47. Rude but Loving?

Author's POV

Damian came downstairs to join Rose for jogging, he descended the stairs and halted at end when he saw Rose and Arabella sitting on the swing in the garden and talking to each other. He couldn't hear what they were talking about but conversation looked intense. He haven't seen Rose talking so much in last few years. It looked like she is teaching something to Arabella.

What amused him more that Arabella was also talking to her like she is explaining her something. She was looking little nervous but she was talking.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

Rosetta asked as she came out of her room.

"I was thinking, what made Rose talk so much?"

He chuckled.

"I am not able to understand what are they talking about. Have you learned any ninja technique from your mother for this?"

"Dad!"

Rosetta shook her head with smile and looked at Rose.

"By looking at her expressions, it looks like Mom is giving her some life lesson and Arabella seems to like it..."

"Really?"

Damian's eyebrows raised in amusement.

"So finally they are bonding. Good!"

"But why do you want them to bond?"

She asked confused and he smiled at her.

"Nothing!"

He shook his head and after sometime walked out.

"Ladies, are you done gossiping?"

Both of them looked up at Damian. Arabella quickly got up and greeted him.

"Good morning, Mr. Knight."

"Good morning, so what are you guys talking about. Looks like my wife found a new friend?"

He teased them but Rose didn't smile.

Arabella forced a smile.

"Nothing important, she was just telling me how to work..."

"We are late!"

Rose declared.

Damian looked at the watch and nodded.

"Let's go!"

Arabella saw them walking out and sighed.

"How she makes things so simple?"

She went inside and laid on her bed. She didn't realize when she fell asleep after working for the whole night.

Oliver came to check on her after breakfast but she was in deep sleep, he smiled at her innocent face.

She looks serene even when she is not doing anything, he sat beside her and kept admiring her face. He never thought that he can worship someone like this, just staring at her makes his life easy.

Arthur entered the same room after sometime, he ignored Oliver's presence and sat on the other side of her. Admiring her like he is looking at the most beautiful thing. Till now he has only thought about making his life perfect and making himself perfect in a way which can make his mother proud, he was under impression that no one can distract him but here she is. Her mere sight makes him loose all his senses.

"How can someone looks so valuable?"

Arthur mumbled.

"Like your own life. Loosing her feels like loosing sanity"

Oliver confessed.

"I don't want to share her."

Arthur closed his eyes in pain.

"The only thing which I have liked more than my own life, how can I see someone else touching her?"

Oliver agreed.

"I can't see her with you"

Arthur nodded.

"I can't give her to you either and letting her go is not an option."

"Then what do we do, Dad has given us two options and both are heartbreaking."

Oliver asked looking at her face.

"Can't you just back off, I met her first... My blood boils whenever I think about you liking her."

"If you met her first and liked her then why did you leave her alone, struggling to make money and become pray for the dark world. She means to me more than you think... If I had known that you like her then I wouldn't have looked at her but now it's too late. She has my soul."

Arthur never sounded so confident about his interests.

"Then there is only one option. Let her choose. Her choice will be final."

Oliver declared.

Arthur sighed, gently grabbing her hand.

"Oliver, don't you think that she has started liking both of us. Isn't it obvious by her behavior? Our challenge is playing with her feelings."

"Thanks for pointing out the thing which I was scared to speak out loud."

He sounded disappointed.

"She can't like both of us. It's not possible. She has to choose one..."

"Even if she chooses one, Dad will not allow it"

Arthur replied worriedly.

"I have made my decision. If she chooses me then I'll leave with her and if she doesn't choose me then I'll leave alone. I can't see her with you in the same house and Dad won't let me have her all for myself so I have to separate from the family..."

Oliver declared and got up.

"Fair enough! I guess we both should follow this... At least life will be easier."

Arthur got up too.

"Her birthday is in two days. Are we really ready for the answer?"

"I don't know about you but I am not ready."

Oliver walked out of the room.

Both were looking tensed.

Arabella woke up after sometime and sat by the window, she was still thinking about whatever Rose said. She was making sense but heart was breaking.

"I wish something happens and all this ends... Life was much easier without these complicated feelings."

She was in deep thoughts for the rest of the day, she kept herself busy until Knights gathered for dinner.

She was helping Cami with the serving.

"Can you make a whisky glass for me?"

Skyler asked Arabella, he wasn't aware of her age.

Arabella looked at him, the guy looked huge and mischievous.

She nodded nervously.

"Okay!"

"No!"

Knight brothers said in unison.

Skyler looked at them amused, he has never seen them saying something so coordinatively.

"Guys?"

"Skyler, she is a minor... She can't make it!"

Arthur got up.

"I'll make it for you."

"It's okay, you don't have to leave your plate like this... I'll make it."

Arabella said, feeling bad that he was getting up during dinner.

"Kitten, he said you are not making it..."

Oliver looked at her with disapproval.

Everyone looked at him when he called her by nickname but he ignored everyone.

Skyler understood what's going on.

"Hey, Arthur... It's okay, you don't have to get up... It's not important..."

He made him sit.

"Sorry, kiddo... I didn't know you are minor."

He smiled at her.

She smiled back and went back to kitchen.

"So you are interested in minor?"

Rosetta asked disappointed.

"Who is turning eighteen in two days... I think it doesn't matter now."

He replied coldly.

"And you think she will suddenly become mature in two days..."

She shook her head in disbelief.

"Anyways, none of my business."

Damian looked at Rose and by her expressions he understood that she already knows but he was confused, thinking why she wasn't reacting.

"Done with the dinner?"

Rose asked.

"Let's exchange gifts... And call it a night..."

"Finally, the most exciting part of the night."

Skyler grabbed his whisky glass which he made by himself and Rose snatched it from his hand. Making him gasp when she emptied it in nearby plant pot.

"No more drinks!"

She scolded him.

"But why are you making that plant drink it."

He complained.

"That plant likes it, don't worry."

She mocked.

Skyler sulked and Rosetta chuckled.

"Only she can make you do that."

Arabella handed all bags to them and they exchanged gifts.

She was watching them laughing and enjoying together.

Rose gave gifts to Cami and watchman, Arabella was sure that she was not going to get any and decided to leave them alone.

She did her job and turned around just to find a gift box on the table with her name on it.

It was from Rose.

"She brought gift for me?"

She didn't even realise when she came there and placed the gift, she didn't hear any footsteps either, maybe that's why people call her silent killer.

Arabella curiously opened the box and smiled sadly at the gift.

"So thoughtful of her. Never received a slap and gift from someone on the same day."

She couldn't stop staring at the gift.