Roger

When you'd think everything you have planned was going well, life would toss a curveball in your path. It happened to me many times but when I saw the same happening to Arin, it broke my heart. She wasn't prepared for the aftermath of a bloodbath, Brandon planned for us.

We weren't prepared for his checker move. Being cornered from all sides, this was the make or break situation for us. Since the news of Arin's past work identity was released to the tabloids, it played counter for all of us. She wasn't welcomed to attend the board meetings anymore and Charles was in no condition to defend her daughter in front of oldies, who had already made up their mind about his daughter's character.

"Come on, get up..." I tugged onto Arin's quilt.

"I don't want to," she groaned.

A week had passed since the life-altering news broke. Arin remained holed up in the mansion, unwilling to meet anyone or talk to another being. It was only me, Charles and Xavier, she had encountered in the name of human interaction.

"Come on. We'll go out for some fresh air, darling." With a nod, followed by shoving the quilt over herself, Arin moved into a state of a burrito. "Look at me, will you?" Another nod, before she tossed me a look of despair, falling back into her saddened state. "Okay how about this? You get up and walk out with me for a few minutes and then I will give you the liberty to eat all the fried things."

At a snail's pace, her quilt slid aside. Her lips grew wider to encompass her happiness. Hopping off, Arin marched ahead into the garden with me trailing behind.

On the benches, we basked in the serene surroundings, listening to the bird calls on their way home. The silence was best enjoyed with people you love. It was true for us. We didn't need words to state our feelings. Even a mere handhold spoke for us. Turning towards me, Arin stared into my eyes as if seeking answers for her upcoming questions.

"How will I ever face them, Rog?" Her head slid towards her chest.

She was still reeling over the guilt of the tabloid leak. Placing my hand over her pale knuckles, I moved closer.

"You know, I remember this girl who wasn't afraid to call me out when I was too much for her to handle. I would love to meet her again." Pointing my hand at her, I spoke. I was reminded of the times when Arin didn't consider her designation to call me out on my tantrums. "Just because the whole of London knows, doesn't mean you have to be scared. There is no reason for that, babydoll. You are one very strong, brave woman who has done everything for your survival. Nobody has the right to look down upon it..." Holding her face in my palms, I continued. "I know this seems like the end of the world but trust me on this. It's the golden opportunity for you, for the Oswalds and for anyone who ever supported you."

With wide eyes and an unhinged mouth, Arin raised her eyebrows at me. "Are you saying that there is light at the end of all of this? Because from where I stand, I seem to have fallen into never-ending darkness. I'm still falling."

Her words reflected the fear growing inside of her, darkening its hold over her eyes, her mind. We didn't have enough time before the trials began but none of that worried me. I wanted Arin to be alright. Happy. For that, I was ready to sacrifice anything and everything. Even the whole of my business to Brandon, if that could get her back to her usual chirpy self.

"I know my words would seem like an outsider's but do you remember the time when Stella leaked your information and it only boosted your publicity. This is exactly the same situation, only better."

Arin rose from the bench, walking around barefoot through the trimmed green blades of freshly mowed grass. Still, it seemed to not affect her. When she turned around, a ray of hope danced at the corners of her eyes.

"Will you help me?" Although doubtful, her voice carried an enthusiasm that I missed for the past week.

My hand traveled towards my chest. It was the only way to ensure Arin wouldn't steal the rest of my heart if there was any left, to begin with. My lips curled upwards, watching her doe eyes. "I am at your beck and call, darling."

~

A few days passed since Arin decided to act on my words. With the company business taken care of by Charles and Xavier, I had all the time to prepare her for the interview.

Although it seemed daunting at the time, it was the right thing to do. Tackling the bull by its horns. With the press at our doorsteps, Arin was in her best-prepared mode. Inside one of the private meeting rooms, a long line of press trailed in and out, waiting for a glimpse of the 'Lost and found heiress with the dark past.'

