I barely managed to open my front door when suddenly I felt two arms thrown around my neck, the person hugging me so tightly I struggled to breath. I grinned while hugging her back, noticing that her suitcase still stands outside.

"Hi!! I couldn't wait to see you!" Arabella almost yelled in my ear, making me chuckle.

"Me too," I replied as we pulled away. "How was the flight?"

"Kinda boring." she answered. "But I listened to music through the whole time."

I shook my head with a proud smile. "I think you're really your aunt's niece."

I helped her with her suitcase while she told me all about what she did on the airport and on the plane. She flew here completely on her own, and 8 hours is really a lot. I admire her because she's far braver that I ever was in her age.

"So, I assume you must be tired as hell." I said, to which I got an almost immediate answer.

"No! I want to go see New York."

"What do you wanna see in New York?" I laughed at her enthusiasm.

"Can we go and buy ice-cream? Or better," she added even faster than she answered. "Let's go to a New York cafe and order some New York coffee and then pretend we're some really important people. Can we do this?"

l stared at her with a half-grin frozen on my lips, speechless. "You're asking the right person."

I took her suitcase upstairs to the guest room and she said she wants to shower and change, so I left her and went to the kitchen to make her some snack. I knew we were probably gonna eat something while

we're out in the city, but I doubted she wasn't hungry right now, after the flight. Plane food isn't really nutritious, to be honest.

Remember when I promised her she can visit New York and meet Johnny? Well, today's the day. She still stays for 3 more days, and I'll try my best to let her spend it the best way she can.

Her whole face brightened up once she came back downstairs and saw toasts with Nutella glowing deliciously on the table. We used to eat it pretty often before we moved to America, but Arabella was little so I doubted she remembered that great dish. Though I got surprised when she took the first bite and told me it tastes like childhood.

Oh god, I missed her so much. I just realized that.

She seemed like she grew up since the last time I saw her. Her hair was a bit shorter now but still long enough to tie it up in a small bun, yet looking glamorous as ever. I noticed she wore earrings, rings and jewelry in general and I couldn't help a proud smile growing on my lips. I was glad she had an actual personality, and even happier because it was similar to mine.

"How's Johnny?" she asked and my heart started beating faster. Should I tell her? I don't think she's the kind of person to tell everyone other people's secrets. "Is he your boyfriend yet or still best friend?"

"Yup. Boyfriend. Since about two months."

I replied and waited for her reaction. At first she smirked, probably thinking I'm joking, but once she realized I'm dead serious, her mouth dropped open.

"Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "You have to tell me everything!" she then furrowed her brows. "But, wait, nobody said anything."

"That's because we kept it a secret." I explained. "And we still do."

"Oh, I see." she replied, clearly understanding. "Now tell me. How is he? Is he nice?"

I chuckled, "Yes, he is. Very nice."

"Well, I know he's the Johnny Depp, but if he breaks your heart I swear I'll beat his ass."

"Oh, shoot. Now I'm scared." We suddenly heard a voice that instantly activated the butterflies in my stomach, coming from the kitchen's doorframe. I looked up to see dark brown eyes accompanied by a soft smile. I'll have to think of those lips later.

I was surprised to see him home this early, since he told me he's going to a friend to record some music and will be gone 'til evening, but I also noticed he still had his leather jacket and boots on, means he probably only came back to quickly take something he needs.

Well, he got here right in time.

I chuckled quietly, looking over at Arabella. Her gaze was literally glued to him, blue eyes scanning his entire personage. By the look on her face I could easily deduce she wasn't expecting that, and definitely not believing that Johnny Depp indeed was standing right in front of her.

"Oh, hello," he started.

He made a few steps forward, putting out his hand to still sitting and speechless Arabella. She exchanged a few looks between me and him, then cleared her throat and shook his hand.

"What's your name?" he asked in the famous pirate-like voice, even though I told him about her many times, and that fact somehow warmed up my heart.

Arabella's face instantly brightened up, her lips curving out a smile. There was nothing left from the surprise that was painted in her eyes before, now it was only excitement.

"Arabella. But everyone calls me Bella." She blurted out the last part. It was kinda funny to watch how shy she was in front of him, staring like he was some sort of medieval painting.

"That's a very beautiful name. A perfect one for a princess. Are you a princess, miss?" he said once again in Jack Sparrow's voice, making Arabella grin from ear to ear. I loved how he was with children, and it was just pleasant to watch.

"I'm afraid not, but-"

"But you still mean what you say?" he finished the sentence, watching as she giggled, nodding. "Then I must not break my woman's heart. Or my ass will be beaten. Noted."

I laughed and so did Arabella, making him break his character and smile, too.

But my heart did a flip when I realized what he's said. His woman.

He winked at me as him and Arabella both turned their head in my direction. We suddenly heard car beeping outside, and Johnny made a move like he just remembered something.

"I think I have to go now. My shipmates are waiting." he said.

"It was nice meeting you." Arabella replied, still dreamily.

"I truly hope we'll meet again." he stated with a charming smile.

"By the way why are you here?" I asked as he stopped on his way to kiss my forehead.

"I forgot my notebook."

"Jack is somewhere around, he could've dropped it off at Jeff's." I said looking up at him.

"Nah, there's no need. I gotta go, Sean is waiting."

He bowed down just enough to kiss me, but we suddenly heard confused Arabella speaking up.

"Hold on, who's Jack?"

"Her bodyguard,"

"My bodyguard." Me and Johnny answered at the same time, making us look at each other. "Slash driver."

