Chapter 6 Divulgence At The Wedding

Creating himself an opportunity, William sent Luke to do some work at the office, creating a scant moment with her. The second he was gone, William sat across from her in the lounge.

She was engrossed in her phone. Leaned back, his eyes were secretly scanning her as always.

‘How could you possibly ignite my very soul without a single eye-contact?’

Professionally clicking a picture of hers that made his heart skip a beat, satisfying his desire to capture her with him, one way or another.

After taking the picture, he cleared his throat to get her attention.

“Listen, Arabella.”

“Yes?”

“Here you go. I thought it would look good on you. I got it for you when I came. Didn’t get a chance to give it to you.”

Clearing his throat, he gave her a beautiful heart shaped pendant. He knew she didn’t like jewelry, only dainty neckwear and got her exactly what she loved.

Her eyes shone for a moment. It was exactly how she wanted one but it was too expensive.

“Really? For me? You didn’t have to, William.” She mumbled, not sure if she could take it or not.

“Ah, don’t worry. I got it for you with all my heart.” He smiled faintly, still offering her the box.

Gulping hard she took it slowly, making him grab her hand out of the blue, earning a gasp of astonishment from her. He touched her hand deliberately, making her slightly tense at the contact when he didn’t part his skin from her.

It felt heavenly… and to think how easily Luke could graze her tender skin while he had to seek an opportunity.

“What happened?” William asked in a sugar coated tone, tilting his head to the side adorably.

“My hand…”

“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t notice.” He didn’t let go yet.

“It’s alright,”

In the moment, Luke returned to get his wallet, witnessing their hands locked, he hated the sight of it.

Discard whether a brother or friend or anyone, watching another man hold the hand which was supposed to hold him forever was unwanted.

Sending a shiver down her spine, Luke was unnoticed when William leaned forward, curling his lips in a dangerous smirk as he whispered seductively.

“You are just as precious to me as Helena, Arabella.”

Unwillingly, he slowly released Arabella’s hand, reflecting his charming smile to beckon her.

“T-Thank you.”

With a faint, uncomfortable smile, she moved back instantly, tracing her finger over the pendant happily, ignorant of the man’s intentions.

“Tsk,” Scoffing, Luke also got his wallet and left for work angrily.

The next day was hectic, it was Helena’s wedding after all. Arabella was with Helena with a few other bridesmaids, grinning at the beautiful bride on her exhilarating day.

“Ah, finally! I can’t believe it! I am so happy!”

Beaming, Helena spun around, holding her bouquet and setting her veil as her brothers entered and became sentimental when they saw her dressed as a bride.

“Oh, you are looking exquisite, Princess, I am so happy for you,”

“Me too,”

Grinning, William kissed the top of her head, pulling her into a hug and noticed Arabella was wearing the pendant he gifted.

A tempting smirk spread across his lips, thrilled to find her wearing what he wholeheartedly chose for her.

“We will miss you so much,” Luke did the same, clicking a picture together.

She wrapped her hand around William’s arm and they walked down the aisle, creating a harmonizing, heartwarming moment as the ceremony started.

Mesmerized, Arabella stood next to Luke who held a serious face all the time with her but she was thrilled to share the same moment with him.

“He loves her so much, doesn’t he, Luke?”

“Hmm,”

"We will have the same happy ending, right?"

"Hmm,"

Narrowing her eyes, she shrugged the frown etched on his handsome features as sadness for his sister’s departure and poked his arm.

“What happened, Luke? Why are you being so cold?”

“No, I.. uh..” Releasing a mocking chuckle, he held her arm in a firm grip, “I am just thinking that you liked William’s precious locket too much,”

“Because it’s so pretty, Luke, exactly the one I wanted. Look,” She reasoned softly.

“Yeah, right,”

“Did you not like it? Is there something wrong with it?”

Exhaling worriedly, he was about to express his discontent, “Baby, I have told you-”

Only to get cut off when William arrived, breaking the rhythm between them so the sternness couldn’t be eradicated.

“Luke, check with Helena’s things, the reception is about to start and I will check with the guest,”

Nodding unwillingly, he nodded, “Okay, I will be back in a moment,”

“Sure,”

Giving Arabella’s shoulder a pat, he walked away with a faint reassuring smile so his grimace won’t ruin her glee, at least.

“I will check on Helena too, if she needs anything,”

She smiled shyly and joined Helena and others, having a lively moment together, enjoying the event to the fullest.

Having no idea, a certain sapphire eyed charming man was staring at her from afar with his one hand in his pocket.

Placing his hand over his heart, his eyes scanned the area, Luke was nowhere to be found, providing him with an opportunity.

Arabella indulged in the moment with her sister-alike, moving along the beat during reception, filled with laughter and felicity.

And failing to halt the brimming yearning in his heart, compelling him unstoppably towards her, he ‘accidentally’ spilled his drink on her dress.

“Ah!” Gasping, she moved back and he acted professionally.

“Oh, I am so sorry, Arabella, here, let me help,”

“No, no, it’s alright, William,” She shook her head, moving back.

“No, it’s not. Please,”

“Okay…”

Forming her lips a thin line, she didn’t think much about it and went with him as he helped her clean her dress.

“Thank you,”

Whispering sweetly, she dabbed her dress with a wet cloth as he leaned against the wall, folding his arms at his chest handsomely.

Eyes carefully observing her smallest gestures with his most profound craving and becoming uncontrollable, he asked what he shouldn’t.

“Are you sure Luke will marry you, Arabella?”

“What do you mean?” She asked, unbothered.

“He is just creating an excuse to run away from you. Now going to work in London just to avoid talking about it to me,” He scoffed, gaining her attention.

Bewildered, she paused and straightened her back, turning to him.

“Aren’t you.. Sending him?”

“No, I settled all my work there and came here for vacation, there wasn’t any need… unless he is avoiding something,” Furrowing his eyebrows, he replied seriously.

“No, it must be something, I- I will talk to him.”

To her distress, his jaw clenched, “Aren’t you trusting him too much?” He growled, standing before her, blocking her way.

“Why shouldn’t I? I don’t see a reason to not trust him.” She whispered weakly, swallowing hard when his muscular chest was too close.

When she looked down in dejection, her gaze softened for a second. Invading her personal space until her back was pressed against the wall, sending a shiver down her spine

“What are you doing, William?”

He whispered softly, “Luke won’t keep you happy, he is not the one for you, Bella.”

“Wha-”

Before she could react to his absurd statement, he abruptly grabbed her wrist and yanked her body forward, staring dead into her eyes.

“I am.”