Chapter 13: He excels in both

SIMONE'S P.O.V
That made me smile and look at them. I even put my hands on the table and move my face closer to them. I gave Luris a smirk.
"If he is much better than Russell. So tell that cousin of yours to do a great job in seducing me. Now, excuse me for a moment. I am not a nurse who had a bladder of steel."-I said. I left them and went to the washroom. On the cubicle I heard two women who are talking about us.
"That's Mrs. Maxwell and the athlete star Russell Maxwell isn't it? She is much beautiful than in screen. She looks like a cool wife."
"She is an heiress of Lavelle Global. Remember that they are investing in entertainment and sports industry? Maybe they already meet in one of the events of Braver Sports League."
"But they both admit that they are a product of fix marriage. I read a magazine before that speaks about the friendship of Mr. Lavelle and Mr. Maxwell. That's one of the bad perks of being born with golden spoon in our mouth."
"That's true. But the other man is handsome. I think his name is Luris Wiles, right?"
"Yes. He is famous in social media and his business is a famous architect firm, right?"
"Yes. I wish I can get to see him and talk to him."-the other one. It looks like that cousin of Russell is a total girl magnet. Then another person speaks and she's different.
"Don't be too fascinated. Who knows they'll file divorce soon. True life is not like what television says. Love is still essential in marriage. If not they'll be easy to break."
"Hey, don't spread negative vibes."
"I didn't. I am telling you ladies, they won't be staying together until they grow old. Or even months. Bye."-she said. That voice...I feel like I heard it before. I just can't remember where could it be. The other girls went off either. I open my cubicle and look at my reflection in the mirror. I smiled. That girls remarks. It will be a challenge to me. My fighter mode is on.
"Not even months, huh? Heck no. I have never let go of my investments in life. He is one of those."-I mumbled and went off. When I went back to our table, they are staring on me.
"What took you so long?"-he ask.
"Nothing. It's a girls thing."-I said.
"Girls. Okay then, let's continue."-Luris.
RUSSELL'S P.O.V
When I went home, she is not yet here. She must be in an overtime because Luris interrogate her for an hour. I look at the wedding picture that is human size.
"She looks beautiful here and even show a true smile. What will be our end if we keep on clashing and had different principles in life?"
But no answer comes in my mind and I end up making dinner and left the food on the bedside table. There is a microwave downstairs of our room. I hope she'll eat this when she gets off. I went back to bed and sleep. I woke up when I heard her footsteps. She is trying to be quiet but she still wakes me up. I open my eyes.
"Your home."-I mumbled.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I wake you up. Just go back to bed. I will be sleeping later on. Thanks for the food. Its delicious. Good night, Russell."
"How's your work?"-I ask.
"Hmm? Why did you suddenly ask?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment."-I said. She gave me that suspicious look. That made me chuckle.
"If you can just see your face now? You will also chuckle. Don't tell me this is your first time that someone ask how's your work or day?' Don't make me laugh, Simone."-I stated.
"It is. That's why stop laughing."-she remark.
"Huh?! You got to be kidding me. Even your...ah. Yes, my dad isn't doing the same thing. It's only mom who ask that to me when I get home."-I said. She stood up.
"I'll just preheat the food and eat this. Just go back to bed."-she said. I grab her elbow.
"Wait. You haven't answer me yet."-I said.
"It's tiring. There's nothing to be interested about."-she plainly said. She went off. I feel like Simone is missing something in her life. She looks like a mannequin or a robot.
"She is more lifeless than I do."-I mumble.
I decided to pester her and follow her downstairs. I sat on the other couch. I watch her as she eats the food that I cook.
"Simone, you can tell me anything. I'm good in listening."-I said. She glare at me.
"I said, I'm okay."-she said.
"But your not. Are you going to hold them up and let yourself be out of control later on?"
"I know what I am doing Russell. You don't have to be attached with my life."-she said.
"But we have to know each others secrets and lifestyle, remember? You want this to work, isn't it?"-I said. She stops eating while the spoon is in her lips. It's...shake it off, Russell!
"I was just mad because I feel like I don't know how to handle the problem that happens in Lavelle investments. We are having a hard time and it stressing me out. The foreign investors are asking the reason why I let this happen. I just learn that one of the general managers are stealing."-she said. I nod. I saw the folders here. I took the one that is open. I check it. This is there sales report for the past two years. I flip the papers and starts comparing the graphs and the sales reports. I saw where did they start losing $4.73 million. I went beside her.
"Here, last February 27, 2020. You start losing some money that starts for $13,456. The next month, it became $27-46,34.23 as per the next two months, the sales went normal like what you've got in 2019. It even raise for $73.34 million in total. But the next five months...some money are being invested to a shady company."
"Each of the six investments in this pyramiding company were about $213.45 million. Among the five companies, there three of them who got the same investment of $37.89 million. You should start investigating about these company. This men Mr. Trang, Mr. Clint and Mr. Yuzon. I had read a news about them several years ago. Their business starts falling and the two of them even face Staffa case in court."-I said. She look at me in amazement.
"What? Is there any problem to what I say?"
"No. Nothing. But I am surprise how you explained your views as if your in the business for ages. Wow. You will be a good business. You can even surpass your dad."-she said.
"Shut up. Don't flatter me. Just try my suggestion. You might found a clue that will be useful for you."-I added. She smile.
"Whoa. My husband shines in everything she do. Even when you're an athlete or a businessman. Okay, I will listen to my handsome husband. Thanks."-I said.
"Stop flattering me in sarcasm. Just tell me when you are confuse on some things. I can help you out. I can still remember what I learn in college anyways."-I said. She smile.
"Okay. I will. But for now...let's sleep. I already finish this off. I am already tired."
SIMONE'S P.O.V
At the office, I started investigating about the history of each businessmen. I called Zyril.
"Zyril I want you to investigate about these businesses and tell me when did Lavelle Investment starts investing in this pyramiding companies. I also wanted their criminal cases and how did it end."
"Okay, Simone. How did you suddenly learn about these things? I thought you're having a hard time?"-she ask. I smiled.
"Well, my husband saw that I am stressed out and he look at the papers. He started noticing the sales report and how the money is being spend to new and unusual companies that we never invested to."-I said. She nodded.
"I heard she graduated with the highest honor in her college days. That explains why he is smart. He can excel in the business as well after he retired from being an athlete."
"I don't know. I feel like he also shines in that field. I wish he will do what he really like and not what other's expect from him. I just feel bad about him because he is in between two rocks that are tossing from each other."
"You start complimenting him now, huh? Maybe you can indeed fall to him without pushing or lying to yourself."-she said.
"Maybe. Come on, why did you suddenly ask about my love life? Let's talk about that some other time."-I said. She shrug her shoulder and leave me. I look at my desktop and starts analyzing some important papers. I have to be vigilant this time. This case might happen again to other companies under Lavelle Global.
On my way home, I saw my brother and his team in a restaurant. I stop my car and saw what happens next. They're being bullied by some thugs. I ran to them.
"What is happening here? Jackson?"
"Chairwoman?!"-his team. I just look at them.
"We accidentally bum them, big sister."-he said. I sigh and look at them. They seem to be the typical thugs around the area.
"Get inside my car now."-I said. They look at me and I just pointed the car and they went off.
"I can't believe those kids are afraid that they even use a beautiful lady to save them. What a pity—agh!"-he shouted. I twisted his finger and then his wrist. He wants to caress me.
"What the hell! Let me go, you moron!"