Olivia couldn't stop looking at the clock as she sipped a bowl of seafood soup. "Don't worry Reenie will be escorting Officer Felix, so they will be on time if not sooner." Eli said as he skillfully peeled an apple for Olivia. "Can't I have strawberries instead?" She said as she wrinkled her nose. "They're royal gala so their sweet." He replied as he gently pressed the slice of fruit against her sealed lips. Olivia had her doubts and took a quick lick of the fruit.
To her surprise the fruit's juices were very sweet and she happily opened her mouth. "Good girl." Eli said with a laugh. "Do you really think I would have gotten you something that you would have hated?" Olivia happily chewed as she savoured the flavour. "No.... but I didn't know if you were still mad about my feast with Marek and Edmond."
Eli hesitated for a second before he cut off another piece. "Why would I be upset? My wife pigged out on some junk food with her uncle and my best friend, then they all got the itis and fell asleep in same room. It's very understandable, I mean junk food would have that affect and having another man see my wife's sleeping face for the second time... I mean it did bring your relationship closer and I should be ecstatic since he is a very noble gentlemen and would never betray his best friend or lover, right?"
Olivia broke out into a cold sweat as she watched the pairing knife in Eli's hands slowly cut into the meat of the apple. "Right! That's what I thought, I see him more as a sister now then another male and I think he feels the same way, I mean as a sister." Eli started putting the pieces of apples into a small container. "I wonder..." He said as he took the bowl of soup away from Olivia and gave her the small container instead. "Eli... it's not what you think... please trust me." Olivia said as she clutched the container.
Eli sighed and started to massage the area between his brow. "I know... I'm sorry I shouldn't feel jealous, I mean I asked him to help me out first." Eli brought down his hand and showed Olivia a gentle smile. "You'll have time to tell me what's going on soon enough." Olivia gave Eli a puzzled face as she grabbed another apple slice. "I will I promise after the whole mess with Agni is sorted out."
"Sooner then that." Eli said with a light laugh. Olivia shrugged off Eli's remark and went on eating her apples. After Olivia ate her last slice of apple she looked at the clock. "He won't be late right?" Eli decided to sit on Olivia's bed, he wrapped his arms around her body and started to inhale in her scent. "If your anxious, I can always think of a way to keep your mind preoccupied." Eli said as he exhaled. Olivia shifted her gaze to the container. "Can I have another apple instead?"
Olivia could feel Eli's body collapse on her side as he started laughing. The sound was clear and attractive, it caused Olivia's heart to thump hard against her chest. "I give up! I can't win against you! Especially when you're so cute." Olivia could feel his laughter slowly infect her and she tried hard not to smile but failed miserably. "I really liked the apple."
Eli's body was still shaking with laughter as he straightened himself up. He placed a sweet kiss on her lips before flashing her a brilliant smile. "Would you like anything else my Queen?" Olivia brought her finger up to her lips and started to tap against them as she thought. Within seconds her eyes lit up with anticipation as she looked at Eli. "Can you keep the skin on and make them look like bunnies?"
Eli's eyes flashed with longing as he stared back at her. "Your wish is my command." He said in a husky voice that it caused Olivia to slightly blush. "You know you can't have your way right?" She said in a warning tone. Eli batted his eyelashes as he got off the bed. "No idea what your talking about." He replied as he sat back down in his own chair and started to get to work.
As Olivia finished off her last slice of apple there was a knock on the door. "Safely arrived, safely delivered and more importantly, earlier then expected!" Officer Reenie shouted as he pushed along a mousey Officer Felix. His round face, bushy santa beard and red cheeks made Olivia smile. "Good to see you Officer Reenie."
"Well good to see you too! I heard the news that you might be expecting more then one! The Misses is planning up a storm, she thinks with everything she wants to make she might be safe just doing everything in yellows and mint green but Eli insists that the babies will be females." He said with a light laugh. Eli's phone went off and his pupils dilated when he saw the screen. He brought his head up and looked at Officer Reenie. "The news, she making her announcement now."
Officer Reenie dropped his smile and looked at the clock on the wall. "It's only 12:30 she was supposed to make her announcement a lot later in the day...." Eli started to grab Olivia's bags while keeping a stoic face. Officer Reenie seemed to have read Eli's mind and quickly looked at Officer Felix who was standing beside Olivia's bed, looking dazed as he stared out the window. "Felix move it along already or do you need me to hold your hand to unlock that stupid thing on her ankle."
