A/N: I am really grateful to all the readers for reading, following and adding this story to your favorites. I would also like to thank the reviewers, Shirahane Aikawa, silver scorpion, Xaori, FuegosFiyerd and anonymous reviewer for reviewing the last chapter. Thanks a lot for your constant support and encouragement, it means a lot! :D
Chapter 20: Mrs. Kennedy
(Leon's POV)
I pulled on my jacket, and stood up all ready to leave for the airport. I checked my pockets one last time to make sure I had everything, when I realized I didn't have my cell phone. I looked back at the bedside table to look for my phone but it wasn't there. I moved and picked up a pillow thinking maybe it was underneath it but it wasn't there either, then I checked under the other pillows and under the blanket but I couldn't find it. I stood at a spot tried to jog my memory of where I had last used it but I couldn't properly remember when was the last time I saw it. I again flipped the beddings, hoping that it was there.
"Why are you messing the bed?", Kate asked and I looked back at her, "The maids will think, we have no control", she added zipping up her bag.
"Well control is the only reason I am not messing around with you", I told her and she laughed, "I can't find my phone, have you seen it?", resuming the search for my cell phone.
"No, I haven't", she replied moving to the loveseat in her room.
"Maybe I left it in the bathroom", I said moving to check it there, even though I have no recollection that I ever took it there.
"Let me call your number to find it", Kate said getting her phone and dialing my number, as I exited the bathroom.
"Yeah", I said giving up. I wasn't really good at finding stuff anyways.
My phone rang, "Oh it's right next to me", she said pulling it from under the cushions, and I remembered that I was reading the notebook I found in Keith Richardson's study, when I must have left the phone there, "What is this?", she said frowning at my cell phone.
"What?", I asked moving to get my phone.
"Kathleen Richardson?", she showed my phone to me on which her contact name was flashing, "You saved my number as Kathleen Richardson?!"
"So? You are Kathleen Richardson", I said holding out my hand so she could give my phone to me.
"But that's so unromantic", she said almost offended, "I am going to change it to…", she thought for a bit during which I just mentally slapped my face, "My Sweetheart!"
But before she could actually change it, I snatched my phone away from her, "There's no need", I told her with a shake of my head.
Kate pouted in displeasure, "Change it!", she demanded and moved to get back my phone from me.
She made a few violent attempts to get my phone, which made me remember yesterday's coffee. I didn't want my phone to suffer the same fate as my coffee, "Okay, okay fine. I'll change it", she calmed down at that, "But I'll change it to something I want", I laid down my condition.
"Fine but it has to be cute", she put forth her own condition.
"Oh it would be plenty cute", I told her with a smile, editing her contact name, "Done!"
"Show me", she pulled down my hand to look at the phone screen and quickly turned red, "That… that…", she began all flustered, "That's not cute", she said, as I pocketed my phone.
"It is very cute", I told her with a smile, enjoying the look on her face.
"But I am…", she seemed a little lost at words.
"What?", I played dumb, trying really hard not to laugh at her, and moved ahead, "Now c'mon we should get going or we'll be late for our flight, Mrs. Kennedy!"
I turned to see the look on her face and as if it was even possible, she turned a deeper shade of red. She looked cuter when she was flustered like this and every time I'd see her name on the phone, I would be reminded of this expression on her face, which would definitely bring smile to my face.
Kate let out a heavy breath and composed herself, pretending she was fine with it. I beckoned her and she walked to me with a straight face, which screamed that she wanted to edit that contact from Mrs. Kennedy to anything else, even Kathleen Richardson. Once we got down to the hall, she asked Daniel to take care of business while she was away and he assured her that he will. Vivian, however, couldn't help herself from passing a snide comment saying that Kate doesn't have to be so worried because they have their money in the business as well. To which of course Kate had much snider comment, saying that she'll make sure that they lose that as well if something goes wrong in her absence. And with that usual love, she was seen off from her home and we headed for the airport.
(Leon's POV)
Kate talked on the phone and informed of her arrival to someone, as we drove in the car towards our destination, whatever that is. She told the person that she'd be there in a bit and that she'd personally handle the matter. I couldn't help but look out of the car window, since she was busy with a call. I got observing the town and though it was a small town but it was a little too deserted at this time of the day. It was evening but the sun hadn't set yet. It awfully reminded me of Raccoon but fortunately there were few people and kids around that ruled out the possibility of this place being infested with zombies.
