Two

         Denzel walked outside and spotted Janelle standing by the pool. Arms folded and staring at nothing in particular.

        He still couldn't understand why she would go on with this charade. She might be his cousin's fiancée, but he still knew her to her finger prints. She tried to sound excited in announcing her engagement but she wasn't such a good actress. She must have sensed his presence because she turned around and smiled. He walked up to her, handing her a glass of wine. "Tell me you're not a witch."

She chuckled. "I am not a witch."

"How did you know I was standing there?"

She rolled her eyes. "I always know."

He chuckled. "Wow. So, it's been finally decided, huh?"

She sighed. "Yeah. I'm finally engaged to James Morgan. I'm getting married to him in two weeks."

She said and laughed.

He turned to her, watching quietly while sipping his wine as she whispered something to herself and then chuckled.

"You sound like you're trying to convince yourself." He said.

She looked at him, smiling and placed her hands on his chest as she  moved forward. "I should have strangled Tope right there if you hadn't stopped me."

He frowned. "Are you drunk? Seriously? How many drinks did you take?" He asked.

She laughed out loud and shook her head. "Do I look drunk? I'm just–” She looked down at his lips and then smirked at him beneath her lashes.

"What will happen if I kiss you right here and now, Dee?"

She asked. He swallowed hard and shook his head. She swayed a bit but his strong hands closed around her waist to steady her feet. She laughed again, with her hands around his shoulders. "Come on, stop being a killjoy."

"You're drunk. Its official."

°°°

      Denzel could hardly focus on work at the office. Damn!

How was be supposed to focus even when he had a meeting in a few seconds? They've known each other since childhood. Since his parents died when he was little and James parents took him in as his foster parents.  The whole marriage had been planned since they were little. And he knew that James wasn't into Janelle that much. How can a Casanova be into her anyway? James was only complying because of his parents and not for love.

        Nothing would have stopped him from kissing her that night bit somehow, the saint in him had reminded him of his vow to never take advantage of her and last night, she was damn vulnerable. He really tried. Janelle Anderson was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Everything about her was perfect. Her laughter, her smiles, her stubborn attitude, the way she stomps her feet to the ground when she's trying to make a point and no one is getting it. Even her playful nature was appealing to him. Her heart was a rare one and she was always loyal to all her friends. But now, he will have to stay away from her, before he repaid the people who took him in and raised him by stabbing their son at the back.

         Last night, it had been difficult to stop her from kissing him. But he did. Even when he took her upstairs to her bedroom, it had taken more than his willpower to just call Nana to assist her instead of sitting there and allowing his heart decide for him instead of his head. The sound of his ringtone, pierced through his train of thoughts and he sighed to pick up the receiver.

"I can't believe you didn't show up at your fiancée's party last night." Denzel said to James. "Man, where were you? You practically hurt her."

"I know. But I was damn busy. I told her that I won't be able to make it there.  Anyway, you know that deal I was trying to close with Lara? Its finally done." James said and gave a triumphant whoop.

Denzel sighed. "Yeah, congrats. But, honestly you have to stop this. It doesn't always have to be about work. You're engaged for Christ's sakes."

"Okay, okay. Geez, one day maybe I'm going to start thinking you're the one who's getting married to her." James said and laughed.

"It's not funny, Man." Denzel said.

"No, like seriously. You act like her husband mostly. Careful, I might put you in jail for that." James said.

Denzel was quiet. James might sound like he's joking but you don't want to joke with James Morgan like that.

"Apologize to her is all I'm saying." Denzel said. "She was hurt last night."

"That's why you're there. You understand her and you can stand her childish acts all the time." James said and scoffed.

"Okay, fine. I'll apologize. Speaking of Janelle. I need a favor from you."

James said finally, after a few seconds of silence between them.

"You and your favors, James. I hope, its not as mind blowing as the others."

James snickered. "Define mind blowing."

"No, you define it. It better be something reasonable, man."

"Sure. It is. But I need to meet up with you."

"Okay." He looked at his wristwatch. "How about 4p.m?"

"Perfect."

°°°

         "You missed our party for some deal you had to seal?! James, if you knew you were sealing a deal, why didn't you say so and we can push the date further?" Janelle said as she tossed clothes from her closet to the he'd, searching for a perfect outfit to wear. Her mood had deteriorated since this morning when she had woken up only to remember that she had almost kissed Denzel last night.

         How she had found the boldness to drink that much and act like a sexually frustrated bitch, was way beyond her.

"You wanted to go ahead with your party even when I told you to wait."

"Excuse me? My party? It's not my party, James it is ours. "

"Alright, fine. Ours. Jesus, you talk too much. I wonder how I'm going to put up with you forever. Anyways, I'm taking a trip to China. I'll be back before the wedding."

"China? James, we haven't seen each other for like three days and you're already running off to China. Can we see today? Just for a few minutes, please, James."

        He let out a silent curse. "You've been seeing me since we were kids and you'll keep seeing me for as long as we will be married! So, I don't think a few days will matter much!" He snapped.

She sighed. "I'm sorry." She said silently. "So, what are you doing in China?"

"Business related." He said curtly. He sure sounded like he was finding it hard to keep his anger in check. "I'll call you back when I get there."

"When will you be leaving?"

"Does that matter? I just told you I'm travelling right? At least you know that."

She sighed again. Why is he making it so damn hard?

"Okay. I lo–" The beeping sound of the line cut her off. He had already hung up. She sighed and sat at the edge of the bed. A tear appeared at the side of her left eye. She wiped it off. It was no news that James was only marrying her for the same of his parents.  There was only love from her angle. But will it hurt to show her a little affection?