Chapter 17

Leo was exhausted as he climbed down the stairs of the office building and went in to the car that the chauffeur had held the door open for him. He sat beside his cousin, Eric, who was busy looking at his phone.

"I am so beat," said Leo as he unbuttoned the first button at his neck just to let the air in.

"Ya, today was exhausting," said Eric, who didn't seem to be paying much attention to his cousin.

"I hope you aren't looking at women on that phone of yours," said Leo as he looked at Eric.

Eric turned to look at Leo. "And why would I be looking at other women?"

"Because that's what playboys like you do."

Eric rolled his eyes as the chauffeur was now in the driver's seat and started the car.

"I'm not looking at women on my phone, dear cousin," said Eric. "I'm simply trying to look for something."

"For what?"

"Why do you care? If I tell you, you will get angry."

Leo shook his head. "Okay, don't tell me. I don't want to know anyway."

Eric smiled without looking at his cousin. He really liked to trouble Leo for no apparent reason.

Leo looked out of the car window and into the dark evening sky. It was hard to notice the sky at night nowadays. Not when you're in a car and the streets you're driving through are filled with magnificent tall buildings and skyscrapers. The place wasn't lit up with lights from the stars but rather the lights from the street lamps and buildings. But this was New York after all. Why wouldn't the place be lit up by bright lights?

Leo turned to look at Eric after realising that staring out in the street was boring. He passed through the same street everyday and obviously saw the same people walking down the street, not like he knew everyone's faces. He couldn't wait to get home and sit at the balcony where he could stare up the stars to pass time.

"What are you looking at?" Leo asked. He had no choice but to ask.

Eric looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Oh, now you're interested."

"I don't like it when you're quiet. You're usually the one who talks a lot."

"And you love it." Eric gave Leo a mocking smile. "You simply can't live without me."

Leo rolled his eyes feeling irritated. "Do I have to repeat myself or what?"

"I know you don't like repeating yourself so I'll tell you to spare your head that looks like it's about to blow up. I'm looking for a gift."

"For your mum? But her birthday isn't anytime soon, is it?"

"Don't worry. I'm looking for a gift for someone special."

Leo rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me it's for the Lady Supreme."

"Who else could I be referring to?" Eric gave Leo a smile.

"I'm sorry I asked."

"Don't be. Maybe you can help me with picking out something for her."

"No freaking way. Why should I? I would rather get a gift for Carly instead."

"Ya, we all know why." Eric went back to looking at his phone.

Leo went back to looking at the window. "She seems to be taking up much of your mind these days. That's not good."

Eric turned to look at Leo with his eyebrow raised. "Why do you say that?"

"I've noticed. You aren't yourself is all I'm saying."

"It's called love, bro...well, I think. I'm not too sure."

"I guess you are."

"And don't you feel the same way for Carly? Lovestruck, I mean. She's also supposed to be taking up your mind each and every time too."

Leo thought of what his cousin said and didn't know whether to answer him or not. He's been pretty busy this past week, trying to settle on a deal with some important clients. So his mind was pretty much busy. It's not that Carly didn't occupy his mind. When he had free time, he would think about Carly all day long.

But things weren't that way now. Not when he knew that from now onwards he would be heading back home everyday not only to find Carly, but Angel as well.

He groaned at the thought of that. If he wasn't irritated of the thought of Angel, then he didn't know what he was feeling. She was going to cause problems. Not only for him, but Carly too.

"You know, you've to be careful about who you think about," said Eric, bringing Leo back down to earth.

"Why do you say that?" Leo asked.

"I could tell you were thinking about Angel just now." Eric chuckled.

"No, I wasn't." Leo shook his head.

"Yes, you were. That look on your face says it all. You look irritated. Still thinking about how Angel took the upper hand on you today?"

"You're just saying things. Now I preferred you kept quiet while looking for a gift for her."

"You know I'm right. You should be lucky she and you aren't workmates. You could bring the whole office down in flames in just a day."

Leo gulped as he remembered what his grandmother said about Angel coming to work for them. He had to try and convince her much more than he had to.

"It's good we aren't," said Leo.

The car soon arrived at it's destination parking in front of the mansion. Leo and Eric walked out of the car.

"I am so tired," said Leo.

"You're tired like you're a child coming back from school," said Eric.

"Don't mind me." The two cousins walked down the stone footpath that led to the front door. "That shows I work way harder than you do."

"Let's not compete. It's not like you're a construction worker or something though you happen to run the business. You're just simply the man behind the chair who controls what's going on."

