Leo took a deep breath and let it out after a second's pause. You can do this, he told himself. No matter how uncomfortable he felt, he's going to walk through the door in front of him and have lunch with Kim. He felt like leaving and telling Kim over the phone that he couldn't make it. But it's too late now. Kim must've seen him through the large glass windows and it would be embarrassing if he were to leave now.
He gathered his composure as he straightened his collar. He started to make his way towards the restaurant. Before he could get to the door, it flew open and two ladies walked out. Leo made way for them and he thought he saw one of them give him an eye as they passed. He ignored them and held the door open before it slang itself shut.
He is greeted by a waiter. "Good afternoon, sir," the man said. "Would you like to make a reservation?"
"Actually I'm here to have lunch with someone," Leo answered. "Kimberly Gates?"
"Oh, yes, she told me you were coming," said the young man. "Right this way, please."
The man led the way with Leo following behind him to the centre of the room. Leo saw Kim looking just like she did when he saw her this morning in her white office dress and a cashmere pink jacket. He noticed that her long blonde hair fell in curls and she wore lovely gold studs with a matching gold neck chain. When she saw Leo, her eyes widened with excitement.
"Here you are, sir," said the young man with a bright smile on his face. "If you would like to order, please let us know."
"We will, thank you," said Kim as she smiled at the young man. Leo took his seat opposite Kim immediately the waiter left.
"Hi, again," she said as she put up a nervous smile. "I honestly didn't think that you would come."
Leo had to pick his words carefully as he already felt irritated over the whole scenario. "It would seem rude if I didn't," he said.
"Oh, not at all," said Kim as she shook her head and leaned back on her chair. "I would've understood if you were busy or something."
"I wasn't so busy. And we're meeting during lunch, so it's not a big deal."
Kim continued to smile as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "So how is work going?"
"It's going well. We have a pretty busy week."
Kim raised her hand to call out a waitress who was just behind Leo. "I would like a glass of water, please, before we order," she told the waitress.
"I would like one too," said Leo. He suddenly felt his throat run dry all of a sudden.
"How is your mum doing?" Kim asked as soon as the waitress left.
"She's good. I thought you two are still in contact with each other."
"We are. It's been a while since we last talked."
Leo raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement then took a brief look towards the wide glass window to the side. He already wishes for this lunch to be over.
"I saw you with Angel today," said Kim. "Were you two getting breakfast?"
"We went to buy croissants for dad," said Leo. He expected her to ask such a question. He remembers when Kim would sometimes ask about the women she would find him with, especially when she came over to his work place or when they went out for a social gathering. She still has that jealous trait of hers, he thought.
"Okay, so you two were going to the office together, then?" The waitress had finally come with the two glasses of water. Leo was grateful for it.
"Yes, she'll be working with us starting today," Leo answered and he soon drank from his glass.
Kim raised an eyebrow as she tried to put up a smile. Leo knew better. She's acting jealous again, even when we're not together, he thought to himself.
"Really?" she asked, trying to sound calm. "Did your father give her the job?"
"It was my grandmother's idea," said Leo as he put the glass down, feeling confident now. "If you ask me, I think she will work well with Mrs. Lance who was really in need of someone to keep the records straight in the Procurement department."
"I guess so," said Kim. She put the glass of water to her lips and drank.
"And how about you? How is your work going?"
"Oh, it's busy," she answered after putting her glass down.
Leo nodded. "I see. You models are always so busy."
"Yep," she took the menu that lay on the table in front of her. "I think I'm going to order now. What are you going to get?"
Leo raised an eyebrow. "I'll order the usual."
Kim's eyes flew from the menu to Leo's face. "Are you sure?" she asked.
He looked at her before saying, "Of course. If this was a different restaurant I wouldn't mind getting something else. But you and I have been here several times. So you must know what I order."
He noticed her cheeks start to heat up and she went on ahead to call one of the waiters. He almost rolled his eyes, but he did his best not to. After Kim gave the orders, the waiter soon left.
"May I ask why you chose this place to begin with?" Leo asked as he started to look around. The place is almost packed. "We could've gone to another restaurant."
