TWW 15

"Why?" Arabella asked, surprised and scared of his facial expression.

"You said you're fine," he said angrily while staring at her hip. She followed his eyes and gasped at a bluish bruise.

"Shit!" she cursed as she knew what's gonna happen next. Her punishment.

"Can we just take a bath?" Arabella said, giving a warm smile while cupping his face. But, he harshly removed her hands and began kissing her savagely. She instinctively threw her hands around his neck to keep her balance.

"No touching," he said in an icy voice before turnin her around. Now, she's facing the bathtub.

Arabella complained, but she had to comply. That's her punishment.

"Feet apart and bend down," Luke ordered. Then, he began fucking her--- hard. She moaned. He slapped her butt cheeks. She gasped in both pain and pleasure.

"No loud moans," he reminded.

She cursed silently.

After a while, he came--- she didn't.

"Fuck you!" she yelled as she felt the throbbing pain in her lower belly. He smirked.

"What did I tell you about putting yourself in danger?" he said softly.

"But... I wasn't in danger. It was just a small bruise," she explained, still feeling annoyed.

"Yeah--- yeah! Just a small bruise. If I wasn't there on time, who knows what might have happened--- there might me bigger bruises on your body," Luke said. "I can't forgive myself if harm comes to you or our son."

Arabella's annoyance was carried away by his words.

"I am sorry," she apologized.

Luke accepted. Then, they bathed together exfoliating their worries away.

The next day, "Good morning, babe!" Luke greeted Arabella as she entered the kitchen with her son in her arms.

"Hi, baby! Did you have a good sleep?" he cooed while Saraknib giggled as he tried to reach for the food tong Luke was holding.

"No~ daddy uses this for cooking!" Luke said.

"Luke~"

"I don't like that. I feel like we're strangers whenever you call me by my name," Luke grunted.

"Uh- huh! How should I call you then?" Arabella asked. Luke shrugged before turning to what he's frying.

"Dad?"

"I'm not old!"

"Mr. Adams?"

"Say that again and you'll regret it!"

She chuckled.

"Babe?"

"Yes?"

She laughed.

The aroma of brewed coffee blended with the delicious smell of garlic fried rice. There were pancakes, bacon, sausages, and hotdogs. Also, there were tropical fruits arranged beautifully at the center.

"Are we expecting someone?" Arabella asked while looking at the display of food.

"In no time, those idiots will be here," Luke answered. And he was right.

"Hi, guys!" Brad greeted as he entered with the McKnight brothers. Arabella glanced and smiled at them as she prepared Saraknib's food on his high chair.

"We brought something for your son," Shane said as he showed the four big shopping bags on his hands.

"Thank you, guys!" she said while receiving the gifts. Then, he turned to Luke, "Babe, can you pass Saraknib's food, please."

Luke smiled proudly as he looked at the teasing expression on his friends' faces. Arabella saw Luke's reaction from her peripheral view. She smiled.

"He forced me," she said casually. Luke suddenly looked so down.

Arabella touched his face and said, "Just kidding. Love you, babe."

Shane pretended to throw up while Brad coughed deliberately. They burst out laughing.

"Anyway, are you okay?" Owen asked worriedly to Arabella.

"We saw the videos. Damn! You should sue them," Owen added. Shane and Brad agreed in unison.

"I already suggested, she declined," Luke said.

"Why? Is it because of that jerk?" Shane asked.

"Ugh! Now, I know why you're friends!" Arabella exclaimed.

They looked at her, confused.

"I also asked that," Luke uttered laughing.

"You will have the annual FABs (Four Asian Bachelors) Charity gala six months later, right?" she asked. They nodded.

"Do you already have a beneficiary?" she added.

"Our planning team is still working on that. Do you have any suggestions?" Brad asked.

"I would like to suggest putting Mental Health in the spotlight," Arabella stated. They exchanged look.

"Why Mental Health?" Owen asked.

"Because it is the most vulnerable, yet the most neglected aspect of our health," she replied. They shared a puzzled look.

"Because people always say that Mental Health is just a matter of mind control. But not everyone has a strong sense of optimism or the privilege of living in a caring society," she added.

"Don't you think it's kinda sensitive to talk about how crazy you are?" Shane said, somewhat skeptic of the idea.

"Especially here, where status and reputation are very much valued," Brad added.

"That's the problem. We judge people who seek help from psychiatrists or psychologists. We call them crazy. That's why nobody wants to come forward," she replied.

"People with mental health problems are regarded as inferior or weaklings," Luke uttered.

"Why? Remember, we are all broken--- be it emotionally, mentally, or physically. We- Are- All- Broken. So, what exactly makes them less important? And is it wrong to help those broken souls and make them whole again?" Arabella patiently explained.

"You made your point, but how are we going to explain that to our organizers," Owen asked.

"If you give me the green light, I will launch a Mental Health campaign this month," Arabella said.

"And how are you going to do that?" Luke asked, concerned.

"I will arrange interviews from nobody to somebody, minority to the majority, parents to children, and so on," she replied.

"So you're saying that this will be a collected insight, not only from specific groups of people," Shane said. She nodded.

"If that's the case, this will be our biggest campaign ever," Brad uttered.

"How do you want us to help you?" Owen asked.

"Well, your presence alone can attract attention. Therefore, accompanying me in some major campaigns would mean so much," she replied.

"I'm in!" Owen said, raising his hand.

"Me, too!" Brad said. "You?" he asked Shane.

"Of course!" he said. They all looked at Luke who was quiet.

"Hey, Adams! You're in or what?" Shane asked.

"I am, but... is it not dangerous?" he stated worriedly.

"Babe, every major step that you make has its own risks. Don't worry, I can handle myself," Arabella assured.

"Like yesterday?" Luke said sardonically.

They all sighed.

"Bro, if it would make you less worried, I already asked Helena's help to protect her," Shane said.

"Helena?!" Brad exclaimed, looking petrified on his seat. "And?"

"Yeah. She said, yes!" Shane answered, unaware of the uneasiness that was creeping in Brad's system.