Arabella's POV

"Draw four."

"Please don't."

"Come on asshole!"

"Fine."

. . . .

"Ha, Uno biatch!"

I rolled my eyes and let out a giggle as I peered up from my phone to glance at the guys playing Uno. Tyler was the first to Uno out then Max and now Aaron beat Ace.

I glanced at Erika who was stuffing her face with chocolate whiles watching the guys as well. We only had five more minutes till the plane landed and so far the ride wasn't as dreadful as I thought it would be.

The guys did simmer down their excitement and accepted the fact that they were actually flying in a private jet to meet the Gale Smith, Max's words not mine.

"Ladies and Gentleboys, we're in for a smooth landing. Buckle up in case my calculations are incorrect, I do not want teenagers dying on my hands today. Oh and Welcome to New York!"

I smiled and shook my head lightly. This is one of the many reasons as to why I preferred flying with him. He was lighthearted and funny and kind of reminded me of my own father.

"Earth to Bella." Erika snapped her fingers in front of my face frantically, scoffing when I zoned back into existence, my eyes blinking away vigorously.

"Hmm yeah?" I licked my chapped lips as I turned to face her. I raised a brow as she pointed out of the window. I spun around and saw a familiar black limousine sitting on the wide pavement.

Standing beside it was a man dressed in his familiar black suit and per usual, two bodyguards beside him for his own protection. Can't have any important businessmen lurking the streets all by themselves. I smiled widely but then it suddenly faded as a familiar tall woman stepped out of the limousine and slid to his side.

"Is that your stepmother?" Aaron asked as he peered out the window as well.  "Yep, a gold digger in the making." I tutted in annoyance, waving back at my father whose smile I could see from all the way here.

"Your dad looks scary." Max gasped.

"I know right" Tyler murmured in response. I frowned deeply, not knowing how such a sweet smile could seem scary. I don't get it with boys and meeting the parents.

I smirked and shook my head lightly at Tyler's nervousness. Who knew Tyler Hart, the bad boy next door would be afraid of my dad.

It's quite funny.

After the plane landed and the pilot announced that we were free and safe to exit. We all stumbled down the stairs, the guys leaping excitedly before Erika and I and he's Tyler was amongst those. I'm sure a guy like him has been here before but it was still fun seeing him this giddy.

I don't think giddy is a part of Tyler Hart's personality so it was quite the sight.

"Pumpkin!" My eyes snapped towards my father who rushed towards me, barely giving me a second to catch my breath or even utter words as he pulled me in for a hug.

"Dad! Oh god, I missed you!" I gasped out as I dug my face into his chest, the scent of his man cologne enveloping my nostrils. I hugged him tighter but eventually pulled away from the hug and smiled as he flashed me a heartwarming smile. "I know and I'm sorry sweetie. We'll catch up this week I promise you." He flicked his thumbs up, his voice sounding even more reassuring.

I leapt into his arms once again and sighed deeply before willing myself to pull away and let my eyes settle on the woman standing next to him with a huge smile that seemed faker than Ace's Yeezy's on her face.

"Oh Bella boo, how are you!?" She beamed brightly as she stretched out her slender arms towards me and then enveloped me in an awkward hug. I hated that name, Bella boo. What the hell.

I patted her back softly, my teeth clenched tightly in my mouth before pulling away and sporting my best fake smile. I needed to sell it, now or never because dad won't make me see the end of it.

She was beautiful, it's one good thing I could say about her. Golden locks cascaded down her back, she was tall and slender with a very much unnatural tanned skin and a ridiculously slim body. She had blue eyes and a bit of freckles on her face. She was gorgeous but she was just twenty-nine and a gold digger so I hated her.

Plus she's twenty-nine and has sixteen-year-old twins. That basically means she got pregnant at the age of thirteen. Can't really judge though.

"I'm good Evelin," I gritted out and as quick as the hug was, was as quick as I spun around and ran the hell away from her and into the comfort of my father's arms.

"Pumpkin, are any of these guys your boyfriend?" He suddenly asked not so subtly as he motioned towards the guys. My eyes widened and I spurted over my words as the guys, excluding Tyler laughed.

"Yes sir!" Erika smirked mischievously as she nudged Tyler forward. His eyes widened as wide as mine as he stumbled before my father, his lips parting and slamming shut in shock. God, it felt good to see Tyler Hart speckles.

But me on the other hand. I couldn't judge. "N–no dad he's not my–"

"Tyler Hart?" He chuckled in disbelief and awe as his eyes scanned Tyler's tensed body. "Y–Yes sir." He replied in a firm voice which made me smile.

He's trying his best to impress dad.

"You're all grown up, god it feels like forever now. How's your mom and dad and that brother of yours?" My father asked. For a moment I forgot that once upon a time we were a happy family living beside Tyler. I can't remember him ever being our neighbours when I was younger and then I moved to New York but dad seems to remember very clearly.

"What's going on. Should we abort the mission?" Ace whispered into my ear frantically.

I facepalmed him and kept my gaze locked on my father who was beaming at Tyler in awe. So you're dating my daughter!? You better treat her well before I have my security guard teach you how to not mess with the Smith's. We're a feisty batch." He threatened and then suddenly winked as Tyler chuckled nervously.

"Sure thing Mr. Smith. I–'I'll take that into consideration." It was so ironic, this situation. Because I knew that Tyler could take down both these bodyguards without breaking a sweat. So it was still amusing to see him stammer over his words although I knew it had to do with my father himself.

Cute.

