Have you ever seen a litmus paper? It changes colour when it's submerged in something.

Amazing right?

But what if I say Mr Arnold was just a living version of litmus paper, submerged in something dark and dangerous. One second he was a considerate gentleman, the next he turned into a monster, something I wanted to destroy. But like litmus paper, our kind cannot change to another colour. He cannot help himself, because he is who he is.

Bipolar jerk!

"You can't be changed because you're too far gone, my friend. You are beyond hope."

"Out.", he snapped at me as soon as we reached my house.

"Oh hello Mr, I'm also not interested in staying with someone so ill-mannered, impolite and atrocious."

He unbuttoned his jacket and walked to my side, opening the passenger door for me, he gave me a get-out-look.

I scoffed.

As if I was dying to stay near him.

"Thanks for the lift, Mr Arnold. I'll see myself out." I slid out of his car but as if the embarrassment for the day hadn't come to a full stop, my feet decided that right now was the time to go numb.

How amazing again!

So as soon as I took a step, I felt my knees buckle.

What a great timing! As I say, why doesn't someone f*cking dig a hole and bury me inside?

"God! I'm so pathetic.", I mumbled under my breath.

"Jesus Christ.", I heard him mutter and the next moment I was swiped off my feet. And this was the third damn time, I was in his arms this day.

All the women out there would be so disappointed in me today.

I heard him chuckle and I felt the anger rush inside me. He had a cold smirk on his face, this guy.

First, he helps me, comforts me and then when I ask why he was being so nice, he goes back to being this insufferable person.

Does he have some missing nuts in his brain?

He carried me to my room once I had unlocked the door. He gently lowered me to the bed, adjusting the pillows.

"Sienna will be here soon." I looked at him in shock, just a few minutes he was arguing with me and the very next moment how did he become so thoughtful? My heart filled with warmth. Why? I don't know. Maybe, because it's been a long that someone did something so thoughtful.

He placed the pillow under my head, smoothed the blankets and pushed a few strands of hair back behind my ear. What was going on in his head?

"I knew it would have been awkward for you as well as me if I had stayed, so I called Sienna to keep your company. I can't leave you alone after what happened."

As soon as those words left his lips, all I felt was a surging wave of anger.

I knew it, I bloody knew it. Now, he sees me as a lonely weak traumatized girl.

"I don't need someone Mr Arnold. I've been by myself till now and I'm sure I can manage fine without you ahead too." I gave him a stern glare, as he walked away I could feel my whole body start to tremble. As if the sadness was a volcano, trying to erupt and break the last line of safety I had. In a twinkling of an eye, my heart was breaking and the tears began to roll down my cheeks. But just like a litmus paper, just like Mr Arnold, I couldn't change.

I f*cking couldn't change.

I couldn't change.

The next morning when I woke up, I was surprised to find a sleeping Tara beside my bed. She had her eyes closed, with her hair lying in a messy bun on her head. She looked calm.

As if she felt someone was watching her like a creep, me in this case, her eyes fluttered open.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." she smiled at me with those big brown eyes of hers.

"You slept well I hope?", she asked me in a worried tone. My anxiety grew exponentially. Did Mr Arnold tell her everything?

My throat was going dry. That's the reason I never wanted anyone to know about myself. I clenched my fists, I can't do anything now. I have to suck it up.

"I know break up is a hard thing to do. If there is anything-", my head snapped at her in confusion. "What?! " It took me a second to register what she said. When I did, my mouth opened wide in shock.

"Breakup?" I asked, confused. "Yes! If there is anything that you need, I'll be there for you." She pulled me into her arms. I could feel warmth radiate from her. Not only did she think I was hurt, but she also thought I was lonely which I actually was.

But I was relieved Mr Arnold didn't tell her the truth. He kept his mouth shut, for which I was genuinely grateful to him. And that too after the little fight we had.

"Arielle.", Sienna shook me lightly by the arm." I have to run some errands in the city and they are quite urgent. Do you think you'll be fine here for a while? I'll be back soon," she said. Her face showed pure guilt and I was this little away from apologizing to her.

Just then her phone beeped but being the genuine person she was, she ignored it, waiting for my answer. I smiled at her reassuringly."You should leave right now and don't worry about me. I'll be fine." I gave her a sweet smile and she hugged me tightly. "I'll be back soon."

When she was gone, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Was I feeling guilty for fighting with Mr Arnold on such a petty matter?

Hell Yes!

Should I apologize?

Maybe.

