Husband With Benefits-Chapter 42: Why You?

"You look beautiful...shall we?" As Gabriel Frost stepped into the opulent room, he placed the small bouquet of roses on the table with a smile and turned to Arabelle, who stood there frozen.

Raising an eyebrow in her direction, he questioned," Are you pretending to be a statue, sweet Arabelle?"

The smile on her face evaporated and she questioned with a frown, "Why is it you?"

Familiar with her ways, Gabriel shrugged nonchalantly and explained," Sorry to disappoint, but Demetri got caught up with something last minute. He asked me to take you to the hot water springs instead."

"But..."

"But... what?" Gabriel quickly grabbed the small bag that Arabelle had prepared and caught her wrist," Let’s go."

"You don’t even work for the Frost Hospitality Group! How can you know this?"

"Just because I do not work for this part of the Frost Group does not mean that I am not aware of the best places. This is one of our prime properties so of course I am well acquainted with it. Now, are we going to stand here and chat or would you like to come along?"

"Let go of my wrist and I’ll do it."

Arabelle ordered curtly and when Gabriel did as told, she quietly followed him out. As they walked down the corridor, she thought of something and wondered if it would work. Demetri was a possessive man. She’d always looked up to him and admired him. What if she pretended to fall for Gabriel instead?

He wouldn’t like to lose her affection and might confess to her directly. She knew that Gabriel liked her and she would be using this to her advantage. With her plan in mind, she looked sideways at Gabriel and smiled," Thanks for stepping in Gabriel. I did not expect you to be so... nice."

Gabriel directed a puzzled smile in her direction but nodded," Happy to be of help, Arabelle. You know me, I am always happy to be of help to you."

On the way to the hot water springs, instead of avoiding conversation like she usually did, Arabelle asked Gabriel about the places around Country B, his reason for coming to the country, etc.

While she continued to talk to him as if they were friends, Gabriel could not help but feel confused. Ever since Gabriel had playfully confessed to her during their teenage years, Arabelle had given him the cold shoulder. So what could be the cause of her sudden change in attitude?

Could it be because of what she had witnessed? After all his reason for coming here had been that Ian had messaged him about her having witnessed the shocking scene of Demetri with another woman. He’d been so worried about her that he’d even taken a commercial flight to come to country B instead of waiting for their private plane.

He’d been expecting her to see crying or even throwing herself at Demetri. But unexpectedly, Arabelle was behaving normally. Well, as normal as she was with others. He glanced at her hand on his arm as she talked about something, and he felt his stomach coil. This was his chance. If she had really given up on Demon, then this could be his chance to make a place for himself in her heart.

As they reached the hot springs and both separated to change into their swimsuits, Arabelle was happy with the results. Her flirting was working on Gabrielle as she’d expected. She decided to take her flirting up a notch as she discarded the sarong but did not step into the warm water instead preferring to sit on the edge with only her toes dipped into the water.

She watched as he stepped out and got a good look at her. His eyes roamed over her from top to toe, taking in every inch of her exposed skin. Pretending to be unaware of his scrutiny, she stood up and extended her hand to him, "Come on inside then. I was waiting for you."

Gabriel sauntered forward and held her small hand in his, stepping into the water and then helping her.

Arabelle gave him a grateful smile as she stepped down the natural rocks, however, she had barely taken two steps when she slipped and lost her balance, falling against his chest. Flustered at this unexpected and unplanned contact, Arabelle pushed away from Gabriel and promptly fell into the water with a splash.

And because Gabriel was still trying to hold onto her to help her, he too fell into the water. As the two came out coughing and spluttering, Arabelle and Gabriel looked at each other and laughed out loud.

"Well, that was an interesting way of getting into the spring," Gabriel commented.

Soon after the scene turned quiet as the two people leaned against the edge and soaked in the relaxing atmosphere. freewebnoveℓ.com

As Arabelle started to doze off, she remembered her plan to flirt with Gabriel but wondered if she should or shouldn’t do it now. No one was around to watch them flirt so it would be pointless to do so. She would just have to endure for now and then make it so that she would be able to flirt in front of Demetri as well.

Opening his eyes, she looked at the man in front of her and purred out," Gabriel."

Gabriel’s eyes snapped open, and he looked at her questioningly.

"Why are you so quiet today? Did you forget your naturally chatty self somewhere else?"

"I thought you did not like me talking?" Gabriel asked with confusion.

Arabelle shook her head and straightened, walking closer to Gabriel. She watched as he stilled while she approached him. It made her feel powerful, and she basked in her knowledge of his adoration. A dangerous look entered his eyes and she hesitated for a moment, wondering if her plan to make Demetri jealous would really work. However, in the next moment, Gabriel had covered the little space between them as he stared at her intently.

"What are you up to now, Arabelle?"