"You certainly look quite elegant and tender today. But I prefer the former Leena. You seem a bit dismal as compared to her. I also feel that this new Leena is detached from me." Edward had a sharp perception. Leena couldn't hide the slightest change in her personality from him. He didn't know what made her change her dressing style. Did she find something unusual? Or did Kevin do something to bring about this recent change?
Puff! Edward, are you composing a poem? What do you mean by 'dismal'? Don't forget; I am a happy angel." Leena smiled at her own remark. Despite the bright smile on her face, she had a slight feeling of tightness in the chest, and she didn't know why.
Hope we are just perceiving you wrong. You are still an adorable and angelic girl." Edward smiled and said in a cosseting tone. No matter how far and fast time flew, Leena always had a place in his heart, and that would never change. She was the first person who had shown her kindness and warmth to Edward.
Of course I'm still myself! Am I looking like a leprechaun? What's wrong with you, Edward? Did you hurt your head? Or else why would you say such strange things to me that I can't comprehend."
Leena's eyes sparkled with a deceptive light. As a matter of fact, she knew very well what Edward meant. But after everything she had been through, she was no longer the innocent girl who didn't have any secrets in her heart. Leena was a wife now. Although there were still lots of things that she needed to learn to make a good wife, at least she had turned into an adult. Sometimes Leena couldn't tell them everything. She wasn't as comfortable in asking for comforts or suggestions as she had been in the past.
You came here alone." Duke took a look at the green wound on her hand. Then he turned his eyes to the door, trying to see if Kevin was coming. But he wasn't. Duke got angry, as could be told from his frigid face. He got mad when he realized that Kevin had left Leena and he hadn't accompanied her to the hospital.
"Yes! It's much easier to call a cab." She couldn't drive for a while due to her injured hand. But she felt guilty when she responded to Duke because Kevin had told her to wait at home before he went to work in the morning. He told her that he would pick her up after work and take her to the hospital. However, as soon as Kevin went off to work, she grew anxious. So to avoid meeting him, she left for the hospital before Kevin came back. Leena didn't know why she behaved in this manner. She just felt empty and didn't know how to get along with him. She knew she was behaving oddly, but she couldn't figure out why.
"It's fine. It's daytime now. Cabs are safe. Perhaps Kevin is busy with his work. He probably has tons of work to take care of, especially after what happened yesterday." Daisy smiled softly. She figured out that Duke was displeased with Kevin again. So she explained to ease the tension. She was not trying to praise Kevin because as a military officer she knew the procedures Kevin needed to arrange. Last night, the gunfire was so violent that there must have been a series of things involved in it. As the most capable officer in the army base of the city, Kevin would be held responsible for it without question. He was quite busy for sure.
Yes! Daisy's right. He called me and told me that there's a lot of work that needs his attention. He didn't even have time for lunch. So he might come back home a little late in the night." Leena knew her brother's anger very well. He always felt high resentment towards Kevin. She also regretted that she hadn't taken everything into consideration. She was pleased with herself by leaving Kevin behind and coming to the hospital alone. But she forgot that Kevin would be the one to get blamed by Duke. Considering this, Leena immediately explained and chimed in with Daisy. She wanted to find some excuse for Kevin though she was telling a lie at this moment. She prayed her words would be convincing. But the fact was that Kevin seldom called her, and most of the time she made the phone calls to him.
Hey! You are such a charming girl, but is Kevin really that good? You always say the nicest things about him. I suppose the old adage is true - 'Daughters and dead fish are no keeping wares!' You haven't been married for too long, but it seems you have forgotten all of us and our love for you." Rain gazed at Leena with a naughty look. A teasing smile appeared on his face. It was hard to tell whether he was being serious or making a joke.
"I haven't forgotten anyone, Rain. You've always disliked him. You try to keep him away from us. Why do you have such hatred against him?" Leena pouted and amusingly stamped her feet. She looked attractive and charming, but her look was quite inconsistent with her elegant maxi skirt.
If he informed us about your marriage in advance, we wouldn't dislike him or have resentment against him." Rain didn't hide his resentment towards Kevin. He said it clearly and didn't pretend to conceal his thought. His actions matched his personality.
Hum! I'm not talking to you anymore. I'll go and find Tom to put some medicine on my hand. Hey little pal, do you want to accompany your aunt?" Leena knew that it would be impossible for them to change their attitude towards Kevin in such a short time. She decided to let it be. Time would heal everything! The harder she tried to take Kevin's side, the greater scunner they took against him. So she thought it would be best for her to give them space and time to accept the situation.
Can I refuse it?" Justin firmly held Edward's hand. He felt something terrible would ensue if he accompanied his guileful aunt. So he decided he should act prudently. All the offensive things she had done in the past had always shocked everyone.
My answer would be – no! Hurry up. You are a just little boy. Why do you always overthink everything? You're not an old man in his seventies! Why can't you be sweet?" Did Justin think it would be easy to refuse her? No way. Did he think she didn't know what he was thinking? Perhaps he forgot that they were the same kind. Both of them were guileful.
Daddy..." Justin looked at Edward and said in a weak tone as if trying to ask for Edward's help to reject Leena's invitation. Though Justin was also difficult to deal with, he was definitely the one to be fooled if they stayed together because Leena was far more nerve-wracking than him. Just like the saying went, "if two men ride on a horse, one must ride behind".