"Arthur?"
"Hmm..." Arthur purred; his gaze never left Helena's.
"How about we start looking for constellations like you promised?" Helena asked, smiling.
Arthur was startled like Helena's question took him out of his reverie. He was so drawn to his girlfriend's beautiful orbs. "Right,' he nodded. "Let's find some constellations now." He stood up and started using the telescope he had.
Arthur brought everything he needed. From the camera, telescope, and even camping food. Ashton helped him prepare things to get to San Antonio, making it more manageable. Ashton even wished Arthur luck, hoping he would fix the problem between him and Helena.
"Baby, did Gabby tell you about Ashton?" Arthur asked as he was using the telescope, looking for constellations.
"Ashton? Your secretary?" Helena asked, confused. "What about him and Gabby? She only told me she talked to you about the new issue of you and Pamela circulating on social media."
Arthur turned to Helena. "Your best friend asks Ashton's number before leaving my penthouse, and now they are constantly calling and texting."
"What?" She said in shock. "That bitch, he didn't even mention meeting Ashton. She's a flirt, you know. Obviously, we are very opposite in terms of liking or dating men. I never approach men first."
"Is that so? Do you usually do the opposite? He said, smirking, facing the telescope, pretending he was looking for constellations.
"That's not true," Helena disagreed. "The way I met you was very upsetting for me, you know that." She paused, remembering what day it was. "That day, I went shopping for ingredients for the food I would cook for Israel's birthday."
Arthur turned back, meeting Helena's gaze. "I'm sorry about that," he said apologetically. "It was not a good experience the first time we met."
"Arthur?"
"Hmmm..." He purred, waiting for what she was about to say.
"I'm sorry I had you compared to Israel; it was unfair to you," she said sincerely. "I know sometimes you feel that too. This is part of the things I'm consulting with my therapist for the good of our relationship."
"Thanks for being honest," Arthur came over to Helena, squeezing her hand to support her.
"Yeah, I've noticed that, but I can't compete with someone who is not here anymore. I hope you get over Israel and forgive yourself for what happened. Helena, it wasn't your fault."
"I know." Tears are forming in her eyes. "Thank you for saying that." Helena hugged Arthur tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Thank you for being here for me even though you're struggling with your family's problem."
"It's okay, baby. Whatever I have with my family, I will resolve them sooner than later. We're getting on it."
Arthur stroked Helena's back to help her calm. He refused to share the horrible story of her mother and why she is currently in jail. He thought it would be better for Helena not to know how disgusting her mother was. Thinking about what she did to Nathan makes his skin crawl.
Helena pulled a little from Arthur. "This constellation hunting is not happening soon," she chuckled. "Every time you get to the telescope, something comes up."
Arthur joined her laughter as he got his hands on the telescope again. "I'll ensure we see at least one constellation tonight."
Not long after that, Arthur spotted a constellation. "Baby, I think I got Leo. Come here fast," he asked Helena to replace her in the telescope.
Next, they looked for more constellations until they got tired and lay on the cloth on the grass. Helena made Arthur's arm as her pillow. They made each warm, listening to each other's breath in the cold, quiet night in San Antonio's forest.
"Lauren told me about Pamela and you. Arthur, I... I don't want to be the reason you lose everything," Helena finally said.
Arthur was quite startled, but he managed to analyze things Helena said. "Lauren wants to control our lives, just like she tried to control Israel's," he said, his voice firm with conviction. "But I refuse to let her win. You are the most important person in my life, Helena, and I will do whatever it takes to protect us."
Helena thought of the conversation she had had with Lauren, the vicious words that had been meant to crush her spirit. Looking into Arthur's eyes, she saw a fierce love willing to defy the world for her sake. And in that moment, she knew she couldn't let fear stand in their way.
Arthur couldn't help but feel renewed hope for their future together as they continued their conversation. He knew there were still obstacles to overcome, secrets to unravel, and feelings to navigate – but he felt he could see a way forward with Helena by his side for the first time in months.
Helena's heart swelled with relief as Arthur's words soaked in. The image of him and Pamela together that had haunted her thoughts began to fade, replaced by a warmth she hadn't felt in months. She exhaled softly, allowing herself to admit how she truly felt.
"Arthur, I was worried that you had moved on so quickly." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the vulnerability she tried to hide. "Thank you for telling me, Arthur," she whispered. "I appreciate your honesty."
"Of course, Helena," he replied, his voice filled with a tender warmth that made her heart flutter. "I just want you to be happy. Baby, your happiness means everything to me," Arthur traced a finger on Helena's cheek. "Tell me honestly, are you jealous of Pamela?"
Helena pouts her lips like a child. "I don't know. It's just that I hate seeing her with you in a photo, especially in public, and people talk about you two being in a romantic relationship."
"The answer is just a yes or no. But I think it's a yes," Arthur said, a smirk creeping on his lips with the thought of Helena getting jealous. "There is nothing to be jealous of. You are the only woman for me, Helena." Arthur gently pinches Helena's chin, making eye-to-eye contact with her.
Helena nodded. "Okay."
"Still not convinced, huh?" Arthur moved close to Helena's ear and whispered. "While Pamela is on her bed tonight, I'll be inside you, fucking the shit out of you 'till you scream my name."
Fuck! That is the sexiest thing he ever said to me.
Without thinking, Arthur leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. It was a gentle, tentative kiss, but it quickly became more passionate as they deepened the embrace. Helena's hands found their way to his hair, pulling him closer as she opened her mouth to allow his tongue to explore hers.
They broke the kiss, both left breathless and wanting more. Arthur's hand trailed down Helena's back, stopping just above her buttocks, teasingly tracing small circles on her skin.
"Arthur," she moaned.
"I want you, Helena," he whispered, his voice husky.