Chapter 45: Jealous
"What are you up to now, Arabelle?" Gabriel asked softly.
Arabelle hesitated, biting her lip as she replied, "Um, I’m just..."
Gabriel sighed and took a step back. "I know what you saw at the airport, Arabelle."
Arabelle felt a moment of panic as she realized that Gabe would, of course, know about Demetri’s mistress. Had he already discovered her plan? Humiliated that her scheme had been exposed by this man who always looked down on her, she prepared to argue with him when he added, "I know you’ve liked him for a long time. But using me to forget him isn’t going to be too helpful, hmm?"
Arabelle had been about to snap at him when she realized what he had said. Her plan had not been discovered! Gabe had assumed that she had let go of her love for Demetri because of that mistress and was now using him for a rebound. Well, that was good, wasn’t it? She had not lied to him. He was the one who misunderstood.
"Gabe! I have a right to do what I want! If you don’t want me to be near you, please feel free to leave."
With that, Arabelle turned around and swam away, refusing to look at him. Gabriel sighed and followed Arabelle slowly. "Hey! It’s not like I am saying that I have an objection to being your rebound."
A triumphant smile graced her face as she heard him call out to her. But she did not stop and instead let the man restlessly call out, "Arabelle, wait! I didn’t mean it like that. I just want you to be happy, and I was worried you might be rushing into something..."
His voice trailed off as he reached her, treading water beside her. Arabelle stopped, reluctantly turning to face him. Her expression was a perfect mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Gabe, you can’t just assume things about me. You don’t know what’s going on in my head."