Kim smiled. "That is because I thought we would feel comfortable here. Why?"
"I won't lie, I wasn't expecting this. We used to come here for our lunch dates."
"Of course. Don't you still like the place? You said you did."
"That was back then. Things are different now."
"I know, I'm sorry. Next time I'll make sure to take us where we've never been."
There's going to be a next time, Leo asked in his thoughts. He's glad that he didn't say it out loud. He didn't like this, and the fact that he couldn't speak out his mind is killing him.
"I thought bringing you here would remind you of all the good times we had," said Kim as she twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers.
"I'm sorry, Kim," said Leo as he folded his arms. "But I didn't come here to try and get back with you."
Kim now had an embarrassed look on her face. She should be glad that I didn't say that out loud, he thought. He'll try and keep his word to Eric to try and not pick a fight in a public place.
"Oh, don't get the wrong idea, Leo," Kim explained. "As much as I miss you, I know you wouldn't want to get back with me."
Leo raised an eyebrow. Is she playing with me, he wondered.
"Ah, the food is here," said Kim as she turned her eyes towards the waitress dragging a movable serving tray.
When the waitress arrived, she served them their food. Leo looked down at his plate. Kim had ordered for him tuna, his favourite. As he continued to look at his plate, he realised that his appetite had disappeared.
"Bon appetite," Kim said with so much glee. She ordered herself lobster. Leo knew that's what she liked to order whenever they came here. He really isn't liking this at all.
"You don't look excited about your food, Leo," she said as she noticed the look on his face.
He soon picked up the knife and fork. "Why am I here, Kim?" he asked.
"What sort of question is that?"
Leo didn't answer as he cut a piece from his tuna. And put it in his mouth. The food tasted different and he found it very difficult to chew. He looked up at Kim after he swallowed.
"Why are you acting like this?" he asked.
Kim shrugged her shoulders as she happily giggled. "What are you talking about?" she put food in her mouth.
Leo felt like dropping his knife and fork so as to stand and walk out of the restaurant. But he restrained himself. He soon sat upright as he continued to look at Kim.
"Why did you invite me for lunch?" he asked.
"I just wanted us to come here to eat and chat like friends do," said Kim.
Oh, we're friends now, Leo almost said out loud. He didn't know how to tell her this properly, but just because his mother still considers Kim like a daughter, doesn't mean he wants to be friends with her. Not like this.
"If you ask me, it doesn't feel like a lunch between two friends," said Leo.
"Don't get me wrong, Leo. I know you don't feel the same way about me anymore. The reason for this lunch is just for us to set aside our differences and just be friends. I know, it's weird, but I think you and I can make it work."
Leo really wanted to laugh, but he dug into his food instead. Kim watched him for a bit before she also went back to her meal.
"I see you're now enjoying it," said Kim as she smiled at him.
Leo isn't enjoying it at all. The food in his mouth tasted like plastic and he didn't know if he could keep up with eating when it's pretty clear that he isn't comfortable.
"It is my favourite meal, after all," Leo responded trying to sound as normal as possible.
"I'm glad. I wish we could do this more often. You know, just as friends."
"I doubt it," Leo muttered as he put his knife and fork down on the table. He managed to finish his meal as tasteless as it was.
"Sorry?" Kim didn't hear him at first.
Leo looked her dead straight in the eye. "I said, I doubt it."
Kim looked a little perplexed but soon replaced her look with a smile. "I know what you mean. We tend to be pretty busy sometimes, and also because you might be seeing someone else, right?"
This is exactly what Leo wanted to hear. Eric was right. She wanted this lunch so that she could get him to open up to her and tell her the truth.
"What makes you think that I'm seeing someone?" he asked as he folded his arms.
She looked up at the ceiling before looking at him. "It just feels that way," she answered.
The two looked at each other in silence. Someone had to break the ice, and Leo knew he had to be the one to do it.
"Yes, I am seeing someone, Kim," he said.
