After the man left, Dylan turned and looked at Leo smiling. Leo looked so happy and Dylan felt his heart flatter because he was the reason why Leo was this happy. All this was his doing.
"So, are you seriously not going to tell me why you never touch alcohol?" He asked as he sat next to Leo.
"Nope. Never," Leo said.
"Please Leo, just tell me. I'm your friend, aren't I?" Dylan pleaded in a cute voice that made Leo smile.
"No. You aren't my friend. You are my boss, Leo said pouting feigning annoyance.
"Ouch!" Dylan held his heart and pretended to fall, "that hurt. And here I was thinking that we are friends," he finished, wiping non existent tears from his eyes.
Leo laughed so hard that he was holding his stomach by Te time he was done.
"I'm glad you find my pain amusing," Dylan said pouting.
"I'm sorry. But you looked so cute in your 'little heart attack' there. Anyway, you know I didn't mean it. You are my friend D. I couldn't ask for anymore with you in my life," he said seriously because he meant every word he said.
"It's okay. And you know I will always be here for you. But it's okay if you don't want to talk about your past. I will wait till you are ready or never. I don't mind. I will always be here no matter how dark your past is. Take your time," Dylan said seriously and Leo was touched.
"Ai! Why has the atmosphere suddenly turned so heavy? Leo said as he attempted to break the awkward atmosphere that had brewed once again that night and they both laughed.
** *** **
When nature has favoured someone, no one, no one can change it. And people also say that you can't hinder greatness from happening. And when heaven is about to bless you, they send even the unexpected of
persons.
After Dylan told Leo that it was time, Leo stood there wondering time for what. Dylan looked at him with a smile, stood and held Leo by his hands as he helped him to stand.
.
"Are you ready for the first surprise?"
"You are making me nervous. What is it?"
"Impatient much we are, aren't we?" Dylan said as he started teasing Leo.
"Guess what my first surprise is," he continued.
"Stop teasing me and get done with it already!" The impatient Leo said.
"Okay. Sorry. Sorry. Here, this is my first surprise for you," he said as he handed Leo the envelope which his assistant brought.
"What is this?" Leo asked without opening the envelope.
"You won't know until you open it. God ahead. Open it," Dylan urged. Leo sighed as he broke the seal.
When he took out the papers which were in the envelope, his mouth fell open. He looked at them for a while then looked at Dylan. He did that thrice, as if he couldn't fathom what was happening or as if he had a gazillion and one questions and didn't know which one to start with.
"What's this D?" He asked seriously.
"Have you lost your ability to read? It's a title deed and property ownership documents of course!" Dylan said excitedly unable to hide the happiness he was feeling at that time unable to read the atmosphere around Leo.
Leo looked at him for a while then stood up. He looked at Dylan once, placed the envelope on the table and started walking towards the elevator.
"Where are you going?" Dylan asked as he held Leo's hand.
"I'm going home and I'm quitting my job as your housekeeper," he said seriously and Dylan felt his heart tremble. This wasn't the reaction he was expecting.
"Why Leo? Did I do something wrong?"
"Tell me D, am I a charity case to you? All these years I have worked for you and you even said we were friends, was it just you doing charity for the poor me? Was that the reason why you even gave me a high salary?" He asked in the blink of tears.
"Of course not!" Dylan denied with a pained expression.
"Then what's the meaning of this? Why buy me a house? Are you embarrassed to have a friend who lives in a rundown house like me? Are you embarrassed that I am poor?" Leo couldn't help shouting. His emotions were all over.
He thought Dylan saw him as someone who was capable of taking care of himself but apparently, he had thought wrong. Although Dylan has never looked down on him. Leo never thought he could do this to him.
Dylan held Leo gently and sat him on the chair. Then he bent one knee and knelt with the other in front of Leo, held both his hands in his and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Leo, I have never looked at you as a charity case even for once since I got to know you. Im not giving this house to you for free. It's on loan. Once you get a better job and start earning, you will pay me back. Plus, auntie is improving now and she needs somewhere
spacious where she can practice walking. So, it's not charity Leo. I know you are capable of taking care of yourself and your family," haven't you done it so far?" He convinced in a soothing voice that made Leo calm down and look at this rationally.
If it was like that, then he had no problem accepting the house.
"Sorry for overreacting. I thought... Never mind. Thank you. I promise to pay you back each and every penny. How much is it worth?"
"I don't know. I will ask my assistant to give you the contract and everything. Okay. Now, cheer up. I have one more surprise for you."
Dylan said as he stood up from his kneeling position with an air of mystery around him.