Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 146

ARABELLA’S POV

“Open the door.” I said, my voice eerily calm.

If he wanted to hurt me, he already had. His words had pierced my chest so deeply that I wanted nothing… absolutely nothing to do with him ever again.

Alvise straightened in his seat and ignored me, reaching for the ignition as he prepared to start the engine.

“I said open the fucking door!” I yelled, my voice so high it almost echoed inside the car.

His fingers flexed over the steering wheel, but he made no move to unlock the door. I wasn’t thinking anymore. My head was clouded with anger, and the next thing I knew, I lurched forward and grabbed his keys.

I pressed a button that finally unlocked the car before I yanked the door open. I made sure to grab my purse this time before slamming the door so hard, it nearly sounded like it might fly off its hinges.

I knew he could have stopped me if he wanted to, but he didn’t. And thank God he didn’t, because I didn’t trust myself to know what I would have done if he had.

I ordered another ride since I’d cancelled the first one and paced along the sidewalk as I waited for the car to arrive.

Alvise didn’t move his car, and I made sure to avoid looking in his direction. A heavy ache tugged at my chest. One made up of embarrassment, hurt, and regret.

Regret!

The kiss was now pissing me off. Did he kiss me only so he could throw the word back at me? I’d let my guard down and believed, for one stupid second… that he actually cared… or liked me. Even if it was only a little bit. But no!

He had an ulterior motive all along! He did it because he wanted to get back at me.

My ride finally arrived, and I got in without a second thought.

I was so blinded by my rage that I closed my eyes and leaned against the backseat, taking deep breaths and trembling at intervals as I tried to regulate the turmoil threatening to make me lose my mind.

“Uhmmm, madam… There’s a car following us.”

I snapped my eyes open. The driver glanced back at me, his expression filled with questions.

I turned back, and indeed, Alvise’s car was following closely behind us. I rolled my eyes and turned back around. “I know him. It’s fine.”

“I guessed so. I saw him looking out the window when I came to pick you up.” He said, turning his attention back to the road. “Why didn’t he drop you off?”

I raised my brows. “You seem more invested in the story than driving.”

He laughed lightly. “I’m sorry.” He said, though his tone implied he was anything but. “I’m just curious.”

I nodded, rubbing my temples. “It’s fine. But please, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Thankfully, he didn’t ask me any other questions throughout the rest of the ride.

After the car pulled to a stop in front of Archie’s apartment, I got out and headed towards the entrance. Alvise stopped

TO28 Wed, Sep 9 MJE.

Ruined By My Brother’s Best Friend

following us halfway through the ride, and that made me wonder if I was just being delusional again. Perhaps he hadn’t even been following me in the first place.

I watched the elevator doors open after pressing the button and slid inside. I spent the entire ride recalling everything that had happened that evening and regretting almost every moment of it.

After the doors opened, I stepped out and walked to Archie’s door. I knocked, shifting my weight from one foot to another as I waited for a reply.

The door swung open just as I moved to knock again.

“Arabella.” Archie said, his eyes sleepy. “You were out longer than you said you would be.” He turned around and walked back inside.

I followed behind him and shut the door. “I didn’t plan to, but the dinner stretched on.”

“Is Sierra back home?” He asked, pausing on his way to his bedroom.

Sierra had told him she was taking me out to dinner before we left, so he had no idea I’d gone on a date

I nodded. “Yes, she is.”

“Okay.” He said, stifling a yawn. “I need to get back to sleep.”

I nodded, waving him off. “I know. Sleep well!”

He flashed me a sleepy smile before walking away.

Tired, I made sure to turn off the lights and lock the door properly before heading back to my room.