Chapter Two
1670 Words
~Arabelle~
"What are you thinking about?"
The voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.
I stiffened, fingers curling against the cool stone of the pool’s edge before I slowly turned my head. Of course it was him. Standing a few feet away, jacket slung casually over one shoulder, sleeves rolled up like he owned the night... and me with it.
“Nothing,” I said too quickly, pushing myself to my feet. Water dripped from my dress, clinging to my skin in a way that made my discomfort painfully obvious. “You should be inside. Mom might be looking for you.”
His gaze flicked over me, unreadable as always. “You left first. How can you tell?”
I hated that he always sounded calm. Like he hadn’t unraveled me at the dinner table with a single word. Like he hadn’t just dragged me back through memories I’d spent months trying to bury.
“Go back, Davis,” I snapped, wrapping my arms around myself. “Whatever game you’re playing, I’m not interested.”
He took a step closer.
Just one.
The air between us shifted, heavy with things unsaid. “That’s funny,” he murmured. "College doesn't resume in two weeks so why should I be in a hurry to leave?"
I gulped hard, slowly strutting backwards. He continued advancing.
"Could it be..." He drawled thoughtfully, "You are trying to avoid me?"
I stopped moving. "Do you seriously think the world revolves around you?" I spat, pointing accusingly at him.
"Not the world, Belle," he caught my finger gently. "Just you."
My eyes widened as rage coursed through my veins. I snatched my finger, angrily shoving him. "Just who the hell do you think you are? I have a life, okay? And why are you bothered about me avoiding you? It never seemed to matter before. Besides..." I kept my tone as venomous as I could. "... isn't disappearing the one thing you're good at?"
I met his gaze squarely,. refusing to back cower. He let out a small chuckle..
"I used to think you were relieved to have me gone," he started and I staggered back in shock. "Turns out, you were missing me all along."
I laughed. Short, angry, and empty.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said coldly. “You were a mistake. One night. Nothing more.”
The words tasted bitter, even to me.
His eyes narrowed, amusement dimming just a fraction. “You’re a terrible liar, Belle.”
“Stop calling me that.” My voice cracked despite my effort. “You lost the right the moment you walked out and vanished. Coming back every three months to provoke me and try to get in my pants again WILL not help you. You are my brother now, deal with it."
I tried to walk away but he blocked me.
"Right! Forgot to mention, but I have a boyfriend too."
He stilled.
Completely.
For the first time since he’d walked out here, the lazy confidence cracked to reveal a real expression..
“Boyfriend?” he repeated slowly, like he was testing the word for hidden blades.
“Yes.” I lifted my chin, forcing strength into my spine even as my heart hammered. “A real one. Someone who doesn’t disappear on others. Someone who knows how to respect boundaries.”
His jaw tightened. “And yet,” he said quietly, eyes dropping to where my hands trembled at my sides, “you’re shaking.”
“Because you’re cornering me,” I snapped.
“Not because of you. You're nothing special.”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. For a long moment, he didn’t move, didn’t speak. The pool water rippled behind me, reflecting light across his face, making him look carved out of shadows and silver.
“What’s his name?” he asked at last.
“That’s none of your business.”
He laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. “Funny how you’re suddenly so protective. He must be something.”
“I owe you nothing,” I said. “Not explanations. Not honesty. Not whatever twisted closure you think you’re entitled to.”
I thought he would just back away after that so I could take in a deep breath and enjoy the rest of my evening. He reached for my hand but I yanked it away from his reach.
His lips curled. "It really doesn't matter who your boyfriend is, Belle," he stepped forward again and in my attempt to create a distance between us,.I moved backwards forgetting there was a pool behind me.
My foot slipped and a yelp fell off my lips. I was just about to fall in when he caught my arm and yanked me forcefully close. I crashed hard against his chest.
"Actually, it doesn't matter to me if you have a boyfriend or not but I'll tell you this for free. You should break things up with him," he said and I pushed him away from me .
"And why would I do such a thing?" i fired back.
"Because you are going to cheat on him anyway," he shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Unless you prefer that kind of thrill."
My breath punched cut out of me.
The audacity of this man!
I stared at him, stunned, fury roaring in my ears. I just wanted to strangle that arrogance right out of him. “You’re insane,” I said, voice shaking despite my effort to keep it steady. “You don’t even know me!"
“I know you better than you think, princess” he replied calmly with that infuriating smirk. “Better than the guy you’re trying to convince yourself you want.”
“That’s not your call,” I snapped. “You don’t get to predict my mistakes like they’re inevitable.”
"Alright then, goodnight Belle," he smiled, then turned to walk away. I glared murderously at him.
Well I hope you drown in nightmares, you arrogant jerk!
How could one man be so infuriating! His father Alexander was a total sweetheart and dotted on my mom like she was the very air he breathed.
While his son was going to be the death of me. Literally.
I couldn't even imagine two weeks in the same space as him. I'd rather dunk my head in the toilet!
By the time I returned to the house, most of the guests were already leaving. Davis was nowhere in sight which was an absolute relief. I cleared up the room and moved the plates to the sink.
I was about to wash when my phone rang. My eyes lit up instantly the minute I saw the caller ID. It was Declan, my boyfriend.
I swiped to answer, my tension easing just a little the moment his voice filled my ear.
“Hey,” Declan said softly. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No,” I replied quickly, turning away from the sink and stepping into the quiet hallway. “Not at all. I’m just… cleaning up.”
“You sound tired,” he observed. “Everything okay?”
I leaned my forehead against the cool wall, closing my eyes. Images of icy blue eyes and infuriating smirks tried to intrude, but I pushed them back. “Yeah. It was just a long evening. Mom’s birthday and all that.”
He chuckled. “Family events can be exhausting. I wish I could’ve been there.”
“So do I,” I said honestly, the words, slipping out before I could stop them.
There was a pause on the line for some seconds then he spoke.
"Babe, could you lend me some money?"
My smile dropped instantly. "Money?"
"Yeah, nothing much, just like ten grand. I saw this wristwatch I really like and I want to get it," he went on. "Think of it as you getting your amazing loving boyfriend."
My grip tightened on the phone.
Ten grand. For a wristwatch.
I stayed silent five long seconds.
“Arabelle?” Declan prompted, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you,” I said slowly. “I just… wasn’t expecting that.”
He laughed lightly, like I was being dramatic. “Come on, it’s not a big deal. You know I’ll pay you back.”
I swallowed. Pay back? This wasn’t the first time. I wasn't even sure it'd be the last.
“Declan,” I began carefully, lowering my voice as footsteps echoed faintly somewhere behind me in the house, “that’s a lot of money to ask for so casually.”
“It’s not that much,” he countered quickly. “And you know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need it.”
Need.
For a watch.
My chest felt tight. “You said last month you needed money for rent,” I reminded him. “And before that, it was for your car.”
There was a pause. A long agonizing pause.
“So what?” he said finally, defensive now. “Are you keeping scores now? Is that what this is about?”
“No,” I said, though part of me realized I had been. “I’m just saying… maybe this isn’t the right time to ask for money. We just finished a huge celebration, you know that."
His tone shifted completely. “Wow. Okay. I didn’t think you’d make such a big deal out of it.”
“I’m not making a big deal,” I insisted. “I just think...”
“You think too much,” he cut in. “If the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t hesitate.”
The words stung. Deeply.
"Fine, I'll send you the money."
"Really?" His voice was instantly excited. "Thank you so much, babe. You're the best! I love you so damn much. I'll be expecting the money."
Before I could say anything, the line went dead.
- Writer
