Clarissa chuckled lightly as she dressed Dylan up for school. Dylan cupped her face as he pecked her cheek.
She saw the news about Ariana's engagement and was confused, but since they were friends, she was going to ask her about it later.
"Mom, why are you smiling so much?" Dylan asked, titling his head a little .
"Oh! I'm just happy because I've gotten a good job and..." Clarissa said, adjusting his tie.
"And what mom?" Dylan asked curiously.
"Aunt Claire is returning back next week." Clarissa said as Dylan screamed, jumping around happily.
"I've really missed Aunt Claire, mom. I'm so happy." Dylan said as he hugged his mom tightly. Clarissa patted his back gently.
"Ok, let's go. You don't want to be late, dear." Clarissa said, picking up his bag pack and hanging it over Dylan's shoulders as they left the apartment with Dylan squealing.
*
Ariana rolled on her bed as she opened her eyes slowly. At first, she seemed confused because her surrounding was different and strange.
Where am I? She screamed in her head.
Soon enough, the realization hit her as she held her head, shaking it vigorously.
She was now staying in Maxwell's mansion.
He had told her that once they got engaged, she would have to start living with him.
She wasn't really comfortable with it, but they had a deal.
She stood up as she stretched tiredly, going to the bathroom.
She came out minutes later already dressed. Her things had already been moved from her apartment to Maxwell's mansion.
She chuckled when she remembered what had happened yesterday.
She refused to step into the mansion because of the huge size of it. She acted crazy saying she wanted to sleep by the pool, which had gotten guards staring at her weirdly. Though she comported herself quickly.
She wondered why they weren't maids at all in Maxwell's mansion. There were only guards.
What rift does he have with women that makes him despise them a lot??
No, she should rephrase that.
What rift does he have with women that makes him despise us a lot??
She was also a woman.
She thought as she strolled to the kitchen. She was told that Maxwell had gone to work.
They were having dinner in Martin's mansion this evening. She had a lot of time to visit her mother.
Maxwell had also informed her that she would have to stop her part-time jobs, claiming that the wife of a billionaire shouldn't be doing that.
She shrugged at the idea.
After having breakfast, she went back to her room. She was also going shopping. She would need to change her wardrobe- Maxwell's order.
She picked up her phone, scrolling through it, when she saw Clarissa's text. She called her, placing the phone on her ears.
"Hey Clarissa,"
"How are you doing, girl?" Clarissa said, almost screaming as Ariana swiftly removed the phone from her ear to prevent it from getting blocked.
"It's Ariana, not girl." Ariana said, chuckling.
"I know." Clarissa said, still screaming .
"Where are you?" Ariana asked.
"In the grocery shop, it's really noisy, so I have to scream so you can hear me." Clarissa said.
"Oh! Ok , I understand." Ariana said.
"I would you call you later when I get to the office Ariana, I have something to discuss with you." Clarissa said.
"Office??" Ariana asked.
"Oh! I got the job." Clarissa replied.
"Congratulations Clarissa, we would talk later then." Ariana said and ended the call.
*
"Boss, there are post about you claiming that your engagement to Ariana Paige is fake." Lucas said, his expression worrisome.
Maxwell clenched his fist in anger.
What do they want from him. Why are people bent on bringing him down? Just when he thought, he had began to solve the problem, this is happening. Why??
"Let's wait until after the wedding, the rumor would surely die down." Maxwell said.
"Ok boss." Lucas said and left.
Who could be doing this to him? He had so many business rivals, he just couldn't place his mind on anyone or did they all join forces to bring him down.
It could actually be possible.
But wouldn't it be better to find out about the identity of the shirtless blurry faced guy posted along with him. He had seen his face that day in the restroom.
That would be a good step. Once he finds him, he's going to make him spill out the truth.
He sent for Sky, his personal body guard.
"Find out about the identity of the guy in the picture posted along with me." Maxwell said immediately Sky came in.
"Ok boss. We are running a check on Andrew, his movements seems suspicious. But I would let you know when we find anything on him." Sky said, standing in front of Maxwell's desk.
"I've seen this blurry faced dude before so that would help a little." Maxwell said.
"Ok that's a good lead, we would just need the description of how he looks like and the exact location you saw him last." Sky said and Maxwell nodded.
"Ok then." Maxwell said as they both left the office.
