Jessica called Summer early in the morning, asking her to go catch her husband who allegedly was sleeping with another woman in a hotel. Yet, Leonardo was right beside her; they had not gone out since they came home yesterday afternoon. Things were strange.
“What’s happening?” Summer sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard. “Leonardo is right here with me.”
Jessica was surprised too.
Leonardo heard Summer mentioning him. He looked up, taking the mobile phone from her and swiping his finger across the screen. Seconds later, he raised it in front of her eyes. It was a breaking story with a sensational headline.
“The face of the recluse heir to the Emerson family has finally been revealed… with several women…”
Her mind was trying to work out what it meant as she stared at the words. She was fully awake now.
“Jessica, Leonardo is with me now. Let’s talk later.”
Hanging up, Summer took the mobile phone and opened up the article. She saw not only Leonardo’s photos but also the photos of him with other women going into a hotel. The article said Leonardo had spent a night with a few women in the hotel last night. Leonardo had never revealed himself in public, but the news had exposed his identity with photos. It was no wonder Jessica believed it.
Leonardo grabbed the mobile phone from her. “Stop looking. They are doctored photos.
Making no fuss of him taking away her mobile phone, Summer asked, “What’s going on then?”
“I’ll have to reveal my identity sooner or later. Since Laura has found it out. It’s just as well that I reveal myself now.” He sounded matter of fact, apparently having a plan in mind.
Summer remembered what he said yesterday. He was letting things take their natural course. So this was what he meant.
“But why does it have to be this way?” Summer’s eyes were back on the photos in the news. Leonardo was photographed going into a hotel with a woman, and it still looked offensive even though it was a doctored photo.
“The plan was to make use of Laura to reveal myself. So whatever happens, happens,” he explained. Seeing Summer still grimacing, he smiles and leaned over to kiss her. He had wanted to kiss her earlier.
Summer turned her face away. “I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
“I don’t mind.”
Still not giving up, he went up to her, but she covered his mouth with her hand.
“I mind.”
She whisked away the comforter and got out of bed. Propping himself up with one hand, he stayed in his kissing position, watching as she walked into the bathroom.
Summer closed the door and stood in front of the mirror. It was Leonardo who helped her put on this sleeping gown last night after he tormented her with touches, caresses, and lovemaking before showering her. The hickeys on her neck and all the way down were evidence of Leonardo’s hegemony and wantonness. She knew Leonardo was going to reveal himself that way, which was also the most convenient and natural method. Nonetheless, seeing those doctored photos still upset her.
She took her time to clean herself up. When she came out of the bathroom, Leonardo was already dressed up, his creaseless suit making him look too businesslike. With a tie in hand, he waited for her. He looked at her and said with a low voice, “Come here.”
She walked over slowly, and he put the tie in her hand. “Help me with it when I come out.” He then disappeared into the bathroom.
Holding the tie in her hand, she forced a smile.
…
It was Friday today, and Summer was granted a day of rest after coming back from her trip yesterday. Leonardo had left for work, and she planned to work on her script today.
Her last attempt to show her script to the movie director had blown up in her face, but she would still want to press on. She believed that one day, her script was going to sell.
Just as she went up the stairs, her mobile phone rang. Taking a glance at the screen, she saw Vicky as the caller. Knowing why Vicky was calling, she hung up.
With the blowing of Leonardo’s identity, Vicky should be the ++most indignant person in the world. Vicky had been laying her eyes on ‘Douglas’ long before this. She would definitely not want to give up this time after knowing that ‘Douglas’ was Leonardo.
Vicky had called many times, and Summer did not turn off her mobile phone. She just patiently hung up each time Vicky called. She could almost see Vicky going ballistic on the other end of the line after making ten calls to her and being hung up on. She finally gave up calling.
Not long after, Karen called, then Lynn. However, Summer ignored every single one of them. She knew them too well. They were not calling to give her a word of concern.
Back in her room, she took out her laptop, and then her mobile phone rang again. This time, it was Douglas.
“Summer, Jessica and I are hanging out now. Do you want to join us?”
Douglas and Jessica? Since when this rascal started to hang out with Jessica? She said yes. After all, she had no mood to work on her script now.
Taking a cab to the location that Douglas had given her, she found herself arriving at an amusement park. Both Jessica and Douglas were dressed like dumplings, covering themselves from head to toe and holding a cotton candy and an ice cream in their hands, respectively. So no one could recognize them.
“Finally, you’re here!” Jessica handed the untouched cotton candy to her.
Taking it in her hand, Summer said sarcastically, “You seem to be very free these days.” A rising artist like Jessica should have tons of callbacks and a tightly packed schedule.
“I’m just worried about you.” Jessica rolled her eyes at her. “Let’s have some fun.”
The trio had a whale of a time at the amusement park. Leonardo had tried to call Summer, but she did not pick up. When they finally sat down in a restaurant, Leonardo called again, and his voice reeked of anger.
“Where are you? Why didn’t you pick up?”
“I was outside. I didn’t notice your call,” Summer said while she browsed the menu, not noticing the anger in his voice.
A woman shrieked in the restaurant all of a sudden. “Summer!”
Summer looked up and saw Vicky coming toward her in fury. There was a malicious look in her eyes.