Arabella Rivera "I'm coming with you," Haiden breathes out as he catches up with me. I looked at him. "No, you can't. I'm going home Haiden, if he happens to be there and sees you then he'll be angry and I won't be able to do what I'm planning." I get that he was trying to protect me but I was so tired of people protecting me. He needed to make me fight this battle on my own. All this mess was my family. Haiden scowls. "Are you fucking kidding? Did you not hear what I said Bella, he's dangerous. He put a fucking bullet- I clenched my eyes, forcing out the image that crept into my mind. I didn't want to picture father doing what Haiden said he had done. It was very hard to. "Shit sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt Bella." Haiden whispers, tugging my hand to make me stop. I sighed heavily, looking at him. "He's my father Haiden, he won't hurt me," I said those words yet I knew they were utter bullshit. But if I needed this to work, I didn't need Haiden anywhere near me right now. Who's to say father had not been keeping tabs on us the entire time. "Sometimes we think we know someone Bella, but they're not who they said they are. " Haiden grumbles with displeasure. He was completely right. My father lived up to those words. He was now a complete stranger which was honestly ironic since he was barely a father to me before. Looking up at Haiden with pleading eyes I begged. "Just trust me okay?" I couldn't be the reason if something happened to him. If father killed Snake for pointing his gun at me, who's to say he won't kill Haiden for not staying away. Until I figure out how to stop him and put him behind bars, we needed to stay away from each other. Haiden looks reluctant. "Bella- "Haiden, please. Just trust me." I chewed my bottom lip. I didn't want him anywhere near my home yet. It would be better if we stopped talking for now. Just for enough time to figure out how to go about things. Sighing heavily, he nods reluctantly. "Fine. But call me as soon as you get home." He demanded, reaching out for me and tugged me forward. He leans down, possibly to kiss me but I stop him. "Wait. We can't show affection anymore. Not as yet at least. Not until we know it's safe to." I whispered, my eyes pinning themselves on his lips.I was having a hard time following my own words. Haiden forehead falls on my own and he sighs. "Not even a little peck?" I shook my head, whispering. "Not yet." Pulling away from him, I smiled. "I promise to give you all the kisses you want when everything works out." Haiden groans, reluctant to remove his gaze from my lips. "You better." Grinning, I turned around to leave, but he stops me. "I'm serious Bella, call me as soon as you get home." His demanding tone was kinda hot and it was adding to my dilemma. Biting my lip I nodded. "Promise." "Be safe!" Haiden yells. _______ "Arabella is that you?" Gertrude called out from the kitchen. Her loud footsteps disturb the silence of the house as she heads my way. "Yeah it's me!" I yelled, peeking out the door before closing it. Father car wasn't parked outside which led me to believe that he wasn't home. Gertrude's eyes fall on me and her brows pinch in worry. "Your mother left to pick you up a few minutes ago. Something about you getting into a fight? How did you come here so quickly?" I rolled my eyes. "There's something called a bus Gertrude," She flinches at my voice. I sighed. That was low of me to take my anger and frustrations out on her. "Sorry. It's just that I found out many secrets today and I'm frustrated. Mother told me about your engagement," I whispered, my eyes falling on her hand in search of the ring. She looks at me sheepishly. "I was going to tell you but your mother suggested that I give you some time before telling you I'll be leaving." I shrugged, walking more into the house. "It's fine. I'm happy for you, truly. You can't always be there for me, time to live your life." Even though Gertrude parting ways with us hurt me a lot, I couldn't help but feel relieved that she'd be far away from my fucked up family. Gertrude lets out a breath. "Thank God. I thought you'd resent me. I know how your father can be. I didn't want to leave you here alone with him," She had no idea what kind of monster he truly was. Seeing me get slapped was just a tip of what he was truly capable of."I could never resent you Gertrude," I said truthfully. The only person I resent was my father. "So about that fight...." She drawled, looking at me hesitantly. Groaning lowly I made my way towards the staircase. Before I could start up those stairs I turned to her. "I learned today that my best friend for years has been sleeping with my father for years. That fight you heard about, was me making her eat my fist." Gertrude gasps, eyes widening. "Gwen?" I nodded, face twisting into anger as I relive everything that happened. I trusted Gwen with my life, only for her to be the one to stab me in the back. "Does your mother know?" She whispered, looking distraught from the news. "I can't believe he would do this to her. To you two." If only she knew what other disgusting things he had done. I shrugged. "I don't know. But honestly, I don't think so. She wouldn't stay with him if she did." Neither would she stay with him when she learns that he was a drug lord who killed someone. Gertrude shook her head. "She loves him Arabella. She would want to work past this." I gritted my teeth knowing Gertrude was probably right. But I couldn't have that happen. Not only was he toxic for her, but he was also very dangerous to us both. "Hey, Gertrude?" I asked. She hums looking at me. "Can you pick a lock?" I wince when that sounded really bad as I said it out loud. What if she thought I was some sort of criminal? She looks at me confused. "I used to when I was in high school. My room doorknob always used to get jammed. Why?" "Because I need you to get me into father's study." Father was very strict on not allowing anyone into his study. At first, I thought it was just his sanctuary where he'd be able to work peacefully. But as I thought more into it, he'd get extremely upset if Gertrude so much as wiped down the desk in there.