At least that was one of the better titles, a tabloid gave her. Many others were simply rude to have tagged her with ruthless words as if she wasn't a human but a lifeless object.

What could be the bane could also be the boon. I remembered reading it somewhere. Now, I awaited its applicability.

Arin walked inside the room. Head held high, she didn't make eye contact till her body reached the podium. It was only me, who knew what a nervous wreck she was for days together. The second her hand gestured up, allowing questions, many interviewers sprang from their chairs, holding out their mics for a chance at glory.

One blonde man rose when Arin nodded at him. "Can you tell us why you were ready for the interview?" he asked.

Arin let out a soft smile. Her eyes scanned the room before landing on me. With my nod, her magnificent smile reemerged. "Because you all have heard one side of the story. It was time you heard mine."

Her hand rose, pointing to another slender-figured woman. "Is it true that you were a sex worker? That you were a hooker?"

After a deep breath, Arin pulled the microphone closer to her. "That was the wrong information you had. I was not a hooker, I was a sex caller. All the chats that you saw, my phone calls, are the proof. I used to..." after a brief pause, she looked up, eyes sparkling with a sign of newfound courage. "Entertain people over calls."

When her answer ended, the swarm of interviewers rose again, ready to attack her with yet another question. By now, everyone was speaking one question in unison. "So why did you do it?"

Arin left the podium and moved closer to the seated audience. With the microphone resting on her lapel, she placed her hands to her side before moving slowly between the gatherings.

"I know what you all have been fed as news. That I am a hooker and I slept with men and stuff. None of that is true. I was a phone sex caller and a good one for that. My clientele would not be disclosed as it was privileged information. Also, I don't want married men to get caught now..."

Her audience chuckled, busy taking notes and recording her statements. With a widened chest and an intonated voice, she spoke further. "But whatever I did, I am not ashamed of it. It was survival. It was what any girl of my age would do if her only option was to keep a roof over her head and pay the student loan and mother's cancer bills long after she has passed. It was what I did for a chance at good money that came with the bonus of keeping my clothes on."

As if her words resonated with everyone's subconscious, the room fell silent. The interviewers and the cameras stopped clicking like the guilt and shame of having brought her down was too much for them to take. A few more questions later, Arin walked out after thanking everyone for their attendance.

When she reached back into the bedroom, her squeals peeked out from between her clenched jaws. The way she handled the press was sure to get her the laurels. The media loved gossips till the truth was told. Today, Arin acknowledged the truth. Although for most of her life, she tried hiding it away like some dirty secret, today in the openness of the world, she finally embraced it. The truth that made her who she was.

Strong independent and fearless. My fiancé.

"Thank you for making me do this." She coiled her hands over the back of my neck, kissing my cheeks. Her warm breath put me at ease in an instance.

"Don't thank me. I didn't do it for you. It's a selfish deal for me." Pulling back, she smiled with her eyebrows taunting me. "I helped you. Now you'll have to help me out..."

With a head tilt and a smile, I received her acknowledgment. Arin knew what I was asking for - her support was all I wanted. With Brandon's suit coming up next week, it was only a matter of minutes before I lost all my peace and calm. Arin placed my hands around her waist, caging her inside my hold.

"You know you got this, right?" I was doubtful. "Roger Murphy, you're going to give your everything for this trial and I'll be there with you through all this and more."

Drowning in her wordy gestures, I couldn't help but state the obvious. "I can't believe I love you more than my life." For which all she did was smile, for the answer was known to her.

We were two people from different walks of life, ready to face the biggest challenge life could throw at us. Whoever said problems breaks people were wrong. Our problems and hurdles brought us closer, made us stronger.

We emerged tougher, forged from the fires of life. 

~

Hope you guys liked this chapter..

It's going to be a reckless drive downhill from now on for Arin and Roger. So buckle up your seatbelts and hold on tight. 

For those who loved this book, please do check out my other works too and shower them with the same love you did for this baby :)

Love

S