Chapter 22: The Reckless Confession

The moment Arabella pushed the door to her living room, she found Levi sprawled across the sofa, one arm draped over the backrest, a half-eaten bag of chips perched against his stomach. The television flickered before him, some mindless show playing, but he was far too engrossed in his snack to pay attention.

"Levi!" she barked, voice tight with exhaustion. "Where the hell were you?"

Levi didn't flinch. He languidly turned his head, eyes half-lidded with feigned innocence. "Girl," he drawled, licking salt from his fingers, "I bumped into Rafael last night at the station. He told me not to come back here-like, real serious. And you know how that man is. I had no choice. He said he'd cut off my carrot if I didn't cooperate."

Arabella scoffed. "As if you even need a carrot."

Levi sat up, tossing a chip into his mouth. "And that's why I'm here now, living my best life, eating your food."

Arabella collapsed onto the couch beside him with an exhausted sigh, arms folded tightly across her chest. "I can't shake that perverted maniac, Levi. He got me again."

Levi turned, scanning her from head to toe with the slow deliberation of a detective sizing up a crime scene. Her hair-still damp-hung in tangles over her shoulders, the ends curling in haphazard knots. Her shirt, once pristine, bore the creased evidence of too many hands, too many desperate moments.

"Girl, I can tell. You look wrecked."

Arabella groaned, rubbing her temples. "It was a long day."

Levi smirked. "Who asked about your day? I said you look used up and out of juice." His grin widened, wickedly playful. "How was it this time?"

Arabella stiffened. "How was what?"

"You know-how many times did your kiwi get smashed?"

"Levi! Shut up! I-I confessed to him."

Levi's jaw dropped. "You did what?! Girl, you are too easy!"

"It's not what you think! He was about to eat a strawberry kiwi smoothie, and I-I panicked!"

Levi nearly choked on his laughter. "Holy God! He what? Girl, you should've taken the punishment instead!"

Arabella's face twisted in horror. "If you saw the flick of his tongue, you'd have screamed like a pig."

Levi sucked in a breath, feigning dramatics. "If he did that to me, I'd shut up in a heartbeat."

Arabella groaned again, dropping her head against his shoulder. "He's a bastard. And a cheater."

Levi's amusement faded, his brows knitting together. "What happened?"

"His fiancée showed up this morning. I had to sneak out of his condo like some-some homewrecker."

Levi's eyes widened. "Damn. Well, at least you made it out. I don't want to see your face on the eleven o'clock news."

"That's not the point! The point is-he's disgusting and heartless. How can he-"

Levi sighed, finishing her sentence for her. "How can he juggle three women at the same time? A girlfriend is one thing, but a fiancée? That's a whole contract."

Arabella buried her face in her hands. "That bastard! I hate him! And there's one thing I'm afraid of."

Levi sat up straighter, his expression instantly shifting. "Let me guess-you think you're pregnant."

Arabella swallowed, staring at her hands. "I don't want to be pregnant with his child."

Levi let out a long, suffering sigh. "Girl, why didn't you tell him to wrap that banana up tight?"

Arabella's face burned. "It-it happened so fast. I wasn't thinking."

Levi threw up his hands. "Happened so fast? Girl, the condom goes on before the banana gets anywhere near the kiwi! Not during!"

Arabella groaned, shoving her face into a throw pillow. "Levi, no! I mean-he was, and I-I-ah! I don't know what to say anymore! Just know that he didn't wrap his banana."

Levi cackled, falling back into the couch. "Probably left the thank-you bag at the store, that's why. Or maybe he just likes it raw."

Arabella grabbed a nearby pillow and swung it at his face. "You are insufferable!"

They wrestled for a moment, limbs flailing, laughter muffled by fabric. When Levi finally surrendered, breathless and red-faced, Arabella yanked the bag of chips from his grasp and stuffed a handful into her mouth. "I am trying to have a serious conversation here!"

Levi wiped at his eyes, still laughing. "Alright, alright. Here's my advice-next time, tell him to pull out before it erupts inside and makes a mess. Let those bad boys swim outside the pool."

Arabella choked on a chip. "Levi!!!"

"What? You wanted advice! Now you're yelling at me for giving it?"

Arabella groaned. "It's just-it's embarrassing to say."

Levi rolled his eyes. "It's not that hard. Just look him in the eye and say, 'Hey, I don't want to get pregnant, so if you want it raw, you better pull that banana out before those bad boys leak on me.'"

Arabella shrieked, grabbing another pillow to smother him. "I hate you so much!"

By the time they finished wrestling for a second round, Levi-ever the strategist-suggested they buy a home pregnancy test before spiraling into full-blown panic. Arabella reluctantly agreed.

