Alicia said flexing her muscles playfully and they both bursted into laughter. The simple gesture helping to forget their pains for a while and just enjoy the joy of the moment.
"Thanks Alicia" Maya said staring deep into her eyes.
"Why"Alicia asked unsure.
"For accepting me as your friend" Maya replied.
Next day
Leo's parent mansion
Leo's car drove into the mansion and he got down, nodding occasionally at the workers that greeted him until he walked fully into the house where his mom was already seated alongside three unfamiliar people in the dinning room.
"Good evening mom" he said walking to his mother and giving her a kiss on the cheeks.
" welcome son" Cecelia said patting him on the head.
" so why did you invite me here tonight" He asked.
" son, meet the Banks, they're the owners of one of the biggest fashion brands in this country and this here is their daughter, Juliet" Cecelia started.
" so what does that have to do with me" He asked unsure of where things were heading.
" I'm getting there, I called you to inform you that we will be forming an alliance with them through marriage, you're getting married to Juliet" Cecelia said and Leo frowned.
" are you serious mom, how could you take such decisions without consulting me first" he half yelled.
" I'm sorry for raising my voice mom, at least give me time to think about it" he said calmly.
" it's okay, I just thought the alliance would help improve business and help you settle down, besides I only want you guys to get to know each other for now, then probably after school you get married" his mom said smiling widely.
Leo just sighed then transferred his gaze to Juliet and when their eyes met she quickly looked away. He smiled a bit, who would have thought a rich girl could be so shy and reserved, he then flashed her parents a small smile before focusing back on his food. Shortly after dinner, he left for his room, then after a while Juliet stood up.
" I need to use the restroom" she said before running off.
" Hey, wait up" she called after Leo who was about entering his room. He turned around with a surprised look.
" You!, what are you doing here" he asked, his face contorting into a frown.
" I wanted to talk to you in private" she said boldly.
'Wow she's bolder than I thought' he thought within before speaking,
" I don't think I have anything to say to you, besides I haven't even agreed to this whole shitty arrangements" he snapped.
" Gosh you're so rude and stupid, what makes you think I'd wanna get involved with your dumb self, now will you let me in or continue being stupid and end up in a loveless marriage" she said pushing him and walking into his room while he just stood rooted on the spot with mouth wide open,wait!,did she just call him rude, stupid and dumb all at once and he couldn't do anything and here he was thinking she was meek and reserved.
"You're coming?" she yelled from inside and he snapped out of his thoughts before walking in with a big frown.
"Listen here, I don't know who you think you are or what right you have to walk into my home, insult me and barge into my room but you better say what you have to say and leave" he yelled immediately he got to his room and saw her seated on the bed, she just rolled eyes before replying him.
"What I want is really simple and obvious, I want out, I don't wanna get married now, especially not to you, I'm in love with someone else" she said calmly.
"Why tell me this when you could have disagreed when your parents brought it to your notice at first and save me the stress" He scoffed.
"You think I didn't try, don't be stupid, they didn't let me decide, they're forcing me to do this, but if the groom rejects me they'll have no other choice"she said smiling.
"Why do I feel like you've done this before" he asked staring suspiciously.
"Cut the looks, I don't have to tell you anything ok" she snapped rudely.
"You call me rude yet you insult me at any given opportunity, don't forget your fate is in my hands"
"Stop making it sound like you're doing this for me, you also want out right?" She asked hopefully.
"Of course I do, I wouldn't wanna end up with a disrespectful bitch like yourself" he said bitterly while she just sighed in relief before facing him with a frown.
"What did you just call me?" she asked but he ignored her
" As much as I want out believe me, I can't!, as long as my mom is involved there's nothing I can do, I can't go against her"
" gosh, you're so annoying, you know what?, I don't need your help I'll find a way out no matter what, just don't get in my way mama's boy" she said, then eyed him furiously before walking out while he just stared at her back before scoffing.
*Davis mansion*
Leo drove in recklessly and didn't even park well before jumping out of the car and running into the house.
"What's your deal man, what's after you?" Jason asked, he was just coming out of the kitchen with a glass of apple juice when Leo ran in.
" Hit me" Leo said
" Huh" Jason asked shocked my his request.
"Fucking hit me on the damn face" Leo said louder this time, Jason shocked my the sudden outburst raised his fist to strike when Leo caught it.
"Really man, you were really gonna hit me" Leo said dropping Jason's hand.
" You asked me to" Jason scoffed sitting on the couch.
" And you wanted to ruin my handsome face" Leo said taking a small mirror from his pocket to check his face.