Husband With Benefits

Amidst the enchanting glow of city lights, Arabelle and Gabe strolled hand in hand down a quaint cobblestone street, the vibrant sunset casting warm hues on their faces. The air was filled with the gentle murmur of laughter and the occasional clinking of glasses from nearby cafes. Arabelle’s new engagement ring sparkled under the streetlights, catching the attention of anyone who happened to glance their way.

Gabe, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, couldn’t help but gaze at Arabelle with a smile that betrayed the fact that this "pretend" engagement held a bit more significance for him.

Arabelle on the other hand remained stone-faced as she ignored the hustle and bustle around her. She had been forced to pretend for this evening and she was not happy about it nor was she going to pretend to be enchanted with him.

She tried to subtly take her hand out of his grasp but he refused to let it go. She glared at him but he only smiled," Our purpose here is to let people know we are engaged. If you take my hand from mine then they might think that we are already fighting."

Arabelle stopped trying to take her hand back and looked into his eyes. The immense love for her that shone in his eyes made her feel...guilty. Something that she had never expected from herself. She reminded herself that she did not need the guilt. She needed to find a way to use Gabe to break off Demetri and that woman and make Demetri see that the only person deserving to stand by him was her.

But there was one thing she needed to talk to Gabe about. Maybe after knowing that, he would not give her that ’besotted’ look so that when she finally broke up with him, she would not feel guilty. There was only one way to make him forget his love for her...For the first time she gathered her courage and spoke softly of the past," Gabe, I know that you like me. Both of us have already tried to clarify that. I’ve always treated you like a friend and hoped that someday you would get over the feelings."

"And I have always told you that we cannot change the heart. Why don’t you try letting go of Demetri?" Gabe pointed out, ready to rehash the old discussion.

This time, however, Arabelle shook her head, "Let’s not discuss Demetri at this moment. You need to understand that there are things that you do not know about me. Things that will make you question your feelings about me. You think I am some kind person who is out in the world doing good. But I am not that girl. And I think it is time you know the real me."

Gabe paused at that and looked deeply into her eyes. He wanted to tease her and refute her, telling her that he was willing to remedy that and take all the time in the world to get to know her. But something about her look stopped him. Whatever it was she wanted to tell him, it was something probably important.

So, he could only look at her seriously and assure her," I doubt anything can make me question my feelings for you. But if this is important to you, go ahead and test me, Arabelle. Tell me what it is this worry I see in your eyes."