"Oh please, Emily… I'm so sorry about my husband's behavior," said Eleanor as she handed me a cup of warm green tea.
After that tense lunch, we spent the meal mostly in silence. Eleanor tried her best to lighten the mood, but even Nathan looked gloomy.
In the end, Eleanor invited me to get some fresh air in her private garden.
The garden wasn't that big, surrounded by ornamental plants that probably cost as much as the rent of an apartment in my neighborhood.
In the middle stood a round table with four garden chairs around it, that's where Eleanor brought me.
I took the cup and sipped it. "It's okay, Eleanor. I understand Jason," I said casually.
Eleanor nodded.
"Do you like gardening, Eleanor?" I asked after glancing around.
"Oh yes, gardening has been my hobby for years. This is my private garden," she replied. "You know, not many people are allowed in here," she added, gently touching my hand.
I chuckled softly. The nervousness I'd felt earlier had eased a little. Eleanor was the only one in the Rhys family who actually made me feel somewhat comfortable and safe, though I still had to stay cautious.
Eleanor exhaled slowly before taking my hand in hers. "But still, I do somewhat agree with Jason. I think you should quit Rhys Tech and focus on your pregnancy," she said.
Not this again. I could throw up if I had to keep up this act. I mean, obviously, I didn't want to work here in the first place and for god's sake, I'm not even pregnant.
I sighed. "I don't know… I just feel like I need to continue my work," I said.
"But why?" Eleanor's tone turned slightly pressing.
Because if I quit as Leonardo's secretary, I'd lose access to the Orion-78 case. But I can't say that, can I?
"I just… feel like I need to do something. Besides, I don't want any unpleasant gossip going around the office," I said, trying to sound pitiful.
But damn, that sentence turned into a boomerang for me.
Eleanor fell silent for a moment, then set her teacup on the table and shifted her body to face me. "Right… about that…" she said, clasping her hands together. "...I don't mean to question my grandchild, but… was this an accident? Or did he force you?" Her eyes moved toward my stomach.
I clenched at my dress, my breath catching.
Is she going to tell me to abort it? But then I'll lose my reason to marry Leo… Wait. Force me?
"Uh… what makes you think that?" I asked, trying to look hurt and confused.
Eleanor reached for my hand. "Oh honey, it's just… I never thought any woman could actually date Leo," she said softly.
"I don't understand. What's wrong with Leo? He's been nothing but kind to me," I replied.
Seriously? What's wrong with Leo?
Eleanor sighed. "Honey, Leo has always had a bad temper. I just don't think he's built for a romantic relationship… your life would fall apart."
How bad?
"What did Leo ever do? For you to warn me like this?" I asked again, trying to dig for more.
Eleanor withdrew her hand from mine. "I'm not sure if I should tell you. But… if he ever hurts you, you must tell me. Or Nathan," she said.
I sighed. Great. Got nothing.
Eleanor clapped her hands lightly. "Okay, let's not talk about sad things! How's your baby doing?"
My tea spilled a little. I swallowed hard. "Uh… doing fine…" I answered briefly.
Eleanor smiled faintly. "You know, our family has a private doctor. It would be lovely if we could do a check-up together sometime," she said cheerfully.
Ah… shit.
I looked away and nodded.
"You know, Emily… Jason and I are very sen—"
CRASH!
The sound of shattering glass made us both turn toward the noise.
"What is going on…" Eleanor muttered, then looked back at me. "Wait here for a moment, Emily," she said, standing up and leaving me alone in the garden.
Not long after, I heard Eleanor's faint voice, followed by Jason's raised tone.
Should I find out what's happening?
I finally gathered the courage to peek. The voices grew clearer as I walked down the stairs, and soon I spotted Jason, Eleanor, and Leo in the kitchen. I decided to watch from the top of the staircase.
Leo stood rigidly, head lowered, while Jason glared at him like he wanted to kill him.
Eleanor raised her hands, trying to calm her husband. "Jason, please. Your fight can be heard all the way to my garden. It's not good, we have Emily visiting—" she stopped mid-sentence.
Jason stepped closer to Leo. "Right, Emily. If you were just fooling around and got her pregnant, you better stop. Tell her to get rid of the baby. News about a CEO marrying his pregnant secretary wouldn't be good for my company," Jason said coldly.
Leo stayed silent. Completely still.
What's wrong with him? Where's the cold, arrogant Leo I know?
Jason got even closer, his face inches away from Leo's. "You fucker… you just stand there like a damn statue!" he shouted, then suddenly,
SLAP!
The sound echoed sharply. I instinctively covered my mouth. Leo's jaw tensed.
"...Jason…" Eleanor's voice trembled weakly. She turned around and her eyes met mine.
I froze, ready to bolt.
"Emily, honey… come here," said Eleanor. I slowly descended the stairs. Jason glanced at me briefly before turning away.
"Honey, could you please help me take Leo to his room? It's upstairs, the one at the far left corner," Eleanor said, reaching out as if pleading.
I nodded and gently took Leo's hand, leading him toward the stairs. He followed silently.
We finally reached what I assumed was Leo's room. I sat him down at the edge of the bed and looked at him. His cheek was bright red from Jason's slap, his face pale, still hanging low.
Then my eyes caught his hand, bleeding.
Blood?!
"Wait… Leo, you're bleeding," I said, but he didn't move.
I glanced around. "Leo, where's your first aid kit? Do you even have one?" I asked, turning back to him. He didn't answer.
Ugh.
I started searching around the room which was about the size of my apartment. It had a cold atmosphere, everything in shades of black with wooden accents here and there.
Not long after, someone knocked on the door. When I opened it, a maid stood there holding a first aid box.
"Uh… excuse me, Miss Emily. Mrs. Eleanor told me to give you this," she said politely, handing it over.
"Ah, thanks," I replied with a faint smile.
I walked back toward the bed. Leo was still in the same position.
"Leo, I think we should wash your hands first, then—" I stopped mid-sentence and sighed.
I reached out and took his hand. "Leo…" I said softly, but his eyes stayed on the floor.
I gently cupped his face in my hands and tilted it toward me.
At last, his eyes met mine, completely blank, unlike the sharp gaze I was used to.
"Let's clean your hand first, okay? You're bleeding, and I don't want it to get worse," I said.
That seemed to pull Leo back to reality, as his eyes finally shifted toward his blood-stained hand.
I led him into the bathroom and let water run over his palm. A small cut appeared.
"What's this? Did you get hurt by the broken glass earlier?" I asked.
"I don't know," Leo replied flatly.
Still, he didn't pull his hand away from mine.
I guided him back to sit on the bed and carefully applied a bandage on his finger.
Honestly? He looked like a little boy to me right now. Powerless, obedient.
Then I took some ointment and dabbed it onto his bruised cheek.
"This might sting a bit," I said, trying to ease the tension filling the room.
Leo suddenly looked at me. When I tried to pull my hand away, his movement was slow but firm, enough to make me flinch slightly.
He guided my hand, pressing it gently against his cheek. His motion was soft, deliberate… and my heart definitely wasn't slowing down, well, it's quite the opposite.
Leo closed his eyes. He looked tired, helpless, like a lost puppy.
His hand was warm, his breathing steady, as if this situation didn't affect him at all.
"L-Leo… are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?" I finally asked, snapping him out of it.
Leo lifted his head, eyes locking onto mine, his hand still holding mine.
Then his gaze shifted toward my lips.
I swallowed hard.
Will he…?
His breath brushed against my cheek.
And Suddenly, I forgot how to breathe.