Chapter 154 It's Time to Leave
Arabella's mind went completely blank—she didn't know who she was, where she was, or what was happening. The man's burning breath fell right by her ear, heartbeats pounding so hard she couldn't tell whose they were—thump, thump, thump—each beat almost becoming tangible.
Alexander was holding her? Was this real?
The embrace lasted about ten seconds. In those ten seconds, Arabella went from bewildered to nervous, while Alexander went from impulsive to struggling. He forcibly suppressed the urge to lower his head and kiss her... Not yet, he couldn't scare her.
His heart was nearly burning to charcoal, the blazing desire making every cell in his body tingle and itch. He desperately told himself to stay calm, stay calm. The soft, delicate body in his arms gave him immense satisfaction, but after a moment, he still let her go.
Arabella's cheeks were bright red, her heart nearly jumping out of her throat. She was nervous and flustered, her palms covered with a fine layer of sweat. She gathered her courage and looked up at Alexander. "We just... earlier..."
Her heart held a faint hope.
Alexander steadied himself and cleared his throat lightly, not daring to look into her eyes. "Just a friendly hug. I hope I didn't offend you."
The blazing blood throughout Arabella's body instantly turned ice-cold. Perhaps without hope there would be no disappointment. In this moment, she felt truly dejected to her very core.
"Of course not..." She gave a dry laugh. "I know you're... I didn't take it to heart, don't worry."
She stood up as she spoke. "I'll go... I'll go check on Becky." After saying this, she fled in panic, quickly walking to Becky's bedroom door, knocking, then pushing the door open and slipping inside before quickly closing it again.
Alexander watched her hurried retreat, his heart feeling like something was tearing at it—a dull, persistent ache. Had he really scared her after all?
He sighed. He'd been too eager. That moment when her eyes held such complete, trusting faith had made him lose his reason. If he'd known it would frighten her like this, he should have stayed calmer. Now he didn't even know if she'd start being wary of him. If she really did start guarding against him, that would truly backfire.
Alexander was filled with countless worries and sighed deeply.
Meanwhile, Arabella in Becky's room pressed her back tightly against the door, her right hand over her heart. It hurt there, like a dull knife cutting flesh, over and over, making her unable to break free.
She suddenly realized she couldn't continue like this. She couldn't spend forever by his side, never sad, never happy, never wanting anything, always just being a friend. One hug, one bit of physical contact, had already broken her defenses. How was she supposed to handle herself through all the long days ahead?
Perhaps it was time to leave.
She didn't want to be the kind of woman who pinned the entire meaning of her life on loving one man. She'd left Anthony to find herself again. She was still young—she deserved to enjoy everything this world had to offer. Not to fall into another quagmire the way she'd once fallen into Anthony's trap.
Alexander was gay. He didn't like women at all. He could never fall in love with her. This was a relationship that didn't even merit a brave attempt.
Arabella's heart ached sourly, tears flowing uncontrollably, but no matter how much it hurt, she'd made her decision.
Becky was already asleep. Arabella didn't disturb her, instead pulling two sets of bedding from the closet and spreading them on the floor to make a makeshift bed.
---
That night, Alexander never saw Arabella return to their room. He still slept on his makeshift floor bed. Ever since Arabella had started sharing his room, he hadn't touched the actual bed. Even though Arabella didn't come back tonight, he stubbornly continued sleeping on the floor.
"Sigh..." His hundredth sigh of the night.
What he felt now was mostly panic, like a child who'd done something wrong and didn't know what to do. Should he formally apologize tomorrow? But she probably didn't want to bring it up again.
He was certain Arabella was angry and had probably already categorized him as some lecher who'd taken advantage of her. What should he do, what should he do?
Alexander wanted to slap himself. He'd been completely muddle-headed—why had he been so impatient? Why did he have to hug her like that?
He regretted it... but not entirely. Thinking of that soft, delicate feeling that had filled his embrace, he smiled like a fool again.
In any case, that night neither of them, separated by a wall, slept well.
