I went in search of Arden, to see if he might have some ideas to share with me about Xavia but when I got to his room, it was locked.
"Where is the Beta?" I asked the guards at the door
"He has not returned after he left for the feast yesterday" one of them answered.
I knew immediately that was the reason he hasn't shown up to ask me how my day went with his sister. I thought about waiting around for him but the guards do not look comfortable with me around. I also knew Arden might not be returning anytime soon.
"When he gets back. Tell him to see me, ok" I told them.
"Yes, Alpha" they muttered in unison.
I left his place and did not return to my room, knowing Kate would be looking for me. I had left the garden without her knowledge and I knew how furious she would be, she might threaten to scream the building down. That had always been her threat, which of course, has always been carried out by her so many times.
Surprisingly, she hasn't changed much despite being gone for so many years. With the time I had spent with her so far, I could predict her next move. I knew she would return to the garden if she doesn't see me in my room so I did not bother to return to the garden. I also did not want to see Xavia working so hard. I went to the training ground instead. Luckily, I did not bump into her on the road.
She should be on her way to my mother. I thought and smiled. If she goes to my mom's place, I will not have to worry about being with her today.
I lay down on the couch to get some sleep. I was hardly able to sleep in the night and when I was finally dozing off, Kate's knock woke me up, dragging me to the garden. I just hoped that my mom would not suspect me of being in the training ground and bring her over. That will not only spoil my day but also get me worked up.
To be on the safer side, I closed the door from the inside, that way I would not have to worry about my mom showing up with Kate.
But what if Arden comes back and wants to see me? I thought.
It might be easy for him to detect where I am but when he finds this place locked, he would leave.
Then how will he get through to me?
I shrugged.
I will text him and ask him to call me when he gets back. I thought.
Though I was sure he was not going to get back until evening and I might have left the training ground to my room, I still texted him anyway.
**
I wasn't right about Arden not showing up until evening. After sleeping for over four hours, I opened the door to the training ground and began to train. Arden showed up an hour later, just a few minutes past two.
"I saw your message. Is everything alright?" he asked sitting on the couch.
"Did you just see my message or did you see it and decide to ignore it?"
"I knew it wasn't important or you would have indicated it"
I scoffed slightly. Do I have to indicate how important a message is before he knows its importance?
"Did your guards not tell you I wanted to see you?"
"They did. I almost forgot that. I am sorry. I am here now. You can tell me, what the message is about and why you ask me to see you"
I ignored him, dropping my sword. I picked up a towel to wipe off my sweat before walking out of the training ground. Arden ran after me muttering some words, but I ignored him and headed to my room.
"How long are you going to ignore me?" he asked when we got to my room.
"I am going to take my bath. Make use of the door when you are done" I replied to him, heading to the bathroom.
"Are you that angry with me?" he asked but I ignored him.
He jilted me so many times. I do not want to have anything to do with him for now.
Arden was seated, going through a magazine I had left on the table when I came out. I had thought he would have left but he did not. He was so engrossed in his reading that he did not notice me. I decided not to speak to him.
"Do you always spend this long in the bathroom?" he asked when he saw me.
"Do you know how long I have been out of the bathroom?"
"Whatever" He muttered.
He dropped the magazine on the table and stood up.
"If I may ask what are you still doing here?" I asked.
"I have very important information for you"
"Which is?"
"Your mom"
I furrowed my brows. "My mom?"
"Yes. She sent me a text. She wants to see you"
"Did she say why?"
"No. You should visit her"
I stared at him. "Are you sure my mom did not tell you why she wants to see me?"
"No. She did not say anything about it"
"Why do I have this feeling that you know why?"
"Your feelings are wrong"
"Hope this is not about Kate?"
"Is she the reason you called me here?" he asked.
"You jilted me. Why should I call you here because of her? "
"Then I will get going. I have delivered the message"
I scoffed. "Are you not sorry for what you did to me?"
"If being sorry involves Kate, then I am not. I warned you about her but you were too proud to listen"
I rolled my eyes. "You still need to apologize for leaving me behind"
"Ok. I am sorry. Can you tell me why you wanted to see me?"
"It's about Xavia"
He chuckled. "I knew it! Did you finally decide to change her work from the garden?"
I sighed. "Do you have any place to suggest?"
"The kitchen"
"That would not work. I..."
"Gilbert, working in the kitchen is the perfect place for her. She doesn't have to cook your food or do the dishes that are yours. Sweeping, cleaning, and mopping are works too, and you would not see her except you visit the kitchen which of course will never happen"
I sighed. That sounds like a good idea. If I do that, I wouldn't feel pity towards her anymore and I will not have to worry about seeing her. All I need to do is speak to my mom and convince her to let Xavia work in the kitchen. To do that I will need to do what she wants and that includes answering Kate's call.
"Can you help me with..."
"I am not helping you. You speak to your mom and do whatever she wants. Bye," he muttered, heading to the door.
"Arden..."
"See you around," he said and then closed the door behind him.