Secrets and Surprises
"Young master? His father? What on earth have I stumbled into?" she thought, clutching the fabric of her dress tightly. It wasn't just the discovery that rattled her—it was the weight of the implications. Leo had a family he never mentioned, and here she was, blissfully unaware until now.
She let out a long sigh, frustration bubbling up. "Why can't anything in my life go smoothly? Just for once?" It was clear now why Leo dodged questions about his past. But what kind of person hid something so monumental from someone they supposedly cared about?
Determined to get answers, Nari resolved to confront Leo about it. She stood up and paced the room, rehearsing her words.
"Leo, I know about your family." No, too aggressive.
"Why didn't you tell me you're some kind of… heir?" Still not quite right.
Before she could decide on the perfect approach, the door creaked open. Leo stepped inside, his jacket slung over one shoulder, his hair slightly disheveled. He looked surprised to see her up so early but smiled nonetheless.
"Morning, Nari," he said, dropping the jacket onto a chair.
She hesitated, her rehearsed lines scattering like leaves in the wind. "Good morning," she replied, masking her inner turmoil.
He stretched, looking unusually relaxed. "I was hoping to talk to you about something important," he said, taking a seat across from her.
Nari blinked, caught off guard. "Actually, I have something I need to talk to you about too," she said.
He gestured for her to go ahead, but she shook her head. "You first," she offered.
Leo rubbed the back of his neck, his expression turning serious. "Alright. Nari, I've noticed something… You don't seem very interested in having kids."
Her heart skipped a beat. This was not what she expected. **"Kids? Leo, I already have kids. Valerie and Iris are practically—"
"I don't mean adopted," he interrupted gently, his gaze unwavering. "I mean… our own."
Nari's cheeks flushed. She stared at him, dumbfounded. "Why are you bringing this up now?"
He leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Because I've been thinking about it a lot. I want a son, Nari. Someone to carry on our legacy… and… well, someone to teach all the things I've learned."
Her mind raced, the confrontation she'd planned completely forgotten. "A son?" she echoed, her voice faint. "Leo, do you even… know how babies are made?"
To her horror, he smirked. "Care to remind me?"
Nari's face turned scarlet. "Oh! Laundry! Yes, I need to… check on the laundry!" She bolted from the room, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she fled down the hallway, she could hear Leo's laughter echoing behind her. "This isn't over, Nari!" he called, his voice teasing.
Nari ducked into the laundry room, leaning against the door and covering her burning face with her hands. The confrontation would have to wait. For now, she needed a moment to collect herself… and maybe figure out how to deal with the man who had just turned her world upside down yet again.