Husband With Benefits
Chapter 181: Arabelle Is Dead

Chapter 181: Arabelle Is Dead

The sun was setting over the vast rolling landscape of the farm, casting a warm, golden glow on the tranquil scenery. Gabe’s car approached the gates slowly, the turn of lights grabbing the attention of the girl who sat on the porch.

As she spotted the familiar vehicle, she couldn’t contain her excitement. With an ecstatic grin, she sprinted across the field, her long hair trailing behind her like a comet.

"Gabe!", she called out his name happily as she reached him and leapt into his arms.

With a laugh, Gabe caught her effortlessly and wrapped his arms around her. Holding her close, Gabe looked into her sparkling eyes and kissed her forehead," Ari, you are positively glowing! I’ve missed you so much!"

Arabelle swatted at him and pouted," Liar! I missed you more! If you missed me, you wouldn’t go away on all these boring business trips only leaving Jay with me for company."

"Well, I can prove that I’ve missed you a lot! I’ve already arranged for most of my work to be transferred here. So, I won’t have to go on any trips for the foreseeable future and I can spend all my time serving my princess Ari."

Ari grinned up at this and squealed in delight," My Gabe is the best! Then we will have time to plan our wedding!"

Ari clasped Gabe’s hands and walked towards the house, her hands clasped in his naturally. "I’ve been designing a dress for the wedding. Even if its going to be just the two of us, I want to make a pretty dress. I’ve even designed one. Let me show it to you. By the way, do you want some tea? There’s a fresh pot brewing..."

Gabe sat and watched Ari her with a fond smile, admiring the way she moved with grace and an air of carefree innocence. Her body language was a testament to her simple joy and unfiltered love for life. She skipped around the room, her enthusiasm infectious, and set about making tea with an array of colorful tea cups. This was the Arabelle of the past and yet not.

His heart ached to see her like this without her ingrained arrogance and pride. And yet, he treasured the carefree happiness on her face more. She was Arabelle and yet she was not. Here, she was Ari... a woman he had created from the mess that was left of Arabelle.

He turned his head away and closed his eyes. The world now believed that Arabelle was dead and they were all right. This woman in front of him was only a shell of Arabelle. He looked down at the sketchbook that Ari had left with him.

The designs in the book stunned him and shook him. Ari was dressed in a simple frock-style dress which was nowhere near the way Arabelle would dress. But these designs with their instinctive sense of fashion were pure Arabelle. He remembered that she’d wanted to be a designer when they were younger. She’d even given a presentation in school.

How much of herself had Arabelle lost to her obsession and how much had she gained from this path of treatment that he had taken her on.

Placing the cup of tea in front of him, Arabelle continued animatedly," I think the first dress will look the best on me! I am going to stitch it myself and use Ivory lace. I already told Jay to order it for me. Also, you won’t believe how much fun I had with Furface. The little rabbit is getting naughtier by the day..."

Gabe listened attentively as Arabelle continued to talk about her day with the small family of rabbits that she tended to on the farm.

After realizing that her plan to get rid of Nora had gone bust, Arabelle had lost the little sanity that she had left, leaving her totally unaware of her surroundings. But finally, he had been able to give her a peaceful and happy environment.

At least here and now, she did not have to be tortured with her obsession for Demon. So what if her parents blamed him for everything? He couldn’t care less!

As Arabelle beamed at him, he could not help but lean forward and kiss her forehead again.

Surprised at his sudden kiss, Ari quickly moved forward and kissed his forehead as well as she said," I can’t wait for the day till we are married and we can be together forever! I love you Gabe."

"And I love you, Ari..." Gabe quickly replied even as his heart ached for the woman he loved.

After tea, Arabelle quickly caught his hand, wanting to stroll with him. As the sun dipped low casting an orange glow in the sky, Ari and Gabe walked hand in hand, strolling around the farm. Eventually, they reached a small pond and the couple sat close to each other, enjoying in peace the silence around them.

As Arabelle stared at the reflection of stars shimmering over the pond’s still water, her eyes had a melancholy look. Sometimes there were memories of the past that kept trying to intrude on her, as if whispering that she should not be loving Gabe. That she hated him.

It made her feel horrible and guilty towards her love. It was Gabe who was always by her side whenever she needed him and yet her mind had to play such tricks on her against him.

With a sigh, she leaned closer to him and closed her eyes. She was not going to let her happiness with Gabe be affected by these petty thoughts. They loved each other and that was enough.

"Gabe? We’re going to be as happy in the future as we are now, aren’t we?", Arabelle asked, her eyes searching for reassurance.

Gabe nodded with a smile," Hmm. We are going to be the happiest. I will make it happen, Ari."

Arabelle was content at that and hummed," I believe in you, Gabe."

Read latest chapters at f(r)eewebnov𝒆l Only