Leanna Book 4: Chapter 11

Leanna Book 4

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This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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WARNING!

MATURE CONTENT and VULGAR words not suited for young readers below eighteen (18) years old.

Chapter 11: Meeting the Family

“What do you want for your birthday?”

I stopped studying and glance over at the man who was sitting beside me on the bed.

It was almost two months since that incident, and my right leg was already healed.

“Hmmmm . . .” I rolled the letters in my tongue, pretending to think. “How about a one-week tour in Europe where we’ll sleep in one of those igloos as we watched the northern lights . . . just the two of us?” I shot him a smile and resumed studying.

My birthday was exactly a week after the fall exams. In Artem, there was a spring break, summer break, autumn break, and winter break. After the fall exam, there would be a two weeks break, and coupled with Halloween, it was a total of three weeks break from school.

So we discussed to celebrate my birthday in my home country. Then we could spend the rest of the break exploring Europe. Just the two of us.

That will be so romantic.

“Mmm . . . I’ve already asked my father to take over for me. I’m all yours for three weeks.” He kissed my cheek, and my smile never left my face.

Can’t wait for my birthday!

“Don’t worry, Leanna. We will be there on your birthday,” Zoe said while texting.

“What will you do with the rest of the break? Why don’t you come with us and spend your vacation at my home? My parents will be happy to see you again,” I said, capturing her elusive eyes.

Finally, Zoe stopped texting and gave me a complicated look. “W-well, you see . . . I have many orders of paintings lately . . . Grandpa Luke and I have been busy with the gallery and all.”

I knew she was just avoiding Lawrence. Ever since my brothers’ birthday (which I knew she secretly attended), she had been . . . well . . . moving on, I guess?

Which I was guilty about.

“Grandpa Luke?” I asked, instead.

“That’s what the old man wanted me to call him.” Zoe shrugged her shoulders before she finished sipping her soda and grabbed her things.

“Where are you going?”

Zoe bit her lips and avoided my questioning eyes. “Sorry, guys. I promised Elliot that we’d watch a movie tonight.”

I could only mutter an, “Oh.”

“See you tomorrow,” she said and bolted out of the restaurant.

I guess it was better for her to fall in love with someone else.

“Don’t worry, Elliot is a good guy.” Estela finished her frape and packed her things.

“I know.”

I finished my tea and cleared my scattered notes on the table.

“How about you, Estela? Do you want to come with us to my home?”

“Sorry, Zhander, and I have plans, but we’ll be there on the day of your birthday.”

She threw a wink my way as we got out of the library.

“Oh.”

My forehead crumpled. Usually, these two would come at the slight mention of vacation.

I guess everyone already has plans.

“Are you alright?” I squeezed Cain’s hand when the man hadn’t said a word from the whole ride to his parents’ home.

In these past few days, after Cain told me that he wanted to introduce me to his family officially, I was anxious and nervous. But he was more nervous than I was.

These past few days, I caught him taking constant peek at me with something akin to fear in his eyes. And now we were in his chopper, close to his parents’ home, he was adamant about keeping me under his watch that I couldn’t help but feel nervous as well.

“It’s nothing,” he said after a while, yet he refused to tear his eyes on me.

“Young master, we’re here.”

Even Russell’s voice had a nervous streak in it.

Am I not wanted in his family? Is it going to be alright?

“Let’s go,” Cain said, and we got off the chopper.

I couldn’t even marble at the majestic mansion right before me as my feet shook with every step I took. But before I could walk further, Cain grabbed my hand, spanning me around to look at him.

His expression was unreadable, and the fear in his eyes intensified.

“Leanna . . .”

“Yes?” I said it with a laugh, but it came out choked.

He squeezed my hand and hugged me tightly.

“I love you.”

. . .

My arms wrapped around his back, hugging him with the same intensity.

“I love you too.”