The phone alarm woke Leo up with a start and he sat up on his bed. He got his phone that laid on top of the drawer close to the bed and switched off the alarm. He was shocked when he looked at the time on his phone. It was morning and Leo was still in his clothes he had worn yesterday. He must have been so worked up last night that he had even forgotten to have supper with the rest of the family. He still wondered how he had fallen asleep all of the sudden. He just scowled at himself as he ran a hand through his scruffy blonde hair and he got out of bed to take a shower.
After taking a shower, he picked out some casual clothes from his closet since he wasn't in the mood for going early to work. He wore a blue golf shirt and a pair of cream coloured chinos. He combed his hair back and he looked as neat as ever.
He soon went out of his room to take a walk around the house since it was just the early hours of the morning and almost everyone in the house was still asleep. He was heading towards the living room when he felt someone coming from behind and wrap their arms around him. From the scent, Leo could easily tell who it was. He turned around to face Carly who was beaming happily at him.
"Well, you're one early bird," said Carly, her smile as wide as ever.
"And aren't you supposed to be somewhere?" Leo asked as he wrapped his arms around Carly's waist and pulled her close.
"Don't ruin the mood by telling me to go for lectures," Carly tugged at Leo's collar playfully. "Let's just try to enjoy the moment."
Leo smiled as he considered what Carly said. It was a beautiful morning and the sunshine shone brightly into the living room giving it a wonderful warm feeling. And Leo was here standing with the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Her beautiful glowing face was too irresistible to look away from. Her soft brown eyes looked up at him and Leo couldn't stop staring back. He bent down closer to give Carly a light kiss on her beautiful lips.
"You're right," said Leo after he pulled away from her lips. "We should enjoy this moment while we can."
"Mmmm, so what do you suggest we do then?" Carly asked as she bit her lower lip playfully.
"Well, everyone is still asleep, so, we can have a few minutes to ourselves. Come up to my room."
"Wait, I come up to your room? Won't your mother find us?"
"Don't tell me you're afraid of her," Leo almost laughed.
"I'm not scared," said Carly almost pouting her lips. "She looks like one heck of a drama queen."
"She is, actually," said Leo. He pulled Carly into a bear hug. "But don't worry, she won't do anything to you. You have me around."
"I know," Carly smiled. "Let's go to your room. We have a lot to talk about."
"Oh really?" Leo looked down at Carly. "What is it we have to talk about?"
Before Carly could say anything, they heard a loud thud, like something had dropped to the floor. Then they heard someone faintly mourn out in pain.
"What was that?" Leo asked.
"Oh, my gosh, Angel," said Carly as she ran down the hall towards Angel's room and Leo quickly followed behind her.
Carly got to Angel's room first and when she burged into the room, she found Angel lying down on the floor close to her bed whining in pain. Carly quickly ran to her sister's aid and that's when Leo had finally appeared at the door.
"Don't worry, Angel, I'm here," said Carly as she slowly lifted Angel and helped her up on the bed.
"What happened? Are you alright?" Carly asked.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me," said Angel. "I was just trying to get something but I ended up dropping to the floor."
"You know you're not okay, but instead you still want to do things on your own without asking for help. You never change, Angel."
"I'm okay as you can see. And by the way, thanks."
"Well, since you're awake, can I make you a cup of tea?"
"No thanks, I'm fine."
Angel went on to look at the door and saw Leo standing there. She stared at him for a moment and then she went on to stare at Carly.
"And why are you up so early? Do you have a lecture to attend to today?" Angel asked.
Carly paused as she looked at her sister and then at Leo. She went back to facing her sister and before she could say anything, Amanda appeared by the door behind Leo.
"What happened in here?" Amanda asked. "I thought I heard something fall."
"Ah, yes," said Carly, feeling relieved that Amanda had arrived. "Angel here was trying to get something but ended up on the floor. Nothing to worry about. She's not hurt or anything."
"May you please drag me in, Leo?" Amanda asked her grandson and Leo obediently obliged and pushed his grandmother's wheelchair into the room.
"Are you alright, dear?" Amanda asked Angel.
"Just like Carly said, I'm fine," said Angel, giving Amanda a little smile. When she looked up at Leo, she almost scowled at him.