Kate got off the call as we reached the tallest and biggest building in the outskirts of the town. The sign said that it belonged to Richardson Enterprise, and I could see the reason why the whole town was deserted. There was an overwhelmingly huge crowd in front of the building, seeing which Kate asked the driver to take the back entrance. I looked to my side and again I was greeted by the woman who was known for her professionalism. I didn't know if she was nervous or scared, because she didn't show even those minor signs of weakness now. She had this determined look on her face of a confident businesswoman.
The driver pulled the car to a stop and we got out, and entered the building through the back door. People in suits were already waiting for Kate and at once came to greet and meet her. Among the people in suits there was her lawyer, Mr. Lawrence, and her so-called Uncle, Mr. Clark. She cut short the greetings and asked them details about the situation. Clark told her that he arrived in the town with the lawyer yesterday morning to see go through some legal formality and they were immediately met with the hostility of the town folks regarding some issues.
"They are very angry and not ready to listen to any reason", Clark told Kate, "The local workers quit and the workers who were from outside were met with hostile behavior like people didn't sell them supplies and stuff."
"Can't the police do anything about this", she asked to the Sheriff of the town.
"Well it's not really against the law to leave your work and they haven't done anything notorious to stop the other workers", he replied.
"Why are they doing this? Did you try talking to them?", she asked the local managers.
"They don't want a processing plant here", the manager replied, "And they are also claiming that these lands are theirs."
"That's impossible I checked the papers when the project started", she said to no one in particular, "Mr. Lawrence?", she called out him, so he could shed some light on the matter.
"The documentation and everything is legal, Ms. Richardson", he told her speaking in a very calm tone; "Your father and I were personally present in all the deals of the land."
Kate had a puzzled expression on her face and took a moment to think about it, "Anyways why are they here now?", she asked them collectively.
"They came to know that you are coming", Clark told her in a distressed tone; "They demand to see you."
"Okay I'll see them", she said moving ahead.
"Kate, I advice highly against that", Clark said stopping her by grabbing hold of her arm.
"I agree with Mr. Clark as well, like we said they are very angry", one of the local managers spoke to her in a very concerned tone, "Our security and local police presence are the reason things didn't get out of hand."
"Well somebody has to talk and listen to what they have to say, and I see you're totally incapable of doing that", she said to him in a scolding tone.
That was more than enough to shut up the manager and given the look of furiousness on Kate's face didn't let anyone else speak their minds anymore. She walked briskly with the managers following her at some distance. She grabbed the door handle and stopped for a moment, but it wasn't hesitation but preparation this time. She let out a sigh of determination and pushed open the door. As she stepped out of the building the crowd started yelling and screaming when they spotted her.
Clark once again tried to caution Kate but she just gave him a somewhat displeased look and he backed off. She asked the Sheriff to back her up if things get out of hand and he gave her an assuring nod. She moved to stand in front of the crowd. All the other personnel stood some distance away from her, huddled together in a group. I gave Kate the stage but stood within her reach. She waved her hands in front of her, asking the crowd to calm down to let her speak.
"Please Calm down!", Kate requested over the crowd noise and slowly they calmed down, "Look I know you have some concerns regarding the setting up of the food processing plant but please see this as an opportunity. Once the plant is functional your children will have a place to work and if you own a farm then you are more than welcome to sell your produce to us. I request you people to please let us do our work", she spoke in a very confident and convincing tone.
"This a fraud!", someone from the crowd yelled to her, "Your father cheated us."
"No, everything is legal", Kate said to the crowd, "We have documented evidence. Every piece of the land we bought is at a legal price and with the consent of their owners."
"Keith Richardson slandered us into selling our lands to you", a woman yelled angrily.
"What?!", Kate took a step towards the crowd.
"He told us that he'd be building a university for our children and now it's a processing plant", another woman said, "We didn't sell our lands for this."
Kate looked sideways, giving the managers a puzzled look but they seemed to be more baffled than her, "Once we have the land, it's up to us to use it however", one of the manager said to the public and the crowd roared into anger once again.
"Please listen to me, calm down", Kate once again pulled their attention to her, "I don't have any knowledge about this particular issue so please give me some time to get to the bottom of this."
