Chapter 12: It's you?!

LURIS'S P.O.V
When men step aside and we saw a beautiful woman in her office female suit while on her hips she is holding a motorcycle helmet.
"Wow. She's gorgeous."-I said.
"Coach, don't tell me she is the chairwoman that you are talking about?"-my cousin.
"The businesswoman who sponsors you guys?"
"Yes. Are you surprise, Mr. Maxwell? I told you, you'll be like us. We got you either."
"It's you?! You got to be kidding me."
"What? Is that how you greet your sponsor and the one who sports you since five years ago, my dear husband?"-she said. My jaw drop. She is now in front of us. She kiss him in his cheeks.
"Aahhh!"-I said and put my palm in mouth. I even pointed her with my other hand.
"Yes? You must be...his best friend?"
"I am also your cousin-in-law. My goodness, Russell! You sneaky rat! You found a diamond!"
"Huh? Diamond? Here?"-she said.
"Why you didn't tell me that you are—even on that restaurant."-he mumbled. She just shrug her shoulder and smiled sweetly.
"For what? Nothing will change isn't it?"
"Yes. But still!"-Russell. She look at me.
"I know I am a diamond. Thank you."-she said.
"Be careful. She is a stubborn one."-he said.
"Ms. Simone, you're here?"-Edzen. She smiled.
"Yes. I want to visit you guys often. Especially that the upcoming summer Olympics will be held in our country. I know that most of you will compete. Fighting!"-she said.
"Thank you. We will do our best."-they said.
"Are you busy, cousin-in-law? Can you join us for a light snack for a moment?"-I ask.
"Maybe. I'll call Zyril to ask if I have any important meeting today."-she answered. But when I laid my eyes on that man named Edzen, my instinct showed that he is interested to my cousin-in-law. Poor Russell, he can't sense it because he is innocent on matters like this.
"Edzen, what is that?"-she ask. He hide his wrist and all of a sudden she held his hand.
"A bracelet? Are you proposing to someone?"
"No. My mom did this. It's for you as a thank you gift, Ms. Simone. I know this not much—?"
"Wow. Thank you! Your mom has a talent, huh? It's cute."-she said. He smiled.
"Russell..."-I mumbled. He seems to be...
RUSSELL'S P.O.V
This junior of mine is bold. He didn't even hesitate to give his gift in front of me. The fact that she is calling her miss is already sketchy.
"I never thought that you'll like a type of bracelet like that."-I said. She nod.
"I am not into fancy jewelries but I like these kinds. I may not be wearing them but they'll be displayed on where I can enjoy watching it."
"But I hope you'll wear that even in seldom times, Ms. Simone."-Edzen. My jaw tightened and my cousin kick his elbow on my side.
"Thank you for visiting us, chairwoman."
"No problem coach, just tell me if you guys need anything. Especially the equipment's and clothes for our athletes. I'll give them right away."-she said. My coach smiled.
"How generous you are. You're a lucky one, Russell."-coach. I just nod trying not to show my irritation. She grab my hand.
"Well, go ahead coach Dwayne."
"Okay. You don't have to be early tomorrow, Russell. Enjoy your honeymoon stage."
"Thank you."-she said. She even wink. She let go of my hand as soon as we are standing in front of her motorcycle. She look on us.
"I'm sure you bought your bag, Mr. Luris."
"Yes. Let's just meet on the nearest café around this area. I saw one on my way here."
"Okay."-she said. She put on her helmet. I grab her hand before she will drove away.
"Are you sure you know how to drive that?"
"And you think this motorcycle drove me here all by itself? Are you sure the water didn't get inside your head?"-she said in sarcasm.
"Shut up. Be careful in driving."
"Yes babe."-she said. That creeps me off.
"Don't dare calling me that again."-I warn.
"Okay. I am just joking, Russell."
"It's not funny."-I said. She frown.
"I know."-she said. She drove away.
"Cousin, don't you think that you two are like... I mean I can't even imagine if the two of you can fall to each other like what you guys promise in that press conference."-he said.
