ARABELLA

“Looks like the little spy’s lost,” Sebastian muttered to Alex as his fingers tightened around my wrist. His gaze didn’t leave mine even for a second. “I’ll take her where she belongs.”

“Seb…”

“Go Alex.”

Alex backed off instantly.

Sebastian pulled me with him as I stumbled to match his pace. Opening the door he pushed me inside. He shut the door the next moment, making my heart jump.

I turned slowly and saw him still standing by the door, looking at me. The intensity of his stare made me want to run and hide in a corner.

“I… I’m sorry,” my voice was barely audible. “I didn’t mean…”

“Sorry?” he stopped me in the middle, “For what?”

My heart dropped.

“For listening outside that room this morning?” He took a step forward. “For going through Susan’s phone? Or for hiding behind the bar like a spy?” His eyes darkened. “Tell me, Arabella… which one are you sorry for?”

Shit! he.. he knew. B-but how?!

I kept stepping back until the wall stopped me. He kept coming closer and closer. The room suddenly felt too small. He trapped me between his body and the wall. Both of his hands rested on the wall above my head.

I looked around like a helpless fawn when his musky, spiced smell hit me. I couldn’t focus on anything.

“You’re curious,” he said as his fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

“Reckless.”

His thumb brushed my cheek.

“And very, very stupid.”

He leaned in until his nose brushed against the side of my neck. I could barely breathe but tried to act cool.

He took a few long, deep breaths like he wanted to remember my smell. “Tell me, Arabella,” he whispered in a husky voice, “Do you enjoy playing with fire?”

I couldn’t answer as I found it almost hard to stand still. A chill crawled down my spine.

“ Stay away from my business,” he said in a calm but dangerous tone. After almost a minute he finally pulled back, letting me go. I let out a breath I was holding. He turned back but stopped again.

“Oh, and by the way… you smell nice.” his lips rubbed against my earlobe, making me shiver. “Especially when you’re afraid.”

With a smirk he left the room, making me frozen at my place. I placed a hand on my chest as I breathed heavily. What just happened?

He was far more dangerous than I had ever imagined. I’d make sure to maintain my distance from him.

****************

TWO DAYS LATER,

I heard someone crying just outside my door.

At first, I thought I imagined it. But then the low, muffled hiccups confirmed my suspicion. I came out of my room and followed the sound.

A girl was weeping, sitting in the corridor with her back facing me.

“Hello?” I said cautiously. “Are you okay?” I asked again. Her crying stopped but she didn't reply. Hesitating, I touched her shoulder. She flinched and turned to face me.

I froze. It was her! The wounded girl from that room. Her big doe eyes blinked at me. They looked so red and puffy from crying for a long time. But she was beautiful.

“No one loves Amy,” she whispered. “They’ll take Amy away. They’ll beat Amy again. But I won’t go. Not this time.” She kept murmuring, with an anxious, fearful voice.

I felt a raw pinch in my heart. Her words reached somewhere deep inside me and hit a fresh wound.

Amy? Sebastian and Alex had mentioned that name. This was her? She looked so young. Barely twenty. But the way she was crying, speaking in third person…. It was like watching a child trapped in a grown body.

I knelt a little beside her. “Can I… help you?”

She just stared at me without answering.

“I saw you,” she said out of nowhere, “Outside my room.”

I was taken aback. Did all of them see me?

“I… I didn’t mean,” I stammered. “ But when I heard th…”

“Can I go to your room?” she asked, looking around. Without waiting for an answer she just stood up and started walking. I silently followed her.

Entering inside, she went straight to the bed and curled up again.

“They’ll hurt me,” she again said in a broken voice, “ They’d again take me away.”

The ache in my chest grew louder. Who was she talking about? I wanted to say something comforting, but nothing came.

I sat at the edge of the bed, careful to keep some distance in between.

“Who’s trying to hurt you?” I asked gently. “Was it those men from before?”

She frowned a little. “You mean Sebastian?”

I nodded.

“No. He didn’t do anything. He’s my cousin.”

Oh, Great. Of course I got it wrong again.

“Right. I was just… checking,” I mumbled, deeply embarrassed by my horrible assumption.

After a pause, she tilted her head. “Sebastian brought you here, right?”

“Yeah.”

She looked at me for a long second, then smiled lightly. “You’re pretty.”

That caught me off guard.

“Your eyes,” she added. “They’re beautiful.”

