Chapter 1193: Getting Together (part three)

Come on, it's warmer inside," Kevin urged gently. Seeing Leena trembling, he really wanted to hold her and warm her up. But since Daisy had an arm around her, it was impossible for him to get between them. So he could only look at Leena worriedly. Mr. Mu was not used to waiting. As a matter of fact, he loathed it. But this became a thing of the past. Ever since he found Daisy, he waited for her. A lot. He'd gotten used to waiting for her, so he didn't get upset when she walked in. Nor was he surprised.

When Daisy and the other three entered the VIP room, everyone else was already there, including the cute and cool kid, Justin. It had been quite a while since Kevin saw him last. Unsurprisingly, he was a lot taller than before.

Do you still like me, Uncle Kevin? How come I don't see you anymore?" As soon as Justin saw Kevin, he threw himself into the major general's arms, neglecting his own mother. Little kids were like that sometimes. They'd lived in the same military dorm for years, and Kevin was always available as a playmate. They were still very attached to each other, and absence had only deepened their bond.

Kevin stood back and took a look at the kid, as if he was trying to get a better view of someone quite tall. "Hey kiddo! Ya miss me?" Kevin asked, kneeling beside Justin and gently putting his hand on his shoulder. Justin was only six, but because his parents were both tall, he was much taller than most children his age. Kevin guessed that he must be over 4-and-a-half-feet now. He'd grown a lot in a short period of time. In fact, he might eventually grow up to be taller than Edward.

"Of course, I miss you every day!" answered Justin lovingly, nestling himself in Kevin's arms. Kevin liked the feeling. He'd thought about kids every once in awhile, because these kinds of scenes warmed his heart.

As for Claire, this was not her environment. While she liked parties, she didn't know anyone here. What was more, Rain was here. That man captured her attention and got her heart racing, but he didn't even know she existed. He casually glanced in her direction, then looked away again. Claire felt rather shy and awkward after that.

"Claire, come and sit down. Gerard will be here soon, I need to go out and meet him," Leena said, motioning for Claire to sit next to Belinda. She knew Claire had a crush on Rain, and she saw the poor girl looking very lost and uncomfortable. Maybe if she sat next to someone she'd already met, she'd open up and relax. This was supposed to be fun.

"I'll go with you," Kevin said quickly. He let go of Justin and stood up, ready to accompany her. He saw her shivering earlier, and wanted to make sure she was warm enough.

"No, thanks, I can go myself. I'll just meet him at the gate, in case he can't find our room," Leena refused. She was pretty sure he was a little worried about Gerard or any of the bad element that seemed to thrive at night. She'd be fine. It was just out to the gate and back.

"You should put on my coat then. I saw you shivering out there. I don't want you to get sick," Kevin said after hesitating a bit. He took off his coat and helped Leena put it on, one sleeve and then the next, like a gentleman. Now she looked a bit awkward, with her coat sticking out under his own, but Kevin didn't care. All he cared about was that she was warm.

"Good idea. I won't be long," said Leena, sticking her tongue out naughtily before giving Kevin a sweet smile. She then set out at a brisk pace, without having the slightest idea that the way she acted caused everyone in the place to look at Kevin and Leena and if looks could kill -- oh man!

Kevin knew he was being glared at. He didn't know why, though. There was an awkward silence. He didn't know what he did wrong. Why was every man in the room staring at him all at once? But one thing was sure. He really didn't feel good about it.

Sit next to me Uncle Kevin, I wanna talk with you!" Justin said suddenly, tugging at Kevin's sleeve. His innocent words came just in time to defuse the awkward situation, so he sat beside Justin as the child wanted. Thankfully, he felt a lot better, and everyone went back to what they were doing.

"What's wrong with you guys? Why stare at Kevin? Let me guess: You're hot for him?" Belinda chipped in, blinking her bright eyes. She knew what was going on, unlike Kevin, and she thought it was too funny. She couldn't help teasing them. They were all way too protective of Leena.

Belinda had just finished with her joke, and then they heard someone choking. Rain acted like he was hacking up a lung as he shakily put his cup down. He had tried to laugh and drink at the same time, and it didn't go well. And he took another mouthful of tea, hoping he could soothe his burning throat. That didn't go well, either, as he promptly sprayed Duke with a few swallows of tea.

"You retard!" Duke snapped. Duke couldn't be angrier now. First Leena, his own sister that he had loved and protected for more than twenty years was showing her love to another man under his nose, and now this. This was quickly turning into the night from hell. He was balling his fists, trying to resist knocking Rain into next week.

It wasn't my fault! Your wife totally made fun of us!" Having said that, Rain reached out to grab a napkin and started to dry Duke off. He sat there, staring straight ahead, and his burning gaze could have scorched a hole in the wall.

"Awww, what a touching scene. You're so in tune with each other. You two make a cute couple," Belinda said, flashing her charming smile. She looked innocent, but there was the telltale glint of mischief in her eyes.

"For god's sake, this is your hubby! You remember, the one you married?" Rain was scared, now. Duke was getting angrier and angrier, and he was the one sitting next to him. Rain couldn't believe that Belinda would talk this way. It was just crazy. Duke, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes slyly and shot Belinda a sharp cold look. His eyes were so cold that all the heat had drained from the room. Claire also shuddered at his frightening expression.

"What about bisexuals?" she asked. "Don't know about 'em? There are a lot of them around here!" Belinda feigned surprise, ignoring Duke's very obvious reaction to her words. She was enjoying this, her husband's anger be damned. She was certainly fearless.

"Stop it, Belinda," Daisy whispered with a frown. She kicked Belinda under the table, trying to warn her that Duke had already been driven over the edge by her words. What was she trying to do? Make her life a living hell?

"Bisexual, huh?" Duke asked slowly, gnashing his teeth. He stared at Belinda coldly, maybe her last lesson wasn't enough to stop her from crossing the line again. Maybe she needed a fresh one.

"Relax honey, I'm just joking. Can't you take a joke?" Belinda hastily asked. She always tested Duke's limits, and then backed down before he could do anything. She was always like that. She could dish it out, but not take it well.

But Duke didn't buy it. He kept looking Belinda in the eye, a wicked smile spreading across his face. 'Too late, it's no use trying to please me now,' he thought. 'You'll find out tonight. I'm gonna teach you a hard lesson. Let's see you mess with me again.' Fortunately, his terrible plan fell through, because of some event well beyond his control. But this was even better than doling out punishment, something that would make him feel beside himself with joy.

"Come on, that all you got? I thought you could beard the lion in his den. You're such a wuss," Rain said scornfully. He was enjoying the show, despite his panic at Duke's anger. She was getting the best of Duke, and he always enjoyed watching that. He was hoping that maybe she'd take it further.

Shut up, Rain. Dude, can't you see how pissed he is? Remember, you're sitting right next to him," Edward said in a low voice, mouth curled into a sneer. He had been sitting back and enjoying the show himself, but Rain's bluntness came at the worst time. Rain was a good friend, but sometimes he needed a little prodding to get back on track. He needed to stop playing with fire, lest he got burned.

Yeah. Have a bit of a brain fart, dude? That would explain a lot," Tom said in a voice dripping with sarcasm, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He couldn't resist getting his two cents in. Duke was dangerous to mess with, but Rain was an easy target.

"Hey, back off, dude! Don't judge me, you quack!" Rain fired back. But he rubbed his nose out of embarrassment. He finally realized that, yeah, it was a dumb idea to insert himself in this lovers' quarrel.