Saving the Villain

"That reasoning… do you think it is enough to appease your wife? Luke, I know you are aiming for something and I'm very proud of you for persevering. But this… breaking promises is a bad habit."

Luke stayed quiet, staring at those pair of beautiful eyes that were shining so beautifully, even though the disappointment in them was evident. He unfolded his arm from under his chest, resting his palm on the counter he was leaning on.

"You're not even my wife," he mumbled. "Why are you so angry?"

"Don't you understand?" Cosette faced him squarely, hand on the counter. "What I'm saying is that is not how you treat women in general. If I, your friend for many years, get hurt when you don't keep your word, what do you think your future wife will feel?"

"Nothing."

"What?"

"I don't know why you keep nagging me about how to treat women and how to be a good husband, but I don't plan to marry." Luke shrugged, staring her straight in the eye. "Back then, I also wanted to get married. But then, as years go by and as I build my career, I realized I want to maximize what I can do as a businessman. Marriage is not part of my plan for the next ten years."

He took a deliberate pause, assessing her reaction. "Moreover, a wife and a friend are different. They were just as important, of course, but they have different roles."

"Gosh…" Cosette just clicked her tongue continuously, rendered speechless by what he said. "You're old enough. Fine. Do what you want."

Cosette didn't want to press the matter since Luke already confessed that he didn't want to marry. She was simply concerned. But as Cosette turned around to do what needed to be done in the kitchen, she stopped at his remarks.

"If you don't believe me, then why not become my wife?" Cosette slowly looked back at him in disbelief, but he maintained a cool countenance. "I mean, you keep nagging me and sometimes, you always sound like you are my wife. Let's just divorce if I disappoint you."

Cosette looked at him for an entire minute in silence. When everything he had said sank in, she marched toward him.

"What? Are we in for a romance — ack!" Luke winced when Cosette slapped his shoulder continuously. "Ah! Ouch! Cozie, you're hurting me — ah!"

Cosette beat the hell out of his shoulder, hoping to knock some sense into him. Only when she was panting did she stop.

"Divorce?! Lucas Quinn, are you hearing yourself?!" she scolded, nose flaring in anger. "I understand that you don't want to get married, but how can you talk lightly about marriage with divorce in your mind, hah?! Gosh. I want to beat the shit out of you."

Luke kept rubbing his shoulder, still feeling the weight of her hand. "Cosette, are you going to break my shoulder? How can you —"

"Let me literally break it for you, then!" Cosette huffed, raising a hand, making him hunch in to protect himself. However, she stopped, grinding her teeth in frustration. "Ahh… you're so frustrating!"

Cosette turned around, irritated. Meanwhile, Luke warily put down his arms as he thought it was the end of it. Looking at her back, he pressed his lips into a thin line.

"Cosette," he called, a lot calmer now. "Why are you…" he trailed off before closing his eyes upon realizing something.

When Luke reopened his eyes, a deep exhale slipped past his lips.

"Is that the reason you've been pushing me with these unsolicited lessons?" he asked helplessly. "Are you worried about the rumors that are going on?"

"Are they really rumors?" Cosette wiped her eyes before facing him, sporting a brave front. "Can you look me in the eye and tell me the rumors that the CEO of LG Builders is a womanizer are just mere rumors?"

She paused, waiting for reassurance from him. But he chose silence, and that only confirmed the things she had been hearing.

"Luke, you have a reputation to maintain." She sighed, calming down a bit. "You said it yourself, LG Builders had joined the big leagues. I know those people at the top, and I don't want to pop your bubble, but don't lose yourself in the state of success."

"Don't lose yourself in your conquest for power and influence. Please," she added, almost begging him.

This was the reason Luke had been avoiding all these months. He knew she would nag him about such things. Not that he found her offensive. Matter of fact, what she was saying was only for his own good. However, that didn't mean he approved of it because it always felt like Cosette still perceive him as a brat; a kid, and not as a man.

Luke kept his thoughts to himself, though. He knew her intention.

"I'll try." Luke took a step toward her, planting his hand on her shoulders. He lowered his head, nodding at her encouragingly. "I'll try to be better, hmm? Next time, I won't play around. I will behave myself, okay? So, don't be upset anymore."

Cosette puffed her cheek. "Gosh. I don't know what to do with you. Just help me with these things while the others hadn't come."

She shook her head while he smiled. She brushed his hands off of her shoulder, turning around to resume her task. But just as she took a step forward, she paused when she felt a weight on her back.

"Luke?" she glanced over her shoulder, surprised as he embraced her from the back. "What are you —"

"You welcomed Remo with the sweetest smile and a tight hug," he explained under his breath, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I miss you… that's what you told him while all you did is glare and berate me. So, since you still treat me as that rebellious teenage boy, I'd just live up to it for a moment."

"Maxen might kill me, but…" His eyes softened as the corner of his lips curled up into a bitter smile. "I missed you, Cosette. You… have no idea how much I missed your cooking."

Cosette gazed at his side profile before she sighed. She planted her hands on top of his hands that were on her stomach, patting them gently.

"You shouldn't lose the key anymore," she humored, and he chuckled.

"I never lose them."

"Huh?"

"I throw them away." His confession made her turn her head to him. "If I have the key, I can just enter your place and look for you. Isn't it better if you open it for me?"

"Am I your servant?" she rolled her eyes, but he just laughed it off, keeping the real reason behind his remarks.

Little did Luke know, Remo was standing by the entrance of the kitchen. Remo's jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth, but then lowered his eyes before turning around, pretending he didn't see anything.