"She's trying to fool us again", one of the men yelled from the crowd.
"No, no I am not", Kate took a step closer to them.
"Give us our land back", someone else yelled and others followed and this time Kate wasn't able to calm them down.
(Kate's POV)
The situation seemed to be getting out of hand and I didn't know what to say to calm down the crowd. Every time Uncle Dave mentioned this project not even once he mentioned about an institution. Maybe dad had different plans but there was no way for me to know it now that he was dead. I needed more time than I initially anticipated, to solve this matter but first I have to calm down the crowd, which was already booing me and asking me to leave their hometown alone.
I heard someone telling me to go to hell and the next moment I felt a stone flying past me. Before I could react to it, another stone hit me in the arm and I let out a cry of pain, which was muffled by the angry shouts of people. The third stone hit me on the head and the noises faded out, and all I could hear was a loud ringing in my ear. I touched the spot on my forehead to realize it was bleeding. I looked back at the crowd now flinging stones at me, as my vision blurred and then my vision was blocked by someone stepping in front of me. I felt an arm going around my waist and I knew from the touch that it was Leon.
(Leon's POV)
I asked Kate if she was fine but she had already passed out. The people didn't care that she was hurt; they were still throwing stones in her direction. All the managers hurried to run back inside to the safety of the building, as I yelled to security people to not just stand there and do something, which both the Security Chief and Sheriff had failed to do. Once the security came into action they drove the mob out of the premises and I lifted Kate up in my arms to take her to a doctor.
(Kate's POV)
The doctor examined the wound and asked me if I felt any different than usual, and I just shook my head in negative. She bandaged the wound telling me that I was lucky that the stone just brazed my forehead, knocking me unconscious. The way things turned out, I could have been seriously hurt but she didn't have to tell me that. It was not the first time that this happened to me. I have had faced angry mobs before, it's just that they got violent this time. The people of the town were so nice; I never imagined they'd do something like this.
I wondered what promises dad made to these people, as the local news broadcasted the incident over the TV. I let out a discreet sigh, as the doctor told me I could leave. I thanked her before leaving the clinic. Leon was waiting for me outside. I walked to him and didn't really know what to say, so I just expressed my need to go home. He nodded in agreement and we walked back to the car. I asked the driver to head to the farm that we owned in the town.
"You own a farm here?", Leon asked me casually.
"Yeah", I told him with a nod, "My great, great grandfather was a farmer and ran a small diary, and then my great grandfather expanded the business. My Grandfather and Dad together diversified it and made us an international company."
"And now you carry on the legacy?", he questioned.
"Well I am trying to", I said with a shrug. To be honest Richardson Enterprises had seen much better days during my predecessors.
"So your farm is still in business", Leon asked me.
"Yes, of course", I told him, "We have employed people to take care of our farms. If all else fails I guess I can live a country life here", I told him with a sigh, "Oh we are entering our estate."
The driver drove us to the main house and we both exited the car, once it stopped. I couldn't help but smile a little as I looked around the place where I spent most of my childhood summer breaks. The place had changed a lot over the years but it still was that warm and welcoming countryside home, where my grandparents used to live. They both were lovely people and spoiled me much more than dad did whenever I was with them. It was already way past dusk and it was starting to get a little colder. I rubbed my arms a little, as we walked to get inside.
I was greeted by the caretaker and maid of the place, "Kate, it's good to see you're alright", the maid spoke very informally and pulled me in a tight hug, "We just saw the news and we were worried."
"I am fine", I replied with a smile, pulling away from the hug.
"Amelia and Mr. Hans, meet my husband, Leon S. Kennedy", I introduced them to Leon.
"Leon, he is the caretaker of this farm house", I told him as he shook hands with Mr. Hans, "And Amelia is the head maid of this estate."
"You look a little familiar", as expected Leon didn't fail to notice the resemblance.
(Leon's POV)
"She is Maria's older sister", Kate told me with a smile.
"I am the more beautiful sister", the maid said with a hearty laugh.
"I'll try not to fall for you", I couldn't help but joke with her and she laughed even louder, "I only saw you on TV and you seemed like a nice guy, but meeting you personally I can say that you're a great guy", she slapped my back in a friendly way and for some reason her hand felt heavier than it was supposed to that it made my skin burn for a minor fraction of a second from its impact.