"That's good, but don't do that again. Who knows what might happen. Thank goodness Carly and Leo came just in time."
The room soon had an awkward feeling. Amanda couldn't feel it, but Angel, Carly and Leo could. Angel just continued to stare at Amanda trying to hide the awkwardness.
"If you need me, grandma, I'll be in my room," said Leo.
"Okay, dear. You and I need to talk over some things. Let's meet after breakfast."
"Sure."
Leo stared at Carly before he left. He wanted to smile at her, but he could feel Angel's eyes on him, stabbing him like daggers. He quickly left the room to avoid any more problems.
"I was about to go and make a cup of tea," said Carly.
"I don't want....." started Angel but Amanda soon stepped in.
"Tea would be lovely, dear," said Amanda giving Carly a smile. "It's sad that it's too early in the morning for the helpers to be up and about in the kitchen. They could have helped you."
"Not to worry, I can find my way around," said Carly.
"Good, Angel and I will be waiting."
Carly gladly smiled at Amanda and quickly made a beeline to the door and closed it behind her. Angel continued to stare at the door. She couldn't help but wonder why Carly was up so early. She was never this early. Or maybe it's because she didn't have anywhere to go last night?
And Leo? It was strange that both of them were awake at the same time. Could it be that they were together? Angel couldn't stop thinking about the two of them together in each other's arms. It almost made her sick.
"They were definitely together, no doubt about that," Angel thought to herself.
"Are you alright, dear?" Amanda asked.
"I am, you don't have to worry about me," Angel replied.
"What were you planning to do that made you fall?"
"I was trying to reach out for something and I completely forgot that my legs weren't completely healed."
"I understand. But tell me, did you sleep well, last night?"
"I did, Amanda, thanks for asking."
While Amanda and Angel continued to chat, Carly was in the kitchen preparing tea. Just as she found the tea leaves and put them in the two white teacups, Leo appeared at the door.
"Hey," said Leo as he came in.
"Hey," said Carly as she gave him a smile. "Sorry for what happened earlier."
"With your sister? I know she ruined our little moment. It's like she knew you and I were together."
"No, she didn't." Carly went over to the electric kettle that had already boiled the water and poured the water into the teacups. "And besides, you shouldn't have followed me to her room. The way she looked at the both of us when you appeared, she probably knows that we were together."
"I don't care about that." Leo came over to Carly and wrapped his arms around her waist from the back. "She can think all she wants. She knows my feelings for you are real."
Carly smiled and she loved the feeling of Leo's arms around her. She felt so safe and secure that she didn't want him to let her go.
She quickly turned around to face him and said, "as much as Angel knows, the rest of the people here don't. And do you know what would happen if they find out? They would freak out."
"Especially my mum," said Leo rolling his eyes.
"Yes." Carly gave him a smile. "Especially your mum."
Leo continued to look down at Carly and he couldn't help but bend over and kiss her on the cheek. Carly couldn't help but blush as she playfully pushed him away.
"I've to go and take tea for my sister and your grandmother."
"Wait," said Leo as he made his way over to her again, "may I just give you a little..."
"What's going on here?"
Leo and Carly almost jumped in fright as they turned towards the door and standing there in a blue nightgown, was Mrs McDonell. She looked over at Carly and Leo with an eyebrow raised. The two stood a few feet apart from each other.
"I asked a question and I demand an answer," she said. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing, nothing is going on, Mrs McDonell," Carly replied. "I was only preparing tea."
"Tea for who?" Mrs McDonell folded her arms.
"For Amanda and Angel."
"They are both awake?"
"Yes, they are. They are in Angel's room right now."
Mrs McDonell looked at Carly, then at her son, then back at Carly again. She couldn't figure out why the two of them were here together, alone. She just brushed it off.
"Fine, take their tea," said Mrs McDonell.
Carly took the tray where the teacups lay and put the teaspoons and bowl of sugar on the tray. She quickly made her way past Leo and past his mother standing by the door. Mrs McDonell looked on at Carly as she disappeared round the corner.
"Mmmm," Mrs McDonell looked at her son. "She's has a great body. Even through her nightgown, I can make out her figure."
