A/N: Welcome back everyone! It's an absolute delight to see you here still reading the story and I am more than grateful to all of you for all reads, reviews, follows, favorites and all the support that you have been showing to the story. I would also like to thank Shirahane Aikawa, The Cypher808, Nick and MazerMooso for reviewing the last chapter.
Chapter 49: Business Affairs
(Leon's POV)
I woke up to the ear piercing sounds of a phone ringing and really felt irritated by that because it was literally headache inducing, especially since I hadn't been sleeping that well after New year's eve. I opened my eyes to find that it was Kate's phone ringing on her bedside table and before I could make a move to silence it or even get to it, the ring died down; probably from the call being disconnected. My sleep was already in dumps but still I needed to shake off the drowsiness before leaving the bed, so I just lied on my back and stared up at the ceiling for some time.
My mind wandered off to reflect and evaluate the recent turn of events considering my role in everything; something that I have been doing a lot lately. I had never ever been so doubtful about my choices and actions before, but now no matter how hard I tried but I couldn't shake off this odd feeling that something was not right. At times, I wanted to put a stop to all this but my better judgment always kept me from doing that. I heaved out a sigh of exhaustion and closed my eyes, asking myself if it was all even worth the risk.
I hadn't closed my eyes for that long, when I heard Kate's phone ringing once again. I rolled over to her side of the bed to get the phone but before I could actually grab the phone off the end table, Kate took hold of it and I could barely make out the name of the caller on the screen. It was none other than Aiden Wright, her ex-fiancé, and I couldn't really say it made my day seeing him calling my wife so early in the morning. I watched Kate read his name on the screen, and she briefly looked at me, before answering the call with a bright smile on her face.
I sat up on the bed feeling somewhat annoyed and keeping my eyes on Kate, as she talked cheerfully with Wright on the phone. It had been just a two days since New Year's eve party, and things have drastically changed between them. For instance, she was talking with him on the phone more frequently and I often found her texting him as well. Today, however, she didn't talk to him as much as she does every day and hung up the phone after a chat that stretched a minute or two at most. She looked at me and smiled contentedly and somewhat mischievously, before walking over to the dressing mirror to blow dry her hair.
I pulled myself off the bed, fetched a pair of clothes from the closet and went to have a bath. There were not a lot of things I could control but I could definitely keep my eyes on everything and to do that I have to be with Kate as much as I can. When I stepped out of bathroom, Kate was just finishing up with her make-up. As she put on her sandals, I hurried to put on my shoes; and as she grabbed her bag, I put on my holster and pocketed my things. I grabbed my jacket off the bed, and both of us left the bedroom.
We headed downstairs and took seats on the dining table to have our breakfast with Kate's mom and her relatives. The breakfast itself wasn't that eventful; the talk was general and mostly related to their work. But just as we finished our breakfast, I noticed a man walking in through the front doors of the house. He spotted us all on the breakfast table and walked towards it, wishing us all a good morning. Kate and Vivian were the only one to wish him back, while the others seemed quite surprised to see Aiden Wright here that too this early in the morning.
Vivian opened her mouth to ask him, the purpose of his visit but Kate didn't give her the opportunity as she spoke before the former woman, "Wow, you are right on time", she said raising herself from her chair and walking up to him.
"Well I had to be because I was meeting you, and also I didn't want to keep you waiting", he spoke as they both greeted each other with a hug.
The hug was very quick and I knew that it wasn't anything romantic but I felt like I have been punched square in the face, when I watched that scene unfold right in front of my eyes. I have to admit that this was the most informal and somewhat intimate way that Kate had greeted Wright with. The other times she dealt with him quite professionally but today I couldn't see any kind of formality between them. From a stranger's point of view, they seemed to be in a extremely good terms, and needless to say it was a little more than enough to completely ruin my morning.
"Shall we get going?", Kate asked Wright, as I lifted myself off the chair as well.
"Yeah sure!", Wright answered with a wide smile on his face.
