IN LOVE WITH THE FRENCH BEAUTY

~*Chapter 22~*

~*Chapter 22~*

Arabelle’s hand froze mid-air as it was bringing down the scarfs that had been on her face and mouth. She looked Dahveed in the eye, not really expecting anything after what he’d put her through the past two weeks, but also daring him to say anything malice about her in front of all these people. Defiance shone in her eyes as they told him NOT to say anything.  Dahveed saw and heard her silent plea, but he didn’t listen as always.

“This woman right here,” he glowered at her and she narrowed her eyes on both sides to find the entire two hundred and so people all looking and listening attentively. “Takes stubborn to the next level. For so long now, she’s been after me non-stopping. She’s a gold-digger masquerading as a dutiful and stubborn assistant.” Arabelle turned her face from looking at the guests below and looked at Dahveed, truly looked at him. His dark eyes appeared darker and shiny with fury, his hair was mussed up as if he’d been pacing around and running his fingers through it. His shoulders were stiff and tense and his legs wide apart as if prepared to take on a long term enemy. What captured her attention more though, were his eyes…so angry but beyond the anger, she saw emptiness. He was using the anger to hide the obliqueness and the emptiness he felt after being let down by two women he’d trusted.

 “I did everything in my power to get rid of her, but no, she keeps coming like a herd of flies. I humiliated her countless of times, but stubborn seems to be the only trait she possesses.” He sneered. Arabelle began praying silently for strength because this was more, much more than she could handle. “I admit that we had a small affair at the beginning, but that’s what it was: a meaningless fling between two people in the moment.”

I gave you my virginity you ungrateful son of a bitch! Arabelle shouted in her head. Tears welled in her eyes but she blinked them away. “I paid for her services which doesn’t make any sense why she’d do something like this.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and folded them over his chest. “Having sex, putting up with my mood swings, and then doing everything I asked was understandable depending on how big a deal you had with my mother. But is there any necessity to succumb to marriage? Don’t you think that’s a huge thing to do in the name of money?” he asked her mockery dripping with every hurtful thing he uttered.

“What, uh, what are you doing?” she whispered hoarsely. She looked around, and this time, the people stared on with utter shock. They couldn’t believe that an innocent-looking woman would stoop so low just for money. Arabelle’s heart sank further when she realized that all the employees she worked with were present as well.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want these lovely people to know the kind of person you are?” he mocked with a raised sardonic brow. “I was fooled by her image as well; so innocent, yet so cunning and merciless. Then I started to ask myself who would put her up to this. I once thought that it was my mother, but then it made much sense that her family was in dire need of money. They’re on the brink of bankruptcy, and she decided to take her deal to the next level where she’d marry the money maker.” He said. “But how dare you! How dare you clash my engagement for the sake of money?” he yelled and this time Arabelle let the tears drop. “Too bad for you because I’m bringing this charade to a stop. Get the hell out of here, out of my life. I never want to see you again. I’ll call the authority to deal with you if I see you again. Go get a life because you have nothing to offer me in exchange of marriage.” he condemned. Arabelle swallowed and refused to go. She refused to walk away like a quite mouse without defending herself.

“It might’ve skipped your mind, but wasn’t it you who forced me to come here to begin with?” she asked in trembling but firm hoarse voice. “My only mistake is that I fear the law. You said that you’ll sue me if I don’t finish my three weeks’ notice time. Otherwise, not even God himself would’ve made me come here today or any other day.” she said.