Feelings Hurt

"My intention was to clean up the kitchen," Rune walked into the kitchen just as Leslie was doing a thorough cleanup of the huge mess the kids had made while preparing the sushi.

Leslie looked at him, "I don't need you to. You didn't have to help Natiya to bed either."

“I didn't mind doing it and she asked me to.

"I see. Natiya likes to do things the way she sees fit, but it's also okay to tell her no. I'll take care of them while you and my nephew's niece stay here together. It's my responsibility, not yours." "

Rune nodded contentedly and said, "Understood. I assumed I shared the parenting duties, but I appreciate you clearing that up for me, as I was under the impression that I was also responsible for the children."

"Rune, are you trying to impress me with your sarcasm?"

"No sarcasm, Leslie. I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression. Like me, I may have gotten the wrong impression that I was responsible for the children as well."

Leslie stopped what she was doing and walked over to Rune. "Rune, have you forgotten the rules of our agreement?" Leslie asked. "I'm aware that your statement about the children may have escaped you earlier, but despite that, our relationship has not progressed. She continues to be nothing more than a sugar baby to me, and that's all. Be careful not to get too excited just because you met the kids for the first time. It just happened because I didn't know their dad was going to bring them here for a few days. It definitely wasn't my intention for the three of you to get together."

Rune believed that Leslie's statements were overly harsh against him and he didn't see how he could deserve it since he had only been kind to the children when he met them. Leslie's words made Runw feel uncomfortable. He never imagined that he would be anything more than a sugar baby, nor did he see children as a responsibility or something he had to do for them. Although he tried to be friendly, he suspected it was interpreted differently.

"I believe it would be best if I went home. It seems that I am here, and in the company of children, it will be unpleasant for both of us, and I need not get into that trouble." As a sweet child, it is unacceptable for him to speak to me in such a way because I have a right to be cared for."

Rune turned around and Leslie was holding his hand. “I didn't say you could leave.

"Yellow."

Leslie released Rune's hand, "Rune-"

"I'm ready to go back to my house. I don't feel welcome here at this point. While it's likely that the presence of the children has caused you some stress, the last thing I want is to be the center of your anger. I'm glad I in your company and I appreciate everything that happened between us, but I can't be in this situation with you tonight. None of this is acceptable to me." Leslie stared at Rune but said nothing. “Good night Leslie,” Rune said before leaving the room.

Tears began to well up in his eyes as he left the room. It was hard for him to defend himself against Leslie, but he felt that things were getting to an unacceptable extreme. He had committed no wrongdoing and was only being kind to Leslie's nephew and niece, so it was not very good of Leslie to speak to him in such a manner. In preparation for his departure, he gathered his belongings in the room where he was staying. He then asked for a taxi to pick him up. As he waited in the room, sitting on the bed, he cried through a whole range of emotions.

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TO BE CONTINUED........