Kim didn't say anything as she looked taken aback by his confession. She expected him to lie, but Leo thought better than to come out clean, just like Eric suggested. She bit her lower lip as she tried to figure out what to say next.
"Is she the reason why you ran away from the wedding?" she finally asked.
"Yes," Leo answered.
Kim gasped and she tried to pull herself together. She felt like she could start crying, but she didn't want to do so in front of people. She held her chest and she felt it hurt like a stab wound. She also found it very hard to breathe. She tried to breathe in calmly, but it didn't work. She had to get herself together or else she might lose it.
"Do I-," Kim tried to speak, but was finding it hard to do so. "Do I know who it is?"
Leo raised an eyebrow. If he didn't try to calm her down now, she might have a panic attack or something. "Does it matter?" he asked.
Kim didn't answer right away as she tried to take a deep breath in and another one out. Her chest went up and down heavily. After taking in a few deep breaths, she managed to calm down a little.
"It does," she answered as she strongly looked at him.
"You don't have to know who she is right now."
"Why?" she asked, this time sounding a little loud like she's about to snap at any moment.
"I know you, Kim. You just want to meet her so that you can see what I saw in her that I didn't see in you, like if she's pretty or smart or something."
Kim looked the other way. Leo caught her as she couldn't find the words to defend herself. She bit her lower lip and Leo could see she's getting teary-eyed.
"I really love you, Leo," she said, gaining her composure. "I just don't understand why that woman is in the way. She ruined my life when you ran from the wedding."
"Until your anger cools down and you get over me, you can't know who she is," said Leo.
"Why can't you tell me now? Why are you protecting her?"
"I know you, Kim. You're one who doesn't get over things easily, and this issue between us still hasn't settled well with you. I'm afraid you can go out of control and end up hurting people."
"Are you trying to say that I'm a psycho?" Kim asked, her voice a little higher now that a few heads close by turned to look at their table.
"You're about to make a scene, Kim," Leo told her calmly. "Calm yourself."
She took in a deep breath and in so doing placed her index finger near her right eye to wipe away a tear that was just about to drop. This isn't going to end well, Leo thought to himself. He had to find a way to do this peacefully without her completely falling apart.
"I'm not calling you a psycho," he continued. "You've just admitted that you still love me, and I know I hurt you a lot. It's why I think you shouldn't know who it is. If anything, you and I aren't supposed to be seeing each other. It's just because your family and mine have had a close relationship for a very time."
Kim sniffed quietly. "Were you meeting this same woman before we got engaged?"
Leo shook his head and at the same time, he wondered if he should tell her that it was on the night of his bachelor party. That would be devastating. She didn't have to know all about that. Not yet, at least.
"No," he answered. "It doesn't matter when I met her."
"It does to me," she sounded composed. "I want to know for how long you've been cheating on me instead of manning up to tell me we were through."
Leo is about to lose his patience. "What has happened has happened, Kim. We can't turn back time. You've to try and let go."
"And how do you think I'm going to do that? You tell me because you moved on pretty well. I bet you don't even think about me anymore. Not to mention that your grandmother is very happy that you're with someone else."
"No one knows that I'm seeing her, mind you."
Kim now looked perplexed. "You didn't tell anyone?"
Leo shook his head. "I didn't want anyone to know because they would start asking the same questions you're asking me. And knowing my own mother, she'll totally go psycho."
Kim voiced out a laugh. "You always managed to put a smile on my face when I least expected you to. It's one of the reason why I fell in love with you."
"I know what you're trying to do, Kim. It isn't going to work."
"Why? Because you're more in love with her than you ever were with me?"
Leo didn't want to answer when it's obvious. He continued to look at her, hoping that this conversation will end soon.
"I'm sorry for overreacting like I did just now," she said as she wiped her left eye. She's getting teary-eyed again. "I just-you know-I really wanted to know."
Leo gave a nod. "I'm sorry for all the pain I made you go through, Kim. It's unfair that all that happened as it did. In the end, I think it's best to tell you the truth. You deserve that and a lot better."
Kim continued to look at Leo and a genuine smile appeared on her face. "You rarely apologise, you know. But you do so when you really mean it."
