Dangerous Love

Chapter Twenty Two

"I would like to take you for dinner tonight, treat my new family member. Would you mind it?" 

Arabelle stared at the waiter as he poured some wine for them both. The dinner soon arrived at their tables and Antonio smiled, gesturing to her to take the first bite. He soon followed. 

"This place has been my favorite since I was twenty. Pasta and ravioli are exceptional" 

Throughout the week, Antonio has gotten closer to her. Inviting her for a flower view at his parent's nursery, which opened that same year, or taking her out for a coffee. Although she was on edge, she never felt like she had to run away from him. He kept his distance and treated her like a family person. 

"You never asked me why I have been trying to get close to you Arabelle" 

She did. Ask herself quite a few times why he was trying to be so nice? Why did he care to take her out for coffee or dinner or to meet his parents and their gardens,  just randomly out of nowhere? But she gave up. It was next week. With three days left until Archer was leaving town and coming home, she couldn't wait to see him. 

She was worried about what would happen if he found out she was eating with Antonio. 

Was it bad? will it be disappointing for him to know that she hung out with Antonio throughout the whole week? She frowned thinking about it. 

"I - I don't think much of it," she casually said. 

He smiled resting his elbows on the table and crossing his fingers together. 

"I want you to do something for me. Would you be so nice as to accept my little request?" 

Her frowning, filled with confusion, was evident. But her fear kicked in as he smirked, leaning back in his chair and gesturing for her to finish her food. 

***

"Liam, have you checked the reports?" Archer asked, handing his secretary the file.

Liam nodded, noting that things were pending on Archer's schedule, pushing forward his next meeting and freeing him for the evening.

"Sir, if you want, we can continue this assessment back at the head office, would you like me to change this?" Archer sighs.

He no doubt wanted to get back as soon as he could. He couldn't stay away from his bell any longer she seemed too quiet on her calls and chats. It seemed like she had gotten busy. He did not like that feeling.

"We will just have other things piling up over there"

Liam frowned, nodding. "Just get this over with and schedule a lunch with our clients tomorrow so I can leave by morning the next day"

Liam nodded, moving out the doors. Archer texted Arabelle, they could only talk for a couple of minutes until he had to look through some other work. He was trying his best to get the work done and leave. He planned on doing everything that very night so he could prepone the lunch with his clients and leave tomorrow itself.

He stared at the picture of her and smiled.

Bella -

'I'm all tired and peachy because I had a lot to do today.'

Archer -

'Then sleep baby, I'll text you tomorrow ya?'

He pressed on send and kept his cell aside. or he could keep talking to her all night. That morning was filled with ten things that exhausted him, he took on last night as a truck, finishing up all his work so he could leave by tonight.

"Well, I think we should leave. We have an early flight to catch tomorrow," Archer nodded as his clients excused themselves and left the private dining rooms. His secretary walked in to fill him in on things.

The ping on his cell phone distracted him and he stood up grabbing his phone and unlocking it.

' Guess who this is? You don't have to, do you?' - Antonio.

Archer froze, his finger on the picture with Arabelle's back. His heart ran cold as he felt his boil with anger soon after. He dismissed Liam for dialing his number and running his hands through his hair in frustration.

"What the f**k do you think you are doing?"

His voice could be below but there was enough anger in it to scare Antonio.

"Woah, chill. Just get here before it's too late. Take your time. I won't harm such beauty you know" 

*** 

Archer speeded off the highway, his hands on the wheel clenched in a fist as he looked at his watch. It was a day after, he was traveling back home after handing over his work to a new client to finish. All he could think of was Arabelle. She was with Antonio. His girl was with that man and all he could do was just rush back home. 

Archer knew Antonio was a heartless fucker, he prayed she was alright, trying his best to call her multiple times but she didn't pick up. He called her one last time before speeding down the road when she picked up. 

'I am sorry I couldn't pick up' 

He sighs in relief at her voice. 

'Where are you?' 

'Archer-'

'Where the f**k are you baby!?' He could feel her flinch at his voice.

'At Antonio's house. How long till you get here?' 

Archer cursed on call almost punching the wheel. 

'Did he do anything? I am almost there. I am on the highway, I'll be there in 15 tell me where he is' 

'I am okay Archer. You two can talk when you get here

Archer rolled his eyes as she said goodbye making him feel on edge. 

The minute he got at that door of his brother's house he slammed his car door shut running to the front door and slamming it open only the freeze at the sight before him. 

There she was, his Arabelle. Sitting at the table stuffing her mouth with cookies. While Archer's family and her's talked loudly. The house was filled with family members as he looked around in utter confusion. 

"Archer" 

He looked at Antonio as he smirked pushing his hands in his pockets. 

"You thought I'd hurt her. That's nice to know" 

Archer clenched his jaw fisting his collar and pulling him closer. 

"What the f**k do you think you are doing!?" the talks stopped as Arabelle gasped walking towards them. 

"You-You are here already?" her soft voice faded as Archer glared at Antonio who had his hands up in surrender. 

"It was a prank bro. Chill-" He said getting Archer's hands off him as Arabelle ran to Archer and frowned touching his face. 

"I just wanted you to be here, with us. On my birthday. I figured if I use your wife you would run here in no time" 

Archer couldn't believe the nerves of that guy. Pulling his belle closer and looked at everyone. He was dumbfounded, he felt the cringe surrounding him as he rolled his eyes turning around when Arabelle stopped him. 

"Just because he pranked with you doesn't mean he meant bad. He just wanted to be close to you, you hardly talk to your family. It's not a good thing" 

Archer avoided her gaze as everyone laughed and chuckled in the background. 

"You do something shitty like this again I won't hold back a punch" 

Antonio smiled nodding as Archer walked inside and straight to the bathroom to freshen up. 

"I am sorry I worried you" Arabelle leaned on the wall holding a towel for him, He didn't speak, grabbing the cloth and drying his face. 

"That's wasn't nice of you" She bites her lips stepping closer and kissing his cheek. 

"We just wanted you to be here since everyone is present. You were the only one out, you are always the only one left out" 

Archer shook his head patting her head. 

"I can't think of losing you. So don't do that again" She nodded smiling and kissing him.