“Oh I am not but… thank you.” I blushed hard. Not many people had called me pretty except Mom and Jenny. But people always compliment my eyes though. I got it from my Mom.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Arabella.”

“I am Amy.” she said, easing a bit. Without even realising she came a bit closer to me.

“And Alex? Is he your cousin too?” I asked to continue the conversation.

But her face suddenly changed.

“He’s no one to me,” she said sharply. “Just Seb’s bet…” She stopped. “I mean, best friend.” Her face cringed while talking about Alex. It was clear she didn't like him at all.

“Amy, you’re here? I’ve been searching for you everywhere. Come with me.”

Hearing the harsh voice I turned toward the door . Judy stood there with hands on her hips. Her unpleasant eyes were fixed on Amy,

who was clinging to my arm, hiding behind me.

Amy flinched at the sound. “No,” she whimpered from behind. “I want to stay with her. Please don’t make me go, Arabella. I swear I’ll be good. Please…”

My chest squeezed in pity mixed with a foreign warmth. A wave of protectiveness passed through me.

“I don’t think she wants to go,” I said, trying to sound firm. Let her stay with me today.” I tried to stand my ground.

Judy’s eyes looked at me sharply. “Listen, Arabella. You’re eating, sleeping, walking under this roof and that’s fine. But you are a guest. Don't try to act like the mistress of the house.”

Her words slapped me hard. A lump rose in my throat as she stepped forward and yanked Amy’s hand.

“ Leave me. I won't take that injection, LEAVE ME!” Amy screamed as she tried her best to separate herself from Judy. The poor girl looked back at me, desperately hoping for help but I couldn't do anything. And just like that, she was gone.

I just stood there like a fool. Judy was right. Who was I to speak up? I was a nobody. No name, no pack, no home. These people were giving me shelter, safety… food I hadn’t tasted in years. Back home, I’d work all day for a bare minimum meal. Some nights I went to sleep even on an empty stomach.

And here I was…. taking their kindness for granted.

I sat on the bed and pulled my knees to my chest. A few drops of hot traitor tears left my eyes as I remembered Amy's helpless face. Betty was right. I am indeed a weak, pathetic girl. I couldn't even save Amy. I failed her.

No, I couldn’t live like this. Tomorrow, I'll earn my place. I’d clean, cook, help in whatever way I could. I wouldn’t be a freeloader. I also had to find a way to meet Amy anyhow.

***************

“Wake up! I said… WAKE UP!”

I felt a searing pain in my arm. My face contorted and eyes flew open.

Sebastian was standing near me, soaked from head to toe. His shirt was un-buttoned, revealing his chest. Rain dripped from his hair on the floor. He looked like he’d just walked out of a storm or was about to become one.

He was breathing heavily. The next second, he pulled me up and almost threw me against the nearby wall.

I stared at him, stunned. What's going on?

His darkened eyes burned with rage and hatred as he held my wrists in a tight grip.

“What did you say to Amy?” he growled, breath reeking of alcohol.

My heart raced. He was drunk.

“I ASKED WHAT DID YOU SAY TO AMY?”

He shouted at the top of his lungs making me flinch. His grip tightened even more.

“Ahh! Let go! Y-you’re hurting me!” I cried, trying to pull away.

“You think you can turn her against me? I told you… I TOLD YOU TO STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY BUSINESS!” His voice was so loud, I swore the whole room shook.

He raised his hand and I flinched but instead, he grabbed a heavy vase off the table and threw it. It smashed into the mirror behind me, shattering it completely.

“Stay away from my sister. Stay the fuck away. Got it?” He bellowed.

I couldn’t hear him anymore. Everything blurred. My mind flipped back to years ago.

A drunken man…. A trembling woman…. Slurred curses….

“You whore, how many men this time?”

“Please, Bella’s here… you’re drunk. Just leave.”

“Shut up. I don’t care about that bastard kid. Come. Please me.”

No. No. No. I backed away. My whole body was shaking violently. My eyes fell on the balcony door.

I ran towards the balcony. The cold, hard raindrops hit me. I pushed the door shut and locked it behind me.

“How dare you! Open the door! OPEN IT!”

Sebastian pounded the glass, making me wince.

Rain soaked me through and thunder split open the sky. I pressed my hands to my ears, trying to block everything out.

“Fucking open it!” he screamed, kicking the glass door again.

My whole body shook from the cold as I felt dizzy. Black dots started appearing in front of my eyes when I heard a loud crack.

He broke the door!