Chapter 51: The Most Beautiful to Me
"Bloomfield? Summer?" Luellen perked up and realized that her best friend had indeed spent a lot of time in that inner office. She then narrowed her gaze at Leander. "That was what you were talking about the whole time?"
"Yes, I’d like to know how much she knows you. Still, she might have memorized you at a different time. Check in on the plans with her." Leander chuckled. "I might have to send her and Houston together to hunt for venues and services. I believe she won a wager already."
Luellen whined a little, almost mushing Leander’s fingers in her hands. "So that was what it is! So that was what it is!"
Beckett whistled at the little temper tantrum Luellen threw. "I have a feeling my sister-in-law is envious of her best friend. Well, I haven’t seen that woman yet. Do you think she has a reason to do so?"
"Summer Bloomfield handles an office job in a prestigious company better than Luellen does." Leander shook his head, allowing Luellen to let out her frustrations on his poor fingers. "I still find her more attractive, however. Such a magic person. Even when she cries, she is still the most beautiful to me."
"...cries?" Luellen flinched and looked up at Leander. Then, her brows furrowed. "You made Sue cry? Why would you do that?"
Leander’s brows rose in contrast. His slight surprise showed on his face... before his teasing smile returned. He chuckled. "Never mind it."
Luellen pouted and shook his hand in hers. "Hey! Don’t hurt her! She’s one of the most wonderful people in the world! If you bully her, I won’t forgive you! You can do everything you like to me, but never hurt my best friend! Swear it to me!"
"Everything I like?"
"That’s not the point!"
Beckett covered his mouth as he watched Luellen whine and Leander laugh. He then tried his best not to get caught taking photos of them.
...
"He made me cry?"
Summer’s voice came from the phone’s loudspeaker. Luellen’s phone was left on the counter as the maiden cooked her dinner for that night.
Luellen huffed as she tossed the ingredients in her heavy wok. She then chuckled. "Yeah, he mentioned something about you... uhm... I don’t know how to say it. We end up discussing you because Beckett hasn’t seen you yet. Should we invite him to the office again when he’s doing well?"
"Erm, sure. I mean, I don’t mind meeting Mr Wentworth’s brother. But, Lue... are you sure he was talking about me? I don’t think I ever cried in the office for real... not to mention in front of Mr Wentworth."
"I can’t really think of anything, either." Luellen sighed and turned off the heat. She picked up her ladle and took a serving of her fried rice.
Luellen stopped moving and stared at the golden rice with some shrimp in it. "He said he finds you more attractive. Such a magic person..."
The maiden held onto the ladle tighter. She even pouted after realizing that Beckett realized she was envious of Summer. However, Leander still spoke of his attraction toward the same woman. Luellen almost gave up and cried on the spot. How should she feel when her supposed fiancé said something so hurtful to her?
Summer hummed in discovery over the phone. She then said, "He keeps saying that about you. I want the best for her. All eyes must be on her, just as she pulls every piece of me every time she’s around. Such a magic person... if only she knew how beautiful she is..."
"What?"
"Erm, I might have romanticized it a lot... but yes, he’s so strict about what he wants to see in your wedding. There’s no gap for error. I think I just kept myself from running away because it’s all about you, you, you. Lue, how could you get someone to obsess about you like this? Teach me your ways!"
"What are you talking about?" Luellen froze a little before tilting her head. It was as if she could remember everything better if she moved her head that way.
A gasp broke out of her. Luellen covered her mouth. "He was talking about me? No wonder he laughed at me when I got mad!"
Summer laughed. "You need to have more faith in yourself, girl!"
Luellen whimpered and pouted. The more she thought about it, the redder her face turned. Luellen then covered her face with her hands again. She already knew that Leander was interested in her. However, for him to say things like that when his brother asked...?
"Still the most beautiful..." Luellen echoed some words in a whisper. "He thinks I’m the most beautiful...?"
Buzz!
Luellen heard her doorbell buzzing. She glanced at the clock on the wall and figured it was too late to get a visitor. She walked to her phone and told Summer about the visitor. At the shift of atmosphere, their smiles faded.
The maiden walked to the door and latched her chain locks in place. She took a deep breath and opened the door with a small crack.
"Who is it?" Her voice was soft, trying to contain her fear.
"Luellen, it’s me. We need to talk."
At the male voice, Luellen’s body trembled. More when she realized she was familiar with the owner. She straightened her back and picked up her phone tucked in her pocket. Her eyes lingered on her active call with Summer... only for her finger to press the End Call button.
Luellen looked into the gap again, seeing that the middle-aged man was alone. He even wore a dark coat and a brimmed hat as if hiding his face. She could keep the man outside, but she still opened the door for him.
The locks unlatched, and Luellen let him inside. Her gaze, albeit filled with loathing, felt cold to the touch.
She watched the man settle on a couch before removing his hat. She then spoke, "It’s past nine in the evening, Uncle. What else do you want from me?"
"I heard you’re working for Leander Wentworth now." The middle-aged man pressed his back against the couch as if it relieved his bad back. He then looked up at the niece, who cursed him behind those eyes. "Sit down, Luellen. We need to talk about this."
"I don’t have money." Luellen spat in a serious tone. Even though she had just received her first paycheck, she didn’t want to share her hard work with this man, who had taken everything from her.
The middle-aged man narrowed his gaze at her. "I don’t want Wentworth’s money. So should you. Quit your job."
Luellen only stared at him. She didn’t even move too much, as if frozen by his audacity to act like they were still blood-related. The maiden, who wasn’t raised badly, could only continue glaring.
Her uncle didn’t let up, either. He patted the single couch’s armrest. "Sit down. It’s hard for me to keep looking up. I’m sure Weyland’s friends are still around. Ask for a job from them instead."
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