The only reaction Leena did in response to Claire's dislike was to purse her lips a little. She did not even feel hurt. Just as what Kevin said, she was Claire's sister-in-law, which suggested that she was a senior to Claire. Even if she was actually younger than her, she should be generous and should not get angry with the woman because she was Kevin's sister. Plus, she was not in S City. She wasn't the princess here but instead a daughter-in-law of another family.
Leena, keep up." Kevin felt a bit sorry because Claire separated them. He turned his head and looked at Leena to remind her to catch up. It was only after he saw that Leena wasn't showing any signs of unhappiness that he felt his chest relieved.
"Let's go! Kevin. It's just a small place. She won't get lost as an adult," Claire pouted. She really hated it when her elder brother cared for Leena. Many girls had their vision of Prince Charming. Claire was no exception. For her, Prince Charming was no other than her elder brother whom she had grown up with. Kevin was handsome, not to mention, heroic. He had been her idol for all her life and now suddenly, here came another woman, his wife. How could she accept his wife easily? Leena was nothing but an outsider to her.
"She's right, Kevin. Don't worry about me. Let's hurry up and go back!" A slight smile showed on Leena's lips. There was no ground for her to be angry at Claire. A younger sister would always like to stay with her elder brother. They shared the same blood and family. Plus, they hadn't seen each other for a while, thus, it was understandable for Claire to be clingy with Kevin. Those excuses comforted Leena. There was no need for her to take this situation seriously. She was also like Claire whenever she was with Duke but Belinda had never shown any unhappiness about it. She would be too narrow-minded if she would feel uncomfortable with her sister-in-law.
Claire felt as if she was bigger than her body as she succeeded in setting the two apart. Yes, she did it deliberately. God knew how many times she had rolled her eyes in her mind upon seeing how Kevin cared for Leena tenderly. She really hated it. Leena might be Kevin's wife but that didn't mean that she would not crash her.
The three finally reached the house with their own thoughts in minds. Leena was smiling sweetly though she was silently upset. She had been using all her strength to keep her smile looking natural. She should or else they would know that she was faking it. Poor Leena! She had never encountered anything as hard before.
"You are back. Good. Go and wash your hands. It's time for dinner." Shannon Long was an amiable woman. She was both elegant and graceful, which made her deserve her title as an officer's wife. She was simply a breath of brilliance and dignity.
Yes! I'm sorry, Mom. I wasn't able to help with all the stuff." A sweet smile cracked Leena's lips. She liked it when Shannon looked at her with such a gentle expression.
"Hey, never mind it! You have just arrived here, thus, you're supposed to go around the place and get familiar with the environment first. Plus, young people nowadays don't enjoy the kitchen!" Shannon expressed her point of view with an understanding nod. For her, these days youngsters were usually too delicate to even care about kitchen things. Her daughter was an excellent live example.
"What are you doing here?" A solid voice suddenly boomed from behind and made Leena automatically tremble. It was Nathan. He looked so strict and aggressive with how he carried himself. This wasn't her first time seeing someone as such. Edward's father was a good example. It was just that she wasn't afraid of Edward's father because he was their family friend.
"Dad, you scared me! Don't speak in such a loud voice, please." Claire finally let go of Kevin's arm and fled to her father to ask for attention.
"You little girl. What did you do? Why are you scared of me?" Then just like magic, Nathan's voice went a lot gentler upon talking with his beloved daughter. It was a bold display of how much he adored Claire so much.
"Daddy, I didn't do anything! If I shout loudly from your behind, probably you will feel more scared than me," The young lady pursed her lips and argued for herself. She knew her father loved her the most and would not get angry with her.
"Don't you know who your father is? I won't be easily scared by you. All right. Let's go for dinner and stop being talkative." The aged man shook his head helplessly and walked to the dining table. Claire was his little baby princess and he doted on her so much. There was no way he would reject any chance to spoil her.
Let's go, Leena. I'll guide you to the washroom." Leena was totally frozen when Kevin claimed her hand and took her to the ground floor's restroom.
"Kevin, I thought your father is always serious with everything. I didn't expect what I saw back there." She was passive as Kevin led her. She was just so puzzled about her father-in-law thus she couldn't help asking.
"Yes. Only when he talks to Claire though. He never really smiles like that with others." Kevin replied as he switched the hot water carefully. He'd already got used to it. He had been seeing that kind of scene ever since he was a child. There was nothing special about it.
"Is he strict with you?" The woman cocked her head a little. There was an unanticipated sadness creeping on her chest by the thought that Kevin must've grown up taking all the blame while his sister was being treated warmly.
"Of course. Didn't you see it? All right! It's done. Let's go now." Leena knew that Kevin was not the kind who would behave gently to any women. Thus, she felt touched with how he was taking care of her. She should probably stop being sad. She was the lucky one after all.
Everyone was already settled and ready on their seats when Leena and Kevin came into the dining room. They were the only ones missing. Undoubtedly, they caught everyone's attention and Leena felt how the atmosphere surrounding them oddly changed.
"I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting for long." Leena was feeling awkward with how everyone was looking at them but still managed to apologize. She had always been a well-behaved woman who was born and raised up in a decent family. She was a beloved princess who grew in elegance and grace after all.
"It's alright. Take a seat, please! Leena, don't be so polite with us. It will make me feel distant. Remember, you are our daughter-in-law. It makes you a member of our family. Take it easy, my dear." Shannon looked at Leena with gentle eyes. She was curious about how Leena's family raised her to be such a well-behaved and excellent child. Claire was clearly left behind, be it about manners or talking.
"Yes. I see. Thank you, Mom." Leena was a cheerful woman. However, she chose to hide her true personality before the Gu family. She had become a quiet girl. She looked so gentle and soft that people would find it hard to resist her sweet smile.