'What are they talking about?'
Leslie didn't move from the spot where she first stood. Her attention was still on the closed door of Old Madam Xu's bedroom, wondering what the grandmother and grandson might be conversing about.
'Old Madam Xu seems like a just person. I'm convinced that she only scolds Calix for how he got married.'
Leslie's priority was looking for Calliope. Yet, she already thought about what would happen once she woke up and got her child back.
'Calix will surely be surprised once he knows what I'll request from him. He might wanna divorce me after helping me to find Poppy.'
To Leslie, Calix was a gentleman. But, it didn't mean he wanted to be involved with a child who was not his. She also refused to burden him more than necessary.
Leslie agreed to come to this world solely to reunite with Calliope. Because Charlene's relationship with her family was bad, she could use the chance to vanish somewhere and build a new life with her daughter.
But...
A pang of ache pricked Leslie's heart. The downcast look on Rowan's face earlier made her uncomfortable. His earnest request to Calix also echoed again in her mind.
Rowan and Bianca were not good parents to Charlene. The latter was disappointed over how her parents always yielded under pressure exerted by Old Madam Li and Geoffrey's family.
Yet, Leslie could tell that they were aware of that fact.
Rowan and Bianca grabbed the olive branch extended by Calix to marry their eldest daughter to him, someone who was known to be a good man in high society. By doing this, Charlene was saved from the Li family's torment.
'At least... they're a bit decent from my own parents.'
A sad smile hung on Leslie's lips. Memories of her past life surged forth from the depths of her mind.
Leslie's birth family consisted of a busy and absentee father, an always angry mother, her as the neglected eldest child and a spoiled younger brother.
Both of her parents treasured their secondborn child because he was a male. More often than not, Leslie was forced to cater to her brother's nonsensical demands.
If not for her ability to score a good scholarship, Leslie wouldn't be able to continue her undergraduate study. But, she still had to work part-time to get more money into her savings.
Him...
Axel Lu.
The man suddenly appeared in her life and showered her with affection. Even though Axel didn't have much as an orphan, he would make sure Leslie was well taken care of by him.
Marrying Axel was Leslie's dream once upon a time. She wanted to escape her family so badly. He told her to wait until she finished her study.
Unfortunately, Axel's life was cut short by an accident. He fell from the cliff when he tried to save his friend during their hiking trip. His body was found trapped in between sharp rocks and bushes.
Autumn that year was particularly hard on Leslie.
Since then, Leslie had given her all to raise Calliope alone. Her parents kicked her out of the family because of her insistence on keeping the baby.
Even though Leslie was sad, being disowned by her family was actually the best thing that had happened to her. She no longer had to entertain their outrageous demands.
'Yes. I'll find Poppy and live a new life with her here. We can...'
"You're still here."
Leslie's thoughts were cut short by Calix's voice. Stunned, she quickly looked at him.
There he was, standing right in front of her with his mouth covered.
"When did you come out?" asked Leslie. She was still surprised to see Calix.
"Just now. Well..." Calix looked around, finding that the hallway was empty of other people, "Let's talk somewhere else. Come."
Leslie's heart skipped a beat.
Did he want to talk about the favor now?
"Okay."
Despite feeling unsettled, this was the moment Leslie was waiting for. She quickly followed Calix without asking much.
The clock pointed to a quarter past ten. At this hour, most domestic workers had retired to their quarters. The live-in staff resided in a two-story annex in the backyard.
Leslie didn't see a single person aside from Calix as she walked beside him. It seemed as if they were alone in this huge courtyard house.
Calix brought Leslie to his bedroom on the second floor. He explained that they needed to stay here for the night which she didn't have any problem with.
"No need to worry about me. A soul like me can rest anywhere," said Leslie when Calix pointed out that she should use the bed, "You don't have to sleep on the couch."
"How convenient," Calix jested, earning laughter from Leslie.
Like most parts of the courtyard house, the bedroom retained its traditional aspects while expressing hints of modernity. Calix told Leslie to sit on the bamboo couch before locking the door.
"Did you talk a lot with your grandmother?" Leslie watched Calix sitting down opposite her. He took off his slim-fitting coat.
Calix let out a sigh, "She reminded me to treat you well ah. I'm an abductor in her eyes."
"Hahaha!"
As expected, Old Madam Xu was an upright person. No wonder the predecessors of the Xu family turned out to be good as well. The matriarch didn't allow injustice to happen under her watch.
Calix's lips curled up as he watched Leslie laughing. Her mood looked to be better than before.
But...
"Leslie, I'll cut to the chase. What's the favor you wanna ask me for?"
Her laughter abruptly stopped. Leslie blinked before a faint smile was carved on her lips.
"You can't wait anymore?"
Shrugging, Calix tried to sound nonchalance, "I'm not that curious. I just want to quickly help you. You know how big my heart is, right?"
Leslie's smile softened. She unconsciously tilted her head, framing one side of her face with her bangs.
"I know. But, be prepared to hear something you might find ridiculous."
Calix raised his brows, "Try me."
Leslie clasped her hands together. Her heartbeat became more erratic, ramming against her ribs.
This was it.
This was the time for him to know the half-truth all because she couldn't bear to tell him everything yet.
Leslie locked her gaze on Calix's inquisitive one. Words flowed out between her parted lips.
"Calix, please help me find a young girl. I only know her given name, not her face."