Leo rolled his eyes at Eric and almost burst out laughing. You can never be bored with him.

As they arrived at the doorstep, Leo was about to ring the doorbell when the door flew open and there behind the door was his mother.

"Hello," said Mrs McDonell. "I'm glad you're here."

"Hi, aunt," said Eric when he realised that Leo wasn't going to greet her.

"Why don't you two freshen up and we will have supper ready. We're having a guest over."

"That's nice," said Eric as Leo passed his mother and entered the foyer.

"Yes, so you all better get ready." Mrs McDonell sounded excited as she closed the door behind Eric and soon left for the kitchen.

"She sounds so excited, have you noticed?" Leo asked.

"Isn't she always excited?" Eric asked.

Leo chuckled. "You should rather be sarcastic than funny."

"I know. Before I go up to my room, let me go say hi to grandma. And Angel."

Eric ran off to the other side of the foyer leading to the hall where Angel and Amanda's room were. Leo couldn't help but think Eric was acting childish.

Just as he was about to walk up to his room, there was Carly, at the top of the stairs looking down at him. He paused for a minute as he looked at her.

"Wow," he said in awe.

Carly smiled. "You like?" she asked.

Leo bit his lip. "Definitely. Why wouldn't I?"

Carly wore a lovely black flared sleeveless dress that reached almost way above her knees. She also wore matching high heels.

"Are you going somewhere?" Leo asked as she slowly made her way down the stairs. "I've to say, you look lovely."

"Thank you," said Carly with her lovely red painted lips raised up into a smile. "I'm not going anywhere." She slowly continued her way down the stairs.

"Then what's the occasion?" Leo couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Carly stood on the last step, close to Leo. The two looked at each other with so much intent.

"Hasn't your mother told you?" Carly asked. This time she gave him a questioning look.

"Told me what?"

"Well, you two have no shame," said Angel who appeared in the foyer.

Carly almost jumped by her voice, thinking that it was Leo's mother. She relaxed when she realised that it was only Angel. Leo, however, didn't seem frightened at all.

"You almost scared me to death," said Carly.

"I should be doing that more often," said Angel. She had come in from the living room in her wheelchair.

"You know this is also my house, right?" Leo asked as he looked at Angel. "So you better take back what you said."

"Why should I?" Angel shrugged her shoulders. "If you two don't want anyone else finding out about your relationship, then you shouldn't be seen so close to each other, don't you think?"

The two lovebirds didn't know what to say, and they didn't have to because Eric soon appeared into the foyer.

"Angel, I was looking for you," said Eric excitedly as he ran to hug her.

"Hi, Eric," said Angel giving him a smile.

"Wow, Carly, you look really nice," said Eric as he looked at her. "Did you go shopping today?"

"I went shopping with your mum," Carly replied as she blushed.

"You look really pretty." Eric smiled at her.

"Thank you, Eric."

"I was just asking her what the special occasion is for her to be dressed like this," said Leo. "And she told me that we will be having a guest over."

"Oh, really?" Eric asked. "Aunt wasn't joking then? Who is it?"

"Well, you won't believe this if we tell you but..." Carly was soon interrupted.

"Leo," said Amanda as she came into the foyer. "I was wondering why you didn't come to see me like your cousin did. Well, now I see why."

Leo turned to look at his grandma and went over to hug her.

"How are you, granny?" Leo asked after hugging her.

"Never better," Amanda replied with a smile. "I see you four are all trying to get along. That's nice."

"Yes, we are," said Eric.

"Good. Well, you two men better get yourself ready for supper. Your mother will be furious if you don't since she's having a guest over."

"Who could it be, granny?" Eric asked. "Carly was just about to tell us when you came in."

"Let's not ruin the surprise. Go, go now. You've to get ready."

Leo and Eric didn't say anything as they quickly obliged to their grandmother's request and went up the stairs. When the two were out of earshot, Amanda turned to look at Carly.

"I know what you're thinking," said Carly as she looked at Amanda. "I wasn't going to say anything about Kim."

Amanda gave her a smile. "I know. But you had to be careful. If you did tell Leo Kim was coming over, he was going to walk straight out that door."

"I know." Carly couldn't help but blush.

"I hope all goes well tonight," said Angel. "I've a feeling this isn't going to end pretty."

"Me too," said Amanda.

There was a knock at the door and Carly quickly dropped to the bottom of the stairs to open it. Mr McDonell soon stepped in.

"Evening, Carly," said Mr McDonell. "May I say, you look lovely tonight."

