Saturday:
Leo stared at the dark sky as he stood in the balcony. The time was already pass eleven in the evening but his mind was so preoccupied that he couldn't sleep. He and Charmaine have been very busy the whole week and because of that, they very rarely meet. Every night he would come home late and Charmaine would already be asleep. She looked very tired all the time that he didn't want to disturb her sleep. So much for their honeymoon week!
Leo sighed and retreated to his bed. Tonight, he's not going to sleep in Charmaine's room as to not disturb her slumber. Both of them came home pretty late and what they both need is an undisturbed rest.
Six in the morning:
Leo woke up feeling that something was resting on his waist. When he opened his eyes, he found Charmaine lying next to him with her arm wrapped around him. He smiled at the sight of her sleeping peacefully as she nestled in his arms. He wondered when she sneaked into his bed. But thinking about it, he never thought his future would be like this. Honestly, he prepared himself to marry a promiscuous, rapacious, and self-centered woman. He thought he'll be having a rough time after marrying Charmaine Song, but he was very wrong. She's humble and caring. Absolutely not someone who only seeks self-gratification.
"Dad..."
The bedroom door slowly opened and a little boy took a peek. Leo turned to check when he heard his voice and seeing his sad expression, he beckoned him to come closer.
Luke climbed up on the bed and Leo placed him between him and Charmaine. The boy must be missing his mom a lot. He understands the feeling very well.
It was already eight when Charmaine woke up. Surprisingly, she woke up with Luke cuddling next to her. She laughed at the irony and planted a kiss on the little boy's forehead.
"Hmm... good morning Mrs. Ji." Leo greeted when he opened his eyes and saw Charmaine already wide awake. "Why didn't you wake me up when you came into my room last night?" he mumbled.
"I know you're very tired. It's just that... I had a nightmare around midnight and I was so anxious that I couldn't go back to sleep.... so I went to look for you..." she explained. Yes. It was a nightmare. He dreamed about Leo and Chanel Aikens together in bed. The reporters are flashing their cameras on them as they lay naked under a blanket. It will not happen in this lifetime, right? Leo wouldn't cheat on her anymore?
Leo stared at Charmaine's daze expression. What did she dream about? Does it have anything to do with the dinner party tonight? She must be thinking about it too much. After all, she once predicted that he will have a scandal with Chanel Aikens in a banquet by the end of the month and coincidentally, today is that day.
"Let's pick a dress for you later. I want to take you with me tonight." he muttered.
Charmaine didn't change her expression. "There's no need for that. I already have one prepared." she replied.
Leo thought Charmaine will be surprised but she wasn't. She even had a dress prepared. Did she also predicted that he would ask her to accompany him? He wondered.
***
"Grandpa." Leo greeted his grandfather when he entered the private room. "You called for me?"
Ji Chen nodded. Yesterday, he called Leo to meet him in Laura's restaurant. They couldn't be seen together though, so he requested that they meet in private. He has already been sitting in that room for fifteen minutes before Leo Ji arrived.
"Laura told me Jun has been making a move on Xiaomin? How is it going?" the old man asked.
Leo sighed. "Why do you have to ask? I told you to dissolve the engagement contract together with the rules of inheritance but you didn't listen. Of course Jun Ji thought that if he could marry Charmaine, his position as the next heir will be secured." he complained after sitting in front of the old man. "But it's alright. I already have everything needed. By the next board meeting, I assure you I can finally put Jun Ji to his rightful place."
"That's good.... Jun is clever. I heard he was claiming Jienna's child as his own. Laura told me Xiaomin once came to see me and Jun used that chance to threaten her.... saying that he would take the child if Xiaomin refuse to marry him. I was worried she would give in to his schemes."
Leo's eyes darkened."When did that happen?" he asked. Charmaine didn't tell him anything.
"Right on Charmaine's birthday." Ji Chen answered.
Birthday? The same day he sent her to the Ji mansion? The same day she married him? Something like that happened?
Leo Ji pondered. If that was what happened, then Charmaine Song was such an unpredictable woman. Jun threatened to take her child if she doesn't marry him, but she didn't cower and did the opposite; she married him- Leo Ji. Then Jun Ji asked her to meet under the guise of the child's welfare but she didn't come. Instead, she went home and slept with him. Was it that she didn't like being threatened or she's just the rebellious type? How amusing!
"You don't have anything to worry about. Trust me." Leo stated.
"Alright. Then come to the office tomorrow for the board meeting." Ji Chen told him. "And another thing, your mother was calling a lot lately. She's looking for you. I told her you're in a business trip, but I'm not sure if she bought it. Do give her a call when you're free." he reminded.
***
When Leo picked up his wife from Anya Cheree, he thought they'll be running late for the party. He came late and there was very little time left for a trip to a salon. He was a bit worried, until Charmaine Song went out all set for the party.
Leo watched as Charmaine walked out wearing a peach high-low silk dress. The hem was cut assymetrically with the right side reaching her ankle and the left side just above her knee. The fabric hugs her body, perfectly accentuating her every curve. She wore only a light make up and her straight hair was let down but was given a curled end to add volume. He was a bit dissatisfied about one thing though.
"I don't like it." Leo Ji uttered with a frown.
"What's the matter? I think it's alright." she answered.
Leo Ji pulled Charmaine to his arms and pointed a finger between her breasts. "See... the neckline is too low." he complained. Also, the back of this dress is showing a lot of skin. It's still February, you know! You're going to catch a cold like that!"
Charmaine chuckled. Of course the dress comes with a coat! It's still winter anyway. But she wanted to see how Leo Ji would react when he sees the dress. The cruel Leo never appreciated the clothes she wore. He never cared. So witnessing Leo being attentive tonight brings her felicity.
Charmaine gesture for the woman behind her and she walked towards her carrying a fur coat. She helped Charmaine wear it and then retreated afterwards. "Is this enough?" she asked with a smile.
Leo nodded and opened the car for her. For him, this is just one of those short nights in a banquet. But for Charmaine, tonight is a dangerous evening that she spent a week to prepare for. Hopefully, she can stop Leo's scandal from happening again.