Leave Me If You Dare

“Do you have a good sleep?” Bill’s face was very fresh. There’s no trace of tiredness on his face.

Arabella did not say a word as she felt shy. She simply nodded at him and maintained her low gaze.

Duh. She didn’t even know what to talk about after sex. She’s blushing.

“Get ready tonight our marriage will be announced.” Bill said while drying his wet hair with a white towel.

“Tonight is my father’s birthday.” He added.

She secretly looked at Bill. He seemed to be so fine after they made that wild thing last night. There had been no uneasiness on his face even just a little. He was really an expert!

“Bill, of what happened last night, do you think we should continue the contract?” Arabella uttered in a low tone.

Bill stopped from what he’s doing and walked towards her.

“Why not? Are you afraid that you would fall in love with me?” Bill said in a cold tone and frowned.

“No! It’s just that I feel guilty about it with Trishia around.” Arabella said truthfully.

“Don’t bother yourself thinking too much about that. You two have big differences.” Bill replied.

Arabella’s heart was like stabbed with million knives. With what he said, he was just simply implying that Trishia was the perfect girl for him that he loved and she was only the fake one. Of course, how could she think too much of herself? She should not forget her position-to-be in Bill’s life.

“What about our contract? Could we actually follow it?” Arabella was still confused by her decision after last night.

“What exactly are you implying, Ms. Jones?” Bill said in a playful manner. He knew how uneasy Arabella is. Her cheeks were red and she couldn't even look at him in the eye.

“No. It’s not that. Please don’t get me wrong. It’s just that we had done the physical thing. It was stated in the contract that it was prohibited. Right?” Arabella wanted to clear out everything with him.

Bill smiled and lifted her head to look at him.

“Don’t forget that you forced me to do it. You begged at me. Remember?” He smiled teasingly at her. This smile sent shivers to Arabella’s beings. Everything was still fresh in her mind not to mention her aching body that reminded her first wild night.

Arabella’s cheeks became redder.

“Because I was drunk.” Obviously, Arabella was still very naive about drugs. She only knew what she did last night was due to her drunken state.

“But you could have stopped it.” Arabella’s voice was as shy as she is.

“Why should I? Gosh! You’re too hot when you are drunk.” Bill was about to say that he was also drugged and drunk, but he chose to tease Arabella as he found her cuter when fooled.

Arabella blushed again. Bill was satisfied after seeing her overly rosy cheeks.

“Then why did you not let my friends bring me home instead?” Arabella felt like she needed to ask this question to him.

“Would you like to do it better with Enrique then?” Bill's tone changed into a shallower one. His sharp eyes met hers.

Arabella didn’t know what to say. Of course, last night was her best night. If that was not the best then, she wouldn’t like sex anymore. How could she tell it to him?

Her cheeks were so hot in shyness. Why are they even talking about it now? Gosh! This was too embarrassing.

“Did you regret it?” Bill added as he saw Arabella was caught in her thoughts.

“Of course. That’s just a mistake. Let’s just forget about it.” Arabella tried to suppress her true feeling. She had to maintain her pride and dignity in spite of losing her virginity.

“Our parents will be expecting our presence tonight. My secretary will contact you later.” Bill just said and left. It was like he didn’t like Arabella’s answer or he didn’t care about it at all.

Arabella went out and saw a black luxury car waiting for her outside again.

She decided to go directly to her office.

The working atmosphere of her office was back in peace now. Thanks to Bill.

Her phone rang.

“Ms. Jones. This is Sharon of Mr. Sky’s office. Where are you now? Our driver will come to you.” Bill’s secretary, Sharon was on the other phone.

“What is this all about Ms. Sharon?” Arabella asked.

“I’m sorry Ms. Jones, It’s Mr. Sky’s order. Both of you will go to buy your gown for tonight’s birthday party of the old Mr. Sky.” Sharon explained.

“No need Ms. Sharon. Please tell Mr. Sky that I can handle myself. I will be at the venue tonight. Thanks.” After she finished her words, she hanged up. Arabella refused to follow Bill’s order. She’s not his employee. They had just been together last night and this morning, Arabella wanted to be on her own in the meantime, as she was living her normal life without Bill.

Her phone rang again.

This time, it was her mom.

“Arabella, I’m so happy to hear the news. Your dad will be very happy for you. You made the best choice.” Jaime greeted Arabella with excitement.

If her mom will only know that she was just a contractual wife of Bill, she will not be as happy as that.

“Where did you hear that?” Arabella was curious though she had already the answer in her mind.

“Why you are very secretive to mommy? If it’s not for your Aunt Kelly, I wouldn’t have known it. So where are you now? I’ll go and find you. You must be the most beautiful woman tonight, okay?” Jamie said with full enthusiasm.

“I’m not in the mood mom.” Arabella’s voice was obviously tired.

How could she be in the mood? After tonight’s announcement, there’s no way she could still escape from their contract. 1 year of marriage with no love. 1 fucking year of her life will be wasted with Bill.

“Come on Baby, Is there something wrong?” Jamie asked.

