"Become slimmer? Let me have a look!" This was typical of Duke. He was always concerned when it came to Leena. Even small details became important to him. He clearly adored his little sister.
"Yeah! My face has become smaller." Leena pouted and sucked in her cheeks. If Duke didn't quit getting angry at her, she too would act childishly.
Stop doing that, or your face will hurt. I forgive you this time because of the effort you just made. But today is a special case. I won't be so forgiving again." Duke reached out and flicked her nose tenderly. A wide smile spread across his face. With Leena around, he was always happy.
"Thank you, bro. I always know that you're the best brother ever." Leena stood on her toes and kissed Duke's handsome and perfectly cold face.
Leena, is this lady one of your friends?" Belinda eyed Claire warily. She had been watching Leena and Duke, and so had ignored Claire's presence before.
Oh! This is Kevin's sister, Claire." Leena felt a pang of guilt for not introducing Claire first.
"Kevin's sister, that's wonderful! You're welcome, Claire. Leave these two alone. They just love each other a lot. You get used to it one way or another," Belinda said amiably. She didn't sound harsh. Sometimes, she felt jealous of the affection between Leena and Duke. However, sibling affection wasn't the same as the love between a husband and his wife. Belinda didn't bother to ask Duke foolish questions, such as who would he save first if she and Leena fell into a river and both of them couldn't swim. Such questions would undoubtedly be silly and annoying to him. Also, it would only frustrate her and possibly worsen her relationship with Duke.
"Belinda, don't be silly. You're just being jealous. Right?" Leena's mouth tilted upward as she mocked Belinda's jealousy.
Why would I be jealous? Duke is my husband and Kevin is yours. Go and find your husband. Leave Duke to me," Belinda said haughtily. She was a woman who could be provoked easily.
"Take it easy. Don't be so annoyed. I think I have the right to borrow my brother from you every now and then." Leena pressed her body closer to Duke, teasing Belinda some more. Her lips lifted into a sly smile.
That... that can be done under certain conditions. You can't borrow my husband free of charge! However, I can rent him out to you for a reasonable price. Tell me what you can give me if I trade your brother," Belinda said. Her smile was charming. She looked Duke in the eye with some defiance. Duke stared back at his wife in turn. A stern look flashed across his face.
I see. Actually, I think I better give my brother back to you. I have nothing precious to trade my brother with. I'm sorry," Leena said and jumped away from Duke. He seemed pissed off. If Leena continued to intervene between the pair, she would definitely be blamed for the possible quarrel between them. Duke's mouth twisted into a humorless smile. His wife really had the nerve to rent him out. However, she was gravely mistaken: no common woman could steal him from his wife and family. Even if it was his own sister who wanted to borrow him, he absolutely refused to be traded like cargo.
"How about you, Claire? Would you like to borrow Duke?" Belinda didn't expect Leena to back out. Duke's dangerous gaze still rested on her as she turned to Claire, who looked confused about what was happening.
"Oh! Borrow what?" Claire asked in bewilderment. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she paid no attention to their conversation.
Hah! It's okay. Belinda, you can take your husband home." Leena hurriedly walked up to Claire and whispered to her to keep quiet. Duke was obviously annoyed. Leena could feel the anger and coldness radiating from him.
"Wicked girl, you always trick me. You always leave me so I have to fight with my husband alone. Don't you know who should be blamed for what just happened here?" Belinda glowered at Leena. She turned her eyes in Duke's direction, trying to calm him down.
"Ha-ha! Belinda, I'm sorry. You know me. I've always been timid, so I'll leave this great mission to you. Daddy, shall we take a walk outside? It'll be good to enjoy the setting sun." The smart Leena had a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Before she left the room, she decided to take her father with her. Only this way she'd not be held back by her brother or sister-in-law.
Belinda was still startled. She watched Leena exit the room with her father. Looking around, Belinda found herself standing all alone with a pissed-off Duke. She was scared and wanted to leave as well. However, before she could step out, Duke stopped her in her tracks.
"Where do you think you are going? Starting a fire and then leaving? Do you really think I'll let you go so easily?" Duke's smile was sinister. He leaned against the rail and glared at his wife, who looked embarrassed.
"You misunderstood me. I was just messing around and joking. I can't count on Leena at all. Whenever shit hits the fan, she just disappears and leaves the mess in my hands. I'm the one who was wronged here." Belinda raised her chin defiantly. Disadvantaged as she was, she refused to give in, whatever might be the cost.
Whenever shit hits the fan, she just disappears and leaves the mess in my hands. I'm the one who was wronged here." Belinda raised her chin defiantly. Disadvantaged as she was, she refused to give in, whatever might be the cost.
"Oh! Is that so? You are the one who feels wronged? What about me, whom you apparently planned to rent out, as if I were some kind of goods for sale? Shouldn't I be the one lamenting my fate?" Duke stared at her intently and calculated his next move.
"Don't be ridiculous! I was just planning to lend you to your own sister, the girl whom you love the most. I don't know why you feel so flustered about this. When she was away, you talked about her all the time. And now when she is right here, you feel hurt about me letting you spend some time alone with her. What kind of a man are you? Quit being such a hypocrite," Belinda blurted out without thinking of the consequences. As a result, she was brutally conquered in bed by her husband later at night.
"Shouldn't it be clear to you if I'm a man or not? Perhaps I love you too much, so you feel that you can provoke me and go unpunished. But you're wrong. You can't ask for my love by doing this. Love can be wild sometimes, but it's always reasonable," Duke made this statement humorlessly. He had the habit of making everything sound like it was a political report.
All right! Duke, we're educated and civilized people. Don't treat me in this rough manner. I'm your wife, don't forget that." Belinda cursed Leena inwardly. Why should she bear the consequences of the wrongs done by Leena? Leena looked innocent, but she was far from that.
"I'm a perfect gentleman! What's all this about? I have always been civilized. I have done nothing except love and protect you, haven't I?" Duke said as he continued to glare at her. However, a hint of amusement sparkled in his eyes.
"Oh my God! This is crazy. I can't talk to a villain about what's right and wrong!" Belinda gritted her teeth. Duke's aloofness was maddening. She was so angry that she could kill him. He was a wicked man deep down, but he looked so elegant and dignified in his physical appearance. He acted as if he never said provocative and teasing words.
"Even if you're right about me being a villain, I would never touch any other women but you, my darling legitimate wife." Duke was always known for his ruthlessness, however, few people knew that he was also great at charming a woman.