"Thank you," said Carly as she closed the door behind him.

"Evening mother, evening Angel."

Both Amanda and Angel greeted him at the same time.

"May I have a word with you in the study?" Amanda asked her son.

"Right now? Is it really that urgent?" Mr McDonell asked.

"Yes and it can't wait." Amanda already started her way back down the hall she came from but this time heading to the study. Mr McDonell had no choice but to follow.

"Could it be that she wants to talk about his wife bringing Kim here?" Carly asked.

Angel looked at her sister. "I wouldn't dwell on that thought if I were you," she replied. Angel didn't have to think twice about what the two would be talking about.

In an hour's time, dinner was close to being set on the table. Carly and Angel were in the living room watching the 8 o'clock news. The house help soon started bringing out dishes of different cuisines from the kitchen and into the dining room.

"To be honest, Angel, I feel really nervous," said Carly feeling uncomfortable on the couch.

"If you're worried about Kim, please don't show it," said Angel.

"I'm not going to."

"Well, you better change that facial expression. Because it completely shows."

"Really?" Carly asked as she touched her face thinking that it would help change her expression.

Angel shook her head and smiled as she went on to stare at the TV. She hadn't messed around with Carly like that in a long time.

Oliver soon appeared in the living room and came to sit right next to Carly.

"Hey, Oliver," said Angel. "Are you done with your homework?"

"Homework, seriously, on a Friday?" Oliver looked at Angel with a surprised look on his face.

"What's wrong with doing your homework on a Friday? You might have the whole weekend, but you won't do your homework because you will be out having fun. And then you will end up doing your homework on a Sunday evening."

"I know what you mean. But it's so hard to do my homework on a Friday because everyone is so busy."

"That, little man, is so not true," said Eric as he came into the living room. He had taken a shower and changed his clothes for the evening. "I always have free time for you on a Friday."

"Come on, Eric," said Angel. "Let the little man, speak. He might be telling the truth."

"Please don't take his side, Angel." Eric came to stand right behind Angel on her wheelchair. "The guy isn't as innocent as you think."

"Okay, let me finish talking to him about his homework first. Then you can air out all your views about him."

"Don't listen to a word he says about me," said Oliver, pointing at his brother.

"Okay, okay, you two," said Angel trying to calm the two brothers down. "Now, Oliver, I think it's best you work on your homework on a Friday so that you don't have to struggle so much on Sunday."

"Will you help me then?"

Angel gave him a smile. "After dinner."

"Then we can watch a Friday night movie in the home movie theatre. How does that sound?" Eric asked.

"You guys have your own home movie theatre?" Carly asked looking at Eric.

"Ya," Oliver answered excitedly. "My brother, Leo and I usually have a movie night on Fridays. Would you ladies like to join us?"

"Oooh, charming," said Carly. "Of course we would, wouldn't we, Angel?"

"Definitely," Angel replied. "But after he does his homework."

"Deal," said Oliver as he gave Angel a smile.

"Is everyone here?" Mrs McDonell called out as she appeared into the living room, coming in from the foyer.

"What do you mean, aunt?" Eric asked. "Everyone is around."

"And what about your uncle, has he arrived?"

"Yes, he arrived some minutes ago," Angel replied.

"And where is he?" Mrs McDonell asked giving Angel a glare.

"He went to the study with Amanda. She insisted that they go and have a talk."

Mrs McDonald raised an eyebrow thinking over what Angel had just said. Angel could tell that Mrs McDonell was thinking twice , obviously wondering if Amanda was talking to her son about his wife.

"Are we going to have supper now?" came Eric's mother coming from behind Mrs McDonell. "I'm starving here."

"Same here, mum," said Oliver. "And the food smells delicious from here."

"Don't worry, our guest will be here soon and then we can have our supper," said Mrs McDonell.

"I wonder who it is," said Eric. "Because the way I see it, it must be someone important."

Angel looked up at Eric and she was glad that he wasn't looking down at her. She had that worried look on her face because she knew that their guest was someone Eric and especially Leo weren't in good terms with at the moment.

They soon heard a sound of a vehicle and the sound of tires on the asphalt outside. Could that be their visitor?

"Ah, she's here," said Mrs McDonell excitedly as she went for the front door. Diana quickly went to join her.

"It's a she?" Eric asked. "I hope it's not one of those old famous ladies."

Angel rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't like it if was anyone younger," she thought to herself.

"I wonder why aunt is so excited," said Oliver. "This must be one very important person."

