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I grabbed my keys on the table while trying to put my earrings on.

I close my eyes tightly as I try to put it on. The harder I try to shove it the harder it goes.

Damn it!

This earrings is not cooperating as well!

I'm gonna be late to my cousin's wedding!

I don't want to be late because my family will scold me or worse shame me in front of everyone there. I don't want that to happen again. There will be visitors from wealthy families and some known personalities in the entertainment industry so it would be a literal shame it i would make a scene in my cousin's wedding.

I sighed in relief when the earrings went through.

"Ugh! Thank God! Finally!" I said and stare at the mirror. A little blush on my cheek and I'm done. I grab my blush and dab my brush on it and out it on my cheeks. I didn't even bother to shake the powder off. I just put it in my cheeks and I'm ready to go.

I didn't wear too much make up on my face. I don't want to steal the spotlight from the bride. Not that I'm so much pretty but too much make up will really steal the spotlight, not in a good way though.

I take one more look at myself in the full length mirror in my room. I smiled to myself.

I'm going to see my family after four years. And today I will. I need to be presentable. I need to look good. I just wish they won't bring up the fact that I'm in a lot of issues and how I haven't become something else yet.

It's my cousin's wedding for Pete's sake!

I sighed.

For the past four years we are just contacting through phone. Not everyday, maybe once a month. I'd be lucky if they call me twice a month, sometimes I get lucky but that would be the last time I'll be lucky because they only call because of the shame that I did and I brought our family name in to it. They are not happy.

They were never happy because of me.

My chest tigthened. I took a deep breath.

What are you even doing Artemesia?

Why are you thinking that way?

It's your cousin's wedding not your family's conference on how unsuccessful you are compared to your siblings so stop it. Don't pity yourself just this time.

I forced a smile in the mirror.

"That could work. They won't know I'm faking it,", I said as I walked out of my room.

I hold the door knob and twist it. I was about to go out when a man standing in front of my door stop me from doing so.

My brows furrowed as I look at him.

"Braxton? What are you doing here?" I asked.

I scanned him fully. He is still wearing a suit on a sunday. That's odd but he looks good as always. I threw a glance behind his back. His car is parked in front of my house with the doors open. He didn't even bother to close it. Is he in a rush or something?

But wait why is he here? And how does he know where I live?

Don't tell me we are in an issue again?

"Do we have a problem? Am I in issue again?" I asked.

Damn it!

I can't be in an issue. Not now. I'm sure the media fwill follow me to the wedding and I will ruin it with the paparazzi's following me!

"No, but I have a problem."

"What?" I asked.

My gaze traveled down to his hands where his phone is.

"She followed me back and she replied,"he said.

A smile crept on my lips. "Then that's good!"

There's a relief when I heard that Monica replied. Atleast it's not an issue about me or Braxton.

"Wait, what's the problem there? I don't see any problem with her following you on Insta and replying to you."

He licked his lips before answering.

"I don't know what to reply," he said.

"That's your problem? We can talk about that tomorrow Braxton. It's my day off and I have to go to a wedding okay?" I said and tap walked pass him. Closing my door, leaving him behind.

My eyes widened when he walked pass me and blocked my way.

"It's immediate, Artemesia. I know it's your off but you need to help me with this."

"I don't know what you don't understand with my day off Braxton. I'm late to my cousin's wedding, I can't be late just because of this. You are a grown man, who is capable of saying things and replying to your future girlfriend," I said and walked pass him again.

My mouth gaped when he grabbed my wrist. I turned to him.

"You don't understand, Artemesia. This is Monica," he said.

I sighed. "Fine! But you will drive me to my cousin's wedding place while we discuss on what you are going to say to her because I'm in a rush---" he cut me off.

"Let's go!"

My eyes widened. I can't help but laugh. Damn, Braxton is really eager to win Monica's heart. She is such a lucky girl.

Braxton bothered me in my day off just for her.

He is driving while I'm sitting comfortably on his passenger seat.

His car seems new and expensive not just in the outside but the inside. It screams money and wealth in fact.

It's very lavish from the seat, the fabric and the design. You know that it's worth a million just by looking at it.

That why I'm taking my time. This is the first time I've been in an expensive car.

I'm trying to come up with something to reply to Monica while he agree and disagree on what I'm saying.

As far as I remember I'm the flirting expert here, not him but he continues to disagree on what he should reply with her.

Monica only said. 'Hi Braxton! How are you?'

But Braxton is going crazy with it. I wonder what would happen to him if Monica said I like you to him or much better, I love you. That's crazy. I'm sure Braxton will go wild. He would be hyper and all.

"I don't like that, it sounds so needy."

I raised my eyebrow at him.

"I'm good, thanks. Sounds needy to you? Are you crazy or what?" I asked him while laughing.

He is really careful when it comes to things he wants to say to her. Unlike what he did yesterday to me. He is just straight up telling me how annoying I was.

Tsk.

"I don't like it,", he said.

"Okay then let's just say, good. Does that sound needy to you? For me it actually feels like you are cold and disinterested to her."

"Isn't that how I could win her?"

I shooked my head. "No... No... No."

"That's not how you win her. Good, is just a straight up cold tone. You should let her know that you are interested in her but not that much so she would be interested to know why you are not interested in her that much. Do you get it?" I asked him.

"You are saying it in circles Artemesia. Alright just say whatever you want but don't messed it up or your contract will be done," he said as he continue to drive. I gave him the address and we put it in the app to know how to get there and he is focus on that.

"Done my ass." I rolled my eyes.

He glared at me.

"I mean I'm done. I replied to her. You can leave me here now. Just park it somewhere near a bus or something."

"What? No," he said.

At first I thought.

Wow.

I was amazed that he cares for me and he doesn't want to eave me on the street but that all fades away when I found out the reason.

"You can't leave, what if she replied again?"

I sighed and throw my head back.

"Gosh Braxton you are not a kid. You run a billion dollar company, you know how to close a deal and talk to higher people. You can talk with Monica on your own. She's just a girl!" I tried to explain it to him.

"I know but this is different. Did you forget that she is hard to impress?"

"So does my family!" I said and paused, "But I didn't care. I don't try to impress them anymore. Because if they don't like you, you can't impress them no matter how hard you tried."

I noticed that he drives slowly this time.

Shit! What did I say? Why do I have to bring up my family in this?

I pursed my lips.

"Anyways... Fine. I'll teach you something's but after that you need to go on your own."

He didn't bother to ask what I was saying which is a good thing. He nodded to me.

"Okay, let's practice on me, so what are you going to say to me when I tell you that I'm good, how about you? Tell me about your day because mine went well and my friends are really nice to me and my family love me so much as much as I love them. Did you know how much I like your handsome face? But you need to smile more and stop yourself from frowning everytime. What are you going to reply?"

"Shut up."

My mouth gaped. I can't help myself but laugh at his reply. He is straight forward I can't even!

"Gosh no! That's a big no you're not going to say that to her!"

"You talk a lot,", he said.

"And she will."

He sighed.

"Fine. What should I say?"