Officer Rennie's sharp tone snapped him back to reality and he quickly started to dig around in his pocket. "Right sir! On it sir!" He said in a jittery tone. He finally took out the allen key and took a step forward. Eli's phone rang and it caused him to jump. The allen key bounced around between his hands as he tried to regain his grip on it. "What's wrong?" Eli said abruptly making Officer Felix look at him and giving up on catching the allen key. The metal key hit the floor with a loud clanking sound that seemed to echo within the room.
"Eli?" Olivia called out but his face went pale as he looked back at her. "I'm getting the car, I can't wait for my mother and her escorts to pick you up." He said as he turned his gaze to Officer Reenie. "I will get Edmond to come here right away so you are not alone." Olivia tried to ask what was going on but Eli left in a flash and Officer Reenie bent down to pick up the allen key. "Looks like something happened at Ms. Agni's news conference." Officer Felix said in a clear voice that it caught Olivia off guard.
She turned to face the mousey Officer but he no longer had the cowering demeanor he had just a second ago. Olivia took a double take as she stared into his eyes, in her memories Officer Felix had brown eyes but today they seemed to sparkle a baby blue colour. "Beautiful aren't they? Just one session of Ir*x Laser surgery and voila." Officer Felix said with a dream like voice as he brought his hand up and gently touched his cheek. "Cheese and grits Felix, stop your babbling and do your job!" Officer Reenie said as he handed the allen key back to him. "Wait!" Olivia shouted but Officer Felix was quicker.
He snatched up the key and backhanded Office Reenie hard enough for him to hit the floor. Olivia wanted to shout but Officer Felix gave her a deadly look. "Scream and he dies." He said with a creepy smile that sent chills down her whole body. "Now let's get to work before that buffoon of a man, overflowing with testosterone and potpourri shows up." Olivia scooted off the bed, creating some distance between her and Officer Felix. "Why should I listen to you?"
Officer Felix started to laugh darkly. "Easy, I know where the one person who could destroy Ms. Agni is and I don't want you to cause her any problems. I need her to hold her end of the bargain and make my dreams come true so come with me quietly." Olivia swallowed back some saliva as she nodded her head. "Good."
Olivia sat herself back on the bed and looked down at Officer Reenie's body. She internally sighed a breathe of relief as she watched his body move. "So Officer Felix what is your dream?" Officer Felix unfastened the anklet and stood up with it in hand. He pocketed the allen key and tightened the grip he hand on the anklet until his knuckles turned white. "We need to move now." He said as he grabbed Olivia's arm with his free hand and tried to haul her out of the room.
Suddenly a chubby hand wrapped itself around Officer Felix's ankle. "Please do tell... what is your dream Felix Zinger? Or should I be calling you Philippa instead?" A familiar voice said from the doorway. Olivia couldn't hide her amusement when she saw Eli and Edmond blocking the way out. Officer Felix released Olivia's arm and dropped the anklet. "You think you got everything figured out don't you?" Officer Felix hissed. "Sure did! Just had to put on a little play until you said the magic words." Edmond said as he flashed Olivia his toothy smile.
"So, Felix let's here about your dream and how loyal you are to Agni." Officer Rennie said as he released Officer Felix's ankle and got off the ground.
....
The hall was buzzing with news reporters, a big white screen was set up above the red, stage curtains and a podium solely stood at the center, littered with microphones on top of it. The people had no idea what to do other then speculate what Agni Steel had to announce and why the time for the announcement was moved up last minute. Carmen was scoping out the room when her trusted camera when called out to her.
"Carmen, Carmen, Carmen! My God woman how many times do I have to call out to you before you hear me?" Carmen's milk coffee, coloured eyes flashed with anticipation. When she looked at the camera man, she gave him a smile that bloomed like a dessert flower, strong yet beautiful and her waves of dark brown hair framed her oval face perfectly. "I can't believe we are doing this!" She said with so much energy that it easily infected the people around her. The camera man standing beside her just sighed. "Honestly Carmen we are here to do a job."