"Thank you", I said gratefully, with a slight laugh.
"If you want to thank me, just increase my paycheck", she said to me rubbing her palms together and again laughed at her own joke, "Anyways jokes aside. I've prepared the master bedroom for you; please rest up a bit while I get the dinner ready."
"Alright", Kate gave her nod and, as Amelia moved to leave, she spoke again, "Amelia, please get me a pack of ice for my arm."
"Right away", Amelia said and hurried off to the kitchen.
The caretaker talked something over with Kate and I took a moment to look around the place. It was like any other country home, and although the real owners didn't live here but still it was pretty much neat and tidy. This place was extremely different from the place we came from. Although both the places were Kate's home but this place had friendlier and warmer people. I wondered if this difference of treatment was always there or was it just the making of the recent events. If I had to go on limb and make a guess, I'd say it was the recent events that changed servants' outlook towards Kate.
It didn't take Amelia long to bring Kate an ice pack and we made our way to the master bedroom. Kate opened the door; we both got inside and she closed the door behind her. I looked around at the room a little; it was big but it wasn't that big compared to Kate's bedroom back at the Richardson mansion. There was a small balcony, and furniture in the room looked old but it was in a good shape. This room in all its originality could be termed as vintage. It was old and yet elegant.
I pulled off my jacket, as I looked in Kate's direction. She was sitting on the bed, smiling flirtatiously at me and I smiled back her as well, "Come here", she called me over.
"What happened?", I asked moving towards her.
"Remove your holster", she told me standing up to meet me.
"Why?", I asked her slightly confused.
Kate flashed me a smile and I couldn't feel any particular emotion I could tag it with, "Don't question me, just do it", she narrowed her eyes and her tone was somewhat flirty. I didn't really need to do what she was asking but if I knew she wouldn't tell me if I asked, so I removed my holster and put it on the bed, "Good", she praised me, "Now remove your shirt", she gave me another smile.
For a moment I couldn't say anything because I didn't really know how to respond, "What?", was the only thing I could say.
"Remove your shirt", she repeated herself, speaking slowly and clearly this time.
"Is this some kind of joke?", I asked her in a confused tone, not really believing that she was asking this of me.
"Do I look like I am joking?", she answered with a question of her own, pulling up an innocent and surprised expression, "I am serious", she spoke in an obvious tone.
I let out a sigh and crossed my arms, "I am not doing it", I told her flat out.
Kate let out a laugh, "Do it this instant", the look in her eyes became fierce, "Remove your shirt, it's an order!", she spoke quite authoritatively.
"Not happening", I responded with the same determination and weight in my voice.
"Quit arguing", she almost snapped at me and I chose not respond to it but just gave her a look of disagreement, "If you won't do it then I'll", she added moving to take hold of my shirt, almost unbuttoning the top button.
"Wait, wait, wait", I stopped her grabbing hold of her hands and she looked up at me, "What's gotten into you, so suddenly?"
"You are just wasting time", Kate spoke and again made a move to get off my shirt.
"Okay, fine!", I let out a defeated sigh and gave her a incredulous look, "I'll remove my shirt", I agreed unbuttoning my shirt. I was wearing an undershirt so it would be fine without a shirt.
"Take off your undershirt too", she demanded with a stern look in her eyes, accompanied with an extremely serious tone. Her words, her expressions and her tone was sending such confusing signals, so I couldn't really understand why I was being made to strip.
She didn't really look desperate or anything, "Is this some kind of foreplay?", I joked with slight smile. Kate didn't reply and crossed her arms, waiting for me to comply to her wishes, and shooting me with fiery looks, as if telling me that she was not in a mood to play, "Remember, that you asked for it", I said with a flirty smile and pulled off my undershirt, "Don't blame me later", I tried to throw her off with such a comment.
Kate seemed to be unbothered by what I said and just smiled at me calmly, "Turn around now", she said making a circle with her hand and I let out a tired sigh, giving her a look of disbelief, which she countered with her glare, "Hurry up, Leon!"
A sigh escaped my lips once again and I turned my back to her. I don't know what I to expect but Kate didn't utter a single word and the quietness in the room was discomforting, "Happy?", I asked breaking the dull silence of the room, "Now let's get down to business, shall we?", I continued on the joke.
