"Aren't you going to explain anything to me?" Charmaine asked. They were currently on their way home, with Laura behind the stirring wheel and Charmaine beside her. "Moreover, aren't we supposed to extend help to your brother? Why did we have to leave just right after we came?" Charmaine added. After having a short conversation with Liam, Laura just dragged her home. She didn't even say anything to Bianca.
Laura wanted to ignore her and just focus on the road but she knew Charmaine won't stop until she gets an answer, specially since she personally knows Liam. But should she admit to her that she can't stand that doctor's stares? It's as if she'll melt any second.
"It's alright. I'm not really needed in there. Liam can take care of everything. He's the doctor Grandpa sent to take care of Jun's condition." she explained. "About us... it's nothing serious. We're just friends."
Friends... even calling that person as a friend felt wrong. They only met last night, then everything just escalated so quickly! Now he's asking her to date him, but why would she? Well... he's handsome and all but... she just broke up with Ivan so...
"Friends? He said he's your boyfriend. And it's not true that you slept in the restaurant last night, did you? You spent the night with Liam!" Charmaine guessed. "Could it be that you waited for Ivan last night because you wanted to show- off your new boyfriend? Well, he's a better catch than Dr. Gray and that's true!"
Laura's expression changed a few times. First she was flustered, and then she was relieved, then confused and curious. Charmaine's deduction wasn't so bad. It can help her regain her pride if she retell the story like that.
"Why do you think Liam is better?" she asked. Charmaine knows him longer so maybe she knew what he's after.
"What.... he's perfect! He's handsome and rich! And he's not a playboy. He's very gentle with women and very good with kids!" Charmaine happily complimented him.
Laura chuckled at how well she praised the doctor. "And how did you know about that? Did you date him?"
Charmaine was startled. "Me?", she exclaimed. Her expression then became serious as she glance at the road. "Liam and I were the same in that... we both had a knot in our hearts. We both didn't want to date anyone." after saying that, she turned to Laura with a smile. "That's why, if Liam wants to date you, I think he must like you a lot."
Like her? How could that be? And what's with that knot in the heart? Charmaine didn't date anyone because of her brother, but what about Liam? Why did he refused to date before? Is it also because of a beloved?
***
"Mommy!" Luke welcomed Charmaine with a smile when she got home. She kneeled and hugged the child tightly for a while before letting him go.
"Is your daddy home already?" she then asked the little boy.
Luke nodded. "He's upstairs." he replied. "Mommy, dad asked me if I want to go somewhere for the weekend. I told him I want to go to the amusement park. Are you free on weekend? Can you come with us?"
Amusement park? Charmaine was surprised. "You're daddy promised to take you there? Are you sure?" she asked.
Luke nodded once more. He then turned to Laura who was standing behind his mommy. "Wanna come too, Auntie?"
Laura thought for a while and then nodded. "Sure! I'll come so someone can keep you company, and your mom and dad can go on a date properly." she jested.
"It's a family date. What are you saying?" Charmaine replied before turning to the boy. "Stay with Aunt Laura. I'll go upstairs to talk to your dad about something." Charmaine said before leaving the living room.
Charmaine wondered what Leo was thinking. When they were younger, he always refuse to come to an amusement park with her. He said he can go anywhere but there so she thought it's one if his taboo. So what just happened? Why did he agree to take Luke to his chosen theme park?
"Leo... there's something I...." Charmaine halted her words when she entered the bedroom and caught the sight of Leo undressing. She only looked for a while before averting her eyes. Those lean muscles must be a treat to her eyes but it still felt like staring at him for a long time is not good for her heart.
"What is it?" Leo asked after putting on a more comfortable pair of pants. He turned and saw Charmaine standing there like a statue, with her eyes looking anywhere but him. "You were saying?" he said as he slowly approached her with a smile.
Charmaine glanced at the half naked Leo Ji for a second, before looking away hurriedly. "That... Luke said you're taking him to the amusement park this weekend... Are you serious about that?" she uttered before avoiding the man and retreating for the sofa instead. She sat down while Leo followed her.
"Well... it's where he wants to go! Moreover, I need to go to a business trip next week so I want to treat him somewhere before I go." he replied before sitting beside his wife. "Why do you ask? Are you busy that day?"
Charmaine turned to Leo with a frown. "That's not it. But.... isn't it that you hate theme parks?" she asked with furrowed brows.
Leo looked at her with a baffled expression. He stared at her for a while before finally getting what she meant. "Oh, that... Are you worried I'll make a fool out of myself in front of my son? Well... that's really troublesome. We need a few help for that so I and Luke have already asked some people for assistance." he responded. "I already called my friend Larson. He and Laura can substitute me for some of those I can't ride." he added.
Charmaine stared at Leo's face but didn't say a word for a long time. What does he mean by those words. "I don't get it." she finally gave up. "Isn't the reason you aren't allowed in an amusement park is because of a medical condition?"
Leo was stunned. "Oh, you thought of it that way? No, I'm just acrophobic so I hated those theme parks. I can still endure some normal rides I guess."
Charmaine shook her head. So that's what he meant when he said 'I can't go to theme parks because I get sick' about ten years ago. Made a lot of sense now.
Leo noticed Charmaine staring at him with a knowing smile and he couldn't help but find it cute. He leaned closer for a kiss but Charmaine dodged. "What are you doing?" she said as she put both hands against his bare chest.
"I'm punishing you for thinking I'm lame just now." he joked.
"I did not!"
Leo chuckled and then hugged her close. "Whatever. I still demand for a kiss." he said before sealing her lips with his.