“I’m ready, Ma’am Lily,” Nikki said.
I was about to step forward when I heard Arlo’s voice. He was talking to Sarah. I grabbed Nikki’s hand and led her out of the house. I didn’t look back and walked straight out. As soon as we were outside, Nikki immediately called the driver. I got into the car.
“Who is Sarah?” I asked Nikki.
“Sarah? She acts like a madam, but she’s just a helper in Ma’am Ella’s mansion. I get so annoyed with her because she acts like she owns Ma’am Ella’s mansion,” Nikki replied.
“Ma’am, where are we going?” the driver asked.
“To the mall, sir,” I said, and Nikki told him which mall we were going to.
After a few minutes, the driver dropped us off in front of the mall.
“Nikki, I forgot my ID. Do you have yours? You’ll have to send money to my cousin for me,” I said, which made Nikki look at me curiously.
“Yes, ma’am. Where should we send the money?” she asked.
“Is the bank far from here? If it is, let’s send it through transfer,” I said.
“Come on, ma’am. There’s Bank inside the mall. Ma’am, it seems like you don’t know your way around Alabama!” she said, smiling and shaking her head.
We entered the mall. Once Nikki sent the 100K, I called Violet, who was shocked by the amount. Then I invited Nikki to shop for some clothes. Nikki’s eyes widened when I bought a keypad phone. She didn’t say anything and just let me be. I also told her to choose whatever she wanted.
I bought sunglasses and a black hat as well. I wore my new hat immediately. Before we knew it, we had spent almost five hours at the mall. Finally, we headed home.
“Nikki, Boss has been calling you,” the driver said.
“My phone was on silent. Drive faster, sir,” Nikki instructed.
Arlo couldn’t call me because he didn’t know my number. Thankfully, there wasn’t any traffic, and we got home quickly. When we arrived, we found Arlo sitting in the living room. As soon as he saw me, he stood up quickly.
“Sir, I’m sorry, my phone was on silent,” Nikki explained.
Arlo didn’t say anything. Nikki took my shopping bags upstairs.
“Where’s your phone?” Arlo asked me.
“Why are you looking for my phone?”
“Give me your phone so I can save my number,” he said firmly.
“Wait, it’s in my bag.”
“What!?” he exclaimed when he saw my keypad phone.
“Why do you look like it’s your first time seeing a phone?
“Later, let’s replace your phone with an iPhone 15,” he said as he typed his number into my phone. After saving it, he dialed his number.
I shook my head. I switched to this phone for a reason, and now he wants to replace it with an iPhone.
“No need, I’m happy with my phone. I’ll head upstairs now.”
—
**ONE MONTH LATER…**
The days passed quickly, and I’ve now been staying at Arlo’s house for over a month. Sometimes, he’d take me to his apartment. He occasionally found it strange that I rarely went out.
Our living arrangement had been peaceful, with no major problems between us. Sometimes, Arlo and I existed in our own little worlds. I’d spend most of my time in my room reading novels. However, over the past few days, I noticed that Arlo had been avoiding me. I couldn’t think of anything I might have done to upset him.
I also learned that Arlo owns **Mega Winery Bonde’s Company**. Even though he’s not the CEO of the large family company owned by his parents, he has his own business.
Recently, during a conversation with Mom, she told me that Dad had my passport and was struggling to find where he’d put it. Mom also mentioned that Grandpa Williams had been searching for me, along with the man he wanted me to marry. She said that when Nixon Dee found out I’d left, he rushed back to the States. Nixon is the name of Grandpa Williams’ friend’s grandson. Just hearing his name made me feel uneasy and distrustful.
When I searched for his name online, I found out he’s also a businessman. That’s all the information available about him—he has no photos, and his life is incredibly private.
I glanced at my phone to check the time. It was already past 11 PM, and Arlo still hadn’t come home. He hadn’t called or messaged me either. I was worried about him.
Then, it started pouring heavily outside, which only made me more anxious. I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer. Feeling a chill from the balcony, I went back inside my room. Suddenly, I heard a noise downstairs, so I quickly left my room and ran down the stairs.
When I saw Arlo drunk and with **Dalaja**, I froze on the stairs like a statue. My jaw clenched at the sight.
I felt nervous, but I also wanted to scream at them. I couldn’t control myself. Bravely, I marched down the stairs, startling Dalaja, whose eyes widened as I approached like I was ready for battle.
“Do you even know that the man you’re throwing yourself at already has a fiancée? Don’t you have any dignity or self-respect? Are there no other men in this world that you had to flirt with, my boyfriend?!” I shouted boldly at her.
