Chapter 57: 57

Sheila gasped out in shock at the sudden, unexpected move by Arthur.

Fleur's lips are parted and Celeste only stared with wide eyes, completely in shock.

Sheila was still reeling over the shock when Arthur slammed her harder against his body, his lips colliding ferociously against her lips.

Sheila was too stunned to even react. She didn't push him away, nor did she kiss him back, she was lost, still struggling to figure out the shit wrong with Arthur.

Arthur finally broke the kiss and with a tilt of head, his lips parted, grazing her earlobes.

“A kiss, whenever you fúcking go against me,” he whispered gravely into her ears, making sure each word sank deep into her memory.

Sheila gasped, but couldn't say a word. She was still in shock, perplexed.

Arthur turned to Celeste, brows furrowed. He let Sheila go, then bolted to Celeste whose legs were shaking already, fingers dinging into her flesh.

“I'll pay you —,” Arthur's words hung in the air, the tension in the room growing wild as he cast Celeste a glance.

Then his lips curved as he grabbed her shoulders firmly, earning a thick gasp from Sheila and a wince from Celeste.

Fleur was the only one who looked indifferent, his expression unreadable.

A streak tear fell from Celeste's eyes down to her cheeks, but that didn't have any effect on Arthur, he didn't even blink.

“For this month's services, I won't cut off your pay, nor will I increase it,” his voice was chillier than ice, smashing the cold room with shivers.

He stepped back slowly, then tilted his head towards Sheila who still looked in awe, dumbfounded, lips parted.

Then he uttered the words which broke the ice.

“Your services are dismissed, Celeste.”

Celeste sank to her knees, heavy tears streaming down her cheeks like a crimson fountain.

“Arthur....” Sheila drawled shockingly, shoulders slumping beside her.

“I'm sorry boss, but please don't send me home,” Celeste's cries tore through the room. Some of the maids who overheard her wailing rushed out, peeking out through the entrance without saying a thing.

They all had a pitiful gaze as they stared at crying Celeste, their eyes filled with empathy. Well, except for one person —the one who had texted Arthur.

There's a smug expression on the person's face, but behind that expression was something deeper, something unmistakable.

Disappointment.

“I know I don't deserve to be given another chance —” Celeste choked on her tears, shaking her head vehemently and Sheila bit her bottom lip hard before walking to them. She took Arthur's hand who cast a questionable glare at her.

“Please....” She muttered softly, biting her lip again.

Arthur sighed, still adamant while more tears streamed down Celeste's cheeks.

“I don't have anywhere to go to boss, please—”

Sheila stood on her toes suddenly, then pulled Arthur close by the collar before tilting her head.

“I promise to be good from now, huh?” She whispered into his ears.

“I won't go against your orders, but please don't send her home,” She muttered softly and Arthur stared blankly at her eyes.

His anger melted away just by staring at her, but he remained composed, unaffected and that unreadable expression still painted his face.

He only tilted his head back, then glanced over at Fleur who stepped forward.

“Plans changed,” he leaned in and whispered to Fleur, then continued.

“But I want you to discover who texted me, and as for Celeste?” he huffed softly, turning to Sheila who was still holding him before returning his gaze to Fleur.

“Send her back to the maids quarter, but there won't be second chances next time,” he said, his tone sharp, dripping with finality.

“Follow me,” Fleur turned to Celeste and commanded softly.

Celeste stood hurriedly, bowing to Sheila and Arthur before leaving with Fleur.

Sheila exhaled sharply, then made to leave Arthur but he held her in, his grip tight around her waist,

“What are you doing?” Sheila gasped, struggling to break free from his hold.

But he didn't budge.

Didn't move.

His eyes turned inky as a deep scoff, filtered out of his throat.

The sound was sharp and slicing, sending shivers down Sheila's spine.

She shivered at his cold grip.

His thoughts were messed up as he stared at her, “Little liar,” he rumbled and Sheila gasped out again, but before she could say a word, he leaned in, then whispered.

“The kiss —” he paused, his eyes flashing with something Sheila couldn't name.

Sheila's throat moved as her fingers sank into her flesh, digging deep.

“Was nothing. Like I said, that's the price that comes with you going against me,” he snarled. “No fúcking strings attached,” he deadpanned, the coldness of his voice sent intense shivers down Sheila's spine.

With a jerk, Sheila was already standing on her own while Arthur dusted his shirt.

