Professional Disaster

Chapter 22

The girls hadn't left the bedroom for hours, but while passing in the hall, Robert had heard them chatting and he had even once heard a slight bit of laughter. Admittedly, Ari was coping surprisingly well, it made Kim happy to see how strong her little girl was. They had used the intercom that led to the kitchen to ask for whatever they needed, but otherwise, there was no communication through the door.

Robert had been explaining to his mother all that Parker had done to both his daughter and Kimberly. To say she was mortified was an understatement. She asked where the man now was - or boy as she called him, she said no man would hurt a woman the way he had. Robert didn't tell her where he really was, he simply said he had him sent home along with the rest of Kim's family.

Robert and Kimberly decided to keep her family in the dark once again, saying Katie and Parker became ill so they were at the island hospital, and that something big had come up so it was best if they went back home. The Thorne'sdidn't entirely believe Kim, that much was clear, but they didn't put up a fight nonetheless.

Robert unlocked the bedroom door to find his two girls fast asleep. Kim's arms were wrapped tightly around her daughter, Arabella's hair all over the place. By the looks of things they fell asleep while talking, but Robert didn't expect anything less. He hadn't slept since finding out what happened to his daughter, he imagined the mother of his children hadn't either.

"Roos," Robert whispered into the room. He stood close, attempting to wake his wife without waking his daughter. Kimberly's eyes began to flutter open, her left arm shooting out in an attempt to hit the person who was standing beside her. Robert beat her to it, catching her wrist. "It's me."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Kim mumbled. "What's wrong?"

"Do you want to wake Bella and ask if she's ready to ask Parker the questions she had? He's a whiny bastard down there so I think now would be the best time."

After a while of talking things through, Arabella admitted she had a few questions she wanted to ask Parker, and since they told Arabella that she would get anything that could make her feel better, she could ask any questions she wished.

Kim slowly nodded. "I'll ask her. I'll see you down there, okay?"

Robert kissed his wife's forehead and decided not to touch Arabella at all before he left. He was terrified of frightening her. To see the fear in her eyes. He couldn't do it.

"Ari." Kim whispered. "Wanna wake up, baby girl?"

Arabella let out a soft whine before rolling herself onto her back and stretching out her limbs. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, sweetheart." Kim nodded. "Your father has just been up and said whenever you're ready, you can ask Parker your questions."

Her eyes grew more alert. "I can?"

"You can."

"Right now?"

"If you wish."

"I want to right now." Arabella stood from her bed and reached for a large hoodie to cover a tank top she was wearing. She pulled on slippers and waited eagerly for her mother to finish tying her hair into a bun.

It was odd. It was very odd. Arabella seemed full of adrenaline. Kimberly expected her daughter to be cautious, nervous, crying even, but instead she stood waiting at the door with dry eyes. Kim couldn't tell if it was a good or bad thing. She went with good for now.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

*****

Kim had guided Arabella through a secret door in their pantry and down a set of stairs. They pushed through a Bright white door to be greeted with even brighter walls. "I've never seen this part of the house before, Mumma." Arabella'seyes were wide in wonder, taking in the very bright halls, the light bouncing off each of the floor tiles.