Was she crying?

FIFTY-SIX

LEONE

There were ten associates lined up, and each were talking about the business projects as we sat at the dinning table. Father was beyond animated as he tried to share his ideas with he men. I knew that all these was a sham to move forward in the food chain, and it was as boring as ever.

I blanked out, thinking of other things that would make me feel better. Of course, I was picking at my salad. I had no idea why we had to eat this thing. It was hardly considered a proper food. Ugh! This was so annoying.

“Leone?”

I turned to Rebecca Ontario. She was about to eat, but it seemed as elegant as always. Sometimes, I felt like she wasn’t a real person, but a doll. There was no how a human would be able to eat so elegantly without even a stain. It was strange.

“Did you want something?” I asked calmly.

She smiled at me, as she kept her fork beside her plate. “I wished to know how you’ve been. It’s been a while we saw each other,” she said calmly.

I nodded. “That is true, but I believe it’s not appropriate to talk about such matters here. We can handle things later, you know,” I said calmly.

She nodded. “I’m sorry for my bad manners,” she said calmly.

The rest of the girls around snickered. I inwardly rolled my eyes as I went back to my food. This time I tried to eat. The dinner lasted for 15 more minutes, and it was finally time to do other things. The maids cleared the table, and I got up abruptly, excusing myself. This whole thing was so suffocating.

I grabbed a wine bottle from the passing waiter. It was also so ridiculous that dad always turned this place into a ball. When would this crap end? The answer always eluded me. I sighed as I made my way outside to the gardens that looked out to the side of Lynn’s window.

Damn!

“You’ve been ignoring me all night,” she said like I had summoned her.

I clenched my hands around the glass. “That is not true,” I lied smoothly.

I wasn’t willing to admit that her black even dress was doing things to my insides right now because it was bad timing, and I would loose control. So, I had pretended all through this fiasco that she was not there, and was a place I couldn’t reach. It made things a bit easier, and loosened the chances of me slipping and ruining us both.

“Then, what is the truth Leone?” She asked softly.

I turned to her then, and she looked completely radiant. She was not like the Lynn I had known. The makeup artist had done a good job with her. I stopped myself from coming closer to her, or I would kiss her right there, and it was risky since I had no idea who could walk in on us.

“I would never think of ignoring you, Lynn,” I said softly.

She huffed, and that made me amused. “Then, how come you didn’t even look at me all through this evening?”

I smirked. “It’s…”

My words stuck right in my throat, but I managed to be a bit calm. Across the room was garden was Rebecca. I hoped she had not heard our casual flirting. The last thing I wanted was for rumours to spread like this. It would only make things worse.

“Oh, there you are!” She exclaimed.

Lynn turned and from her expressions, she didn’t look so pleased. I wanted to tell her that she didn’t need to worry, and I didn’t have anything to do with Rebecca, yet I kept my mouth shut. It was not the time to say such things.

“Were you looking for me?” I asked instead.

She nodded as she came closer. She clicked my glass with hers, and even winked at me. I couldn’t remember the last time she had been so brazen, but I guess that these ladies didn’t read the room half of the time, and it was exasperating.

“Yes, I had some things to tell you,” she said softly.

It was as if she had completely ignored Lynn’s presence, and that was quite rude. Did no-one ever teach her manners. Lynn took a look at me, her expression sulky as she left us alone. My heart lurched at that, It was not how I wanted this night to end, and it was the more reason why I hated this dinner.

“You should have at least spoken to Lynn,” I couldn’t help but say.

Rebecca rolled her eyes at me. “Why wouldn’t she speak to me instead? I don’t know, but I think she is a bit arrogant. Since we got here, she has been putting on a weird attitude that makes me quite sick.”

My hands closed tightly around the glass, and I tried to calm my expression. “It doesn’t matter. She is a part of my family, and I believe it’s basic etiquette to actually talk to her.”

She shrugged. “Let’s not spend the time arguing. Can you tell me how you’ve been? I mean, it’s been a long time I saw you, and I’m quite positive that you have ventures that you’re handling as always,” she said calmly.

I sighed as I took a sip of the wine. “I don’t think there was much to be excited about. It was a bit weird year.”

She sighed dramatically. “I understand. You weren’t expecting to have a stepmother, but that happened anyway. I don’t think anyone would be thrilled with the turn of events,” she said calmly.

I looked at her pointedly. “I would rather not go to that angle,” I said calmly.

She pouted, as she touched my arm slightly. I sighed inwardly in frustration. I was forced to bear more of the forced and vain conversation, when the rest of the girls stepped in. I cringed at the whole show. This was definitely not how I wanted my night to go.

“Excuse me, girls. I would like to go to the restroom. I would see you all later,” I said calmly.

They looked at me in disappointment, but I didn’t even bother wasting time, as I left the garden. That was a nightmare that was about to happen. I wasn’t foolish. The girls loved to pry for my attention like they stood a chance of having a relationship with me. They didn’t hold a candle where Lynn was.

I went through the hall, I caught father’s eyes. There was something in it, like he was warning me not to mess up. Well, I wouldn’t plan on doing that for now. But, I didn’t give him the satisfaction of holding his gaze. I walked away from him, and went directly towards the staircase.

With the dinner abuzz, the maids were mostly at the event area, so it was relatively quiet up here. I hoped that none of the girls were coming after me, it would make things a bit weird, and I had to see Lynn at once.

The need was driving me insane. I was hurting, despite the fact it hadn’t my fault that Rebecca acted the way she did to her. I hoped that things would be fine somewhat because I honestly needed it to be for all our good.

When I got to her door, it was slightly open. I looked around to be sure that there was no-one around, and then sneaked into the room. She had her back turned to me, and was sniffing. Fuck! Was she crying?

“Lynn?” I asked quietly.

She rubbed her hand using the back of her hands. It was evident that she had been crying. I turned towards the door , and clicked it lock. The last thing I wanted to do was make her feel sad. I would do anything to cheer her up.

She was still struggling with her emotions, when I puller closer to me, as I hugged her so close. She pushed me slightly away pouting.

“Please, just leave,” she said quietly.

I blinked in shock. “Lynn, what are you saying? I came her to see you,” I said softly.

She scoffed, and folded her hands across her chest with her nose sure blotched. “Right,” she said sarcastically. “Are you done with that girl? It seemed to me that you were a perfect couple,” she said calmly.

I groaned as I pulled Lynn on my thigh till she was straddling it. “Don’t ever think of such crap again. You’re mine, and no other woman can come in between us, do you understand?” I asked firmly.

She moaned, and before long she was rocking on me, and my hardiness seemed to gain access to her panties. “I hear you, daddy,” she said softly.

I growled. It was the first time that she had called me such a name, and it ticked me in the craziest way possible. I couldn’t stop myself from pulling her lip to mine by placing a hand on her jaw. This was paradise, and I was living in it.