Arabella's POV
It was still early in the morning, but I couldn't sleep anymore, and I felt my eyes swell from crying. I didn't have enough sleep, and I am sure I only rested a little. I hated Matthew and Lucy for turning my world upside down. I keep shifting on my bed, and I can still hear the rumbling of the water and the roaring of the wind, and I know right away the weather is not good; I can even hear the heavy rain pouring outside.
So, instead of turning around, I get up and go to the kitchen. I open Ty's refrigerator to look for some ingredients for breakfast, and I am shocked to discover lots of supplies. It seemed like the maid had refilled it recently, and I smiled, thinking I didn't need to worry if I would become stranded at Ty's residence since he has lots of food supplies.
I get bacon and eggs, then I rummage through his cabinets for pancake ready mix, and I felt so happy when I found it together with the cake flour and some baking ingredients. It made me wonder who could be his companion in this enormous household.
I know he is a rich kid, but I am not sure if he lives alone in this Villa. I love cooking, and I temporarily forgot about my heartache while cooking breakfast. I put the food that I cooked on the table, and I heard Ty's footsteps coming into the dining hall; and I felt glad he had arrived just in time for breakfast since I had cooked for him.
"Good morning, Ty, I am sorry, but this is the least I can do. Cook your breakfast since you helped me so much; your hospitality touches my soul." I greeted my host, and I am a liar if I say he didn't catch my full attention.
He is wearing a white pullover and sweatpants, but I can't stop admiring his handsome face and toned body. I could still remember his toned body beneath his shirt because I have seen him so many times wearing only board shorts on the Azure shoreline, and I can't deny he has the looks and incredible body that girls adored and fantasized about all the time.
"Wow, I wish I could always see you stranded in the harbor, so I can have you cook my breakfast now and then." He said as he pulled a chair, and he sat down without breaking eye contact with me; I felt my face blush, and to avoid further embarrassment, I turned away and went back to the kitchen to wash the utensils that I used when I was cooking.
"Arabella, aren't you going to eat breakfast with me?" Ty yelled at me, and I knew it would be rude to leave my host eating alone, so I turned back to the dining hall, and I was glad he enjoyed his meal.
"I am sorry, I just want to clean the pan." I reasoned.
"I can wash the dishes later since you cooked, now please eat." He said as he put some egg omelet and bacon on my plate. And I couldn't stop myself from feeling so conscious; I never imagined something like this would happen.
"Thanks," I said, and I caught him staring at my entire face this time, I tried to act cool, and I didn't want him to notice I was affected by his gaze.
"Hey, you didn't sleep last night?" He asked, and I looked at his handsome face.
"I wanted to sleep very badly, but I couldn't stop thinking about my sister and my ex-boyfriend. I realize they spent the night together having a good time while I was here under your care, crying my heart out." I replied, and I couldn't stop feeling the pain again.
"Ara, I don't have any idea how to comfort a woman whose ex had cheated on her, but one thing is for sure, Tyler was a jerk, and it was his loss, not yours, so you better eat, don't give him the satisfaction of ruining your beautiful figure." He said, and I couldn't help myself but smile at him.
I felt glad that this young man in front of me had helped me. Ty offered me to ride on his yacht, he let himself get wet in the rain to rescue me from my ex-boyfriend, and he let me stay at his splendid home to save me from the storm. And now I am eating all the food he put on my plate.
And the only way to pay back Tyler's hospitality and good deeds I clean his entire house, no matter how he convinced me he had a maid who would clean the house once the storm subsided.
"Don't be silly, Ty, at least I will not feel guilty for staying here for free, and this is the only way I can express my gratitude towards you," I said and smiled at him; I also cooked and prepared our lunch, then I baked oatmeal cookies for our snacks since I still can't go home because of the storm.
After we played board games and ate our snacks, I got back to my room to take a nap, and as I looked at the ocean from the window of my bedroom, I could see the weather was still not good. The powerful gust of wind lingered to hit the entire Island as I could see fallen trees and many broken tree branches while powerful waves reached to pound the shore.
