. To the love she feels for me.
My tongue delves into her mouth, earning a low moan as she opens up for me, kissing me back with so much passion.
My heart slams against my ribcage when she bites my lower lips slowly, making me release a grunt in frustration.
I want her now.
I wish to take her.
I grab her, taking her off the bed before placing her back onto the bed, with me straddling her as we break off the kiss.
Breathless, we stare at each other.
The desire in her brown eyes pushes me over the edge, and I find myself taking her lips again, claiming her to be mine with every inch of my skin touching hers.