"I really hope you can move past this, Kim. It's why I think you deserve someone better. Not someone like me who left you on that important day."
"I'm still upset with you over it. But I can't promise that I'll manage to move on, Leo. You're the only man I've ever gotten so close to."
"Trust me, Kim, you've to. It might take some time, but you'll have to forget about me and live your life."
Kim's eyes are starting to get teary again. "Easy for you to say since you're already with someone else."
Leo would've shrugged his shoulders but he didn't. "The heart wants what it wants, Kim. Once again, I apologise for all the hurt I've caused you. I wouldn't mind if you don't want to forgive me."
"I don't hate you, Leo. I just wish you and I were married now and living happily in that pent house you wanted."
"I'm sorry it didn't happen. It's just the way life is. You don't always get what you want."
Kim gave a nod of her head. "I guess you're right. I also have to apologise. This has turned out to be an awful lunch."
Leo chuckled. "Ya, you're right. Yet it's good we had it. I finally got to tell you the truth."
"I thought you would lie to me, but you were really honest. Thank you, Leo."
Leo managed to give her a smile. "I hope you really do move on, Kim. It will be better for you."
Kim managed to put up a smile but Leo could see how much she's struggling to do so. She turns around to summon the waiter nearby. They were done here and Leo couldn't help but feel a little relieved. He couldn't wait to go to his office and hide in there for a while.
They sat in silence as they waited for the bill. Leo thought it best that they leave the restaurant together. He soon felt the phone in his pocket beep. He pulled it out and it's Carly calling him. How ironic, he thought to himself. Just when he's about to leave. It is lunch time and sometimes they call or send each other text messages. Her calling is putting him in an awkward position of whether to answer or not.
Kim looked at him as he continued to stare at his phone. "Is it her?" she asked. "You can answer it, if you want. I won't mind."
Leo pretended he didn't hear Kim as he slid the call icon to the side and put the phone to hisj ear.
"Hi, Carly," he greeted her. "How is school going?" Kim looked on intently at him.
"Uh…, hi," came Carly's voice. "I'm not calling at a bad time, am I?"
"No, I'm actually having lunch with Kim. What can I do for you?"
"Oh, I see," the change in Carly's voice made him realise that she knew the situation he is in. "Do you mind telling Angel to call me? I've been trying to call her but she isn't picking up."
"She's out having lunch with Eric, but once she's back in the office, I'll let her know."
"Okay, thanks. Bye."
"Bye." Leo cut the call and turned to look at Kim who still had his eyes on him. But he noticed that she looked relieved.
"That's Angel's sister, right?" she asked.
"Yes, she was asking about her."
The waiter came at the right time with the bill before Kim could ask him any more questions. She looked at it and told the waiter that she would pay with her card. The waiter advised that she go to the counter. She stood up and Leo also did the same. They both went to the counter together and Kim paid for the meal.
"Thanks for the meal," said Leo as they started to make their way to the door.
"Too bad we couldn't stay for dessert," said Kim as she walked slowly beside him.
Dessert would've been a disaster, Leo thought. He's glad that the worst has happened: he finally told her the truth without compromising Carly. He reached for the door handle and held it open for Kim to pass through first. She walked out, saying thank you. Leo followed her and when they were out on the pavement, he escorted her to her white Lamborghini packed a few feet away from the restaurant's door.
"Next time we've lunch I'll make sure we go somewhere else," said Kim as she stood in front of her car. "And maybe then, you can invite your girlfriend along."
Not going to happen, Leo wanted to voice out, but he smiled instead. "You take care, Kim," he said.
"Thanks, you too." She turned around quickly, and Leo couldn't help but notice her blush.
He watched her as she got in the car and drove away. He drew out a deep breath, feeling relieved. He pulled out his phone as he walked back to his car. He hoped Eric is done with his lunch. Boy, did he have a story to tell.
***
"Don't put up that face with me," said Diana as she sat at her desk.
"What do you want me to do?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she slumped further in her seat. "The fact that those two girls are at my house is a problem."
