Michael and Arabelle

Chapter 2

Chapter two

When the waiter came, Michael asked Arabelle to make their order.

"Am not hungry, thank you." Arabelle responded.

"This is the first time am buying a chick a meal and am being turned down." Michael wailed.

"What do you mean? Does  your girlfriend not eat.". Arabelle wondered.

"What girlfriend? Am twenty two years old and I have never had a conversation with a chick  in this manner. My conversations have only been "pass me this and pass me that". I have spent my life living up to my father's expectation of being a successful business man and I have never had time for fun." Michael explained.

"Wow" Was all Arabelle could say. He was so much like her. "In that case I will have the chicken and roast potatoes, a big mug of chocolate, mmmm what else." She pretended to wonder as she went through the menu. "The rice looks good with beef stew."

Michael was bursting with laughter. He held onto  his sides as he rocked with amusement. Araballe joined him and the rest of the compartment occupants looked on  humorously.

For the first time in their lives, Michael and Araballe had never felt so free with the opposite sex as they did that moment. Michael forgot the empire he controlled and felt like a sixteen year old. Arabelle forgot her fear of men and found that she had let her guard down and was relaxed as never before in her life. Michael was so handsome and easy to get along with.

After finally composing themselves, they looked at each other properly for the first time. Michael felt that he had never seen a lady or girl for that matter as beautiful as Arabelle. She looked so innocent and fragile. Now that she was relaxed, he noticed how piecing  her eyes were and the glow of her skin, Porcelain-like.

"Arabelle, where are you heading to and how come your English is so perfect?" Michael enquired.

"It's a long story." Was all she said. Just then the waiter brought their order. Beef stew and rice garnished with roast potatoes.

"Good, I didn't think that I was this famished" Arabelle said as she hastily dug into her plate.

"Don't change the topic young lady. Furthermore this is a two days journey and we should make most of it considering there is no form of entertainment on this ride" Michael grinned.

"I don't know, and I can't begin pouring my life into a stranger's ears."

"That hurts bad. A stranger?" Michael sounded hurt. And looked so too. He put down his spoon and looked out the window.  The outside scenery held no interest to Michael anymore.

"Am sorry, I didn't want it to sound like that."

"But that's what you meant."

"Michael, we have just met. I have complications in my life that I can't just open up to anyone. I have never had a friend. My whole life as just has been me and me alone. So how do I learn to open up to people?"

They both sat silence deep in their own thoughts .

Michael understood only too well the feeling of being alone in a crowd of people.

"Am sorry too, for prying into your life. I understand how you are feeling. I am always on that road of loneliness." He stretched out his hand and placed it on Arabelle hand causing her to recoil but immediately relaxed uneasily.

"Do you have a problem with me? That's the second time you have behaved in that manner when I touch you."

"Am not used to the touch of a man." She ginned sheepishly. "Am sorry."

Michael was seriously intrigued by the girl. Her innocence was too good to be true. How was she able to stay so pure unless it was all an act?

It was not the first time ladies had put up an act in attempt to get into their family riches. So Michael from the start had been fully aware of the possibility but decided to enjoy the moment as long as it lasted.

"You have never been kissed?' Michael decided to play along.

"Not even a hug. Maybe my parents did when they were alive but I was too young to experience their love." Her eyes clouded over for a moment and tears swelled in her eyes. "I do miss the love of  a mother and a father." This time she did not flinch when he held unto her hand.

"How did they die?" Michael queried.

Arabelle suddenly awoke from her trance and realized that she had given out more personal information than she had intended to and now she could not find the courage to look at Michael in the eyes.

They ate in silence. Michael ordered for some beverage to wash down the  meal  and to give Arabelle some time to recover.

"My dad's elder brother and his wife took me in after my parents died in a road accident. My aunt is barren and having me gave her the opportunity to be a mother though she did not have the love of a mother. At least they educated me even if they took my inheritance but I swear I will make it in life and put them to shame when they see me succeed in  life." She had gone into her trance once more.

"You will Arabelle. You will succeed." Michael assured her in the hope that she would offer more Intel into her past.

But Arabelle realized her mistake once again and shut up again. 

"Am grateful for the meal, Michael but am feeling tired. I have never had such fun and it has left me drained. Am truly grateful. I wish the best in your lives pursuits." She stood up to up to go but Michael rushed to intercept her.

"Arabelle, where do you think you are going?" In his desperation he pulled her into arms and planted a deep kiss on her lips.  She suddenly and strongly tried to fight him off but he held unto her tightly as if his life depended on it. He realized that he could not let her out of his sights now that he had found her. She continued to fight him off but he was too strong for her. She finally gave up and realized that she was enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. She did not know how to kiss but she followed his lead. And quick learner she was.

Clapping and catcalls from the compartment occupants brought them back to earth.

They quickly parted and Araballe made an attempt to straighten herself as she felt very embarrassed. Michael grabbed her hand and led her out of the car into his compartment. She was too abashed to realize the direction  that she had taken. He closed the door leant on it and breathed a sigh of relief.  He burst out in laughter and Arabella followed from where she stood in the middle of the room. They forgot themselves and ran into each other's arms and relaxed for a while enjoying the moment. For once Arabella felt very safe. She let her head rest on Michael's shoulder and clung unto him.

Michael understood.

He made a  promised to himself that he would  keep her safe.