"Maybe in her life, yes," said Carly.

"I have to see this for myself," said Eric.

Before he could even head out of the living room, he stopped as he looked into the foyer. He was shocked for words.

"Eric, are you okay?" Oliver asked as he noticed his brother stand still like a statue. He soon turned towards what his brother was looking at and he too remained shocked.

The two sisters knew the worst had finally come. They both turned to the foyer and there in lovely short purple dress was the most beautiful looking lady they had ever seen.

Kim stepped in to the living room with Mrs McDonell who had a huge grin on her face. It was obvious that her plan of getting Kim into the house with Leo still around, worked. Diana remained behind in the foyer with a scared and yet surprised look on her face. She soon left the foyer, heading upstairs.

"Look who is here to see us after such a long time," said Mrs McDonell. She couldn't be any more happier.

"Hi, Eric," said Kim as she gave him a dreamy look and a charming smile. "How have you been?"

Eric cleared his throat then said, "I'm great. It's been a long time, Kim."

"It really has. It's good to be back here. Hey, Oliver, how are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks," said Oliver and he quickly went to looking at the TV screen as though something had captured his eye when it was only just the eight o'clock news.

"Before I forget my manners, let me introduce to the Barclay sisters, Angel and Carly," said Mrs McDonell.

Carly stood up from her seat and walked over to Kim with a smile on her face.

"I'm Carly," she said as she stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," said Kim as she shook Carly's hand.

Angel and Eric couldn't help but look at each other when the two shook hands. Kim had no idea what she was in for.

"And this is my older sister, Angel," said Carly introducing her sister to Kim.

"Nice to meet you, Angel," said Kim giving Angel a smile.

"Nice to meet you too," Angel replied.

"Where is Leo?" Kim asked as she turned to look at Mrs McDonell.

"He's just freshening up," said Mrs McDonell. "He will be down here shortly. Why don't you take a seat while I go and tell the rest that you're here."

"There's simply no need for that, Bertha," said Mr McDonell as he came into the foyer with Amanda, pushing her wheelchair. "We are already here."

"Aren't you excited that Kim is here?" Mrs McDonell smiled at her husband.

Mr McDonell looked caught in between answering her or not. He quickly turned to look at Kim to greet her.

"How are you, Kim?" he asked.

"I'm good. It's really nice to see you again. Hi, Amanda, how are you?"

Amanda put up the kindest smile. "I'm great and how are you?"

"Never better."

"You take a seat. I'll go and call Leo," said Mrs McDonell.

"Let me freshen up real quick," said Mr McDonell and he quickly turned around to leave.

Kim went over to the couch and took a seat. She sat on the couch close to where Angel sat on her wheelchair.

Mrs and Mr McDonell left the living room. For a moment, everything felt a little awkward, now that Kim was here. Eric scratched the back of his head as he came to settle down on the couch with his little brother. Carly came to join the two and Amanda rolled herself over and settled right next to Angel.

For a moment, there was silence as most people in the living room fixed their eyes on the TV screen, except for Kim who kept looking at each and everyone of them present, trying to see who she could start a conversation with.

"I haven't seen you in a while, Eric," said Kim. Eric looked at her.

"Ya, we kind of fell out after all that had happened," said Eric.

"I know. It's pretty much normal on your part. I was a little surprised with Leo though."

Everyone all turned their heads at Kim, including little Oliver. They all waited for her to continue with what she had to say.

"I know about the accident, Angel," Kim continued. "And on behalf of Leo, I apologise since I didn't get the chance to when it all happened. I didn't even know you were staying with the McDonells until I was told by Leo's mum."

Angel said, "all that was nothing but an accident. I've moved on. If I really wanted to, I would have sued Leo, but I know how pointless all that would have been."

Carly looked at her sister, wondering why she said that last bit of suing Leo. All this looked really confusing to her. It felt like someone was trying to play the other here, or was Carly simply imagining things?

"But I still can't seem to put one thing together though," said Kim as she looked up at the ceiling.

Eric, Angel and Carly all held their breaths. What was she going to say now? Was she going to link the Barclay sisters to Leo's decision of calling off their engagement?

"I wonder why you and Leo went out that day, Eric," said Kim as she went back to looking at him. "What were you possibly doing anyway?"

Oliver gave his brother a funny look.

"He wanted to go out for fresh air and we did," Eric replied. "We didn't know the accident would happen."

"All that was unpredictable, dear," said Amanda. "I don't know why you're bringing all this up again when it has gone and passed. If you're trying to figure out why Leo left you, it's best you ask him yourself."