At the convenience store, Levi grabbed a basket and threw in a random assortment of items, feigning casual indifference. When they reached the pharmacy aisle, however, the bravado vanished.

"You ask," Arabella whispered, shoving him forward.

"Hell no! You ask!"

They bickered in frantic whispers, shoving each other back and forth like children playing tag. Eventually, Levi huffed. "Fine. Rock-paper-scissors."

Ten rounds later, Levi had lost every single one. He cursed under his breath, then shuffled toward the counter. "Um, excuse me, sir," he said, voice dropping into a low, gravelly murmur, "Can I get eight home pregnancy tests?"

The cashier blinked. "Eight? Blessed the heavens that lead you the right way. Congratulations, Im sure you will be a good father."

Levi's eyes darted left, then right. "Ew, no... i think I'm gonna be a auntie. Its for my-um-my dogs."

Arabella smacked a hand against her forehead as Levi swiped the kits off the counter and bolted to the checkout line.

The moment they stepped out of the store, they took off in a dead sprint, as if the cashier might chase them down to demand an explanation. Back at the mansion, they crept past Mia in the hallway, Arabella stammering some nonsense about lunch when asked what they wanted to eat.

Once safely in her room, they tore open the first test, their hands shaking as they tried to decipher the instructions. "Why is this so complicated?" Levi muttered, turning the box upside down.

Arabella grabbed the tube and disappeared into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her. Outside, Levi paced, running a hand through his curls, muttering prayers under his breath.

Several agonizing minutes later, she emerged, stick in hand.

And then, they waited.

"AHHHHHHH!"

Levi's scream tore through the room as he lunged, snatching the pregnancy test from Arabella's trembling hands. His eyes bulged, darting back and forth between the tiny plastic stick and her terrified face. The sheer panic radiating off him sent Arabella's pulse into overdrive.

"What? What is it? Tell me!" she demanded, breath hitching in her throat.

Levi's expression contorted into something unreadable-an agonizing mix of suspense and exaggerated horror. He gripped the test tighter, chest heaving, milking the moment for all it was worth. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he let out a long, dramatic sigh.

"Girl... you are... NOT pregnant."

Arabella's knees nearly gave out. Relief slammed into her so hard she had to grip the edge of the dresser to steady herself. A nervous laugh bubbled up in her throat as her head tipped back, eyes fluttering shut.

"Thank Jesus!" she gasped, pressing a shaky hand to her chest.

Levi collapsed onto the bed, fanning himself like a Southern woman in a heatwave. "I swear, girl, my soul left my body for a second."

But even as the panic faded, an unsettling thought crept into Arabella's mind, curling around her relief like a slow-growing vine. She might not be pregnant now, but what about the next time? Because knowing Rafael-there would be a next time.

Levi, ever the mastermind of chaos and quick fixes, suddenly perked up. His manicured finger shot into the air, his face lighting up with an idea.

"I got it-birth control pills!"

Arabella's head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "Levi! That means I'd have to see a doctor! And tell them why I need it! That's so embarrassing!"

Levi scoffed, rolling his eyes so hard they nearly got stuck. "Girl, embarrassing is being nine months pregnant and waddling through life with swollen feet, wondering how you got there. Embarrassing is explaining to Mama why her future grandbaby is a love child of sin and bad decisions."

Arabella groaned, covering her face with both hands. "Levi, stop."

He wasn't finished. He scooted closer, his smirk downright wicked. "It's either that... or a little Rafael running around calling you 'Mommy.' Your choice."

Arabella's stomach twisted at the thought. A tiny Rafael-wild and smug, with those devilish eyes and a knowing smirk, wreaking havoc in her life forever. Oh, hell no.

She yanked the pillow from behind her and chucked it at Levi's face. "Ugh! Why are you like this?!"

Levi cackled, dodging effortlessly. "Because someone's gotta keep you from ruining your own damn life!"

Later that afternoon, Arabella and Levi made their way to a small clinic nestled between a laundromat and a convenience store. The waiting room was dismally beige, with stiff plastic chairs and the strong scent of antiseptic lingering in the air. A flickering television in the corner played an old soap opera, but the static was louder than the dialogue.

Arabella sat stiffly, her fingers knotted together in her lap, bouncing her knee in an erratic rhythm. Levi, lounging beside her, casually flipped through a dog-eared magazine on "Women's Health," clicking his tongue at the outdated fashion ads.

"Relax, girl," he said, nudging her shoulder. "Millions of people take birth control. It's not like you're signing up for a full-body transformation."

Arabella shot him a look. "That's easy for you to say. You're not the one about to have an awkward conversation with a doctor about your sex life."

