Dangerous Love: You Are My One and Only Bride novel Chapter 516

Arianne’s phone, set on the coffee table, suddenly rang.

She dashed to answer it and found Tiffany on the other side. “Yellow, Ari! How’s it been lately? Gotten used to living without me around yet?”

Arianne feigned dolefulness. “No, I’m not used to it, and I’m still scared to tears living alone! Do you know I never walk if I could instead run to the café or back home every night? Oh, but when I think about it, there isn’t anything specific to be concerned about; I’m just a scaredy-cat. Say, how’re things on your end lately? Everything’s going well with Jackson, I presume?”

It was one of those days when Tiffany could not spend the night with Jackson; this time, it was because someone had come to visit her. “Oh, it’s okay, I guess? …Alright, I’ll be honest with you — I’m like, a little bit insecure, okay? I read a lot of articles about relationships and love and stuff on the internet, and I’ve concluded that a guy like him should have his desires denied a few times, once in a while. Like, I can’t just say yes all the time, or he’s gonna get real sick of me in no time,” Tiffany prattled on. “So, after returning to the Capital, I made up some excuse to not see him for two days, and dang, that ticked him off real bad! And from then on, if nothing comes up, I’m always spending the night at his place every day. Seriously, Ari, do you think he’s gonna grow bored of me very soon? God, I can’t predict where this is going.”

For a euphemism, “spending the night” was quite bare-faced, especially when Arianne had experienced it before.

“Hold on, back it up. ‘Every night if nothing comes up?’ He’s a little insatiable, isn’t he? But then again… I don’t think I’m the right person to give a say about this…?” Arianne mused. “I mean, in the past, he didn't strike me as someone who would commit to a relationship, but with you, it might be different? You’re my best friend, Tiffie. If he ever hurt you, you bet imma come after him for blood. Look, what I’m trying to say is that you don’t need to be too worried about this, ‘cause doubt is bad for a healthy relationship. Besides, you’ll know it when he’s starting to act fishy, girl. Have faith in your womanly instincts! No matter how much you lack in brain cells, you’re still a woman, endowed with a sixth sense!”

Tiffany snorted. “You’re not at all subtle at calling me dumb, are ya? Anyway… Do you know how it’s like for us now? We’re both busy with our affairs during the day, and then when the evening rolls, he comes to take me for the night without fail. Then comes the morning, and he sends me home. Does this seem, well, normal to you? It feels less like a relationship and more like, well, me being paid to be some guy’s company — arrgh! Enough is enough; I’m gonna put a stop to this! I wanna be slow and steady; I’m not gonna let it go on like this any longer!”

Since Arianne herself had zero experience in an actual relationship, she could not offer any valuable insight either. “Um, okay? I don’t know what to say to that, honestly. So I guess you do whatever you think is best? Anyway, I’m starving, so I’m gonna go make myself a bowl of noodles. You should go to sleep early.”

Suddenly, Tiffany jumped and butted in before she hung up, “Hold on! Er, I was wondering — has Mark come to see you yet?”

Ariane could feel the muscles in her brain suddenly pulling taut. “Tiffany Lane! You and Jackson both knew that he was coming to see me, didn’t you? God, you’re already in cahoots with him before you’re officially Mrs. West! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Tiffany wished she could kick herself for the slip. “I knew you were going to see right through me if I asked — but I just can’t keep my damn mouth shut!” She moaned. “Alright, Jackson and I knew, alright? We knew Mark’s gonna visit you soon after I’ve left, but Jackson insisted that I leave you in the dark! In a way, I guess it’s also for your own good? Even if I’d told you that Mark was coming to see you — what then? Abandon the café and run away? There’s no way you could hide from him, honey. If he wants to see you, he will turn over every stone just to see if you’re hiding underneath.”

“Ugh, whatever,” Arianne replied, putting on faux anger. “I’m way too tired to argue with you, so I’m going. Bye!”