"Uncle, mommy told me you're going to marry someone else. Is that true?" the boy asked.
Leo smiled in surprise and amusement. The boy called him to talk about a small rumor? He wondered what he's up to. "Well... let's say that it's true, what does it have to do with a boy like you?" he asked.
"So it's true? You're really planning to marry someone? But last time, you said you like my mommy!" Luke blurted. He was frowning like a little kitten whose tail got bitten by a puppy.
"Did I?" he joked. "Whether I like her or not is not the issue here, right? I suggest we just get to the point and tell me what you want to say to me."
Leo was wearing a cold expression, as if challenging the little boy. But Luke didn't back down. "I don't approve of your marriage! If you marry someone else then don't ever come near us again!" the boy warned.
"And if I don't listen?" he teased.
Luke didn't respond this time though, and just glared at him. Looks like this little cub is very protective of his mother! Very good!
"Alright! I won't tease you anymore." he relented. "The truth is... I'm not getting married just yet. You must have misunderstood something you've heard." he explained.
"Really? Because my mom told me that if you marry another girl, you will take me from her and give me another mom. I don't want a new mom. I only like Minmin!" he yelled.
Leo was astounded. Charmaine thought it this way? Leo chuckled at the silliness of them both mother and son. They really did misunderstood his intentions! Was that the reason why Charmaine kept Luke's existence from him? Because she thought he'll take the boy away from her? Was that why she refused to come home? Well, he want the boy, but he wants the mother more.
"If you'll only reveal your identity this way, then why do you keep calling me uncle? Just call me dad. It's okay." Leo teased him again.
Realising his mistake, Luke turned and looked away to hide his embarrassed expression. He didn't mean to disclose his identity but he was just too upset!
"Wait..." the boy mumbled when he remembered something. "Do you already know?" he uttered.
Leo nodded nonchalantly. "So you don't have to threaten me. We're on the same side. I also want us to become a real family." Leo clarified. "The real problem here is... your mommy doesn't want to marry me. So you have to collaborate with me and help me change her mind."
Luke furrowed his brows and then blinked. "Collaborate? What's collaborate?"
***
"Mommy, you're sulking again!" Luke yelled after he got home and found Charmaine in bed again, but this time, she's lying on her back, burying herself under a big pillow.
This time, she didn't feel like talking to Luke. She tightened her hold on the pillow and refused to respond to him. But suddenly, a big hand grabbed the pillow and flung it away making her gasp. In front of her, Leo's face emerged to her view.
"What... what are you doing here?" she stuttered as she backed away.
"Let's talk." he said.
Talk? What was there to talk about? Did Luke tell him something? Charmaine turned to Luke but saw him scurrying away and closing the door behind him. What's happening?
"Well... okay, let's talk. But not here. It's a bit inappropriate." she stated. They were alone inside a small room. Charmaine didn't feel at ease at all.
But Leo instead of listening to her, sat on the edge of her bed and turned to her. "What's wrong with talking to you here? We have privacy and not as if we haven't done it yet."
"You..." Charmaine's face turned bright red. How can Leo say that with a straight face? How come he's not embarrassed? That thing happened many years ago and they were both drugged. How can it be the same as now? She looked away and again grabbed a pillow to hug. It's a habit she does when she's anxious, but right now it was to hide her blushing face.
"Don't look at me like that..." Leo uttered. "Don't look at me as if I'm an evil person out to destroy your life." he said while looking straight into her eyes. What did he ever do to make her look at him that way? Whenever he tried to get near, she stiffen like a prey that was about to be eaten. He wanted to know why she's so scared of him. If he knew then maybe he could do something about it!
Charmaine lowered her eyes. The sadness in his eyes and his voice when he said that pricked her heart, but she couldn't help it... she couldn't help feeling anxious around him.
"It was my fault back then. You left because you found out that Jienna was pregnant with my child right?" Leo uttered.
No... she didn't. "It's not like that. I left because I realized I was becoming too greedy... so much that I might ruin all our lives." she mumbled. "If I stayed, I would have been the third party who destroyed a child's family. You will hate me even more for breaking your child's heart and you will cast me off."
Leo fixed his gaze on Charmaine's face but her head was lowered, and he couldn't see her eyes. She have thought that far back then? Was it an effect from her car accident?
Leo sighed. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault." If only he stayed with her after the accident, if he showed up when she was recuperating in her home, she might not have felt crashed and hopeless back then, which caused her to overthink. It must have been tough on her. He was the worst fiance; he deserves her cold treatment.
Charmaine shook her head. "I don't blame you." she answered. She understood very well that the one who hurt her was the cruel Leo; the one who became heartless because of her greed. The Leo in front of her has not done her harm yet. But she couldn't help but think that he might turn out to be that ruthless version of him someday.
Suddenly, Leo stood up from the bed. "No! I must compensate you. This coming Sunday, let's go out on a date. I'll pick you up at eight." he declared.
With eyes widened, Charmaine turned to Leo. He has never asked her out for a date before. Why suddenly ask her now?