I didn't realize I dozed off, and when I woke up, the entire room was so dark, and I felt glad I could sleep even a little. When I go downstairs, I can only look at a light coming from the kitchen, and I am stunned to meet Tyler cooking dinner.
He seemed so hot holding the ladle in his right hand, and when he mixed what was inside the casserole, I couldn't stop myself from admiring his hotness. And now I understand why many girls go so crazy over him. He is tall, handsome, and famous, but the way he looks facing his menu for the night, I can tell he is an excellent cook, and there is more to Tyler than his player image.
I moved closer to him, and he smiled at me when he turned his head and saw me enter the kitchen, and I hate to admit his dimples made him look sexier. What is wrong with me, I just got my heart broken by my ex, and now I am starting to admire someone out of my league?
"Hey, did you have an excellent sleep, Ara?" He asked, and I nodded, and it seemed like I had lost my ability to speak because I was still in a daze because of his irresistible appearance.
I want to disagree with those ladies who said Tyler Edgebright was just handsome and a playboy; they forgot to mention he has a good heart, too, he is someone who wants to help others in need, and I felt so lucky to know the honest Tyler. I am sure those girls do not realize he has a good heart.
"Do I have something on my face?" He asked as I followed him into the dining hall after he brought the beef stew to the serving bowl and placed it on the dinner table.
"Nothing, I just can't believe those rumors about you; I just hope next time they will include that you don't only have a pretty face but also an excellent chef," I answered him as I helped him set the placemats on the table. And I heard his laughter echo throughout the entire dining room.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked, confused.
"You need to taste my cooking first before confirming if I am truly a good cook." He said, and his intense gaze was making my stomach somersault.
"I can say it by the smell of your cooking," I replied.
"Well, tell me about your conclusion, Ara, if I am indeed a good chef, after eating the food I prepare for you." He whispered in my ear, and it caused my body to shiver. Tyler also served crusty bread rolls and steamed broccoli.
"Please have a seat now, my lady." He said, and I couldn't stop myself from beaming. He gave me some beef stew in my bowl, and he even put some broccoli on my plate. Tyler is a gentleman, and it made me wonder why the girls on the island called him a heartbreaker. I guess one of these days, I will ask him about it.
"Mmm, this is so tasty, Ty; you are an excellent cook," I spoke after tasting the stew.
"I am glad you like it, Arabella." He answered, and the way he called and emphasized my full name made me feel so excited. I know I am so hurt and brokenhearted because of Matthew and Lucy's betrayal, but I can't deny that Tyler helped me a lot to divert my attention while I was at his house. When I looked up, I found him staring at me again, and this time I felt so conscious, and I couldn't stop the rapid beating of my heart.
"I wish the weather tomorrow will be back to normal, or at least the wind will lower its speed so that I can take you home." He said.
"Yeah, me too, but I expect there would be a ferry schedule in going to the mainland," I replied.
"Why? Do you want to travel back already?" He asked.
"Do you expect I can face my sister after discovering her relationship with my ex? It would be hard staying in the same house with her, and I am sure my ex-boyfriend will always be there since it is a semester break. I realize I better move back to the mainland and have my part-time job while I am in school break, too; in that way, I can save more money for my education." I answered, and he was staring at me.
"Then, be my girlfriend, Arabella." He responded.
"What?" I asked, and I was shocked by Tyler's words.
"I know it is shocking to you, and I am sure you are the kind of girl who will mend your broken heart first before you enter another relationship. I like you, and I want to help you get over your ex. I witnessed how he broke your heart that night, and I felt obligated to protect you." He said.
"You don't need to do that, Ty. It would be unfair to you." I replied.
"I would love to spend more time with you, Arabella. Allow me to mend your broken heart, and you don't need to fall in love with me. I don't want you to run away from your home, show them they are not the only ones who can have fun." He declared.
"I will be there and be your boyfriend if you wish me to. It is all up to you, I will give you time to think about it, but I assume you won't say no to my handsome face, Ara." He added, and I couldn't believe Tyler would help me forget my ex-boyfriend by being his girlfriend. Is he for real?