Kate said her byes to her mother, who wished her a good day with a bright smile on her face like always. With that Kate and Wright turned on their heels and started to walk out of the mansion's door, and I just followed her silently. Once we were out the front door and away from people's eyes, she wrapped an arm around Wright's arm. It made me stop dead in my tracks, as sharp pain shot through my chest and suddenly I felt my feet were tied down with heavy weights.
Wright was surprised by that gesture as well and looked at Kate in utter shock. Kate flashed him beautiful flirtatious smile and he smiled back her happily, seemingly content of such a treatment. He looked back at me and his smile turned into a smug one; as if telling me he won. He looked from me to Kate, and my eyes travelled to her as well. She smiled at me playfully and this time I frowned at her out of irritation, which only widened her smile even more. I wasn't as much bothered by what Wright did as I was by what my wife did.
Kate held his arm tight, once again asking him to move and Wright replied with nod. They descended down the steps and Wright pulled open the car door for her, much like a gentleman. Kate appreciated him about it and moved to get inside the car, but then she stopped and looked at me thoughtfully. Wright noticed that and I saw him losing some of his confidence and his smile faltered a bit. He asked why she wasn't getting in; she looked at him and just answered him with a gorgeous smile, before getting inside the car
Wright closed the car door after her and looked back at me, taking a moment to smile victoriously at me. He hurriedly rounded off to the other side of the car to get in the back seat of the car with Kate. I just shook my head out of pity at that amateur behavior; he clearly failed to see that there was plenty of space in the car for me. Before the driver could drive away, I pulled open the door of the car to get inside; both Wright and Kate looked at me, as I did that. There was an evident shock on Wright's face and he seemed to be a little anxious to realize that I could also travel in this car. Kate, however, didn't really seem that surprised but quite amused, as if she was totally expecting me to do that.
Kate let out a slight laugh, "You can't come with us", she told me with a smile.
"I can", I spoke very calmly in a matter-of-fact tone, "Move over", I asked her to make space for me so that I could get inside.
"No", she denied, shaking her head in negative, "Aiden and I have to discuss some important business stuff, and your presence would be a hindrance, so why don't you leave us alone."
"I won't leave you alone", I straightaway denied that suggestion of hers.
"I wasn't asking, Leon. I was telling you", she said to me in a clarifying tone, "Now shoo, you're making us late", she added waving her hand to shoo me away, as if I was a pest.
I let out a sigh of disbelief; this was really a wrong time for her to be acting this way. I reached in and grabbed her by her arm, "Get out", I said trying to pull her out of the car.
"No", Kate shook her head, "And leave me!", she tried to release herself from my grip.
"I am not kidding, Kate. Get out this instant", I said to her in an almost scolding tone, putting a little more force in trying to pull her out.
"Leon, let go off my arm!", she spoke, putting a weight in her voice, "And why don't you help me?", she added to Wright and he also tried to aid her as well.
"Kate?!", I gave her a confused look; I couldn't really believe that she was so persistent in wanting to go with Wright.
"Ow… ow… ow…", she struggled to get lose and her nails dug into the back of my hand, as she tried really hard to release herself from me, "You're hurting me", she said and that made me let go of her.
"Are you alright?", Wright asked her, as she rubbed her reddening arm.
"Yeah, I am fine", she told him in a weak tone.
"Kate, come out please!", I requested of her and they both looked at me, "You don't have to do this", I held out my hand to her, meaning every word of that sentence.
She smiled raising her hand and the next moment slapped my hand away, much to Wright's delight, "I told you I have a very important business to discuss with Mr. Wright, so you stay out of it", with that she pushed me back and closed the car door.
I moved to open the car door once again, fully decided that I'll pull her out of the car even if I have to carry her out of it, but the car door didn't open. Kate had locked the car door and I couldn't help but frown at her, really starting to feel frustrated. I yelled for her to open the door but she just smiled at me amused at seeing me struggle. She gave me a look of absolute delight, before turning to say something to the driver; I couldn't hear her but I knew she was asking him to drive away. As the car came into motion, Kate looked at me and winked, waving a goodbye.
