Haiden Cross As her head weighed on my chest I knew she had fallen asleep. I sighed, soaking in the feel of her in my arms. With the way things were going, I wasn't so sure I'd make it out alive. I had a huge target on my back and I had every intention of fighting for her, for us. But there's so little I could do when a gun is aiming for my head. My eyes drop to her head and I brushed the hair off her face so I could watch her sleep. Her nose twitches in her sleep and I smiled. At least I know I went down fighting for the love of my life. I snorted lightly. Who would've thought, me, Haiden Cross would rather die than give up a girl? But Bella wasn't just any girl, she was my girl. She was the only one to break through my barriers with just one look. She grasped my heart inside my chest without me knowing and never gave it back. I didn't want it back, it was safer with her. It was hers. I was hers. I trailed a finger down her cheek and she shifts slightly. Not wanting to wake her up, I stop and keep my eyes on her. What if I hadn't reached in time today? What if Snake had shot her? I didn't want to think of the possibility but I couldn't stop. I knew she had done it for me. In her mind, she thought this would've protected me. But she put herself in danger and that wasn't something I'd want to happen again. Throw stones at me, bullets, knives, I can take them. What I can't take, is seeing Bella hurt. Especially if it has anything to do with me. "I'm the one supposed to protect you Bella," I whispered, hearing the crack in my voice. "I'm so sorry I'm failing you," I whispered, my heart feeling tight suddenly. He said I have three days to break things off with her. That means I only have three days to figure this shit out. Figure out how to get out of the situation yet still have my girl in my arms. Losing her was out of the question. Smiling slightly at hearing her soft snores, I whispered. " I love you so much Bella."________________ Arabella Rivera "I told you to stay away from him Arabella. Now, look what you've made me do." Father sneered as he pointed the gun at my head. I wailed, throat closing up as my eyes fall on Haiden's lifeless body on the floor. Blood so red poured from the bullet wound on his forehead. His eyes were lifeless as they looked at me. "You're the cause of this! You should've kept your legs shut Arabella. No one wants a whore for a daughter." Father spat before pulling the trigger. The man who was supposed to protect me shot a bullet straight through my chest. The pain wasn't there. It was numb. Everything was numb because I was already fading away. - I gasped as I woke up with a jolt to my heart. I pressed my palm on my chest, fisting my shirt as my eyes scan my room. "Haiden?" I called out softly. He wasn't here, maybe left before the sun was out because it was now morning judging by the light streaming inside the room. Disappointed that he hadn't woken me up with a kiss to let me know he was leaving, I got off the bed without urgency. I didn't really want to go to school today. I rather not actually but this was one of the few places we saw each other. Granted that we couldn't exactly show affection before. But right now, I didn't care. I was going to let everyone in the entire school know about us. Haiden didn't deserve to be my secret, he deserves more than that. And I'm finally going to thrust us out of that closet we'd been in for weeks. _____ I skipped the stairs two at a time as I made my way to the kitchen. But I suddenly halt in the doorway. My eyes landed on father sitting at the counter and I'm reminded of the nightmare I just had. He looked so relaxed as he read through paperwork. He seemed so different from last night. Yet the image of him in my dream set fear into my heart. Fearing your own father? Now that's just sad. The sound of soft padding footsteps behind me made me turn around slightly. My eyes landed on mother and she smiled cautiously. "When did he get here?" I asked in a low tone to not alert him. But I had an inkling that he already saw my presence or at least felt it. She looks at father and sighs. "A few minutes ago actually. Didn't sleep here last night or the night before." I averted my eyes in shame. "I'm sorry," I apologized. Whatever tension was going on between them was my fault. "For what? Your father and I haven't been in the same boat for years," She sighs and enters the kitchen. Her approaching footsteps made him lift his head. His eyes landed on her then drifted to me. The calm in his eyes disappears as he scowls. "Were you planning to go to school on an empty stomach?" "Another bad thing that has come out of the rebellious relationship with that boy." Angered by his words, I fisted my hands at my sides yet I don't answer him. He was going to pick at every flow of Haiden and I's relationship until it breaks me. That was something I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing. "I'm off to school mother," I completely ignored the angered man who supposedly shared the same DNA as me. Mother nods as she opens the fridge. "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat before going?" She too seemed to be completely ignoring father. Not once had she spared him a glance or greeted him. Very unusual of her. "No, I'll get something on the way." I lied smoothly, trying to avoid being in the same room and breathing air as father. Mother gave off a silent nod before tearing her eyes away. Turning around to walk away, I'm stopped by her words. "Today is Gertrude's last day." What is she on about? Was Gertrude leaving us, me? Turning around to send her a bewildered look she continues. " Her boyfriend proposed to her two days ago. They want to elope," Sighing heavily she looks at me with a sadden expression that weighed heavily on my gut. " And travel the world together. She won't be coming back after today." I drew in a sharp breath and blinked, my chest tightening at the thought of losing the woman that was a second mother to me.Why hadn't she told me earlier? Did she think I couldn't handle the news? "I'm sorry Arabella, I know you two were close. She wished to tell you sooner but I told her not to since you were occupied with a lot of other things." I didn't miss the glare she sent father's way. "I think it's a good thing she's leaving. Gertrude has been slacking off on her work recently." Father grumbles with a cold and casual tone. "Do pour some of that orange juice for me too." He told mother and goes back to reading through his papers. I glared at him. Such a cold man. A woman who has been working her ass off for years in his household and he treats her like any regular commoner. My jaw ticked as I whirled around not wanting to be any near him anymore. When had I grown to hate the man who was supposed to protect me? "Oh and Arabella, do greet Haiden for me. I'm sure we will see each other very soon." His tone was a dry and casual mock that irked me. I don't bother answering him, knowing I would only feed his ego. Leaving the house, I couldn't help but think of his words. What did he mean, he'd see Haiden soon?