“There won't be second chances if you ever go against me,” He scowled and without waiting for Sheila to even say a word or reply, he began climbing the staircase, leaving Sheila to reel over his words.

That word 'little liar' haunted Sheila like a dead ghost as more goose bumps appeared vividly on her skin.

Why would he call her that? She shook her head frantically then sniffled.

She was about climbing the stairs when her phone beeped, it was a text from Mira.

'Tell me you're fine, please. You just bursted out without saying a word to me. I'm really worried, Sheila.'

Sheila sighed softly, then quickly texted her a reply.

'I'm fine Mira, something came up but thankfully, it has been sorted out.'

She slipped back her phone inside the purse then went upstairs.

Arthur wasn't in the room when she got in so she only threw the clothes off her body, heading straight to the bathroom.

She entered the Jacuzzi, burying herself completely in the water as her mind navigated through different things, her lips pressed together.

She spent roughly an hour in the Jacuzzi before she finally decided to take her shower. By the time she came out of the bathroom, it was already 7:30pm.

She dried her body and her hair, then applied her night body cream before putting on her nightie.

She bolted downstairs and returned back a few minutes later with a glass of orange juice.

She grabbed her laptop then sat on the bed, folding her legs into the other before exhaling softly, taking a slow sip from the juice.

She dropped it beside herself and before working with her laptop.

Seconds turned into minutes and minutes gradually faded to hours. The sky grew darker and the air colder.

As the night wore on, Sheila yawned softly then glanced at the clock.

10:10pm.

She grunted, shutting down her laptop before closing it and keeping it on her bedstand.

She lay on the bed, covering herself with the quilt but couldn't sleep. She kept rolling to the side of the bed, grunting and groaning but nothing was happening.

So she stood, then walked over to the window. She pulled the curtains apart and began staring at the sky, watching as the stars lit up the sky, their glow beautiful and enchanting.

She smiled slowly then crossed her arms, her gaze solely on the stars.

Staring at them, she forgot about her predicaments, her sorrows and her insomnia.

She just stood, reeling over the moment as she glanced up at the sky, her cheeks stretching so much.

Meanwhile, in the next room where Arthur is, he's standing beside the window, staring at the sky too—precisely the stars.

He couldn't sleep either.

But unlike Sheila that stared at the stars with a smile, Arthur stared with mixed feelings and emotions.

As if he was counting the stars.

Plotting and strategizing his next move.

He was being intentional, deliberate as he turned to his side, grabbing the goblet of wine.

The stars suddenly crawled back into the cloud and the atmosphere shifted, a heavy breeze came, the sky thundered loudly and Sheila gasped out, stepping back slowly.

Arthur only placed the goblet on a table, crossing his arms.

It first started off as drizzle but within seconds, it came in in harsh torrents, accompanied by a wild breeze.

Sheila already closed back her window and right now, she's lying on the bed, the sound of the heavy rain clashing against the roof of the house.

Arthur didn't move away from his spot, he stood his ground but there's a shift in his expression and aura.

He's shaking and his teeth are clashing against the other, but he's adamant.

Probably because he wanted to. He knew he's intolerant of the cold, but he couldn't see beyond it.

When the rain got heavier and the cold began to wreck his systems, he still stood his ground —not because he didn't want to move, but because he couldn't move.

His hands, feet, fingers and toes were extremely numb, heavy to move and his body already discolored, changing to blue-tinged.

The door suddenly burst open, revealing Sheila who was glaring hard at him, eyes murderous.

“What—”

“You really want to die, don't you?” She snarled angrily, storming towards him.

“Don't.... Don't come close —” his lips were trembling as he spoke. Sheila only scoffed, ignoring his words.

She shot her hand forward, grabbing his hands but the coldness she felt made her heart skip several beats.

His hands were cold, so cold like ice and his skin? Pale!!

Without another word, Sheila grabbed him forcefully, pushing him on the bed.

Arthur only stared with pale lips as Sheila unbuttoned his shirt, then threw his trouser off his legs.

He couldn't say a word. Too weak to say anything.

Sheila's nightie slipped out of her body effortlessly and Arthur managed a gasp.

“I'm not going to fuck you,” she snarled with an eye roll.

“I'm only doing this because Fleur asked me to,”

Damn Fleur.

With that said, Sheila climbed the bed with him, her warm body colliding against his cold body as she pulled him closer, covering them both with the heavy duvet.