Husband With Benefits-Chapter 546: What?

"You know my sister, Mister?"

Gabe felt a pang in his chest as he looked into the innocent, trusting eyes of the little girl. Her words stirred a mixture of emotions within him, but her sweetness and vulnerability melted his heart.

With a smile, he crouched down to her level, feeling a rush of tenderness toward her. "You know, you have the most adorable smile," he said softly, unable to resist looking at her.

He wanted to curse even as he felt helpless against the little girl. Had he just been thinking a few minutes ago about continuing this marriage for a year? Exploring what he was feeling about being protective of Autumn? And now... this.. The one name he wanted to forget...was the name that this little one had been burdened with. At least she was as different as she could be, from the one he had known.

"Thank you, mister. But you didn’t tell me, do you know my sister?"

Gabe bowed his head, before ruffling her hair," I.. yes. I do know your sister."

The little girl smiled widely at that," You know her? She is the best! But Aunt N said that because she is good, that some bad people want to harm her. And they are going to try and take me from her. So, since you know her, can you not help me with bringing a monster back? Only until he scares away all the bad people?"

"There is no need to bring a monster back." Gabe smiled at her, charmed by her innocence. He knew that the woman who was taking care of her probably had not meant monsters in the real sense.

The girl pouted and those tears that had disappeared only a moment ago reappeared immediately," Why not? I’m not asking you to bring all of them back. Just one or two..."

Gabe smiled this time, amused, "You don’t need monsters, Miss Arabelle. And neither does your sister. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because you have a strong sister. I know Miss Autumn and it seems she could crush all the monsters herself. So, you need not worry about them."

"Really?" Arabelle asked, her eyes brightening.

"Yes, really. But I am more worried about you."

"Me? Why?", the little girl asked, pointing a finger to herself.

"Yes. You, Miss Arabelle. It seems, there are some leaky taps in your eyes. They keep leaking those tears."

Arabelle giggled, the sweet sound making him smile wider as he gave her a surprised expression," What is this, Miss Arabelle! You sweet smile appears again? Quickly hide it away or someone light steal it."

The small giggle turned into tinkling laughter and Gave sighed. This little girl was going to be a heart stealer.

"Mister Gabriel? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, you can. What is it do you want to know? I have all the knowledge..."

"Will you help my sister if she is not able to fight them?"

Gabe paused. He really would have to insist that Autumn come clear. But maybe he could...

"I will help her, if she needs it... Miss Arabelle, can you tell me who these bad people are?"

" I don’t know. I..." Arabelle bit her lip and whispered," I overheard her talking to Uncle N about this. They don’t tell me anything. Please don’t scold me, okay? I did not mean to listen in..."

Gabe smiled," Okay okay. I won’t scold you or tell on you. But you have to promise me something?"

"What?"

"Next time the older people are talking, you will not listen in."

Arabelle pouted. If she didn’t listen in, then she would not know what was going on. She just told Mister Gabriel that no one ever told her anything. But...

"Okay. I will promise you. But you have to promise that you will help my sister."

Gabe hesitated for a moment, weighing the implications of such a promise. But as he looked into Arabelle’s pleading eyes, he knew he couldn’t turn her down as much as he might want to. How was he to tell the girl, that at this moment, his biggest hesitation was her own name?

"I promise, Miss Arabelle," he said softly, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "I’ll do everything in my power to help you and your sister, no matter what."

A bright smile spread across Arabelle’s face, and before Gabe could react, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug. Surprised but touched by her affection, Gabe instinctively hugged her back, feeling a rush of warmth and protectiveness toward her.

A bright smile spread across Arabelle’s face, and before Gabe could react, she threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Surprised but touched by her affection, Gabe instinctively hugged her back, feeling a rush of warmth and protectiveness toward the little girl even as he called himself all kinds of fools.

His heart had been cold towards everyone since Arabelle and yet, this Arabelle had come into his life and wormed her way in, in just two short meetings. What was he going to do now?

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached, and Gabe glanced up to see Autumn hurrying toward them. He watched as her worried expression changed to horror when she saw the little girl in his arms.

"You! You let go of her!" She almost screamed, coming towards him at a run, in a panic.

Hearing her sister’s voice, Arabelle let go of him and turned to smile at her sister, but before she could do anything, Autumn had picked her up and carried her away from the Mister Gabriel.

"Arabelle? Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

His brow furrowed in confusion, Gabe asked cautiously," What is going on, Autumn?"

It took her a moment to realise that her sister was safe. She’d forgotten that Gabe was gay.. Even as she felt relief, she tried to cover up her panic," I.. I am sorry. I just over reacted."