"You know I tried that, Amanda," said Kim. "And just like always, he never gave me a straight up answer."

Amanda gave Kim a mocking smile. "Well, that's definitely like Leo, alright."

Kim could tell that Amanda was just making fun of her. So she went back to looking at Eric.

"So, how is work?" Kim asked.

"Work is fine and tiring as usual," Eric answered.

"That's good to hear." Kim went on to look at the stairs. "I wonder what's keeping the others so long."

As soon as she said those words, footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. And just by the sound, you could tell that they weren't happy steps.

"Leo, wait a minute," Diana called out to him by the stairs.

Leo had already reached the bottom stair and went straight to the living room.

"What's going on here?" Leo asked as soon as he appeared in the living room.

Amanda winced. Eric couldn't help but scratch his head. Carly looked the other way as she played with her hair. Oliver didn't face Leo's direction, as though he was avoiding watching a bad scene of a horror movie. Angel however, looked on waiting to see how all this would play out.

Kim slowly stood up from the couch. "Leo, how are you?" she greeted.

There was silence in the room except from Diana's footsteps as she came down the stairs and in to the living room.

"I was fine the time I came home," he answered. "And now I'm not."

"Leo, calm down, please," Diana strongly insisted as she held his shoulder. "Your mum isn't going to like the way you're talking to her."

"She invited her here, did she?" Leo turned to look at his aunt.

Diana shrugged her shoulders. "She never told me anything. But I'm guessing by her happy mood, she obviously did."

Leo turned to look at Kim. "Did mum ask you to come here?" he asked her.

"She did," Kim answered. "But all this was only so that I could see the family after such a long time."

Everyone had a puzzled look on their face as they turned to look at Kim, except Leo. It was clear with the way she spoke to them before Leo came in that she was here just to get a chance to see and talk to Leo. No one objected to what she said. She and Leo were having a conversation and no one felt like butting in because you were only going to get burnt.

"I don't believe you," said Leo. "Grandma, did you know she was coming here?"

Amanda looked up at Leo. "I knew, she answered. "But your mum told me not to tell you because you would freak out the way you're doing right now."

"She knew you would run, that's why," said Diana. "That's definitely what your mother would do."

Leo rolled his eyes and looked irritated. "Where is she?" he asked.

"She will be down shortly," said Amanda, who had a worried look on his face.

"I need her here right now."

"Leo, I think you need to sit down," said Eric as he stood up from the chair and came to stand right next to his cousin.

"There's no need." Leo looked calm and cool, but you could tell from his voice that he was really on edge.

Mr McDonell soon came down the stairs and when he came in the living room, he felt the tension in the air.

"Did I miss something here?" Mr McDonell asked.

"You came just in time," said Amanda. "Leo is not happy."

Mr McDonell only shook his head and approached his son from behind.

"Leo, can we talk?" Mr McDonell asked.

"Why should we?" Leo asked as he looked at his father.

"Let's go," Mr McDonell insisted. "It will do you some good. Before your mother comes here."

Leo nodded his head and followed his father out of the living room heading to the study. Just as they disappeared down the other end of the hall, Mrs McDonell came down the stairs and went in the living room.

"No sign of Leo yet?" Mrs McDonell asked.

"If you looked around the room more carefully, you would see the burning imprint of where he stood on the carpet," said Amanda.

Mrs McDonell sighed. "Amanda, please stop talking in riddles," she said. "Was he here or not?"

"He was and he wasn't happy," said Eric.

"Did he leave?" Mrs McDonell looked worried.

"If you mean the house, no," said Diana. "He followed his father to the study."

Mrs McDonell turned around heading for the study.

"I think I should leave," said Kim. "It really shows that Leo isn't happy to see me."

"Oh, no, please, stay," said Amanda, yet she didn't sound sympathetic about it. It almost sounded like she was making fun of her.

"Oh, no, I'm good. I shouldn't have agreed to come here in the first place."

"No, don't leave yet," said Diana. "You're Bertha's guest and she isn't going to be happy if you leave. Come with me to the patio, you need a little bit of air."

"Yes, I guess so."

Kim joined Diana and the two left for the patio.

"I knew this was going to happen," said Amanda.

"I would blame Leo for this," said Angel. "He's supposed to act mature. Not like a child."

"I behave more maturely than he does," said Oliver.

"I know you do." Angel smiled at the young boy.