"Kate!", I yelled after her, as Wright's car sped away.
"They sure were in a hurry", I looked back to see Vivian, "To discuss their business", she added suggestively, crossing her arms, "Are you still going to deny that she's not into you?"
Vivian gave me an I-told-you-so look, shaking her head at me in disbelief. I kept my silence; I didn't have any time to waste here in trying to prove my point and convince Vivian otherwise, when there were more important things at stake. I hurried past her to get my car from the garage but she stopped me by grabbing hold of my arm, telling me once again that Kate was a lost cause. I released myself from her and continued on my way. I had to catch up to Kate; I couldn't afford to lose her to Wright.
(Leon's POV)
I blankly stared at the elevators door, already feeling a little exhausted. It wasn't too much trouble to catch up to Wright's car and tail it all through the way to Kate's workplace. He dropped her outside the office building and went on his way. Although, Kate said they had some business to discuss but I knew for sure that Wright was giving her a ride to work. For him it must have been one of those couple moments, driving to work with Kate and probably another way to show Kate that he could do those little things for her. However, there was no need for Kate to do that no matter what the reason.
The elevator's door parted and I stepped out of it, making my way straight to Kate's office. I pushed open her cabin's door and found her already settled on the chair behind her desk, working on some of business files. She looked up briefly to acknowledge my presence, before getting back to her work. I walked up to her desk; I had so much to say to her, or more correctly there was a lot of things I could scold her about but I kept my silence and let out my anger and displeasure with a sigh. I watched her lips curving up in smile and she almost let out of a laugh, maybe she was expecting this reaction from me and she was enjoying putting in me in a bind.
Kate looked at me once again, pretending to be surprised to see me standing in front of her desk, "You want to say something?", she asked me with a self content smile.
"No", I replied shaking my head in negative and not keeping the roughness off my tone.
I walked back to my usual spot in the corner of her office and started doing my paperwork like every day. I was a little too upset with Kate to have a rational conversation with her at the moment, and I just didn't want to complicate everything by mixing up emotions in it. I needed to clear up my mind, before I talk to Kate, otherwise I'll end up losing everything we have build up so far and I couldn't risk ruining everything and undoing all the progress over a moment of false judgment.
(Kate's POV)
I sipped my coffee and relaxed on my chair, checking my official mail and replying to them as it seemed fit. I was done with all my appointments and finished whatever paperwork that needed my attention for today. I was in middle of checking my mail when my phone rang and I saw that it was Allen. I answered the call and he told me that they are sending me some pictures of their dresses, so that I can see how they are coming up. As soon as he hung up I received the images on my mail and I started going through them.
I couldn't help but be impressed with Vivian's design and her sense of fashion. It did leave me in awe, and even though these were unfinished dresses I could see that they were some great fashion pieces. If things go on like this then it won't be too troublesome for her to come on top, leaving both Cruz and Swartz in dust. I was really glad to know that she wasn't letting Aiden's presence affect the quality of her work, and a little surprised that she didn't throw vases at me the morning he gave me a ride two days ago. Maybe she was channeling her aggression to her passion to maintain the balance.
There was a knock on the door and I looked up to see Jefferson stepping in the cabin. He informed me that Aiden was here and he wanted to see me. I told Jefferson to send Aiden in and he left after giving me a nod. My eyes travelled to the agent, sitting in the corner of my office. He was working on his notebook and it appeared as if he was too busy in work to pay attention to anything else but I was sure he heard about Aiden. His phone rang and he received the call, talked for a half minute or so, before hanging up. He looked in my direction and the next moment Aiden knocked on my cabin's door.
I looked at Aiden, as he stepped inside the cabin with a triumphant smile on his face and beautiful flowers in his hand. He paused for maybe a fraction of a second to acknowledge Leon's presence, who had gotten back to his work. Aiden let out a sigh of pity and shook his head a little watching Leon, before walking up to the desk. He presented the flowers to me, smiling charmingly at me and I had to really put an effort to force a smile while receiving those flowers from him.
