CHASING MY EX-WIFE

CHAPTER 32

Richard's POV

My balled fist hangs in the air when the door is thrown open by Arabel and Daisy, dressed for an outing.

Before Daisy can notice my presence, my eyes connect with Arabel.

The piercing sound of her scream jerks me back to life and makes me shift my attention away from Arabel's beautiful face.

The more I see her, the bigger my regrets. The less I see her, the more I want her back with me.

"Hey, buddy," I say, squatting down to pick her up as she hugs my legs. “How are you doing?”

“I'm fine. Why are you here?”

My gaze meets Arabel again. Since they moved in, we haven't mistakenly bumped into each other or crossed paths. It was as if we were total strangers and not neighbors.

That means one thing.

She is uncomfortable with my friendship with Daisy, and she doesn't want Daisy to know I am next door.

With a smile, I reply to Daisy. “I drove all the way here to see you.”

“Really?” I nod vigorously to express my honesty.

“Hi,” Arabel finally greets me, waving at me with a smile, curving her beautiful pink lips.

“Hi. How was your trip back to New York?” I ask out of pure concern.

That was what brought me here, actually. I was worried. I had no idea what she was doing or where she was. I knew she was supposed to be back after a week, but not seeing her or knowing if she was home got me worried.

After pacing to and fro, I decided to come see if they were home. That was going to be my first visit.

“It was fine, thank you,” she says with another smile, which stirs something inside of me.

Something dead.

Dark.

“Are you going out?” I ask, observing both the mother and the child's expressions.

“Yes!” Daisy answers me quickly, before her mother can. “Sightseeing!”

“Really? And you didn't bother to invite me?” I feign hurt, staring pointedly at Daisy so it wouldn't look like I was talking to Arabel.

Daisy laughs at my funny face, then I feign annoyance, and her laughter dies down before she turns to Arabel.

“Mommy, can he come with us?”

Arabel hesitates just like every other time, looking from me to Daisy before raising her hands up in surrender.

“Fine. It's not like I have a choice,” she mutters.

Daisy shrieks again, and I join in. Arabel halts and stares at me with surprise. A chuckle leaves my mouth as I realize that I am not even embarrassed by my action.

“Let's go!” I shout with Daisy still in my arms. I am extremely glad for this golden opportunity. If I was a minute late in deciding to come knock on their door, I would have missed out.

Today is Sunday, and I don't go to work on Sundays. I used to, but I don't anymore. Most times, I visit home, while other times I work from home.

I am supposed to be working, but my mind kept drifting back and forth as the image of Arabel in that pink lingerie kept popping in and messing with my head.

Arabel jingles her car key, and I take it as a cue to let her take us with her car.

“Should I do the driving?” I ask politely, standing next to her as she opens the door.

With a shake of the head, she replies. “No, it's fine. I will drive.”

I don't insist. I turn around to the other side to open the door and slump in with Daisy, who is playing with my hair.

When she is in, she ignites the car engine into action, and I watch in admiration as she expertly drives out of the garage.

Suddenly, the car goes silent, leaving a hanging tension between us. Daisy's attention has moved from my hair to my phone.

I spare her a glance, but she isn't looking at me. Apparently, she is avoiding looking sideways, so our gazes don't meet.

“I know a lot of places Daisy will enjoy. Should we go there?”

No answer.

When I think she will never respond, she shakes her head and then turns to me. “Sure.”

What is happening? Did something happen back in London? Is she in a bad mood?

I clear my throat again, thinking of what conversation to start with her. “I'm sorry I didn't apologize about the party the other day. I'm so sorry for how my cousin made you feel and for being my mother's friend.”

She nods again. “It's fine.”

“Thank you.”

With the rest of the ride in silence, my mind drifts back to all my mother said about confronting Arabel with the truth. I know she is saying the right thing, but I just don't feel ready for this.

Even though I have evidence already, my fear won't let me do it. Since she denied it first, I was really hoping she would be the one to bring it up.

But for how long?

Daisy is already asleep by the time we get to the first place, which is a museum. After spending an hour there with Daisy, she asked questions about almost every object she focused her eyes on. Arabel mentioned going to Shawny Park, where we took a boat to cross to the other side and back.

Then I suggest horseback riding, which brings fear to her eyes. Daisy, on the other hand, is excited.

She doesn't say no, so I go ahead and get them. Unfortunately, there's only one horse left, so I take it.

“Are you in?” I ask Arabel, peering down at her. Since we only have one, I'm hoping to take Daisy horseback riding with me.

Before I can say a word, a woman on a brown horse stops beside us. "I see that you only have one. You couples can go with that, while I go with my pretty princess. I hope you don't mind.”

She faces us both.

Arabel's mouth is dropping open, like she wants to counter her suggestion about us being couples and that Arabel is our daughter.

For me, I feel it isn't far from the truth.

Arabel turns to me.

“It's fine. I don't mind. Are you ok with her…” I trail off purposely, to know if she is fine letting Daisy go with a stranger.

She feels reluctant, but she agrees anyway, leaving us both after I help Daisy up, and the woman pushes forward with the horse.

I mount the horse and extend my hands towards Arabel, who has her arms folded and fear clearly visible in her eyes. "Let's go, so we can meet up with her. We should keep an eye on my girl.”

She raises her eyes gently, and I realize what I said. Waving it away quickly, I lean down and grab her hands. Within minutes, she is seated right in front of me, and I pull the rope.

It gallops forward until we are a few distances away from the woman.

Arabel is silent, and I am hoping she is totally fine with the racing. I have done this on several occasions alone. Doing this with someone like her makes it more fun, despite her silence.

With my two hands over her arms, I continue to take control of the rope, pushing forward as it gallops towards the racing crowd.

It's not a competition, but there is a finishing line where we have to stop.

“Slow down, Richard!” She suddenly shouts. “I'm scared, dammit!”

“Sorry,” I mutter as I try to slow down, all to no avail.

Shit! I curse inwardly as the horse continues to race further and faster than ever before.

I grab the ropes tighter, pulling them backwards to slow down the horse. It works, but there isn't much effect as we approach the finishing line.

With urgency, I hit the horse with my leg as it let out a whinny sound and finally came to an abrupt stop at the finishing line.

This is when I realize Arabel is facing me, with her head on my chest and her eyes tightly closed. Arabel rests her left hand on my chest, her other tightly encircling me.

It makes my heart kick against my ribcage, and a burst of electricity zips over my skin.

The feel of her body on me sends warmth and excitement through my veins.

However, the excitement abruptly ends when she removes her hand from my chest and looks up at me.

Her breath is heavy, just like mine. It skates across my cheeks, sending shivers down my spine.

Emotions flicker across her face as a growl tears through me.

When she looks away, I blurt out carelessly. “I love you.”