---
The next day Alexander got up very early to make breakfast. After cooking, he knocked on Becky's door with the hopeful feeling that he could finally speak to her openly. "Arabella, Becky, time for breakfast."
A few minutes later, Becky opened the door looking resentful. "Mr. FitzRoy, it's only six o'clock..." She was a growing child, after all.
Alexander smiled awkwardly. "I just got up early today—I'll be more careful in the future..." While speaking, he peered into the room. "Where's Ms. Bourbon?"
"Ms. Bourbon? She left." Becky said while walking to the bathroom to wash up.
"Left?" Alexander's heart sank, and he hurried after her to ask, "Where did she go? When did she leave?"
"Around five, I think," Becky said vaguely. "Anyway, it was still dark when she left. I don't know where she went."
Alexander's heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally died. It was over. She was definitely angry, and very angry at that.
Becky turned around and looked at him suspiciously. "By the way, why did Ms. Bourbon come sleep in my room in the middle of the night? Did you two fight?"
"No," Alexander immediately denied. "She... she complained I was snoring. Come eat breakfast now, I'll drive you to school after."
Becky said in surprise, "You snore? See, no matter how good-looking men are, they all have the same problems."
Alexander was speechless. His life had been a bit difficult lately.
After dropping Becky at school, Alexander sat in his car staring at the WhatsApp conversation on his phone. After hesitating for ages, he finally sent Arabella a message: [Why did you leave so early?]
After sending it, he gripped his phone tightly, nervously waiting for Arabella's reply. One minute. Two minutes. Ten minutes. Half an hour.
Looking at the still silent phone, Alexander's composure cracked.
---
FitzRoy Group headquarters.
It was Sunday, and the FitzRoy Group executives who'd been happily enjoying their beautiful weekend were called back to their computers by a phone call to work overtime. Their big boss, wearing a dark expression, asked about each of their project progress individually, then chewed each of them out thoroughly.
The executives endured the scolding in confused terror, not understanding what had gotten into their boss. This had never happened before.
This online meeting had everyone walking on eggshells, and this ridiculous meeting lasted until midnight. How ridiculous? Tasks that should have been completed in six months were forcibly required to be done within three months.
Finally, when the boss's phone rang and that ice-cold face suddenly seemed touched by spring breeze, the executives finally heard the words they'd been dreaming of: "Meeting dismissed." Everyone closed their computers at top speed.
Alexander shut down the meeting software and opened WhatsApp, where there was a message Arabella had just sent: [Had some things to do, so I left a bit early.]
No emotion showing, couldn't even tell if she was still angry, but Alexander looked at this sentence and smiled like a fool. He immediately called Arabella. After ringing for a while, she picked up. He asked almost eagerly, "What do you want for dinner tonight? I'll make it for you."
His tone held an indulgence he didn't even notice himself. But Arabella on the other end noticed.
Her hand rested on the window—this was the apartment she'd just rented, very close to the company. Most importantly, it was in the completely opposite direction from Alexander's place, so she wouldn't have to worry about running into him frequently after moving out.
She'd left early this morning, contacted a realtor, and looked at over a dozen apartments non-stop until 1 PM before finally settling on this one. A small two-bedroom with ordinary decoration, but fully furnished with appliances—she could move in immediately, and bringing Becky meant no worries about formaldehyde risks. The monthly rent of six thousand was within her budget.
She hadn't eaten all morning. Hearing Alexander's words now made her heart ache densely again.
Letting go of a relationship was never going to be easy—the reluctance, unwillingness, refusal to give up. But fortunately, she'd already taken action. Otherwise, she didn't know when she might drown in his gentleness, unable to escape.
"No need," she said in as calm a voice as possible. "Alex, I'll come back tonight. Let's talk—I have something to tell you."
On the other end, Alexander's breathing became rapid with nervousness, but he laughed with forced casualness. "What do you want to talk about? You sound so serious."
"We'll talk when I get back." Arabella smiled. "I'm still busy, I'll hang up now."
