Chapter 163 She's in Love With You!
Chloe and Vera weren't coming until Thursday, so Arabella had to suppress her emotional turmoil around Alexander and pretend everything was normal.
During those two days of waiting, she had a good heart-to-heart with Becky. After all, having her "adoptive parents" split up and her happy "family" fall apart would be pretty cruel for a ten-year-old girl. She was worried about leaving Becky with psychological scars.
But Becky's reaction was totally unexpected.
"Okay then." Becky sighed like a little adult, looking genuinely regretful. "I didn't think you two would end up like this. It's really too bad."
Arabella was shocked. "You already knew we were having problems?"
That couldn't be right. She and Alexander had been putting on a pretty good act, hadn't they?
Becky propped her little chin on her hands. "Of course I knew. I don't know how long you've been married, but anyone with eyes can see you don't love him anymore. Mr. FitzRoy really seems to love you though—always trying to please you and win you back. I was kind of hoping you two would work things out, but I guess that's not happening."
Arabella was completely stunned. She didn't know what to say.
She didn't love him anymore? Alexander was trying to please her and win her back? How did Becky come to that conclusion?
But Becky wasn't upset like Arabella had feared. Instead, she looked almost excited. "Though I think Mr. FitzRoy doesn't seem like the type to give up easily. Even after you divorce, he'll probably keep chasing you."
Arabella didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Kids really did love to fantasize. She ruffled Becky's hair. "Either way, you know we both love you, and that's enough. I'll raise you just like I promised."
Suddenly Becky asked, "Ms. Bourbon, why did you want to adopt a kid in the first place?"
Arabella paused, then explained calmly, "I can't have children."
Becky nodded thoughtfully, then told her, "When you're old, I'll take care of you."
Arabella couldn't help laughing as she flicked Becky's forehead. "Focus on growing up first."
She realized her worries had been completely unnecessary. Becky was remarkably mature about the whole thing—way more accepting than she was.
After helping Becky with homework, she came out of the bedroom. Alexander was sitting on the sofa with his laptop, probably dealing with work stuff. The moment Arabella saw him, her steps faltered. She sighed wistfully and headed to the bathroom.
For her, since she'd decided to pull away, this constant living together was really uncomfortable. Fortunately, she only had to endure one more day.
---
The next day was when Daisy's new drama premiered. Arabella had already promised to watch it with her.
On the way over, she bought some snacks for binge-watching. When she got to Daisy's rental place, Daisy enthusiastically dragged her inside and made her sit on the couch.
"It starts at 12:30—prime afternoon time slot! Sit tight, I'm just gonna wash my face."
Arabella was surprised. "Don't tell me you just woke up!"
Daisy waved her off. "You have no idea what I went through last night—I'll tell you later. My luck is just incredible right now."
She disappeared into the bathroom while Arabella looked around. The place was a complete mess—very typical Daisy style.
Back when Philip was around, he'd constantly come over to clean up for her. Now that he was gone, who knew how long it had been since she'd tidied up? Such a nice place turned into this disaster.
Arabella couldn't stand it and started cleaning. Daisy was ridiculously good to herself—didn't make much money but rented this huge, beautiful apartment. Cleaning it was exhausting.
It was over a thousand square feet and she lived alone—how had she managed to turn it into a pigsty?
When Daisy finished getting ready and came out looking gorgeous, she actually stopped short seeing her clean, tidy home.
"Oh my God, you're amazing!" She rushed over and hugged Arabella, planting a kiss on her cheek. "But only be like this with me, okay? Around men, you have to be reserved. Never volunteer to do housework, got it?"
Arabella laughed. "There you go again with your theories. I know them by heart now."
All that stuff about pretending you can't cook so you don't have to, deliberately breaking dishes while washing so they won't trust you with them anymore, never volunteering for housework because it belongs to whoever cracks first—she had a whole system.
Daisy looked smug. "Well, am I wrong though?"
Arabella thought about it. "Actually, I think the best way is: I can do housework and cook, but I don't have to. I can do it, but I get to decide whether I do or not. If being with someone means I have to scheme about how to do less housework, that's just sad."
Daisy stared at her in amazement. "Damn, girl! Getting divorced really made you smarter, huh? But what you're describing is way too idealistic. When you're actually living together, unless you find a saint, how could you get such a perfect setup?"
Arabella thought about Alexander. He really was an amazing person. During their time living together, she'd started out sharing household duties, but gradually he ended up doing everything—cooking, dishes, cleaning, even taking out the trash.
It wasn't that she didn't want to help; he just always did things before she could.
Too bad... they could only be roommates now. Such a wonderful man, but he wasn't hers.
Sadness and disappointment welled up in Arabella's heart. She didn't feel like talking anymore.
Daisy hadn't noticed her mood change and kept chattering. "Though your Mr. FitzRoy seems pretty good. Even if he gets lazy later, you could hire a maid or something."
Rich people had countless servants. Even her scumbag dad kept three or four household staff.
Arabella made a noncommittal sound, then hesitated before asking, "What do you think of Alex?"
Daisy said, "He's great! Rich, gorgeous, gentle, and caring—perfect husband material."
"Do you like him?"
Arabella had been thinking about this for ages and finally decided to ask directly. Even though Alexander had denied liking Daisy that day, she didn't know if Daisy might have feelings for him...
She and Daisy were close friends for years. She didn't want a man to come between them.
Hearing the question, Daisy nearly jumped out of her skin. "Are you crazy? Like I'm in his league!"
Arabella frowned. "Not even a little?"
Daisy shook her head so hard she looked like a bobblehead. "Don't scare me like that! Seriously, I can't handle it. You know I like younger puppy-dog types."
