Charmaine noticed Luke's big smile as he sat on the passenger seat beside Laura. She who was sitting beside Leo in the driver's seat couldn't help but steal glances at the boy through the rare view mirror. "You look excited." Charmaine commented.
Luke was looking outside the window, but hearing his mother's voice, he turned to her, still wearing a grin. "Yeah! I invited uncle Drei so I can ride with him for a couple of hours first, while you all spend time with your dates." Luke replied.
Charmaine was stunned. She turned to Leo who was currently driving to see his reaction but his face didn't show any. Didn't he hear what Luke just say? "This... is it alright?", she nervously asked. Would Leo think she was the one who told the kid to invite Drei? She hoped not.
"What is?" he asked without looking at her. "Luke playing with Andrei? Isn't it a good thing? He can baby sit Luke while I accompany you for a date."
Charmaine blinked. So, Leo did hear him but he really didn't mind? Well... maybe as long as she's not together with Drei, he would think it's acceptable to have him around? The way Leo acted cool about Drei all of a sudden makes Charmaine looked paranoid. But is it really okay to relax?
"What is it?" Leo added when he realized Charmaine was still staring at him. He wondered what she was thinking. The woman just shook her head though, and then looked away.
When the family arrived at the amusement park, Luke started jumping around excitedly as he looked outside the window. Laura watched him with a smile while the couple quickly alighted once the car was parked. Leo opened the door for the child and offered to carry him.
"It's alright! I can walk!" Luke replied as he jumped out of the car and ran towards the entrance. The three adults just followed him and watched him run to meet the big brown bear mascot welcoming guests at the entrance.
"Hey, bro! You came at last!" Behind them, a man suddenly patted Leo's shoulder. Charmaine turned around and saw Larson standing behind them. Right. Leo did mention he was inviting Larson to help them look after the boy today.
"Hi Larson. Did you wait too long?" Charmaine greeted him.
Larson's smile vanished as he turned to the woman standing beside Leo. Wasn't she the clingy fiancee of this friend of his? Did he asked him to come to distract the lady? She sure grew into such a fine lady after a few years! Last time he saw her, she was still in high school. She became more beautiful and attractive!
Larson's smile re-emerged as he strolled towards Charmaine's side. He stretched his arm and grasped the lady's hand in a handshake. "Xiaomin Song!" he exclaimed. "It's been a long time! I'm very honored to know you still remember me." he said as he lifted her hand to his lips.
Just as Larson's lips was about to touch the back of her hand, Leo snatched Charmaine's hand and pushed the man aside. With a menacing look, he glared at Larson as he stood between them. "Did I call you here to flirt with my wife? Do you want to die?" he threatened.
Larson stared at his long-time friend with a baffled expression. He scratched his head and stared at Leo. He was maintaining a protective stance in front of the Song woman who.... wait! Did he just said wife? Wife? He married his fiancee? Yes, they were engaged but...
***
While Larson and the couple were having a conversation, Laura was watching Luke from a distance. She looked at the people who were still chatting and then to the child running around the mascot. She then decided to leave the adults and follow the little boy, lest he might get lost in the midst of the overwhelming crowd of people.
"Luke, stop running around." she told him. As she yell, the little boy noticed her and started running towards her.
"Aunt Laura! Come! I want you to meet someone!" the boy shouted as he pulled her hand. "Quick! He's over there!"
Luke was pointing somewhere. She looked and saw a beautiful guy standing beside the bear mascot. He looked cool in his sporty jacket, blonde hair and a blue earring on his left ear. He was cute. "Is that your uncle Drei?" she asked.
Luke nodded. They were drawing near the man whose hands were hidden in his pockets. "Yes. But you can't like him. I want to introduce you to someone else." he replied.
Laura's brows knitted together as she glanced at the child and then to his uncle Drei. Why can't she like him? It's not that she's interested, but she's curious. Just then, a man appeared from behind the big mascot and his presence made Laura froze. That man...
"Auntie, he's the guy I want you to meet!" Luke pointed to the man looking at them. "Uncle Liam, this is my Aunt Laura. The one I asked you to date today. She just broke up with her boyfriend so can you take good care of her for a while?" Luke asked.
Drei smiled at Laura and then turned to his cousin Liam. He looked stunned and so Andrei couldn't help but laugh at his odd reaction. What was he staring at the woman for? He remembered how unwilling he was to come today and he even faked illness this morning! What was he standing there blushing for then?
"Hello! I'm Andrei. Nice to meet you!" He approached the woman and shook her hand. "My cousin over there said he wasn't feeling very well, so can you spend time with me today instead? I..." he said with a smile. He hasn't finished talking to her though when Liam came and pulled him.
"Who said that?" Liam roared. He turned to Laura and snatched her hand. "Don't listen to him. He was just kidding."
Laura wasn't able to reply. She just looked at the man holding her hand. According to Luke, he set them up for a date today? Was it still a coincidence? It was incredible!
Luke glanced at his Auntie and then at Liam and smiled. They looked good together. He did a good job didn't he? His Auntie won't be sad anymore! "Liam is a good guy. I assure you, Auntie."
Liam turned to Andrei. "We'll go ahead. Look after the child first." He told him before pulling Laura towards the entrance.
Andrei frowned. What was that? Didn't he say he didn't want to go out on a date even if it's for little Luke? So fake! He just saw the woman and changed his mind already!