Arthur's POV Caroline was Bella's friend, she's been away for a while and she hasn't been reachable so Bella has no one else to talk to, to vent to, except Caroline.She understood her, she listened to her problems, she cuddled her to sleep whenever she cried longer than usual, she never judged Bella for acting so desperate for Gabriel's love and attention, she never belittled her whenever she continuously and shamelessly kept throwing herself at Gabriel like a bag of chips tossed and shared amongst friends.She was her only alibi, that one person that genuinely cared about her.Her parents were more focused on rebuilding their food company, and Bella didn't want to be a burden. She would hear the same thing, how she's a grownup and needs to fix her own problems by herself.It wasn't a lie, she's not a child, and nobody is going to come running to her to wipe her tears when she falls and scratches her knee on the marble floor.No. She has to get up, wipe her knees clean, wipe her tea

Arthur’s POV It's Sunday evening and it's the official first day of Mason staying at Salvatore home. Bella refused to discard her parents' name and answer Gabriel's instead; at least, they let her keep her parent's name even though they didn't know they were throwing her in the lion's den. The name 'Salvatore' has gone places. The family name, as heavy as it sounds on the tongues of peasants, it's a name that reflects the blood that runs through the bearer's name. Before you set foot into Gabriel Salvatore's home, you'd get scanned because let's be honest, a lot of people hate the rich ones and would do anything to get their hands on them and be the last ones to take their dying breaths away. The gate of Gabriel's mansion has the initials of his name carved into the gate like she's someone born of royalty. It's a magnificent look to the mansion. Once you successfully step into the compound, you're attacked with pure beauty. The fountain in the center of the huge compound doesn't

Arthur’s POV It's Monday morning and Bella has to rush to work. She doesn't even get to see Gabriel or Mason or even have breakfast but she does stop by at the cafe near her office to grab a cup of coffee. Steam clouds are rising from the dark liquid, Bella waits for it to get colder because she doesn't want to burn her tongue no matter how desperate she wants to chug the caffeine and stay awake. She doesn't own the building she works at. It belongs to Gabriel and the man had the conscience to let Bella start her cosmetics business in the building. She steps into the elevator and more workers rush in, greeting her as well and she greets back with a small smile. Her eyes stuck on the elevator door as it started moving. She doesn't recognize these workers so she figured they worked for the paper company downstairs that she shared the building with. One woman suddenly starts gushing. "I heard they'll be a society event soon and I'm so hyped. The men that always attend are all bachel

Arthur's POV Both adults manage to curb their flaming hormones by not messing each other up against the bar's wall but they walk towards Mason's car, where it's parked at a quiet spot and Bella's back collides with the car.She winces at the pain and Mason is about to apologize for pushing her too hard against the wall before Bella grabs his chest so Mason is hovering over her, pressing her lips hard on Mason's and they're kissing rather messily.Bella briefly remembers their first kiss, when Mason practically took her breath away with the roughness of his mouth, his intense kissing and she feels it now, how good it feels to be roughed up.Mason slips his tongue inside, sucking on the younger's and Bella's body is heating up, legs trying to clench together to stop her from seeking friction where she wants it best.Her fingers find Mason's hair and she first admires the softness, her tongue never quitting the urge to fight for dominance, to be in control but she knows too well that Ma