Arabella breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."
If Daisy really liked Alexander, she didn't know how she'd handle it.
Daisy looked at her suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Arabella told her about the whole misunderstanding from a few days ago.
Daisy's eyes went wide with disbelief. "You got drunk and told him you wanted to sleep with him? He said he liked a woman you knew and you thought it was me? He denied it and asked why you didn't guess yourself?"
"Are you two insane? Playing twenty questions over here? It's one simple sentence—is this really necessary?"
She was getting frustrated just listening to this!
Arabella's shoulders slumped as her mood dropped. "I've already rented a place and I'm moving out."
Daisy had just taken a sip of water and sprayed it everywhere. Arabella quickly handed her tissues.
"I'm going crazy worrying about you two! Maybe he's never dated, but haven't you?" Daisy wiped up her spit-take frantically. "It's so obvious! He voluntarily told you he was bisexual! If he didn't like you, why the hell would he tell you that?"
"And when you guessed wrong, he said why didn't you guess yourself. When you asked if he liked you, he said 'what do you think?' If he didn't like you, he would've just said no! This Alexander guy—he's in his thirties and never chased a girl before? I'm about to lose my mind here."
Daisy was genuinely speechless. That day she'd encouraged Arabella to confess, then the next day asked about progress. When Arabella said there was none, she'd thought Arabella had chickened out. But who knew? Even after saying all that, these two still made no progress?
She'd been holding back before, thinking Alexander wanted to stay undercover around Arabella to build feelings first, that he should be the one to break through when the time was right.
Now she realized how wrong she'd been. Alexander was hopeless. If they waited for him, it would take another three years. He might be able to wait, but could Arabella? In three more years, she'd be 33! Only two years left of optimal childbearing age!
These two were driving her crazy. How could people say so much and still completely miss the point?
So she told Arabella straight up, "Mr. FitzRoy likes you. Really. Trust me."
Arabella smiled bitterly. "You don't need to comfort me. I've actually figured it all out."
"You've figured out jack shit!" Daisy smacked her head. "Even a block of wood should be able to feel it! Think about everything he's done for you since you got together!"
Arabella paused. It was true—since meeting Alexander, he'd helped her so much. Basically every time she had problems, he'd step in to help.
"But that's because he's a nice guy," Arabella said, not wanting to fall into meaningless hope.
"Still calling him a nice guy after all this?" Daisy laughed in exasperation. "Guess why I got this lead role? Guess why Philip could abandon Reed family business to go study abroad?"
Arabella blinked. "Philip was Alexander's connection, I know that. But your lead role is related to him too?"
Did his insurance business extend to the entertainment industry?
Daisy smiled without warmth. "I'm a background extra who couldn't even get a fourth female lead before this. Why would I suddenly become the star? Because your Mr. FitzRoy pulled some strings for me because he cares about you!"
Arabella was stunned and a bit surprised, but after the shock, it actually seemed... reasonable.
He was just that kind of helpful person. Wasn't she initially moved by his kindness and warmth?
Daisy looked at her friend's stubborn wooden head and completely gave up hope.
Fine. There was no way this blockhead would figure it out on her own. Better to work from the other side.
She pulled out her phone, found Alexander's contact, and sent a message:
[Arabella likes you. I'd bet my life on it—she's totally in love with you!]
After sending it, Daisy let out a long breath. Finally!
This barrier needed to be broken by her own hands. She'd personally deliver these lovebirds to each other. She was doing God's work!
Arabella had no idea what she'd done. Seeing it was almost time, she urged, "Turn on the TV! It's about to start."
Daisy had just turned on the TV when her phone rang. She looked panicked. "I need to take this call."
Arabella waved her off without paying attention. "Hurry up! The commercial ends in two minutes."
Daisy jumped up like the couch was on fire and rushed off.
Not only was the couch burning her butt, but her phone felt scalding too. She ran to another room, closed the door carefully, then answered tentatively, "Alexander, you called me?"
On the other end, Alexander was at a business dinner. Seeing Daisy's text, he'd abandoned a roomful of clients to step out and make this call.
He was still holding his wine glass, frowning deeply. "Are you playing truth or dare?"
Daisy closed her eyes and went for broke. "No! Arabella really likes you. She admitted it to me. You two need to get together already—I'm going crazy watching this!"
Alexander's hand trembled slightly. He set his glass down on a nearby table, steadied himself, then asked, "She just told you this? What did she say? What were her exact words?"
Daisy was stumped. "Exact words... I forgot ages ago. It wasn't just now—she told me a long time ago."
Alexander said, "Okay, I understand."
Daisy stared at the disconnected call and blinked.
Wait, that was it? No excitement? What did he understand exactly?
Something felt off, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Whatever—she'd laid it all out there. If these two still made no progress, she'd just call them cowards from now on.
Daisy put away her phone and happily went to watch her show.
---
At the upscale business venue, Alexander returned to the private room with his wine glass.
People kept coming over to toast him. Moris usually handled most of it with his decent alcohol tolerance, but right now Alexander was a complete mess inside—part hopeful, part anxious, part worried. He felt like this good news couldn't possibly be real, that he shouldn't read too much into it. Basically, he couldn't calm down.
He patted Moris on the shoulder. "Take a break."
After that, he accepted every drink offered, downing all the toasts.
Moris watched in amazement as he drank glass after glass, stunned by Mr. FitzRoy's alcohol capacity.
But even an iron man couldn't keep up this pace.
When the dinner finally ended, Alexander personally saw everyone out. Moris stood beside him, impressed that Mr. FitzRoy seemed completely unaffected despite drinking so much.
But the moment those business partners left, Alexander collapsed against him.