"Are you ready to leave?", Aiden asked me smiling all the same.
"Yeah I…", just then my phone buzzed as I received a text and I looked down at it briefly, "I have to take care of a few things then we can leave", I completed my sentence looking back at Aiden and smiling at him, "I hope you don't mind?"
"No, not at all", he said to me and took a seat in front of my desk, "I can wait."
Aiden and I talked pretty much trivially while I checked and answered the rest of my mails. And although he said he could wait while I finished my work but still he couldn't help but ask me to leave answering my mails for the next day. I could surely leave those mails for tomorrow but I wasn't really in a mood to comply with his wishes at the moment. Besides I didn't want to give him the impression that I would do anything just because he was being nice to me. What Aiden wants from me is different than what I want of him, and good rule of business is never to put yourself in a weak position.
"How many more mails are left?", Aiden asked looking at my notebook's screen, "Oh just one!"
"Yeah", I said with a forced smile, and looked over his shoulder for a brief moment pretty much involuntarily, "It'll take just 5 minutes."
"Take your time", he said with an understanding smile.
I got back to reading that last mail; it wasn't that important but I took my sweet time with it. I had just finished with the mail when somebody came knocking on the cabin door once again. I lifted up my head to see who it was, whilst Aiden turned in his seat to do the same. It was our company's legal advisor Mr. Lawrence and he had another guy with him, whom I was unfamiliar with. The tall and muscular man looked at the lawyer a little uncertainly but the older male, just gave him a nod and they both took a step inside my office.
"Are you busy?", Mr. Lawrence asked looking from Aiden to me.
"Not at all", I answered him truthfully, "Please come in."
The older man stepped further inside the office, asking the man to follow him as well, "You asked me about getting you a personal bodyguard."
"Ah yes", I said to him with smile.
"Well this is Damien Cole, an ex US marine official", he introduced me to the man that came with him, "I recommend you have him as your bodyguard."
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Cole", I shook hands with him, "Please take a seat, you too Mr. Lawrence", I added.
"Likewise", Cole said clearing his throat and taking a seat.
"So, do you have any experience working as a bodyguard?", I asked him out of formality.
"Not really but I am a trained professional and sometimes have had missions that involve rescue and security, which are similar to this", he answered confidently, "And I also worked as a bouncer in bars of Mexico for 2 years, so dealing with troublesome people won't be a problem."
"Well I don't really doubt your abilities, but I hope you realize being a bodyguard can get quite boring", I stated the fact.
"Yeah I do realize that", he gave me nod, "But a job is a job and it should be handled responsibly."
I smiled at him, "So can you tell me through which agency you approached me?", I asked him and he seemed to be taken off-guard, "Actually I have had a terrible experiences with some of my previous employees, so I want to run some background checks."
"Ah… Ms. Richardson", it was the older lawyer who drew my attention; "He's not associated with any agency. I found him through some personal channels. I can vouch for his trustworthiness for he has saved your father's and my life once when we were in Mexico. He had been working as an informant for the company ever since, but given his military background, fighting prowess and your special requirements, he's best man suited for this job", he told me on Cole's behalf and I looked over his shoulder for a brief moment, not really sure what I should do, but the next moment I had my answer.
"Very well then, you can start working from tomorrow", I told him with a shrug, "Mr. Lawrence can you please draw an employment contract and also ask Jefferson to give Mr. Cole my schedule."
"Alright, I'll take care of that", he said giving me a nod.
"Thanks for arranging for a bodyguard on a very short notice", I expressed my gratitude.
The older man smiled, "It's my pleasure!", he said in courteous tone, "Now I'll like to take your leave."
I gave him a nod and a polite smile, with that both he and Cole raised themselves off their seats. Cole politely thanked me for employing him and I just responded by saying that I hope he lives up to the expectations. They both exited the office and I told Aiden that we could leave as well, since I was already done with all my work. I collected my stuff and put them in my handbag, and we walked out to the office as well. I instructed Jefferson about passing on my schedule to my new bodyguard, as I made my way to the elevator, and he replied with a yes in acknowledgment.
