Arabella’s POV

The garden was my favourite place, especially at night. Growing up, I knew I had a thing for gardening. I took my time to sniff the flowers enjoying the pleasant scent they enamated, enjoying the joy that filled me as I watched them bloom.

This was my childhood, sitting on the old swing and watching nature unfold before me.

I sat there now, shaking in my thin dress and a part of me began to wish I had brought a little shawl.

It would have gone a long way in protecting my frail arms from the biting cold.

I could feel a cold coming up but I did not mind. I would sit out here for a while, at least until I garnered enough courage to step back inside that party.

My thoughts were interrupted as a warm jacket was placed over my shoulder, nearly making me jump out of my skin.

The man that stood in front of me was regal to say the least.

He was tall and finely built, his hair styled in a way that I could not comprehend and his fine chiseled jaw looking like he had stepped right out of a magazine.

His skin shone with the night that he stood underneath and I was tempted to blink twice, wondering if he would disappear, wondering if this was all part of my imagination, perhaps it was some sort of copping mechanism.

But the soft feel of the jacket around me felt real enough.

" I don't know why I was expecting to find you inside. But here you are, sitting with the crickets" he said and I paused for a minute to admire just how deep and lush his voice sounded.

I felt my knees threaten to give way instantly. He was that sort of man. That sort of man that made you question your sanity, the type that could have you on your knees for him in just a second.

" Do you know me?" I managed to croak out.

His brows seemed to furrow in the dim light as he stared at me.

" It's honestly sad that you don't remember me anymore, but he rest assured that I know you. And I know you should not be sitting outside here, let's go in" he said, his voice containing so much power that it nearly made me whimper again.

Without as much as a single question, I followed him blindly back into the house. He could have asked me for my virginity right there and I would have stripped naked and bore myself to him.

I knew I was not the only one who thought of him that way because the whole party seemed to fall instantly silent the moment he walked in.

I knew I looked shabby beside him, but I did not say anything, deciding to keep my head bowed as he walked in with so much purpose and poise that I could almost feel myself garnering courage from him.

We were barely in the party when Louis, with his fake smile and fake suit came running towards us.

" Uncle! I was beginning to think I would not see you today. I honestly thought you did not receive the invitation" he said and a wave of recognition hit me immediately.

He was his uncle. I remembered now. I had met him back at college when I was still just very much in love with Louis. I remembered that his build and confidence unnerved me, making me stare at the sole of my feet when he was talking to me.

And even now, he still had that effect on me.

" I had something done so I came late, I hope that is not a problem?" He said and Louis immediately shook his head like a jelly fish.

" Of course it's totally fine with me." He said and his eyes turned to me where I stood, still clutching the jacket.

" And I did not know you were together," he said, eyeing me.

" It does not matter who I'm with," his uncle said with a faceted smile.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Celine ascend the stage and our eyes met for a brief second, before she gave me a sadistic smile.

Every bone in my body was screaming. She was about to do something.

" Hello everyone" she said, turning everyone's attention to her, then she continued, looking me dead in the eye.

" I know we have all heard about the engagement between me and the love of my life Louis, but I also know that everyone knew he was with my sister.

I just want to clear the air on something real quick. We love you so much sister and this is just love, it's not something that can be denied. Him picking me has nothing to do with your bad habits and also your inability to take care of a man like him, and I really hope you don't beat yourself too much about it" she said.

I clutched into the suit tightly, holding on for dear life as my eyes began to water.

" Tell your little bitch to stop" I said to Louis and his own eyes glared at me.

" She was just apologizing, why can't you let go of the hate in your heart for once? She is a better version of you" he said.

All eyes were on me now, some recording. Tears pricked my eyes. I should have gone home. I should have.

Before I could have the nervous breakdown that I thought I would, I felt a strong hand grip me and turned me towards his chest.

His strong cologne hit me and for a moment, I was too dazed to cry my eyes out like I had planned.

" Don't let them see you cry. Let's go" he whispered into my ears and just as we had entered, we left.

He sat in his car with me, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

" Thank you for what you did back there" I finally said when I felt more composed.

" Do you want to get back at Louis?" He asked, surprising me.

" Yes," I muttered.

He pulled quickly into a curb, turning to look at me as he turned off the car, his eyes filled with deep emotions that I could not comprehend.

" The best way to get back at him is to become his aunt" he said and I stared at him in shock for a moment.