“I’m okay, mom. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you later tonight.” Arabella had no energy in her tone. She just wanted to be alone to think, so she turned off her phone and put it in her bag.

Her body was so tired from last night and today’s mental state. She decided to sleep in her private room adjacent to her office.

She then laid down on her small bed, there she found truly at peace.

Arabella woke up at dawn. She felt a little bit relax, but her swollen part never felt any better. She stretched her body trying to regain her energy.

She was satisfied with her rest until her eyes caught the clock on the wall.

Shit! She already skipped the party. She quickly took out her cell phone in her bag.

Too many messages came from her mom. Some were from Farrah and Sharon.

She’s doomed!

She imagined Bill’s face like a dragon breathing fire.

What is she going to do? She was at a loss.

‘Calm down Arabella’ ‘You didn’t do anything. You just slept. It’s not really your intention not to show up. It’s Bill’s fault. What he had done last night made you felt very tired.’ Arabella’s thoughts were uncontrollably flowing.

How would she explain herself to everyone, especially Bill’s parents?

She quickly called her mom, but it was to no avail so she dialed Farrah’s phone number.

“Finally, you called. Your mom was in the hospital right now. She had hypertension. What happened to you? You didn’t show up.” Farrah said in a shocked voice.

“What? What hospital is she in now?” Arabella felt very nervous inside. A pang of sudden guilt invaded her.

“Calm down. She was stable now. We are in the Plaza Capital Hospital. Hurry up and come.” Farrah replied.

“What about Bill?” Arabella had a bad feeling about him.

“I don’t know. Haven’t seen him the whole night.” Farrah replied.

Jaimie was lying on the hospital bed with her eyes closed when Arabella arrived.

“Mom. I’m sorry.” Arabella’s tears rolled down uncontrollably.

She felt guilty about what happened. Arabella knew she had put her mother to shame by not appearing in the party.

Though they had an agreement with Bill, their families put high hopes on them.

Morning came, Arabella stayed in the hospital with her mom.

“I want to go home now.” Jamie said tiredly.

At noontime, the doctor agreed to released her mom in a condition that she should rest well and avoid stress.

Arabella was preparing her mother’s stuff to go home when someone knocked on the door.

“I heard the news about Aunt Jamie.” Jayson greeted her with a bouquet of flowers.

“Ow. She was just in the bathroom. Actually, she was fine now and we are about to go home.” Arabella said. For some reason, Arabella felt happy seeing Jayson.

Jayson was close to her parents before. He was more like a son to her father. They expected Jayson to be Arabella’s husband in the future, but really their fate had been twisted. Now, they had their own separated lives.

“Well, I think my timing was just right. If I am not so much of a bother, let me drive you home then.” Jayson replied with a happy smile on his face.

“Oh. No! Thank you. We don’t want to bother you, Jayson.” Actually, Jayson’s offer was convenient for her mom as she just hailed a cab last night. Bill’s driver drove her to the office yesterday.

“Let him.” Jamie’s voice echoed in the room.

“Aunt how are you” Jayson approached Jamie and hugged her.

“It’s good to see you again Jayson.” Jamie said in a motherly manner.

Jayson drove them home.

Jamie invited Jayson to stay for dinner. They had fun together talking while remembering some funny moments before when Jayson used to visit her parents in their house.

“What is your plan now Arabella?” Jamie said in a serious voice.

“Are you still going to marry Bill Sky?” Jamie added. She knew her daughter was hard-headed. She had her own way of doing things. She avoided asking her in the hospital as she knew Arabella was just forced to marry Bill. She knew Arabella made her decision out of their financial problem.

Seeing Jayson might help Arabella to lighten up.

“What?” Jayson was the first to react. His gaze was shocked, but with controlled emotion.

“I will have to excuse myself. I felt tired.” Jamie walked out immediately. She had a feeling that Jayson still loved her daughter but Arabella seemed not to be in the same boat with Jayson anymore.

“Are you really going to marry Bill Sky? Jason asked Arabella immediately. His dark eyes were with the hint of annoyance.

“I don’t have a choice,” Arabella said. What could she possibly say to Jayson? She knew Jayson’s feeling for her.

“Do you love him?” Jayson’s eyes were sadder now.

Arabella didn’t know how to reply to him. She could not disclose her relationship with Bill.

Arabella didn’t answer, instead, she just nodded at him with a lower gaze.

She knew her response would hurt Jayson but she thought this was the right thing to do for Jayson to surrender his hopes for them to be together again.

“No!” Jayson exclaimed loud as his anger exploded.

He quickly grabbed Arabella out of the house.

“Jayson calm down. You need to calm down.” Arabella was quite terrified of his sudden exasperation. She already expected him to react like this, but Arabella felt that she needed to tell Jayson the truth whether he accept it or not.

Jayson stopped at the front lawn outside her house but he was still holding Arabella’s wrist.

Jayson suddenly hugged her tight. She could feel like he was crying at her back. Her heart was in pain too. She didn’t want to hurt someone. Jayson was one of the most important persons in her life before. Too bad they didn’t make it.