"And Sean?" she questioned again.

"His bodyguard,"

"My bodyguard." Johnny replied, again at the same time I did.

Something switched in Arabella's brain and her forehead lightened up. "Right, you're famous." she said in an almost admirable tone to me. "You both are. That's so cool!"

I only chuckled before we heard another beeping from outside. Johnny put one hand on my cheek and caressed it with his thumb, kissing me gently.

"Gross," Arabella murmured, making both of us smile.

"I really gotta go." Johnny said and I nodded. "See you soon, miss." he turned his head to Arabella once again.

"See ya, captain."

Few moments later we heard the front door shut close and car driving away.

"Oh. My god." Arabella said, the sweet smile still playing on her lips. "He really is great."

I grinned. "Are you ready to go? We still have to go and pick some stylish sunglasses if you want to seem like some mysteriously important person."

"What kind of sunglasses?" she asked, excitement building up on her face.

"Well," I said looking at my nails. "I have some Chanel ones that I don't wear-"

"Chanel?!"

We spent 2 hours or even more at the café, eating waffles and drinking coffee, both catching up on each other. She told me about how school is boring for her, her friends, the books she's read and the movies she's seen. We just talked about everything and nothing in general.

She told me every family drama I missed while I was gone, and all the juiciest pieces. She spilled tea like crazy and I couldn't believe how similar our sense of humor as we joked about almost everyone in the family.

When it started to get dark, we decided we can head home and resume our conversation there, along with Johnny who, by now, should be there already. I texted Jack and when he responded he's waiting around the corner, we gathered our stuff and were about to head out when I noticed what I feared the most.

(At least) a small group of guys waited by the door with their cameras ready. I suppose they're here just because rumors of me and Johnny dating re-lived, for some reason. I don't know why now, but I'm sure they're just rumors and we're not planning on confirming them anytime soon.

A little anxious knot formed in my stomach. God, I hate these moments.

"Are we going?" Arabella asked.

"Yeah, yeah. Just put your glasses on."

"Why-" she started but then looked where I was looking, and she put the glasses on without hesitating.

"Are you sure you want to go through them just with me? I can call Jack-"

"I'm not scared of them. They're just some guys with flashing cameras, that's all." she replied confidently. I raised my brows. "Besides, I always wanted to feel even once like a celebrity."

"Alright, but only once. I don't want you in this business. You deserve far more." I said and she nodded.

I checked once more if he have everything, then we locked arms and walked out. A whole tsunami of questions hit us accompanied by horrible noise around. I barely saw where I was going because of all the flashes blinding me, but fortunately our car wasn't far from the exit. The whole thing was uncomfortable as fuck and made my entire body tense, but I just had to smile at how Arabella giggled over some stupid questions.

We made it inside the car and Jack quickly drove off. I ran a hand through my hair and took off my sunglasses, breathing in deeply. My heart still beat like crazy, but I tried to hide the state I was in so Arabella wouldn't get too worried.

"Okay, maybe it wasn't as cool as it seems. I'm not so eager to do it again." She started, sighing.

I chuckled quietly. "That's good."

--

"Oh my god, I'm so tired." Arabella stated, in fact, tiredly.

"Do you want some tea before bed?" I asked.

"Sure. I'm just gonna get changed."

I smiled and soon she disappeared upstairs. Literally two seconds later Johnny walked out of the kitchen with welcoming smile on his lips.

My own smile dropped and I hid my face in my hands.

"What's wrong?" Johnny asked concerned, approaching me.

I only raised my head and opened my arms, silently saying I just need a hug. He didn't hesitate, soon embracing me lovingly. I hugged his torso tightly and he put a hand on the side of my head resting on his chest.

"I got anxious today," I finally said. "Paparazzi found us."

"Oh, darling, you shouldn't even bother to acknowledge their existence. They're a bunch of assholes."

"I know, I know. But I can't help it."

"It's okay."

We stood there for a little while before going to the kitchen. I made tea for me, Johnny and Arabella, and she appeared downstairs just in time, wearing extremely cool pajamas.

We all sat at the table, Johnny's hand automatically making its way on my thigh and making my whole body get a little warmer.

"Could you pass me the sugar?" I asked Johnny and he kissed my forehead before replying sure, love.

"You guys are a total endgame." Arabella shook her head while looking at us with a smile. I returned the smile but mine was more of a shy one. I can't hide that I'd like it to be endgame.

"So, do you live together?" she asked.

"Not really, but we spend a lot of time in each other's places." Johnny replied and I nodded.

"You really look like you love each other."

Johnny chocked on his tea and I widened my eyes. The whole situation wouldn't be so weird if not the fact that I haven't told those three words to Johnny ever, and neither did he.

A very uncomfortable silence fell in the room, so uneasy that it almost stung. Then I was grateful for once that a phone had rang, and Johnny stood up, saying he'll get it. I leaned back in my seat, taking a deep breath once he was gone.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry, did I say something bad? Do you not love him?" Arabella quickly started apologizing and asking, but I knew it was completely none of her fault.

"I- I mean I don't know, I guess I never really thought of that." I replied, but I didn't know who I was lying to - myself or Arabella. I did think about it, I was just too scared.

"Can I say what I think?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"Sure."

"I think you love him. Very much." she said.

"I don't know, maybe. But it doesn't matter when I don't even know if he loves me back."

She looked like she wanted to say something more, but she finally didn't. Not long after Johnny came back and I tried my best not to make the rest of this evening too awkward.

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