I swiped my dad's card on the elevator panel, because Leon was still using my card. We had to wait a few minutes for the elevator to arrive and we stepped inside the elevator. As the door began to close somebody put their foot between the elevator doors, which parted to reveal my lawfully wedded husband. I looked at his apathetic face, as he stepped inside the elevator and pushed the button for basement parking. He stood at the back of the elevator like always and there was dull silence, as the elevator began to descend down the shaft.
"Does he follow you everywhere?", Aiden asked in low tone, probably so that only I could hear it.
"Just ignore him like I do", I told him in a normal tone, "It's not that hard; he blends with all other inanimate things", I added in a mocking tone looking briefly at Leon, who didn't even react to it.
Aiden let out a laugh, "So anyways, what's this deal with new bodyguard?", he asked me casually.
"Well my old one tried to kill me, if you don't know", I told him in the same casual manner.
"Wasn't that a month or two ago?", he asked me in a confused tone and I gave him a nod, "Why didn't you get a bodyguard before; it's dangerous for you to go out all alone without a bodyguard?", he added in a tone of concern.
"Well… you see…", I looked back at Leon once again, "My husband was standing in for my bodyguard until now, but like I already told you I don't want him around now so I have to get a new bodyguard."
"Well he does seem more like a bodyguard than your husband", Aiden commented snidely looking back at Leon as well.
I couldn't help but frown at Leon, who was pretending as if he hadn't even heard what we were talking about. Sometimes I really felt like scratching his apathetic face and this was one such moment. I only held myself from doing that because it would ruin my manicure and in worst case scenario I might end up breaking a nail or two, since for all I know he is a very tough skinned person. He smiled at me when he noticed that I was giving him annoyed looks and his smile made me shoot even more threatening glares at him to which his smile stretched wider, probably out of amusement. I huffed and looked ahead, as Aiden commented about Leon being weird.
"Where are you taking me?", I asked Aiden in an almost sharp tone.
"Anywhere you want, baby", he answered in a carefree tone with a pleasant smile.
"Somewhere expensive and classy", I almost ordered, trying to not get riled up in emotions.
"That goes without saying", he replied in an obvious tone, "We'll have coffee in one of the best restaurants." The elevator stopped at the ground floor, "Let's go!"
"You go ahead", I said to Aiden with a smile and he gave me a confused look "I don't want any stupid news flying in the media, so I'll ride with him", I pointed at Leon.
"Are you sure?", he looked from me to Leon doubtfully.
"Yeah, we'll follow your car", I affirmed it with a nod and he stepped out of the elevator, "Besides if we meet when my husband is with me then the press won't make it an issue out of nothing; it would be a perfect cover."
"Hmm… nice thinking!", Aiden said impressed and I just shrugged, "Well I'll wait for you guys then."
(Leon's POV)
Kate hummed in response, giving Wright a nod agreeing with him and pressed the door close button on the elevator. Wright flashed me a mocking smile as the door closed, and I couldn't help but let out a slight laugh, shaking my head a little at such stupidity. Kate looked back at me and raised her brows at me; her blue eyes shooting fiery glares at me. I grinned apologetically at her, understanding her reasons to be mad at me but there was little to nothing I could do to curb her anger at the moment.
I winked at Kate, admiring the furious look on her face because she managed to look pretty even when she was annoyed. She let out a sigh of tiredness and rolled her eyes, turning to look back ahead. In a few moments, the elevator arrived at the basement parking and doors parted to let us out. We walked to my car and I electronically unlocked it from a distance, as we neared it. I got in the driver seat and Kate took the side seat next to me. I reminded her about putting on seat belt, as I started up the engine, and she strapped it on.
I drove the car out of the parking and the main gates, Wright was already waiting in his car. I pulled my car next to his and Kate told him to lead on ahead to the restaurant. I followed his car to an expensive restaurant and although they both didn't have any reservations, still they didn't face any trouble getting a table. Since both Kate and I already had a cup of coffee earlier, we ordered something different for ourselves while Wright settled with a cup of coffee, and some snacks as well.