Will he forgive me?

Depends on me, if I ask for his forgiveness and most importantly his mood.

I sighed. He could be such a donkey at times but he was thoughtful and had the sense to keep someone's secret a secret.

Maybe I should thank him.

So should I give him a thank you note? Nah! It'll look pretty stupid if I do that. He'll think I like him. And I don't.

Should I give him a gift? Nah! That's a really lame way to get out of apologizing to him.

I rolled my eyes and headed to my bathroom. I took a quick shower and threw on my black silk shirt and white jeans. I head to my kitchen once I had put on my face moisturizer.

I was just preparing a fresh batter for pancakes when I heard footsteps nearing me. Oh crap! I hadn't locked the door after Tara had left.

I took the pan I was gonna use to make pancakes.

Okay! Here goes nothing.

Taking cautious steps out of my kitchen, heart pounding in my ears I made my way towards the living room as I thought it'd be some burglar.

But who the hell would be coming into my house this early in the morning.

Doesn't robbery take place at night or sh*t?

My eyes scanned every nook and corner of my living room but there was nothing suspicious.

Must be my imagination. I sighed and headed back to my kitchen.

Stop being so bloody paranoid Ari.

Just as I took a step inside the kitchen, I was slammed not hardly, thankfully, to the nearest wall.

My back was against something hard and I could feel my heart pounding like a jackhammer. My breath was knocked out of me and I felt my chest heaving, struggling to catch my breaths. I discreetly lifted my hand which was holding the pan, ready to hit the brains out of my captor.

But as if they knew my next move they grabbed my arms from behind, pinning them to my body. My heart was racing and my muscles were shivering as the adrenaline rush was sending me into a state of utter panic.

"Easy there my Arinzel.", a smooth voice caressed my ears. My eyes widened when I realized who it was.

"You?" I gasped in disbelief. I could barely understand what was going on, the adrenaline rush was making me hallucinate. "What are you doing here? What's this all about?" I tried to keep my voice calm and not sound as flustered as I felt.

He turned me to face him. My anger rose to a whole new level as I saw a hint of amusement on his face." Nicolas f*cking Arnold. What the f*ck were you thinking playing this absurd game with me?", I seethed in fury." You want me to have a heart attack?"

"What were you thinking leaving your home unlocked and unprotected?", he pulled me towards him impossibly close. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my face and I nearly jumped in terror.

"I-", I was so flustered that the words nearly fell out of my mouth. I was unable to form a sentence or say anything back." I'm sorry.", I blurted.

One second.

Why did I apologize to him?

He sighed, "Why are you apologizing Ms Summers?"

"I myself am confused as to why I apologized to you.", I spoke genuinely baffled, did I too lose some cells in my brain or something.

A soft chuckle fell from his lips. His eyes twinkled with amusement. "What should I do with you Miss Summers?", he whispered in my ear softly. I shivered. His lips brushed against my ear. Even though I had the urge to jump, I managed to stay still. I tried to ignore his softness but bloody hell! It was impossible.

I rose my head so that I could look into his eyes but as I did, my heart pounded faster than it had before. The heat in them almost made me faint, I was so transfixed by their beauty that I couldn't think straight anymore. He smirked and I could see a glint of mischief in his eyes.

A rush of blood went through my head and I suddenly felt my cheeks burn, I was blushing. I hoped he didn't get the impression he had made me blush. "What will you do with me?", I repeated his words.

"I don't know.", he bored his eyes in mine." You tell me what shall I do with you? huh?" his voice carried a soft smirk. I shivered again and my heart skipped a beat. My hands became clammy and I felt my knees weaken.

And just when I thought, my cheeks would burst into flame, I heard a squeal of laughter from my living room."Ari."

"Mr Arnold, Kia's outside."

"So?"

I scowled, what does he mean by 'so'?

"So leave me," I said softly, eyes fixed on his.

"I haven't held you captive Ms Summers. You're the one holding me here.", he said innocently making me raise an eyebrow. "So you think I'm holding you here? You're the one holding me-"I couldn't finish his words when he lifted his arm where I had a f*cking death grip on his shirt.

Sh*t!

I grimaced.

I quickly left his shirt and turned to leave the room when he caught my wrist."Why do you have to wear only coconut scent, Ms Summers?" I heard him ask.

I froze, "Huh?"

What are you talking about? I wanted to ask him but Kia was constantly yelling for me so I sprinted out of the kitchen, leaving him alone.

What the hell was he talking about?

***