The Deceiver's Game

Chapter 6: Accidental Meeting

ARABELLA

The silence is unsettling but I chose to keep it that way just so the two of us wouldn't talk.

For the record, I am not okay with his behavior a while ago because I'm clearly enjoying my morning with my friends!

Oh right, I forgot to say. I told my parents that I'll eat somewhere else because there's no way I can eat my breakfast with that pest around. He'll just keep on annoying me, I know that, and I won't let that happen to me every morning. I won't be able to keep my sanity much longer it that continues.

Basically, I was looking for somewhere to eat and Nova Haven is a big city with lots of places to choose from and I'm not craving for anything now so I didn't really know what to buy.

Luckily, I saw a familiar face amongst the crowd. The eye contact isn't really a necessary detail but yeah, that happened just before someone pulled his shirt and noticed that he was looking at me. Everything else happened after that.

Jamie, Navin's sister, knew about what happened between us and it turned out that she was in the hospital that time while we were having fun. She also apologized which is so unnecessary as I told her because that's also the reason why Navin accepted Darvian's offer. But as I said, I regret nothing and will probably do it again if we have the chance, without the part where I sneaked him in without knowing that he'll take something important.

We just laughed it out which probably wasn't something the sixteen-year-old me expected. I mean, I was devastated when that happened and I don't even know I will be able to forgive these guys. But yet I did, I forgave Navin as he just did something for his family and never thought about hurting me intentionally. Especially now that I learned the real reason behind his actions.

We had so much fun... until he came and took me away from them. I didn't even finish my breakfast!

"You forgave him?" I suddenly hear him ask but I ignored it.

Don't expect me to be nice when you didn't let me have fun.

"I'm asking. When did that happen? I thought you hated us"

Another ignored question but he seems to not back his questions down. Waiting for an answer while his eyes fixed on the road.

"You forgave him. Even became friends with him, yet you treat me this way"

I just let him talk. He said other things after that but who cares? Nobody.

"Did you left your tongue in that bagel? Or you just did some kind of witchcraft to have that kind of smile in exchange of your ability to speak?"

I frowned. What does that even mean? Also on another point, when did he become so talkative? He always confuses me.

"What are you talking about? What kind of smile are you on?" I asked without looking at him.

"That wasn't my question"

Another silence came. This time, no one wanted to talk so he just kept driving to nowhere. I wanted to ask him where are we going but I don't want to talk to him so I guess I'll just trust him not to bring me somewhere dangerous. I don't want to die if the last face that I'll see is his.

"Can—"

His phone rang which he immediately answered.

"Hm?"

It seems like a casual call, I thought it was something important. I just let them talk with his earbuds and diverted my attention to the greenery around the city.

This is what I like here. Seeing greens everywhere even with tall building around. That's just the way we live, taking care of the environment so I'll also take care of us.

"We'll be there shortly"

I was busy admiring the scenery when I got confused by his answer.

"We? Where are you taking me?" I asked after turning my head to him.

"Company, emergency meeting" my brows went up with his answer.

We're going in their building? That's not so bad considering that I never had the chance to stay in ours for a long time since my parents always shoo me off somewhere with the "you won't understand anything, go and have fun somewhere else" reason. That went on since I was a child until I grow up and no matter how hard I tried to let me stay, they just won't. I don't understand their reason. It's dumb.

But wait, an emergency meeting? There's a problem in his company? Now that's something I can celebrate about.

"You can at least hide your joy. It's inappropriate considering that you will be marrying that company's owner"

I stared at him which he must've felt after a few seconds.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

I just shrugged and looked outside the window again.

"Stop saying things about that marrying thing. I know that it'll happen but is still pisses me off"

He didn't say anything until we reached his private parking area. I just waited until I could get out of this car.

"You'll get used to it. You can't do anything and you'll have no choice but to learn to love me"

He said before getting out. Ungentleman.

But his words just cringed me. I don't know if he really mean that but it really irked me. I can't imagine forcing myself to love a guy with that attitude. That also wasn't in the contract. Yeah, I just remembered about that.

Shaking the thoughts off, I stepped out of the car and saw him waiting nearby obviously so he could lock his car.

Anxious glances greeted us as we walked through the entrance while people are hurriedly walking from one place to another.