Kate and Wright talked casually among themselves, ignoring my presence, not that I was bothered by it or anything. Wright didn't leave out any opportunity to flirt with Kate, although it was all very subtle. Kate didn't really flirt with Wright but she didn't object his advances in any way. She forced a laugh at his jokes that credibly seemed genuine for anyone, who hadn't seen her laugh. She smiled whenever he flirted and somehow managed to look dreamy when he appreciated her. She was in her own clever way seducing him as well.
They spend about an hour or two in each other's company, and there was no end to Wright's effort in trying to win Kate's heart. However, Kate seemed to be losing interest in him the more he tried to impress her, since her reactions weren't timed well and seemed to be faltering a little. Before she could totally lose her form, she suggested that it was getting late and they should head home; and that her mom might be waiting for her. Wright agreed with her and asked for the bill, which he paid out of his own pocket, since seemingly it was a date. They parted in a professional way, probably not wanting to expose their 'relationship' yet.
Kate and I walked back to my car, so I could drive us home. She didn't say anything to me, as we both got in the car, but I could see it on her face that she was absolutely relieved to be done with her meet with Wright. As I put the keys in the ignition, her phone rang and she answered it immediately and from her talk it seemed like it was her mother on the other end. I was about to drive but I noticed that she hadn't pulled on her seatbelts once again, so I reminded her yet again.
My wife shot me a look of discontent, before she tried to pull on the seatbelts. However, she was having some difficulty with it while she talked on the phone. I watched her struggle with it for few minutes that she ended up complaining about it to her mother. I released myself from my seatbelt and leaned over to her side to reach the seatbelts by her side. I inhaled her sweet floral scent, as I grabbed hold of the seatbelt strap, and she turned in her seat to face me, evidently taken aback by the proximity.
I smiled looking in her captivating eyes; our faces were very close and my gaze couldn't help but drop down to her sumptuous lips. The little devils in my mind were impelling me to have a taste of them and maybe I was moment away from acting on that thought when her mother's concerned voice through the phone made me pull a chain on that thought. I pulled myself away from her and buckled in her seatbelt, as she told her mother that she was just putting on seatbelt and arriving home shortly. I stepped on the gas pedal bringing the car to motion and she shot me an irked glare mixed in with slight disapproval but still her eyes reflected genuine happiness, as she turned her face to look ahead.
(Kate's POV)
I just blankly stared at the streets, shops and people or anything else in my view that seemed entertaining through the car window, as we were being driven home in my car after another day of hard work. My phone that was sitting on my lap buzzed once telling me that I had received a text. I looked down at it and a tired and bored sigh escaped my lips when I read the name of the sender of the text. It was none other than the most eligible bachelor in the business world, Mr. Aiden Wright.
It had been almost a week since the New Year's Eve and things were going just as planned. Aiden was quite an easy target and I had little to no problem in claiming him. He had already lost his heart to me a long time ago, and just a little attention from me was enough to pull him in the trap. His desperation was probably the reason that things took a fast pace between us and he didn't even suspect anything. We were often exchanging messages and talking on the phone but even though Aiden was plenty useful to me, I couldn't overlook the fact that he was an extremely boring person.
It was really a blessing in disguise that things went full pace thus far because if it were even a little bit slower, I would have definitely lost my patience with Aiden. He was a very nice guy; he was handsome, smart, rich, loving, caring and everything a woman needs but he wasn't everything I want. Unfortunately, I wasn't Vivian and he was nowhere near my type so it didn't all come to me naturally; making interactions with him was extremely tiring. If I had to classify him then he was something close to a pest to me.
I again let out a deep breath and touched the screen to read his message which said: 'Hey cupcake! I am really missing you', followed by a sad smiley, 'I hope we can be together soon and I dream of the day when I can walk you down the aisle', it ended with a heart.
