CHASING MY EX-WIFE

CHAPTER 37

Arabel's POV

Berlin, Germany

After sleeping in for two days without any activity other than feeding Daisy, I decide going out today will do a lot for my mental health.

No one knows I am here.

Not even Ashley.

I just need some time alone to figure things out and get rid of my anger towards Alex.

He hurt me deeply with what he said. I will never forget how he said it, as if I were a cheap whore who could easily return to her ex-husband, even if I were to forgive him.

Daisy and I are having breakfast at Cappuccino Grand Cafe. Seated beside the transparent window, we can see a view of almost every person walking past the cafe.

The menu was in German, but I was able to guess what I wanted. For myself, I ordered a Caprese Sandwich, a Cappuccino, and a Parma Sandwich for Daisy.

I am done eating. While waiting for my slow-eating Daisy to finish up so we can take a stroll out before heading back to the hotel, I go through my phone.

I didn't care about work when I made that rash decision to come here. At first, I didn't have any destination in mind. I just didn't want to be anywhere anyone could find me.

I wanted to be alone with my child.

Going back to London wasn't it. I knew Alex, or even Richard, could find me there; that is, if he was aware of my absence.

Germany has always been one place I have wanted to visit. When I got married almost eight years ago, we were supposed to come here for our honeymoon, but it got canceled because my so-called husband was too busy with work to go for any honeymoon.

I didn't even see him on our wedding night. I was lonely. It didn't feel like I was married.

I thought he was going to come around when he realized his mistake, but he never did until I got used to his absence and personality.

“Mom,” Daisy calls, pushing away her plate. “I'm done.”

I nod at her, glad for the interruptions, before standing up to go out with her. We haven't done any shopping, and we might do that today or tomorrow, but for now, I want us to go back.

An hour of fresh air has done a lot of good for me. I want to go back to my bed and be back later to find something else to do.

Daisy's birthday is in five days, and I don't intend to leave here until after her birthday. I never celebrated her birthday in grand style because I didn't have enough friends to do that with.

Last year, we celebrated Daisy's 3rd birthday with Alex in his rental apartment back in London. It was just me, Daisy, Alex, and one other friend from school.

Remembering this now brings pain to my heart.

I didn't want our friendship to end this way, but I was too enraged to want to talk some sense into him. Actually, I am done with him.

I can't keep a toxic friend like Alex with me. I can't keep trying to explain to him everytime he sees me with any man, not just Richard.

The cafe isn't too far from the hotel. In just five minutes, we get back to the hotel and stroll in.

Daisy hasn't been questioning me as much as I thought she would. Even though I left New York very late at night while she was asleep, I thought she was going to notice the difference by the time she woke up.

But I guess my girl is already used to being on the road with me. I have not been stable in a while.

Before Eagle Homes became a success, I was always traveling, trying to meet with important people and make a name for myself.

I didn't have the nerves to always keep her with the maid, since my trips could last for more than two days or more. I couldn't bear to be away from her for that long.

But whenever I had an appointment within the states or a trip that won't exceed that same day, I go alone.

She is my source of motivation.

Even when I want to give up on something, I don't give up when I think about how much I want her to be able to stand on her feet in the future.

“Mom, your phone." Daisy shouts, calling my attention to the ringing phone. It is in my hands, but I was too lost in thought to know that.

I haven't answered any calls in two days, either.

It is Ashley.

I don't pick up the call since we are already in front of the hotel. Once we are inside, I will do that.

We enter the hotel and take the elevator up to our room. When the elevator dings open, I grab Daisy's hand so we can step out together when I bump into someone.

“I'm so sorry,” I quickly apologize just in time to see his face, which looked kind of familiar.

“It's fine,” he replied back with a small smile before going in.

I barely know anyone here in Germany, so I wonder why he looks so familiar. Perhaps he isn't from here, since he also replied to me back in English.

After racking my brain more without any idea of where I know him popping in, I give up.

As soon as we enter our room, Daisy jogs to the sofa and slouches in, grabbing the toy tablet I got for her recently.

That will replace her phone. I won't let her use it until I am sure she won't misuse it anymore.

I walk to the bed before dialing Ashley's number. She picks at the fifth ring with a shriek. “Where have you been?”

I raise a brow. “What?”

“You haven't been home in two days. I was dead worried when I couldn't reach you either,” she says loudly, sending tides of suspicion all over me.

I can hear the sound of papers, and I assume she is still in office.

Is Richard putting her to this?

“Where are you? Where have you been?”

“Just on vacation. I will be back soon. You don't need to be worried. I will let you know as soon as I am back,” I assert quickly.

“I hope you are fine, though.”

“Sure, I am.”

“What about Daisy?”

“She is good too,” I reply back, looking up at Daisy, who is engrossed in the tablet making sound.

“Great. I would love to call you back when I get home, but I won't be able to do that. I have to spend the night in the office because I have piles of work to do in the boss's absence. Now that I know you are good, I guess I will see you when you come then.”

“Sure,” I say, even though I am curious to know why she wants to spend the night at the office. She has never done that. Richard doesn't, either.

I also wonder where Richard went.

I shouldn't be bothered about that. He is a man. It might be a business trip or a personal one, like mine.

Perhaps, he is in another relationship and is paying her a visit. For the first time in a long while, I think about Eve.

She was at his mother's party. Are they still together? I thought they would be married, but it turned out Richard never married her. Ashley says that he has been single ever since I left.

She doesn't stop emphasizing how he hasn't taken any women seriously since his ex-wife left him. If I needed more information about Richard, Ashley was the go-to person, but I don't intend to stoop that low.

The call disconnects, and I drop it before lying on the bed with my two hands behind my head.

My mind is all over the place. Although I promised myself not to let any thought of Richard or Alex bother me, I can't help it.

Just then, a knock comes to the door, and I make eye contact with Daisy. We already had breakfast and didn't call room service.

Why is someone at the door, then?

With curiosity, I step down from the bed and stroll to the door. I pull it open to see no one at the door. I step out, standing in the hallway with a furrowed brow, but there is no one in sight.

Thinking it must be a mistake, I shrug indifferently and go back in.

Just before I can sit back on the bed, another knock comes to the door. This time, it is louder and firmer.

Fear jumps into my heart.

It isn't a mistake. The person who knocked the first time didn't make a mistake and is back.

The knock resounds again, and I dart my eyes to Daisy, signaling for her to come behind her. Daisy obeys quickly, curiosity brimming all over her expression.

I step toward the door, thinking about what weapon to use if this person is bad.

Is it Alex? Is he still mad at me? And does he want me to apologize? Is it Janet, or what is her name?

I shake my head to wave away all the bad thoughts with renewed optimism.

Perhaps it is the room service. Perhaps the hotel…

Enough of the speculation!

With my eyes closed, I pull the door open and wait for an impact, but there is nothing. I flicker my eyes open and tighten my hold on Daisy, who is behind me.

With his back to me, I see a man with broad shoulders, sheltered in a well-tailored Italian suit.

Swallowing the lump of dread in my throat and the silly questions popping in as to why I have a stranger at my door, I open my mouth to ask what I can do to help when he turns around and I see his face.

Richard.