"Sir" a lady with straight black hair and glasses approached Darvian then said something to him while looking at her notepad.

After their conversation, he faced me and told me to wait on his office before walking away for the meeting.

"I'll escort you to his office, ma'am" a girl who looks like an intern said and mentioned me towards the elevator.

I smiled and nodded before walking with her. She then pressed the button for the top floor and we waited.

A hallway with modern paintings and sculptures greeted me when the elevator door opens. I stepped out and thanked the girl before taking a look at the arts around.

This looks like a museum with all of these.

As I reached the door with the CEO's Office sign, I opened it to be greeted by a cup flying towards my direction. It hit my forehead and made me wince in pain.

"Oh s**t"

I felt someone hurried in my direction.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

I tightly closed my eyes while holding the left side of my forehead.

"I didn't know. I thought you're Van, I'm so sorry. I— are you okay?" he sounded like he's panicking to I forced myself to nod and look at him.

"Yeah, don't worry" I assured him but I ate my words when I saw a patch of blood on my palm.

"Uhm... I—I think I'm not okay" I whispered, still looking at my hand.

"What the— stay there and wait for me" he said and turned around. He was about to walk away when he stopped and walked towards me again.

"No, I can't just let you stand there" he said before pulling me to the couch and made me sit before going away again to find something.

The first aid kit, obviously.

After a moment, he came back with the kit on his hand and sat beside me to tend my forehead. I flinch from time to time which makes him say sorry every time that happens.

"Sorry" he apologized again while putting the bandage.

"It's okay, that's just a minor scratch"

"I know it's not. I saw your face after seeing that blood" he said after he finished.

"It's okay, really. It's just that I'm not used to it. My parents were very protective, and I myself don't want to get bruises and anything either" I laughed awkwardly but his face is still serious while still looking at my forehead.

"Okay. But still, I'm sorry. I really thought you're my cousin because this is his office and— wait, may I ask what are you doing here?"

I was surprised that he doesn't know who I am. Isn't he an employee here or something? I thought my family are kind popular in this building but anyway, I guess it's just right to introduce myself. Or not. Do I have to say that part?

"Darvian asked me to wait for him here until the meeting's over" I answered.

He just slowly nodded with a confused look on his face.

"I'm Arabella Laurent" I said my name which made his expression look like he understands now why I'm here.

Except I'm not really supposed to be here.

"I'm Xavian, Darvian's cousin" he said. We didn't shook hands, just smiled at each other.

"Thank you by the way" I said while he still looks lost.

"You look— you're beautiful" he said which made me smile.

"Thanks again" I said but be didn't take his eyes off my face.

"Why are you marrying my cousin again? You know you can just marry me if it's just the last name you wanted"

And the last part kinda offended me. I'll never want their last name. Why would he think like that?

"I said something wrong, didn't I? Whatever that is, I'm so sorry and I didn't mean it"

I nodded at him. I wonder how could his cousin be like this while he's... why is he so different? He could just be like his cousin here, caring about the others..

"Are you sure you're related? You seem better at socializing with people while he looks like he doesn't like people at all" he chuckled with my question.

"We really are. Actually, were pretty close because we just have each other. Though I have my friends and he didn't have one"

"That's not very surprising" I mean, who would want to have a friend with a personality like that?

"I'm surprised. I sometimes wonder why because he really cares about others. He just doesn't show it to other people but I think you'll also realize it soon. You know, after the wedding and when you live together"

Here we go again with the wedding talks. I don't want to talk about it but I also don't want to offend Xavian with not answering what he said.

"I... yeah. Maybe" I can't find the right words to say.

Silence came between us for a moment when he suddenly ask me to go with him.

"Where? And what for?" I asked and he just stood up while lending a hand to me.

"Go for a coffee or something. You'll get bored waiting here and I need to do something for compensation. You know, about that" he said and pointed my forehead.

"I said I'm fine. You don't really need to—"

"I insist. Please?" he said, still offering me his hand.

"You really sure you're related to him? If yes, I'll ask him to learn from you" I said and took his hand to rise from my seat which he just responded with a low chuckle.

They're really different. I hope that guy and this man become so so close that he'll pick up this kind of personality and stop being a monster and a jerk. Maybe I'll hate him less if that happens. Just maybe.