*
Ariana was sitting by the pool, her legs in the water as she played with it, grinning childishly. Her hands were spread out in the air as she screamed happily like she was having the best moment in her entire life. She just returned from the hospital where ahe went to visit her mother.
Maxwell stood by a pillar as he watched her. He just returned , he returned early so he could prepare himself for the dinner meeting they were having with his parents.
His initial plan was to go in and have some rest but not when he saw this beauty goddess sitting by the pool as her hair obeyed the caution of the cool breeze that blew momentarily. It seemed his legs weren't obeying his head as her ravishing beauty drew him near.
Her smooth shining porcelain skin made her a true beauty to behold.
Soon, she stood up, oblivious of Maxwell's presence as she swayed her body to no music. She was dancing crazily when she missed her step and fell into the pool with a loud splash.
She screamed out as she began fighting with the water, trying to keep her head above it.
Maxwell instantly got the message, she can't swim.
Without thinking of removing his expensive leather black shoes, he jumped into the large pool as he swam quickly to Ariana, holding her by the waist as he swam out , with her in his arms .
He made her sit on a bench but this time, far away from the pool.
Ariana was breathing hard as she clenched her teeth, she was feeling cold and to top it all, she was really scared, she could have drowned if Maxwell hadn't been there to rescue her.
"What were you thinking huh?" Maxwell asked, he was scolding her.
Ariana bit her lips.
"I was just dancing, I didn't know I would fall into the pool." Ariana said as she coughed out. They were both dripping wet.
Maxwell scoffed at her statement .
Some guards who heard the scream came rushing.
"Hey, get me a blanket now." Maxwell said to one of them as he scurried to get it.
"You can't swim and you tried dancing beside a pool." Maxwell asked, she was still in his arms. The guards were there, so they need to act as a lovely couple.
"You can teach me how." Ariana said smiling as her hands trailed his shoulders to his chest. An action which left Maxwell starring deeply into her eyes and made the guards to smile as they mumbled amongst themselves.
The guard returned with a blanket as Maxwell quickly wrapped Ariana with it as he carried her in a bridal style into the house.
*
"I was wondering if you need me to help in taking Miss Ariana to the mall?" Daphne asked Maxwell.
They were on a phone call.
"No, that wouldn't be necessary. I would do that myself." Maxwell replied. He and Ariana were in his car heading to the mall and after that they would go for the dinner meeting with Maxwell's parents.
"Oh! Ok sir." Daphne said and Maxwell hung up.
"Was that Daphne?"Ariana asked.
"Yes." Maxwell replied simply, his eyes focused on the road.
"Oh! Ok." Ariana said as she faced the other side looking out through the window.
"The public still thinks our engagement is fake so we have to prove them wrong by acting really romantic when we step out." Maxwell said and Ariana just rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but you aren't allowed to kiss me." Ariana said.
"I won't." Maxwell's said as he scoffed.
"That's better Mr. Rodrigo." Ariana muttered smiling.
Soon, they got to the mall. Maxwell stepped down first as he went to the other side to help in opening the door for Ariana.
They held hands as they both walked elegantly into the classy mall. The mall attendants, especially the females bagan gasping when Maxwell entered.
Some began adjusting their skirts and shirts. Some loosened the hair, while some threw seductive gazes at him to which Maxwell ignored.
Ariana just rolled her eyes at some of them who were glaring hard at her. They have obviously seen the news about their engagement.
"I wonder who she thinks she is??" One of the attendants whispered to another.
"She looks like a peacock." Another said with utter digust.
Ariana cared less, she wanted to display her craziness here but on a second thought, she discarded the idea.
She couldn't do that not when she was a billionaire's wife to be. She wouldn't want to ruin Maxwell's image and reputation further.
But she could make them more jealous a bit. She smirked inwardly at the idea.
All this while, Maxwell's hands were carefully wrapped around her waist as they walked.
Swiftly, she hugged Maxwell as she looked up at him.
"Sweetheart, Can I get a black dinner dress, pls?" Ariana said whining like a child.
"If its ok with you, baby." Maxwell muttered.
"Thank you so much, sweetheart." Ariana said as she pecked Maxwell on his cheek.
The attendants eyes widened in jealousy while silly Ariana smirked obviously enjoying the look of amusement etched on their faces.