Few minutes later, Amanda arrived on the main deck with a band. The band took out the musical instruments and began playing a soothing music. Amanda paused beside Jennifer and asked, "Is there anything you need to cheer up the mood?"
Jennifer looked to her right and said with a satisfying smile, "Everything's perfect! The set-up, the food, the arrangement and our little missy too!" she hinted at Angela who seemed quite happy while conversing with Leonardo. Amanda observed the duo and remarked, "I know it's not my place to say this but—they really look good together! They both stand out—especially Angela! While we were walking in the mall—she seemed a bit tensed by the comments of the strangers, even Bree seemed to be amazed when she saw her."
Jennifer chuckled, "You are right! They really do! If Jasmine was still alive—she would have said the same thing right now." Jennifer drank the wine from the tumbler in her hand. "There's something on my mind that I needed to discuss with you when the atmosphere cools down a bit!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
"It's time to cut the cake! Leonardo had already asked me twice."
"Okay, everyone it's time for the cake!", Amanda announced.
When Leonardo heard the announcement, he cried in excitement, "Yay! It's time for the cake!" he grabbed Angela's hand, "Let's go Angela!" Angela resisted and told Leonardo through signs, "I want to do it together with you and grandma!"
"Okay you wait here, I'll go and bring granny Rebecca!", Leonardo agreed and went searching for Rebecca.
Meanwhile, Amanda came to Angela and asked softly, "Angela! where's Leonardo?"
"He went to look for grandma", replied Angela.
"Okay, we'll wait until Leonardo finds Rebecca."
Angela was surprised when she noticed that Amanda actually understood her. She thought that Amanda was unfamiliar with the sign language but her sudden reply caused Angela to be shocked.
"You know the sign language?", asked Angela with a puzzled look.
Amanda grinned, "Are you surprised?"
Angela shook her head, "Actually I had this feeling that you are somewhat familiar with the signs but I wasn't sure until now."
When Angela went to the mall, she asked Amanda many questions but Amanda never once said that she couldn't understand her instead she replied a bit vaguely which helped Angela to affirm her suspicions.
Amanda had this surprise look in her eyes after learning her reply. She was amazed by the latter's observation. Hence, she pondered, 'So that's why you have never been disrespectful towards me all this time!'
Amanda was about to say something when Angela stepped forward and held her hand. Amanda was taken aback by her sudden move, she gazed at her with astonishment. "Lady Amanda, I am truly grateful with the depth of my heart for what you did for a someone insignificant like me." Angela expressed her gratitude
Amanda noticed that the latter's eyes had become a bit moistened. She slowly bent; she gently pinched her ideal nose and said, "Don't think too hard on this! Okay? And If you want to thank someone—then thank your friend—he was the one who wanted to surprise you. I just helped him." Amanda revealed the truth to her.
"Now come, Lady Jennifer wants you to cut the cake—after that we have another surprise for you!", Amanda hinted and brought her to the table where a three-layered birthday cake with red icing was placed.
Whereas, Angela never imagined that all these surprises she got that day was all Leonardo's doing from the beginning. She recalled the day, when Leonardo was whispering something to Rebecca. She pondered for a moment and few seconds later a big smile appeared on her stunning face. 'How cunning!', she shook her head in helplessness.
"Angela! Angela! Granny Rebecca is here! now let's cut the cake!", from afar Leonardo shouted while dragging Rebecca to the table. Angela looked at him passionately and smiled delightfully. "Thank you so much for bringing her!", she mentioned.
"No problem!", Leonardo grinned. He noticed Amanda besides Angela. "Aunt Amanda!" he cried joyfully and ran towards her. Amanda quickly crouched and picked him up in her arms. Leonardo pecked on her cheeks and surprised her out of the blue. Amanda understood the meaning behind his reaction and slightly contracted her eyelids, "My goodness! What was that all about?"
"Hee-hee!", Leonardo just smiled in response. "Hmm~ you don't want answer huh!", Amanda said in realization and tickled his neck with her lips. Leonardo giggled and said with gasping, "I wanted to thank you!"
"Hmm~ really?", Amanda asked for confirmation. Leonardo nodded happily. His eyes were gleaming with the pleasure of gratitude. Amanda gently pecked his cheek, "My pleasure!" and put him down on the floor.
On the other hand, Angela and Rebecca were joyfully watching the conversation between Leonardo and Amanda. Suddenly, Angela recalled something and pinched the dress of Rebecca beside her. Rebecca looked at Angela, "What is it dear?"
"Grandma you knew about this from the beginning, right?", Angela asked through signs. "…Yes!", Rebecca smiled bitterly. Her forehead was covered with winkles, "A-are you mad at me sweety?" asked Rebecca. Angela shook her head in response with a serious gaze. Rebecca crouched down on her knees and held Angela's hand, "I am so sorry dear! I made a promise with young master…that is why I didn't tell you anything—would you please forgive your grandma for keeping you in the dark!"
Seeing Rebecca's worried expression Angela looked into her eyes; she put her other hand over Rebecca's hand firmly and gave her a pleasant smile. Rebecca understood her meaning she gently hugged Angela and rubbed her back, "Thank you my dear!" the duo separated and Rebecca suggested, "Come now! Let's cut the cake!"
