Thursday: February eighteen.
Luke was in Charmaine's room and was sitting by the window, looking at the pouring rain outside. Yesterday, his mom told him Leo Ji left home and no body knows his whereabouts. Unable to reach his phone, he can only stare outside the window and wait for him to come visit them.
"Mommy, is dad a liar?" Luke asked after a while. He was still looking outside while Charmaine was sitting on the bed and chatting with her friends in the US through her laptop.
Charmaine paused and thought for a while. "No, I don't think he is." she replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Dad said I should call him often... but he never answered any of my calls." he complained. "I guess he doesn't want us anymore."
Luke was facing the window, but his reflection through the glass panel was enough to shake her heart. She too, feel that way; that Leo doesn't want them anymore, so how can she refute the child's words? Unable to say anything to comfort him, she just went down from the bed and walked towards the window. She gave Luke a hug and kissed the top of his head. They stayed like that for a moment before something caught Luke's attention from outside the window. The rain had stopped and... did they just hear a sound of a car coming from a distance?
"Mommy! Let's go downstairs!" Luke said as he pulled her hand. His face suddenly brightened and without waiting for her reply, Luke ran out of the room.
Charmaine was baffled by the boy's sudden mood swing. Curious, she followed him downstairs and just as they reached the living room, they both caught a glimpse of a man standing on their doorway. He was holding a bag of toys in his left hand and a bouquet of white roses in his right.
"Daddy!" Luke cried as he ran towards the man. Leo handed the bag of toys to the maid who opened the door for him so he could pick up Luke and carry him in his arms. The boy immediately latched on his neck and gave him a warm hug. He hasn't seen him since Monday. He wondered if the little guy missed him.
"How are you buddy?" he greeted him. The boy just looked at him wearing a sad expression. He then crossed his arms and looked away.
"I'm upset. You didn't pick up any of my calls." he said, displeased.
Leo just chuckled. "I'm sorry. I was too busy that I can't even check my phone." he told the child before turning to the woman who was slowly walking towards them. He smiled at her and gave her the bunch of flowers he was still holding with his other hand. "I'm sorry." he told her.
Charmaine accepted the roses and stared at the white petals. Sorry, he said. But sorry for what? For the engagement? For keeping them in the dark? What's the use of such apology?
Seeing that both mother and son seemed to be sort of dismayed at the moment, he couldn't help but feel troubled. He reached out to Charmaine and while still carrying Luke, he used his right arm to give her a gentle hug. "I came here to pick you up. I want to show you my new place." he told her before letting her go. "Do you have time for a short ride?"
Charmaine looked at Luke. In what identity should she come with them? He's not connected to Leo in any way anymore. She was about the decline his offer but she suddenly noticed Luke's pleading eyes. "Let's go mommy! I wanna go!" he declared.
***
Charmaine sighed as she silently sat in the car's back seat with Luke. In the end, the boy had successfully convinced her to come with them. She really wasn't in a good mood for a ride, but she was curious as well about Leo's circumstances.
After an hour drive, the car entered the St. George Hill, and finally stopped in front of a big iron gate. The gate automatically opened after a second and Leo drove the car in.
"Awesome!" Luke exclaimed as he saw the view outside after alighting the car. "This is your new place? To think I was feeling sorry for you for being kicked out! I thought you're living in the streets!"
Leo chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you buddy!" Leo joked. Why would he be living in the streets? He's Leo Ji! If he wasn't exceptionally capable, why would the old man at home stubbornly appoint him as the new successor?
Charmaine stared at the house in front of them. It's not very big, but luxurious enough for a small family. It's a two storey white manor situated on a hill. The area looks serene and peaceful; just her type of atmosphere.
"Let's get in." Leo said when he realized Charmaine was lost in thought. "It's a rainy day. The rain might pour out again any minute."
Charmaine quietly followed Leo and Luke while surveying the house. It was very well lighted. They first toured the living room which was connected to a small kitchen and breakfast table. He gestured for them to take a seat while he went to prepare some hot chocolates for the two of them.
"I did a lot of things this past three days. I'm sorry about not answering your calls." Leo told Luke when he put down the cups of hot chocolates on the breakfast table. "I had to quickly find a house after we landed Monday morning and I had to deal with things at work. I was busy moving and preparing the house. I don't even think I have enough groceries in the fridge."
"Why do you even have to move out anyway? I heard Grandpa was mad. Does it have anything to do with the dissolution of our engagement? I can talk to him if you want." Charmaine offered.
Leo took a seat and looked straight to Charmaine's eyes. "You don't have to do that. This is all my idea. Grandpa was having a problem about a random woman chasing after me and this is the best solution I came up with." he explained.
Charmaine was drinking her hot choco but when she heard his reply, she couldn't help but frown. "Random woman? How can you call Chanel Aikens a random woman?" she blurted. She's the daughter of the Prime Minister!
"What about it? Anyway Grandpa told me the only way I could get out of her grasp was if you marry me within the month. I told him it's impossible and that I have a better idea."
"And the plan was getting yourself kicked-out? How would that work?" Luke suddenly interjected. Both of them turned to the boy. Charmaine can't believe he has just spoken her mind.
"Well.... Chanel Aikens might really be interested in me but the Prime Minister surely has a different focus. He's been eyeing me because of my status. Without it, I'm just another piece of useless rock." he clarified.
Charmaine lost her words. She didn't realize Leo was this crazy!