Chapter 17: A Scheme for Freedom

The next morning, Levi arrived at the Blake residence earlier than expected, practically bouncing on his feet with anticipation. As he waited in the living room, Mia appeared with a tray of cookies and—much to his horror—a tall glass of water.

"Ah, Mia! You have to get with the program. Americans serve cookies with milk, not water."

Mia gave him an unimpressed look. "Listen here, young man—"

"Young woman," Levi corrected with a dramatic flick of his wrist.

She narrowed her eyes. "Listen here, confused person, I serve whatever I feel like. If you have a problem, there's a bag of oats in the kitchen. Help yourself."

Levi gasped as if she'd struck him. "Mia! I was joking! Joking!" He giggled, but his laughter was cut short when Mia smacked him playfully on the head with the tray before sauntering away.

Before he could recover from the attack, Arabella entered the room. Levi's eyes lit up, and he practically leaped at her, wrapping his arms around her as if she'd returned from war.

"Levi, I'm fine! You're getting too emotional," Arabella said, peeling him off.

Levi sniffled dramatically. "Girl, who said I was crying for your safety? These are tears of jealousy. How dare you lose your virginity before me?!"

Arabella rolled her eyes as Levi flopped onto the sofa, crossing his arms and tilting his chin in mock outrage.

"You're impossible. You want me to call Rafael and have him help you out?" she snapped.

Levi gasped and clutched his chest. "Ah! Sorry, honey, I don't share men with friends or family. That's against the code!"

Then, as if a switch had flipped, he sat up, eyes twinkling with mischief. "But girl, I was just playing! He's your husband now. I wouldn't dare, even if I do dream about him every night. He's just so—"

"Shhh!" Arabella hissed, eyes darting toward the hallway. "Mia might hear us! And he is not my husband!"

"Oooo, sorry!" Levi whispered theatrically, then gave her a knowing smirk. "But, seriously, why am I here at dawn, looking this fabulous?"

Arabella took a deep breath. "I need you to help me get rid him."

Levi's jaw dropped. "Girl, are you hiring a hitman to kill your husband?"

She groaned. "For the last time, he is NOT my husband! I just want him to leave me alone. I don't want to keep sleeping with him for the next six months. I feel dirty. Awful. My parents would be disappointed if they found out, and it's scandalous."

Levi nodded solemnly. "Girl, I get it. He might be hot and sexy, but he's crazy!" Then, after a brief pause, he leaned in. "Hey... is it true about his banana?"

Arabella smacked a cushion over his face. "Levi! Focus on my problem, not his banana!"

Levi coughed dramatically, pretending to recover from the attack. "Okay, okay, what's the plan?"

Arabella sat beside him. "I was thinking of going back to Louis. We met again at Nantasket."

Levi's nose wrinkled. "But girl, he cheated on you with Sandy! You're taking him back?!"

"He's divorced now, and he wants to start over with me."

Levi sighed. "Well, if that's what you want—go for it. I'll support you all the way. Two bananas are better than one."

"Levi!!" Arabella smacked him with the pillow again.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Levi chuckled, then tilted his head. "Wait... what does going back to Louis have to do with getting rid of Rafael?"

Arabella leaned forward. "Men don't like sharing their women with other men, right? It hurts their pride."

Levi's eyes widened. "Ohhh... let me get this straight. You want to use Louis to pretend he's your lover—make it seem like you're a total slut in Rafael's eyes—so Rafael dumps you because his ego can't take it?"

Arabella nodded. "Exactly."

Levi whistled. "That's... bold. And dangerous."

"I know," she admitted. "That's where you come in. Your job is to badmouth me to Rafael. Make it seem like I'm a lost cause."

Levi placed a hand over his heart. "Oh, so I do the dirty work and take the beating when he finds out? Lovely."

Arabella pouted. "Come on, Levi. What happened to 'sister-sister stick together'?"

Levi sighed dramatically, then grinned. "Girl, have I ever said no to you?"

Arabella threw her arms around him. "I love you"

Levi chuckled. "I know, darling. Now let's ruin a man's pride!"

***

A couple of days later, Louis arrived at Arabella's house, flashing the same easy smile she had fallen for years ago. They talked, they laughed, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like old times. Louis believed she was finally willing to give him another chance, and in return, he vowed—this time, he would never break her heart. Three years ago, he had been a fool, marrying Sandy and leaving his first love behind.

"Start over with me, okay?" Louis asked, his eyes sincere, heavy with commitment.

Arabella hesitated. "Uh... I... I—okay. Just don't let it happen again."

She managed to get the words out, but guilt knotted in her chest. She was using him. Maybe after she got rid of Rafael, she might truly open her heart to Louis again—maybe. Ugh. This was all that pervert's fault! Now she felt ruined for any other man. The thought of being "second-hand" condemned her heart, made her feel raw and vulnerable all over again.

