Chapter 18: Two of a kind

RUSSELL'S P.O.V
When I reach his place, we started drinking as I bought us food for his wine. He gave me a meaningful glance. I drink all the wine in my glass. He shook his head and hiss.
"What's the problem my cousin?"
"She's mad, dead mad. I don't know how to explain myself to her in a way that she'll believe me at once."-I said. He laugh.
"You're indeed a blank slate when it comes to relationship, Russell. It's quiet funny for your age. Well, tell me what is/are the reasons."
I showed him the video that the security gave to me. He gave me that amusing smile.
"Is that your mistress? Just kidding. I know you will never do such thing and became like this if she is. But who is she?"-he ask.
"She is the new recruit member of the swimming team of coach Fallon. Her name is Vivian Westley. I don't know why did she do that but whatever her reason, it cause me a great problem. It pisses me off, cousin."-I said.
"Cousin, this is just my hunch but maybe this woman idolizes you as a swimmer athlete. She either wish to get close to you as her senior plus she is also interested in you as a man."
"What?! I don't care if she is! What I care now is what my wife thinks about this matter. I feel irritated and I hate this feeling."-I said. He laugh and open another beer and gave it to me.
"Just explain to her and show her that video. If she pushes you away then use your strength and charisma. F**k it up, what I mean is take that...way. Use a brutal intimacy! Yes, much better words. Like push her in the wall, kiss her or handcuff her with you until she'll lend her ears and listen to your explanation."
"I just take the last advice. I won't use the first one. She might get mad even more and I can't take that risk. Thanks, cousin."-I said,
"Okay, I am just giving some effective advises that I always use in flirting some snob girls."
"Here we go again, don't tell me you'll still the same. How many girls did you have abroad, hmm? What if one day the girl you love will do that to you? That will be a karma."
"Opsie! Knock on wood. Don't scare me like that Russell. You are such a buzz killer."
"Then try to find a woman for serious relationship, silly."-I said and he just sigh.
I decided to ask for a day off and instead, I went to dad's office to work. He look surprise even more, he didn't expect this to happen.
"I think Simone had finally knock some cells in your brain and you decided to come and work."
"I will find time from time to time so that it will be easier when the time comes."
"Then check these paper and I will have a day-off today. Good thing because your mom ask me to help her about something."-he said.
"Okay dad. Leave it to me."-I said. My dad left the office and I start working as well. I knew what I want to do, I will make sure that I will talk to her today and make dad proud even in just a simple way. Now, I realize how tiring my dad's job as the chairman of Solace group.
"Sir Russell, you need to review this for the business proposal with the Russian investor."
"Just leave it here. I will finish this and I'll read that next. Thank you."-I said. He left it.
"Just call me when you need me, Sir."
"I will."-I said and smile. After I signed this paper, I started to read this business proposal. I found a little bias conditions for our side. I started making another terms and conditions and I will talk to dad about this later on.
"Agh, at last! It's 5 pm. Time to go, let me just take this paper."-I mumbled. My hone vibrates. I smiled. Now I can use this chance.
"Hi mom!"-I said and kiss her cheeks. She look at me, I grab her waist and give her a quick kiss. My mom smiled happily. We get inside and she grab the ice cream that she ask me to bought.
"How's your day at work?"-dad. I smile.
"It's tiring. I suddenly realize why did you want me to help you until you'll ass the business to me. It's quiet tiring to handle such group. Anyway, I need to discuss this matter to you. Simone, can you heard it either? I wanted to hear your opinion as well."-I said.
"Okay."-she said. Dad seems to observing us and she is trying to be civil. Good thing mom help me and agree to my request. I started talking and let dad listen to my suggestions.
"What do you thin dad, Simone?"-I ask.
"How did you notice that terms? You're observe and how you predict that it might be a bad term for us is quiet sharp. I didn't notice that myself."-dad said. I wait Simone's words.
