Claimed By The One I shouldn’t Want

Chapter Three

~Arabelle~

"Girl, are you dumb or what? Why the f**k would you give a man who has done absolutely nothing for you ten grand? Seriously?"

I was in a cafe with a couple of my friends, having coffee and a much-needed dose of reality.

I stared down at my cup, watching the foam slowly dissolve like my confidence. “I didn’t give it to him,” I muttered. “Yet."

It was mostly because I didn't even have ten grand snd I couldn't go asking my mom for money right after her Birthday.

So I called a couple ofnt friends, hoping to raise some money from them. They were all willing to help until they heard it was going to Declan.

“That’s not the reassurance you think it is, girl," Tessa shot back, leaning across the table. “The fact that you’re even considering is pissing me the hell off!”

Across from her, Maya nodded vigorously. “You can't just give a man money like that, babes. Today it’s a watch. Tomorrow it’s rent. Next thing you know, you’re his personal ATM.”

I bit my lip, refusing to tell them that I already lent him money for his rent as well. I could already imagine them strangling me.

“I know,” I sighed, rubbing my temple. “He said he’d pay me back.”

Tessa snorted, rolling her eyes in utter disgust. “They always say that. With what money? Good intentions?”

I bit my lip, guilt curling in my stomach. Declan’s voice echoed in my head—If the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Declan might not have a lot of money but he was a good guy. He bought me flowers and little gifts when he could spare them. Plus, he was one of those orphans the system failed.

That part of me, the soft, forgiving part, wanted to believe in him, to trust that he wasn’t asking because he was selfish.

"Don't be so harsh on him, Maya. Declan is a struggling orphan. He has to fend for himself and work multiple jobs a day to foot his bills..."

"Are you kidding me right now, Arabelle?" Theresa cut in. "So every orphan out there should get themselves a watch of ten grand? Seriously, Arabelle?! He's not even asking for money to start a business!"

I ran a hand down my face, trying to keep my frustration from boiling over. “I know it sounds stupid,” I admitted, voice low. “But it’s not just about the money. It’s… him. I trust him, okay? I trust that he wouldn’t take advantage of me.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed. “Belle, trusting someone doesn’t mean handing them your life savings on a silver platter. That’s insane.”

Maya leaned in, voice soft but very much agitated. “And what if he does take advantage? What if he’s not the guy you think he is? You’ve got to protect yourself first. Always. Especially when your heart’s involved.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. “I… I know. I just… I want to believe in him. I want to believe he’s worth it.”

Tessa threw up her hands. “‘Worth it’? Belle, ten grand doesn’t measure worth! It measures stupidity if you’re not careful.”

Maya sighed, shaking her head. “You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment. That’s fine, love does that. But this isn’t just love; this is a test. And trust me, the smart move isn’t to passively give him the money. You don’t owe him anything, Arabelle."

“Okay,” I muttered finally, almost to myself. “I won’t give him the money… not yet.”

Tessa’s grin was victorious. “Not yet? Oh no, Belle. You don’t do yet. You do never. Don’t let your heart talk you into a financial black hole.”

Maya reached over and patted my hand. “We’ll help you figure out another way. But for now… insist you don't have the money."

"Okay."

After having buns with the girls, I decided to pay Declan a surprise visit. Tell him that I didn't have the money just like my friends asked me too.

I drove over to his place rehearsing the lines over and over in my head so I don't come out as rude and selfish. On getting to his apartment, I sucked in a deep breath and raised my hand to knock. The door opened even before my hand made contact.

Declan stepped out sweating profusely. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw me.

"Arabelle? Why are you here?" He blurted and shut the door back in my face.

"Declan? Declan?" I called, knocking repeatedly. After five minutes, he opened the door and strong intense perfume hit my nose. My throat burned and I let out a small cough.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He asked worriedly. I raised my head slowly.

"Why did you have to use so much perfume?" I asked but rather than answer me, he was asking his own questions.

“What do you want, Arabelle?” His voice was tight, clipped and very impatient, like I was ruining his plans.

I straightened, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I… I wanted to talk about the money,” I began, my voice barely steady. “I… I don’t have it. I can’t give you ten grand.”

The expression on his face changed, sharp and sudden. His jaw clenched, and I could see the heat rising in his cheeks.

“You don’t have it or you won't give it?” he repeated, almost like I had personally insulted him.

“I… I can’t, Declan. I’m sorry,” I stammered, taking a small step back.

For a moment, he just stared at me, chest heaving. "You are going to give me that money, Arabelle, whether you like it or not!"

My stomach dropped.

“What?” I whispered, sure I’d misheard him.

He stepped closer, invading my space, his breath hot and sharp. “You heard me,” he said coldly. “You’re going to give me that money. I know you have it. Your parents are wealthy.”

Fear crept up my spine, icy and consuming . This wasn’t the Declan I knew. The soft-spoken man who laughed easily, who claimed the world had been cruel to him. This was someone else entirely.

“Declan,” I said carefully, holding my hands up, “you’re scaring me. I told you, I don’t have it. Even if I did, you can’t talk to me like this.”

His lips curled into a sneer. “So now I’m the villain?” he scoffed. “After everything I’ve done for you?”

Everything?

"Everything you've done for me?" I repeated. "And what exactly have you done for me, Declan? Is it the wild flowers you pick anywhere or the roadside pastries?"

His jaw tightened hard but I stood there, staring at him..

"Why aren't you saying anything? What have you done for me?" I flared, my irritation rising steadily. "All you do is take and take from me and you don't even have the decency to lay back...."

I didn't get to finish the words when a slap met me across the face. Pain echoed in my head as I held my cheek, staring at him in disbelief.

"Did you... Did you just hit me?" I blurted. He grabbed my arm in a crippling grip.

"This is the least of what I'll do to you if you don't have that money over right now."

Then he dragged me into the apartment.