Chapter 16: Chapter 16
MAVERICK'S POV:
Eric drove us to Nick Ice just a few steps away from de la Cruz cuisine. I hoped that the ice cream treat would at least make her talk to me. The only reason I wanted her to talk was that I didn't want to feel like she was forced to get married to me, I just couldn't help feeling bad that she was doing something against her will, but there was really more to it than just whatever my father signed with her father. I was convinced there was something more, I wished I knew. If I asked my father, he may never be sincere. He mostly didn't say much to me about his dealings. He had always tried to keep himself distant from me, especially after his divorce with my mother. According to her, his dealings were dirty, one that could lead a person to his grave. And so he kept most things from me and protected me from him, then, I saw him less frequently. I missed him, sometimes I wished things were different.
The ride was short and silent, Natalie didn't say a word to me, and neither did I to her. Her eyes were fixed on the road all along. I guess she didn't come to that side of the city often or better still never.
Eric helped her open the car door when he stopped. I think he's been smitten by her, I didn't blame him. I helped myself out of the car.
She went ahead of me and I followed her behind while Eric waited in the car.
*****
"What would you like?" I asked her after we settled before picking up the menu, at least I could act like one gentleman.
"Good day sir and ma'am, welcome to Nick Ice" the waiter who came over to us greeted "are you ready to place your orders?"
"Cookies & Cream" She responded very soothingly, at least she wasn't rude to the waiter. Maybe she was only rude to me.
"Okay, an excellent choice," the waiter said, "and you sir?"
"I'll just have a mint chocolate chip"
" Very well, I'll be back with your orders," He said and left.
"So, how old are you?" I asked trying to start up a conversation.
"As if you don't already know" She reacted boldly.
"It wouldn't hurt if you tell me still," I said as I adjusted the collar of my shirt.
"How old are you Maverick?" She interrogated.
"Except that is not the answer to the question" I retorted. "I'm 26, and I'll be 27 next week, why?"
"Well then, I'm sure you know I am just very much younger than you are" She responded.
She was bolder than I thought. But that only made me find her more fascinating. I barely kept women close enough, except a few of them, I hated drama and responsibilities, but sometimes when I see the good ones-the strong, smart, bold, and beautiful, I always appreciate and the young woman in front of me was just one of them. I was wrong when I concluded she was timid and naive, she might as well know more than I expected she would.
After a few minutes and the waiter came back with our orders.
NATALIE'S POV:
The ice cream parlor looked fabulous and luxurious too. I never got a chance to go to Nick Ice, now that I was in, it felt good, especially having heard about how good their ice cream was. Once seated we placed our orders, I requested cookies and cream and Maverick requested mint. I almost puked. Mint? I didn't know someone could willingly order or crave mint-flavored ice cream. The first time I tasted that flavor, it tasted like toothpaste and ice. I never tried it again. If anyone even gifted me that, I'd throw it in their face and say no.
"How old are you?" Maverick asked when the waiter left. He was aware already, asking me was just formalities which just pissed me off more.
"How old are you Maverick?" I asked deciding to turn the question around back to him. Truthfully, I didn't exactly know how old my so-called husband-to-be was. I took the opportunity to at least ask.
"Except that is not the answer to the question" he retorted rather calmly "I'm 26, and I'll be 27 next week"
Good to know his age, the media wasn't exactly correct though, they made him seem older, except if he lied to me, and also good to know his birthday was the week after.
"Well then, I'm sure you know I am just very much younger than you are" That was a truth that wasn't a secret to him anyway. I didn't plan to speak much to Maverick, I wanted to just enjoy the sweet cookies and cream ice cream, after all, it was summer, and the ice cream was rightly deserved though.
Soon, the waiter came back with our orders, the plates of ice cream looked so enticing. I wished I didn't have to eat them.
"So did you bring me here to buy my interest for the wedding with ice cream?" I asked
"If so, then I might just go home with the trophy," He said with an annoyingly satisfying smile.
"Don't be so sure" I said as I glared at him, if I had a gun, I'd shot him long before. "So Maverick, are you really going to go on with the contract, and marry me? Can't you call it off? "
"If I'm to judge your level of experience, you know what a contract is right? If both parties don't agree, a contract can't be called off" He paused and continued "So, in this case, I am in no position to call it off. I do not have a choice as much as you don't. The least we do to survive together is compromise. I wished you shared your reason for not wanting the marriage because I don't want the marriage too" He completed.
Maybe he was right, compromise. At least now, I knew he didn't want to get married too. But if I told him my reason, he might as well judge me as my parents did. From the look on his face, he expected me to say something in line with all he said, but I didn't.
"So boyfriend?" He asked " I mean the reason you do not want this wedding? "
I thought he was smart enough to at least know why, I guess he's just as dumb. I decided not to answer the question, and he got the message too. He didn't speak to me again, thank God!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone