"I'm afraid so. Edward gave the villa to us as a marriage present. So I don't know how much it's worth. But it seems like a very expensive house." Leena liked this villa too. The only problem that had kept her from moving in was the long distance between the villa and the army base. She didn't want Kevin to commute for hours to work. Moreover, she didn't think that she and Kevin should live in a house purchased by another man. No man wanted to live in a house that he didn't buy anyway. They had their pride and Kevin was no exception.
You mean Mr. Mu? He's so nice to you, Leena! I don't think he's an easy-going person and he cares so little about other people. However, you are special to him and he seems to adore you so much. And he's not the only one. I think all those guys adore you. Why is it?" That question had been pricking Claire's mind since the night before. Now that Edward's name was mentioned, she couldn't contain her desire to satisfy her curiosity anymore.
"Who? Oh, you mean them! I grew up with them when we were little and I am the only girl among them. They have regarded me as their own sister since then. Thus they treat me well. It is merely a habit for them. It doesn't mean that there's anything between us." Leena flashed a smile when she recalled the sweet memories. Those people were her dearest fellas too. It was very fortunate for her to have met them.
"I'm being jealous now." This was Claire's true feeling. She was also treated like a princess back in the capital city. However, compared to Leena's friends, the people were nice to her just because of her family's power, whereas Leena's friends were unselfishly loving her without asking for anything in return.
"Don't be. I'll show you around and then I need to go home. I badly need to have more sleep. I don't know what you are in such a hurry for." Leena yawned as she was very sleepy now.
Oh! I can look around myself! You should go home now and sleep since you are so tired. And please don't come to see me. I just want to have some time alone and don't want to be disturbed. Kevin shouldn't visit me too. I'll call you once a day to tell that I'm all safe," said Claire because Louisa would visit in any second. She didn't want them to meet.
"Are you sure of that? Why are you in a hurry in the first place? I haven't unloaded the food storage I've prepared for you." Leena gave her a puzzled glance. She was worried that Claire might not take care of herself so she bought a lot of food on their way.
"Oh! You can put the shopping bags out there. I'll drag them into the villa afterwards," urged Claire. Her phone buzzed again in the handbag and she knew whom the call was from. It was obviously Louisa since she kept urging her again and again since last night.
"Alright. Do you have to answer that? I'll help you store the food into the kitchen and I'll make your bed after you've decided which room you're gonna sleep in." Leena shook her head as she was still puzzled why Claire was in such a hurry.
"No, prank call. You should go home, Leena. You look so tired. You don't need to worry about me. I'm not a little kid. I can make my own bed." Truth be told, Claire didn't even have a clue on how to make her own bed when she first came to S City. It was different now though since she was not the rich young lady who knew nothing about the world anymore. She was making her own progress.
Very well. Since you insist so, I will go back first. Take good care of yourself and remember to close the doors and windows at night," exhorted Leena. She still felt a bit anxious about having Claire live by herself for couples of days.
"I will. Please go home now. Drive carefully on the way. I'll call you later!" Claire escorted Leena to the car to avoid her from staying any longer.
"See you!" Claire's worried look pushed Leena to move. She started the car and drove away. As her car disappeared from sight, Claire took out her phone and called Louisa. She needed to tell her that everything had been arranged and texted her the address.
In no time, Louisa and Pola made it to the villa. Louisa couldn't help but hate Leena more upon seeing the scenery before her. She never believed that Leena was from a wealthy family and even when Claire told her so, she still doubted it highly. But now facts had told her that it was the truth. Her hatred was boiling in her like venom. How could this Leena be the heiress to the Leng Group and not her, Louisa Ye? Why did God have to play such a merciless joke on them? She had always wondered why Kevin preferred Leena over her. And now she finally knew the reason. Leena was richer than her, and Kevin was into her money. What a depressing world!
"Louisa, what do you think? It's spacious enough for our rehearsal, don't you think? You're going to do great. You can practice all the way you want," said Claire in a flattery manner as she tried to please Louisa. It was to her disappointment that Louisa turned out more arrogant than she thought. Louisa didn't even care about the trouble she went through for her.
Glancing around the villa, Louisa snorted. "I guess it's okay since it's the best you can get," said her disdainfully while clenching her fists at how resplendent the room looked. Her hatred towards Leena grew with the seconds. Leena didn't deserve everything she had got. She didn't deserve to be better than Louisa.
"Okay? Did you say okay? You've got to be kidding me! This is perfect! Now let's move the couches to the other side of the room and this will be the best rehearsal hall in the world!" said Pola expectantly. She flashed another apologetic smile to Claire for Louisa's disdainful attitude.
"I said okay because it was just okay. Don't you argue with me. Alright, that's enough. Let's start moving the furniture." Although the other two took Louisa's anxiety as a sign of the good friendship between Pola and her, deep in Louisa's heart, she knew she was anxious because she had bet all her future on this show.
It was already three o'clock in the afternoon when Leena was woken up by her buzzing phone. Rage immediately burned inside her upon seeing the Caller ID on her phone screen. She let out a mild growl before putting the phone next to her ear.
"Yes? What is it?" Leena's tone was very unhappy when she spoke. She now blamed Kevin for everything. He was also the culprit who made her a fool in front of Claire.
"Why are you so angry? Did anyone piss you off today? Did Claire offend you? If she did, just tell me. I'll kick her ass when I go home later," quipped Kevin after a short pause. He was almost amused by his wife's angry tone, and found it very cute. He felt like teasing her more.