" I don't think I understand..." I was beginning to say but he cut me off.

" Marry me," he said.

Arabella’s POV

My eyes widened in shock, I could barely believe my ears.

“You don't need to rush your decision, be calm and have a thought about what I said.” He replied.

Those words weren't just mere words, that would automatically mean giving them more reason to mock me, all I needed was to be home.

“Please take me home.” I politely pleaded.

“No dear, he uttered.”

“We are going back to the hall.” He dropped.

I could read through his mind already, he gazed at me for five minutes before stretching out my hand to reciprocate the gesture.

“We would both walk in there as though nothing happened earlier.” He stated.

I could barely erase the thought of what happened, but I must never let them win this time. I had just one job left, to steal the spotlight.

*******

I felt so relaxed to see that Louis looked lost at the mere sight of seeing me with his uncle.

“Hey, Louis, is there any problem? You looked so devastated,” I queried.

“There is no problem at all, but can I speak with you for a moment please?” He asked.

“No, Louis, that can't be possible, I am a very busy person and I don't have all the time in the world, so let's enjoy the party.” I answered.

‘It still hurts that I would be staying in the same space with someone I was once madly in love with but have to behave as though we were strangers to each other.’ I thought to myself.

The party that was meant to be an enjoyable one ended as the most silenced ever.

I could tell that his gaze was locked up in my face throughout the party, but I couldn't forget about him.

All I ever wanted was for him to feel the pain I felt, he should feel the hurts,the taunts, the ill treats,the endless tears that I shed many nights while he was finding comfort in the arms of another woman.

He was healing again and again while I was getting broken piece by piece until I vanished. I wanted him to know what it felt like to be present and not seen, to speak out so loud and not be heard or listened to.

But somewhere within me I knew my heart still had a soft spot for him.

I would have loved to welcome the idea of returning the favor of how badly he treated me, but I will save the best for the last.

“Mr Louis, how loyal are you?” I asked.

He stared at me for a while and then he said,

“Is this because you are with my uncle?” He queried.

“Oh yes!” I replied.

“Well on what scale are you asking about my loyalty?” He asked.

“Well ... .a scale of ten.” I replied.

“I will give you an eight," he replied.

I laughed sarcastically and he knew there was more to that question than the way I presented it.

“Why are you laughing like that?" He asked?

“Well….I was just wondering what type of man you will be if it's not work related.”

“ I feel it's inappropriate to segregate who you are. It's like a man walking the earth with two identities and it's not safe to be around that kind of person. You never can tell if he is a friend or foe.” I added.

From the distance we sat apart, I could feel his heart racing, he knew this conversation was way beyond work space but there was no way he was going to escape what was coming, because he never saw what was coming and he would never know how hard it's going to hit him.

He looked at me and from his eyes I knew he had a lot to say but he hasn't gotten the right words for me yet.

*******

“Hey girlfriend, how was your day?” Louis uncle questioned.

“ You couldn't believe who came to our table a minute ago.” I replied.

“And who was that? He queried.

“That ungrateful man.” I said.

“What for?” He probed.

“Probably it's because he saw us walked in together, after leaving.” I replied.

“I hope so.” He said.

Life sometimes is full of mysteries, we can't predict the next step from the first step, all we need is to focus on important things and strive.

We can't possibly have everything we need or want at times, we just have to strive hard to live.

After the most disgusting and embarrassing moments of life,I just turned back to see my Godsend saviour who came to my rescue.I feel as if my world was actually crumbling before my very eyes.

My heart was filled with so much rage for Louis, but the presence of his uncle was always refreshing, as i saw Louis in the hotel sitting right in front of me for conversation I remember the very moments I used to see him in another woman's arms but i took a deep breath and decided to stay with him like that, until the worst happened

Now I feel so devastated, as I am in a dilemma of whether to work with his uncle or not, between losing a profitable contract or not.

Is this love or lust? I kept pondering in my heart, about what was actually happening to my life, after I thought that my pains had come to an end, but I was wrong all throughout the time.

It still hurts that I will be staying in the same space with someone I was once madly in love with but have to behave as though we were strangers to each other.

I can't really get my mind off the thoughts of how I could stand the presence of Louis, and to work professionally in the same space with him.

I can't imagine being his uncle's wife, I can't really tell whether it's a good idea or not.

As these thoughts flowed through my mind, I heard a soft whisper.

“It’s time…..” He uttered