Levi smirked. "Please, if I were straight, I'd be here every other month. Prevention is key, my love."

Arabella sighed, shifting in her seat. "What if there are side effects? What if it messes up my body?"

Levi blinked at her. "Girl, how would I know? Do I look like a walking medical scanner?"

Before she could respond, a nurse stepped into the waiting room, clipboard in hand.

"Arabella Blake?"

Arabella bolted upright, waving her hand awkwardly. "Here! That's me!" Then, glancing at Levi with a desperate look, she whispered, "Come with me. Please."

Levi raised a brow. "Are you sure I'm even allowed in?"

"I don't care! If they ask, I'll just say you're a trans woman or something."

Levi clutched his chest. "Girl! I haven't even gone under the knife yet-" He paused, taking in her wide, pleading eyes. With a groan, he stood. "Fine, fine. It's just my fate to suffer alongside you, I guess."

With that, they followed the nurse down a sterile hallway into an exam room, where a middle-aged female doctor sat waiting. She glanced up from a file, adjusting her glasses as she studied Arabella's profile.

"You didn't complete the intake form, but that's fine," she said, flipping a page. "I'll read the questions out loud, and you can answer."

Arabella offered a weak smile. "I... I didn't really understand some of the questions."

Levi nodded sagely. "It's her first time, Doc. Be gentle."

The doctor arched a brow. "And you are?"

Levi placed a delicate hand over his heart. "Levi. Don't worry, I'm gay. Think of me as her emotional support."

The doctor sighed but didn't press the issue. "Alright, question five: Are you currently sexually active?"

Arabella swallowed hard. "Um... yes. Every weekend."

The doctor stopped writing and looked up. "Every weekend?"

Levi jumped in. "Oh, let me clarify! It's not, like, a full-time job or anything. She only does it on the side."

Arabella's jaw dropped. "Levi!"

The doctor's expression hardened. "Ms. Blake, are you aware of the risks associated with multiple sexual partners? Sexually transmitted infections can be life-altering. If you need stable employment, our clinic does have job openings-"

Arabella's face flamed. "No, no, no! It's not like that! I am not a-" She shot a look at Levi. "Explain. Now."

Levi leaned in conspiratorially toward the doctor. "Listen, Doc. It's just one guy. But, you know, times are tough. Gas prices are up, and condoms aren't exactly free. So, to save money, they're cutting back on unnecessary expenses." He winked. "Time is money, after all."

Arabella hadn't caught Levi's last comment, but the way the doctor's face twitched told her it wasn't good.

Clearing her throat, the doctor moved on. "Next question. Are you currently pregnant?"

Arabella exhaled sharply. "No. We bought eight pregnancy tests just to be sure." She tugged at Levi's sleeve, signaling him to produce their evidence.

Levi grinned, unzipping his designer purse. With a flourish, he dumped all eight used test sticks onto the doctor's desk.

The doctor recoiled slightly, then forced a professional smile. "That... wasn't necessary." Still, she picked one up, examined it with feigned scrutiny, and ticked off the "No" box on the form.

Levi, pleased with himself, gathered the sticks and shoved them back into his bag.

The doctor continued. "Are you married?"

"No," Arabella answered quickly.

"Are you practicing safe sex with your partner?"

Arabella hesitated. "Umm... yes and no."

The doctor glanced up. "What do you mean?"

Levi waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, you know how it is. The first time was wrapped up nice and proper, but after that, it was all about the raw experience."

Arabella nearly choked. "Levi!"

The doctor didn't bat an eye. "That's not uncommon. Many women turn to birth control for that exact reason." She stood, pushing her chair back. "Alright, let's proceed with a mammogram test. Follow me."

Arabella cast Levi a final help me glance before trailing after the doctor.

Levi blew her a kiss. "Be brave, darling. May your boobs be free of lumps and your future free of baby daddies."

Two grueling hours later, Arabella emerged from the examination room clutching a slip of paper, her face still tinged with embarrassment. Levi perked up from his seat, where he had been dramatically draped over the armrest of a chair, scrolling through his phone.

"Well? Did they poke and prod you in all the weird places?"

Arabella glared. "I don't want to talk about it."

Levi grinned. "I bet they made you put on one of those sad little gowns."

She shoved the prescription paper into his hands. "Shut up and take me home."

With a final thank you to the doctor, they made their way to the counter to pick up the prescription. As they stepped back out into the evening air, Arabella exhaled deeply, feeling lighter than she had in days.

Levi slung an arm around her shoulder. "See? That wasn't so bad. Now you're officially a responsible adult."

Arabella groaned. "I don't know whether to thank you or strangle you."

Levi smirked. "Both, darling. Both."