Chapter 132 - 40 (2/2)
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”Miss Rozienheim.”
Rozarria paused when she heard her name. She looked at the rosy face of Maxine, who was extending a hand at her.
”My name is Maxine Celestine. I'm a fan of your jewelry. In fact, Alvaro and I traveled from Black Pine all the way to attend your auction event.”
Rozarria slipped a small smile and accepted the woman's hand. ”Miss Celestine, a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you.” She had nothing to feel awkward about because she knew there was nothing between her and Alvaro except l.u.s.t.
Maxine shook Rozarria hand with both hands. ”Please, just Maxine is fine, and I'm hoping you don't mind if I call you Roz?”
”Not at all,” Rozarria replied before she pulled her hand back.
Maxine beamed. She clasped her hands behind her back and chatted with Rozarria as they threaded the snow. ”It's always a comfort to know that there's another woman in the team besides me. But I never guess you're a fan of mountain climbing.”
To match the girl's pace, Rozarria had to take small steps since Maxine was having difficulty in walking in the snow. ”I have been doing mountain climbing since five years ago. Though my schedule only permits me to climb one mountain a year.”
”That's awesome.” Maxine's eyes twinkled. ”I didn't know you're very adventurous in spirit. Just like my fiancé!”
Rozarria paused, but she resumed walking like nothing happened. ”Fiancé?”
Lifting her head, Maxine smile while thinking about Alvaro, sneaking looks at him in front of them. ”Alvaro Cole, my fiancé. We've traveled here to have our holiday vacation.” She beamed. Though she was in a gloomy mood because Alvaro had been cold towards her and only worsened at the event that transpired a while ago, the love for him didn't diminish. It only intensified the more he was aloof to her.
”We've grown up together, and our family is very close. It's like destiny that we fell in love with each other.” Maxine broke eye contact and looked away when Alvaro peeked at her from his shoulder. A rosy blush colored her face, eyes staring down. ”When we tie the knot, I hope you can attend our wedding.”
Maxine's kept on rumbling, but Rozarria wasn't paying attention. Her brow rose when Alvaro playfully winked at her before he turned forward.
”Alvaro is like a brother and a caring boyfriend to me. He's very nice and always takes care of me. I remember one time he . . .”
Maxine continued, hands clasping each other cheeks. She had always boasted about how Alvaro loved her in front of every woman she knew. It might be a defense mechanism on her part since she was threatened with Rozarria's face, but she couldn't stop herself. She must draw the line to make sure that the woman understood it was hopeless to try even to get close to Alvaro.
Rozarria's stoic face remained stony while a response tumbled her lips, almost a dead tone, ”I see . . . lucky you.”
”Oh.” Maxine stopped. She covered her lips and smiled. ”Sorry, that's ins.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e of me. I shouldn't have rambled my happiness to others like that.”
Rozarria answered with a simple, ”It's fine.”
Hesitating, Maxine asked, ”I heard you're single. Any man in mind? If you want, I can introduce you to a few friends. All of them are a nice catch.” This was a tactic she always used towards single women, so none of them would have any d.e.s.i.r.es with Alvaro. She would talk about how Alvaro loved her, and no one could come between the two of them to make others give up. And, she would introduce another equally handsome man. By this, she would deter other women while she made friends by introducing them with illegible bachelors.
This always works against women, until now when Rozarria replied.
”No need. I'm happy the way I am.”
Maxine didn't give up and pushed. ”I hope you don't mind but aren't you already in your thirties? Aren't you scared to pass your expiration date?” Playfully nudging Rozarria, Maxine pointed towards Aaron. ”I can see Mr. Dave has a thing for you. I caught him stealing glances at you from time to time.”
Even with the personal questions, Rozarria forced herself to remain in the presence of the annoying woman. Her face still calm and passive. ”I have no interest in dating still. I'm very much contented with my life.”
Subtly, Rozarria resumed her regular walk. Because she matched Maxine's pace, they were already meters behind from the group while their helpers go on ahead to scout for potential dangers while the others stayed at the back to make sure no one was left behind.
And of course, Maxine caught with her pace as she persisted her one-sided conversation until after minutes that she went silent, catching her breathes due to the arduous walking. Panting breaths swallowed all her words, and Rozarria smiled in secret.