Chapter 126. Having lunch 2

Chapter 126. Having lunch 2
Laura's lips were set in a thin line as she stared at Leo.

“Are we going now? Or…”

Leo huffed which sounded like a light chuckle. “I wouldn't be here if we weren't leaving now, would I?” He said as he watched the nervous expression that crossed her face.  “What?” He tilted his head to the side. “Don't tell me you're nervous now?”

“I can't help it.” She told him as she lowered her gaze. “It's not like this kind of thing has happened between us before.”

A small chuckle escaped his lips. “We were married before, remember?”

She nodded. “But still, it's technically not the same as five years back.”

Leo placed his hands on her shoulder, moving it up and down as if trying to calm her nerves. “Everything will be fine, Laura. It's all going to be family faces there that you're already used to. Mum, dad's and I think Uncle Demetri as well.”

“Listing out the attendees doesn't make things any better you know.” She muttered which earned her a chuckle from Leo.

“I just want you to keep an open mind on who to expect. That's all.”

She finally looked up at him and he gave her a reassuring smile.

“Everything will be fine.” He said coolly. “ You trust me, don't you?”

Laura scoffed at his question. “I don't think I do really.”

Leo feigned a gasp as he placed his hands against his chest. “I am deeply hurt by that.”

“Oh please, you're terrible at playing hurt.” With that, she got up from his lap and pulled her shirt down. “What would you tell them happened to your eyes?”

Leo shrugged as he leaned back in the chair. “I don't know. Maybe the same I gave you at first.”

Laura snorted as she moved around her desk. “Grandfather would obviously never believe the lie.” She said, as she knew how much of a sharp wit the head of the Carters was. 

“The old man rarely believes anything I tell him, these days.” Leo said with a scoff.

“Maybe because you rarely tell him the truth.” She said with a teasing smile. “But feel free to try your luck on this one.”

Leo nodded as he watched her set her desk in order. “Do you always do this?”

Laura turned her attention to him. “Do what?”

“Sort out your stuff anytime you want to leave the office?” He asked more clearly. “Isn't that like the cleaners job?”

“Oh no, I don't let anyone touch my desk.” She said with a straight face. “I prefer to organize it myself and to my taste. I'd easily know if someone messes up with my stuff.”

Leo scoffed as he pulled himself up from the chair. “What are you, a spy?”

Her lips widened at his question while she picked up some documents. “Not necessarily, no.” Then she turned her eyes to stare at him. “I'm just a highly selective person who knows what other things I want my things to be positioned in.”

Staring at her for a brief moment, Leo snickered. “You're really something.” He walked away from her. “Hurry up, so we can get there before everyone is seated.” 

Laura was done with the whole setting up, she picked up her handbag. “Do you think I look alright? I was thinking if I should go back home and wear something nicer.”

“Before you do that and get back, I'm sure everyone is already stuffed by then.” Leo said as he walked towards her. “You look fine like this. Besides, grandfather knows that you'll be at work by now so he wouldn't mind one bit. Neither would my parents.”

“Are you sure about that? Or you're just saying it to make me feel better?”

Laura looked up as if he was thinking before his hands landed on her again. “I'd say both.”

Before Laura could say anything, Leo gave her a light peck on her lips which immediately shut off every central thought she may have been thinking at that moment. Finally getting her silent, Leo reached to grab her hands and entwined their fingers together.

“Let's go, shall we.”

It took them about 30 minutes before they reached Carter's estate. During the drive through the rose bush pathway that led up to the tall mansion, Laura felt her nerves turn all jittery with each passing second. Anyone else that may probably find themselves in this situation may not be as nervous as she was due to the fact that she stayed five solid years with these same people and under the same roof. She practically knew about 80% of their traits and personalities from all the years of observations she had done in the past. But this time, things seemed different.

It seemed like she was starting all over again from the very beginning and she had to make a good first impression.

Or more like a second impression.

While Laura at the beginning had been brought by her grandmother to meet the Senior Carter and Leo, it was different here as Leo was the one bringing her this time. Almost as if properly introducing her this time to his family and not her being introduced to him as his wife.

When their car parked amidst that other cars, Leo stopped Laura from getting out as he stepped down from the car to help her with it.

“There you go.” He said as he stretched hard out for her.

“Thank you.” She passed him a smile as Leo shut the door behind her. “Here we are.” She said, finally turning her attention to the tall white building that seemed to have been here for decades now, yet—remained as elegant and neat as ever.

“Nervous?” He asked 

Laura snapped her head towards Leo. “Why ask a question you already know an answer to.”

“You know…” he shrugged. “Just to make sure.”

With that, Laura scoffed. “You're unbelievable really.”

Leo checked the time on his wrist before moving his eyes back to Laura. “ I think we should head in now, rather than standing out here and keeping them waiting.” He said as he adjusted the shades properly on his face.

Laura on the other hand took in a deep breath before wrapping her hand around Leo's arms.
“Let's go then.”

Once they both arrived into the building, they were both escorted by one of Archibald's many maids. As they walked further in, Leo and Laura could pick up on the subtle chattering and small talks between the people in the living room. Each step Laura took felt like she was taking one step at a time towards a terrifying experience and her heart race increased to a certain level.

“Can you not break down before we get to see them first?” Laura suddenly heard Leo say and she turned her attention to him.

“What's that?”

He gestured down at his arm which her hand held firmly. “I can feel your nails literally trying to pry themselves into my skin.”

Realizing she may have been holding on a little too tight, her grip suddenly loosened and she patted his arm softly. “I'm sorry about that.”

Leo smiled at her until they both came to a stop some distance away from the living room door. “Breathe.”

“I am breathing.” She told him with a frown and Leo couldn't help but chuckle.

“This isn't a wedding ceremony or an introduction. We're just here to have lunch.” Leo told her and she set her lips on a thin line. “Once you start feeling uncomfortable about anything, we can leave. Alright?”

Leo smiled at his words which caused her to lean toward his face and placed a small peck on his cheeks.
“I don't think that would be necessary.” She said before recomposing herself. 

Leo watching her once tensed shoulders relax a bit, he patted on her hair like she was a small kid before the two of them made their way towards where the voices were coming from. The moment they stepped into the living area, both their eyes locked on Leo's little family who were sited side by side and opposite. Leo's parents sat side by side on the couch at the left hand side, uncle Demetri was situated on the right and at the head of it all was Leo's grandfather whose gaze was lowered to the floor with his hand resting on top of his cane.

The moment their footsteps sounded in the room, all eyes turned to land on them.

“Ahh, you guys are finally here.”