Leila inhaled deeply when she stepped out of the car. She was rooted to her spot just outside the entrance with mixed emotions.
"Let's get inside!" Nicholas spoke blandly as he took steps ahead of Leila.
"Sir...." Came Leila's voice, halting Nicholas on his steps. He heaved a sigh as he descended the steps he had just climbed.
Leila shoot a brow up as she held his gaze, carefully scrutinizing him. "I don't think I can meet Grandma right now" She blurted out.
"What do you mean?" A complex emotion flashed through his eyes.
Something seemed to have struck her, Leila suddenly took out her phone. "See! My dress look too causual, my hair is all messed up and I came here with empty handed".
Nicholas was astounded, but he had a mysterious expression.
Leila's gaze flickered as she murmured, "Please wait for a second..... ". Her hand went up to her hair and swiftly pulled away the band she had used to pull her up. She combed her hand through her hair and started brushing her hair backwards.
"Are you done?" He tilt his brow and asked with a tone which Leila found to be very annoying.
"Yes Sir" Leila gave a wry smile.
Nicholas was hesitant for a while. Even Leila could sense the uneasiness in his eyes.
"Call me by my name.... " Nicholas said raising a brow at her.
Leila was hit with another wave of confusion. She furrowed her brows and uttered, "That feels somewhat uncomfortable!"
Interrupting her, Nicholas took a step closer. Leila's body stiffened as he took her hand in his. But when his hand wrapped around her small hand like that, it brought her a strange sense of security.
"Since I'll be acting as your boyfriend, you should address me by my name" Nicholas muttered in his dominating tone. He kept quiet for a while as she closely studied her expression at the moment. He then inhaled deeply, "Relaxed your face. It looks like I am kidnapping you right now. And Grandma would be suspicious at this point".
Leila looked up at him, rements of anxiety still lingering on her face. "Nicholas...!" She said. The word seemed heavy on her lips. Her nervousness started increasingly.
Leila felt her head go blank when Nicholas suddenly pulled her against him. He put his hand around Leila's waist and hugged her tightly. She was about to protest and ask him to let go off her, when she caught sight of someone spying from the window.
Leila's heart was racing frantically as Nicholas held tightly in his arms. His musky smell was wafting into her nose and it was making her earlobes burning.
"Let go of me! Grandma is gone" Leila said quietly. Nicholas released her at about the same time as well.
Leila clutched her bag tightly and asked, "Do we have to act this far?".
"You have lots of questions!" Nicholas brushed past her and walked ahead.
Leila gnawed on her lip in anxiety and sighed inwardly. Nicholas always spoke with undebatable dominance.
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"Leila, My dear" Grandma chirped with a sweet smile as she pulled in to a hug.
"Grandma!" Leila greeted with a happy smile as she let the old woman hug her. Grandma looked at their intertwined hands and she couldn't help the giddiness in her heart. Her Grandson has finally done it.
"Grandma, How was your health?" Leila asked, holding both of Grandma's hands.
"I am good. Now I feel more happy seeing you" Grandma's hand cupped her face as she smiled heartily at Leila.
"Grandma" Nicholas greeted, but his Grandma only offered him a nod as she paid more attention to the nervous little girl in front of her.
"Let's get inside" Grandma grabbed Leila's hand and led her into the sitting room. Leila could not help but let her eyes wander as she discreetly scanned around the room, unsure if her sudden spur of confidence is on the right track.
"Let's have dinner first. My girl is hungry," Nicholas said. Immediately, Leila choked while the awkwardness and embarrassment quickly caused her face to flush.
Grandma couldn't help but giggle when she heard what her Grandson had said.
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Aunt Seila led them to the dining table where different varieties of delicious food. Eyes scanned across the table and Leila felt very touched. The table was full with Leila's favorite dishes. Seeing the varieties of food made for her, Leila felt a sudden tightness in her chest in guilty.
"Leila, is something wrong?" Grandma asked with concern when she saw the look on Leila's face.
Leila lifted her head and slightly shook it. "No... This is all my favourite. Thank you" Leila said with friendly smile.
"Your Aunty Seila did a small survey from your mother!" Grandma said as she burst out in laughter.
Nicholas caught a glimpse of his Grandma who was laughing heartily. There was so much joy in his Grandma's smile. "Did she cast spell on my Grandma?" He wondered in his mind.
The moment Grandma sat down, Leila politely filled a bowl of soup and served it to Grandma first. After that, she automatically reached for Nicholas's bowl and began filling it with soup too. "Have some soup."