How was there anyway for Arabella to let Hunter know that she did what she did for him. That she loved him too and that she would give nearly anything to just stay with him. But it wasn't that simple. As Hunter walked out of her apartment, slamming the door behind him, she curled up into a little ball. Sobs rocked through her whole body. It was too late. She had lost him forever. Arabella knew that he would never forgive her and even if he did..Artemis wanted him back. If he joined the Hunters then she would never have him. Arabella laid back on the couch, trying to think of her work. That's what she did the last time she was heart broken. She threw herself into her work and everything was fine.
Arabella didn't know how long she had laid on the couch, crying. It felt like all night. Her wrist throbbed, like it was asking to be cut open again. It felt like her entire world had shattered. She realized then that what was making her life complete, the reason that she woke up everyday wasn't for her company or her work. It was Hunter. And she had messed that up. Arabella let out a little sigh and looked out the window. The sun was already rising. She pushed herself off of the couch and slowly walked down the hall towards her bedroom. Arabella slipped into a black dress and quickly did her hair and make up. She grabbed her purse and her laptop and walked out of the apartment.
She got to her office just as everyone else was starting to show up. They gave her smiles and wished her a good morning but she didn't respond. Arabella just didn't have it in her to talk to people or put a fake smile on her face. She felt numb. Arabella sat down at her desk, trying to not think of the time before the wedding when she had Hunter trying on suits. There was a knock on her door and Daniel slipped in.
"Good morning, my dear. I see you confirmed your flight. Good for you" Daniel said in a teasing sort of tone but he stopped when he saw the look on Arabella's face "Oh, Hunnie, what's wrong?" he asked and sat in the chair across from Arabella's desk.
"Nothing's wrong. Everything is perfect" Arabella lied, not looking him in the eyes "I just need to dig out my luggage now and I don't really know where it is"
"That is total bull. You know where it is. What's going on?" Daniel asked, leaning towards her. Arabella looked at him for a second before turning away to look out the window. In the distance, she could see a plane taking off from the airport.
"Nothing is wrong, Daniel" Arabella said to him in a monotone. Daniel sighed and ran his hand through his perfect hair.
"Arabella, please..I'm here for you. You can tell me when something is wrong" Daniel said to her, his voice was soft and worried. Arabella didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to think about it. She just wanted to forget that it had ever happened.
"Dammit, Daniel!" Arabella said, her voice rising a little bit. She turned to look at him "There is nothing wrong and even if there was something wrong, I wouldn't want to talk about it. Just forget it. I'm here to work, not talk about my personal life. Isn't there something that you could be doing other than bothering me?!"
"Well, I'm going to ignore that you spoke to me like that because there is clearly something wrong" Daniel said and he stood up "You know where my office is, Hun. We can talk about it when you're ready" he told her and he left her office. Arabella watched him walk away then sank into her chair, putting her face in her hands and trying desperately to hold back tears.
The next couple of days passed by quickly. Arabella worked, came home, slept, got up, went back to work. The night were filled with dreams of Hunter and nothing but pain. She was an expert at packing and had all of her bags packed quickly. The flight to London was coming up and she was looking forward to it. Only because it meant that she would be doing nothing but work and she wasn't going to be in a city that reminded her if Hunter everywhere she looked. She wondered where Hunter had gone. Maybe back to Philippa's house. Maybe he was staying with Marina and Kyle now. Maybe he was in the woods with Artemis. Arabella hoped that wherever he was, he was finding happiness. That was all that she could ever want for him. She loved him but she had to let him go.
The rain was pounding on the windows of her apartment. The wind and the rain was so strong, she almost wondered if her flight was going to be delayed. Arabella looked at the clock and sighed. She grabbed her bags and headed out of the apartment. Tom gave her a sad smile.
"Have a good time in Europe, Ms. Foster" Tom said with a small nod. Arabella looked over at him and bit her lip. He reminded her of Hunter. He was always so wonderful to Tom and seeing Tom everyday made her sad. Arabella took a breath and nodded.
"I'll miss you, Tom" Arabella said and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. It was hard to think that she was going to be away for so long. Tom gave her a small hug back. Arabella pulled away and smiled softly at him before running outside to her car, trying not to get wet.
At the airport, Arabella walked down the hall to her gate with her purse over her shoulder. When she got to her gate, she saw that every chair was full except for on that was in between an older lady and a couple that were kissing. Arabella let out a little sigh and sat down. The couple didn't even notice her but the older woman turned towards her. She looked like she had once been very beautiful but age had taken over. She had curly white hair and wore big glasses.
"Mint, dear?" The woman asked, holding out a little bag of after dinner mints. Arabella looked at the bag then up at the lady and shook her head. Why did this woman have to be talking to her now? Why couldn't she just leave her alone?
"No thanks" Arabella said softly. Over the intercom, a flight to Paris was being called. Beside her, the kissing couple stood up. The girl was crying but her boyfriend was hugging her and kissing her tears away.
"Nous allons voir chaque autres bientôt. Je t'aime" The man said to the woman. Arabella knew that he had said 'We'll see each other soon. I love you.'. Hearing him saying those things just made her heart ache for Hunter even more. Arabella tried to hold back tears as the woman kissed him and slowly walked away towards her gate. She wanted to run from the airport and find Hunter. She wanted to tell him that she loved him and that she was sorry.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow" The old woman beside her quoted. Arabella looked over at the woman and took a breath, trying to hold back her tears.
"That's my favorite play" Arabella said gently. The old woman gave her a knowing smile and Arabella was sure that she saw a familiar twinkle in her eyes. Why was this woman so familiar to her? Sitting next to her felt warm and comforting but Arabella didn't even know her. She was a stranger.
"I know" The old woman said and Arabella furrowed her brow. How could this woman know that Romeo and Juliet was her favorite play, her favorite story.
"How do-" Arabella started but she stopped when she saw the woman changing. She grew taller and slimmer. Her hair turned blond and fell down her shoulders. Her skin became flawless and clear. Her clothes transformed into a beautiful dress. Arabella looked at the woman who was smiling at her. It took everything Arabella had not to fall apart right then and there.
"Hello, Arabella" The woman said softly. Tears fell down Arabella's cheeks and she took a breath.
"Hi, Mom" She said in a watery voice.