Diana shook her head at her sister-in-law. "Sometimes I wonder what my brother ever saw in you," she muttered as she picked up a sheet of paper on her desk.
"What did you say?" Bertha asked as she sat upright.
"You're exaggerating is what I said," said Diana as she looked at Bertha, pretending to be busy looking at the paper.
"I'm not exaggerating. I just don't know why my husband would want Angel to work at the company."
"Let's not forget that it was my mother's idea."
"Well, I wish they could've found her a job somewhere else. This is stressful. You'll see. One of these days those two girls might be the ones running the company and maybe even taking over your massage parlours."
Diana shook her head. "You watch too many soap operas, Bertha."
"At least I don't watch them alone," Bertha gave Diana a look.
"I'm the one who doesn't take it like it's real life. Besides, what have those poor girls ever done to you? Fred is only helping them get back on their feet."
"By using our resources? Wasn't Angel already working when we met her?"
Diana rolled her eyes. "I see you're still as self-centered as ever. He's just helping her so that she could get their house back. The salary at her previous job wasn't going to cut it."
Bertha rolled her eyes. "Fine, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Diana shook her head. "You're the one who brought it up in the first place," she muttered.
"Are you almost done?" Bertha asked, she looked down at her diamond wrist watch. "We're supposed to go out for lunch."
"And I told you, I still have a thing or two before coming with you," said Diana as she looked at her computer.
"Well, hurry up, will you? I'm supposed to meet my doctor at 2 PM."
"Whatever you say," Diana tried her best not to sound irritated, but even if she did, Bertha couldn't care less.
Bertha soon went for her bag right next to her and retrieved her phone. When she turned it on, she found she had a message from Kim.
"I have a message from Kim," she said with excitement.
Diana frowned. "So…?"
"She told me earlier that she is going to have lunch with Leo today."
Diana now had her eye on Bertha. "What? Don't tell me you talked her into it."
Bertha shrugged her shoulders trying to look innocent. "What did you want me to do? She told me that she had seen Leo today at the café and I thought it be best that the two of them meet."
Diana shook her head. "I hope he didn't agree to it."
"Apparently, he did," Bertha looking confident. "It still shows that he has some love for her, don't you think?"
"I bet he agreed so that he wouldn't seem rude."
"I really hope those two have patched things up," said Bertha as she clutched her phone tightly with both hands.
"It's not that simple, Bertha. They didn't go through with their wedding and you expect them to act like nothing happened and get back together? Love doesn't work that way. If you ask me, I think you wanted her to make Leo open up about what happened."
Bertha scoffed. "You know me so well, don't you?"
"Of course, I live with you after all."
"Something happened to him that day for him to leave his wedding. I bet it's another woman."
"We all think that way. But the best thing to do is not probe the answer out of him. You know how those first days were after the wedding and the accident. He wasn't willing to tell us anything. And if you ask me, it's best he opens up about it himself. So I guess that's why you wanted Kim to have lunch with him because he might tell her since out of everyone around him, she deserves to know the most."
"You're so smart, Diana," said Bertha as she laughed. "I should've let you in on my plan earlier."
"You know I wouldn't have allowed it."
"And that's why I didn't want to tell you. Anyway, let me see what Kim has to say."
A moment of silence passed as Bertha looked at her phone. Diana, though she had her eyes fixed on the computer screen, knew that she has to be prepared for what Bertha might end up reading. And she's glad she did as soon as Bertha shrieked.
"I knew it! I knew it!" Bertha stood up from her seat and went straight for Diana, who had to draw back a bit in her seat as she thought of Bertha as a car that might run her over.
"Look! Leo is seeing someone." Bertha shoved her phone in Diana's face, and Diana again, backed up a bit so as to get away from the phone's screen. She took the phone and read the message.
"Like I said, we've been expecting this. No one just runs away from their own wedding. Unless they have some undying health condition or they just discovered they're homosexual," said Diana.
"What I don't understand is who it could be." Bertha went back to her seat. "She says he didn't reveal who it is."
