The Deceiver's Game

Chapter 7: A Cup of Furry

ARABELLA

The same coffee shop as this morning. Well, it's almost 9am now and it's not that chilly today either. Guess this one's kind of popular to people. I rarely go to a place like this even with my friends because they prefer luxurious restaurants and the likes and this one's a shop for everyone.

"So, what do you like?" he asked while I'm busy looking around. There are fewer people here right now than this early morning, probably because those people were here for their morning coffee.

"Anything iced will do" I replied before looking around again. I don't know why, maybe I'm still hoping to see Navin and Jamie but I know that's not possible.

Why would I think that they'll stay here for long after an acquaintance of his who made him do a bad thing in the past just for his sister to be saved and discarded him right after show up in front of them and kidn*pped his friend?

I heard how they protested but they can't do anything about that man.

"Are you okay? Is your head still hurting?" he asked so I shook my head.

He's really guilty about the cup earlier but I don't really mind. It's just a small scratch and I doubt someone would care. My real friends aren't here anyway, if they are, they'll be the only ones who'll be mad instead of me.

"I told you not to worry about it. I was just thinking about some things"

He nodded, unconvinced.

We just talked and laughed while eating and I was so thankful to him because I didn't have the chance to enjoy my breakfast this morning but this time really made up for what happened.

Lucky Darvian, having a cousin like this is really fortunate of him. I don't have one so... yeah, why am I born to be alone? No siblings, no cousins, with friends who lives in a town far from here, while a person with rotten personality had a caring cousin? That's just unfair, okay?

"I wish you were my cousin" I suddenly stated after I finished eating.

"I will be. You'll marry Van so that'll surely happen" there we go again. I don't want to be married to him.

"Can't we be cousins without the marrying thingy?" I asked and he laughed while I looked at him with a hopeful stare.

"Wish I can. By the way, why do you seem to hate him? He's a really sweet guy" I made a face when he mentioned the "sweet" part which made him chuckle.

"He did something in the past which made me hate him. I don't hate him because of what he did but because of how he acted, how he thinks and— I don't know, I just hate him"

He didn't respond right away, maybe thinking of how to respond.

"You didn't hate him because of what he did? I thought he did something in the past and you hated him for it" he confusedly asked.

"I don't hate what he did because that plan of his actually made me happy and feel free. He also gave me a friend, how sweet of him" I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"A friend?" he asked. Now he's asking too many questions. Is this an interview or what?

"The one paid for, the one I hated without knowing the real reason. The one that I loved" I said with a smile while remembering my teenage memories. Those will never fade in my heart.

"Do you still love him?" I frowned with his question but shook my head after.

"He's still special to me but I don't think I still love him the way I did in the past" I explained. He just nodded in response before asking again.

"So basically, my cousin gave you the love of your life?" he asked which made me laughed and stared at him.

"Didn't you hear what I said when you asked me if I still love him?"

He seems really confused. Is he that slow or what? I don't think that anyone could be confused with what I said.

"Okay I'll explain it clearly. He did something and that very act of him captured my hate. He ordered people around and used his money to make them hurt others. That's also evil of him to make the person do it because your sweet little cousin knew that he desperately needed the money. That what made me hate him" I explained.

He stared at me with a look of confusion. It seems like he's still processing what I said and I can't believe that he still don't get that.

"And what made you happy?" he asked after a minute of processing.

"Memories. I felt free and happy. I was loved and needed. I became myself because of that. I mean, I had time to become myself and not act like what the society expects me to be" I feel relieved while saying that.

I don't always tell that to other people since my parents also bring that certain topic every time I'm telling them my opinions and decisions in life. They always told me that if I did that one time, I'll probably mess up again and what if when that time comes, they won't be able to find a solution for a problem that I made? Then it'll be easier to not make me decide for myself for my own good and for my family's.

Ironically, they made me marry the very person who is responsible for that.

"Hey, earth to Bella" I was surprised when he snapped his fingers in front of my eyes.

"Hmm? What is it? Oh, where are we again?" I asked but he just laughed at me.

Does it run in their blood? You know, being weird.

"You look happy while talking about him. Are you sure you're really over—"

"Is the word annoying also printed in your DNA? I think it's also hereditary and unfortunately, you and cousin both got it"

He laughed again which made people turn their heads towards our direction. Others also whispered because some customers here know who we are and based on what I heard, they're not happy to see me and my fiancé's cousin together. We were just eating together, not dating! It's not right to call me names!

"Okay you made me laugh. I'm starting to like you now. I mean, not in a romantic way but—"

"I know, I'll never assume that. Also, thanks... I guess?"

People are just talking but we just let them. They can't do anything right in their lives by the way, why would I waste my time explaining myself to them?

"Can we order another coffee? I love talking to you. You're better on conversations than my cousin, also, that humor of yours amuses me"

I don't know what to say. I'm happy that he liked my company but I don't really think that I still have something to say or story to tell. I was about to decline his offer but he already ordered another coffee. That's not healthy. But do I have a choice?

"Tell me more about you" I was taken aback by his words. Why would he be interested in me? Ah yes, maybe still because of the wedding.

"Why do you want to know me? Aside because of being your cousin's fiancée"

His expression became serious.

"Because I heard that you hate him. Now I know why, but I still don't know if I could trust you to be the right wife for him. If you could change him" he stated which almost made me laugh even with his serious face.

"Why would I change him? You know, a beast won't change just because of a girl" I said but silence took over. He didn't speak so neither did I.

"Why don't you try to know him? I know I already said it but he's a sweet guy and he really cares for other people, maybe he just don't know how to show it because he thinks that that'll make him look weak. Just try to understand him some time" another silence.

We just looked at each other so I tried distracting myself with this awkward atmosphere. Looking around, trying to finish my coffee, anything that I can do to avoid his gaze.

Suddenly, a sound of a chair startled me after minutes of silence between Xavian and I.

"Do I need to start hating this coffee shop?"

Darvian, sitting on a backward chair that he pulled just seconds ago, said with a frown.

"Don't I get an invite for this little fun date of yours? You should be with me, I'm your fiancé and not him, in case you forgot"

There's clearly something wrong with this guy. I'm positive.