Leo shook his head at his mother. "You're so unbelievable," he said.
"What did I do now? I'm just trying to make conversation with you. I never saw you when you came back last night."
"I don't want to talk, mum. Maybe later."
Leo made his way to the kitchen door, bypassing his mother. Mrs McDonell could only sigh as she thought of how she was going to handle Leo.
By seven, almost everyone was awake and the house help were now up and about getting the place cleaned up. Breakfast was already being made in the kitchen and the lovely smell was intoxicating.
"Oh, my, I'm so hungry," said Oliver as he came down the stairs with his backpack. He quickly dropped his bag by the foyer so that he would just grab it when it was time to go to school.
He quickly rushed over to the dinning area and found one of the helpers setting the table for breakfast.
"Morning, Oliver," came Leo as he entered the dinning room. "Did the smell of food drag you here?"
"Yep," Oliver replied as he took his seat at the table. "Looks like it dragged you here too."
"Ya, it did." Leo soon came to sit right next to him.
"Morning, you two," came Diana as she came over and gave Oliver a peck on the cheek.
"Morning, mum," said Oliver.
"Morning, aunt," said Leo.
"What happened yesterday, Leo?" Diana asked as she sat opposite her son. "You weren't around for supper?"
"I fell asleep," he replied. "I was so exhausted."
"I figured." Diana gave her nephew a smile as she poured a glass of orange juice.
Bacon, sausage, friuts, eggs, toast and delicious muffins were soon served on the table. Leo and his cousin couldn't help but water at the delicious food in front of them.
"I can't wait to get all of this into my mouth," said Oliver.
"Hey, are you going to leave some for me?" came Carly as she stepped into the dinning area.
"Of course we were," said Diana. "The boys can't eat all this by themselves."
"We definitely can, right, Leo?" Oliver asked.
"Right," Leo replied.
Carly went to sit right next to Diana, and at the same time, faced Leo. Leo couldn't help but smile at her and she did the same.
Just as they were about to eat, Mr McDonell came in and settled down after giving his morning greetings at the head of the table. As usual every morning, there was a newspaper at the table ready for him to be read.
"Will you be going early to the office, Leo?" Mr McDonald asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"No, I'll be there a little late, dad," Leo replied.
"Oh, goodness, me," came Amanda's voice. "Looks like almost everyone is here for breakfast."
Before Leo could reply that not everyone was here, he turned on his chair and saw his grandma being wheeled in by one of the helpers and Eric with Angel. He quickly looked away feeling irritated.
"Morning, everyone," said Amanda cheerfully as she was placed right next to Leo.
Everyone else on the table said good morning to her. Angel also greeted everyone as well as she settled on the other side of the table with Eric. Everyone replied, except Leo.
"This is just lovely," said Amanda. "Usually at breakfast we are never gathered together like this. Most of the time, we're all doing our own things and people leave really early."
"That's true, mum," said Mr McDonell. "I was also thinking the same thing."
"Your wife isn't here, though, but I'm not worried about her." Amanda gave a bright smile. "It's good to see everyone of you all here in the morning."
"I wonder why this has happened today," said Eric.
"I think it's because of our important guests," said Amanda as the helper beside her served her breakfast on a plate.
Angel almost spelt the juice she was pouring into her glass but steadied her hand just in time. Leo almost choked on his toast. Their eyes somehow fell upon each other and they quickly looked away. Angel put down the jug of juice and Leo just ran a hand through his hair.
"Here, let me serve you," said Eric as he poured the juice in Angel's glass.
"Thanks, Eric," said Angel, giving him a smile.
"A doctor is coming to check up on you, Angel," said Mr McDonell. "He's our family doctor."
"Oh, no, there is no need for that, Mr McDonell," said Angel.
"Well, someone has to check up on you from time to time. It's no big deal. It's for your own good."
"You should listen to him, dear," said Amanda. "You aren't going to be the only one getting a medical checkup today."
Angel smiled at Amanda and ate her breakfast. Everyone else went on happily with their meal.
As soon as Oliver was done, he got up from the table.
"Have to go to school," he said.
"Okay, have a nice day, Oliver," said Angel.
