"What are you looking at?" I asked him softly, taking my position beside him. I glanced at what he was staring at, it was the park across the road from my apartment.
"They look happy," he had a soft smile on his face, he was talking about the kids playing with a Labrador. It was Celestine's pet, cookie. She was one door away from mine.
"They are!" I reciprocated his smile.
"Let's have our lunch here. Now stop being indolent and help me set the table." I ordered him playfully.
"Yes, your majesty." He gave me a mock salute and followed me into the kitchen. We set the table on our terrace and had our lunch there.
"Damn! It's good." He grunted with approval after taking a bite of the pizza.
"I told you so," I chirped.
He was savoring the pizza like anything. He was already on his fifth slice, I was nibbling at my third slice while gawking at him in disbelief.
"What?" he raised his eyebrows at my inquisitive eyes.
"Nothing," I remarked and looked away. It was a bit chilly but pleasant. The way the wind caresses my hair and cheeks gives me a serene feeling. A phone call broke me from my little bubble. I checked the caller's id to see my senior journalist's number flashing. I took the call and cleared my throat.
"Mr. Graham,"
"Ms. Sandros, there is a rumor about Jedrick, he is here for a month for his upcoming project, rumor says that he is staying at the Plazo. I want you to start your work without more ado."
"Yes, sir, I got it," I responded to him and hung up his call. An idea pops up in my mind, I considered it would be great if I ensure that Jedrick is staying at the Plazo.
"Will you be alright, if I'm away for a while?" I asked Arsenio with a frown.
"I'm not a kid, Adeline." He groused, which made me grin toothily at him.
"Right! Don't forget to do the dishes while I'm away." I told him in my sing-song voice as I made my way to grab my coat and bag. I heard him groan. I chuckled at him as I made my way, out of the door.
I reached the Plazo in fifteen minutes, it looked so posh and shiny. The doorman greeted me with a kind smile but the lady, who was passing by me, scrutinized her gaze upon me. I looked down to examine my look. I was wearing the same outfit as I wore this morning, I looked like a commoner among these snobbish people.
I didn't dare to approach the receptionist with this attire, the place was so intimidating, and I kind of feel so anxious to walk on this polished floor. I could literally see my reflection on the floor, besides I'm just wearing my sneakers. I couldn't even imagine walking on my heels here.
Thank god, the doorman let me pass without a question. Bless him!
I walked around without any destination, landing myself near the pool. There are tables here and there, some are swimming while the others are having their dinner and chatting away with their partners. The place looks like a fictional place, so fancy.
I was surveying the crowd to spot a familiar face closer to Jedrick. I was not watching my front and walked straight into a hard wall, the collision made me fall straight into the pool with a loud splash.
I couldn't swim and I can feel the water entering my nose.
"Help! I... mph... can't swim!" the water entered into my mouth, making me impossible to talk.
"mlrppp... ahhhh... help!"
I felt like I was trying to swim in a puddle of mud. I heard another splash near me and a few minutes later, a rough hand grabbed me by my waist. I circled my arms and legs around my rescuer like a baby monkey clinging to its mom and rested my face at the crook of his neck breathing heavily.
The person was like a stone-cold statue, hard under my touch, yet warm, and comforting to rely upon.
I could hear flashes going off and the hustling and murmuring of people around the pool. I just focused on my breathing, clinging to my rescuer as my life depends on it.
"Are you okay?" his voice was rough yet composed of all emotions. I looked up at his face. My face drained off all the color, he was not any rescuer. He was Rehor Jedrick, the devil disguised as a human.
I could feel his rough hands rubbing circles on my back, I stiffened under his touch. My change in demeanor made him look into my eyes. I could feel him gazing at me up and down but his face didn't give away what he was thinking. I diverted my eyes to his chest, which was covered by his soaked white shirt. I could make out the hard lines of his chest.
"I…I'm fine. Tha…Thank you." I stuttered, he nodded his head in acknowledgment. His face was void of any emotions. He was deathly calm for all the commotions going around us. He slowly made his way out of the pool with me in his arms. Once we were out, he gently dropped me on the ground.
As soon as he dropped me, some sturdy-looking men began to surround us, more like surrounded him. I took that us my chance and flew the scene. I was shivering, and the cold was not helping me either. I looked back to make sure that he was not seeing me but I made the grave mistake of turning in his direction. He was standing there surrounded by people, but his eyes were set on me, as if, he was assessing my behavior. I gasped at the predatory look he was giving me. He looked down to hide his smile at my expression. I turned swiftly and ran away from him.
He had this dark and mysterious aura and don't even get me started with his intimidating obscure eyes. His eyes were pale blue almost silver. It was almost like; he was trying to drown my soul in its never-ending depth.
I fast-walked to my car occasionally tripping due to my anxiety on full force. The cold wind nipped my skin causing goosebumps to break out on my drenched skin. At least I confirmed that he was staying here. The real work starts from tomorrow, the thought made me heave a sigh of uneasiness.
***************
Arsenio's Pov~
After Adeline left, I took away all the dirty dishes to the sink. I never did this kind of domestic work in my entire life. I'm a fucking prince for god's sake. Thanks to my precious parents, now I'm stuck here in search of a bride. Who was going to fall in love with a homeless, I'm at the mercy of Adeline. I heaved a sigh and did the dishes. I decided to visit the park across the street once I dried the dishes.
**********
I sat on the stone bench near the pond, kids were running wildly. Parents were busy running behind them to make sure they don't get hurt. I saw a little girl with pigtails try to get on the swing but due to her tiny feet, she couldn't get on it. She looked around four years old. She wore a pink little frock that rests at her knees. She looked around the park, as if, searching for someone. Our gaze locked and she looked away shyly. I chuckled at her and rose to my feet to help the little girl.
"Need some help, little one?" I asked her with a friendly smile. Her head turned up at me with wide eyes and she looked down at her feet.
Adorable.
"Erm…ca…can you help me get onto this?" she asked me with her baby voice, pointing at the swing with her chubby little finger and shinny big eyes.
"Yes, Milady." I gave her my best imitation of the British accent and bowed in front of her. She gave me a toothy grin and giggled at me. I lifted her and sat her on the swing. She swayed her legs, up and down but the swing didn't move, which made me chuckle at her. She looks so cute. I decided to be at her rescue.
"Hold on tight," I warned her and slowly pushed the swing. She laughed heartily.
"Faster…yay!" she squealed with delight.
We both played for a while, chuckling and teasing each other. The little girl's name was Lilly. She was here with her nanny, who was busy chatting away on her phone. Her mother was an interior designer and she arrives home at half-past seven. She stays at apartment number 205 in the same building, Adeline was staying.
"Nio!!" Lilly grinned toothily at me.
"Yes, my princess." I bowed in front of her dramatically, which made her giggle.
"I'll see you tomorrow. You'll come tomorrow, right?" she asked me with her hopeful, shiny eyes. I nodded to her with a smile.
"Sure, princess." She squealed and hugged my leg. Before I return her hug, she flew away like a light. I chuckled at her retreating frame. I made sure that she reached her nanny and after that, I made my way to the apartment.