"Just get into your car."-I said. I get inside my car and I can't stop thinking on how Edzen show's affection while giving his gift to Simone.
"Is he interested to Simone?"
When I arrive at the café, she is standing proudly while leaning on her motorcycle.
I open my car window and call on her.
"Come inside."-I said. She opens the passenger seat and close the car. She is licking the same lollipop when we first meet.
"Be careful in answering Luris. He has a keen eye and he is a playboy himself. But he is harmless and gentleman."-I said. She scoff.
"I feel like you are trying to be our bridge. You know me. I always tell what I hate and what I want. If he can't stand my dominance then its not my fault."-she said. I grab the lollipop.
"Stop eating this. Its too much sugar."
"Hey, are you thinking that I am fat and want to put me in a diet?"-she pointed her finger.
"I didn't say that."-I said. I throw it on the mini trash bin in my car. She gave me a death glance.
"Mr. Maxwell, I hate people who is nosy when it comes to my hobby and my food habit."
"Don't get me wrong. Too much sweet will hurt your teeth. Let's wait for Luris here."
She just frown and she shows that she's mad.
"They said that adults who has jobs are wanting to lick a lollipop to release their stress."
"I have always been stressed. Since I was a kid until I take over Lavelle Global. I just want you to know that I don't need your sympathy."
"Your still a proud person, Simone. You should try to relax and don't be too arrogant."
"Mr. Maxwell, in business industry, poker face is what we needed. Arrogance is your shield and being straightforward is your sword. The sheath is braveness that will keep you from hurting yourself from your sword."
"I don't know if I'll believe you because I haven't control or had any experience in business. But in my world, kindness and compassion will make you successful. Training will make you better and practice will show the best of you. Arrogance and being frankly speaking can only lead you into your own pit of darkness."-I said. She laugh.
"That's your world. Then we shouldn't compare each other. You will just hurt yourself if you won't change your principle."
"But I know that it will make me grow more and I'll be brave enough for myself."
"That's Luris car."-she said and open the car door. I sigh and just watch her as she get inside the café first. I knew she mad and I knew she is having a hard time. I feel like she already a dark silhouette that I wanted to embrace.
SIMONE'S P.O.V
He is staring on the two of us. I just sip my coffee and taste the velvet chocolate cake that I ordered. I knew he is analyzing us.
"Just ask and stop staring on us as if we're criminals and you're the sheriff."-he said.
"Why did the two of you agreed to get married? Especially you, you're preparing for your big break Russell."-his cousin. I ignored.
"Dad and I had been in dispute for ages. I thought that if I agreed to this favor of his, he will stop asking me to quit."-he said.
"How about you? What if you have a boyfriend and your dad ask you to marry my cousin, are you going to do it?"-he ask.
"Yes. He is my dad, he is the president and dictator in Lavelle household."-I said.
"Wow. What a cold and passive answer."
"I am just being honest, Mr. Wiles."
"So just because you want to please them then you two just jump on this pit? I envy your idiot sides. You two deserve each other."
"Thanks."-I said in sarcasm.
"You're gorgeous but arrogant. This is creepy, men are typically the arrogant and cold. Like what the drama's in televisions were supposed to. The two of you are obviously a polar opposite of each other."-he said.
"And so? This is a marriage of convenience."
"Huh?! What is she saying, Russell?"
"Yes. We can now step away from the eyes of our parents. She bought our house."
"You mean she pick it? Her choice?"
"No. You heard what I said."-he said.
"How about the kids? Are you guys plan to have one? I mean out of love?"
"It is already proven that 13% of children being born in our country are made out of love. Then we can do it either."-I said. His jaw drop.
"I can't believe this. You guys can answer my question like nothing."-he said.
"Just accept the truth that I am married. It won't hurt you anyway."-he said.
"Did your fans accept it? Especially the reason for this marriage?"-he ask to his cousin.
"Halfway. You know the public. For now they'll make a buzz of it and later on another issue will cover it. We'll be fine."-Russell.
"I'll just go in the washroom."-I said.
"Wait, answer this first. What if a man charm you, are you going to leave my cousin?"