It was one of those kinds of messages that I didn't really know how to react to and I stared at it blankly for one long minute. It was then that I heard an amused chuckle from my side and looked sideways to see Leon holding onto his laugh, as he read the text on my phone. I gave him an annoyed look and he shrugged, as if telling me it was natural to laugh at it. I just shook my head pulling my phone away from his sight and typing a response to Aiden, which Leon tried to read and I had to slap his shoulder to make him stop doing that.
All through the rest of the drive to home, Aiden kept texting me without a pause. It seemed he was in an exceptionally romantic mood today; not just hopelessly romantic like usual but poetically hopelessly romantic at that. He was a good businessman but today I realized he'd definitely make a bad poet, and as the number of texts exchanged between us increased the worse he got. It was almost like a game with two major elements. First, I had to appropriately reply to Aiden's message and second, I had to do so without letting Leon read those stupid texts because he was definitely having quite an entertainment out of them, which I can't just allow him to have.
It was when the gates to my home came into view that I told Aiden that I had reached home, and will talk to him later. Luckily, he didn't protest much and agreed with me. I let out of sigh of relief to have finally ended this stupidity and was about to dump my phone in my handbag when I received another message. I really wanted to throw my phone out of the car window but still I unenthusiastically checked the message, which read: I am really missing your billion dollar smile. I didn't really want to but I couldn't stop myself from smiling when I read that text, however I chose not to respond to that.
The driver pulled the car to a stop in front of the house and both Leon and I exited the car. We scaled the steps up to the entrance where Francis was ready to take my coat and bag from me, as he received us with a smile. As we stepped further inside the mansion, I noticed my mother talking to a man, who I didn't know. The man gave an envelope to my mother and she thanked him with a smile. With that he took her leave and walked past us exiting the house.
"Kate, you're back!", Mom greeted me with a smile, "How was work my darling?"
"It was usual, boring as hell", I replied to her in a casual tone, "But what's that in your hand?", I asked her out of curiosity.
"It's flight tickets", she replied looking down at it with a smile.
"Oh you're leaving already?", I asked her feeling a little sad about it and she gave me a nod, "Do you really have to go?", I spoke like distressed child.
"Yeah I was here just for Christmas and I have overstayed my welcome due to the incident at resort", mom said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I have my work and I have to go, and besides you have Leon now."
I looked at Leon and couldn't help but huff out of displeasure, "I wish you could stay a bit more", I told her the truth.
Mom smiled brightly at me, "I wish to spend more time with you as well but I have some responsibilities as a social worker."
"I understand", I said with a couple of nods, "So anyways when are you leaving?", I asked her.
"Tomorrow", she answered with a bit of hesitation.
"Tomorrow?!", I didn't keep the surprise off my tone and she nodded with a sad smile on her face, "Francis", I addressed the butler of the house, "Tell the cook to make everything that my mother likes for dinner."
"Yes, milady", he answered and headed to the kitchen to pass on the message.
"I'll just get changed and see you in a bit", I said to her and she nodded with a smile.
I hurried up to my bedroom, with Leon following me behind closely. I changed into my home clothes, washed my face and walked back down to the living room to meet up with my mother once again. We chatted casually about various girly things, having a mother-daughter talk with each other till the dinner was served. We enjoyed our dinner together and as I had ordered earlier everything from main course to side dishes to dessert were as per my mother's choice. After dinner, mom and I watched a movie of my mother's choice. If I had known before that mom was leaving then I might have done something better, but in whatever little time I had with her I wanted to make her feel like a queen.
A/N: Thanks a bunch for reading the chapter and although I have a feeling that you might not have but I still hope that you enjoyed the chapter. I am sorry for all the typos and grammatical mistakes that might have confused you. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the chapter and story, so feel free to leave your reviews and let me know how you feel.
Nick, it's completely alright to hate Kate and you don't have to be sorry about it. =)
MazerMooso, I could totally feel your excitement and I am sorry I couldn't update earlier. =/
Adela, if you are still reading, I just realized that I haven't personally thanked you ever. Thanks a lot for always reading my stories! :D
I will see you all next week, till then take care and have a great week!^_^
