Chapter Seven
"MIRANDA? I mean, she's not that bad looking, but still…Miranda? Are you sure it's not just because she's one of the few women in this world that actually likes you?"
"Yes I am sure!" Nicolae said defensively.
"I'm sorry son, but I have to tell you the truth. It would never work out between the two of you. She's much older than you, and she doesn't seem like the type of woman to take romantic advances very well. My suggestion is to find someone closer to your age and get to know her a little better before you decide to fall in love."
"I will not have way I feel cast aside as if it vere unimportant!" Nicolae yelled, catching Cross by surprise. He saw a glimpse of himself at that age, with his first love. He shook the thoughts out of his mind.
"I was just stating facts, Nicolae. I know because I have-"
"Been the lover of many vomen. But I do not know. This is first time this has ever happened to me. And what would you know of love? You treat vomen well, make them love you and then throw them away like refuse. I don't know why I even ask you about this. Goodbye."
"Son, if you feel that strongly about it, then go ahead and tell her. Just don't blame me if she breaks your heart." Nicolae walked out without giving Cross an answer.
--
Avani slipped back into her own room. She'd heard the entire exchange.
She had to stop Nicolae from confessing to Miranda! Krory had come to her earlier that evening about the very same thing! Although she'd only been there a short while, everyone knew to come to her for their love troubles. She's been trained as a matchmaker by her grandmother and she wasn't about to let that training go under.
Krory and Miranda were supposed to be together. All the signs pointed to it. A relationship between Nicolae and Miranda could only end in disaster.
She had to get her half brother away from Miranda for his own good, and for the good of the match between Krory and Miranda that was meant to be.
But how would she do that?
Avani got an idea. It was a long shot, but it just might work.
She had to convince Lenalee to go on a date with Nicolae.
--
Komui was asleep at his desk when he heard a voice that shattered the good dream he was having.
"Hey, sweetheart. Have any nightmares about me lately?"
He jerked up from sleep and looked at the woman sitting on his desk nonchalantly, looking at her nails. His mouth went slack and he was unable to speak for a few moments. Reever opened the door and walked in.
"Komui, I have some papers for you to…" He looked at the woman.
"W-what are you doing here?"
"I think it's rather apparent why I'm here, big boy." She got up off her perch and sauntered over to Reever, locking lips with him. He stood there, frozen, unable to move. She pulled away and he sat down on a couch, his face turning red.
"I'll page Cross right away." Komui said, pressing a button on his desk.
"Good," she replied, removing her black gloves and tossing her long red hair.
"We have quite a bit to talk about."
--
"You want me to WHAT?" Lenalee looked at Avani incredulously.
"It's just for tonight," she said quickly.
"But he's so…weird! He's not my type. And my brother would never approve of this."
"Oh, I think you'll like him once you get to know him. He's very intelligent, and you have to admit, he's not bad looking." Lenalee looked like she was deep in thought.
"And if I don't like him, can you get me a date with say…Allen or Lavi?" Avani smiled.
"Of course. Anything in return for this favor. But don't judge Nicolae before you know him. He's deeper than he seems."
"Well okay. It's a date!" Lenalee said with a smile.
"Wonderful," Avani said, leaving the room. Lenalee shivered. What exactly made her do that? It seemed almost as if she couldn't have refused if she tried…
--
"What do you need, Komui?" Cross walked in, smoking a cigarette. His eye caught the woman sitting on the couch. He smirked.
"Hadrian," he said simply. She smiled and walked over to him.
"Marian, my brother! How have you been these past few years?" She embraced him, her head only coming to the middle of his chest.
"Just fine. Can't complain."
"Except for the fact that you have seven kids on your hands now, right?"
"How did you find out about that?"
"Oh, silly Marian. I know everything. I'm your big sister. Remember? Now, where are my nieces and nephews? I've come so far to see them!" Four of them walked in right after she said that; Giselle bugging Leo about playing house with her, Lavi carrying his cracked hammer, and Allen carrying a stack of papers he needed signed.
"SCORE!!" Lavi yelled upon seeing Hadrian. "Hey Dad, who's the smoking hot babe standing beside you?"
"Your aunt," Cross replied. Lavi's excitement died down.
"Man, why do I have to be related to all the hot babes in this world?" he mused to himself.
"Well I'm flattered you think I'm that good looking. I'm starting to get old. I'll be thirty-six in November. Or should I say, Marian and I will be thirty-six."
"She's your twin?" Lavi asked.
"Yeah, they're twins. Hadrian's older by seven minutes," Allen replied.
"Oh, Allen! You've grown up so much since I last saw you! And to think that you were Marian's boy all along…I knew it somewhere inside of me." She looked down at Giselle and Leo.
"Oh, and just who are you two?" Hadrian asked.
"I'm Leo, and Lavi's my daddy," he said proudly.
"My name is Giselle, Mademoiselle," she said curtsying politely.
"Aw, you're so cute! I just might have to take you home with me!"
"No," Cross said, picking up the little girl.
"Oh, Marian. Playing favorites, are we? That's never good. Where are your other three kids?" The other three walked in right at that moment.
"How does she do that?" Lavi whispered to Allen.
"She's a magician too, you know," Allen replied.
"I see," Lavi said.
"All in all, you have some very beautiful children," Hadrian said.
"Now, where the hell do you keep the booze in this place? The good, stuff, nothing cheap or nasty."
"Yes, sister dearest," Cross said with a sarcastic edge.
"Thank you, Marian." Hadrian walked quickly to keep up with her brother.
"This is going to be fun," Ewan said as they followed the two…
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A/N: And so we have the introduction of Cross' sister! Just what kind of person is she, and just how much more mayhem could one more woman cause? And what of the two dates fixing to happen? Stay tuned and find out next chapter!