"No we are here to bring out the truth!" Carmen corrected as she shot her camera man a cold glare. "Right, right the truth... but can we really trust Mr. Delmira with the tip? I mean the thing at the hospital and the gala were great stories but this... it just seems we are just doing the same job as everyone else." Carmen's eyes narrowed as she looked at the cameraman.
"You don't get it Gerson! This is big! Getting on the right side of the story is crucial and will push our little pod cast forward!" She hissed as she jabbed her finger into his chest with every word she said. "But prima!" He started to say but she cut him off. "But prima nothing! Just listen to your older cousin and watch, we will be the ones laughing in the end! I will score an exclusive with Eli and Olivia.... oh and probably be the first to show off them cuties when they're born."
It was too late Gerson could see Carmen drifting off into a fantasy interview and he couldn't snap her out of it until she finished her questions. "Why yes I'm single do you have a friend in mind that would best compliment me?" She mumbled causing Gerson to start laughing. "For the love of everything, Carmen! Are you still looking for a man?!"
Carmen snapped out of her daydream and slapped her cousin's chest. "What's it to you that I'm still looking?!" She shouted a little too loudly that the people near by turned to look at her. "What the f*ck you want! I'm single and fabulous! Do you want a piece of this!" She yelled as she swept her hands down her body, causing the witnesses to turn with awkward looks. "See and this is why no one wants a piece of that!" Gerson laughed. "You should just let Mama Lita hook you up with her friends grandchild already."
"And what be like you!" She shrieked. She brought up her hand next to her face and pretended to be talking on the phone. "Oh yes honey I will be home right at 6, yes darling I hadn't had a drop to drink, what honey oh you want me to propose already but my job isn't so stable that's why I do these pod casts on the side ... uh huh oh ya... you know what! Oh no honey I was raising my voice at my prima... never you! I love you and you mean everything to me. I wish I could make you my wife." She said sarcastically then gave Gerson a dead pan look.
"You know it's not like that!" Gerson said in his defense but Carmen grabbed herself and made a rude gesture. "Whatever Gerson grow some balls already... wait better yet grow yourself a p*ssy then you can tell that culebra what is what then set yourself free. Then after that go on your knees and beg Mama Lita some forgiveness for breaking up with her drinking buddy's hairdresser's granddaughter's friend. You know grandma won't be too harsh on you since your her favorite." Carmen sang the last part to annoy Gerson. "You know what Carmen."
"Shhh! Gerson, shut up! Something's happening so get to work!" Gerson rolled his eyes and turned on his camera. A petite, fair skinned woman stepped onto the stag. She had her bright red hair tied up into a neat bun, a stern looking face and dark three piece suit, started to slowly walk towards the podium. Suddenly Carmen felt a tug on the back of her blouse, she turned around and was face to face with an angelic being. Her round face was fair, her long waves of chocolate hair matched her eyes and she looked so sweet that it made her heart melt.
"Ms. Carmen Marroquin, I have a package for you." She said indifferently as she held up a kraft coloured envelope. Carmen hesitated for moment and Gerson turned to look at the girl. "What is it?" She asked as she gingerly took the package from her hands. "Something to help push you to the top." She said with a smile. "Ms. Carmen you don't know me but I know you. I chose you from hundreds of potentials for this project, also a side project and made my recommendation to Eli based on not only your resume, pod cast and education but also because of your personality and interactions with your family. I have confirmed that you are the right one. So please do what you wish with this package."
Carmen tore open the package greedily but Gerson still had his suspicions. "What do you mean you have been watching us." The angelic girl looked up at Gerson's face and gave him a small smile that sent chills down his body. "Your girlfriend is a gambler that owes people a lot of money. The moment she marries you she will make you get a hefty life insurance policy and off you for the money. I suggest you do as your cousin says and grow something or die... your choice." Gerson quickly pulled his phone, dialed and brought it to his ear. "Alo Mama Lita, I'm leaving la Barbra...."
Carmen's eyes lit up when she saw the contents of the package. "These are...." The girl gave Carmen a legitimate smile. "Be warned the moment you use these you will become one of us.... you'll become family and you will never be able to leave. So Ms. Carmen Marroquin what do you want to do?"
Suddenly a voice was heard from the podium. "I welcome all of you today to this conference. I would like to remind you that today will be a controlled conference so only the preselected few will be allowed to ask their already pre-approved questions." Carmen turned around and flashed a broad smile. "Should I call you prima, tia or hermana?"