Arabella's PovI blinked in surprise as I heard Emi's words just now. The middle-aged woman clucked a few times without saying anything, then noticed my presence when she turned her head. She clutched her chest. "Oh my, Miss. When did you get here? I seem to be daydreaming too much.""Emi... what words did you just say to Emma?" I asked, not answering Emi's question because I wanted to confirm her words more. I didn't expect it because Emi could show such dislike for someone she just met.Emi glanced at the dining table and led me further into the kitchen. She seemed hesitant but finally answered my question. "That's... right, Miss. Are you going to tell this to Master or that woman? I don't want to get fired....""Of course not, Emi." I shook my head, grabbing one of her hands to calm the worry that had been visible on Emi's face. "I find myself agreeing with what you said.""Miss doesn't like that woman either?" Emi's face brightened after hearing my reply, and then she let out a lo
Dallas's PovI calmed down when there was no reaction from either Sean or Arabella. Both seemed to relax, and Arabella called the cat's name, causing the white furry animal to turn toward my sister. I looked down at the cat, who looked comfortable in Arabella's arms. "Is... the cat a pet here?""Yes, his name is Shiro," Arabella replied, stroking the cat's fur like it was a normal thing. I had forbidden her from keeping anything at home, feeling that Arabella would not be happy if given the responsibility of caring for her pet. Turns out my assumption was wrong. I saw my sister looking comfortable with the cat and kissing it like her child.I shook my head, erasing the last thought as it was too far. "Do you know that kissing a cat like that will bring diseases? Don't do it too often." I reminded Arabella, but my sister seemed to disagree with my words."I gave Shiro a clean bath yesterday. His food and drink are guaranteed, and his playground is only inside this house. I won't do any
Dallas's PovI woke up early in the morning. The sky outside my window was still dark, and so was my cell phone screen. I went into the bathroom to take care of my needs, then came back out after a while. I seemed exhausted yesterday, but thankfully, I felt refreshed for now."It's already up," I muttered as I exhaled, observing the view from the much nicer room than mine and Arabella's house. Sean's house was spacious, and so were the other houses around here, so they didn't get in each other's way. "Should I buy a house like this?"I could understand why Arabella would like her life here compared to our house. Although spacious, our house does not have a courtyard like Sean's, nor does it have an infinite distance from each other. There were neither trees nor a relaxing view like in Sean's house.I shook my head, not thinking about the last question because Arabella probably wouldn't come home right away when my stay at Sean's ended. There was still my sister's work and the cat that
Arabella's PovI sighed, looking at Dallas, who was still in his chair from earlier and hadn't moved at all, even though the other customers had left or gone to the beach. Some of the female staff seemed to notice him in between breaks, but no one dared to approach him.Mel just happened to nudge my arm lightly, startling me, and then flicking my chin at Dallas. "You know him? He says he's still waiting for his sister to work. She's so stubborn that even Max couldn't get rid of her after persuading her to wrap up the food she still hasn't finished earlier."I exhaled again, massaging my forehead, and felt dizzy from my brother's behavior. Some food was on the table, so the man seemed to eat slowly, occasionally typing something on his phone and looking serious.Dallas hadn't made a mess, but he had broken the beach cafe's rules by taking advantage of my position as staff. I would have to take responsibility for what he did."He's my brother. I'll try to send him away," I said casually
Arabella's PovI cleared Dallas' table when the break was over. A few more customers came into the café and immediately filled the empty tables, ordering what they wanted and then continuing to chat with each other or play on their cell phones."You're Bella's brother and asked permission to follow her around while she works?" Max asked, repeating my brother's summarized words as he watched us. He hurriedly opened a drawer and handed me the same apron I was wearing. "I'll let you, but you have to help us too. You'd better wait outside if you don't want to help."I looked at Dallas, who was watching the apron Max was holding, still considering. The man who was my superior moved his hand impatiently. "Do you want to or not?""I will, I'll do it." Dallas quickly put on the apron, and we were shooed away to serve the customers. I quietly took out my cell phone and snapped a picture of Dallas from behind and another one when we parted ways to serve different tables.I could hear the compli
Arabella's PovWe returned home after a long walk around the beach. I fell asleep on the way, exhausted from caring for Dallas and listening to his stories about his time at college with Sean and Emma. I felt that they were already close to my brother's story, even after they had their own busy lives."Bella, wake up. We're here." Dallas woke me up. I was still half asleep when I got out of the car, staggering until my brother had to hold my body to keep me from falling.The door to the house opened immediately even though we hadn't rung the bell. I felt my sleepiness disappear when I saw Emma clinging to Sean, draping her arms around my lover's waist. I just stared at the woman's hands until Emma spoke spoilingly. "You guys took so long. Sean and I ended up having dinner together since you came home late.""No problem, there was traffic. Bella also fell asleep, so I stopped by the supermarket so she could rest." Dallas replied to Emma's words with something I didn't recognise. He smi
Emma's PovI looked at the reflection of my bright face with a smile. It was like dreaming when I was in Sean's house and living with him, even though there was Dallas and his sister, but it didn't dampen my happiness. I could be with him for as long as I wanted and be close to him without being shy anymore.That guy was a bit cold now, probably because we were getting older since college, and he became embarrassed to openly like me. Even so, he still paid attention to me. When Dallas and I arrived, he swiftly moved my luggage and took me to breakfast every morning. I was like a princess with a prince on a white horse as my best man."You're still as considerate as ever, Sean," I said with a smile to him as he carried my two suitcases with ease.He didn't look at me but shook his head in response. "You and Dallas are friends and guests in my home. Of course, I'll help.""There are no friends like you." I thought of my other friends or associates. They were more ignorant and minded the
Emma's PovI felt my whole body trembling and my eyes heating up, almost crying from absorbing Sean's no-nonsense rejection. I was shocked, not expecting him to reject me when he always let me get close to him at home. I thought my declaration of love would be smooth, but the reality seemed to slap me hard.I laughed softly, squeezing the open top of my dress. "No, I must have heard wrong." I bit my finger nervously, nodding to myself as I repeated Sean's words that didn't sound sincere. "Yes, it's possible that he was too embarrassed because I expressed my feelings in a public place. The timing wasn't right either since we met at lunch."I didn't exactly work in an office, but I figured out some of my friends' lunch break schedules over the years. Although it varied, most of them only got a break that counted for an hour, even half an hour, if they were too busy. Sean, who is the CEO, must not be much different or even should not take a break because he takes care of many things."Ye