THALIA’s RESIDENCE


    “Where are you going?” Thalia asked, eyeing Arabe. She set aside the book that was spread on herp and stood up.


    “To look for ze,” Arabe replied, slipping into a red pullover that Thalia had confirmed belonged to ze.


    Thalia snorted and rolled her eyes, giggling. When she noticed the seriousness in Arabe’s expression, she asked, “Are you serious right now?”


    “Of course I am,” Arabe affirmed. “Why would I joke about finding ze?”


    “I think you’re crazy,” Thalia said. “Do you think ze would want to be found, even if he were here? I mean, it’s because of you that he’s running around!”


    “I need to know if he’s safe, Thalia. I can’t just sit here and do nothing. It’s been more than 24 hours since we got back!” Arabe insisted.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    “And ze never gave you the order to find him. He’s not missing, Arabe,” Thalia pointed out.


    “How can you be so sure? What if he’s still in Ascotan and he’s being held captive?” Arabe asked.


    “Your mind works mysteriously,” Thalia mused. “But I wouldn’t do something ze wouldn’t want me to do if I were you,” she muttered, then added, “Unless you have the urge to spread your wings and fly like the rest of your Phoenix people, I won’t let you use my car. I’ve had enough arguments with ze over you.”


    “Thalia!” Arabe scowled. She had intended to borrow Thalia’s car. She didn’t think it was such a big deal, the way Thalia was making it out to be. Besides, she wasn’t nning on deliberately revealing herself to anyone who might be looking for her.


    “I’ll be extra careful, Thalia,” Arabe promised.


    “No,” Thalia shook her head. “I’ve been called enough names already; I don’t need another.”


    Thalia gripped the book she had set aside and held it up to her face, avoiding eye contact with Arabe, who was currently pouting.


    “And I know you’re nning on going to De Luca’s residence to find him, which, in my opinion is very risky. If you care about yourself and your baby, stay here. It’s the only safe ce I know, and Sandro can’t reach you here.”


    “My baby?” Arabe frowned.


    “You’re pregnant,” Thalia pointed out. “And I hope it’s my brother’s.”


    Stunned, Arabe’s eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. How had Thalia known? She had only told Sandro, who luckily found out from the doctor. She herself had been clueless. Yet, Thalia knew. Arabe wondered how long she’d been aware.


    “How do you know I’m pregnant?” Arabe finally found her voice.


    “It’s quite obvious, Arabe. Unless people are blind,” Thalia pointed out. “You’re fat, and soon enough, you’ll have that pregnancy glow.”


    “fat?” Arabe eximed, scrutinizing herself. She wondered if Thalia was teasing her because she felt far from it. She still looked the same.


    “Do you want to look too skinny?” Thalia arched a brow. “Is that even healthy?”


    Arabe shook her head, “I’m just curious how you figured it out because I never got the chance to tell ze about it.”


    Thalia eyed Arabe, “I’ll take that as a confirmation it’s his.”


    Arabe said nothing. She didn’t know how to exin it to Thalia, and she feared Thalia might pass judgment if she admitted she believed it was Sandro’s.


    Sinking into the sofa, Arabe let out a sigh. “I want to see ze.”


    “He’lle find you himself,” Thalia warned. “Don’t try to track him down.”


    Arabe caught the seriousness in Thalia’s tone. Even though she wanted to defy it, Orga would never let her leave the house. Orga believed she was a target and made sure her every attempt to venture out was thwarted.


    “Alright, I’ll wait,” Arabe muttered.


    Silence settled in, and Arabe sat in contemtion about ze and the possible trials he might be enduring. She had tried to envision if he was facing the punishment he’d mentioned, but each time she conjured an image of him chained and whipped, it sent shivers down her spine.


    Arabe knew that Sandro’s retribution would be far more severe than she’d imagined. Still, she couldn’t bear to picture ze in agony.


    An hour passed, and Arabe grimaced. “He’s still not here. You told me to wait for him, but how is he going to find me if he doesn’t even know I’m here?”


    “You’re quite the drama queen, Arabe. I thought I had that title, but you’ve surpassed me,” Thalia remarked. “When I say ‘wait,’ I mean it could be a month, a year…”


    “Thalia!” Arabe interrupted, ring at her. “Why on earth should I wait that long?”


    Thalia shrugged, “Because, in the grand scheme, it’s not that long.”


    “ze is your brother, Thalia. Don’t you feel anything about his absence?”


    “I don’t care. He chose to put himself in whatever position he’s in,” Thalia said.


    “I don’t believe you,” Arabe retorted. She knew Thalia cared deeply for ze and wouldn’t want any harm to befall him. She didn’t think Thalia was being truthful about not caring.


    “What do you want me to say?” Thalia scowled. “That I’m terrified he might truly be gone? That I wish I could step out of this house and scour the entire city of Cooan for him. That I want to go to the De Luca’s Vi just to check? Of course, I’m worried. All I can do is hope for the best.”


    “You can if you want to,” Arabe suggested.


    “I can’t,” Thalia shook her head. “Sandro wants my head. I’ve been with Sandro for a long time, and I lied to him with a straight face about ze. If I hadn’t escaped from Sandro, I might be dead.”


    “What do we do then?” Arabe asked.


    “Like I said, we can only sit tight and hope for the best,” Thalia advised.


    Arabe pondered. The situation seemed helpless. She longed for ze. She needed to know if he was safe, even if it was just a glimpse of him. She needed that assurance.