Alexander stared at the ended call, feeling like he'd never been this panicked before. Like a condemned prisoner watching the guillotine overhead, not knowing when it would fall—that kind of panic. Was he going to be sentenced tonight?
Meanwhile, Arabella put her phone back in her pocket and stared blankly into the distance. She felt somewhat unbalanced psychologically—she'd experienced heartbreak without even having a real relationship. What a loss.
She couldn't help hitting herself on the head. How had she failed to control her heart? Why did she have to go and fall for a gay man? What a huge loss.
Just then her phone rang. It was Daisy calling.
"Arabella baby! Great news! I wrapped filming!" Daisy said excitedly. "I'll be back from the set soon. Want to grab dinner together?"
Arabella pushed down all those messy emotions, genuinely happy for Daisy. "Sure! What time will you be back?"
"Um... three o'clock," Daisy replied. "I'll be in the city by three, then we can go eat together. I'm starving."
Arabella said, "Sounds good." After hanging up, she found a nice new restaurant online and sent it to Daisy. Daisy quickly replied with an 'OK' emoji.
Arabella smiled and decided to just stay put in her new rental, thinking about how to confess to Alexander tonight that she wanted to move out. She had to give him some reason, but saying she liked him was absolutely out of the question.
---
Meanwhile, at the film set.
Daisy had already received her wrap flowers and politely declined the director's evening celebration dinner, preparing to leave. She'd never been fond of these wrap parties—there were always annoying investors making moves at every celebration dinner. Better to just skip it entirely.
She said goodbye to the director and walked out of the set. Just as she was about to call a cab, a voice came from behind her: "...Hey."
Daisy didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Ethan, wearing a jacket with one hand in his pocket, walked up to her looking somewhat uncomfortable. "You're really not going to the wrap party tonight?"
Daisy said irritably, "Not going. Something you need?"
During these two months of filming, her relationship with Ethan had eased somewhat. They were no longer at each other's throats like at the beginning. Whatever else, they both acknowledged that the other was a competent actor. But Daisy still didn't have much good feeling toward him.
After all, who would have good feelings toward someone who was constantly casual and improper? Plus he probably gambled, used drugs, and visited prostitutes. Anyway, Daisy felt the farther she stayed from this type of man, the better—he'd affect her fortune. Even if he was good-looking, it wasn't worth it.
Ethan touched his nose, looking nonchalant. "If you're not going, then don't go..."
Daisy found him inexplicable. Just then her taxi arrived, and she was about to get in. But Ethan grabbed her arm.
Daisy glared. "What are you doing?"
"Cough..." A flash of discomfort crossed Ethan's eyes. "Well, since we worked together... let's exchange contact info."
"Don't you have my number?"
"I... can't add you on WhatsApp." Ethan's gaze flickered.
Daisy sneered inwardly, thinking of course you can't add me—I ignored your friend request directly.
"What's the point of adding each other? Just call if there's something." She spoke vaguely and was about to get in the taxi.
Unexpectedly, Ethan snatched her phone away. Daisy was furious and reached to grab it back, but Ethan used his height advantage to keep it away from her, dodging her punches and kicks while rapidly operating something on her phone. Then with a flick of his wrist, he handed it back to her.
"There."
Daisy looked down and saw that this bastard had added himself on WhatsApp! She stared wide-eyed. "Are you shameless or what?"
"We worked together," Ethan touched his nose, looking at the sky and adding an unnecessary explanation. "I added all the crew members."
Seeing Daisy's movement, he immediately panicked. "Don't you dare delete it, or I'll recommend you as my female lead for my next drama!"
Daisy's hand, which had been about to operate, froze.
The taxi driver urged, "Miss, are you going or not?"
Ethan gave her a look. "Go on, the driver's waiting."
Daisy was furious. She glared at him viciously, then turned and got in the car.
Ethan watched her leave with a beaming smile. After a while, he lowered his head to admire Daisy's profile, but his smile immediately froze.
"Damn it, she blocked me??"