At the table, Jennifer, Amanda, Leonardo and maids were waiting. Rebecca was standing close to Angela who was holding a knife in her hands. Whereas, Leonardo was right next to Angela. Angela cut the cake and the sound of clapping reverberated on the deck. The band began to play the theme of the birthday. Rebecca held the knife and sliced a piece of the cake and feed it to Angela. Angela ate very little and then passed it to her grandmother and then to the boy who craving for the cake.
Leonardo was so hungry that he ate all of the slice he received from Angela. "Give me more!", said Leonardo. Angela giggled at his sudden appetite and glanced at Jennifer; she agreed, Angela sliced another piece for Leonardo to eat. Later, cake was eaten by everyone present there.
...….
Behind the ship railings, Angela stood there and was staring the sky. "Angela! What are you doing here alone?", a voice she heard from behind. She turned and noticed Leonardo, who was eating a full-sized chocolate bar. His mouth was a bit messy with chocolate marks.
"You want some?", asked Leonardo when he felt her gaze on the chocolate. Angela shook her head and gestured him to come closer. Leonardo stood next to her, "Are you still mad at me?", asked Leonardo when he sensed Angela's sincere gaze at his face.
"No! Actually, it's the opposite."
"Oh~ then why do you look so sad?", inquired Leonardo. "I am tired right now!", mentioned Angela. "Have some chocolate, maybe you feel better!", suggested Leonardo. Angela rolled her eyes. They remained silent while Angela stole glances at Leonardo, but the boy was busy eating chocolate and didn't notice her actions. Angela faced him and asked, "Leonardo! Can I ask you something?"
Leonardo raised his hand, "Let me finish the chocolate first!" Angela shrugged her shoulders in helplessness and nodded lazily. Few minutes later, Leonardo wiped his face with a small handkerchief and said, "Now ask me anything!" Angela gathered courage and asked in signs, "Do you think I am pretty?" Leonardo thought for a moment and answered, "Hmm~ I don't think you're pretty!"
Upon hearing his response, Angela felt depressed and disappointed. She didn't expect an answer like that from him, instead she thought about the opposite. After getting all dolled-up, she thought maybe Leonardo would see her in different light. But listening to his reply she suddenly remembered that Leonardo was actually still five years old. The boy before her didn't even step into puberty yet she asked him such a ridiculous question. Angela smiled at herself despondently but unexpectedly she recalled something and asked Leonardo, "Then why did you call me a fairy before?"
"Because you are beautiful!", replied Leonardo. Angela eyes widened; she stared at the boy dumbfoundedly. A moment ago, Leonardo said that she isn't pretty but then he admitted that she is beautiful. What was going in that boy's mind, it was hard for her to judge. What if he was just fooling around so she asked to confirm, "Do you really mean it?" Leonardo smiled cheerfully, "Yes, I really mean it. You are really beautiful Angela!"
Angela covered her face in embarrassment. After a pause, she looked into Leonardo's pure deep-blue ocean eyes, which were gazing at her innocently. Angela regained control of her emotions and asked, "A moment ago you denied that I am not pretty but now you are saying that I am beautiful. I don't understand."
"You don't understand?" Leonardo mumbled. He pursed his lips, tipped his chin and stared the sky. A moment later he began explaining, "Mm~ Aunt Amanda told me that if person is pleasing to your eyes, then that person is pretty but if a person is pleasing to your heart, then that person is beautiful." Hearing his pleasant reasoning Angela timidly moved closer and asked, "So, I am pleasing to your heart!"
Leonardo nodded in affirmation.
"But, why did you call me a fairy?", asked Angela.
"Because fairies possess a pure and kind heart and Miss Angela Evergarden looks like a fairy in my story book. I love her because she always made me happy." Leonardo earnestly replied. Hearing his compliment, Angela's feelings became a mess. After all she was ten years old and was about to hit puberty. So, Angela could understand the meaning of this differently.
Whereas Leonardo, who never befriended anyone except for Angela and didn't know romance since his childhood he didn't know the gravity of his compliment he just gave. To him these were just words but for the latter it was different. Angela directed her gaze at the floor and made signs with her reddened face, "Thank you for the compliment!"
An awkward silence remained between the two. "Yawn! —I am so sleepy!" Leonardo mentioned and rubbed his eyes. He looked around and found an empty wooden bench nearby the railings. "Come Angela, let's sit on that bench", Leonardo pointed at the nearby bench lazily. Angela accompanied him to the bench. They sat together.
"Angela, can I put my head on your lap, please?"
Angela leaned back a little and patted her lap. Leonardo smiled drowsily, "thank you Angela!", and put his head over her lap.
Leonardo faced the sky and said, "Angela! tell me a story!" The girl was taken aback by the boy's sudden demand.
"But I cannot speak, remember!", she mentioned.
"I can understand you, so tell me one!"
Angela accepted his request and hence began her story with her hand gestures.
In the mid-way of story, Angela noticed that Leonardo was already asleep. Angela took a good look of his handsome face; she smiled in admiration and gently stroked his hairs, touched his big eye-lashes, pinched his cheeks and nose. Leonardo turned his face towards her belly in his sleep. Angela didn't disturb him and leaned her head backwards and closed her eyes.
On the other hand, Jennifer was searching for Leonardo when she asked Rebecca; she told her that Leonardo went to the rear of the deck to see Angela. Jennifer thanked Rebecca and went for the rear of the deck where she saw the duo were sleeping together like two tiger cubs on the wooden bench. She heaved a sigh of relief and ordered the maids to bring them inside without waking them up.