Summer knew all along that Vicky would not give up. She had been ignoring Vicky’s calls, so her anger index must have gone through the roof by now.
“I have something to take care of. I’ll talk to you later.”
Hearing Vicky’s voice, Leonardo asked, “Where are you?”
Without saying a word, Summer hung up. She knew Vicky only came because of Leonardo. The last thing she wanted was to have Leonardo being leered at by the b*tch.
Yes, even if it was just a sidelong glance, she would still think that it was a mental rape.
Vicky looked at Summer, her eyes spitting fire. “Summer! While I was looking high and low for you the entire day, you’ve been hiding and enjoying your meal here?”
Hiding? Why should she be hiding to have her meal? “Why can’t I enjoy my meal? And I’m not hiding. I just don’t feel like seeing you.” She shot Vicky a sideways glance, thumbing her nose at her.
If they had not been in a public place, Vicky would have jumped down her throat and ripped her face off. Gritting her teeth, Vicky barked, “You knew all along that ‘Douglas’ was Leonardo, didn’t you? Yet, you kept quiet and kept everyone in the dark! You’re sinister!”
Was Vicky not the person who had used every conceivable way to force her to marry into the Emerson family in the first place? How could she still have the nerve to accuse her of being sinister?
Before Summer could speak, Jessica slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “Vicky, are you done yet? You were the one who despised Leonardo and forced Summer to marry him instead of you. Now that you’ve realized he’s not only healthy but handsome, you’re regretting your decision. Instead of eating crow, you’re coming to her, trying to pick a fight. Do you have any sense of shame?”
Vicky knew Jessica was Summer’s ardent defender when she bullied Summer in the past. They were very close.
Jessica had been treated like a princess since she was little, and it showed in her pridefulness. Her glower, coupled with the angry bang of her hand on the table, shook Vicky’s confidence.
Vicky raised her voice, trying to seem unfazed. “This is between me and Summer. It’s none of your business!”
Jessica quirked an eyebrow and smirked. “I’m just saying what I want to say. It’s none of your business!”
“You…” For a moment, Vicky could not find the words to respond.
Meanwhile, Summer had called the restaurant manager over. “This woman is disturbing us. Please get her out.”
The restaurant manager motioned two waitstaffs over and pointed at Vicky. “You two, escort this lady out of here.”
“What are you doing? I’m a customer here!”
A big spender like Jessica was a regular at such upscale restaurants, where even the managers were professionally trained abroad in F&B and hotel management. The noise Vicky made had irked the other patrons in the restaurant. Irrespective of what Vicky said, the manager still showed her the door, signaling the two waitstaff to escort her out.
After Vicky left, things in the restaurant returned to normal.
Jessica leaned on the sofa. “This restaurant charges a service fee, but the level of its service isn’t bad.”
Douglas was sitting on one side, and he had witnessed the entire farce as if he was invisible. Only then did he start to speak, “May I know what that woman meant when she said ‘Douglas was Leonardo’?”
Right then, it dawned upon Summer that Douglas was still there.
Realizing that Summer was looking at him, Douglas asked, “You were forced to marry my elder cousin?”
What a blunt question from a kid. Before Summer could think of a way to answer his question, Jessica nodded at something behind her. She looked back over her shoulder and saw Leonardo approaching them.
His tall build and charming aura instantly made him an eyeball magnet, especially when it came to the female patrons.
Summer squinted at Douglas; it had to be this rascal who told Leonardo their whereabouts. Douglas rubbed his nose and looked away, trying to play innocent.
“Big Boss, this way!” Jessica smiled like a Cheshire cat and consciously vacated the seat beside Summer for him.
After Summer explained to Jessica what the news on Leonardo was all about, Jessica saw him as her most beloved boss and a dependable man again.
“Thank you.” Leonardo nodded at her as he sat down beside Summer.
Sitting across from them, Jessica and Douglas consciously checked out the menu together. They tried not to look in Summer’s direction as Leonardo was holding her hand.
“Did Vicky come to look for you?”
“She’s gone.” Summer nodded. Knowing that Leonardo had probably heard what was going on over the phone, she did not intend to hide it from him.
“If it’s bugging you, you can just leave it to me.” His voice was still as low and cold as ever, but it sounded like he was pampering her.
She found it surreal, but it still warmed her heart. It fluttered as if something was about to overflow from within her. However, when the thought of Vicky coveting Leonardo came to mind, she gritted her teeth. “I can handle it. Please stay aside. Also, don’t go and see Vicky!”
Leonardo could already smell the jealousy in her. He clenched his other free hand into a fist and hemmed, trying hard not to laugh. He then gave her a matter-of-fact, affirmative nod.
Summer looked up at him. Seeing the knowing look in his eyes, she knew her thoughts had been laid bare before his eyes. Feeling a little embarrassed, she pursed her lips and pinched his hand. His hand felt dry and warm, but it looked like he did not feel a thing.
Trying to tease her, Leonardo leaned closer, as though he was going to kiss her. He had been doing this to her many times, seizing every opportunity to kiss her. He must have hit his head somewhere.
Summer quickly shrank back, but he pressed his hand on her shoulder. “Stop moving. I’m just trying to sort out your tangled hair.”
Douglas tried to take a glimpse of the two loved birds, but Jessica pressed his head down. “Don’t watch. It’s an adult’s thing.”
“There are couples in my class too.” Douglas pouted.
“So do you have a girl you like?”
“No.”
“Don’t tell me you’re a brochelor,” Jessica mocked him.
Douglas looked at her as if she was mad.
After the meal, they parted. As soon as Summer and Leonardo arrived home, they were greeted by Ava, who looked melancholic.
“Welcome home, Young Master and Mrs. Emerson.”
Summer had noticed her unusual expression.
Ava smiled at her while she spoke to Leonardo, “The old residence called earlier. They’re hoping that all of you can go over there tomorrow.”
Remarks:
Brochelor is a hybrid of “bro” and “bachelor”, which refers to guys who put their bros before women.