"I think it's good he didn't," Diana puts Bertha's phone down on her desk. "Kim's wound is still very fresh and if she were to know who the woman is, she'll track her down like a hound and God knows what she'll do. And you might even help her do it."
"What? No, I wouldn't."
"I know you too well. You're just as hurt as she is, and you've been dying for Leo to tell you the truth. Not to mention that you're still supporting Kim to try and get back with Leo. You two are very unstable."
"Are you calling us crazy?"
Diana knew better than to answer honestly. "All I'm saying is that you need to cool down for a bit. You lose your temper a lot, and you've to consider your son's feelings this time around. He has his reasons for doing what he did."
"But I'm just looking out for him. Kim is and has always been good for him."
"That's just an overprotective mother talking. Haven't you ever considered that Leo went on to date Kim and got engaged to her because of your influence?"
"Are you trying to say I'm a bad influence? Leo is the one who wanted to get married to Kim in the first place."
Diana shook her head. "I feel you've had a very big part in this, Bertha. And if it wasn't for his stubborn behaviour, he might have gotten married to Kim and who knows? Maybe in the end, he wouldn't have been happy."
"Don't make me look like a bad guy here. If it's anyone who should be blamed for what happened should be that woman Leo thinks he's in love with."
Diana raised her eyebrows. "You talk like you know what's best for Leo when you clearly don't. He's a grownup now. He can't always rely on you to make decisions that affect his life."
Bertha rolled her eyes. "That's why you're no fun to hang around with these days."
"That's because I speak the truth and you hate it."
Bertha folded her arms and looked the other way. "Aren't you done yet?" she asked.
"Almost," said Diana as she moved her mouse around on the table. "Now that you know that Leo is in love with someone else, don't confront him about it at home. He'll obviously know that you know, so don't pressure him to the point where you might drive him out of the house."
"Stop talking nonsense, Diana," said Bertha. "Why would I chase him away from his own home? I'm his mother."
"If you continue pressuring him like you do, you just might."
Bertha pouted her lower lip, upset that Diana had said that. "I'm just looking out for my son."
"If you ask me, you're not doing it right. And you of all people are supposed to understand. But instead, you want him to follow on your every whim."
"No, I don't."
Diana gave her a look. "Then why do you think he has that temper he inherited from you that he only got to show a lot more after he cancelled his wedding? He's tired of you controlling him. So if you really don't want him to retaliate and leave you, then don't be so nosy, please."
"I'll see what I can do. But I still feel Kim is good for him."
Diana sighed, shaking her head. "It's pointless talking to you sometimes." She turned back to look at the computer screen. "When will you ever understand that only he knows what's good for him. Not you."
There came a brief silence between them and Diana made sure to keep an eye on Bertha. Bertha had her arms folded, looking into a distance. Diana noticed the sullen look on her face. It's not the first time they've had it. All she hoped for is this time, Bertha might take things to heart and realise that Leo's life is more important than what she truly desires.
"I'm done," said Diana as she stood up from her seat. "We can go for lunch now."
Bertha didn't speak, nor did she move. She just sat there. Diana started to worry.
"Bertha?" she called out to her as she went round her table. "Bertha, are you okay?"
Bertha still didn't speak. The last time Diana saw that look on her face, Bertha did something beyond what others thought she would do. And it wasn't pretty.
"Bertha!" Diana shook her as she placed her hand on Bertha's shoulder. Whatever cloud Bertha was on had suddenly dissipated as she now looked surprised, finding Diana in front of her.
"Are you okay?" Diana asked. "You looked a little lost just now."
"Yes, I'm fine," said Bertha, sounding a little shaky. She slowly stood up from her seat.
"Are you sure? I've seen that look before. Remember what happened last time? You literally went on a rampage."
"That was last time," she said. "Don't worry about me, I'm not going to go on a rampage."
"Well. I sure hope so," said Diana as she went over to the table to get her purse. "I really hope you're not going to confront Leo about his new girlfriend."
"Of course, not. I'll make sure not to even mention it to him."
