29. A Gift?

Author's POV

Arthur could sense his pissed brother standing by the door, he knew that Oliver would try his evil mind and would do something which will create problems for him.

As expected, Arthur got so much work that it would be impossible for him to spend time with his little Dove but he is also smart, what if he can't get out and spend time with her, he will keep her where he is working.

He looked at Oliver and smirked with wink just like the one he gave to Arabella in the morning.

Arabella was sitting on the floor, she looked up at Oliver and smiled.

"What are you doing?"

Oliver frowned at her.

She looked at the books around her.

"Chief has ordered me to clean the bookshelves."

Her eyes followed the size of the bookshelves which was covering the whole wall. It was huge and interesting part was, Arthur wanted her to dust and clean every book which will take more than a day.

"And what about other cleaning. My room is dirty."

He complained, Arabella looked at Arthur for an answer.

Arthur leaned back in his chair amused.

"Oliver, as much as I know, you don't like maids around you as they invade your privacy so I guess it shouldn't matter where she spends her day. You can help yourself with your room cleaning, I assume."

Oliver gritted but was impressed by Arthur's presence of mind.

"Right! Enjoy your day... I'll do that tomorrow, I assume!"

He scowled and walked away after closing the door slam shut.

Arabella looked at Arthur who was now focused on his laptop.

"Uhmm! Can I clean his room quickly and come back?"

She asked hesitantly.

"You are too obedient, Dove..."

He looked up from his laptop and raised his eyebrows.

"You seem to care about him too much?"

She shook her head while dusting the book.

"Not him!"

She coughed cutely because of the dust.

"I just care about his room because it's my job."

He chuckled, she sounded cute.

"Good, now focus on your work."

Arabella nodded and got engulfed in her task. Arthur glanced at her while working and got trapped. She was carefully dusting the books, stacking them on eachother. After some time she got confused which book she grabbed from which shelf as she had taken down two shelves together.

She looked around confused and scratched her head in dilemma. Arthur noticed her looking at him for help but didn't word it out, she was clearly nervous about telling him that she messed up.

After debating for a long time she still failed to ask him. He shook his head amused and got up.

She looked up at him when he stood beside her. He looked huge until he decided to kneel down beside her.

"Forgot which book was where?"

He chuckled.

Her face turned red with embarrassment. She nodded guiltily.

"Sorry!"

His chuckle deepened.

"That's okay, Dove..."

He segregated the books and told her what needs to be placed where.

Arabella's attention was grabbed by one book, she grabbed it and looked at it curiously.

"Did you learn martial arts from this book?"

She asked opening the book which was on martial arts.

Arthur looked at the book and smiled.

"No, I have someone better than this book."

She raised her eyebrows amused.

"Someone?"

"Yes, my mother... I learnt everything from her."

He sat beside her on the floor.

"Your mother?"

She looked at him curiously.

"Is she more powerful than you and Oliver sir?"

Arthur liked the way she was taking interest in talking to him.

"Yes, she is the most powerful one among us."

"Then why do you have the book?"

She opened it and screamed when spider jumped out of it. In panic she scooted closer to Arthur and didn't realise when she climbed on his lap.

He laughed while holding her protectively and tossed the spider away.

"It's gone! You don't like spiders."

He wrapped his arm around her.

She shook her head furiously.

"Eww, no!"

"Okay, it gone now..."

He grabbed the book which she dropped out of fear.

"I brought this book when I was young..."

He smiled at the memory.

"One day Mom scolded me for not doing the practice correctly and I got angry, I decided to learn everything by myself and brought this book but then I realised that nothing and no one is best than my mother."

She didn't realise that she was still on his lap.

"So she is strict like you?"

He looked at her amused.

"Am I strict?"

She nodded.

"Yes, you are strict. I have seen you practicing with Garry. You always scold him. Poor guy!"

He laughed at her pouted complaint.

"Yes, she is more strict than me. You can ask Garry, he prefers to train with me than my mother."

Her eyes widened.

"It means she is scary? Will she come here?"

"Are you scared that she will scold you too?"

He started teasing her.

"Will she?"

She asked nervously.

Arthur was enjoying her silly questions.

"If you don't work properly."

"It means she is coming here?"

She picked between the lines.

He was loving the conversation.

"Yes!"

She wasn't going to come there, he was just teasing her.

"But Julie said, your father is more dangerous."

She asked curiously.

"My father is also scared of my mother."

He let out a light laugh.

Her eyes widened.

"It means she is really scary?"

"Yep, very scary and she will definitely scold you if she comes here."

He teased.

"Because you are clumsy and drop things."

She grew tensed.

"Then what should I do about it."

"Hmm! She only listens to me... I can help you!"

He suppressed his laugh at her cute reaction.

She sighed in relief.

"Really? Promise?"

"Yeah but how will you pay my fees?"

He played with her hair gently.

She was in deep thought now.

"You give me salary, what do I give you?... A gift?"

"A gift?"

Arthur questioned.

"What gift?"

"Gift. It means it will be a surprise."

She replied looking into his deep grey eyes.

He nodded, curious to know what she would gift him. But the situation might not come because his mother is not going to be there. He was just teasing her.

"Okay, deal!"

He gave his hand for handshake.

Arabella shook hand with him and noticed how strong and large his hand is compared to her.

"Am I missing something here?"

Their head snapped towards the door where Oliver was standing.

Arabella noticed how he was looking at her with disapproval and then she realised that she was still on Arthur's lap. She tried to get up but Arthur's hand was securely wrapped around her.

"Nothing which is your business... We were having personal conversation and you are expected to knock on the door."

Arthur said in a very gentle and mocking tone with fake smile.

"Noted, brother!"

Oliver gave him tight smile.

"Someone is waiting for you at the door."

Arthur let her go and both of them got up. He knows that Oliver purposely came there to check on them making it as an excuse, he could have easily sent someone else to inform him.

"Not for me, for her!"

He informed and Arabella got confused.

"Me?"

She questioned.

"Yes!"

Arthur grabbed her hand and led her out.

Oliver was equally confused. He followed them out.

They reached the door and she looked at the big parcel curiously.

"This is not mine!"

She turned to Arthur.

"It is! Open it."

Arthur smiled.

She removed the ribbon and the box fell open. Her eyes widened when she saw the thing.

"Oh my god!"