Louis reached out, brushing his fingers over hers, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts. "Starting from today, okay? You want to catch a movie?"

"I can't. I have to re-film a commercial at Velvet Vogue today... but if you want, you can come along?"

"Sure, I'm free today."

"Great! I'll call Levi to meet us there."

An hour later, they arrived at Velvet Vogue together. Levi was already outside, tapping his foot impatiently. The moment he spotted them, he marched over and yanked Arabella to the side, making sure Louis was out of earshot.

"Girl, are you really serious about this?" Levi hissed, his eyes darting toward Louis.

"Yes! And you're going to help me! When you see Rafael, just start spreading all sorts of dirt about me and Louis, okay?"

Levi groaned. "Ugh, girl! This sounded like a great idea yesterday, but now that it's actually happening—I'm scared! Your husband is a crazy man!"

"Shut up! And for the last time, he is NOT my husband!"

Levi gulped nervously but nodded. Arabella beamed, pleased, and walked back to Louis. Together, the three of them entered the building and headed toward the studio. As soon as they stepped inside, a makeup artist whisked Arabella away to the dressing room while Levi and Louis found seats.

Meanwhile, Rafael was in an unusually good mood. After finishing some work at his desk, he made his way downstairs to the studio. He had secretly destroyed the commercial tape Arabella had filmed earlier, forcing her to return for a re-shoot. It was wrong, it was manipulative—but it was the only excuse he had to see her again.

However, the moment he stepped inside, he froze.

That bastard from the other day was here.

Rafael stiffened but forced himself to remain calm. There were too many people around. Straightening his tie, he strode forward with his usual arrogance and approached his unwelcome rival.

"We meet again, Loser. Was that the name?"

Louis glanced up, his expression unimpressed. "It's Louis. I didn't know you worked here."

Rafael smirked. "The world is full of surprises."

The two men locked eyes, their jaws clenched in silent challenge. Levi, caught between them, swallowed hard. He tried cracking a joke or two, but neither so much as twitched.

At that moment, Arabella emerged from the dressing room, a radiant smile on her face. She walked straight to Louis, pulling him up from his chair in one swift movement. Louis raised an eyebrow at her boldness but stayed calm, even throwing Rafael a taunting glance.

"Louis, watch me film," Arabella said, her voice sweeter than honey as she wrapped her arms tightly around his and rested her head on his shoulder.

Rafael's blood boiled. He clenched his fists, his mind spiraling. He watched, seething, as the couple strolled arm in arm toward the filming area.

Levi remained seated, discreetly fanning himself. Damn, Rafael was even sexier when angry! Taking a deep breath, he stood up and hesitantly tapped Rafael's shoulder.

"Uh... hey, Mr. Rafael..."

Rafael whipped around. "WHAT?!"

Levi flinched. "Ah! Uh—I—um..."

"Why is that loser with your friend?" Rafael demanded, his voice dangerously low.

Levi blinked, then forced out a response. "Oh... um, yeah! They're back together now. Louis was Arabella's first love. They dated in college! They were crazy about each other—almost got married, too."

"Married?!" Rafael's voice shot up. He turned fully toward Levi, eyes blazing. "You're saying she was going to marry that bastard?!"

Levi nodded frantically. "Yes! Yes! And the past few days, they've been going out to clubs and not coming home until... until..."

Rafael's nostrils flared. "Until WHAT?!"

Levi gulped. "Uh... until the next morning!"

Rafael went completely still. His jaw tightened as he tried to block out the mental image of Arabella in bed with another man.

"Arabella's my best friend," Levi added nervously. "She tells me everything..."

Rafael turned to him, fire burning in his gaze. "EVERYTHING? Then tell me... did they—"

Levi hesitated, then sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll tell you. Since we're both men, and men should stick together."

Rafael's patience snapped. He grabbed Levi by the shoulders, shaking him violently. "TELL ME NOW!"

Levi yelped. "Ahhh! Okay! Arabella told me—Louis' banana is bigger than yours!"

Rafael froze. "What. The. Hell?!"

Levi panicked. "Ah! And—and she loves the way Louis smashes her kiwi! She said it's ten times better than you!"

Rafael finally let go, and Levi stumbled back, rubbing his sore shoulders. What had he just said?!

He groaned internally. This was all Arabella's fault!

***

Rafael's fury burned white-hot. His fingers curled into a fist so tight that his knuckles cracked, a physical manifestation of his barely restrained rage. Levi, watching from the sidelines, swore he could see an ominous storm cloud forming above Rafael's head—dark, swirling, electric with impending destruction. The devil was enraged.

