Chapter Forty-seven
Arabella sighed.
She furrowed her brows as she glanced around the empty room.
Sandro wasn’t around and she had the room to herself. It didn’t bother her he was not in the room because she enjoyed being alone by herself.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Stripping down to nothing, she glanced in the mirror. It had been a routine for her and she didn’t know the change she was looking for exactly.
But she knew it wasn’t like before.
She had changed a lot. She didn’t look like the innocent girl she once was.
She had lost her virginity which she didn’t mind but she wished it had been with someone she fancied and not the other way around. Also, she wished she had done it willingly and not him forcing her.
Breathing out, Arabella thought of Blaze. She wondered if he meant what he told her. She had thought he was different from Sandro.
But thinking about how he had dismissed her feelings earlier, she couldn’t say otherwise.
Again, she assumed his coldness towards her had to do with Sandro telling him to stay away from her.
Arabella stepped into the bathroom and had a long bath.
After she was done, she stepped back into the room.
Startled, she lurched and dashed back into the bathroom as her eyes collided with Sandro’s. She stayed by the door biting her lower lips whilst mentally berating herself for not looking around before stepping out.
It wasn’t like she was expecting to see him.
“I’ll leave.” He offered. “I didn’t know you were indoors.”
“Bella,” Sandro said.
His voice was deep and the way he spoke her name with an Italian accent intrigued her. Not only that, she was amazed that he was offering to leave the room for her whereas all he had done was stay in the room and watch her dress up.
She didn’t know what entered him but she was liking it. She was liking the new Sandro and she didn’t know what else to do.
When he left the room, she stepped out of the bathroom and rushed to the door, locking it. She slid down the floor of the door and pushed her hands through her hair.
After a while, she stood up and got dressed. She had a casual date with Janice and what surprised her in all that was happening was Sandro letting her leave the house with Janice. He never let her move around freely much less leave the vicinity.
But he had agreed to it. She hadn’t questioned it because she was overjoyed. She wondered if he’d keep acting that way or change towards her as time goes by.
*****
“Hey!” Janice’s hazel eyes flashed as she waved Arabella over.
In the coffee shop, Arabella looked out of place and Janice had been slightly worried she’d get lost.
Not only would she be in trouble with Sandro who’d even try to kill her immediately, but Blaze was also another thing.
She noticed he had been keeping his wrath in check when it comes to her.
The Blaze she once knew would have done things impulsively. He didn’t care if anyone got hurt or not. He was just like Sandro.
But now, he seemed soft. Although not entirely soft. However, when it comes to Arabella or anything that concerns her, he was ready to go all out.
She noticed the same about Sandro. He was even crueller when she knew him.
He was the most feared Mafia in Cooan. Although now, he only had more enemies for whatever god knows the reason.
He had gotten a tad softer. If it was the Sandro of them, she wouldn’t talk to him the way she wanted.
Both had changed because of a nameless human. They had changed because of her.
“Hey,” Arabella said, and Janice smiled at her.
She nudged the cup filled with an iced coffee in front of her. “I got this before you came. I hope you like iced Mocha coffee?”
“Yes, that’s my fave.” Arabella enthused. “Thanks.”
Arabella took a sip and shut her eyes. Humming she nodded her head, “This is by far the best iced mocha coffee I had in my life.”
“They make the best.” Janice agreed. Ever since she came to Cooan, Leister was the only town she knew and visited for coffee. She never had it anywhere and Francis had introduced it to her.
Janice squinted as her eyes caught a glimpse of Blaze. “Is that Blaze?”
“Yes,” Arabella said. “He offered to drive me here. Although I told him not to bother.”
“Idiot, lovesick idiot,” Janice muttered under her breath.
She glared at Blaze as he stepped towards them.
“Janice.” He nodded toward her before his eyes settled on Arabella. “Just call me when you are done or need any help. I’ll be nearby.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Blaze scowled at her. “Just do as I say.”
“Here we go again.” Arabella sighed. “Yes, dad, I’ll do as you say. Also, holler at you when I need help to go to the toilet. I hope that is fine or is there something I need to add to it?”
“Stop trying to twist my words. It’s all for your good.”
Arabella shrugged. “I’m not saying otherwise.”
Blaze ignored the sarcasm in her words and turned to Janice. “Please, watch her.”
“Yay, I’m happy to babysit.” Janice let her grin widen.
And Blaze groaned. He wondered if he said anything wrong to have resulted in them being sarcastic. He was certain he said nothing wrong and they wouldn’t agree with him if he said what the problem was.
Perhaps, only Arabella would and he didn’t want to frighten her.
Regardless, he walked away from them and stood at a considerable distance watching.
It was noon when the date came to an end. Arabella was happy. She enjoyed herself and being with Janice was everything she needed at the minute. Also, she was starting to see her as the sister she never had and would like to get to know her more if time permitted.
Because at the moment, all the things she did needed to take permission from Sandro. But she doubts that the new Sandro would object to her seeing Janice.
She was harmless and not like Blaze who he felt wanted to take her away from him.