Tyler Hart and my father getting along? How could this day possibly get any worse?

~~~

This day could possibly get worse.

We pulled up in front of the place I've called my true home that sat a good miles away from Times Square. The door was pulled open and we all stepped out without having to worry about our suitcases or anything. Privileges of having a billionaire father.

"Arabella."

"Mm?" I hummed as the metal gates opened up and we stepped inside. We walked down one of the two paths that were circled around the water fountain and towards the hardwood door.

"Can I marry you?" Aaron asked as he slung one hand over my shoulder. "No, apparently after today we've sealed the deal. She's taken, I've met the parent, slayed the dragon, so my work here is done!" Tyler exclaimed loudly as he shoved Aaron away from me and slipped his hands over my shoulder.

For once I didn't feel the urge to brush his hand away so I let it linger as we knocked on the Smith's Mansion door.

My dad had to go back to his office today to prepare for the party so he let our chauffeur drop us off whilst his wife went to the grocery store to get some junk food for her daughters.

After a few moments, the door flung open and before us stood her. Tessa Star, the bitch from hell. She stood there, leaned against the door frame with a snare on her face. "Nessa there are hot guys at our door and our annoying stepsister!" She shouted into the hall.

"Wow, thanks for the subtle welcome!" I scoffed as I pressed my palm against her chest and shoved her into the house. She stumbled back and scoffed before stepping out of the way and greeting the guys with a flirtatious smirk.

The guys didn't hide the fact that they were amazed by the house and I smiled as I turned to face their hawking expressions.

This house was my home, more than I can say for my house in Washington. Although I didn't grow up here I've made some great memories with dad and Nessa.

I loved Nessa. She wasn't a little annoying tramp like her sister Tessa and the two of us got along great. "Bella!" Her familiar voice rang through the house as she toppled down the stairs and wasted no time before leaping into my arms.

"Hey, Ness!" I squealed as equally excited as her.

"I'm so happy you're here. One second late and I'd have ripped Tessa's throat out." She groaned deeply, her eyes flickering to her sister who saw fit to flip her off.

"Tell me about it." I mumbled to her in which I received a soft giggle. The guys weren't paying any attention to Tessa who was trying way too hard to get their attention.

Instead, their eyes scanned the hall where we stood. "Okay seriously, marry me Bells," Aaron exclaimed once again as he approached me.

"Gold digger." Max snorted as he shoved at Aaron's chest playfully. They bickered for a few moments before Erika had to split them apart by using her hands and fists as threats. You don't wanna hear what she said.

"Oh, what do we have here!" Tessa purred as she twirled her hair between her fingertips. Erika snorted from beside me and rolled her eyes.

She also hates Tessa.

"And who are you?" She asked as she shut the door with her feet and leaned against it in a kind of flirtatious way that failed horribly to the point where I internally cringed for her.

"Taken!" Ron exclaimed sweetly.

"Okay then. That's a bummer, next!" She said loudly, tearing her gaze away from Aaron and towards Max who shook his head vigorously.  "His boyfriend." He smiled back as equally sweetly as Aaron as they linked hands together and leaned into each other's touch, sighing very contently.

Wow, two guys in one day? That must be a new record for Tessa Star.

"Oh. . ." She trailed off, clearly embarrassed as her eyes swivelled towards Tyler who pursed his lips in a thin line, muttering the words "don't even try it."

Tyler made it quite obvious by the way he glanced at me, smirked and then averted eye contact. Once again the memories came rushing back at our make-out session and I slapped a hand over my mouth, trying my hardest to conceal my smile. Damn you Tyler!

"Bummer, you're too handsome and valuable for Arabella." She scoffed. I recoiled in shock and scoffed humourlessly.

"Hottie at nine o clock." She disregarded me as she pivoted on her heels towards Ace who smirked in response. Although we all knew this was his tactic seeing as he wasn't that dumb and him being Ace he'd play along for the fun of it. "Hello, beau–"

"Don't even think about it. Touch him and I'll clock you. Got it?" Erika snapped as her hands shot towards Ace's ear. She grabbed it and twisted it with as much force as she could as Ace squealed loudly, his head shaking vigorously.

"What the woman said." He whimpered before slapping her hand away and caressing his now bloodshot red ear.

"Tessa stop being a whore for five minutes!  These guys came here with our sister to enjoy themselves and have some fun, not to catch Aids from you. The living breathing, walking HIV stick." Nessa snapped, her hands folding over her chest as she glared back at Tessa who appeared just as baffled as we all did.

"Oof."

"Burn.."

"Jesus Christ"

"She needs some milk!"

"I am shooketh."

Before a tongue-tied Tessa could respond, Nessa offered to show the guys to their rooms.

"Come on Erika. Guys, we'll see you in a while." I brushed them off before grabbing Erika's hand and tugging her towards my room.

My room was maybe the size of a hotel room. I had a queen-sized water bed sitting in the middle of my room, decorated with white linen which included every single of my pillows and comforter.

Beside it laid my white bedside table with a white lamp sitting atop it and other essentials.

A huge flat-screen television sat in front of the bed hung up on the wall above my white dresser. Other than that anything else in my room was related to fashion. I had photoshoots of models on my wall. Vogue, Fashion Nova, Victoria secret. Anything that remotely relates to fashion.

There was also a manikin that I had next to my white fluffy bean bag. Draped over its headless shoulders was a measuring tape and beneath it were five pairs of shoes that I've never worn.
Beside my manikin was my sewing machine.

I didn't have a lot of stuff in this room seeing as I rarely come here anyways. It was just petty stuff I needed for when I visited and that's it.

"I can't wait to fall asleep." Erika groaned as she slumped down onto the bed. I crawled towards her and grabbed her wrist before pulling her off the bed.

"Not before having a talk and dinner with dad and everyone else." I scolded as she let out an exasperated groan. I giggled in response, tugging her towards the door.

"Come on sugar, we have a long week ahead of us."