I paused a moment and said, “That’s nice. I can see you more.”
He nodded, “Feel free to see me.”
We talked until afternoon and he left.
I had thought of treating him to a meal but Dennis booked a restaurant.
There were more people invited than expected. I had spent the past week in the house, except for picking up Clarrie. Now it was good to see so many friends here.
Leo and Karina were also surprisingly present, the latter with an increasingly swelling belly and with a tiring look.
I hadn’t seen them for a month.
But I liked this girl though I’d known her not long ago. She was tender, elegant, and smart; probably the most perfect model of a wife.
Leo could be happy with her.
At seeing me, she was about to stand up when I walked to prevent her, smiling, “You needn’t do this. Only standing up must have cost you a lot of effort.”
She smiled, “It’s okay. It’s just seven months.”
Leo looked at me, frowning, “You have been thinner.” With his sharp eyes falling on Dennis, obviously blaming it on him.
Dennis didn’t respond to the reprobation but smiled at me, “Yeah, she is thinner.”
I laughed, looking at Leo, “A woman is prettier when she is thinner. And, Karina is thinner too! She is pregnant for god’s sake.”
Raising his brows, he had a look at her lady and said nothing.
And the woman lowered her head, smiling, and remained silent too.
I found the way this pair interacted with each other amusing.
And it suddenly occurred to me that Dennis had told me that Leo wouldn’t marry her because the marriage would be a shame for the Kennedy family and a barrier to this man’s prospect.
Looking at her belly, I couldn’t help but feel bitter. The baby should’ve been legitimate.
Some sound came from the door. It was Luis, with a beautiful yet showy woman as his partner, who seemed to be his subordinate.
The newcomer said, “I’ve just knocked off; you won’t mind that I’ve brought a mate.”
People laughed; nobody minded.
When everybody was seated, Luis said to me thoughtfully, “Clara, long time no see.”
I looked at him solemnly, the man with a glass of wine in his hand.
He went on, “Mother has handed me everything the Collins family has. It’s been four years since you left. You can visit her if you like. You are not the only one that is suffering; she leads a more painful life than you would expect.”
Pressing my lips, I lowered my head.
To forgive? Easier said than done.
I could understand her but it was beyond my ability to pretend as if nothing had happened.
To dissipate the embarrassing air, Folly said, “Okay. We are here to have a good time and the right subject should be fancy food or funny things, don’t you think so? Let’s drink!”
She emptied her glass after finishing her speech and Zack said to her, “Eat more and drink less, honey.”
She smiled gently in front of her darling despite the outspoken and straightforward manner she always adopted.
Suddenly Diana came into my mind, who had also been a cheerful woman.
And this memory sent me into sorrow; I lowered my head.
Dennis held my hand, “Eat more and grow plumper, okay?”
I looked up at him, smiling.
Then these people began to talk about funny stories.
Even Karina, who was usually taciturn, told her story, “When I went to the hospital the other day, I saw a woman in her sixties. I thought she was accompanying her daughter-in-law but it turned out to be that she was pregnant herself. And it was twins, six months.”
I was surprised, “At such an age, won’t there be dangers?”
She smiled, “Yes, but it seemed that her husband insisted that the babies be born. Their single son died from an accident two years ago and these babies may be a comfort.”
I nodded. Life was full of surprises.
After quite a while, I helped Karina stand up, who, being pregnant, needed to have a walk after sitting for too long.
Noticing that Leo was glued to his phone, I frowned, “Leo, why don’t you have a walk with Karina?”
“It’s okay,” the woman smiled, “I can walk myself.”
She headed towards the door, with Leo being indifferent.
I was a little angry but couldn’t speak it out.
And I just followed the woman out.
Seeming me, she was somewhat surprised, “It’s okay. I will just walk for a while and will be right back.”
I was in no mood to eat more food, “I will be with you. There is a big garden behind the restaurant, in which there are many flowers. We can go there.” The corridor was narrow for two walking people.
She didn’t say more and went downstairs with me.
“Clara, won’t you have a child with Mr. George?” She asked.
I paused and said, “We’ve made up our mind since we adopted Clarrie. A second child will also occupy some of our love, which should be devoted to Clarrie.”
She was confused, “How come? Clarrie is about five years old now. Isn’t it pleasant to have a sibling for her? Children won’t fear the advent of a sibling if they are given enough love for the first three years in their lives.”