An unexpected day.
Leo was about to head out of the bedroom when Vincent showed up in front of him, catching his breath. He buttoned his cerulean coat, asking, "Vincent. What are you still doing here? I thought you and Randall we'll have to check the inventory and profits for today."
Vincent pointed his thumb back on his shoulder, panting, "The woman… she woke up."
Leo widened his eyes. Just yesterday, he's relaxing his mood for a while, knowing it wouldn't be a hindrance if he left the woman inside the drab room for a day. But as he was about to step out for work, she woke up…
"What? What did she say after she woke up?" Leo threw the briefcase to the couch, and closed the door. Vincent recovered, holding his chest, and answered, "She doesn't remember her name."
It's like someone threw him on a frozen lake and his head slammed on the prickled ice. Too cold, and the warm blood ooze out of his head. Leo got stunned with what he said, and it made him clench his jaw. He turned behind Vincent, and saw Randall isn't around.
"Where's Randall?"
Vincent closed his eyes, hissing, "The woman must have pinned him down. She's holding a knife, Leo."
Leo closed his eyes annoyingly. This was the part he didn't expect at all. He had to take care of this thing, as the leader of the Cassanos, and the only one who can save them from the threat the woman was exuding. Vincent added, "We don't know how to control her. She's determined to kill Randall."
Leo doesn't have the time to think. When Etienne and Jon Cho showed up, Leo ran. Vincent came up to the two, and announced what happened by the second floor. Etienne dropped his jaw, asking, "She doesn't remember her name?"
"We don't have time for some chit-chat. Let's go downstairs, Randall is in danger," Leo huffed. Jon Cho pushed him back while Vincent and Etienne were right in front of them. Leo sighed, fixing the holster inside his chest.
Jon Cho mumbled, "Let us three stay in front. The woman was holding a knife. We need to be careful, Leo."
It's the brother code Cassanos have. But Leo knew it sounded unfair for them to be in the front, like he's a king to be protected of. He doesn't like that kind of protection. Leo withdraw the gun inside his coat, checked the bullets, and they're all intact.
"Let's go," Leo commanded. Jon Cho walked beside Etienne. As they rushed downstairs, they didn't even hear a single noise, but when Vincent came by the door, he saw the woman hunkering down, threatening to kill Randall.
Jon Cho and Etienne glanced at each other.
Leo stayed outside for a while, comprehending his thoughts, wondering what he should do to stop the woman from being a lunatic murderer.
"Who are all of you?! What is this place?! What is my name?! Who am I?!"
The woman's voice resonated out of the room. "How many are you here? Are you trying to kill me?"
"What? We're not murderers, young lady," Vincent spoke up.
"So what is the purpose of the knife in that drawer?! That was where I got it." Jon Cho turned to Leo at that point, and he stayed by the door frame. He didn't even dare to whisper right on Etienne's ear.
"Now, answer me. Who am I?"
Leo doesn't know what he's doing. Wife? That's absurd. He had to suffer from his consequences if he faked his marriage. But it's the only thing he could save Randall from getting killed. The Cassanos mattered more to him.
Leo knuckled his fists, and turned the gap at the center, walking inside the bedroom while saying, "You're my wife."
As soon as he landed his eyes to the woman, his heart skipped a beat. Even though it's widened, she looked… beautiful. Leo must be wondering what was happening to the rest of the Cassanos, but they must have wanted to close their eyes for what he did. Leo doesn't care for now when Randall was on a death threat.
Both of them stared into each other's eyes for a long time.
He recalled a name. A name he doesn't want to hear again.
"Laina, stop that." He approached her carefully, like a prey who befriended a predator. Randall knew he's playing with fire, and that he only had two choices. To withdraw his body from the pit or engulfed the flames like it's a friendly friend. As Leo hunkered down to retrieve the knife from the woman's hand, he turned to her, and stared at her face.
Like last night, it didn't change. The only clothes she's wearing for now is a peach night robe. Her eyelashes were long, her smooth cheeks with cold sweat, and pale lips. Even though her hair was tousled, Leo couldn't help but to admire her beauty. But he had to open his eyes… and believed that everything he felt today was wrong.
Leo retrieved the knife, holding her hand and stared straight at her. He doesn't tremble when he soothed her cheek, saying, "It is okay. I'll say something to you after they went out, okay? Stay put in your bed."
Leo turned to Randall, and nodded. He sensed the woman's stare to him, but he wouldn't get dragged with those prying eyes. Leo nodded at the man she pinned down, uttering, "His name is Randall. I reminded you every day of that, Laina."
Randall, as the man he threatened earlier, nodded, reassuring her. Standing up from the floor, she removed her eyes from Leo, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Randall and Leo glanced at each other.
"Accompany her," Leo mouthed. Randall understood right away.
He held onto Laina, helped herself to the bed as Leo assured, "I'll get back to you later, love. I'll just have something to say to the team."
Randall tucked in Laina in the comforter. She isn't giving an answer. Leo didn't egg on. Instead, he booked something, "Are we okay with that? Let's have some breakfast later."
Laina nodded, calming down slowly. Leo gave her a little smile, and turned to the astounded Cassanos. They're standing there, watching the whole scene. Randall ushered them out of the drab room, and Leo followed them out. As soon as the door closed, Jon Cho, Etienne and Vincent tried to close their jaws, but they failed.
Randall turned to Leo, and asked, "What was that?"
"We don't have to talk here. Let's go to the office."
Leo turned to the other Cassanos, hissing, "Be silent. Zip your mouths tight, or I'll tug that tongue of yours."
Jon Cho slapped his mouth. Etienne cleared his throat. Vincent wondered what kind of punishment Leo would do, and fiddled at the hem of his coat. Leo rolled his eyes, annoyed as he was, and turned to the stairs. He stomped his heels away, Randall was right on his foot.