Oliver came round the table to where Angel sat and gave her a hug from behind. Angel gave a heartfelt laugh. Leo just rolled his eyes at her. He was so not liking what was happening in front of him. Her laugh felt so irritating to his ears.
"You too," said Oliver as he smiled and went over to hug his mum and soon ran out of the dinning room.
"So adorable," said Carly.
"He's adorable when he wants to be and annoying when you least expect it," said Eric.
"That's not true," said Diana. "My Oliver is not like that."
Eric playfully rolled his eyes. "Then you don't know your own son at all."
"And you think I don't know you? You playboy."
Eric looked at his mother giving her the sign to keep quiet. "Mum....are you seriously saying that in front of Angel right now?"
"I don't mind," said Angel as she looked like she would burst out laughing.
"Well, I do."
"Enough," said Diana. "You're running late for work."
"Seriously, mum?" Eric looked at her.
"I would listen to her if I were you," said Mr McDonell. "We better head to the office. You and I have a lot of work to do."
"Okay, uncle," said Eric as he got his last piece of toast and bit it and then stood up.
"I'll find you in the car," said Mr McDonell as he also stood up from his chair. "I'll go get my briefcase." He soon went out of the dining room.
"Are you coming with us, Leo?" Eric asked.
"No, I'll find you at the office later," Leo answered.
"Yes," said Amanda. "He and I have to have a little chat before he leaves."
"Okay. Angel," Eric looked over at Angel and patted her head. "I'll see you when I get back from work."
"I'm not a kid for you to be patting my head like that," said Angel as she looked up at Eric with an annoyed look.
Eric didn't say anything but smiled at her and said goodbye to everyone else on the table and left the dining room.
"I also have a lot of work to do at the beauty parlour today," said Diana as she also finished her breakfast.
"You work at the beauty parlour, aunt?" Carly asked with so much excitement.
"I own it, my dear," Diana answered with a smile. "Would you like to join me and see the place?"
Before Carly could reply, she looked over at her sister who was looking at her breakfast. She hadn't finished half way and she didn't seem the least bit interested about what her sister was up to.
"I'll join you," said Carly. "It's Friday today and I don't think I'm in the mood for lectures after what happened. I need to take my mind off things."
"Perfect," said Diana as she stood up from her seat. "I'll go see if Bertha is willing to go with us."
"I'll go get ready," said Carly as the two ladies quickly left the table. Angel gave Carly a weird look and shook her head. Carly was definitely something else at times.
"Women and their beauty," said Amanda as she shook her head.
There were now the three of them at the table. Amanda, Angel and Leo.
"That only leaves the three of us," said Amanda excitedly. "This is just what I needed."
The last thing Leo needed was to be in the same room with Angel and Angel also felt the same way. For the both of them, this was extremely awful.
"You know I'll need to be at work earlier in the day, grandma," said Leo as he looked at Amanda.
"Of course, I know, you silly boy," said Amanda as she playfully pinched Leo's cheek. "Remember, you and I need to talk."
"Oww, grandma!" Leo responded as he held his pinched cheek.
"If you want to talk right now, I'll leave you two, then," said Angel as she started to roll her wheelchair back.
"Not so fast, dear," said Amanda. "You aren't going anywhere. I need to talk to the both of you."
"Huh?" Angel and Leo said at the same time with confused looks on their faces.
"Yes. It's really important that I speak to you both. Don't be mad. We really have to talk and I lied that I only had to talk to Leo so that he can stay for a while. I know the last thing you want is for me to bother you around since I'm so old."
Angel and Leo looked at each other. They were stuck now. They wouldn't like to hurt Amanda's feelings. Not in anyway, at least.
"Okay, then," Angel agreed first. "I'm willing to listen, Amanda.
"Thank you, Angel," said Amanda. She turned to look at Leo. "See how sweet she is? Now, are you going to hear me out or what?"
Leo sighed. He looked over at Angel who looked like she would cut his neck with a butter knife that laid right next to her on the table. He also threw her a look but quickly changed it when he turned to face his grandmother.
"Okay, grandma," he said. "I'll listen."
"Good," said Amanda with a bright smile on her face. "Let's go to the patio."