4.

Waking up to an apology message from Arthur gave Caroline a feeling of satisfaction but she knew she had forgiven him, just needed time away

So she sent a quick reply there's nothing to forgive,but I think it's best if we stayed away from each other for a while.Take care.

S hit the send button and closed the page, determined to put it out of her mind as she,concentrated on her final year exams.

A few minutes later, a new message notification popped up and even without checking,Caroline knew it would be Arthur's reply

Arthur:Best for whom exactly? Us or you?

Her lips thinned, Of course he would be stubborn about it.

Caroline:The both of us

Hid reply came faster this time.

Arthur:What if i don't want to stay away?What if I want us to work things out

Heart pounding faster,she took her time replying.The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was eager to talk.

Caroline:That's not possible, there are a million reasons why it won't work.

Despite her earlier hesitation to reply him fast, Caroline found herself tapping her fingers on the desk impatiently,waiting for his reply.

Her phone rang and she jumped, rummaging in her bag for it, her breath caught when she saw who it was.

Biting her lips,she hit the call button.

"I can give you just one reason why we can make this work" The intensity in Arthur's voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"Arthur..."Caroline licked her lips, his voice likewarm caress,sending her pulse faster.

"I can't talk right now,not about this...not,now.",She heard him sigh,and she expected him too bject,but instead he said."Ok,we won't talk about us if you don't want to, but you have,to promise me one thing."

"I'm not making any promises, at least not until I hear what it is."she said.

"I know you don't want to talk about our marrieage and I'm cool with that but maybe we could...talk about other things get to know each other better...as,friends.",Caroline paused for long moments unsure of what to say.

Friends with Arthur Sebastian?,That was like putting a box of chocolate in a locked room with her and expecting her to hope whether it would be good or bad when she tastes it.

"Caroline,are you there?"Arthur asked,sounding worried.,"Yes...yes I'm still here.Arthur,I don't thinkthat's a good idea.."

"Just think about it,"He urged."No pressure though,and I'll respect whatever decisionyou make."

"Ok.I have to go now."She ended the call,and swung her chair around to stare out at the view in front of her deep in thought.

Next thing she knew flora was shaking her awake,reminding her of the meeting she had to go to with their dad.

With a quick stop at the bathroom to repair her makeup.

Caroline hurried out of the house to join her dad in the car.

As soon as they arrived at the company they headed straight for the boardroom.

She entered to find most of the share holders there with the exception of Scott and Arthur aswell as several top executives.

Caroline spotted her fatherdeep in conversation with her aunt and his lawyer.

Murmuring greetings as she moved,Caroline joined her father.

Lucas Timberlake beamed a this daughter accepting a hug and a fond kiss,on his cheeks.,"What's going on Dad?"Caroline asked,nodding as one of the lawyers pulled a chair for her.

,Before he could reply,there was a small,disturbance at the entrance, Caroline glanced up and froze as Arthur,immaculate as always in a blue tailored two-piece suit that fit him in ways that sent many female hearts in the room pounding stride into the room.

He had eyes only for her holding her gaze ashe strode up to her father breaking the eye contact only so he could shake hands with Lucas.

Caroline held her breath keeping her eyes lowered,reluctant to meet that knowing look that seemed to penetrate her skin and reveal the one secret she was determined to keep.

Schooling her features to exude professional competence,she ran a hand down her skirt,thankful she'd chosen the conservative grey business suit.

She felt Arthur's eyes on her as he took a seat directly across from her,and Caroline forced herself to return his gaze.His mouth curved in warm smile,and she looked away pulse racing.

Hols steady Caroline...she reminded herself turning her attention to the papers on her table.Her father stood and cleared histhroat getting everyone's attention.

"Good morning,"Lucas began his voicefilled with quiet authority. "first of all, let me thank you Arthur for making it to this impromptu meeting, I understand a lot of you would rather be doing other things than to sit in a tensioned meeting...",

A murmur of polite laughter rang out.,"Still,"he continued,"I believe it is important to make this announcement here,before the media gets a hold of the latest developments.",He paused and glanced around the room,taking all the expectant faces.

"Ad you are all aware, there was a recent purchase ofa majority of our stocksby A &A industy, a move that well none of us were expecting.However,in the past three days,I have been innegotiations with the CEO,Mr Sebastian..."He nodded in Arthur's direction but Caroline kept her gaze on her father,too intent on finding outwhere this speech was leading.

"Mr. Sebastian ,would you care to do the honours?",Arthur declined with a murmur,indicating Lucas to carry on."Go ahead,Mr Timberlake."

"Very well, A &A company will be giving us the option to buy back more than half of the acquired shares at less than the vurrent stock price,which will leave us withan impressive profit in the.....",Her father droned on but Caroline barely heard,seated across.

Arthur didn't meet her gaze keeping his focus on Lucas instead his expression blank.

He was returning the shares?If the Timberlake repurchased those shares at less than the current price...it would mean a huge gain for the industry and an appalling loss for Arthur...why would he something so stupid?What was he trying to prove to her?

That he would willingly lose everything just to satisfy his guilt.She was aware of the applause that accompanied the end of herfather's speech,as Arthur stood and excused himself from the meeting,leaving before anyone could corner him with questions.

Caroline sat through the rest of the meeting in adaze her mind unable to process what had just happened.Once she was back into her dads office,she pulled out her phone and checked for messages curiosity getting the better ofher as she listened to Arthur's voice messages,from that morning.

Could it be? Or was she simply hearing what she wanted...what she longed to hear?She played it over and over again,her heartmelting each time she heard the unspoken words.

Her phone beeped signalling a new message.Nervous,Caroline opened the message.,It was from Arthur.

Arthur:You look beautiful today.

The words coaxed a smile which she quickl squashed,and typed a reply.

Caroline :Thanks.Why did you sell those shares?That was either a very brave move or a stupid one and i never knew you to be someone making stupid moves

Arthur :What do you think?

Caroline thought for a minute,a small smile playing across her lips.

Caroline :I don't think it was a very wise decision.

The phone rang,displaying Arthur's name.

"Hey"Caroline said proud of how cool she sounded.

She leaned back in the chair, holding the phone to her ear,feet up on the desk.

"Hey yourself," Arthur said."So,lex thinks I might be into drugs and it's definitely making me lose my mind"

"He's not going to be the only one,wait till this hits the news.Seriously Arthur,you shouldn't have done that.I don't think my dad would have minded paying the stock price,as long as he got the shares back into the company."She took a deep breath and continued."I know you think you have to make amends,but ruining your company isn't the way to do things."

"I made a conscious but stupid choice to destroy something that meant a lot of things to a lot of people...consider it as my apology.

"That's....very insightful." She murmured,chewing her lip as she reached animpromptu decision.

"I've given your offer some thought.","Oh?" She could hear the curiosity behind the single word.,"Yes,I....guess it would be a good idea to get to know you better."She said in a rush hoping to hell she wasn't going to regret this.

"But just as friends no complications.","Just friends"Arthur agreed relief lacing every syllable."