Diana looked at Bertha. She seemed normal. And as they walked out of her office, Diana couldn't help but tell herself to keep an eye on Bertha.
***
"Wow, you seriously told her the truth?" Eric can't believe what he's hearing.
"Believe it, Eric," said Leo seated behind his desk. "I told her what she needed to know."
"But you didn't reveal who it is, right?" Angel asked.
"No, I didn't," said Leo, looking at her and feeling irritated that she's standing in his office. But he couldn't do anything about it since Eric came in with her. Chasing her out isn't an option.
"Well, I want to be happy and relieved, but we all know this is far from over," said Eric.
"My mother. Kim must have told her already."
"Don't you think your mother might be involved with the two of you meeting for lunch?" Angel asked.
Eric and Leo looked at her. "Why do you say so?" Leo asked.
"I don't know. It just seemed kind of strange when Eric told me. Maybe Kim told her that she met you at the café and your mother thought maybe you two having lunch together would make you open up to Kim and finally tell her the truth."
Eric rubbed his chin with his fingers as he thought. "Yep, I agree," he said, nodding his head afterwards.
"I hate to admit, but it does have my mother's scent all over it," said Leo as he leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. He looked tired and frustrated. "I feel like I'm going to be sick. I didn't enjoy my lunch, at all."
"Who would when your ex is seated facing you? If you ask me, I would puke," said Eric.
"No doubt you would," Leo raised an eyebrow, still with his eyes closed.
"Would you like something? You look like you didn't eat at all."
"No, thanks. I think I'll get something in the kitchen."
"I've been told that Mrs. Lance brought in some homemade sandwiches for everyone in the staff kitchen," said Angel. "And I hear they're really good."
"I think I should go and get some," said Eric. "I really love that woman's homemade food."
"Isn't your tummy full?" Leo raised an eyebrow, this time with his eyes open.
"It is, but just like I said, I love her home-made food. Don't you want to get something yourself? For someone who didn't enjoy their meal, you really need it."
"Alright," Leo gave in as he stood up from his seat. "Aren't you going to try it out, Angel?"
Shoot, Leo almost winced. Why did he have to ask? She probably wouldn't. He noticed Eric give him a funny look and he knew why. Leo now regretted it.
"I would love to, but there's something I need to do at my desk right now," she answered. "Won't you mind getting it for me?"
Leo didn't know if she's asking him or Eric and whether to answer or not. Eric came to his rescue by accepting her request and that he will swing by her desk to give it to her. Leo soon remembered something:
"Oh, Angel, Carly called and was trying to reach you during lunch. She asks if you could call her back."
"Okay, I'll do just that. I'll see you guys later," she said giving them a little smile before turning around to head out of the office. Leo couldn't help but blush after seeing her smile like that. As soon as she walked out of his office, he heard Eric clear his throat.
"The look on your face says things, you know," said Eric as he leaned in close so that Leo could face him.
"What are you talking about?" Leo asked looking at his cousin.
"Well, for starters, you asked Angel if she wanted to try out Mrs. Lance's food. Then you had this funny look on your face when she was leaving." Eric now looked at him suspiciously. "I hope you aren't falling for my girl."
Leo felt his face heat up for a bit, but he isn't going to let Eric make a fool of him as he quickly said, "you must be joking, Eric. Why would I ever fall for her when I'm in love with someone else?"
The two looked at each other. There's a serious dead silence between them until Eric suddenly burst out laughing. Leo rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"You should see your face," said Eric trying to catch his breath. "You really shouldn't be so serious, man. I was just joking. But I can see there's some improvement."
"What improvement?"
"I can see you're slowly opening up to Angel. But let me warn you. You can only like her, but not to those extremes."
"Okay, you've made it clear that Angel is a no-go area. But I'm not the one you should be worried about."
"Ya, I know. Every guy around here has their eyes on her. Come on, let's go to the kitchen before the food runs out."
"Ya, we should. I'm starving."
The two of them made their way out of Leo's office and went straight for the kitchen with Eric making fun of Leo over his bad lunch. Leo took it all in in silence trying to get Angel's smile out of his head.