Adams laughed. Did what she said sound funny to him? She thought to herself.
Adams was a famous figure in the entertainment industry, and inevitably his life and whereabouts would attract the prying eyes of the paparazzi. So Summer would prefer not to have met him at all like this.
She did not want to get photographed. But Adams seemed to have a good memory. Every time they met, he would come up to say hello to her.
If the paparazzi got hold of this, she would surely appear in the news again. She was so paranoid now that she could even see what kind of headline it would be: Mrs. Emerson is secretly seeing a famous actor, and or something along that line. She would fret just by thinking of it.
Summer did not want to talk more. With a polite smile, she said, “I have something on. I got to go.”
“See you.”
Adams seemed to know what she was thinking and remained gentle. Feeling even more uneasy with his reaction, Summer quickly left the scene. He turned around and looked. It was only after Summer disappeared from his view that he continued in the direction where he was going.
Just then, his assistant behind him said, “Is this woman somehow related to Leonardo? I saw she was with him in the Golden Cauldron that day.”
“Was it? I have no idea.” Adams walked in front with his head down, his smile fading, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Adams came here today to make preparation for his next movie, which was a thriller. He played the role as a psychologist. That was why he was here, just getting a hang of it in the mental health clinic.
As the two entered the clinic, Leonardo and Tim emerged in the corridor. Leonardo looked at the spot where Adams and Summer were talking just now. Tim glanced at him, hesitating. At last, he did not get to say anything.
Because of time constraints, Adams did not stay that long with the psychologist. As he came out from the doctor’s office, he saw Leonardo standing in the corridor and was surprised.
“Leonardo? How come you are here?” Then his eyes widened, thinking he had figured it out. “You’re here with Summer.”
Leonardo raised his hand, motioning Tim to leave him. As Tim left, so too Adams’s assistant, leaving behind just the two of them in the empty corridor.
Leonardo’s face lacked emotions. But it was still different from when meeting strangers. He looked Adams in the eyes.
“My brother, I’ve told you before that she is Summer.”
“Of course, I know she is Summer. She has a beautiful name.” The smile on Adams’s face was as gentle as it usually was.
Leonardo stayed silent for a moment as if he was deliberating on some decision. His voice started to sound cruel.
“It’s true that Summer looks like Rachel Hill. But she is not Rachel.”
“Shut up!” Adams’s gentle expression finally evaporated, his eyes wide open.
Leonardo did not say a word again. It was only after a long while that Adams managed to collect himself and the usual gentleness returned on his face.
“Leonardo, I was just bumping into Summer by accident.” He then observed Leonardo. “You are really switched on toward her.”
Leonardo squinted at him, his voice nonchalant. “Of course I am; she is my wife.”
“Then why are you making use of my younger brother’s name?” Adams sounded as if he was just saying it casually. He then chuckled. “If Douglas knows it, he will surely demand a loyalty fee from you.”
Leonardo took a long and hard look at him, lowering his voice. “My brother, Rachel has gone for a long time. You should move on.” That said, he did not look at Adams again as he strode away.
…
When Summer came out from the mental health clinic, her mind was all about Leonardo and her steps were slow.
Someone was blaring the horn behind her. What was wrong with these people? Why did people still honk their horns, wanting her to give way when she was already on the road shoulder? Frustrated, she looked back over her shoulder and saw a black vehicle stopping behind her. The window came down and the handsome face of “Douglas” was poking out, looking at her.
“Get in.”
What was he doing here? While she was doubting, her actions were not. She opened the door and climbed onboard.
Before she could say anything, Leonardo spoke. “Don’t ask me the dumb question like’What are you doing here’ again.”
That was precisely what she had wanted to ask. But his words silenced her. Fine. Who cares?
Leonardo then glanced over at her. She looked like she was in thought. He chuckled, but it sounded sterile.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Summer turned to look at him with a serious face and a smile. “I’m not going to answer this dumb question.”
Behind the wheel, Tim chuckled at hearing their conversation. Very quickly, he saw in the rearview mirror Leonardo was shooting him a shut-the-fuck-up look. And he muted himself.
It was only now that Summer sensed the presence of Tim. She asked, “The young master not going out today?”
“No, he didn’t,” Tim answered and shook his head only after glancing at Leonardo in the rearview mirror.
Summer nodded in acknowledgment, thinking quietly what dishes to cook for Leonardo this afternoon. She then jabbed “Douglas” with her hand.
“What?” Leonardo looked over at her, stoned-face.
Scared by his stare, she raised her eyebrows at him and pulled herself back away from him. “Tell me frankly; what are your cousin’s favorite dishes?”
Summer wore a white down jacket, her hair tied into a ponytail with any makeup on her face. But she looked as beautiful as she was fresh, just like an innocent little girl. Her beautiful cat eyes were wide open, waiting for an answer from him.
Leonardo loosened his tie, his voice was getting hoarser. “Why are you so concerned about him?”
“I am his wife. Or do you mean I should be concerned about you?”
When she thought of all the bad things “Douglas” had done to her in the past, she could not help but glare at him. But it did not bother “Douglas” at all.
“By the looks of things, you and my cousin probably couldn’t have the marital life like everyone else has. He may even not be able to inherit Emerson Group. And you have not even seen him once but been so faithful to him. What are you after?
Despite his questions, Summer did not sense any mockery in his voice. He sounded more like he was curious. She pursed her lips. It was not like she could get calm with him like now every time. So she was going to tell him.
“What am I after?” Summer gave it a serious thought. “Perhaps it is responsibility. As you know, my mom had forced me to marry your cousin. But she could do nothing about me, even if I resisted. But since I’m already married to him, I will fulfill the duty of a wife. And…” There was a gap. Then she lamented. “People in Hoover City have been chattering about Leonardo all these years. He doesn’t deserve this. He is a victim more innocent than anyone else.”