CHAPTER 11
Claire’s jaw drops when the car pulled into the drive way of the house. The four-bedroom house which is tucked in a hillside area as enough space for terraces lawn and glass-tiled pool with deep roof over-hangs that provides shade in the outdoor. Leo took them on a tour of the house. It’s a beautiful place, the street—facing side is mostly solid, featuring stacked-stone and cement-plaster walls, the rear is lined with expanses of sliding glass that take advantage of the views and enables easy flow between the indoors and the terraces, pool, and lawn. Anchoring the high ceiling centered portion of the house are the entertaining spaces—a great room with fireplace, dining area, and the kitchen—which are flanked on one side by the master suite and intimate den, and on the other by a guest room and an office wing.
The garden area is simply breath taking; it features blue agave and Mexican feather grass, carefully composed to reflect the character of the house.
“This is a beautiful place I must say” Claire mutters still in awe of the whole place. It’s like the house just waiting to have a family’s personality imprinted on it.
“I’m glad you like it. I want a place you and Tonya can be comfortable in.” Leading them back to the dining area where the chef as already set their food.
He introduce her to Percy his cook and also Marie the house keeper.
The whole setting make them to look like real family, as they have their lunch. Leo hope that by this move of his, Claire will be able to see the bigger picture.
After lunch, Leo ask Tonya to follow him, “I want to show you something” he led her to a door that Claire presumes is a bedroom, and when he pushed it open, it’s a room furnished for a child, with princess Sophia theme.
“Daddy! This is my room?”
“Yes princess, anytime you are here.” Smiling at the sight of his daughter running to jump on her pink linen covered bed, with stuff animals around her.
“I love it, Dad! Mum see my room! Wow dad also got me a new tablet!”
“Yes angel, its lovely, why don’t you play with your new tablet while I talk with your dad”
“Alright mum” already powering on her new gadget.
“What’s the matter now Claire? I know that look” Leo ask leading them out of the room to the great room.
“You tell me! You just showed up without any prior notice to my shop, then you dragged me to your new house, and now you even have a whole room decorated for Tonya here!”
“Oh I’m sorry, I thought she has a room to herself even at your place?” purposely pretending to misunderstood her.
“That is not the point, and you know it!” she yelled, stamping her left foot. All the fury she’d been trying to keep at bay came out. “This is why I didn’t want to involve you, because I just knew you will be controlling, dominating every aspect of our lives.”
“Listen I did not mean to offend you Claire and if I did, I'm sorry. I just want the best for our daughter like you clearly do, please let’s not argue over this trivial issue. I promise I will try to respect your space without dominating you like you put it, alright?” Leo mutters standing in front of her by the unlighted fire place. “Can we be friends? For our daughter sake?”
“Friends? You and me?” she ask incredulously.
“Yes friends, is it such a hard thing to do?”
“No. I mean-I’m just surprised. Sure” she mutters, not expecting to even hear such a solemn apology from him, the fight went out of her. Suddenly realizing that he is standing so close to her, taking up all her space, peering down at her with that intense gaze of his. “I uh I think I should check on Tonya, to see –”
“Let her be I’m sure she is having fun with her new toy. Why don’t we sit down, take some wine and you tell me all about your flower business.” He suggested stepping back to give her room to breathe.
“Sure.” Breathing a sigh of relief, for a moment there she was afraid he is going to kiss her, and she will not be able to do anything to resist him. She sat on a long couch waiting for Leo to pour them the wine like he suggested. Claire shift back a bit on the couch when Leo decided to join her on the couch. Any small reprieve she might have enjoyed while he left her is looking dim by the minute.
Leo smiled as he sip his wine noticing her discomfort. It’s obvious he makes her uncomfortable and he is loving every minute of it. “Tell me how did you manage such a feat and still able to raise our daughter” he ask. He has come to know that talking about her achievement as a mother always puts her in good mood.
“I must confess that I had help, especially from my assistant. She’s also a good friend of mine”
“Ah, that lady I met in the shop?”
“Yes lizzie. There are days that I couldn’t come to the shop in other to take care of Tonya, and she will be the one doing all the running around in the shop. She’s amazing, the business wouldn’t have thrive that well without her support” she said, sipping her wine.
“I’m happy to hear that, it’s good to have someone, one could lean on.”
“Yea” she mutters.
“So I was thinking, how about you let Tonya spend this coming weekend with me? That is if you approve of course, but I will really love it” peering at her.
“I guess she can. Are you sure you will be able to manage on your own?” worry etched on her face.
“I will. Besides have always taken care of my niece and nephews, I think I should be able to manage her” he declares with confidence.
“We shall see” Claire said with mischief.
“Is there something I should know? Come on tell me”
“It’s nothing serious. I’m sure you will find out on your own.” Chuckling.
“So that’s how it will be. Leaving me without any tips, I think I will just tickle it out of you.” He said with deadpan stare.
Claire’s brain did not process what he said on time, as Leo took the wine glass from her before he attacks her rib. She giggled and laughed for him to stop, rolling on the couch like a little girl, but Leo only intensify his effort until their daughter joined them in the game.
“Come and rescue me baby!” Claire call out to Tonya who was busy laughing at the sight of her parent together. She joined them and tickled her father in return, before long Leo was crying uncle.
“I give up. Two of you against me! It’s unfair’” he declares with mock indignation, causing the two to laugh at him.
“I love you daddy” Tonya said, clinging unto her father’s neck.
“Oh I love you more princess” Leo mutters. He never expect to love some else this much, he will do anything for her happiness.
“I hate to do this but we have to go home, it’s getting late and I have to get to the shop, before going home” Claire said.
“Mum can't I stay here with daddy?”
“Baby you have school tomorrow, but I promise you will spend the weekend here” Claire tries to placate her.
“Your mother is right. Don’t be sad.” Leo assures her. He nod to Claire who mouthed her appreciation for going along with her. “Now let me take my car keys so I can drive you back to your mothers shop”
“Okay daddy,” the little girl mumbled.