The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1712

"I gotta admit, I found out the actress I like is taken," Derrick confessed, downing his coffee like it was a shot of whiskey, while feeling his mood hitting rock bottom.

"What a coincidence! The race car driver I'm into is also off the market." Timothy gulped down another cup of coffee in one go.

"Looks like we both got our hearts broken today, huh?"

"Not just that, we've been watching our best bud to show his affection towards his fiancee."

They gave each other a sympathetic pat on the back and offered each other words of comfort.

"There are plenty of fish in the sea," Derrick said with attempted nonchalance.

But Timothy knew in his heart that the fish he wanted was the rarest and most beautiful in the world. Once it's caught, there's no way to find another one just like it.

"Don't sweat it too much. You'll find someone even better."

Despite his words, Derrick knew deep down that no girl could ever measure up to the incomparable Arabella.

The two friends sat there, feeling even more downcast, silently sighing before clinking their coffee cups together, drowning their sorrows in one long sip.

After Romeo brought Arabella back to the hotel and closed the door, he immediately confronted her with concern.

"I had no idea you won that underground race."

Arabella looked up with her bright eyes and asked, "Timothy told you?"

So that's why Romeo had suddenly looked at her in the coffee shop.

"If I hadn't asked, he wouldn't have said a word. Do you realize how dangerous those underground races are? They're not official tracks, and there are no fair referees; it's all down to personal honor. And some people have got no conscience. What if you run into someone like that and get hurt?"

"I'll be fine," Arabella assured him. "For them, it's just a hobby, but for me, it's different."