True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 534

"Mom, why didn't Dad agree?" Dylan muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah gently squeezed his shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetie. Your dad will take care of it."

"Okay," Dylan replied with a quiet nod.

Around noon, Arabella had just stepped out of her office building when she spotted Lucas leaning against his car nearby.

"Arabella!" He waved as soon as he caught her eye.

"Lucas!" Arabella sounded pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Just driving through the neighborhood and saw you walking out, so I pulled over to say hi," he explained casually.

Arabella smiled in understanding. "Got it. So, where are you headed?"

"Actually, I was on my way to grab lunch." Lucas paused briefly, then added. "I'm guessing you're about to do the same? Wanna join me?"

"Sure, I was just thinking about where to eat," Arabella agreed.

Lucas grinned and pushed the passenger door open. "Hop in. I'll drop you back after we eat."

"Sounds good," she said, sliding into the seat.

Once they were on the road, Arabella turned to him. "Any ideas for lunch?"

"Anything you're in the mood for?" Lucas asked, leaving the choice to her.

After a moment of thought, Arabella said, "Honestly, I could really go for some barbecue today. How about you?"

"Barbecue works for me," Lucas replied smoothly.

Truth was, he'd come specifically to ask her to lunch, but he didn't want her to feel pressured—so he played it off like a lucky coincidence.

"Wait, you actually like barbecue?" Arabella raised an eyebrow, a playful doubt in her tone.

Lucas chuckled. "What, am I not allowed to crave barbecue?"

"That's not what I meant," she said, shaking her head with a laugh. "Alright then, barbecue it is."

Just then, her phone buzzed.

"Arabella," Brielle's lively voice came through as soon as she answered. "What's up?"

"About to have lunch," Arabella replied.

"Ugh, don't even ask," Brielle groaned. "I'm starving but have zero inspiration. What are you getting?"

"We were thinking barbecue," Arabella said.

"We?" Brielle picked up on the word instantly. "Who's 'we'?"

"Lucas," Arabella answered simply.

"Ooh... a lunch date, huh?" Brielle teased.

"Don't start," Arabella chided lightly.

"Okay, fine, I'll leave you two alone. Talk later!" Brielle sang before hanging up.

"Alright, bye." Arabella hung up the phone.

"How in the world did you end up getting along with that little tornado?" Lucas asked, his brow furrowing slightly at the thought of Brielle.

It wasn't like she wanted his company anyway. If it weren't for Arabella, she wouldn't even bother with him.

"Lucas, it's fine," Arabella interceded gently. "We're already here. Let's just eat here."

"Ha! Told you," Brielle mouthed triumphantly at Lucas, chin lifted defiantly.

Lucas relented, though not without a glare. "Fine."

Before sitting, he still shot Brielle a sharp look.

Brielle responded with an exaggerated eye-roll.

Watching their back-and-forth, Arabella could only shake her head with a faint, helpless smile.

"What kind of sauce would you like?" the server asked politely.

"Spicy," Lucas answered without hesitation.

"No way," Brielle cut in. "Ketchup."

"That's kid stuff. No one actually likes that. Spicy," Lucas insisted.

"I can't handle spicy! I want ketchup," Brielle argued, frustration rising.

"That's your problem. Go sit at your own table then," Lucas retorted coolly.

"You—!" Brielle gritted her teeth. So infuriating!

Their bickering grew louder, leaving the server looking awkward. Arabella smoothly stepped in and gave the server a warm smile.

"We'll get both, please—spicy and ketchup on the side."