19

Arabelle walked out the shop and she knew her mother wouldn't be done in ten minutes so she walked towards the other shops . While walking she saw some men in suits walking towards her talking in serious tones .They seemed so intimidating . She looked done and then walked straight until her eyes looked up and meet the eyes of a man in black suit . He looked above 25 . But not to old either . He stood for a second and watched her as she walked in their directions .

Arabelle immediately looked around and walked away . As she walked out of another store with a bag she stopped at her tracks as she saw that man leaning on the nearby wall watching her . She gulped as he walked towards she tried walking away when she heard his voice . " Arabelle " he said and she looked back confusion .

" Right ?" he asked walking towards her. " Arabelle ?" he called and she stepped back . he laughed ," Don't worry pretty lady . I will never touch you or that boyfriend of yours will kill me " he said and she looked up almost instantly .

Arabelle laughed softly as Zander joked about Archer . "He asked me to look over you " Arabelle shared a knowing look . "Did you know each other since childhood ?" She asked eating her ice cream . " teenage . We came to be close when he was 15 and I was 18 " he said and Arabelle nodded .

"My wife and I really wanted to meet Archer's girl . " he said and she smiled . "You have a wife ?" She asked and he nodded taking his cell phone out fishing in the pictures . He showed her the picture and she raised her eyebrows. "She is beautiful " Arabelle said and he smiled looking at it . "That she is . We are expecting a child next year " Arabelle looked at him in surprise and awe . "Is she pregnant? " Arabelle asked and he chuckled .

"Not yet . But we hope we will have a child soon . " Arabelle smiled at the warm comment made by him . She didn't know he was killer . She never knew he work in mafia . She never knew he was heartless to people but to his wife and family he seemed so soft . "Well . I should get going . Your mother will be waiting for you " he said and she nodded .Zander walked her to where her mother was at the salon and bit his goodbye . "Come for dinner someday with Archer " he said winking . "I know my wife would live to see you " Arabelle smiled nodding and waved his goodbye .She and her mother shopped for various stuff and finally drove back home .

Arabelle played with the pencil ,twirling it around her fingers while reading the book when her cell phone ringed a message . It said her mother would be out late that night and father would be home by twelve . But 12 was still late ! she thought . Arabelle groaned falling back in bed . She couldn't invite Caroline or Denna, she knew it would disturb them , Exam was next week . She knew no one else .

Lucy ... Arabelle sat up grabbing her phone and ringing her . She picked up in four rings . " Arabelle ?" she heard her voice and Arabelle sighs . " Hi , Um ..Lucy , if you aren't free or wanna hang out and study together , can you come over tonight ? " She asked and there was silence for some time . " Is Archer with you ? or your friends ?" Lucy asked and Arabelle replied with a no. Lucy then answered with an yes and hung up .

As time passed Lucy came over with some snacks and smiled walking in . " Thanks for coming , i was alone and i don't think calling others before exams was a good idea . I mean , they already have been here and i didn't wanna bother them ,or you but .. " Lucy smiled , " Its cool " she said.

They studied for good two hours before calling it a night . As Lucy laid on the bed beside Arabelle she held a stiff face . " Why .. " Arabelle spoke up making Lucy look at her . " Hm ?" Lucy asked and Arabelle gulped . " That day , in the cabin . You and Archer got stuck . I saw you crying .why were you crying ?" Arabelle asked . Lucy sat up shivering remembering how Archer held her neck and spoke in the most harsh voice ever .

Arabelle didn't get a reply so she sat up . " Was there something that happened ?"Arabelle asked and Lucy looked at her . Lucy felt anger , embarrassed , something inside snapped . . " Archer " Lucy replied standing up and grabbing her coat and bag . Arabelle only watched her in confusion . " You don't know who you are dating Arabelle , Archer isn't what you think he is . He is monster , Its better you stop yourself from getting more attached to him . " Arabelle suck in deep breath .

" What ? why ?" Arabelle asked "Because he hit me " Lucy said and looked away from Arabelle's eyes . " I know Archer more than anyone , He might say some mean things but he would never hit a a women " , " But he hit me !" Lucy yelled making Arabelle jump .

" I thought i would be nice friends with him but he is a asshole " Lucy said and Arabelle stood up with tearful eyes . " Don't call him that " Lucy rolled her eyes and laughed . " The only reason he is with you is because maybe you give him a good fuck " Arabelle's eyes went wide . She sucked in deep breath . " Archer doesn't want you . He needs someone who can be mature , who can be of a good level as him . You ? You are a child Arabelle , I don't see why he hasn't .." "Stop it !" Arabelle shouts .

Arabelle figured it out , She understood why Caroline and the other hated Lucy . " You are not happy for us are you ? You like him " Arabelle stated . Lucy having nothing to say back finally nodded . " Ya . I like him . So what ? huh ? I'd be better for him that you , I don't act like a child , i don't clap my hands like a freak whenever happy . I am better than you " Lucy said . Before Lucy walked out the room She heard Arabelle mutter , " But you aren't what he wants "

That night Arabelle really thought . Was she really immature ? Did she act like a child at the extent of people getting annoyed ? Did she annoy Archer ? Was she a burden ?

Did Archer took her as a burden ?