Three Means 1

Game night

Arthur's concern was obvious as he observed her sudden change in demeanor. Moments earlier, she had been quite cheerful, yet now she seemed frightened, even..... remorseful?

    "Dear, what's the matter?" He asked, worried.

    "Uhm... I forgot my bags at your apartment." She struggled to say, desperately searching for the best excuse.

    "Dulce, we can get them lat-"

    "No! I mean, I just remembered I have to uhm..." Dulce quickly interrupted, her mind racing for a possible reason. She dreaded admitting her unwillingness to bump into Angelo, because that confession would require an unwelcome explanation. Yet she didn't want to appear rude and ungrateful.

    "I can come back another time. You can leave the bags at my apartment." She suggested. But as she turned to leave, she collided with a something solid. Looking up, her eyes met Angelo's. Her heart pounded rapidly, and her thoughts dispersed.

    "Princess" He addressed her. She tried to brush past him, but his grip on her arm was firm.

    "What are you doing?" He murmured, his voice low to avoid Arthur's notice.

    "I am leaving." Dulce replied, her body immobile under his hold, yet her patience almost gone.

He let go of her.

    "We will talk at the apartment." With that, he disappeared into the bakery.

    Arthur remained at Dulce's side, his silence filled with unasked questions. He sensed tension.

    "Don't worry about the bags; I will take care of it later." He assured her before walking away.

    Once back at her own room, Dulce sank onto her bed, removing her sandals. Though she longed for a refreshing shower, exhaustion did its thing, and she gave in to sleep. Hours slipped away, which she didn't notice. Once awake, she quickly shed her dress, wrapped a towel around herself and headed to the bathroom.

    The sound of the twins' laughter filtered through the sound of the water. It made her roll her eyes. Their presence meant a confrontation was inevitable. She lingered under the warm stream for as long as possible, but finally gave up and turned off the water, bracing herself for the encounter.

She wrapped the towel around her body and slowly opened the door. As she made her way into the hallway, her peripheral vision caught Angelo in the kitchen. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing he would remain silent, but of course, her wish was in vain.

"Dulce!" He called out. She was determined to just confront him once and for all.

    "Why were you out with Arthur?"

    "Pardon?" Dulce replied, her voice accompanied with disbelief.

    "He mentioned you both went to the cinema together." Angelo elaborated, as he flipped the dough sizzling in the pan.

    "Well, like I said before, that is none of your concern." She snapped, her eyes now moving to Pierre, who stood silently in the doorway separating the kitchen and the dining room. He offered her a smile but avoided commenting.

"It is my concern, because it means you're going out with him." Angelo said. This surprised and angered Dulce.

    "And what if I am? I may have as many partners as I want, and it would still be none of your business, Angelo."

    Pierre quietly left the room, perhaps not wanting to be caught in the crossfire, especially after Dulce's past warning on the stairs. Angelo turned off the stove, set down the spatula, and made his way to her with an urgency that made her heart race. His hand wrapped around her neck gently, while his other hand tugged her hair, forcing her to make eye contact.