"Was it fun?", Kate asked in a quite neutral tone, as I felt her moving closer to me.
"No, I am not really a fan of playing submissive", I told her with a shake of my head in a disapproving tone, "Kate..", I almost let out a reflexive scream as I felt a stinging pain on my back and turned my head to look back, over my shoulder at her.
Kate seemed to be a little startled, as she stared at my back with a ice pack in her hand. It was then that I realized that my back had turned red and was badly bruised from taking all those hits from the stones when I shielded her earlier. It wasn't stinging at the moment but it did when it came in contact with something. Now I understood why Amelia's slap on the back hurt me more than it should have, and maybe, just maybe Kate noticed it then.
"You had to jump in, couldn't really pass the opportunity to get yourself hurt, can you?", Kate almost scolded me and I realized the reason for her odd demands, "Doesn't it hurt?"
"Well I was trained to endure the pain. I didn't realize it", I told her the truth, if she hadn't put ice pack on my back then maybe I wouldn't have realized it until the time it started hurting really bad.
"Now stay straight", she made me stand straight, so she could apply ice pack on my back.
"It's not much you know", I stated the fact, as I felt her gently nursing my bruised back, "I've had it worse than this and survived."
"You're here to investigate my father's death, and not run around protecting me. That's not your job", Kate reminded me in a monotone.
"So am I supposed to stand around and do nothing?", I asked her in a somewhat sarcastic tone.
"I can handle things on my own", she raised her voice at me.
"You might have been badly hurt or maybe bleeding to death, given how sensitive you are", I argued with her irrationality.
"Promise me you won't do this again", she made another stupid demand and before I could answer she spoke again, "Just promise me, Leon!", her voice cracked and I knew she was crying. I couldn't deny her request or accept it, "I can stand everything but I can't stand watching you getting hurt", I felt her wrap her arms around my torso, as she hugged me, "I don't want to lose you too. You're all I have left now", her last few words were so muffled that I barely heard them, even when I was trained to hear the lowest of sounds.
Kate held me in her arms, as she cried silently on my back. Her words and her concern were so sincere that it rendered me speechless. I couldn't even tell her to stop crying or utter just two words to express my gratitude. I didn't remember when was the last time someone held me in their arms so caringly, or cried for me. I have been in so many relationships but I never felt like this before. It was ironic that my fake relationship with Kate offered me more than some of my real ones.
I accepted her embrace; it felt nice being in her arms. I didn't actually want this treatment now but maybe deep within my sub-conscious, I longed for it. Kate is the woman I never had, but she is exactly the type I always wished for. From the time we first met, we clicked, and if things would have been a little different then this lie probably might have been the truth. I guess my luck with women might never change. I let out a discreet sigh and grabbed her hands.
"I am fine now", I told her and she let go of me.
I turned to face her, "You should put on your shirt, it's cold out here", she said wiping her tears.
I nodded and pulled on my clothes, "Thank you", I said sincerely. "Although I would have appreciated if we could do more than just hug", I flirted with a smile, in an attempt to lighten up the mood.
Kate smiled beautifully at me, "Sorry to disappoint you but as you can see I am hurt, I might not be able to perform well", she said playfully, "So maybe some other time?"
"I'll hold you up you up for it then", I said giving her a nod.
She hummed in agreement, "Nice abs by the way", she added with a playful wink, looking at them.
We shared a laugh together like always, before Amelia came knocking at the bedroom door. She called us over for dinner and we went down to have dinner with her and farmhouse's caretaker. After the dinner Kate gave me a tour of the place, telling me the stories behind the pictures on the wall. Sometimes Amelia helped her as well. It seemed Amelia has been working for Richardson before Maria started working for them. Amelia knew about almost everyone back at the Richardson mansion and we ended up listening to her tales, until it was way past bed time.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the little fluff in the chapter. Although, romance was there in the background since the beginning of the story (at least I tried to write it that way) but it would be more prominent in the coming chapters, and hope you'll enjoy those light moments of the story. Thanks one again for reading the story; if you have any thoughts, questions or opinions on the chapter or story then please leave a comment, I always look forward to hear from you guys. Lastly, I am really sorry for the typos or grammatical mistakes that might have been confusing. Till my next update take care and have fun! :D