Leo blinked once, and then twice. What did she just say?
"Can you repeat that?" he asked.
Charmaine just looked at him then said, "Repeat what?"
Leo: "Repeat what you said."
Charmaine: "What did I say?"
Leo: "..."
Leo Ji stared at the woman's flushed face and then slapped his forehead. Great! She's drunk! She's too drunk that she's blabbering nonsense.
"You drank a lot even though you can't hold your liquor very well." he remarked.
Charmaine turned to the half eaten meal on the table and then to the man in front of her. "I'm not a big fan of gourmet food." she stated. "Not a big fan of expensive dinner either. It's too constricting."
Leo Ji raised his brows in amusement. That was the first time Charmaine ever voiced her dislike in front of him. Back then, she would just go on with what he wanted. That's why a lot of things about her is still a mystery to him. He didn't know she could actually be so cute when she's drunk.
"I know what you want." Charmaine went on with her drunken rant. "You want a wife you're comfortable with. You want your life to go on according to plan. But that's not what I want! I want someone to love me. I want to be someone else's world! I want to have a normal romantic relationship!" she yelled. She then stared at the remaining wine on her glass and drank it before turning to Leo Ji again. "Too bad I was born as Charmaine Song. I'm stuck in this engagement, and my fate to have a loveless marriage! Nobody listens to me! Nobody cares about what I want!"
When she finished her words, her sleepy eyes were already shedding tears. She didn't know she's still too greedy up to this point. Leo Ji was already showing her affection but it wasn't enough. She wanted all of him or nothing! She was very well aware that Leo was only doing all this because it's convenient. If it was before, then all of this attention would make her happy. But knowing how her loveless marriage would end up, she was reluctant to return to that hellish period of her life.
"You know what? One day you'll realise that I'm not the one for you. You'll cheat on me with someone else and you'll do it twice. Your lover will die and you'll blame it all on me. You will kick me out of the house and force me to divorce..... If you don't want to watch me jumping off from the sixty-fourth floor of the Majestic hotel, then please marry someone else."
Leo watched her silently while wearing a bewildered expression. Some of her words didn't make any sense. Was she having a kind of alcohol hallucinosis? A moment later, her droopy eyes slowly closed and she leaned on the chair's backrest. Leo stood up and rushed over to her in fear she would fall down from her seat. She looked so pitiful this way. Has their engagement been torturing her so much? He can only sigh and lift her up from her seat.
***
"Chairman Ji, why are you here this early?" James Song asked. He didn't quite believe it when Grandpa Ji's arrival to the Song mansion was first announced, but finding the old man sitting comfortably in their living room, James can see it's true. But what's so urgent that the man came at seven in the morning?
"I'm sorry for disturbing you this early... but I want to hear your opinion about something." Ji Chen told him. He looked up and saw Aya coming down the stares as well and waited for her to take a seat before proceeding. "I want to know if you agree to have Xiaomin and Li You's wedding next month."
The couple who was sitting next to each other were both surprised. They exchanged look and each didn't know what to say. "Chairman... isn't that too soon? Charmaine just came back!" James replied.
"I know. It's just that... something came up." Ji Chen told them. "There's news that... Chanel Aikens took a liking to Li You. Her father-the Prime Minister already sent me an invitation for tomorrows gathering. The information I got stated that the Prime Minister wants to talk to me about establishing a closer relationship between the Jis and the Aikens, and before I meet them, I want to know where I stand. Before I tell them that Leo is already engaged, I have to be sure Charmaine is willing to marry him first.."
Aya was stunned. Chanel Aikens? She's such a fine lady, and she's seeking an engagement with Leo Ji? Although her daughter Charmaine likes Leo, she believes it's still Leo's right to decide on this matter. But if Leo marries Chanel Aikens, then Luke....
"The truth is... I don't want to be acquainted with the Aikens. If we can convince Charmaine to marry Leo next month, then I can quickly turn down the Aikens' proposal." Ji Chen added.
James thought for a while. Charmaine already requested for the cancellation of her engagement twice but it still wasn't official. Maybe this incident will decide whether she gets to marry Leo or not. About this matter, he will let Charmaine decide on her own.
"I'm sorry but.... I think we need to ask the children about this. They'll be here in the aftertoon. I can't agree to anything unless Xiaomin wants it too." James told him.
Ji Chen took a deep breath and nodded. "I know. I had been calling Leo but he wasn't answering his phone. I was anxious and came here on impulse. Please excuse this old man's stubborness." he said lowering his head. He just can't calm down. The matter is really urgent. If he doesn't tackle this matter correctly, it may change Leo's future or worse destroy the whole Ji Group.
***
Luke with his eyes still close turned to his side. When he didn't feel anyone cuddling next to him on the bed, he slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He then shot up as he found himself alone in the room. But it's already morning! Where did his mom and dad go? Did they not come home last night? But they said they will only be gone for two hours!
Luke crossed his arms over his chest while his brows were knitted together.
"They actually ditched me!" he bellowed.