"I agree with you, Angel," said Eric. "I know he broke up their engagement, but it doesn't mean he has to treat her that way as though she has done something wrong."

"I kind of feel bad for her," said Carly.

"Leo has always been like a child," said Amanda. "And I hate to admit, though I don't like Kim very much, what Leo is doing to her is awful."

"It's not anything new that you don't like her, granny," said Eric.

"I know. But Bertha also did the wrong thing here. She knows Leo's actions towards Kim would be brutal but she still wanted Kim to come here. She obviously wants them to get back together."

"There's no doubt about that," said Angel. "But Leo should be more of a gentleman. He shouldn't treat her that way. Now I wonder how he broke up with her. Must have been terrible."

"You should tell him that," said Eric as he smiled at Angel. "Maybe he will listen to you."

"He's a gentleman when he wants to be. But towards Kim, I don't know why he acts like that. He loved her once, you know," said Amanda.

"Like madly in love with her?" Carly asked.

"Maybe during their first years of their relationship. But I never approved of her then, and if they were ever to get back, I still wouldn't."

"Are they going to get back soon?" Oliver asked as he looked down the hall. "I'm hungry."

"Why don't you get a little snack from the kitchen?" Amanda suggested. "You wouldn't want to die in this ugly war full of big people problems."

While the others waited in the living room, there was a serious talk in the study room.

"I'm begging you, Leo, can you at least act mature for once?" Mr McDonell asked Leo.

"Why should I?" Leo asked as he folded his arms.

"Because she is my guest," Mrs McDonell answered. "That's why."

"I wonder why you even bought her here when you know she and I aren't on good terms with each other."

"Why do you treat her like she did something wrong to you? This isn't the Leo I know."

"Sorry, mum. She irritates me and I want nothing to do with her. She tends to be clinging and that's not what I want."

"But you don't have to treat a lady like that, son," said Mr McDonell. "You need to talk things down with her like an adult."

"I did talk to her face to face to break off our engagement, but she still kept on calling and calling afterwards," said Leo. "You see, that's being too clinging."

"And did you ever give a reasonable explanation as to why you wanted to break up?" Mr McDonell gave Leo a look. "Did you?"

"I told her that it didn't feel right anymore to be together and that we had to break off our engagement."

"Well, that's not a clearcut answer to me," said Mrs McDonell. "There has to be a simple reason or else she wouldn't be calling you all the time."

"Mum, I have my reasons," said Leo sternly.

"But it still doesn't add up and your mother is right," said Mr McDonell. "I never wanted to ask you why you broke up with Kim because I know you don't like to talk about such things. But now I'm starting to wonder what's really going on."

Leo felt cornered. His parents were good at making him spit out the truth whenever they wanted it. And he didn't feel ready to tell them that he fell in love with someone else.

"It's nothing," said Leo. "I just fell out and it didn't feel right any more."

"Well, you fell out of it too quickly," said Mrs McDonell.

"Is that why you brought her here? To change my mind?"

"Leo, calm down," said Mr McDonell. "And you, Bertha, why didn't you tell me that you were inviting Kim over?"

"Don't tell me that you don't like her too," said Mrs McDonell almost looking disappointed.

"I have always liked Kim. But why you didn't tell me about this is what I want to know. You knew that your son broke up with her and it hasn't even passed a good period of time for them to try and ease off the pain. And now, you just opened up old wounds."

"I'm sorry, I should have told you but I wanted it to be a surprise."

"A surprise or a way of getting her and I back together?" Leo asked.

"Bertha, stop," Mr McDonell raised his hand beside his wife could even speak. "You two are just going to argue like you always do and I'm not going to allow that. Not when we have a guest in the house."

"I'm glad you consider Kim our guest, hon," said Mrs McDonell sweetly.

"That's because you bought her here and you left me no choice. Leo, I'm begging you, just for this one night, let go of your anger or whatever it is you have against Kim and have our dinner in peace. Can you do that for me?"

Leo looked at his father, then at his mother who gave him a look to go ahead with his father's suggestion. He furrowed his eyebrows at her showing how angry he was. When he went back to looking at his father, he brought up his calm demeanour.

"For you, dad, I will," said Leo.

Mr McDonell blew out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Leo. Though I do suggest you stop acting like a child around her from now on."

"I'll. In fact, I'll apologise to her right away."

"That's so sweet of you, dear," said Mrs McDonell but Leo ignored her as he quickly left the room.

"You know, you've never been so good with surprises, Bertha," said Mr McDonell as he looked at his wife and slowly made his way out of the study.