Levi swallowed hard. Had he gone too far? Maybe his choice of words had been a bit... excessive? Now, in his mind's eye, the dark cloud over Rafael wasn't just swirling—it was flashing with lightning, thunder booming in the distance. Levi clasped his hands together in a desperate prayer. Forgive him, for he was but a confused, terrified man.

Rafael moved.

With a sharp, forceful stride, he cut through the space between Arabella and Louis, brushing Louis aside as though he were nothing more than a leaf in the wind. Arabella stiffened, her expression flashing with irritation. With an almost imperceptible motion, she signaled Louis to ignore the idiot and simply watch her film.

Louis caught the silent instruction and smirked. A slow, knowing nod.

Rafael muttered something under his breath—something about "bastards"—his fingers twitching as if he wanted to throw a punch. But Arabella was already being whisked away by a crew member toward the center of the studio, and Rafael, his eyes dark with seething jealousy, had no choice but to watch.

The commercial's theme was a tantalizing one—an elegant woman, Arabella, glowing with beauty, surrounded by five shirtless men in tight underwear. The concept was simple: a woman who used this new skincare product would become irresistible to gorgeous men.

At the edge of the set, the director was growing frantic, gesturing wildly at one of the crew members. A problem.

Two of the male models had last-minute emergencies and couldn't make it to the shoot.

The director, cursing under his breath, scanned the room for potential replacements. His gaze landed on Rafael, who was glaring at Arabella with the kind of intensity that could burn a hole through steel. The director hesitated, considering for half a second—no, Rafael looked too volatile, like he might actually murder someone instead of modeling for a commercial.

His eyes moved again.

Louis.

Perfect.

The director hurried over. "Excuse me, Mr. Louis? We have a problem. Two of our male models are missing, and we need replacements."

Louis blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Oh, no, no, no. You don't want me. I'll look ridiculous on camera."

From the sidelines, Rafael scoffed. Of course. The loser was probably too scared to take off his shirt. He was probably nothing but skin and bones under those clothes.

The director pressed on. "If you agree, we can wrap filming today. That means Arabella won't have to come back next week for a re-shoot."

That caught Louis's attention.

He glanced over at Rafael, considering. If the commercial finished today, Arabella wouldn't have to return to this place—and more importantly, she wouldn't have to see this crazy man again.

"Fine," Louis said, exhaling. "I'll do it."

The director practically jumped with joy, immediately motioning for the makeup team to get Louis ready.

Rafael waited, silent, his jaw locked, until Louis had disappeared into the dressing room. Then, his voice rang out, commanding.

"Fifteen-minute break!"

The crew members, eager for a pause, scattered out of the studio one by one.

Arabella turned, instantly wary. She could sense him—could feel his presence approaching like a storm rolling in over the horizon. She pivoted, ready to walk away with the others.

But Rafael was faster.

His fingers wrapped around her wrist, spinning her back toward him with just enough force to bring their bodies inches apart.

His voice was low, rough, almost desperate. "Baby, how could you do this to me?"

Arabella tilted her head. "Do what?" she asked, feigning innocence as she pushed against his chest, but he didn't budge.

"Don't play dumb," Rafael growled. "Levi told me everything. You leave me for a couple of days and this—this is what happens?"

She blinked at him, her lashes fluttering as though she had no earthly idea what he was talking about. It was maddening.

Rafael inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Baby, I'm so hurt and angry right now."

A slow, satisfied smile spread across Arabella's lips. "Let me guess," she said, her voice silky and taunting. "Is it Louis?"

Rafael's scowl deepened. "Yes. That loser." His voice was raw, barely restrained. "I can't believe you told Levi that my—" He stopped, then gritted out the words. "—that my banana is smaller than his."

Arabella's mouth fell open.

"WHAT?!"

Damn that Levi! Of all the ridiculous, humiliating lies, this was what he chose?!

"Baby," Rafael pressed, voice dark, rough, possessive. "Levi said you enjoy Louis more than me... because he's ten times better."

Her entire face flamed. She wanted to die. She wanted to strangle Levi.

"I—I—" she stammered, struggling for words.

Too late. The damage was done.

She had to commit to the lie.

She lifted her chin, forcing confidence into her voice despite the absolute mortification burning her from the inside out.

"Y-Yes. It's true," she whispered.

Rafael's eyes blazed. "True about what?"

Arabella swallowed. "Everything," she said, barely above a whisper. Then, in a moment of sheer madness, she added, "He's a better lover than you. As a matter of fact, your style is... distasteful. Not fun at all."

Rafael flinched as if she had struck him.

Arabella took a breath, then delivered the final blow.

"Louis is... exciting."

And with that, she turned, leaving Rafael standing there, his fury radiating off him in waves.

It was a victory.

Then why did it feel like she'd just lost something?