Crowns and a Rose 2: The Storm Begins

"You met him?" I ask Sophia after she explains why she's late.

"Yeah~" she replies as she gets in the car. Then, I start the engine.

"Are you sure he said, Jason Kian McFadden?" I ask her to confirm.

Her face is painted with questions because of my reaction, so I give a faint smile.

"Who is he, professor?" she asks.

'No way! Too soon. Why did he come sooner than expected? Jason Kian McFadden! What are you planning to do?' thoughts hover in my mind as I drive through the serpentine road down to the campus.

"Professor~ professor Khaeli! We are already here," Sophia says, waking me up from my thoughts.

"Ah~" I utter.

"Uhm~ by the way, a while ago... you told me that we're gonna discuss something. What is it, professor?" Sophia asks as she removes her seatbelt.

"A... it's about your stay at the mansion," I answer while I turn off the engine and we both get out of the car.

"Well~ what do you want to know?"

"Your honesty~"

"It's no question that the mansion is a work of art. It has~"

"You know what I want to hear!" I say in a low stern voice.

She looks down as if weighing whether to say something or not.

"I am not certain for now, professor~"

I exhale in disappointment. Then, I nod.

"Nothing to rush~" I state in a dismissive tone. She nods and goes to her class.

________________________

Meanwhile, back at the mansion.

Primrose gets up and goes to the dining area to eat breakfast--- more likely her early lunch as it's already 11: 30 am.

Her stomach has been grumbling since she wakes up a little while ago.

"Hi, there~ how are you feeling, sweet pea? What do you want for lunch?" Carmen, the lords' trusted servant, asks. She seems to be cooking as she's holding a food tong when she emerges from the kitchen.

The old lady has been very welcoming since the ladies arrive and she has already touched their hearts. Carmen has the warmness in her that really captivates anyone she meets.

"Thank you, Carmen~ I want to have what you are cooking 'coz it really smells delish!" Primrose answers.

"Thank you~ I will cook a special dish for you. You still look pale," she says before going back to the kitchen.

Primrose smiles at her while drinking a bottle of water that she takes from the refrigerator.

"How are you feeling?" a familiar voice says. Primrose is so startled that she even sputters the water she just drank as soon as she sees Leo standing behind her.

Her eyes become wide when she realizes that some of the sputtered water landed on Leo's face.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry~" she apologizes immediately and approaches him, gesturing to wipe his face.

"Damn it! Did you even brush your teeth or gargle?" he says annoyedly, looking so disgusted while wiping the droplets of water with the back of his hand.

Then, he hurriedly goes back to his room to wash his face, leaving Primrose flushed in embarrassment.

"Shit!" she curses after.

As Primrose helps Carmen set the table, the unfortunate event keeps flashing in her mind. To get rid of it, she decides to strike a conversation with the kind servant.

"Are the lords coming here for lunch?" she asks.

"Hmmm... sometimes, but not today," she answers while placing the fruit platter in the middle of the table.

"A~ Uhm... do you know why he's here?" she asks pertaining to Leo, who hasn't come down yet.

"I am not sure...," she replies. "Come on eat your soup while it's hot. It will help you recover faster."

"Thank you, Carmen~," Primrose says. Carmen nods and heads back to the kitchen.

She is nearly finished when Leo comes. He sits down and puts some meat on his plate.

Primrose speeds up eating and gestures to stand up as soon as she finishes.

"Sit down!" Leo commands.

"Huh?"

"Huh?" he sarcastically mimics. "Just sit up straight first, then go."

She grasps what he means, so she sits quietly.

"How do you feel anyway?" Leo asks nonchalantly as he slices the beef steak on his plate.

"Uhm~ I feel better. Thanks to you," she answers. He nods.

"Good," he says.

"By the way, can I ask something?" Primrose asks. Leo looks at him.

"Is it important?" he replies.

"Not really~ nevermind~," she says before standing.

He smirks.

"What are you curious about?" he asks.

"Nevermind~"

"Tell me while I am still in the mood to talk~"

"Why are you so rude?" she blurts out.

Leo stops slicing another bite of his steak and leans on his chair. He looks intensely at Primrose, who looks regretful for asking such a question.

"Why the question, hmm? Is that really what you want to know?" he asks without removing his eyes on her. She gulps.

"Are you not gonna ask me why I stayed by your side last night?" he says, crossing his arms on the table.

Primrose looks away. Leo smirks.

"Do you really think~ it's because I like you? Tsk! Dream on! That's not gonna~"

"I know! You don't have to put it into words. I NEVER thought about it that way. Besides, you are not my type!" Primrose scoffs.

"Really? That's a relief!" Leo exhales exaggeratedly with a hint of sarcasm.

"Really!" she yells.

Leo raises his brow and smiles sardonically.

"Prove it~ coz I still can't forget how you held my hands tight last night and.... how you beg me to sleep~"

"Fine! If you don't believe me, ~~~I will kiss the first man who enters this room! And for god's sake~ I was fucking scared last night! Eish!" she yells.

"Oh~ you can kiss any man, huh~"

"Yes."

"Even Boris?"

"Y-yes~ just to prove you wrong!"

"Can't wait to see how you do it!"

"Hah! Just wait and see!"

"See what?" Mon asks.

Leo looks flustered while Primrose has a winning smile on her face.

"Don't!" Leo suddenly says, warning Primrose with his eyes.

She grins as she stands up. Then, she walks towards Mon, who looks so confused at the situation.

"You see~ your brother asked me a while ago if I like him. I said no. Do you know why?~" Primrose says while tracing Mon's face.

"Hmmm~ because you realized that I am better than him?" Mon charmingly replies.

Leo holds his breath when she leans over until Mon's soft lips meet hers.

"Get a room!" Leo shouts before slamming the table and storms off.