What? He has gone abroad? Is it serious?" Leena asked with worry. Her brother's safety was her biggest concern.
"It's serious, but don't worry. I am sure he can handle it," Belinda replied. She assumed that her husband was distracted by some emergencies, which was why he didn't inquire much about her pregnancy. Otherwise, he would have kept in touch with her after informing her that he had arrived safely.
"Good. What about your pregnancy then? Have you gone to the hospital?" Leena whispered in her sister-in-law's ear so that Kevin couldn't tell what they were talking about.
"All right. You girls can have your little talk. I am going to look around," Kevin said, excusing himself. He allowed them some space. When Leena lowered her voice, he knew that they were discussing a secret.
Look at what you did! Now Kevin must think we are engaging in a murky conspiracy. Why did you ask me about this all of a sudden?" Belinda said, rolling her eyes at Leena. She was glad that Duke didn't press her about the pregnancy, but didn't expect Leena to be waiting to fire questions at her.
"He's okay, don't worry! Just tell me!" Leena asked with eagerness in her voice. She knew that her husband was not as narrow-minded and suspicious as Belinda thought.
"I don't know. I haven't gone to the hospital. Besides, it's just Tom's guess. Don't take it so seriously," Belinda said, trying to put off Leena's curiosity. She didn't want to tell Leena that she had already taken a pregnancy test. According to the results, she was indeed pregnant. She was so happy by the news that she didn't go to the hospital to get a more precise assessment, in case it disappointed her.
"Belinda, is it because you are afraid of going to the hospital without Duke? How about I go to the hospital with you? It is Monday tomorrow. We can go together," Leena suggested. Even though the hospital was the last place she ever wanted to go to, she still offered to accompany Belinda. Leena was eager to know if her sister-in-law was truly pregnant.
"No, I am okay. You don't have to do that. I can go there myself if I want to. I am not like you. My legs don't tremble with fear every time I go to the hospital, okay?" Belinda said, turning down Leena's offer. If she was indeed pregnant, she wanted Duke to be the first one to know the exciting news, not her childish sister-in-law.
"No, I just hate to go there. My legs don't shake!" Leena said as she nudged Belinda, pretending to be irritated. She made sure that she didn't push too hard. After all, Belinda might be a real mother-to-be.
Okay, you might not act like it. But it's all the same to me," Belinda teased her. She enjoyed making fun of Leena, who was absolutely doll-like and adored by everyone. She was a gift from God.
"Humph! Stop making fun of me or I won't talk to you anymore!" Leena pouted and looked around, trying to find Kevin in the crowd. She walked across the place with Belinda when she saw a figure in military green.
"Since you two are here, why don't you join me for dinner? Belinda suggested. Duke hadn't been home lately and his father liked to travel. The house was almost deserted, and Belinda wasn't used to it.
"Belinda, how about having dinner at our place? I am going to cook for you ladies tonight. You can have a taste of my cooking," Kevin said immediately when he heard what they were talking about. He offered to cook so that Leena didn't have to go out. She could have a hot bath at home. Leena had been exposed to the chilly wind for too long and he was afraid she would come down with flu.
"Right! You haven't been to our place for dinner till now. Anyway, Duke has been out lately. Why don't you come to our apartment? Please!" Leena echoed Kevin's sentiment. She was excited to taste Kevin's food because he seldom cooked.
"Really? You can cook? How did I not know that before? Make sure your food is edible. I don't want to be a guinea pig for your experiments," Belinda said lightly. In actuality, she was a bit worried about Kevin's cooking because she was pregnant. She had to be careful about everything now, otherwise she would be risking her baby's health.
"Come on. Don't worry! Belinda, he is a really good cook," Leena promised her. Kevin only cooked breakfasts for her, but they were pretty great.
"No way! Really? In that case, Kevin really is a perfect husband. He defends our country and also cherishes his wife and cooks for her. I will definitely have to taste your food then," Belinda marveled at him. She always admired skilled cooks, since she herself didn't know how to cook. Someone like Kevin, who was both good at his job as well as the household chores, was indeed praiseworthy.
"You're welcome to try it. You've already praised me. It seems I have to play my ace to impress you now," Kevin joked. Even though Duke still wasn't very nice to him, they were family. Besides, the others were pretty friendly to him.
"Then let's go and buy some ingredients that Belinda likes," Leena said, before taking Belinda to the vegetable section. Kevin followed them.
After half an hour, the excited bunch were done with their shopping.
As soon as they reached Grand Apartment, Kevin urged Leena to have a hot bath. It was obvious that he was worried about her weak body.
"Have a seat, Belinda. Dinner will be served soon," Leena said, feeling sorry that she had to leave her dear sister-in-law alone for a while. She thought about turning Kevin down, but she really could use a hot bath since she was feeling cold.
"Sure, it's all right. Go ahead. I am your family, not an outsider. You don't have to worry about me," Belinda tried to comfort Leena. She didn't understand why Kevin asked Leena to have a hot bath right now, when it was not bedtime. She didn't ask about it, as it concerned the two lovebirds' privacy.
"What would you like? Tea or coffee?" Kevin asked. He had taken off his military coat and was wearing a thin shirt. He had rolled up his sleeves and was about to go into the kitchen.
"No, Thanks. I can take care of myself. You go about your business. By the way, do you need my help?" Belinda asked, afraid that Kevin would say yes. Cooking really was not her thing. She wasn't any good at it. Back at Leng House, the kitchen ended up in a huge mess whenever she went there to help prepare the meals. Besides, it was tiring enough to work in the office and take care of her company. She was entirely spent when she came back home after a long day of work. It was confusing that her husband, so similar to her, could handle these things easily. Belinda had to admit that men were more capable than women in terms of physical energy.
No, you don't have to do that. I can handle it. Just make yourself at home. I am going to prepare dinner," Kevin said with a smile. The food that he was going to cook was quite simple. He didn't know how to cook more complicated dishes.
It was not the first time Belinda had been to their apartment, but she still stood up to look around. Last time she was here, she had been focused on Leena's burned hands and hadn't paid much attention to how the place looked like.
Meanwhile, the doorbell rang. Suddenly, someone began to kick the door with rage.
Belinda hesitated for a moment before walking over to open the door. Before she could see who it was, a woman pushed her aside and burst inside along with a bunch of men.
"Hey! Who are you people? You can't just break in like that!" Belinda hissed, frowning. She could have snapped at them, but she tried to remain calm. After all, she was carrying a baby.
Who are you? And where is that bitch? Is she hiding somewhere?" the woman yelled as her restless eyes scanned the apartment.
"What bitch? Hey, you old woman, I think you have come to the wrong place." Belinda glanced at the woman with contempt. She knew Leena well enough. Leena could certainly be impulsive and immature sometimes, but not enough to mess with this rude woman.
"What did you just call me? Old woman? How dare you call me an old woman?" the intruder said as she stared at Belinda with fierce eyes. But Belinda was not the girl she was looking for. The woman felt confused. Had she really come to the wrong place? But that couldn't be! She had asked the janitor before coming up here and checked the door plate before she marched in.
What's wrong? What's the noise?" Kevin asked, running toward the door. He had been cooking in the kitchen and came outside as soon as he heard the sound. He didn't even have the time to take off his apron.