Elise stared at her son who was sitting across her. A while ago, she knocked on his bedroom and asked him if they could have a talk, and so Leo led her to the sitting room on the first floor.
"It's getting late, mom... What exactly do you want to ask about?" Leo impatiently asked. She's been staring at him for a while now, but she wouldn't say anything.
Elise sighed. She didn't want to ask about it but she can't sleep as it bothers her so much! "You said you married your wife because you love her. Is it true? Do you really love her? You didn't marry her because of the child?" she asked in one breath. She just wants to get over it.
Leo was stunned. Where did that come from? "Who told you that nonsense?" he uttered.
"Just answer my questions. Are you sure Luke is your child? I've heard you're only married for a few days. Did you do it because of the child?" She questioned him with a chilling glare. She wants answers and she's determined to get them.
Leo sighed. He just discussed this issue early in the morning! This is one of the longest day he ever had! "Luke is my son, and I have documents to back up that claim. And no, I didn't marry Charmaine because of the child." Leo answered and then pondered for a while. Luke's identity is a bit complicated. Maybe he should just stick to the simpler explanation? "I wasn't lying when I said I love my wife. What else do you want to know?"
Elise lowered her head. Could it be that Adele got it wrong? She must have picked up a random rumor somewhere. But she's glad to know that Luke is really her grandson. "Charmaine... when did she gave birth to Luke? Why didn't I hear about it before? Luke is already so big now!"
"Mom, you can't blame Charmaine just for everything. She wasn't even the one who gave birth to Luke!" Leo replied. He didn't know what else she knew so he would just tell her the truth. "Luke was my child with Charmaine's sister." he revealed. Well, that's not exactly right. He didn't sleep with her but he'll give Jienna the credit for giving birth to such a precious child.
Elise narrowed her eyes. So that's how it was. They kept Luke's existence a secret because he's Leo's elegitimate child? If that's so then Charmaine has no use of him. Even if Leo and Charmaine fight for child's custody in court, Leo would still win the case! Charmaine didn't have anything to blackmail Leo into marrying her! She then remembered something among those details that made her brows furrow.
"How could you? You slept with your fiancee's sister?" Elise suddely blurted out. "I can't believe you'll follow your father's footsteps one day!" she went accusing him with all of a sudden. Elise hated cheaters like her ex-husband. She was really disappointed to hear that her only son have done the same!
Leo held his forehead. "I was helplessly drunk, mom. Can we just focus on the main issue? Charmaine broken off our engagement after she learned that I slept with her sister. It was me who pursued her and asked her to take me again. It was her who married a single dad. It was her who took back a cheater. Now if you could do me a favor and be nice to her, that would really, really be great." Leo stated with solemn eyes. If Elise could come to like Charmaine, then that's one problem solved in this kind of situation!
Elise pondered for a while. The story Adele told her was very different from what Leo revealed. The fact that Charmaine gave up on Leo for her sister is very commendable. And seeing how well she takes care of Leo's child as her own, she couldn't come up with anything more perfect than this. Although Leo was away from her for a very long time, she was happy to know he's living a good life.
"Alright. I know what you mean." she replied with a nod. All she want for Leo is to find his happiness. He used to think it was Adele that he longed for because Leo was never nice to any girl other than her. But her son is all grown up now. The way he treated his wife, there's no doubt he likes her more than anybody else. "Just make sure to be always faithful, or else I'll dedicate all my time into breaking the two of you apart.." she added before standing up and returning to her room.
Leo watched her go and then chuckled. What a scary threat!
***
"Wow! Can't believe you can actually cook!" Leo teased Laura early in the morning.
"Of course I can cook! I own a restaurant! I studied culinary arts! You were just to busy to notice." Laura bantered with her brother. They were all sitting at the breakfast table with Elise and Adele included. Only little Luke was missing as he was still asleep.
Leo didn't answer, but she was wrong about that remark. He was just teasing her. How could he not be aware of what his only sister was doing? He just chose to stay quiet about it. In fact, they didn't talk and banter like this in the Ji mansion. He was never in the mood to talk about trivial things with anyone until he married Charmaine. It's as if his wife is his happy pill and only with her around does Leo feel alive and normal.
"Are you going out today?" Leo turned to Charmaine and asked. When he saw her shook her head, Leo turned to her mother and asked the same thing. "How about you mom? Why not go out for a shopping spree and take Charmaine with you. That way, you can do some bonding and get to know each other." he suggested.
Charmaine quickly glanced at Leo. He wasn't kidding? She knew he only want them to get closer, but isn't that equivalent to sending her to a tiger's den?
Elise turned to Charmaine and saw her worried look. She was able to intimidate the girl to that extent? "Not today, I guess. Luke still needs to rest. If we're going out, I think we should take the kid with us, too." Elise replied. "Maybe tomorrow." she added.
Leo nodded. He trusts his mom to be a virtuous person who wouldn't give Charmaine a hard time behind his back. After their conversation last night, he hoped that her mother would keep her word and be nice to her daughter in law. He continued eating his breakfast and when he's done, he left the table to get ready for work. He went to the study room to get a few documents. He didn't know Adele went to follow him.
"Leo, can I talk to you?",Adele asked when she entered the room. Leo glanced at door. It was his fault for leaving the door open. Now, he's alone with a woman in a close room. He hoped Charmaine won't mind.
"What is it? You can take a sit." he replied. He didn't want to be rude to her as he treats Adele as family. He was still collecting the documents on his table when Adele came closer and hugged Leo from behind.
"I missed you. Didn't you miss me?" she asked. Leo instantly froze when he felt her warmth. There she went again. She's being to touchy.
"Adele, this is inappropriate. I'm a married man." Leo told her off as he pry away the arms hugging his waist. He suddenly remembered the things that Laura said yesterday. So it's true? Adele really was obsessed with him?
"I know. I also know why you married her. I don't mind! I still like you!" the woman replied.
Leo was flabbergasted. He applied more force into pushing her away. What does she mean by that? Was she asking him to take her as a mistress? That was just crazy!
"Adele, please leave yourself some dignity. You're a great woman. You deserve a better man than me." he said as he scurried away from her. "I need to leave for the office now. Please take care." he said before hastily leaving the room.
Adele watched him go and the corners of her lips curled up. "Take care, he said. I knew he still cares about me. She thinks I'm a great woman." she mumbled to herself. How can she let go of him when she knew he still likes her? Even if he's already married, she will do everything just to be able to stay by his side!