"When it comes to their underhand terms and conditions, your revision is fair on both sides."
SIMONE'S P.O.V
"As for the calculations that you made, its true than in a longer term they'll benefit because of the price freeze that they wanted. Two years is too long as the innovation and inflation rate changes everyday. Therefor, your wish to make the price change in a discount depending the material you use for the product is good."
"We might lose them regarding this new terms and conditions that I made dad but I will make sure they'll sign the contract without disregarding the quality of our product and we will still give them a reasonable price from the consumers perspective."-he said. I can tell that daddy Paulo is enjoying this. He saw the potential of his heir as a leader of the company that he leads into successful era. He smiled.
"You will? Are you sure you have time to close the deal and talk to them? That will be on Thursday."-daddy Paulo.
"Leave it to me. I already have ideas on how to persuade them. I will make sure that we won't lose a 27 million dollar investment."-he said.
"Okay, if that's what you want. I'll leave this to you. Don't worry, we won't get bankrupt even if we lost that investment."-he said and stood up. He left us as he walk towards the dining hall. He look at me with those eyes.
"I'll help mommy Alma in the kitchen."-I said. He didn't stop me and nod instead. During the dinner time, I can tell that his father is not mad or something. He must have been pleased because today his son tries to work like what he wanted him to do. Her mom broke the silence.
"How's work? Did you made it? Isn't it boring for you? Your career requires you to exercise those muscles."-she said. He shook his head.
"Yes, most of the time you need to sit but its quiet easier, mom. I can go to gym when I have free time to exercise. Also the time in the office is shorter because you will be occupied with paper works and I didn't notice the time eventually."-he answered. His mom laugh.
"That's what the workaholic people say. Good thing that I didn't. I really like running my flower shop in the city."-she said.
"How about you, Simone? How's your day at work?"-daddy Paulo. I stop chewing.
"Its tiring but its less stress than the past few days. Thanks to Russell, my problem move easier."-I said. They're surprised.
"He what? Did he help you, sweetie?"
"Yes, I am struggling in finding clues for the embezzlement case in one of Lavelle's company. Good thing he told me the things that I need to investigate. He is sharp even if he is not working at your business yet."-I complimented.
"Well, he has always been that clever since he start to attend school."-she said.
"I agree mommy Alma."-I said. After the dinner, he ask us to stay here for tonight. I went to his room first because he said that he needs to ask his dad about certain things. I look around and tried to stop myself from finding that might look embarrassing for him. But I can't stop myself. I browse on the books until I saw a beautiful miniature in between this ports book and business books. I tried to take it but it was intact? I just shrug my shoulder.
"It must be paste on the wood."-I mumbled. Maybe he likes this anime that's why he had a miniature of this. His room seems to be cleaner than I thought. It is also...boring. But there is no trophy from his swimming careers here, why is that? The door opens. He saw that I am standing in front of the miniature.
"You need to twist that to open that door, are you trying to find something, Mrs. Maxwell?"
"Door? I mean no! I am not, I am just browsing some...books!"-I said. He laugh. He walk closer and cornered me in the shelf. I step backwards even if I have no way to run. Then I heard a clicking sound. I felt the cold metal in my wrist. I raise my hand, handcuff?! I look at him.
"What is this, Russell?!"-I ask.
"Well, I just want you to know that I am making sure that you won't run away after I feel asleep. We haven't talk since yesterday night."-he said. I look away and tried not to show anything from eyes. I need to calm down.
"We have nothing to talk about."-I said.
"Then tell me and look at me in the eyes."
"Let me go first. How can I go to the bathroom and take a short bath if I am wearing this?"
"Then I'll go with you. As easy as that. The key is somewhere that I can only get. You have no choice but to talk to me."-he said.
"This is ridiculous, Russell. You're being childish. Just take this off!"-I raise my voice.
"It is more ridiculous if you keep on avoiding me. Are you mad at me, Simone?"-he ask. How should I answer his question? How?